While recent years have brought the debate on what truly fits the bill, anime is still predominantly produced in Japan, and based on Japanese stories. Considering Japan’s general homogeneity, it’s no wonder then, that foreign characters rarely make an appearance in anime.
Of all the countries that do get some representation, America and the United Kingdom are easily top of the list. Anime however, does have quite a few Italian characters of note. Stereotypically viewed as suave and passionate, Italians tend to fall into very specific roles in anime, but luckily each series at least tries to make their Italian characters stand out, and some succeed in making truly memorable ones.
8 Croix Meridies (Little Witch Academia)
In the magic-laden world of Little Witch Academia, people are either born with magical aptitude or not, and so it has been for time immemorial. However, Croix makes a name for herself by presenting a new, more technologically fueled version of magic that's hard for many to resist.
As LWA progresses, Croix’s past relationship with the disappeared Shiny Chariot is slowly revealed, showing that jealousy for her friend is what drove Croix to be the woman she becomes. Although, the two are able to reconcile in the end.
7 Celestino Cialdini (Yuri On Ice)
Of all the anime focused on specific sports, Yuri on Ice is the main one that comes to mind for ice skating. It follows the young Yuri Katsuki, as he attempts to climb his way up the icy ladder and become the skater of his dreams.
While the story really takes off when Victor Nikiforov becomes Yuri’s coach, his former coach Celestino stays on the show as a recurring character. He does go on to coach Pichit Chulanont, a Thai skater who competes with Yuri during the show.
6 Takumi Aldini (Food Wars)
One of the things Italy is most famous for is its cuisine, a fact that resulted in the Italian chef becoming an archetype of its own. As the quintessential chef-based shounen series, Food Wars was sure to feature this archetype itself.
Takumi plays the stereotype of the proud Italian to a comedic level. He insists on being rivals with series protagonist Soma, even though the latter doesn’t reciprocate for most of the series. He also represents his Italian heritage by throwing in a “gracie” when someone compliments his food.
5 Ricardo Fellini (Gundam Build Fighters)
The Gundam series has almost too many shows to count. Back in 2013, the series grew with the release of Gundam Build Fighters, a Yu Gi Oh/Bakugan style show where pilots fought with collectible ‘gunpla’ figures. Ricardo, “the Italian dandy” is one of those pilots.
Taking on another common Italian stereotype, he is an unashamed flirt and a ladies man. His pride also makes him despise losing to the point where he will self-destruct his own gundam in order to pull a fight to a draw.
4 Capone Bege (One Piece)
The Italian mobster is likely the most pervasive trope the nation has attached to it. Movies like The Godfather and Goodfellas have cemented the suit-wearing mafioso as an iconic figure in popular culture, and One Piece plays this completely straight with Capone Bege.
Bege is a member of the ‘worst generation’, a group of 12 notorious pirates who often come to blows with Luffy and his crew. Like any good mob boss, Bege is willing to strike a beneficial deal, even teaming up with Luffy when it means taking out a mutual enemy.
3 Caesar Zeppeli (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure)
By itself, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure likely provides above 25% of anime’s Italian characters, and they’re all worth talking about. For the sake of variety though, only 2 of them will be featured here, and the bubble master Caesar Zeppeli is the first.
Caesar is similar in many ways to his grandfather William, being a proud Zeppeli hamon practitioner. Where he sets himself apart is in his unique, bubble based fighting style, and his rivalry with Joseph Joestar, which eventually blossoms into a short, but iconic friendship.
2 Porco Rosso (Porco Rosso)
Out of Studio Ghibli’s massive quality catalog, it’s hard to stick out. This is perhaps why 1992’s Porco Rosso doesn’t get brought up more. The story takes place in 1929, where the airways are hounded by pirates. The titular Porco Rosso is an ex fighter jet pilot, who’s been cursed to look like a pig.
His real name is Marco Pagot, and he’s one of Ghibli’s more snide main characters. He holds a lot of guilt for losing his comrades in the first World War, and so despite his somewhat surly nature, is fiercely loyal to himself and his loved ones.
1 Giorno Giovanna (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure)
The second Jojo character here is also the only Italian protagonist in the series. While not born from Italian parents, Giorno grew up in Italy from the age of 4, eventually developing a stand and seeking to become a ‘gang star’ in order to help out destitute people in society.
Throughout Jojo: Golden Wind, Giorno and his comrades work to take over the stand-filled gang, Passione. Time and time again, he escapes fatal scenarios through pure resolve and team work. His theme song going viral also didn’t hurt in making him anime’s best known Italian.