Yet that doesn’t mean anime is lacking in memorable and downright awesome blonde girls. And I can certainly appreciate a few of them from time to time. Yes, some may fit the “helplessly dumb blonde” stereotype. But the best ones often break from it with some very unique personalities. And I’ve listed some of the blonde girlies you can find in anime, so check out our ranking below.
30. Chii
Anime: Chobits I’m starting the list with one of the first prominent blonde girls I saw in anime. Yes, Chii barely did any talking because she was this “defective” humanoid. But her character design was exemplary. She was a total beauty. Back in my day, my female friend would put up Chii as their avatar on social networking sites like Friendster and MySpace — she was that kawaii. Likewise, a private server of the MMORPG Ragnarok Online had a custom piece of headgear called Chii ears. It was an exact copy of the Chobits girl’s ears design. And who could forget her dazzling animation for the infectious OP?
29. Sena Kashiwazaki
Anime: Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends I don’t remember much about Haganai. But that’s to be expected from a typical ecchi and harem series. But what I do distinctly recall is Sena, complete with her blue butterfly hairpin and petite appearance. Of course, viewers of Haganai may also remember something else about Sena, given its ecchi elements. And even without that, Sena is appealing. I’d even argue that the series wouldn’t be the same without her and her highly driven (and perhaps perfectionist) nature.
28. Urara Shiraishi
Anime: Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches I love how Urara looks — there’s an instant appeal to her. It could be her pinkish, red-ish eyes and her timid expressions. Or her heartwarming smile. She’s the type of classmate you’d easily have a crush on. Beyond her looks, Urara offers a solid show of character development. Granted this is due to the kiss between her and Ryuu, which is also the basic premise of the show. But it’s wonderful seeing her open up a little more to others, slowly but surely recovering from painful past experiences. And Urara is just so cute, okay?
27. Chiaya Misono
Anime: The Rolling Girls Chiaya was my best girl in 2015. There, I said it — and why should I be ashamed? Here was an adorable little girl with a character design that just screams uber cuteness. And how could I forget her introduction? She was this mask-wearing, motorcycle-riding, photo-taking stranger. Then she took off her mask, and viewers saw the face of a blonde girl worth protecting with all their might. If I was an anime dad, I would want my daughter to look like Chiaya. And look, I don’t want to spoil anything significant about The Rolling Girls. But let me just say that I love her role in it.
26. Lucy Heartfilia
Anime: Fairy Tail I’m not a huge fan of Fairy Tail. But I must admit that Lucy has been influential as one of the main girls of the 175-episode shounen series. She’s honestly nothing spectacular in terms of character design. But it’s not that difficult to get attached to her as her gang journeys on. Lucy is fully aware of her feminine appeal and has a genuine passion for writing and telling stories. Also it’s a delight to see Lucy Hearfilia in her gorgeous frilled black gown whenever she uses her Star Dress spell (particularly the Leo Form).
25. Claudine Saijou
Anime: Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight If you’ve seen Starlight Revue, you’ll know what makes Claudine Saijou a compelling character. Yes, she’s a perfectionist. But this comes from an earnest motivation: Claudine truly wants to be the top Stage Girl. Her competitive nature isn’t annoying by any means. In contrast, Claudine is inspiring. She’s proof that you can never (and should never) be complacent. To reach and stay at the top of your game, you have to keep pushing yourself. Even if other people don’t have to exert as much effort to get in the same lane. A life lesson for us all, I suppose. Her fighting spirit is certainly commendable.
24. Asuna Yuuki
Anime: Sword Art Online I understand if you’re tired of the SAO franchise (or even the entire isekai genre). But let’s not forget the waifu-esque personality of Yuuki Asuna. I’m no longer on top of the franchise, but I distinctly remember that time when Asuna was focused on becoming a full-on housewife to harem master Kirito. Fans love the Mother’s Rosario arc, and who was the protagonist there? Not Kirito. Not Sinon. Not Klein. Nope — it was Asuna. Also, let’s not forget how fierce Asuna looks in the teasers for the final season of SAO: Alicization.
