Highlights
- Scientists in anime are portrayed as creative, intellectual, and slightly mad, driving the plot with groundbreaking inventions and a thirst for knowledge.
- Characters like Professor Samuel Oak and Dr. Vegapunk push the boundaries of scientific genius and imagination in the Pokémon and One Piece series.
- Scientists in anime, such as Orochimaru and Shou Tucker, display a disturbing blend of charisma, intelligence, and ruthlessness, consumed by their curiosity and ambition.
Scientists in anime offer a fascinating blend of creativity, intellect, and, often, a touch of madness. They play crucial roles in their respective narratives, driving the plot with their groundbreaking inventions, deep understanding of intricate concepts, and insatiable quest for knowledge.
From designing time machines by Okabe Rintarou in Steins;Gate to creating Devil Fruits and cybernetic weapons known as Pacifista by Dr. Vegapunk in One Piece, these characters push the boundaries of scientific genius and imagination. This list explores some of the most renowned and influential scientists in anime, examining their characteristics, contributions, and profound impact on their respective series.
10 Professor Samuel Oak
Professor Samuel Oak is a prominent character in the Pokémon series. As a renowned Pokémon researcher based in Pallet Town, he is considered a leading authority on Pokémon. He provides aspiring trainers, like Ash Ketchum, with their first Pokémon to start their journeys.
Oak’s research focuses on how Pokémon interact with their environments and each other. He’s often seen studying these creatures in their natural habitats, advancing the world’s understanding of Pokémon biology, behavior, and evolution. His iconic catchphrase, ‘Are you a boy or a girl?’ is well-known among fans.
9 Aeolia Schenberg
Aeolia Schenberg is a significant figure in the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 anime series. As the founder of Celestial Being, he initiated the plan for armed interventions by Gundams to eradicate conflict. Schenberg lived during the 21st century but made plans to affect the world centuries after his death.
He developed the revolutionary GN-Drive technology used in Gundams and laid the foundation for a world united through understanding, not conflict. Schenberg is a testament to the lasting impact of a visionary and the far-reaching effects of scientific and philosophical foresight.
8 Orochimaru
Orochimaru is one of the legendary Sannin and a major villain in the Naruto series. Initially a shinobi from Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village), his unethical experiments and pursuit of immortality led to banishment. He is obsessed with mastering all jutsus (ninja techniques), experimenting on himself and others, and developing forbidden techniques.
He can also transfer his consciousness to other bodies, thus achieving immortality. Orochimaru’s character is complex, displaying a disturbing blend of charisma, intelligence, and ruthlessness. He embodies the role of a mad scientist, consumed by his insatiable curiosity and ambition.
7 Shou Tucker
Shou Tucker is a complex and controversial character from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, known for specializing in biological alchemy. As a State Alchemist, he earned the moniker Sewing-Life Alchemist for creating a talking chimera, a feat previously thought impossible.
However, his reputation takes a dark turn when it’s revealed he achieved this by transmuting his wife, and later his daughter and pet dog, into chimeras. His acts, while undeniably horrifying, highlight the desperate lengths individuals may go to in pursuit of scientific knowledge, recognition, and survival.
6 Dr. Vegapunk
Dr. Vegapunk is a character in One Piece, often referred to as the greatest scientific mind in the world. His impact is seen through his groundbreaking discoveries and inventions that greatly influence the world’s technology.
He is the leading expert on Devil Fruits, having discovered their structural composition and even managing to embed their powers into inanimate objects. Dr. Vegapunk also leads the Marines’ Science Unit and created the Pacifista, an army of human-weapon hybrids. His mysterious persona and groundbreaking contributions make him an influential scientist.
5 Senku Ishigami
Senku Ishigami is the main protagonist of Dr. Stone. As a scientific prodigy, he becomes humanity’s hope after a mysterious event turns all of humankind into stone. When Senku breaks free, he vows to use the power of science to revive civilization.
Equipped with vast scientific knowledge, he can recreate various modern technologies from scratch. He dreams of building a world where science benefits everyone and firmly believes in the power of human intellect. Senku embodies the ethos of scientific curiosity, exploration, and the human drive for progress.
4 Okabe Rintarou
Okabe Rintarou, also known as Hououin Kyouma, is the main protagonist of Steins;Gate. He’s a self-proclaimed mad scientist and co-founder of the Future Gadget Laboratory. Despite initially appearing eccentric and paranoid, his character develops significantly when he accidentally invents a time machine, leading to dire consequences.
Okabe’s love for science and inventing is rivaled only by his loyalty to his friends. His character development through different timelines to save those he cares about makes Okabe a captivating figure, embodying the unforeseen implications of tampering with time.
3 Bulma
Bulma, from Dragon Ball, is one of the anime’s most crucial characters. She is an accomplished scientist, inventor, and heiress of the Capsule Corporation. Bulma is responsible for creating significant inventions, including the Dragon Radar, which detects Dragon Balls’ energy signals, and a time machine, which plays a pivotal role in the Cell Saga.
Bulma’s character evolves throughout the series, and she helps maintain and upgrade Android 16. Despite not being a fighter like Goku or Vegeta, her intellect and scientific resourcefulness aid in overcoming hostile threats.
2 Washu Hakubi
Washu Hakubi from Tenchi Muyo! is widely known as the greatest scientific genius in the universe. She holds three PhDs and is capable of incredible feats, including creating new life and inter-dimensional technology. Washu is one of the go-to people for complex scientific explanations or solutions to problems.
Despite her intelligence and age (over 20,000), she often behaves childishly. She’s also the mother of the character Ryoko, whom she created from her own egg. Washu’s unique combination of genius-level intellect and eccentricity makes her a memorable character.
1 Mayuri Kurotsuchi
Mayuri Kurotsuchi, from Bleach, is the Captain of the 12th Division of the Soul Society’s Gotei 13 and the President of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. Known for his eccentric personality and macabre appearance, he is a scientific genius who often views others as mere subjects for his experiments.
His inventions often play a crucial role in battles against threats to the Soul Society. His creation, Nemu Kurotsuchi, serves as his assistant. Though controversial and ethically ambiguous, Mayuri’s contributions are vital, and his dedication to scientific exploration makes him unique.
