by April 10 is celebrated as “Shin Ramyun Day” in Japan, inspired by the wordplay of “4 (shi)” and “10 (tou),” which together resemble the English word “HOT.” To mark the occasion, anime fans once again shared their favorite spicy-food-loving characters from anime and games.
From characters who casually eat ultra-spicy dishes to those who cover every meal in hot sauce or chili powder, anime has introduced countless memorable spice lovers over the years.
To celebrate this unique theme, Anime! Anime! Conducted a fan survey asking:
“Which anime character is known for loving spicy food?”
The survey was held from April 1 to April 4, 2026, and received 238 responses.
Survey Demographics
- Approximately 65% female voters
- Approximately 35% male voters
- Around 45% of respondents were under 19 years old
- Fans in their 20s and 30s each accounted for roughly 20%
The results featured characters from some of anime’s biggest franchises, including Gintama, My Hero Academia, and Haikyu!!.
1st Place: Mitsuba Okita (Gintama)
Mitsuba Okita claimed the top spot in the 2026 ranking, earning approximately 19% of the votes and rising from second place last year.
Mitsuba is the older sister of Sougo Okita, captain of the Shinsengumi First Division in Gintama. Although she appears gentle, elegant, and physically fragile, fans love the surprising contrast created by her extreme love for spicy food.
One of the most memorable examples is her habit of pouring enormous amounts of Tabasco sauce onto sweet foods like parfaits.
Fans commented:
- “The contrast between her delicate appearance and her love for insanely spicy food is unforgettable.”
- “Her playful personality made the Mitsuba Arc even more memorable.”
- “The way she casually gave spicy rice crackers to the Shinsengumi was hilarious.”
Many viewers also praised the emotional depth of the famous “Mitsuba Arc,” which explored her relationships with Sougo and Toshiro Hijikata.
The recent release of Gintama: Yoshiwara on Fire may have also contributed to renewed fan enthusiasm surrounding the franchise.
2nd Place: Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia)
Katsuki Bakugo ranked second with approximately 11% of the votes.
Bakugo, a student in U.A. High School’s Hero Course, is famous for his explosive personality and equally explosive Quirk, which allows him to create powerful blasts using his sweat.
Fans believe his preference for spicy food perfectly matches his aggressive and fiery nature.
One voter commented:
“He loved the Sichuan-style mapo tofu at the Todoroki family’s house and even asked for the recipe.”
Another fan pointed out:
“His Quirk and his love for extremely spicy food somehow feel connected. It’s such a Bakugo-like detail.”
Bakugo’s intense personality, short temper, and passion for strong flavors have made him one of anime’s most recognizable spicy food fans.
Interest in the character remains high, especially with a new My Hero Academia special episode scheduled to air on May 2.
3rd Place: Koushi Sugawara (Haikyu!!)
Koushi Sugawara secured third place, maintaining the same ranking as last year with roughly 8% of the votes.
Sugawara, the dependable vice-captain and setter of Karasuno High School’s volleyball team, is known for his calm and supportive personality.
That is exactly why fans find his love of super spicy food so surprising.
Readers commented:
- “He looks like someone who would love sweets, so his obsession with spicy mapo tofu shocked me.”
- “His gentle personality, combined with his love for spicy food, makes him even more interesting.”
- “Sometimes his sharp tongue matches the intensity of the food he likes.”
Fans also highlighted how Sugawara balances kindness with occasional moments of mischievous sarcasm, adding another layer to his personality.
The Haikyu!! The franchise is also continuing its momentum with:
- Haikyu!! VS The Little Giant
- Haikyu!! Where the Monsters Go
Both are scheduled for release in 2027.
Why Anime Fans Love Characters With Unexpected Food Preferences
One reason these rankings are so popular is that unusual food preferences often reveal hidden sides of anime characters.
A calm or elegant character loving dangerously spicy food creates a fun contrast that fans remember easily.
In anime storytelling, favorite foods can:
- Reflect personality traits
- Add humor
- Deepen characterization
- Create memorable scenes
- Strengthen emotional attachment
For example:
- Bakugo’s fiery personality matches spicy food perfectly
- Mitsuba’s refined appearance contrasts hilariously with her extreme spice tolerance
- Sugawara’s gentle nature makes his spicy food obsession unexpected
These small details often make characters feel more realistic and relatable.
Other Popular Spicy Food-Loving Anime Characters
Several other well-known anime and game characters also ranked highly in the survey.
Cater Diamond (Disney Twisted Wonderland)
Cater Diamond ranked fourth.
Fans noted that although Cater appears to love photogenic sweets for social media, he actually dislikes sweet flavors and uses magic to alter the taste.
Fuji Shusuke (The Prince of Tennis)
Shusuke Fuji placed fifth.
Fuji is famous among fans for calmly eating extremely spicy dishes that terrify everyone else.
His mysterious smile while eating dangerous food has become one of his trademark character traits.
Oda Sakunosuke (Bungo Stray Dogs)
Sakunosuke Oda ranked sixth.
Fans referenced the legendary extra-spicy curry served at the café Freedom, which was described by Osamu Dazai as tasting like “lava.”
Lum (Urusei Yatsura)
Lum tied for eighth place.
Fans joked that Ataru’s lips turn bright red after eating Lum’s extremely spicy cooking.
The franchise also released collaboration spicy ramen products, further strengthening Lum’s connection with spicy food culture.
Complete Top 10 Ranking
Top 10 Anime Characters Who Love Spicy Food (2026)
- Mitsuba Okita — Gintama
- Katsuki Bakugo — My Hero Academia
- Koushi Sugawara — Haikyu!!
- Cater Diamond — Disney Twisted Wonderland
- Shusuke Fuji — The Prince of Tennis
- Sakunosuke Oda — Bungo Stray Dogs
- Sogo Osaka — IDOLiSH7
- Kirei Kotomine — Fate/stay night
- Lum — Urusei Yatsura
- Yuta Aoi — Ensemble Stars!
Why Spicy Food Is So Common in Anime
Spicy food scenes appear frequently in anime because they create entertaining reactions and memorable comedy moments.
Characters eating spicy food often lead to:
- Funny facial expressions
- Personality reveals
- Group bonding scenes
- Competitive challenges
- Emotional character moments
In Japanese pop culture, spicy food is also commonly associated with:
- Passion
- Strong personalities
- Boldness
- Emotional intensity
This may explain why fiery characters like Bakugo are naturally connected with spicy dishes.
The Growing Popularity of Food Themes in Anime
Food has become an increasingly important element in anime storytelling over the years.
From ramen and curry to sweets and spicy snacks, food scenes help make characters more relatable and immersive.
Series like:
- Food Wars!
- Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill
- Delicious in Dungeon
has further increased fan interest in anime food culture.
Final Thoughts
This year’s spicy food character ranking once again showed how small personality details can leave a huge impression on anime fans.
Whether it’s Mitsuba covering desserts in Tabasco, Bakugo craving fiery mapo tofu, or Sugawara secretly loving ultra-spicy dishes, these characters stand out because their food preferences reveal unexpected sides of their personalities.
The survey also highlights how anime fans continue to enjoy quirky character traits that add humor, contrast, and emotional depth to their favorite series.
As new anime projects and films continue to be released in 2026 and beyond, fans will likely discover even more unforgettable spicy food lovers in the anime world.
