Curly hair in anime is a bit of a rebel. Honestly, if you look at the sea of spiky, gravity-defying hair that defines most shonen protagonists, those soft loops and wild coils really stand out. It’s not just a design choice. It’s a statement. Most anime characters with curly hair male are intentionally coded to be different—maybe they’re the relaxed best friend, the eccentric genius, or the literal god of the underworld.
For a long time, straight hair was easier to draw and animate. Think about it. When you’re hand-drawing thousands of frames, a straight line is faster than a thousand tiny spirals. But as production values have spiked and digital tools have gotten better, we’re seeing a massive surge in curly-haired icons who are breaking the "spiky hair protagonist" mold.
The Cultural Significance of the Curls
In Japanese media, curly hair often carries specific connotations. Sometimes it’s used to denote someone who is "natural" or "unrefined," but in modern anime, it’s frequently a sign of high intelligence or an easygoing personality. You’ve probably noticed that many of these characters don't fit the classic "hot-blooded hero" archetype. They’re often more contemplative. Or maybe they’re just chaotic.
Take Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop. His hair is iconic. It’s a dark, fluffy mess that perfectly mirrors his "whatever happens, happens" philosophy. It’s not neat. It’s not styled. It just exists, much like Spike himself drifting through space. If Spike had straight, gelled hair, he’d feel like a completely different person. The curls give him that noir, jazz-inspired soul.
Then you have characters where the hair is almost a part of their power set.
Who Are the Heavy Hitters?
If we're talking about anime characters with curly hair male, we have to start with the ones who actually changed the game.
Gintoki Sakata (Gintama)
Gintoki is the king of the "natural perm." In fact, he complains about it constantly. His silver, wavy hair is a running gag in the series, but it also serves a deeper purpose. It makes him look approachable and a bit lazy, which masks the fact that he’s one of the most dangerous swordsmen in the universe. His hair is literally a metaphor for his life: messy, stubborn, and impossible to straighten out.
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Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
Deku’s hair is more of a fluffy, green bush, but those curls are essential to his "underdog" vibe. Early in the series, his messy hair helps him look young and a bit overwhelmed. As he grows into his power, the hair stays the same, reminding us that he’s still that same earnest kid at heart, even when he’s shattering glaciers with his punches.
Shimei Takeda (Haikyuu!!)
Wait, let's look at the sports genre. It’s full of curly-haired kings. Motoya Komori, the top-ranked libero, has those distinct round curls that make him look friendly and non-threatening. In a high-stakes game like volleyball, looking "soft" can be a tactical advantage. People underestimate you.
The "Natural Perm" Struggle
There is a specific trope in anime called the "tennen paama" or natural perm. It’s often used for characters who are a bit eccentric or outsiders.
- Afro (Afro Samurai): A literal afro in a samurai setting. It’s striking. It’s bold. It marks him as a singular entity in a world of tradition.
- Donquixote Doflamingo (One Piece): While usually seen with short hair, his younger brother Corazon and the overall aesthetic of the family often play with texture.
- Brook (One Piece): He’s a skeleton with a soul-powered afro. It’s the ultimate curly-haired flex because even death couldn't take his volume away.
Why Animation Studios Avoided Curls for Decades
Let’s get technical for a second. In traditional 2D animation, volume and "bounce" are hard to track. If a character has 50 individual curls, an animator has to make sure those curls stay in the same place relative to the head in every single frame. It’s a nightmare.
This is why you see a lot of "implied" curls. A character might have a silhouette that looks curly, but the internal detail is just a few lines. However, look at a show like Blue Lock. The character Bachira Meguru has this bob-like cut with flicked-out ends that move with incredible fluidity. Modern studios like MAPPA or Wit Studio are leaning into these textures because they want their characters to feel more "real" and less like cardboard cutouts.
The Evolution of the Aesthetic
Lately, there’s been a shift toward "pretty boy" curls. We aren't just seeing messy mops anymore. We’re seeing styled, luscious waves.
