A Look Back at Past 'Burning Kings'! Which Year is Your Youthful DNA?
From hot-blooded war gods to energy-saving icons, the 'Burning King' (Ran-Oh) selection is the annual college entrance exam of the anime world! I've compiled the past champions from ISML (International Saimoe League) and Bilibili's Anime Trending, each holding the memories of a generation of anime fans.
ISML Burning Kings: The Global Choice of Otaku
2011: Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)
The inaugural Burning King, well-deserved! The tragic grandeur of the Zero Requiem remains legendary to this day. The line, "I destroy the world, and I create it," is etched into our DNA. Even the meme "Area 11" originated from this masterpiece.
2013/2022: Houtarou Oreki (Hyouka)
The only two-time champion! The contrast of the "energy-saving" protagonist is lethal. The iconic deduction scenes where he goes full power for Chitanda keep this slow-burn masterpiece popular even years later.
2017: Koro-sensei (Assassination Classroom)
The most unique non-human champion! Winning after three attempts, the tenderness and sacrifice hidden beneath his octopus form brought viewers to tears, proving that "burning" isn't just about combat.
2019: Rimuru Tempest (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime)
A legendary comeback! Despite losing two regular-season matches, Rimuru fought back as the 7th seed to defeat all rivals, ushering in the golden age of Isekai moe battles.
2024: Takashi Natsume (Natsume's Book of Friends)
A new benchmark for healing-type champions! Gentleness is power itself; the years of audience goodwill have made him a well-deserved national icon.
Bilibili Burning Kings: Domestic Otaku's Hot-Blooded Memories
2015: Julius Kingsley/Lelouch (Code Geass: Akito the Exiled)
The ceiling of nostalgia! Even appearing in a spin-off, Lelouch's popularity swept the competition, showing just how profound his character charm is.
2016: Yato (Noragami Aragoto)
The wandering god's comeback! His black/purple hair and contrasting personality struck a chord with countless fans. His obsession with being remembered solidified his legendary character arc.
2017: Romani Archaman (Fate/Grand Order)
The tear-jerker king! The identity twist from a gentle doctor to a behind-the-scenes hero, and the line "Humanity is truly amazing," left voters completely devastated.
Analysis of Burning King Trends
1. Character Evolution: Early years favored Lelouch-style dominant war gods, while recent years favor gentle powerhouses like Natsume and Oreki, reflecting a shift in the definition of "burning" from hot-bloodedness to inner strength.
2. The "Hit" Dividend: Phenomenal works like Sword Art Online and Kaguya-sama bring their own traffic; the victories of Kirito and Miyuki Shirogane are inseparable from the massive popularity of their series.
3. Nostalgia Factor: Oreki winning again after 9 years and Lelouch defending his title across different series prove that the vitality of classic characters far exceeds our imagination.
Is your biggest regret Levi not winning, or is it the two-time champion Oreki? Leave a comment and tell us about your ultimate Burning King!
ISML Burning Kings: The Global Choice of Otaku
2011: Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)
The inaugural Burning King, well-deserved! The tragic grandeur of the Zero Requiem remains legendary to this day. The line, "I destroy the world, and I create it," is etched into our DNA. Even the meme "Area 11" originated from this masterpiece.
2013/2022: Houtarou Oreki (Hyouka)
The only two-time champion! The contrast of the "energy-saving" protagonist is lethal. The iconic deduction scenes where he goes full power for Chitanda keep this slow-burn masterpiece popular even years later.
2017: Koro-sensei (Assassination Classroom)
The most unique non-human champion! Winning after three attempts, the tenderness and sacrifice hidden beneath his octopus form brought viewers to tears, proving that "burning" isn't just about combat.
2019: Rimuru Tempest (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime)
A legendary comeback! Despite losing two regular-season matches, Rimuru fought back as the 7th seed to defeat all rivals, ushering in the golden age of Isekai moe battles.
2024: Takashi Natsume (Natsume's Book of Friends)
A new benchmark for healing-type champions! Gentleness is power itself; the years of audience goodwill have made him a well-deserved national icon.
Bilibili Burning Kings: Domestic Otaku's Hot-Blooded Memories
2015: Julius Kingsley/Lelouch (Code Geass: Akito the Exiled)
The ceiling of nostalgia! Even appearing in a spin-off, Lelouch's popularity swept the competition, showing just how profound his character charm is.
2016: Yato (Noragami Aragoto)
The wandering god's comeback! His black/purple hair and contrasting personality struck a chord with countless fans. His obsession with being remembered solidified his legendary character arc.
2017: Romani Archaman (Fate/Grand Order)
The tear-jerker king! The identity twist from a gentle doctor to a behind-the-scenes hero, and the line "Humanity is truly amazing," left voters completely devastated.
Analysis of Burning King Trends
1. Character Evolution: Early years favored Lelouch-style dominant war gods, while recent years favor gentle powerhouses like Natsume and Oreki, reflecting a shift in the definition of "burning" from hot-bloodedness to inner strength.
2. The "Hit" Dividend: Phenomenal works like Sword Art Online and Kaguya-sama bring their own traffic; the victories of Kirito and Miyuki Shirogane are inseparable from the massive popularity of their series.
3. Nostalgia Factor: Oreki winning again after 9 years and Lelouch defending his title across different series prove that the vitality of classic characters far exceeds our imagination.
Is your biggest regret Levi not winning, or is it the two-time champion Oreki? Leave a comment and tell us about your ultimate Burning King!
