Coolest character designs/outfits

[Puguni]

Because I like looking at good fashion.

I guess this counts for both anime + manga.

My personal favorites:
1. Most of Sakura's outfits from CardCaptor Sakura. Sooo adorable.
2. I also really enjoy the outfits in Fairy Tail. I love Erza's armors!
3. Tegami Bachi has some really detailed steam punk designs that I love looking at.
4. The character designs for TTGL.
5. I never watch Bleach, but I always thought that Grimmjow was pretty darn cool for some reason.

There are probably more, can't think of any right now.

Oldbies especially, I'd like to see some older series. *u*

[TriezGamer]

I really like any of the formal outfits seen in the Crest and Banner of the Stars series.
Nothing else comes to mind off the top of my head though.

[Raiden no Kishi]

- Kamina from TTGL
Kamina's a rock star, plain and simple. Capes are always good (don't let Pixar deceive you), and it takes someone special to wear sunglasses like that and look cool.

- Nicholas D. Wolfwood from Trigun
I always thought Wolfwood had a simple, cool design. The crosses on his cuffs were a great, subtle detail. The man also rocks a pair of .45s and the Cross Punisher.

- Cross Marian from D.Gray-man
Glasses, Phantom of the Opera mask, long hair, goatee, massive revolver, ruffly sleeves. General Cross is manly to the core. You're just jealous.

- Fai D. Flowright (shut up, I'll spell it the way I want to XP) from TRC
Fai is effortlessly classy and elegant. Look up "bishie" in the encyclopedia, and you'll see a picture of Fai.

- Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist
While Alphonse is clearly the cooler Elric brother, Ed wears his automail well, and I've been known to adopt his short braid from time to time.

- Gamma Akutabi from Zombie Powder
Gamma is the only person capable of making a mullet cool (except for Togusa from GITS:SAC and Solid Snake). It works well with the glam-rock ensemble and the giant chainsaw sword.

- Sven Vollfied from Black Cat
Sven also makes a suit work. He spruces up a normally plain look by adding a matching hat (a rarity) and an eyepatch. Add the metal briefcase full of gadgets and you've got a winning combination.

- Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop
You don't think I'd mention so many suit-wearers without naming Spike, do you? The loose tie, unbuttoned collar, and rolled-up sleeves project Spike's "Meh, whatever" attitude well. And his Jericho 941 pistol, aside from being an excellent combat pistol, is unique and stylish. Spike also rocks a very film-noir trench coat.

- Okita Sougo from Gintama
Okita gets a special mention here not only for his EPIC red sleep mask, but for pairing an old-school fancy military uniform with an anti-tank bazooka. Oh yes.

- Yuki Nagato from Haruhi Suzumiya no Yuutsu
Mostly because I have this awesome picture of her standing in her witch outfit (a cape and giant floppy hat) and a white Gibson SG. That's hard to top.

- L from Death Note
You wouldn't think a pair of stonewashed jeans and a white sweater would be distinctive at all. And, were they on anyone else, you'd be right. L's look, almost a dead split between "bishie" and "sort of creepy," combine with his strange mannerisms to make him memorable.

- Lavi from D.Gray-man
Lavi's personality makes him stand out, but his red hair, eyepatch, and giant hammer help. In another life, Lavi would make for an excellent pirate. Captain Jack who?

- Major Alex Louis Armstrong from Fullmetal Alchemist
Using fashion skills handed down the Armstrong family line for generations, the Major's single, well-groomed blond lock and mustache have earned the respect of this advocate of the long-haired, clean-shaven look. Also, he's built like a tank - always a manly look. (This also explains how he survived growing up with a certain Major General as his sister)

- Sanji from One Piece
Sanji is another stylish suit-wearer. Wearer of the manliest emo cut EVER. And of course we can't forget the curly eyebrows.

.rai//

[RobinSena]

Two personal favorites would be Howl from Howl's Moving Castle, and Robin Sena from Witch Hunter Robin. Lovely dresses.. ^_^

[EricTheFred]

The various goddesses in Oh My Goddess, but in particular Belldandy.

The various spirits populating the xxxHolic universe, but especially the Zashiki-warishi and the Ame-Warishi.

I second Robin Sena. They somehow managed to make her look both vulnerable and dangerous, a perfect reflection of the character. Her design might match her character as well as any I've seen.

In a similar vein, the main characters of "Ergo Proxy."

