Hackers. We may be tired of their usual looks at this point, but you can't deny how cool these default characters are.
While they may not always be as analytical as they look, how they work wonders with data systems defines their very nature.
To celebrate this hacker culture in anime, I've put together this list of the best of all time. Just note that, as usual, I have a few rules for my ranking:
- No two characters are from the same series (but it can be the same franchise, e.g.gundam )
- Lockpicking skills may not be central, but should at least be important enough for each character.
- Lockpicking skills should have a significant impact on the main story.
- The higher the final hack range, the better
Now let's get on with it!
25. Nagato Yuuki
Anime: Suzumiya Haruhi series
To put it mildly, but very calmly and directly.
The unpretentious form of this being from higher dimensions is like a silent bookworm girl.
Surely the perfect disguise to hide the fact that she can rip open the very fabric of reality. Luckily, her real-world skill at manipulating digital data is only used negatively during a fairly peaceful PC gaming session.
24. Anonymous death
Anime: Hyperdimension Neptunia series
If the title "genius hacker" doesn't convince you of his (hmm, yes, his) professional level, then perhaps his drive to gather information for his group will.
I guess no one will be fooled by his sweet words and pure girlish attitude.okama .
But when dealing with objects that cause his obsessive interest, you can be absolutely sure that no digital barrier will be strong enough to keep him.
23. Matsu
Anime: Sekirei
Being a technopath is kind of a cheat when it comes to hacking.
I mean, come on, it's almost on the same level of cheating as Uiharu's teleportation partner's favorite roommate in the 177 branch of Justice HQ.
You don't even have to stereotypically type random things like Hollywood hackers!
But a hacker is a hacker. And Matsu is still into data manipulation and infiltration just like the others on this list.
22. Manami Aiba / La Brava
Anime: My Hero Academy
A sweet and passionate accomplice of Gentle Criminal, ready to do anything for her lover.
Although her hacking abilities did not fully manifest in her original appearance, characters from the same universe appreciated her abilities and praised them highly.
Even to the point where she and Gentle Criminal are considered potentially valuable assets for the Hero Association.
21. Jun Lee
Anime: Genesis Aquarion
Officially, he is considered one of the Switch Pilots of the Aquarion Division.
But for the most part, he just manages and maintains computers, fulfilling his particular specialty of being a geek.
He rarely acts as a hacker. But he has at least one very notable achievement in the profession.
And he was able to hack DEAVA's main security system and access its secret data. Oh, and did I say he's an otaku? Ideal.
20. Junichiro Kagami
Anime: Denpa Kyoshi
The profile of this supposedly unplanned class teacher as a hacker is quite thin from a professional standpoint.
Well, it's pretty obvious that he often does his fair share of hacking.
But usually this is only done for his convenience and selfish gain.
But at the end of the day, he's still technically more of an otaku than a professional hacker. However, it is this data access portfolio that gives it enough merit to make it on this list.
19. Izumi Koushiro
Anime: Digimon Adventure 02
An avid computer geek, Kushiro acts as an advisor to the Digidestined.
While his hacking skills are relatively modest compared to the rest of the hackers on this list, his hacking exploits always contribute significantly to the group's overall goal.
Of course, when he and Tentomon directly access the Digital World, it gets a bit complicated. But his knowledge of computers makes him a true hacker nonetheless.
18. Christina Sierra
Anime: Gundam 00 series
Chief communications officer and analyst for Celestial Being. Naturally, with her skill set, hacking into other computer systems becomes the norm.
This is especially important to the organization because of its clean tampering practices, which usually leave no trace of the fact that it has ever compromised the database at all.
Unfortunately, certain extenuating circumstances (for her story) keep her from ranking higher on this list.
17. Shinomiya Himawari
Anime: Bright red operation
Just being a hikikomori doesn't mean you can be a good hacker.
However, the immediate environment of access to digital information (legal or illegal) can help shape the right mindset.
Combined with a natural aptitude for computers and machines like Himawari's, you get the primary data infiltration specialist and manager of the entire Vivid team.
16. Tsugumi
Anime: Crown of Sin
Intel can not only provide the most detailed and accurate information.
A little data sabotage and a little tweak here and there on the side of the enemies can also help turn the tide of the battle.
Just like how Tsugumi always did it for her love and organization. Up to the unofficial disbandment of Funeral Parlor with its "restructuring".
15. Takeyama
Anime: Angel beats!
Technically, Takeyama, the SSS liaison officer, is outside of the organization's main fighting operations.
To be honest, in the secluded place they live in, there really isn't much to show off their hacking skills.
In fact, his title is pretty much only named for now.
However, retrieving information anywhere, anytime is something it can still do consistently.
14. Akira Renbokoji
Anime: Valvrave the Liberator
Now let's move on tohikikomori number two.
Often we see hackers exercising their skills through unauthorized access to areas that are supposed to have a very high level of security.
Akira, although not the first on this list, was specifically shown to have implemented a security system.
Thus, not only is she free to enter and exit databases at will, but with WIRED, she has also developed a security system that is (at least in principle) hard to crack.
13. Benny
Anime: Black Lagoon
You just know that you are one of the main players of the team when you are in charge of the main transport channel, business information and everything related to data.
