To mark World Gorilla Day on September 24 — a date dedicated to raising awareness for gorilla conservation — anime news site Anime!Anime! ran a reader poll asking: “Which anime character do you think of first when it comes to muscles?” The survey ran from September 12 to 18, 2026, collecting 156 responses. Respondents were approximately 70% male and 30% female, with the largest age group being people in their 30s (around 55%), followed by those aged 19 and under (around 20%).

1st Place — Alex Louis Armstrong from Fullmetal Alchemist

Alex Louis Armstrong, the State Alchemist known as the “Strong Arm Alchemist” and a major in the Amestrian military, claimed first place with roughly 5% of the vote — climbing up from fourth place in the previous poll.

Armstrong’s combat style revolves around his magnificently sculpted physique, and readers were quick to celebrate his signature habit of tearing off his uniform to show it off. One voter commented: “When I think of a muscular character, Armstrong is the only one who comes to mind. He strips off his uniform at every opportunity — I feel like there are more shirtless scenes than scenes where he’s actually dressed.” Another added: “Whenever he flexes, his muscles sparkle for some reason. It’s hilarious.”

Beyond the comedy, fans also noted his surprisingly tender and emotional personality — a sharp contrast to his imposing frame. That gap between appearance and character helped him take the top spot.

2nd Place — Machio Naruzo from How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?

Machio Naruzo, the trainer at Silverman Gym from How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?, held steady at second place with around 4% of the vote, matching his ranking from the previous poll.

Despite his clean-cut, friendly appearance, Machio conceals an almost incomprehensible amount of muscle beneath his tracksuit. Readers noted: “Every time he strikes a pose, his tracksuit shreds apart to reveal an absurdly muscular body. How does he even fit all that muscle in there? It’s one of the great mysteries of the human body.” Another voter said: “He’s the ultimate embodiment of a fitness anime — a rare genre — and he has the best muscles in it. He makes me want to start working out myself.”

3rd Place — Mash Burnedead from Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Mash Burnedead, the protagonist of Mashle: Magic and Muscles, slipped from first place in the previous poll to third, though he trailed second place by just a single vote.

Mash is a boy born without magic in a world where magic determines everything — yet he compensates with superhuman physical strength, earning his place at Easton Magic Academy through sheer muscle power. Fans praised him enthusiastically: “In a world where magic decides your worth, he solves every problem with pure brute strength. It’s genuinely inspiring — even if you lack one ability, you can more than make up for it with another.” Another voter laughed: “He flies on a broomstick by just kicking his legs in the air instead of using magic — and that’s somehow more impressive than actual magic. And he does it all with a completely blank expression. It’s so funny.”

Fans also have Season 3 of the TV anime to look forward to: subtitled “Three Demon Battle — Divine Awakener Final Exam Arc,” it is scheduled to begin airing in January 2027.

4th Place (Tied) — Uzui Tengen, Kinnikuman, and Kunigami Rensuke

Three characters shared fourth place: Uzui Tengen from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Kinnikuman from Kinnikuman, and Kunigami Rensuke from Blue Lock.

Honorable Mentions

• Professor Ikeda from Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumei Shitemita. — A university professor with an intense passion for muscle training, known for crushing a pen in his hand out of anger-fueled muscle expansion.
• Goda Musashi from Mob Psycho 100 — Head of the Body Improvement Club; his speech in Season 2, Episode 10 about Shigeo’s perseverance moved many viewers to tears, followed by a triumphant display of hard-earned muscle against a superpowered villain.
• Baro Teruhide from Blue Lock — Memorable for appearing in the mini-anime Blue Lock: Additional Time! dressed as a maid and enthusiastically showing off his muscles, creating a wildly entertaining gap moment.
• Yuzuki Inori from Medalist — A young elementary-school figure skater who silenced a rival in Episode 19 by declaring “I have a six-pack too!” and lifting her shirt to prove it, reminding viewers of the intense training young athletes endure.

Poll Summary

This year’s results show that muscle characters in anime are beloved not only as symbols of raw power, but also as sources of comedy, surprise, and personality contrast. Whether it’s Armstrong’s inexplicable sparkling flexes or Mash’s deadpan physical feats in a magical world, these characters resonate with fans across a wide range of series and genres.

Top 5 Rankings — Muscle Anime Characters 2026

• 1st — Alex Louis Armstrong (Fullmetal Alchemist)
• 2nd — Machio Naruzo (How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?)
• 3rd — Mash Burnedead (Mashle: Magic and Muscles)
• 4th (tied) — Uzui Tengen (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)
• 4th (tied) — Kinnikuman (Kinnikuman)
• 4th (tied) — Kunigami Rensuke (Blue Lock)

(Survey period: September 12–18, 2026)