Mohsin Lag
As a fan of anime, I was intrigued when I discovered that the series Magi: the Labyrinth actually features so many Arab characters and is inspired by Arabic culture. This sparked my curiosity to explore other anime that feature characters with Arab heritage or influences.
After extensive research, we have compiled a list of some of the most notable anime series and characters that showcase Arab culture. From powerful leaders to beautiful girls, these characters have a unique touch in the world of anime. Join us as we take a look at the best anime series that feature Arab characters with Arabic heritage, and names, or have been inspired by the overall Arab culture.
15. Rasheed from Cowboy Bebop the movie
First on our list of the top arab anime characters is Rasheed, a Moroccan character from the anime movie Cowboy Bebop. He is known to audiences as Doctor Mendelo al-Hedia. He was a highly respected professor at SIT, known for his expertise in nano-machinery. He quickly climbed the ranks to become a respected member of the ninth research team. His hard work and dedication paid off in 2056 when he was promoted to the position of professor.
Later he was awarded the prestigious Mars Prize of Technology. However, after a successful career in academia, he decided to retire and transition to a new chapter in his life, where he joined the Mars Army as a scientist. The production team of Cowboy Bebop was inspired by a tour guide they met in Morocco, who served as the basis for the character of Rasheed. The movie itself is set in Morocco and boasts stunning animation that perfectly captures the essence of Marrakech and Arab culture.
14. Abdulah from One Piece
Abdullah from the One Piece series is a side character with an Arabic name, he is known for his criminal past and his time as a former bounty hunter. In the Dressrosa arc, he served as a formidable competitor at the Corrida Colosseum, where he enters alongside his partner Jeet, with the goal of winning the coveted Mera Mera no Mi.
Despite his rough exterior and criminal background, Abdullah proves to be a valuable ally to Luffy. After that, he joined the Ideo Pirates, with whom he shows a strong sense of loyalty and camaraderie, making him a valuable member of the Ideo Pirates crew.
13. Setsuna F. SEIEI Mobile Suit Gundam 00
Next up, here is another cool arab anime character Growing named Setsuna from this Gundam series. Well, growing up as a child soldier, he was brainwashed to murder his own parents and later cast aside when he was no longer deemed useful. This traumatic past has left him with a deep-seated hatred for war and a desire for peace. He believes that certain individuals and forces are the main obstacles to achieving global harmony and has little patience for diplomats and politicians, seeing them as prolonging conflicts rather than resolving them. Driven by a personal vendetta and fueled by his bitter memories of battle, Setsuna is a skilled and formidable warrior. Despite his atheism, he often questions the actions of a higher power in the world’s events. He views Gundams as symbols of salvation and idolizes them, seeking to embody their power and eradicate all conflict.
12. Turkey from Hetalia
In the anime series Hetalia, Turkey, also known as Toruko in Japanese, is a character with a unique backstory. In 2008, the creator of the series, Himaruya, gave human names to some of the characters, and Turkey was given the name Sadık Adnan.
Adnan is an Arabic name that is commonly used by Muslims and is derived from the name of the ancestor of the Adnani Arabs. The surname Sadık, which means “loyal,” is typically used as a surname rather than a given name in Arabic. Additionally, Turkey’s character design also features elements reminiscent of Arabic and Turkish features.
11. Leila Ibrahim FAIZA from Jormungand
Leyla Ibrahim Faiza from the Jormungand series is among the most beautiful Arabic female anime characters. She s portrayed as a brilliant Egyptian physicist who is also incredibly skilled in hacking and leaking classified information. Because of her abilities, she has been compared to Julian Assange. She was taken by Koko Hekmatyar from CIA to help Minami Amada and Elena Baburin with Jormungand.
Leyla has dark skin and black hair, which she usually keeps in a ponytail with her bangs falling to the left of her forehead. She wears glasses with hexagonal frames and is often seen wearing lab coats over her collared shirts and pants. She’s known as “Rabbitfoot” because of her ability to hack without leaving any traces.
10. Souleiman from One Piece
Suleiman is a character from the anime series One Piece. He’s a former war criminal who joined a gladiator competition at the Corrida Colosseum to compete for Ace’s Mera Mera no Mi devil fruit. After the competition, he joined the Beautiful Pirates, working under a man named Cavendish.
He becomes an ally of the main character, Luffy, during the Dressrosa Arc. His name is similar to that of Sulayman Reis, a real-life pirate from the 17th century who worked under the Ottoman Empire after converting to Islam.
9. Nazar from Jormungand
When it comes to Arab characters in anime, Nazal from the series “Jormangand” is one notable example. He is a member of an unnamed Iraqi group that is involved in the practice of kidnapping and ransoming individuals. In the series, he infiltrates the group by pretending to be an interpreter.