I know she's designed with us guys very specifically in mind, but Mizuho in "Please Teacher" will always be a favorite.

The original Vash the Stampede. The one in the manga, not the poorly executed anime version (look, I like the anime too, but... Vash is just more Vash-like in the manga.)

And there is just something weirdly right about Haruko Haruhara in FLCL.


Puguni: If you liked CCS costumes, check out Angelic Layer. Basically lots more of the same.

Raiden,
Personally, Kurogane is my favorite Tsubasa character. Especially in his original costume from his version of Japan (and the other costumes from the same world, in the flashback sequences to his childhood. The live-action version of this, if it is ever done, will have a wardrobe as colorful and fun as the best Chinese historic dramas.)

[Raiden no Kishi]

Raiden,
Personally, Kurogane is my favorite Tsubasa character. Especially in his original costume from his version of Japan (and the other costumes from the same world, in the flashback sequences to his childhood. The live-action version of this, if it is ever done, will have a wardrobe as colorful and fun as the best Chinese historic dramas.)

I'm in agreement with you - Kurogane's "default" outfit is excellent, as are most of the outfits in Tsubasa. The manga's worth it for the covers alone - and you get an excellent manga as well!

.rai//

[Fish and Chips]

A lot of the summonable personae in ATLUS' Persona universe, though Akihiko Sanada's evolved persona Caesar and the Protagonist's initial persona Orpheus are two of my favorites design-wise.



Or heck, Persona's spiritual predecessor JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has a number of awesome stands (which are basically the same thing as personae) and impossibly cool clothes.

I'll have to refresh my collection.

[EricTheFred]

Fish,
I'm just trying to guesstimate how long person on the left's neck is! About a foot long, by my eye...

[Fish and Chips]

Persona are twice the size of their users. And even then ANIME PROPORTIONS what.

[Blitzkrieg1701]

Digimon Emperor Ken's outfit will ALWAYS be awesome

[KhakiBlueSocks]

Digimon Emperor Ken's outfit will ALWAYS be awesome

In hindsight, The Digimon Emperor's outfit reminds me of a future Chairman Kaga from the ORIGINAL Iron Chef. Elaborate, over-the-top, perfect for the character.

Here are some of my favorite character designs:

[color=yellow]Konata from "Lucky Star" - That long, calf-length blue hair with that cute little ahoge on the top of her head really suits the character. On top of that, she's one of the few anime characters that actually has a different outfit other than her sailor school uniform.[/color]

[color=yellow]Soichiro Arima from "His and Her Circumstances" - I picked Arima because of the way he matures throughout the series, both in looks and even in voice. He actually grows taller from the last time we see him in episode 11 (Went to a Kendo convention), to the next time we see him in episode 17. [/color]

[color=yellow]Asa Shigure from "Shuffle!" - Say what you will, but any girl who takes the time to tie a ribbon through her hair like she does deserves recognition! [/color]

[color=yellow]Koushiro "Izzy" Izumi from "Digimon: Digital Monsters" - One would think that the colors Orange, red, Purple, Green, Yellow and Brown should never be combined in a wardrobe, but for some reason, he made it work! I also find myself asking how in the name of all that is good and holy did he type with those big gloves on?! Anyway, he pulls the look off great![/color]

[color=yellow]Nadia from "The Secret of Blue Water" - It's rare that you find people of my color in anime. So when I first saw Nadia, I was like "YES! WOOT! We do exist in anime!" Even though she stays in the same skimpy outfit for 98% of the series, her overall design still rocks my socks![/color]

[color=yellow]Daisuke "Davis" Motomiya from "Digimon: Digital Monsters" - Bomber Jacket and Goggles. Need I say more? [/color]

[color=yellow]Kagami Hiiragi from Lucky Star - There was an episode of Lucky Star when Kagami fantacised about cutting her hair short as a joke. I found myself screaming "NOOOO!!!" Those twin tails are what makes her character so loveable! [/color]

[Popsicle]

I also think Grimmjow has one of the most awesome character designs. I mean...he has awesome blue hair. He's just plain awesome...and he can turn into a kitty.

All the Eureka Seven characters catch my eye too.

[ShiroiHikari]

Char Aznable from Mobile Suit Gundam

Come on. The guy is an icon and it's easy to see why.

Quattro Bajina from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

Red uniform + blonde hair + sunglasses = yes.

Anavel Gato from Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory

I love the cape and the hair.

