In this work, the effect of anodic oxidation on surface characteristics of high strength PAN-based carbon fibers was investigated in mechanical interfacial properties of composites. The surface properties of the carbon fibers were determined by acid-base values, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and contact angles. And their mechanical interfacial properties of the composites were studied in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and critical stress intensity factor ($K_{IC}$). As a result, the acidity or the $O_{ls}/C_{ls}$ ratio of carbon fiber surfaces was increased, due to the development of the oxygen functional groups. Consequently, the anodic oxidation led to an increase in surface free energy of the carbon fibers, mainly due to the increase of its specific (or polar) component. The mechanical interfacial properties of the composites, including ILSS and $K_{IC}$, had been improved in the anodic oxidation on fibers. These results were explained that good wetting played an important role in improving the degree of adhesion at interfaces between fibers and epoxy resin matrix.