23. Mary Saotome
Anime: Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler Kakegurui is one of the best adaptations MAPPA has ever done — and I wish it would go on forever. Even if I don’t mention the seductive (and downright crazy) Yumeko Jabami, I can still point to the other weird women of Kakegurui. I didn’t expect Mary to be the show’s tsundere but I am so glad she became one of the main characters. Itsuki Sumeragi is also worth noting for her gambling tricks and cheats. But Mary can beat her when it comes to disturbing facial expressions.
22. Tsumugi Kotobuki
Anime: K-ON! Mugi has one of the most memorable eyebrows in all of anime — I’d remember her first before Naruto’s Rock Lee. But she’s more than her rich background and comfy character design. I’d argue that Mugi is the catalyst to many iconic parts in the classic slice of life series. For one, it’s in the villa during the training episode where viewers saw the girls have fun in a totally different location. Her cheerful attitude and her willingness to always provide tea and sweets to her fellow club members allow them to share precious yet ordinary moments. She’s a treasure.
21. Eugenie Danglars
Anime: Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo If this list were all about character design, Eugenie would easily be in my top 10. It’s hard not to distinguish the characters of Gankutsuou because of Gonzo’s ingenious animation style — the entire show is artful eye candy. But getting back to Eugenie, she is pure beauty but is also full of heart. She could’ve spent her life in Paris ignoring the world. Yet Eugenie refuses to blindly comply with what the powerful have to say, even if it’s from her own family. The world could use more of her, of privileged people who wouldn’t turn a blind eye to injustice.
20. Tsunade
Anime: Naruto Naruto has no scarcity of beautiful blonde girls. And that’s saying something. But my top pick from this series has to be the alcohol-loving Tsunade, who was also once Konohas’ hokage. I know many of you remember her for her impressive physique. But she also brings a lot of fun even when she’s not drowning in liquor. Tsunade is what a leader should be — approachable, patient, but also ready and capable of beating down enemies with her own fists.
19. Kaede
Anime: Non Non Biyori Non Non Biyori is one of my all-time favorite slice-of-life shows, and it’s partly because of its goofy and extremely likable cast. Kaede Nagayama is one of the older characters. But her chill attitude and her love for Renge keeps her away from the cynical, downtrodden section of adulthood. I love how she’s willing to exert more effort than usual to make Renge smile. Plus how could I not like someone who manages a candy store?
18. Mari Ohara
Anime: Love Live! Sunshine!! Similar to long-running shounen anime, idol shows are difficult to get into for me. Still, I can’t discount or totally ignore the popularity of Love Live — my Facebook is flooded regularly with LL memes and fan art. And speaking of memes, I have to mention Ohara. Granted, Nico Yazawa takes over everyone with her Nico Nico Nii memes. But it’s Ohara who has the blonde hair and excellent reaction faces: Mari Ohara can look sleazy, hyped, unamused, sad, or confident with ease.
17. Android 18
Anime: Dragon Ball Z I know I just mentioned my difficulties with shounen shows having hundreds of episodes. But I grew up watching Dragon Ball Z. It was quite literally a primetime show in my country, shown on national TV. And you can tell this is the case for dozens of countries around the world. So I remember the serious demeanor of Android 18. Who couldn’t? She always looks so pissed — and I wouldn’t want to be the one catching her punches. Thankfully Android 18 met Krillin and they got married. She can still get angry, but their relationship allows us to see a sweeter side of the otherwise humanoid killing machine.
16. Krista Lenz
Anime: Attack on Titan Krista Lenz took the anime community by surprise with her adorable moments during season 1. Reiner’s crush for her is hilarious but also understandable. After all, he’s not the only one who thinks she’s cute. But for anyone who’s watched more than the first season or who’s read the manga, Krista is way more than being another blonde loli. And I’m not going to spoil anyone, which is why I call her Krista here. Season 2 and beyond gave her significant character development, and I just hope that the stories about Wit Studio discontinuing the SnK adaptation isn’t real.