Your buddies can keep all the weapons and crates for you. But if you are a specialist like Benny, all you need is to influence and redirect.
In any case, his carefree youth is now far beyond him.
12. Chihiro Fujisaki
Anime: Danganronpa series
He (yes, he) is another possible hikikomori, this time focusing more on honing his computer skills in the secluded environment he created for himself.
Well, I guess being the son of a software engineer is considered a natural talent for this role. But in general, this is just an additional point.
Chihiro is a difficult hacker, but he will not hesitate to use his skills if he deems it necessary to achieve his goal.
11. Kazari Uiharu
Anime: In the series Aru
At first glance, she seems to be just another absent-minded and absent-minded high school student.
Well, actually she is.
But behind that pretty exterior is a super-tech-savvy database access expert from Judgment Headquarters Ward 177.
This immediately says something about her hacking abilities, even if the advanced computers of Academy City cannot be compared to her.
In addition, she has another less useful ability as an esper, but that's for another time.
10. Edward Wong
Anime: Cowboy Bebop
Girl? Boy?
Bah, who cares.
As long as he can digitally infiltrate a control system or database, a whole day of work is worth it.
Yet Ed's apparently eccentric qualities aren't actually directly related to his hacking skills.
It's more of a legacy thing, just as delicious and healthy as all the boiled eggs Spike and Jeff are about to eat.
9. Kona Furuguri / Frau Kojiro
Anime: Robotics; Notes
As a self-proclaimed pervert, this super anti-social girl is incapable of even having a regular conversation with all the pure jargon she constantly says out loud.
However, she makes up for her characteristic flaws with her brilliance at computer programming.
First, she developed one of the most popular games in the universe of this series.
As a hacker, she specializes in breaking into private network systems just to get any information she needs.
8. Yusaku Fujiki / Playmaker
Anime: Yu Gi Oh! VRAINS
Steadfast, even more serious than the brilliant hacker Yuusei.
Yusaku's data penetration skills as a playmaker are an outlet for him to delve into the depths of his modern world of projected data, corporate information management, and augmented reality.
In fact, there is an even more serious reason for his crusade. But he is destined to go through the entire streak before he can make progress on that particular goal.
7. Yuko Shionji / Alice
Anime: Kami-sama no Memochou
Secluded in an air-conditioned room that would likely freeze any Okinawan to death in minutes, this Dr. Pepper-powered cute creature resolves disputes, settlements, investigations, and even crime... all in his screen-filled room.
Remote access to any screen or visual device in the city is a breeze, and access to any digital records is always just a matter of (short) time for her.
On the other hand, she may have some stance when it comes to any kind of physically necessary regular maintenance.
6. Akira Shirase
Anime: Combat Programmer Shirase
Oddly enough, Akira is probably the only one on this list who had a development style reminiscent of a shonen manga hero.
Only this time, all the feats accomplished were some form of hacking technique.
In this regard, he is probablyis the most developed character for this particular list.
Heck, he even has at least two signature "finishers" that somehow still tie into the hack.
5. Lane Iwakura
Anime: Serial Experiments Lane
The eponymous heroine of her own series.
The basic basis of a hacker is the desire for information.
Lane is perhaps one of the most information-obsessed characters on this list, almost a monster at processing everything she learns. Because of this, her hacking skills may only be part of her overall data processing skill set.
However, technically, she is still considered a hacker for our purposes, as she is able to do so on an as-needed basis with professional efficiency.
4. Sakura Futaba
Anime: Persona 5
Most of the hackers on this list display their hacking skills as a side effect of their general computer-related abilities.
However, Futaba, like some of the people on this list, is a dedicated hacker.
Her hacking skills were so high that people thought she was a group of hackers.
She was also able to easily reveal the identities of the Phantom Thieves using the same set of skills, albeit with a bit of luck and much to the group's chagrin.
3. Noiz
Anime: DRAMATIC MURDER
Renowned information broker in the Rhyme digital framework.
His upbringing definitely influenced his preference for knowledge, information and logic.
This mainly contributes to his skills as a hacker, used to great effect for both his personal goals and his lifestyle.
Like many other hackers, his skills spreadto almost any electronic device ; their genius and proximity to modern technologies.
2. Hashida Itaru
Anime: Steins; gate
The one and only Super Hacker Daru. His ability to hack SERN can be used as a plot device, but it's important enough to drive the entire story of the series.
His hacking abilities, while surprising to ordinary people, seemrealistic quite tame and common compared to the other hacks listed earlier.
However, don't underestimate this too much. It's safe to assume that without him, Okabe would never have been able to accomplish the feats he accomplished.
And that makes Hashida so damn important!
1. Laughing man
Anime: Ghost in armor
Let's face it: in the futuristic world of Motoko and her gang, being a hacker is probably just another side activity for anyone.
However, no one still can match the level of skill, omnipresence and thoroughness of the Laughing Man.
I mean, if you can directly hack another person's cybernetic brain, then hacking into multiple camera feeds or any high-security government database would be like accessing your laptop with password 1234.
This guy feels like an OG hacker we will never forget.