Holland Novak from Eureka Seven

The yellow scarf is really memorable and a nice contrast to his gray hair and blue eyes.

Roger Smith from Big O

Lots of black here but it really works. He's recognizable even though his design is simple.

[ShiroiHikari]

I forgot a few.

Phoenix Wright from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Kinda looks a little bit like Roger Smith now that I think about it. The colors are really good together, they're more unique than just black and white, yet they're not too outlandish or harsh. And I like how the artist draws his figure; he has nice broad shoulders (unlike a lot of anime guys). He looks manly even though he's wearing a pink tie, haha.

Miles Edgeworth from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Edgeworth manages to look manly while wearing a purple suit AND a frilly cravat. Now that's good character design. XD

Godot also from Phoenix Wright

He has a cool visor/mask thing. Major points for that, lol. His outfit is simple yet sharp, and the color choices really make it pop. I love the white tie with the dark teal shirt, and the shirt color also looks good with the skin tone they chose. Unfortunately, all the full body pics I found of him have kind of washed-out colors (like the one above), so here's a gif of his sprite:

[Raiden no Kishi]

Miles Edgeworth from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Edgeworth manages to look manly while wearing a purple suit AND a frilly cravat. Now that's good character design. XD

"Manages?" More like MANages. A purple suit and a frilly cravat are clearly indications that the wearer is a man among men. I hope one day to rock a jet-black vest and white cravat like Edgeworth. I'm not yet manly enough for the purple suit. XD

And +1 for Roger Smith! Roger made me want a double-breasted suit very badly, until it was explained to me that short, barrel-chested people don't look terribly good in them. Ah well. I still want his car, though. Dang, that was a sweet car.

Your Gundam characters reminded me of two of my favorite Gundam character designs.

- Duo Maxwell from Gundam Wing
I was always more of a Heero fan, but I'd say Duo's the most stylish of the five. You see a guy walk down the street in a clerical collar, fencing breeches, and Beatle boots, rocking a waist-length braid, you know he's an interesting fellow. I still want some black shirts with clerical collars. I doubt my hair will ever reach Duo length, but if it did, I'd consider cosplaying him. Trust me, you wouldn't want to see me in Heero's bike shorts. XD

- Domon Kasshu from G Gundam
While George is my favorite Shuffle Alliance fighter (classy and chivalrous FTW), I like Domon's outfit the best. I'm not much for headbands, but capes are always good, and the khaki jacket with its big collar is cool. Also, dark red leather biker gloves are pure rock and roll. Schwarz's coat gets a special mention for being totally awesome and having spiked epaulets. I have no idea what the artists were on when they designed Chibodee Crockett (or when they named him, for that matter XD), but I bet it's illegal.

.rai//

[ShiroiHikari]

Oh crap, how could I have forgotten about Domon! His outfit is really cool.

[KhakiBlueSocks]

Now that I'm back home, there are a few more that I would like to add to my list:

[color=Yellow]Ban from "Getbackers" - Smoking aside, Ban's character design really rocks my socks--from his cool sea urchin inspired hair, to his octopus inspired, 4 tailed shirt. I also love the fact that, dispite whatever outfit he wears, those violet-tinted glasses go with anything, and they play off his blue eyes quite well! [/color]

[color=Yellow]Hideaki from "Nerima Daikon Brothers" - Big, brash and bold, Hideaki's design matches his personality to the letter! Although this whole anime pays homage to the Blues Brothers, the NDB has a style all it's own, especially Hideaki with his bright red shirt and green scarf.
[/color]

[color=Yellow]L from "Death Note" - Rai pretty much nailed L. He's the perfect combination of pretty boy and pretty freaky. I don't know if it was intentional or not, but L always put me in the mind of a bird with the way he perches in a chair and those glaring eyes. [/color]

[color=Yellow]Rem from "Death Note" - Yes, Shinigami can be stylin' too. I love Rem's dreads, especially how they're dyed blue at the tips.[/color]


[color=Yellow]Ryuk from "Death Note" - The ultimate rock star. You honestly can't tell me that the designers of Ryuk didn't have american rockstar in mind. With all the metal gear, the earring, and that belt with his Death Note on it just screams "I'm a rock star, I do apples, where are the chicks?"
[/color]

[color=Yellow]Hachimaki from "Planetes" - Part of the reason I love Planetes is because it's so realistic, right down to the character designs. Hachi's design reflects his personality--he's strong becuase of the work he does, but he's also on the pudgy side becuase he's portrayed a a bit of a slob.
[/color]