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Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer)
When Muzan adopts his "fancy gentleman" persona, he sports perfectly coiffed, wavy black hair. It’s sleek. It’s intimidating. It shows wealth and status. In this context, the curls aren't about being messy; they’re about being refined and superior.
Rudeus Greyrat (Mushoku Tensei)
As he ages, his hair develops a distinct wavy texture. It’s a subtle way to show growth and a departure from the generic bowl cuts often found in Isekai protagonists. It makes him look more like a fantasy hero and less like a self-insert character.
Breaking Down the "Curly Hair" Personality
Is there a "curly hair" personality type? Not officially, but fans have noticed patterns.
- The Laid-Back Genius: Think L from Death Note (though his is more "unkempt" than "curly," many fans categorize his messy volume here) or Shikamaru’s hair texture in certain lightings.
- The Chaos Agent: Characters like Don Kanonji from Bleach. The hair matches the energy.
- The Gentle Soul: Generally, if a male character has soft, bouncy curls, he’s probably going to be the emotional anchor of the group.
The Impact of Representation
For fans with natural curls, seeing anime characters with curly hair male is a big deal. For years, if you wanted to cosplay an anime character and you had curly hair, you basically had two choices: buy a wig or get a straightener.
Now? You can rock your natural texture. Whether it’s the tight coils of characters from Michiko & Hatchin or the loose waves of Bungo Stray Dogs' Dazai Osamu (who has that messy, wavy vibe down to a science), there’s a lot more variety.
Technical Reality Check: Drawing Curls
If you're an artist trying to capture this, don't draw individual hairs. Draw the volume first. Think of curls as ribbons or springs. Most anime styles simplify these into "clumps."
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- Step 1: Define the hairline.
- Step 2: Map out the "mass" of the hair.
- Step 3: Add "S" shapes and "C" shapes at the ends.
Don't overcomplicate it. If you add too much detail, the character looks cluttered compared to the rest of the art style.
What to Watch If You Love This Look
If you’re specifically looking for shows that feature prominent male characters with curly or wavy hair, check these out:
- Cowboy Bebop: For the classic, cool-guy curls.
- Gintama: For the comedy and the "natural perm" pride.
- My Hero Academia: For the modern, bushy-haired hero.
- Steins;Gate: Rintaro Okabe has that slightly wavy, scientist-who-doesn't-sleep look.
- Devilman Crybaby: Akira Fudo’s transformation includes a shift in hair texture that is visually stunning.
Real-World Influence
Japanese fashion has seen a massive uptick in "twisted" and "spiral" perms for men, heavily influenced by anime aesthetics. It’s a cycle. Anime reflects the street style of Tokyo, and then the street style evolves based on the newest character designs. It’s no longer just about the "clean-cut" look. The "messy, curly" look is officially high-fashion.
Curly hair isn't just a trait anymore; it's a tool for storytelling. It tells us about a character's background, their effort level, and their place in the world. As we move further into the mid-2020s, expect even more complex textures.
How to Style Your Own "Anime" Curls
If you're trying to replicate these looks in real life, you need the right kit. You can't just wake up and look like Gintoki (unless you're very lucky).
- Use a Diffuser: This is non-negotiable for volume.
- Sea Salt Spray: Best for that "Spike Spiegel" gritty texture.
- Lightweight Creams: To keep the "Deku" fluff without the frizz.
- Avoid Heavy Gels: They make the hair look crunchy, which is the opposite of the soft anime aesthetic.
Whether it’s the wild curls of a pirate or the soft waves of a high school student, this hair type has finally found its permanent home in the medium. It breaks the monotony of the straight-haired protagonist and gives the audience something tactile and unique to latch onto.
To dive deeper into specific character designs, start by cataloging your favorites by "curl type"—from loose waves to tight coils—to see how artists use texture to define personality. Pay attention to how the hair moves during high-action sequences, as this is where the animation quality truly shines. You can even try sketching these silhouettes yourself to understand the balance between volume and shape that makes these designs so memorable.