He has a medium skin tone, dark hair, medium-colored eyes, and a mustache. He has a calm demeanor but can be deceitful as part of his role within the group. He does not hesitate to ask for ransom from the Excalibur member whose father is wealthy and does not try to justify his actions to Koko Hekmatyar. He is bilingual and fluent in both English and Arabic.
8. Leila Malcal from Code Geass
In the anime series “Code Geass: Akito the Exiled”, there is a character named Leila Malcal who is a military officer in the E.U. Army. She comes from a noble family of Britannians. She works under a person named Gene Smilas and is the leader of a group called wZERO and is the superior officer of Akito Hyuga.
After losing a war, Leila along with other characters leave their armies and joins a group of Romani to avoid future conflicts. Well, keep in mind that Leila is a popular name that has roots in both Arabic and Hebrew languages. It means “night”, “born at night” or “dark beauty”.
7. Ali AL-Saachez from Mobile Suit Gundam 00
Ali Al-Saachez is an arab Moroccan anime character from the series Mobile Suit Gundam 00. He is portrayed as a former Middle Eastern guerrilla fighter. He has a love for battle and becomes a mercenary to make a living. He is also a skilled pilot for the AEU under the French Foreign Legion, using the alias Gary Biaggi.
In the second season, he becomes an agent for a group called the Innovators and pilots a mobile suit called the GNW-20000 Arche Gundam. He is a ruthless and psychotic mercenary, serving as the main antagonist of the series, and is known for his love of war and his willingness to make money from it.
6. Nura Rihan from Nurarihyon No Mago
In Nurarihyon no Magi, we have a character named Nura Rihan who is the son of Nurarihyon and Rikuo’s father. He has a similar appearance to his father, with long black and wavy hair. He was often taken on patrols by his father during his childhood, much to his mother’s dismay.
During the Edo period, he became the Second Head of the Nura Clan and led the clan to its peak of power. He also successfully stopped the actions of the String Assassin of Hitachi Province. He is notable for his Arabic first and last name, making him someone that needs to be added to the list of Arab anime characters.
5. Abdul Hakim Cowboy Bebop
Abdul Hakim is a side character from the classic anime series “Cowboy Bebop”. He is a criminal and notorious serial pet thief who became a wanted man. In 2071, he stole a “data dog” named Ein from an illegal research facility with the intention of selling it to a buyer.
He is modeled after the African American NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in terms of appearance, name, and fighting style. He is skilled in hand-to-hand combat and carries a gun. He is known for his criminal activities and his reputation as a thief.
4. Muhammad Avdol from Jojo
One of the most well-known yet most powerful Arab anime characters is Muhammad Avdol from the series Jojo Bizarre Stardust Crusaders. He is portrayed as an Egyptian man who is taller than average and has a medium to heavy build. He is a close ally to the main character, Joseph Joestar, and joins him on a journey to defeat the villain DIO.
Throughout the journey, he provides valuable information and guidance about the enemy Stand Users and the local cultures they encounter. He is also a Stand User himself, with the ability to manipulate fire through his Stand, Magician’s Red. He is a key character in the series and his Arabic background adds an important cultural aspect to the story.
3. Canaan from Canaan
Canaan is an underrated anime that deserves more attention. The series features a powerful female lead, an Arabic young woman with blond hair and hazel eyes. When she uses her unique ability called synesthesia, her eyes turn red.
Canaan is a skilled mercenary working in Shanghai, excelling in marksmanship and combat. She uses her ability, synesthesia, to combine and enhance her senses. She is a survivor of a war-torn village in the Middle East, discovered and trained by Siam who gave her the name Canaan.
2. Sinbad from Magi: Adventure of Sinbad
Sinbad, the powerful and legendary character from the anime and manga series Magi, is known for his many roles such as being a king, leading powerful alliances, and captaining a successful trading company. He is also a skilled warrior, able to capture dungeons and wield powerful magic.
He is often seen accompanied by a group of loyal companions and plays a significant role in the story. Furthermore, Sinbad’s origin is based on the Arabic classic hero Sindbad from One Thousand and One Nights.
1. Aladdin from Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
Aladdin from Magi The Labyrinth Of Magic is a powerful and famous arab anime character. Like Sinbad, his name is also inspired by the classic hero from One Thousand and One Nights. He is a skilled magician and one of the four Magi in the current era, being the son of King Solomon and Queen Sheba of Alma Torran.
He was trained by Ugo in the Sacred Place and sent to this world to fight against a powerful enemy, Al-Thamen, and prevent a repeat of a tragic incident that destroyed Alma Torran. He is the main protagonist of the series Magi, and his story involves a mysterious disappearance and a confrontation with a powerful enemy.
Well, the Magi franchise, which is based on an Arabic tale, is known for its many Arabic characters, with Sinbad and Aladdin being among the most popular. However, let’s not forget about other notable characters like Alibaba, Morgiana, and Masrur, who also play important roles in the series
