CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Make your case for the best captain of a spaceship, military unit, seafaring vessel, etc. in all of anime. Your choice must actually be designated as a captain of soemthing and can't simply be a leader of a group. Other than that, pick your own criteria (re: this is meant to be fun).

A few immediately come to mind: Global from Macross, Bright from Gundam, Kotarou from Gaogaigar. But, for me, Captain Harlock stands undisputed at the top of the pile.



Pretty much no other person could manage the crew of the Arcadia. They are a bunch of outlaws who serve the ship only because Harlock is at the helm. He is always ready with the next move or plan, and his quiet confidence inspires awe, respect and devotion in his crew (as well as his adversaries). He knows when to give an encouraging word and when to slap the taste out of someone's mouth. Harlock is driven but not obsessive, determined to achieve but not at the cost of persons he cares about.

The man can drink anyone under the table. He's not trying to get wasted or anything, he just often downs a glass of wine while, say, mapping out strategy or interrogating a prisoner. The amount of red wine the guy imbibes throughout the series is staggering, yet he never shows one sign of even being tipsy.

Oh and he can duel very well.

Captain Caveman.

The White Devil.



Captain Takamichi Nanoha, the Ace of Aces, Time-Space Administration Bureau tactical instructor and Riot Force 6 Stars squad commander, rank S+ mage, callsign: Stars-1. Kind, understanding, and hardworking, instills awe and respect in her subordinates, unhesitant in use of mecha-grade beam magic in combat, discipline, or befriending.

Because...I just have a thing for derpy shounen protagonists, I guess?

Other than that, well...Luffy knows exactly what he wants and nothing can dissuade him from his goal once he makes up his mind. He is a master of the POWER OF FRIENDSHIP, and cares more about his crew than anything. His optimism is endless, his courage is boundless, and his strength incredible. And last, but certainly not least, he is a rubber man. How much more awesome can one person get?

I've seen very few anime series or movies featuring a captain of some sort of vessel, so I'm not making a case that my pick is the best. But he's good...and funny.

Justy Ueki Tylor

As Wikipedia puts it:

Tylor has, as his superiors have put it, 'The Devil's own luck' and usually can get out of any situation relatively unscathed, avoiding multiple assassination attempts and defeating enemy groups of vastly superior numbers. The UPSF and the Ralgon Empire are constantly debating whether Tylor possesses the most brilliant military mind or whether he is just a lucky moron.

Some favourites of mine have already been mentioned. Since TWWK brought up Tylor, I suppose I should put in a word for Martian Successor Nadesico's Yurika Misumaru. She has an impressive ability to achieve the maximum amount of misunderstanding in the shortest possible time, but she's also suspiciously good at captain-ing.

Which reminds me of the scene in Nadesico in which it's explained that the competent, bearded, late-middle-aged male captains of yesteryear have become obsolete, and modern captains are usually attractive young people because they're mostly there for morale.

Though I suppose I don't think Yurika's really the best captain anime has to offer, either in terms of effectiveness or entertainment value.

TWWK (post: 1465763) wrote:I've seen very few anime series or movies featuring a captain of some sort of vessel

I think I was unclear: your choice(s) doesn't have to captain a vessel. (S)he can be captain of a land-based army, a cabal of ninjas, the debate team...as long as (s)he is referred to by "subordinates" as captain.

I thought Captain Gloval from Macross was a pretty cool guy.

Also, Luffy.

No love for Captian Buccaneer of FMAB?

I love this dude. xD General Olivier Armstrong's strong metal [male] arm. with an epic braid.
and...

And I want to include the skilled Captain Murrue Ramius of Gundam Seed, captian of the spaceship Archangel, who is amazing, despite being the subject of... 'gunfight fanservice', if you know what I mean. MurrueXMu forever.

Alex Rowe of the Silvana in Last Exile.
KEEP QUIET, FISH!

TheSubtleDoctor (post: 1465803) wrote:your choice(s) doesn't have to captain a vessel. (S)he can be captain of a land-based army, a cabal of ninjas, the debate team...as long as (s)he is referred to by "subordinates" as captain.

Oh! Oh! In that case, I must mention Patlabor's Captain Goto of Special Vehicles Division 2. He slouches through life looking useless, but he's really, really good at looking after his subordinates and making sure they fight crime effectively. And he stops military coups every now and again.

I like to think that Goto's a rare example of a character who's a brilliant, heroic manager of people, with few other special skills and no physical power.

Agloval (post: 1465819) wrote:Oh! Oh! In that case, I must mention Patlabor's Captain Goto of Special Vehicles Division 2. He slouches through life looking useless, but he's really, really good at looking after his subordinates and making sure they fight crime effectively. And he stops military coups every now and again.

I like to think that Goto's a rare example of a character who's a brilliant, heroic manager of people, with few other special skills and no physical power.

Totally my runner-up. Goto is my boy. He is probably the biggest reason that I get such enjoyment out of the Patlabor TV series.

He's one of the funny anime characters ever. His understated humor doesn't depend on physical comedy, talking loudly or being spastic. The preceding humor devices aren't bad, it's just that a humorous character that doesn't rely on them is a rarity in anime.

EDIT* Also: as much as I heart LE talk, I hope this thread does not turn into yet another forum for that discussion.

rocklobster (post: 1465814) wrote:Alex Rowe of the Silvana in Last Exile.
KEEP QUIET, FISH!

You know he probably wouldn't say anything if you would just stop personally calling him out about it.

EDIT for on topic:

I would nominate Chief Aramaki from GITS:SAC

I'd go with Captain Soi Fon from Bleach.

I think the OP means captains of ships/vessels...

That being said: Gene Starwind. Nuff said.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Special Vehicle Section 2, Division 2 Captain Kiichi Goto.



I have pretty much determined this is going to be me in 20 years.

Either Captain Tylor



or Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya

agreement on hitsugaya.

ADXC (post: 1470220) wrote:Captain Tō]

airichan623 (post: 1470222) wrote:agreement on hitsugaya.

Best Anime captain, guys, BEST Anime captain.

How has no one said Bright Noa yet?

All the argument I need for this.

Captian Yurika Misumaru of the Nadesico. No one else could have kept that crazy crew going.

TheSubtleDoctor (post: 1465821) wrote:Goto is my boy. He is probably the biggest reason that I get such enjoyment out of the Patlabor TV series.

He's one of the funny anime characters ever. His understated humor doesn't depend on physical comedy, talking loudly or being spastic. The preceding humor devices aren't bad, it's just that a humorous character that doesn't rely on them is a rarity in anime.

Fish and Chips (post: 1470218) wrote:Tokyo Metropolitan Police Special Vehicle Section 2, Division 2 Captain Kiichi Goto.

I have pretty much determined this is going to be me in 20 years.

What would you do if I told you that it's essentially me right now?

Fish and Chips (post: 1470223) wrote:Best Anime captain, guys, BEST Anime captain.

Toshiro's cool and all, but he's kind of a mediocre captain, ain't he? Let's see some supporting evidence for your choices!

Does former captain count? I'd have to say Shihoin Yoruichi from bleach ^__^