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12 Surprisingly Smart Anime Characters That Are Often Just Lazy Or Playing Dumb

It is quite frequent to watch an anime and realize that some of the characters portrayed as relaxed or downright lazy, sometimes harbor impressive minds or skills beneath that casual expression.
They're not always the brightest minds – we're talking about One Piece's Luffy here – but they’re capable of incredible stunts or strategies that surprised audiences and villains.
Think of it as a genius comfortably waiting for the perfect moment to shine. Take Shikamaru from the Naruto series, for example. His iconic lazy attitude masks a brilliant strategic mind, often outthinking enemies while doing the bare minimum.
In the end, again, this does not mean they are "the smartest" characters in anime history, but their laid-back vibes and casual swagger are a delight to watch.
Check out the full list to see who made the cut.