10 anime characters that would be scene kids IRL

It’s not a phase, Mom. Back in the days of all-black everything and endless anime binges, we definitely related to an anime character (or two). Whether it was their iconic looks that we tried to replicate at Comic-Con or their antisocial demeanor, it was hard not to fall in love with our favorite anime characters’ relatability. Here are 10 anime characters who would have absolutely been scene kids in real life.

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1. Howl, Howl’s Moving Castle

Everyone’s favorite self-centered wizard was definitely a scene kid. In Miyazaki’s animated masterpiece Howl’s Moving Castle, the main character, Howl, has absolutely no control over his emotions; he even secreted slime when he dyed his hair the wrong color. How much more emo can you get?

2. Yuri Plisetsky, Yuri!!! On Ice

This ice-skating punk screams scenie weenie. Sure, any of Yuri!!!’s characters could have easily been scene kids IRL (especially Yuri Katsuki), but Yuri Plisetsky, or “the other Yuri,” takes the cake. With short-tempered outbursts and his signature punk-inspired style, Yuri would have fit in perfectly at your local Hot Topic.

3. Killua Zoldyck, Hunter X Hunter

Killua would have been the skater boi that every emo friend group needs. With a cheeky personality, Killua also has a dark side. While Killua is a bloodthirsty fighter, he also always puts his friends before himself.

5. Sailor Mercury, Sailor Moon

As one of the main Sailor Moon characters, Sailor Mercury has the brains. Just like in high school, it was always the seemingly quiet ones who turned out to be the biggest Fall Out Boy fans. Quiet and shy, Sailor Mercury studies hard, but we are willing to bet that she rocks out to our favorites on the weekends.

5. Kiryuu Zero, Vampire Knight

Come on, we all know that Kiryuu Zero is essentially the anime version of Gerard Way. Often boasting a bright red tie under a black vest with shiny silver hair, he is the perfect crossover of Way’s most iconic eras. A vampire hunter and a vampire himself, Kiryuu gives a whole other interpretation of “Vampires Will Never Hurt You.”

6. Kiki, Kiki’s Delivery Service

What 2009 Tumblr emo didn’t have cute black hair with bangs, a black cat and a flying broomstick? After falling depressed, Kiki soon gets her mojo back with a visit from Ursula, an inspirational artist. Kiki’s experience is a perfect example of finding your true place and happiness—a sentiment any emo would stand by.  

7. L, Death Note

Is he wearing eyeliner or is he just tired? Either way, L from Death Note encompasses all of the feelings scene kids have felt at one point or another. Often second-guessing himself and everything around him, L certainly isn’t the most social character. Instead, he spends his time kicking ass as the world’s most analytical detective.

8. Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto

Sasuke Uchiha is the perfect example of the “scene kid timeline.” Starting out as any other happy kid, Sasuke soon transforms into a revenge-hungry teen after his family was killed by his older brother. After years of (understood) angst, Sasuke grows into a humble, family-oriented adult.

9. Crona, Soul Eater

After a traumatic childhood, Crona is an introverted, self-deprecating character. Just like a lot scene kids, Crona was bullied relentlessly and had a very low self-image. After enrolling in Death Weapon Meister Academy, Crona finally started to figure things out and find a happy purpose. While this anime character is really upsetting and tragic, we can’t overlook their qualities that would have made them a scene kid IRL.   

10. Mei Misaki, Another

This antisocial character possesses all of the necessary quirks of any scene kid. She’s artistically inclined, wears a lot of dark clothes reminiscent of her demeanor and portrays an innocent, childlike side. Completely in wonder of the world around her, Mei Misaki’s emotions are deep and completely selfless. Mei would have been the perfect friend to have around back in the day.