15. Tohru
Anime: Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid Kanna Kamui is my favorite character in Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid for obvious kawaii reasons. But the dragon maid herself is also solid. When she’s not a titanic fire-breathing dragon, Tohru is a good-intentioned maid. And she just wants all the best for her dear human Kobayashi. Even now, I still remember her cutting and cooking her own tail for Kobayashi (thank goodness she can grow it back). However the moment I remember the most, and why she’s ranked mid-way here, is when she and Kobayashi went to the market. Tohru stopped a thief, but she caused a scene. That prompted Kobayashi to hold her hand and lead her away. Kobayashi didn’t let go as they walked home, and Tohru felt loved.
14. Karen Kujou
Anime: KINMOZA! How could I forget the small, half-British blonde of Kiniro Mosaic? Without her, anime communities wouldn’t have the “ayaya” and “desu! desu!” videos. She’s a meme legend. Not to mention Karen is a lovely little kid. Along with her friends, Karen never fails to put a smile on my face. And who doesn’t love her look? She has a very British-looking top, and the colors of her socks and shoes also resemble the UK flag.
13. Darkness
Anime: KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! Yes, I know she has another name — that she isn’t just Darkness. But like with Krista Lenz, I don’t want to ruin the moment for readers who haven’t seen enough episodes of Konosuba. With that out of the way, I love Darkness and the idea behind her. She’s a crusader. Someone meant to be the main defender. But she’s also masochistic. Thus her inspiring, seemingly noble sacrifices are things she can look forward to each time for entirely different reasons. Just seeing her name reminds me of that episode with the flying cabbages. It’s glorious.
12. Olivia
Anime: Asobi Asobase: Workshop Of Fun The existence of Asobi Asobase is a miracle, and the same goes for its characters. This 2018 title feels like a successor to Daily Lives of High School Boys (otherwise known as Nichibros for being somewhat similar to Nichijou). Asobi Asobase is crazy — really crazy. One of my favorite parts is when Olivia wanted to cut her hair, and how the baby reacted to the smell of her armpits. Yes, it’s that kind of humor. And I love it. But even from a design standpoint, Olivia is above the typical blonde girls. And I don’t want to sound too biased toward blue (because I totally will right now), but her blue eyes make her all the more interesting.
11. Shinobu
Anime: Bakemonogatari I can’t complete the list without having one of the Monogatari girls. Luckily Shinobi is a blonde vampire — and it’s a huge bonus that she’s sometimes a loli as well. Given that she can literally turn from a child to a full-fledged woman, Shinobu presents a weird case of the blonde anime girl. It’s almost like she’s four blondes in one. But as much as I love the loli version, I recommend seeing her as Kiss-Shot in the critically acclaimed Kizumonogatari trilogy.
10. Misa Amane
Anime: Death Note I can’t even tell you how much Misa Amane became the definitive anime girl at the height of the Death Note anime adaptation. My male friends were head over heels for her while my lady friends uploaded Misa pics as their avatar. And who could honestly blame them? Her character design is god-tier right from her hairstyle to her iconic stockings — it’s a cosplayer’s dream. Death Note has lost its spark for many fans (especially with the last episodes) but Misa will forever be a godsend. Or should I say Shinigami-send?
9. Usagi Tsukino
Anime: Sailor Moon Along with Android 18, Usagi Tsukino from Sailor Moon was a constant face on national television. All the kids (and their parents) knew about Usagi Tsukino and the rest of the Sailor Guardians. She was a hero to many kids. In my country, it wasn’t ridiculous to ship Usagi and Goku. Yes, Usagi and the Super Saiyan that is Goku. But she didn’t need him to be iconic. Girls and guys alike knew how to do the magical girl transformation sequence — that’s how influential she and Sailor Moon are.
8. Clare
Anime: Claymore Claymore was a show I had no idea about and just kinda stumbled into it. I just bought a copy because I liked the name — a claymore was a sword that I often saw in one of my online games. So you can expect my surprise checking out this anime. It was a little more brutal and serious than the usual shounen I consumed as a teenager. I just love how the unique, dark world is pretty much dominated by women. It’s refreshing — and at the center of it all is the defiant, awe-inspiring Clare.