[color=Yellow]Misakichi from "Angelic Layer" - While I question the need for her two dreadlocks on either side of her head, I can't picture her without them, and they're actually kinda cute! The uniform is...interesting.
[/color]

[color=Yellow]Ginko from "Mushishi" - Overall he's a pretty plain character, but when you compare him to all the other characters in the series, he really stands out. The fact that he has green eye(s) and white hair just adds to that fact.
[/color]

[color=Yellow]Goemon Ishikawa from "Legend of the Mystical Ninja" - Poor Vic, he always gets saddled with playing the shrimps. But this is one of the most well designed shrimps with the blue bush hair![/color]

[color=Yellow]Renton from "Eureka Seven" - Though I question the fanny pack (Yes, I know he's a mechanics grandson) overall, Renton's design is pretty cool. His transformation in the last episode is epic win.
[/color]

[color=Yellow]Eureka from "Eureka Seven" - I love the way Eureka changes throughout the series, from being really...geometric and straight edged to being rounded and soft. Her hair reflects this change quite well as it turns floppy toward the end.[/color]


[color=yellow]Tsukasa Hiiragi from "Lucky Star" - [color=RoyalBlue]Tsukasa is a walking, talking tribute to Akari from ToHeart, right down to the bow in her hair. But, with her purple colored hair and eyes, and small stance, she's a character all her on!
[/color][/color]

[Raiden no Kishi]

Ban from "Getbackers" - Smoking aside, Ban's character design really rocks my socks--from his cool sea urchin inspired hair, to his octopus inspired, 4 tailed shirt. I also love the fact that, dispite whatever outfit he wears, those violet-tinted glasses go with anything, and they play off his blue eyes quite well!

Ryuk from "Death Note" - The ultimate rock star. You honestly can't tell me that the designers of Ryuk didn't have american rockstar in mind. With all the metal gear, the earring, and that belt with his Death Note on it just screams "I'm a rock star, I do apples, where are the chicks?"

+1 for Ban - the shirt and purple John Lennon shades are prety much epic win.

It would have been hilarious to have cast Keith Richards (from the Rolling Stones, if anyone didn't know) as Ryuk. XD

.rai//

[the_wolfs_howl]

Edward Elric from Full Metal Alchemist - Who cares if he's short?! He has a super-hot-looking automail arm that he turns periodically into a sword, and he wears that awesome red coat. I missed that coat in the part of the manga where he doesn't wear it for a while, and felt like cheering when it came back. Whenever you think Ed, it's impossible not to think about his red coat. And I never would have guessed I would think long hair would look good on a guy, but his braid really fits him, somehow. I also love his golden eyes, because they are rather symbolic of his lineage (in the manga) and his alchemical prowess.

Alphonse Elric from Full Metal Alchemist - I think his character design is one of the most original and interesting in any anime I've seen: an empty suit of armor containing nothing but his soul. And the armor looks pretty hot, if you ask me, and his blood seal is really awesome too.

I also like manga!Envy and manga!Pride, but that's another story.

Vash the Stampede from Trigun - Need I say any more? XD

Pacifica Casull from Scrapped Princess - All of the clothes in this anime are just kind of whatever, but I love Pacifica's golden curls. They're so pretty!

Re-l Meyer from Ergo Proxy - I haven't even seen Ergo Proxy yet, and I already know I'm going to love her. She's so pretty, with that smooth black hair and blue eyeshadow.

[ShiroiHikari]

I was also really impressed with Eureka's character design. It's not often that you see a character's design change throughout a series, and they did it to great effect here.

Renton's design is nice too. I like the way his brown hair and blue eyes look with the red and white jacket (shirt?).

Edit: Would I get shot if I talked about mecha designs? XD;

[GeneD]

Alucard from Hellsing: Awesome hat, coat and glasses and he looks good without all of that too.

I like Sir Intergra Hellsing as well, I'm still considering cosplaying as her.

I enjoyed the changes in the look of the Eureka 7 characters. Renton was especially good in the last few episodes.

I read somewhere that apparently L was supposed to be this sleek businessman-type, so I think their final design couldn't be better.

[KhakiBlueSocks]

I have a couple honoroable mentions, now that I'm thinking about it...

