As the first month of the year, January symbolizes transitions. Named after the two-faced Roman god Janus, it represents reflecting upon the past but also new beginnings. Children born in January are under the astrological signs of either Capricorn or Aquarius and are said to display qualities like creativity and leadership.
Numerous interesting anime characters are born throughout this month of beginnings. Some have the tendency of looking toward the past. Others represent new opportunities and innovations. Either way, their contribution to each individual series is always notable, even if they aren't always the main characters.
10 Arata Kirishima's Mistakes & Decisions Affect His Children's Path (Tokyo Ghoul)
Tokyo Ghoul's Arata Kirishima, born on January 1, is a perfect example of a character in the past affecting the future. The father of the main female lead Touka Kirishima and of her brother Ayato, Arata originally has a gentle personality and encourages his children to coexist with humans. But in the aftermath of his wife's death, Arata becomes power-hungry.
He starts killing both ghouls and humans, seeking to become a cannibalistic kakuja in a desperate attempt to protect the remnants of his family. He's finally killed by Kureo Mado and Yukinori Shinohara and his kakuhou becomes the CCG’s exoskeleton armor quinque named "Arata."
9 Mao Clings To C.C. With All His Psychotic Might (Code Geass)
Another character born on the very first day of the year, Code Geass's Mao is an example of how damaging excessive attachment can be. As a child, he receives a powerful mind-reading Geass from the witch C.C. She becomes the center of his existence, and as his Geass evolves and becomes impossible to control, she's his only anchor in a world that overwhelms him.
His obsession eventually makes C.C. abandon him, as he doesn't seem capable of fulfilling her wish. Eventually, he manages to track her down again when she initiates a new contract with the main character of the show, Lelouch. But while he sees Lelouch as his opponent, it's ultimately C.C. who kills him.
8 Guang Hong Ji Is Dedicated To Becoming A Better Skater (Yuri on Ice)
For many people, January is synonymous with wintery snow and ice. For the figure skaters of Yuri on Ice, it also represents an artistic medium. Born on January 7, Guang Hong Ji is a skater originating from China. He's only seventeen and is depicted as quite shy and innocent.
He admires deuteragonist Victor Nikiforov very much and is disappointed in his own performance when he doesn't place in his own home country. He pledges to work harder and dedicates himself to becoming a better skater.
7 Ittetsu Takeda's Persistence Provides Karasuno High With New Opportunities (Haikyu!!)
Popular sports anime Haikyu!! may center on the Karasuno High volleyball team, but the characters wouldn't have gotten very far without their teacher Ittetsu Takeda. Born on January 10, he's assigned to be the faculty advisor for the boys' volleyball club, as well as its head coach.
He has little experience with volleyball but he doesn't let that stop him. He recruits Coach Keishin Ukai for the team and reaches out to other schools for practice matches. His persistence bears fruit, as do his encouraging words and pieces of advice. He provides Karasuno with new opportunities and gives them the chance to soar once again as a powerful team.
6 Shoto Todoroki Starts Over With The Help Of Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
Born on January 11, My Hero Academia's Shoto Todoroki is a character of contrasts. His Quirk, Half-Cold Half-Hot, is incredibly powerful, but his abusive upbringing at the hands of Pro Hero Endeavor makes him reject the fire side of his Quirk.
Following his confrontation with protagonist Izuku Midoriya during the U.A. Sports Festival, Shoto has an epiphany and realizes he wants to be a hero independent of his father's will. With friends by his side, Shoto manages to start over and begins to accept the fire side of his Quirk.
5 Slaine Troyard Attempts To Create A New World Order At A Heavy Cost (Aldnoah.Zero)
Aldnoah.Zero depicts a dystopian future where the Martian Empire of Vers is at war with Earth. Born on Earth on January 11, Slaine Troyard grows up on Vers after his father travels there to study Aldnoah technology. Once orphaned, he's looked down upon for his background, but his friendship with Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia anchors him.
Slaine's bond with Asseylum ultimately leads to his life spiraling into torture and a genocidal plan. After Vers forces attempt the assassination of the princess, the war starts all over again. Slaine gradually ascends through the ranks of the Vers army, becoming the successor of Count Saazbaum and wishing to overthrow the Vers regime and conquer Earth.
4 Historia Reiss Becomes The New Rightful Queen Of The Walls (Attack On Titan)
Born on January 15, Historia Reiss first appears in Attack on Titan under the name Krista Lenz. Originally part of the 104th Training Corps alongside Eren Jaeger and his other friends, she's actually coerced into joining the army. Despite her initially gloomy nature, she finds refuge with the Scouts, particularly in her bond with Ymir.
As the illegitimate child of Rod Reiss, Historia is the last surviving heir of the rightful leaders of Paradis, the Reiss royal family. After she kills her father, she declares herself the true ruler of the Walls and is crowned Queen.
3 Kyo Sohma Heals From His Dark Experiences Through His Love For Tohru (Fruits Basket)
Fruits Basket centers on the Sohma family, a clan cursed to be possessed by the spirits of the Chinese zodiac. Despite initially being included in the zodiac, the Cat is ultimately ostracized due to the Rat's interference. Born on January 15, Kyo Sohma is cursed with the position of the Cat, which leads to him becoming the family scapegoat.
Kyo grows into a violent and angry young man who has a dispute with Yuki Sohma, the Rat. After he meets Tohru Honda, her affection heals his heart, and he's eventually able to surpass his trauma and feelings of self-hatred. He and Yuki even become tentative friends, and he later marries Tohru.
2 Felix Argyle Receives A New Chance From Crusch (Re: Zero)
Born with cat-like features on January 16, Re: Zero's Felix Argyle is mistreated by his parents for his demi-human traits. He spends the first nine years of his life locked in the basement of his family's mansion. Crusch Karsten, the Matriarch of House Karsten and a candidate to become the 42nd King of Lugnica, eventually finds Felix and gives him a new chance as her knight.
Felix is incredibly talented at healing magic and once reattached severed limbs. On one occasion, he even revives his dead mother, though the spell only works for a few seconds. His ability to heal comes with Felix's own cellular regeneration. Overall, he's a character who truly represents second chances, both through his past and his skills.
1 Alice Nakiri Always Comes Up With Innovations In Cooking (Food Wars!)
Born on January 23, Food Wars!' Alice Nakiri is the cousin of female lead Erina. While both characters are incredibly talented in their chosen occupation, Alice isn't quite as conceited as Erina. Instead, her cunning and intelligence truly make her shine.
Even as a chef, she's an expert in the field of molecular gastronomy, coming up with new inventions to revolutionize her dishes. But her competitive nature eventually causes conflict: following a competition with another Elite Ten, she's expelled from Totsuki Culinary Academy.