7. Riza Hawkeye
Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist Riza is another blonde anime girl who doesn’t need any lengthy introductions. She’s part of the beloved Fullmetal Alchemist series which I hope everyone knows about. Yeah I’d think it’s safe to say millions of people know why she belongs on the list. Aside from her well-established badassery, Riza is a cool-headed woman who also happens to have a thing for dry humor. But you don’t witness this as much. She’s one of the coolest women in fiction ever, animated or not. And she doesn’t need to carry a weapon to be an awesome blonde chick (although she looks admittedly fierce with a sniper rifle or two handguns).
6. Saber
Anime: Fate/stay night Saber is like Shinobu because she can take many forms. The anime only shows the classic Saber, but the humongous FSN franchise has the typical Saber along with Saber Alter and Saber Lily. In a way, she feels like the stronger version of SAO’s Asuna. She becomes less like the heroic warrior she is (again, no spoiler) and more of an adorable girlfriend when she’s resting with Shirou Emiya. And thanks to Ufotable’s well-known animation skills, I’ve witnessed so many sakuga moments of Saber. Particularly during Unlimited Blade Works.
5. Eriri Spencer Sawamura
Anime: Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend I know, you’re asking why I’m putting someone like Eriri above the likes of Saber, Riza, and Shinobu. But remember this is my ranking, and Eriri was a long-time best girl contender for me. Although admittedly I wasn’t impressed with her at first. She seemed like just another childhood friend who’ll never go up the harem rankings. Then I got to know her more. She illustrates doujinshi. Her long blonde hair paired with ribbons, along with her light blue eyes and small fangs capture my attention with ease. But hear me out: Eriri Spencer’s best look is when she’s wearing her glasses and green tracksuit at home. I love that look and I wish someone would give me the figurine (since overseas shipping is expensive).
4. Anzu
Anime: Hinamatsuri Hinamatsuri was a surprise favorite of mine in 2018. Yes, Hina and Hitomi’s dynamics are hilarious and worth the watch. But it’s Anzu that ensured I’d remember this series for a long time. Anzu was this bratty superhuman kid like Hina, but her character development was perfect. Forced to search trash bins to sell cans and survive, she became an example of the hardships of many Japanese people who have no homes and can only rely on each other. It’s why I got irked with Hina’s laziness — Anzu knew what it was like to be poor and alone. And that wasn’t her only shining moment. She helped viewers understand that not everyone has a loving family, and that you can be part of one even if you’re unrelated by blood.
3. Kaori Miyazano
Anime: Your Lie in April Kaori is a certified meme nowadays. But it was a far different time when Your Life in April was still airing. People didn’t expect A-1 Pictures to deliver a well-animated drama featuring musical prodigies. The final moments of the series weren’t that affecting. But I appreciate the journey of Kaori, Kousei, Tsubaki, and Ryouta. Kaori’s perseverance and excitement were infectious, and it’s something you and I can all learn from. To say that Kaori is full of heart and love for life is an understatement.
2. Tanya von Degurechaff
Anime: The Saga of Tanya the Evil The adaptation of The Saga of Tanya the Evil didn’t have to be this good. It was the first-ever project of NUT — and the studio delivered big time. Should Tanya count as a blonde girl even if she was actually a salaryman before getting isekai-d? Yes. I didn’t even know the anime world needed a sadistic little girl who could wreak havoc in a time of war. And despite her sociopathic nature, she’s appealing at times. You can’t find anyone like Tanya — a truly distinct blond anime girl.
1. Violet Evergarden
Anime: Violet Evergarden Is this a case of recency bias? I can confidently say, no! I’ve seen Violet Evergarden a couple of times already and I cannot wait for the movie whenever it’s out. With each viewing I’m more confident in my choice that she’s the best blonde girl in all of anime. Even when Kyoto Animation released the teaser trailer, I knew I was in for a ride. The character design of Violet is perfect — and KyoAni’s jaw-dropping animation for this show is the cherry on top. She has the characteristics that I love from my other picks. Violet has nice hair, lovely blue eyes, and her facial expressions are worth a thousand words each. Her story’s made me feel sorrow, elation, anger, and all sorts of emotions that make us human. Violet Evergarden is a rare gem in anime — and same goes for its titular heroine.