[color=yellow]Talho from Eureka Seven - I dare anyone not to look at the early version of Talho and not think of Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop! While it's not a direct copy of Faye, it's definately an homage, and she works it well![/color]

[color=yellow]Kyon from "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" - Nobody rocks the uniform quite like Kyon. Becuase he doesn't wear it the proper way (with the shirt tucked in and the top button undone) it gives him the typical rebel look, dispite his role as the concince of the SOS Brigade.[/color]

[color=yellow]Radical Edward from Cowboy Bebop - It is a well known fact that early in the production of Bebop, Edward was supposed to be a boy, but to even things up on the good ship Bebop, he was made she, and otaku everywhere are thankful for it! Her whole character design represents her personality--from her fire red(orange?) hair right down to her bare toes and do I have to mention that big ear-to-ear grin. To quote: "Edward IS Edward!" [/color]

[color=yellow]Kaworu Nagisa from "Neon Genesis Evangelion" - Without breaking our do not discuss clause, I have to say that Kaworu is one of the best designed characters in the series, and he reflects his "other world" personality with those red eyes, grey hair and pale skin.[/color]

[AsianBlossom]

- Sanji from One Piece
Sanji is another stylish suit-wearer. Wearer of the manliest emo cut EVER. And of course we can't forget the curly eyebrows.

.rai//

Emo cut? Never would've guessed. Now, give him some glasses and I'd say it's a complete look. *nods*

~~~~~

Okay, my turn. (List not in any particular order)

Trucy Wright from Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
The outfit seems like it'd be fun to do as a cosplay]


Nami from One Piece
I love the sandals she wears later on in the series (particularly the blue ones). :3


Marth from Fire Emblem, as seen in Super Smash Bros. Melee/Brawl
He's an exiled prince...and he looks the part. Definitely a cool outfit.


Tony Tony Chopper from One Piece
A reindeer...as far as I know, they're not commonly used as characters/cute mascots. Which makes him all the more unique, cool, and cute. ^-^


Winry Rockbell from Fullmetal Alchemist
I like her hair style...now if only I could get my own hair to cooperate so I can replicate it XD

I'll add more later.

[AJV]

Well here's my list:

Akatsuki from Naruto
They're cloaks are just so cool looking.
Zero's Outfit from Code Geass
His cape is one of my favorite parts of his outfit, besides his helmet of course.
Edward Elric from Full Metal Alchemist
The Jacket,the automail,and the white gloves really make the look,but don't forget the pants and boots though.
Female School Uniforms from Code Geass
They're different from school uniforms seen in most Anime. I like how they look.
Pain (or Pein) from Naruto
So much body piercing...

There's plenty of others I could think of.
but that's just a few of the top of my head.

[ShiroiHikari]

Ed Elric does have a pretty nice design. :3

This might sound kind of cliche but I like Sailor Moon's character design. I've always thought it was really creative, especially the odango hair XD And I like how they changed her uniform slightly over the different series, and managed to keep it fresh but still recognizable. Princess Serenity's dress is really nice too.

One Piece is rife with interesting and creative character design. Eiichiro Oda is an amazing man.

[Scarecrow]

Ah, My Goddess has great character design but Belldandy and Urd stand out in particular.

Dark from DNAngel. DNAngel another one with really good all around character design IMO.

D from Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.

Alucard from Hellsing.

The character design in Fate/Stay Night is excellent too. Never seen the series itself yet but its on my to see list.

Spike from Cowboy Bebop.

Scrapped Princess...

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head... I know there's more though.

[Bekalou]

I'm a cosplayer, so I think a lot about character designs (and therefore I have to showoff my stuff XD)

Saber from Fate/Stay Night is what I'm working on; her armor is awesome.

I'm currently obsessed with all of Ciel Phantomhive's clothes from Kuroshitsuji. They're fabulous and I want them all, plus his eyepatch is just plain cool =3

I love the uniforms from FMA; these are mine (just Riza and Roy; I'm Riza. Photo was taken by Chibi-Shiki).

And, of course, Princess Zelda which got me into cosplay to begin with. (That link will also take you to my DA cosplay account.)

[ShiroiHikari]

Oh yeah, I remembered another one. Ky Kiske from the Guilty Gear games.

[Roy Mustang]

An non anime design and outfit is Raphael Sorel




And much as I dislike Gundam 0083, I did like the design and outfit of Anavel Gato.




[font="Book Antiqua"][color="Red"]Col. Roy Mustang[/color][/font]

[ShiroiHikari]

Yay, another vote for Gato XD