The Seven Deadly Sins (Nanatsu no Taizai) redefined shonen anime with its blend of Arthurian legend, Christian symbolism, and explosive battles. Framed for the assassination of Great Holy Knight Zaratras, these seven “criminals” became Britannia’s last hope against demonic threats. Each embodies a sin yet radiates unexpected humanity. Let’s rank these iconic characters by impact, depth, and sheer fan adoration.
🔥 Ranking Criteria:
- Power & Abilities (Unique magic, combat prowess)
- Character Arc (Growth, backstory, emotional resonance)
- Cultural Impact (Fan popularity, meme status)
- Role in Narrative (Key contributions to the story)
🏆 The Official Ranking:
7. Gowther (Goat’s Sin of Lust)
- Why Here?: An emotionless doll created to replace a deceased lover, Gowther’s journey to understand humanity is haunting. His power, Invasion, manipulates memories and thoughts—crucial in battles against the Ten Commandments .
- Iconic Moment: Rewriting the Demon King’s memories during the final battle .
- Fan Verdict: Often ranked lowest due to his stoicism, but his backstory with Princess Nadja adds tragic depth .
6. Diane (Serpent’s Sin of Envy)
- Giant Heart: As the last giant of her clan, Diane’s Creation magic lets her manipulate earth. Her insecurity about her size contrasts with her physical might .
- Key Growth: Trains under Drole (Commandment of Patience) to master “Drole’s Dance,” amplifying her connection to the earth .
- Relationship Goals: Her love story with King—spanning amnesia and rebirth—is the series’ emotional anchor .
5. Merlin (Boar’s Sin of Gluttony)
- The Ultimate Mage: Blessed by both the Demon King and Supreme Deity, Merlin’s Infinity power makes her spells permanent. She’s the team’s strategic genius .
- Mystery Factor: Her true name is “unpronounceable,” and she secretly orchestrated events to free the primordial entity Chaos .
- Controversy: Fans debate her loyalty, but her sacrifice to revive Arthur solidified her legacy .
4. King (Grizzly’s Sin of Sloth)
- Fairy King’s Awakening: Starts as a lazy, self-doubting fairy, but grows into the “Strongest Fairy King in history.” His spear, Chastiefol, has 10 forms, and his Disaster ability controls matter at a molecular level .
- Crowning Achievement: Defends Diane while single-handedly overwhelming Mael (Archangel of Sunshine) .
- Fan Favorite: Topped the first popularity poll with 121,945 votes—more than triple Ban’s votes .
3. Ban (Fox’s Sin of Greed)
- Immortal Heartbreaker: A thief granted immortality by his lover Elaine, Ban evolves from selfish rogue to Meliodas’ most loyal friend. His Snatch steals strength, speed, or even souls .
- Purgatory’s Trial: Spends centuries in hellish dimensions to rescue Meliodas’ emotions, emerging with godlike durability .
- Why We Love Him: His sarcasm and “Old Fart” disguise provide comic relief, but his sacrifice for Elaine wrecks fans .
2. Escanor (Lion’s Sin of Pride)
- The Sun’s Ego: By day, he’s an arrogant demigod wielding Sunshine; by night, a timid tavern keeper. His power peaks at noon, dwarfing even demons .
- “Who Decided That?”: His duel against Estarossa—melting a lake with his presence—is the series’ most iconic fight .
- Tragic Hero: Dies after overusing Sunshine to aid Meliodas, accepting death with pride after Merlin’s kiss .
1. Meliodas (Dragon’s Sin of Wrath)
- The Cursed Captain: A 3,000-year-old demon prince cursed with immortality after loving the goddess Elizabeth. His Full Counter reflects magic, and his demon form rivals gods .
- Leader’s Burden: Forms the Sins solely to protect Britannia from the Ten Commandments. Absorbs the Demon King’s power to break his curse, nearly losing himself .
- Legacy: Despite his pervy gags, his devotion to Elizabeth and the Sins makes him the franchise’s soul. Voted #1 in manga popularity polls post-series .
Table: Seven Deadly Sins Power & Popularity Snapshot
| Character | Key Ability | Peak Power Level | Popularity Poll Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meliodas | Full Counter | 142,000 | #5 (1st Poll) |
| Escanor | Sunshine | 114,000 | Top 3 (Post-Series) |
| Ban | Snatch | (Post-Purgatory Boost) | #2 (1st Poll) |
| King | Disaster | 41,600 | #1 (1st Poll) |
| Merlin | Infinity | 4,710 | Consistently Top 5 |
| Diane | Creation | 8,800 | #7 (1st Poll) |
| Gowther | Invasion | 35,400 | #3 (1st Poll) |
đź’ˇ Why These Characters Resonate:
- Subverted Sins: Their “crimes” stem from love, sacrifice, or injustice—not evil. Ban’s “greed” is loyalty; Gowther’s “lust” is curiosity about hearts .
- Found Family Feels: The Sins’ bonds transcend race (demon, giant, fairy) and trauma. Diane and King’s romance, Ban and Meliodas’ brotherhood—they redefine kinship .
- Power with Purpose: Abilities like Sunshine or Infinity aren’t just flashy—they symbolize hope against despair. Escanor’s pride masks his fear of hurting others .
âť“ FAQ: Seven Deadly Sins Characters
Q1: Who is the strongest Sin?
A: Escanor at noon (“The One” form) can overpower the Demon King. Meliodas (Assault Mode) and post-Purgatory Ban are close contenders .
Q2: Why was Meliodas’ sin “wrath”?
A: He destroyed Danafor in grief after Elizabeth’s death—a rage misrepresented as treason .
Q3: Are the Sins truly criminals?
A: No. All were framed:
- Diane didn’t kill Matrona .
- Ban’s “forest burning” was a demon’s work .
- Gowther was falsely accused of assaulting Nadja .
Q4: Which Sin has the best character development?
A: King’s evolution from slothful fairy to selfless king—and Ban’s journey from thief to hero—are fan favorites .
Q5: Where can I watch their stories?
A: Seven Deadly Sins (Netflix/Crunchyroll), sequel Four Knights of the Apocalypse (Cruncyroll).
Final Thought:
The Seven Deadly Sins aren’t defined by their sins—but by their refusal to let those sins define them. From Meliodas’ eternal hope to Escanor’s tragic pride, they remind us that redemption isn’t about erasing the past, but fighting for a better future. As Ban quips: “Immortality’s overrated. A lifetime with those you love is enough.” đź’Ą
Agree? Disagree? Fight us in the comments with your Sin tier list! ⚔️