8 smart anime characters like Senku from Dr. Stone

When it comes to anime characters like Senku, who make intelligence thrilling, few stand out as much as the wild-haired genius from Dr. Stone. Senku Ishigami isn’t just smart; he’s a force of nature.

After humanity is mysteriously turned to stone for thousands of years, Senku wakes up in a quiet world and declares one mission: to rebuild civilization from scratch using the power of science. Whether he’s making a vacuum tube or recreating antibiotics, Senku’s journey celebrates brainpower, perseverance, and passion.

Dr. Stone isn’t just another shonen; it is a beautiful ode to humans and their curiosity about how things work. And fans who admire that type of intelligence have plenty of other anime characters like Senku who are appealing not because of their power, but because of their brains.

From Edward Elric’s blend of science and morality in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to Bulma’s brilliant tech innovations in Dragon Ball, here are eight of the smartest anime characters like Senku who make being brainy absolutely legendary.

Disclaimer: The article solely presents the author's opinion and not Sportskeeda as a whole.

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Smartest anime characters like Senku: from Edward Elric’s alchemy to Bulma’s tech brilliance

1) Light Yagami (Death Note)

Still of Light Yagami (Image via Madhouse)

Light Yagami is a dark anime genius, a master strategist who kills people with his legendary Death Note. Senku uses his intelligence to reconstruct society, but Light twists his brilliance into a god complex.

Nonetheless, his ability to foresee, manipulate, and outwit entire investigation teams makes him one of the most brilliant anime characters like Senku. His strategy during the Yotsuba arc, where he reclaims control of the Death Note while hiding in plain sight, is equal parts terrifying and brilliant.

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2) Shikamaru Nara (Naruto)

Still of Shikamaru (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Shikamaru may shrug off most responsibilities with a lazy "what a drag," but when it counts, his mind shines brighter than any Shadow Possession Jutsu. In the Hidan arc, his solo strategy to take down an immortal enemy using nothing but planning and cunning proves just how lethal a sharp mind can be.

He’s not just one of the smartest ninjas in the Leaf Village; he’s one of the smartest anime characters like Senku, showing how intellect often wins where raw strength fails.

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3) Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

Still of Edward Elric (Image via Studio Bones)

Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, is a talented young prodigy who synthesizes science, philosophy, and willpower. This makes him unique among many shonen protagonists, as Edward maintains a continual thinking process through his actions.

In the Promised Day arc, his refusal to use a Philosopher's Stone and his ability to solve even complicated alchemical equations under pressure make him an inspiring match for fans who love anime characters like Senku. He is impulsive but never reckless when it comes to science and ethics.

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4) Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass)

Still of Lelouch (Image via Studio Sunrise)

Lelouch is the kind of tactician who makes one pause and rewind scenes just to track all the moves he pre-planned. Armed with Geass, he can achieve his goals with pure supernatural power, but he is more than capable of triggering full-on rebellions purely through strategy.

His Zero Requiem plan is a jaw-dropping display of planned thinking and the complexity of its moral aspects. Anime characters like Senku and Lelouch are a reminder that smart doesn’t always mean safe, it can be revolutionary.

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5) Armin Arlert (Attack on Titan)

Still of Armin (Image via Wit Studio)

Armin starts as the soft-spoken underdog, but his sharp analysis and calm under fire turn him into one of humanity’s greatest assets. Whether assisting in the Battle of Shiganshina or scheming the attack on Marley, Armin always shows that wisdom and emotion have the power to transform warfare.

His intellect is not flashy, but it is fundamental. He is one of those anime characters like Senku whose intelligence has quite literally kept people alive.

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6) Kurisu Makise (Steins;Gate)

Still of Kurisu (Image via White Fox)

Kurisu is more than just smart; she is anchored, explorative, and fiercely committed to discovery. A genius in the field of neuroscience, she confronts time travel paradoxes and is more than capable of leading some of the most intriguing scientific arguments in anime.

Her development of the D-Mail system and her collaboration with the Future Gadget Lab echo Senku’s love for experimentation. She is one of those rare anime characters like Senku who are not only very bright but also quite human.

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7) Ray (The Promised Neverland)

Still of Ray (Image via CloverWorks)

Ray plays the long game. The moment he discovers the truth about Grace Field House, he starts a clandestine, decades-long scheme to escape, a plan built on rationality, self-sacrifice, and faith in other people.

His intellect is sneaky and offensive, and, like Senku, he is not afraid to make difficult choices for the greater good. His intuition and ability to think critically qualify him as one of the most underrated anime characters like Senku.

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8) Bulma (Dragon Ball)

Still of Bulma (Image via Toei Animation)

Without Bulma, the Z-Fighters wouldn’t even get off the ground (or the planet). She builds Dragon Radars, repairs time machines, and creates solutions on the fly. In a world dominated by muscle and Ki blasts, Bulma holds her own with wits and invention.

Her contributions during the Namek Saga and Dragon Ball Super show why she’s one of the OG anime characters like Senku—tech-savvy, fearless, and always a step ahead.

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Final thoughts

These anime characters like Senku in Dr. Stone demonstrate that intelligence in animation does not only mean solving equations or emerging victorious in battles—it involves the ability to inspire change, solve the unsolvable, and lead people with vision. For fans who love stories where mind triumphs over matter, these characters are nothing less than legendary.

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Edited by Shubham Soni