Top 20 Scaredy-Cat Anime Characters Ranking: Zenitsu Takes the Crown! 2025 Spacomic Poll Results
When it comes to anime characters, we usually think of brave and fearless heroes or calm and composed masterminds. However, there is a special type of character who, despite possibly possessing great power or being in an environment frequented by supernatural events, harbors an extreme fear of "ghosts" and "scary things." This strong gap moe often wins over countless fans, making viewers chuckle amidst tense plotlines.
According to the latest survey up to 2025 from the Japanese anime information website Spacomic, a list titled "Coward/Scared-of-Ghosts Character Ranking" has sparked widespread discussion. This ranking not only includes classic, nationally beloved characters but also recent popular characters from multimedia projects. Below is an in-depth analysis of this ranking of anime characters scared of ghosts, to see who are the famous "scream kings/queens" of the 2D world.

Analysis of the Top 3 Anime Characters Scared of Ghosts
In this fiercely competitive ranking of cowardly characters, the top three spots are held by characters with extremely high popularity, and their "cowardly" trait has almost become a core label of their identity.
1st Place: Zenitsu Agatsuma — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
The undisputed champion! Zenitsu Agatsuma's victory is truly what everyone expected. As a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, he must face man-eating demons every day, yet he is always crying and shouting "I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die" and "I don't want to die." This extreme cowardice, contrasted with the Thunder Breathing Iaijutsu he displays after falling asleep, creates one of the most classic character contrasts in anime history. For fans, Zenitsu's ear-piercing screams and his cool combat stances are precisely his irreplaceable charm.
2nd Place: An Shiraishi — Project SEKAI: Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku
An Shiraishi from the popular music game Project SEKAI takes second place. Usually outgoing, confident, and possessing exceptional singing talent, her only weakness is "ghost stories" and "haunted houses." In the game's story, whenever supernatural topics come up, An immediately loses her usual cool big-sister image and becomes panicked. This adorable flaw makes many players love her even more.

3rd Place: Ran Mouri — Detective Conan
As a high school girl with karate skills, Ran Mouri can easily take down knife-wielding assailants, yet she is helpless against "ghosts" that cannot be defeated with physical attacks. This "physically invincible, magical defense zero" setup has always been a classic comedic element in Detective Conan. Whenever Conan and the gang go exploring in a haunted house, Ran's screams are often scarier than the ghosts themselves. However, it is this girlish timidity that makes this powerful heroine seem more real and endearing.
When Idols, Rappers, and Handsome Guys Meet Ghosts: A Collection of Gap Moe Characters
The middle section of the ranking (4th to 14th place) is filled with characters from idol projects and female-oriented works. This shows the importance of "gap moe" in modern character design.
- Chiaki Morisawa (4th place): As the passionate leader of the Ryuseitai unit in Ensemble Stars!, he is always spouting lines about justice and tokusatsu heroes, yet he is extremely afraid of eggplants and ghosts. This contrast makes him not just a cool hero but also a relatable big boy.
- Ramuda Amemura (6th place) and Jyuto Iruma (11th place): These two characters from Hypnosis Mic prove that even in the gunpowder-filled world of Rap Battles, inner fears are hard to hide. Especially Ramuda, whose cute exterior hides a dark interior, combined with his fear of ghosts, creates an incredibly rich and layered character.
- Akito Shinonome (14th place): Also from Project SEKAI, he is in the Vivid BAD SQUAD unit with An Shiraishi. This duo both making the list makes one wonder what kind of disaster would happen if they went to a haunted house for a team-building event.
Occupational Hazard? Characters in Supernatural Anime Who Are Scared of Ghosts
The most interesting phenomenon in this ranking of anime characters scared of ghosts is the large number of characters from works that are "inherently supernatural in theme."
- Sensei, the Demon King's School Starts!: This work occupies three spots on the list: Abeno Ameaki (10th place), the protagonist Abeno Haruaki (13th place), and Ebisu Isaburou (20th place). Being staff at a school for monsters yet being afraid of monsters—this core setup directly creates the comedic tone of the work.
- Shiki Ichinose (15th place): The protagonist of Togen Anki, who has "oni" blood yet is still afraid of ghosts—this is simply a twist of fate.
- Yuma Kurokami (8th place): From the YouTube anime Possessed Me and the Kurokami Psychic Consultation Office, as an assistant at a psychic consultation office who is under a possession curse, he is still a coward. This setup fills the plot with points for comedic commentary.
Complete Ranking: Spacomic's Top 20 Scared-of-Ghosts/Cowardly Characters
Below is the complete list of the ranking of anime characters scared of ghosts:
- Zenitsu Agatsuma — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
- An Shiraishi — Project SEKAI
- Ran Mouri — Detective Conan
- Chiaki Morisawa — Ensemble Stars!
- America — Hetalia: Axis Powers
- Ramuda Amemura — Hypnosis Mic
- Sento Chitose — Hundred Note
- Yuma Kurokami — Possessed Me and the Kurokami Psychic Consultation Office
- Italy — Hetalia: Axis Powers
- Abeno Ameaki — Sensei, the Demon King's School Starts!
- Jyuto Iruma — Hypnosis Mic
- Gonbee Ajisai — Hundred Note
- Abeno Haruaki — Sensei, the Demon King's School Starts!
- Akito Shinonome — Project SEKAI
- Shiki Ichinose — Togen Anki
- Shun Kaidou — The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
- Heita Shimosakabe — Nintama Rantarou
- Koro-sensei — Assassination Classroom
- Luigi — Super Mario
- Ebisu Isaburou — Sensei, the Demon King's School Starts!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why did Zenitsu Agatsuma take first place in the scared-of-ghosts character ranking?
A: As a Demon Slayer Corps member in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Zenitsu must face demons daily yet is extremely afraid of them. Combined with the contrast of him displaying immense power after falling asleep, he has become a representative character for "cowardly gap moe."
Q: What is the source of this ranking's data?
A: This ranking of anime characters scared of ghosts comes from the "Coward/Scared-of-Ghosts Character Ranking" survey results published in 2025 by the Japanese anime information website Spacomic.
Q: Why are characters from supernatural-themed works also scared of ghosts?
A: This is a common comedic setup. By placing a character in a supernatural environment who is afraid of ghosts, it creates a strong contrast effect, increasing the work's entertainment value and the character's relatability.
Conclusion
This list once again proves that while flawless heroes are admirable, characters with a bit of a "cowardly" trait are often more relatable and realistic. Whether it's Zenitsu Agatsuma, who fights to overcome his fear to protect others, or An Shiraishi, who remains active on stage despite her fears, their fear actually highlights their courage. Next time you see these characters scared out of their wits in anime, remember—this is precisely their most adorable moment!

