Multilayer ceramic electronic component

A multilayer ceramic electronic component comprising:

• a multilayer body including a plurality of ceramic layers that are stacked and a plurality of internal electrode layers each stacked on the plurality of ceramic layers and including a first main surface and a second main surface on opposite sides in a height direction, a first end surface and a second end surface on opposite sides in a longitudinal direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the height direction, and a first side surface and a second side surface on opposite sides in a width direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the height and longitudinal directions;
• a first external electrode on the multilayer body;
• a second external electrode on the multilayer body;
• and
• a protective layer at least on the first main surface or the second main surface of the multilayer body;
• wherein
• the protective layer includes a carbon material with a carbon content of about 70 atm % or more determined through exclusion of hydrogen, oxygen, and halogen contents, and a sp3 percentage of about 10% or more as an index of C—C bond type.