Which Anime Features A Big Nose Character As The Protagonist?

I like to keep things short and to the point, so here’s a quick list from my perspective: the clearest protagonist with a big or notable nose is 'Lupin III' — his profile is practically a logo in many illustrations. If you want a protagonist whose nose plays into the story itself, check out 'Kashi no Ki Mokku' (the Pinocchio-style anime) where the puppet’s facial features—including the nose—are part of the emotional storytelling.

Also, for a more modern and friendly example, 'One Piece' doesn’t make Usopp the main protagonist, but as a core member of the crew he’s one of the most famous long-nosed characters in anime and often steals scenes. So depending on whether you mean “main hero” or just a prominent long-nosed character, my picks would be 'Lupin III', 'Kashi no Ki Mokku', and 'One Piece' — each shows a different way noses are used in character design, which I find oddly charming.

A standout example that jumps to mind is 'Lupin III' — not because his nose is the only thing notable, but because his face design often includes that long, slightly hooked profile that became iconic for the character. I’ve watched different adaptations over the years, from the gritty 1971 series to the glossier movies, and the way artists emphasize Lupin’s nose changes with the era. In Monkey Punch’s original manga the nose reads almost like a cartoonish signature, while later anime directors either exaggerate it for comedic beats or tone it down for suave, cinematic shots. To me that nose is part of the visual shorthand that tells you immediately: this is the trickster, the charming thief, someone who’s always got a grin and a plan.

If you’re fishing for a protagonist whose big nose is literally part of their shtick, 'Kashi no Ki Mokku' also deserves a mention. It’s a darker, older adaptation of the Pinocchio tale where Mokku (the animated puppet) has an expressive face and sometimes a conspicuous nose that reacts to lies in ways the show leans into emotionally. It’s not a modern shounen, but if you like melancholic fairy-tale anime with a protagonist who physically stands out, that one’s a wild ride — and the nose motif carries symbolic weight about truth and innocence.

I should also point out a less literal take: 'One Piece' has a beloved long-nosed character, Usopp. He isn’t the series’ main lead, but as a core Straw Hat he sometimes fills the narrative spotlight and his nose gets used for pure comedic identity. When people ask about “big-nosed protagonists,” I usually suggest checking 'Lupin III' first if you mean a classic protagonist with a noticeably long nose, then 'Kashi no Ki Mokku' if you want a titular character whose nose is thematically relevant, and finally 'One Piece' for the modern, lovable long-nosed crew member. All three show how noses in anime can be more than a gag — they can signal character, era, and tone — and I always grin when noticing how different artists treat that little feature.