Sadly, the main characters and big hitters in a story are usually the ones making violence, while the healers are usually relegated to being side characters who have little to no development. Only a handful of anime series place real importance on their healer characters, and a few of them even have healers as main characters. From professional healers to those who just happen to have an incredible healing ability, here are the best healer characters in anime!
12. Yukina (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Yukina is Hiei’s twin sister who was captured by greedy humans for her tears that turn into valuable pearls. Not only that, but she also possesses a healing ability, shown when she heals Kuwabara after their fight with the Toguro Brothers. What’s special about her healing power is that her presence alone is enough to keep Kuwabara pumped up and restore his energy. Well, it’s not called the “power of love” for nothing!
11. Recovery Girl (My Hero Academia)
Recovery Girl is the school nurse at U.A. High School. Her Quirk (Heal) combined with her medical expertise makes her an important member—not just of the school, but of hero society as a whole. In the early parts of My Hero Academia, Midoriya always ended up in her clinic because he always suffered considerable amount of damage to his body whenever he used his own Quirk (One for All).
10. Elizabeth Liones (Seven Deadly Sins)
The Goddess Clan of the Seven Deadly Sins anime series has the natural ability to heal injuries, and that ability was inherited by Elizabeth (the reincarnation of a goddess who’s cursed to die over and over again). In her semi-awakened state, Elizabeth was able to heal a large group of people during their fight with the “demon” Hendrickson.
9. SakoshitaYanagi (Flame of Recca)
Sakoshita Yanagi is Recca Hanabishi’s “Princess” who has the power to heal others. Her ability came to Koran Mori’s attention, who then wanted to get his hands on her to attain immortality. With her by the Hokage team’s side during the Ura Buto Satsujin Tournament, it’s no surprise that everyone was back to business and ready for another fight despite their bone-breaking matches.
8. Tsunade (Naruto)
Fifth Hokage Tsunade was the granddaughter of the first Hokage and is one of the Three Legendary Sannin of the Leaf (the other two being her colleagues, Jiraiya and Orochimaru). She happens to be a master of medical ninjutsu, making her known throughout the lands as the best medical ninja. Tsunade is able to use Mitotic Regeneration: The Hundred Healings, an ability that allows her body to instantly regenerate from any lethal damage, which makes her formidable as a frontline medical ninja. Along with her medical ninjutsu, Tsunade also has perfect control of her chakra, such that she can channel all of it into her finger and release explosive power with a simple flick.
7. Toni Toni Chopper (One Piece)
He may not look like much in his initial form, but Chopper is a great doctor in One Piece! He has the intelligence to cure any illness and the tenacity to find cures for any diseases or viruses he’s encountered. But Chopper is also great because he doesn’t just sit back on the ship and wait for his injured crewmates to return from battle. In fact, Chopper is a strong close-combat fighter who has enhanced his own abilities through his own medical research and practice.
6. Mimosa Vermillion (Black Clover)
Mimosa Vermillion is a member of the Golden Dawn Magic Knights Squad. She uses Plant Magic, meaning she can conjure flora and manipulate plants around her for different kinds of spells. One special application of Plant Magic is her healing spells. Mimosa is able to create a space full of flowers and plants, within which anyone can recover and replenish their strength. There was also a scene where Asta carried Mimosa on his back during a fight, allowing her to continuously heal him as he fought. An unconventional but clever idea that really paid off!
5. Gloxinia (Seven Deadly Sins)
Gloxinia isn’t a healer by profession. He’s actually a former Fairy King who was tainted by darkness and sided with the Demon Clan. Among the ten known forms of his Spirit Spear Basquias is the Moon Rose (7th Form) that grants an incredible healing property. The Drop of Life from the Moon Rose can heal lethal wounds, like when he used it to heal himself and Drole during their fight against Meliodas.
4. Josuke Higashikata (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
Josuke Higashikata possesses a Stand (Crazy Diamond) that’s said to be on equal grounds with Jotaro’s Stand (Star Platinum), particularly when it comes into strength. Crazy Diamond has the unique ability to restore damaged or broken things, and that includes healing injured people. The downside is that it can’t heal Josuke and it can’t heal people with illnesses (because illnesses aren’t considered damage). Despite the downside of his Stand, Josuke can still use Crazy Diamond in many clever ways, mainly to heal his allies.
3. Keyaru (Redo of Healer)
Redo of Healer features a pretty dark plot that follows the story of Keyaru, a healing mage who was abused mentally, physically, and sexually. Keyaru vows to exact revenge on those who wronged him using his healing abilities and the Philosopher’s Stone. However, Keyaru’s healing powers are unusual in that they take on various forms, providing different effects and sub-abilities that he can skillfully use to his advantage. For example, he can alter the appearance and memories of a target or steal skills and attributes to boost himself into an all-out fighter.
2. Retsu Unohana (Bleach)
Retsu Unohana is known in the Bleach anime series as just an ordinary lady despite being one of the Captains of Soul Society. Unohana is a healer of the Shinigami, which makes it easy for others to underestimate her power. However, behind her seemingly harmless facade is a beast that can match Kenpachi Zaraki’s battle prowess. Not only is she a Captain of Soul Society, she was one of the original Captains alongside Captain-Commander Yamamoto, and she was the first to hold the name Kenpachi before it was passed on to Zaraki. Unohana originally studied and learned her various healing techniques as a way to keep her fights going and to prevent them from being boring. Only later did she use her healing powers to aid her comrades.
1. Akiko Yosano (Bungo Stray Dogs)
Akiko Yosano is both doctor and fighter for the Armed Detective Agency in Bungo Stray Dogs. That being said, Akiko’s healing techniques are quite unusual—and actually quite traumatizing. Akiko’s Gift, called “Thou Shall Not Die,” allows her to instantly heal all external wounds on a target, but only if the target is near death. That means if she wants to heal someone who isn’t already half-dead, she needs to beat up the target within an inch of their life, at which point she can heal them. If only she didn’t enjoy the beating up part so much… Read next: The Best Anime Characters Who Can See the Future