Top Anime/Manga:
1. Berserk
2. Claymore
3. Fate/Stay Night

Characters:
1. Guts the Black Swordsman (Kirito ain't got nothin' on the true OG~!)
2. Miria
3. Emiya Shirou

Also, I liked Puella Madoka Magica, but in terms of character, Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de aru was so much better :)