According to one embodiment, an anode for a direct methanol fuel cell includes an anode catalyst layer containing a noble metal catalyst and a proton-conductive polyelectrolyte. A log differential pore volume distribution curve measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry of the anode catalyst layer has a peak within a pore diameter range of 0.06 to 0.3 μm and satisfies the following relationship: 0.5≦(V1/V0)≦0.9 wherein V0 is a cumulative pore volume of pores having a diameter of from 0.02 to 1 μm, as measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry, and V1 is a cumulative pore volume of pores having a diameter of from 0.02 to 0.2 μm, as measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry.