And I realized something upon further inspection: Notable elves, ones that stand the test of time, aren’t as bountiful in anime as I’d thought. You’ll see them in the aforementioned genres, but they’re sometimes just background characters meant for worldbuilding. And so this list honors the few but mighty elves (including half-elves) who left a mark in anime history.
20. Juana
Anime: Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere This probably isn’t the kind of elf you were expecting to see here, but that’s what makes Juana an even more memorable elf. Here you have a voluptuous, blue-haired half-elf woman who has gigantic plates around her shoulder and waist areas as if she’s ready to single-handedly take down a mecha unit. If it wasn’t for her pointy ears and the fact that she’s the queen of Tres España(which includes not only humans but also elves and half-elves) people would understandably scoff at the idea of her being an elf. But that’s the peculiar sci-fi world of Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere for you: It gave viewers a detail-oriented queen (and student council vice-president) who looks unapproachable but is actually silly at times — and highly attractive at all times (thanks for voicing her, Rie Tanaka).
19. Zel
Anime: Interspecies Reviewers Interspecies Reviewers is one of the most controversial anime series in recent years — and there’s something poetic about that. But you can’t really stop the show: It’s already out there. Everyone knows what Zel, Kanchal, and Stunk did and what the different succubi creatures have done to them. You don’t even need to watch the entire show to see why I still remember Zel. Just check EP 01 and see how Zel is hilariously attracted to an old human woman (apparently just in her 50s) just because she has rich mana.
18. Mare Bello Fiore
Anime: Overlord Yes, you’re reading this right: I chose Mare Bello Fiore over his twin sister Aura Bella Fiora — and it definitely has something to do with the fact that Bukubukuchagama made him look like a trap. This small and adorable dark elf, who has beautiful heterochromatic eyes, and ears that are rather long in relation to his body size, sports a seemingly timid and anxious image. But while Mare Bello Fiore would rather laze around and read books instead of socializing, he’s a capable 6th Floor Guardian together with his sister. Lastly, I just love the details in his character design. From the golden bangs and green cloak to his white skirt and gloves.
17. Puck
Anime: Berserk As the tiniest elf on my list and possibly one of the smallest in anime overall, Puck may well have been a faerie. I mean, he already has the size and wings of one. But this bare-naked, blue-haired lad is an elf indeed. He’s from the Pisky race and he came from Elfhelm in Skellig, leaving the kingdom because he had nothing to do. Then again, did he really make the wisest decision? Puck arrived during the Black Swordsman Arc and, well… he’s with Guts. As Berserk fans know, it’s a cruel thing to be Guts. Yet one can argue that Puck made the right choice: By choosing to be Guts’ companion, he’ll never be bored anymore (although he has to put up with his brooding personality). Plus, Berserk fans deserve a bit of comedy and lighthearted moments once in a while in the form of a teeny-weeny flying elf.
16. Fiel Nirvalen
Anime: No Game No Life I still feel bad that I didn’t get to see the movie in cinemas when it was finally in my country. From what the series brought, I just know it would’ve been awesome to see its unique aesthetic on the big screen. And it’s this distinct and vibrant look of No Game No Life, as if it went through all the crazy photo filters, that makes Fiel Nilvalen stand out from other elves. She’s more of a typical anime elf, but there’s nothing wrong with sticking to the classics if executed well. Despite being 52 years old, Fiel Nirvalen looks like a young girl. In fact, I’d be content if I was sent in a fantasy world and she’s my ally. Perhaps it’s because of her big yet gentle blue eyes and her cute smile — and her long golden hair, of course. But most of all, I love her for being kind to Chlammy Zell, her elven family’s human slave. It’s a huge risk, but she chose not to discriminate based on race, preferring instead to treat her with respect and as her game partner, not a mere slave.
15. Lyrule
Anime: CHOYOYU!: High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World! CHOYOYU came out rather recently, but I don’t blame anyone for forgetting that it exists. If it did stick into someone’s memories, it’s only due to the bad story and execution, among other things. But there’s one notable positive thing about it: Lyrule, the elven cutie (and deuteragonist) who’s just one letter away from having the same name as the kingdom in The Legend of Zelda. While the high schoolers and secondary characters often annoyed me, Lyrule made me smile. Her hair wasn’t neon or dark green, but more of a muted lighter shade of green, fitting her kindhearted personality. Then you see her big blue eyes, the faint blush on her cheeks, and her smile (and her fanservice shots), and it suddenly feels like CHOYOYU could be saved from itself — but it can’t.
14. Licht
Anime: Black Clover You’ll have to go through around 40 episodes before you get a glimpse of Licht (and even then it was just a flashback), but the anime did well enough to highlight his distinct appeal. I was confused for a time regarding Licht, his lookalike Patolli of the Eye of the Midnight Sun, and William Vangeance. But once you get through all that, you’ll admire this elven leader not only for his character design (a tall, thin, white elf with golden eyes and braided long white hair) but also for his ideals. Licht has always advocated for peace among his fellow elves and between elves and humans, even if he’s suffered due to the follies of both.
13. Echidna
Anime: Queen’s Blade The freelance mercenary Echidna may just be the most curvaceous and unabashedly sensual (or rather, perverted) elf in anime. Sure, anime already has its fair share of female warriors with revealing armor. But Echidna literally has no underwear in public. Do you know what she uses to cover her private area instead? A snake — a living pet snake called Keltan. She seems to have a thing for fellow women and she’s exceptionally skilled with her melee weapons, but Echidna isn’t always a seemingly sadistic, powerful elf. She does have her softer side, and I love that she’s a strong contender to winning the tournament but she herself has no interest in getting the throne.
12. Victoria Samanark
Anime: Restaurant to Another World Victoria Samanark was a welcome surprise in the already surprising slice-of-life isekai from Silver Link. I hold this show close to my heart because it accompanied my mundane and lonely mealtimes back then. And I haven’t seen someone like Victoria in anime yet. She’s a timid half-elf princess who dedicated her life to magic. Perhaps it’s wrong to say it was a choice in the first place. Victoria wasn’t a pure-blooded human unlike her parents and her brother in the royal family, so she knew their constituents would take issue with her ascending to the throne. Thus, developing her magic skills was her only practical option — but that proved to be very rewarding to both herself and the viewers. The beautiful Victoria (I love her unique silver hairstyle and green gown) met Altorius because of magic, and it’s him who led her to the Nekoya restaurant where she fell in love with pudding, so much so that she developed some sort of refrigerator for the takeaway pudding.
11. Pwyll
Anime: Tears to Tiara Tears to Tiara has more elven characters with actual dialogue than most similar shows, but it’s Pwyll who I remember most. For one, two main characters are his direct descendants. Namely, Riannon and Arthur. Throughout the series, you’ll see other people how they behave in front of them upon realizing they’re related to the legendary king of the Elves who fought alongside Arawn against the army of Heaven. Second, some believe that Pwyll reincarnated in the form of Arthur. Which could explain why the latter looks so much like him. And lastly, even though his screen time was mostly in EP 22 through Arthur’s flashbacks, that alone was enough to show his strength, charisma, and his willingness to change if it meant protecting his people. Three essential qualities of a true leader.
10. Tiffania Westwood
Anime: The Familiar of Zero I remember not having seen a single second of the series, but already being familiar with her entire name because of others mentioning her in forums. How can one forget something like Tiffania Westwood? If I had to guess based on her name alone, I would’ve said she was a blonde girl from the US. Turns out, she’s indeed blonde, but she’s also a half-elf. And that’s actually how MC Saito remembers her for: as the big-breasted half-elf girl who saved his life. Tiffania doesn’t appear until the very end of The Familiar of Zero: Knight of the Twin Moons — but she easily establishes her presence from there to the fourth and final season (thanks in part to her effective and adorable fanservice).
9. Celcia “Elizabeth” Marieclaire
Anime: Those Who Hunt Elves Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without the elven MC of a show called Those Who Hunt Elves. Celcia made the series worth watching. There she was: living a normal life in her fantasy world, only for three humans to ruin her day. She tries to send them back to Earth with her magic, but things didn’t go as planned. And now they have to hunt female elves, literally stripping them to find fragments of the spell tattooed on their bodies. I love Celcia’s vintage design (the anime is from 1996 after all). She’s not the only female elf with long, golden hair in anime, but she looks the most mature of them all. Except of course when she’s turned into a dog, and then (get this) a panda for even more comedic effect.
8. Shera Greenwood
Anime: How Not to Summon a Demon Lord At this point, it’s safe to say that chances are high that a blonde female elf would end up in a fantasy series with strong ecchi and harem elements. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. And it only highlights the intrinsic allure of the elven race. Somehow those pointy ears and their skills in magic and archery make them more distinctly attractive — and all these apply to the blonde-haired Shera Greenwood. Yes, she’s well-endowed. But while Shera is once again a naive female elf, she’s also more than the blonde girl stereotype. Shera was a princess who left her kingdom because of her abusive brother Keera. So she’s recovering from a traumatic experience, and there’s a lingering sense of loneliness creeping around. That’s why she summoned Diablo. Along with Rem, Diablo saves her from drowning in her dark past. And Shera is an inspiring character: Even after what her brother did to him, Shera chooses not to hate or seek revenge (she even feels sad for Keera’s death).
7. Kokoro Natsume
Anime: Princess Connect Re:Dive The many comparisons between Princess Connect! Re:Dive and KonoSuba are warranted because they do share the same genres and have the same director, Takaomi Kanasaki. But Princess Connect has something the latter doesn’t: The ultra-adorable (and small) Kokoro Natsume. If you’ve played RPGs before, you’ll be reminded of those games when you first see her. After all, she’s the one who tells Yuuki all about the fantasy world — like in your typical video game tutorial. And I love her character so much. Kokoro has so many kawaii moments that I’ve forever saved as GIFs, and I like that she isn’t a bland elf. Yes, she has pointy ears. But she also has pink eyes and short white hair with a few curls in the right places. I love her attire too: a mix of green, white, and gold, that evokes an oriental vibe. And I like how her lance (fitted with a blue gem) is taller than her.
6. Myucel Foaran
Anime: Outbreak Company Okay, elves are amazing, right? But what if I told you Outbreak Company has a twin-tailed half-elf who not only has two years of military service, but is also a maid? That’s Myucel Foaran for you. Sadly, she lives in a world where not being pure-blooded is viewed as a bad thing. Prompting her to hide her elven ears all the time. And that’s where Shinichi becomes a valuable person to her. Since he’s not from her world (and because he’s an otaku), he doesn’t see anything wrong with her being a half-elf and having long, pointy ears. On the contrary, he finds them attractive (and he’s right). Myucel is an amazing individual, a fast learner of the Japanese language, and someone who readily fulfills her duties (especially if it’s for Shinichi).
5. Eina Tulle
Anime: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? I love anime girls with glasses. So the bespectacled half-elf Eina Tulle is a godsend. I appreciate elven girls who are proud of their feminine assets and wear revealing clothing, but there’s also something very charming about Eina in her formal, neutral-colored attire. Eina doesn’t have long, vibrant hair: She has short brown hair styled in a rather plain manner — and yet I think her hairstyle suits her perfectly. The hair highlights her emerald eyes (and eyeglasses). I also like her gentle smile and her annoyed face, and it’s a different kind of magnetism when you see her without her glasses. She’s incredibly diligent with her work, she deeply cares about the safety of adventurers, and it’s funny how only Bell has finished all her lessons.
4. Marielle
Anime: Log Horizon Marielle is far from the mysterious or timid kind of elf. In the video game she and the rest are trapped in, she’s an elf who’ll quickly give others a big hug. It’s like she’s the personification of enthusiasm itself, always eager to meet and greet people — and you don’t even have to hear her speak to guess her personality. Why? Her character design already gives off a sense of being approachable, lively, and sociable. She’s one of the few female guild leaders, and unlike some women in the game, Marielle has no qualms interacting with and assisting male players. Marielle isn’t that much older than Shiroe (and she has the energy of a teenager), but it’s easy to see why many players look up to her. From being a 28-year-old NEET in the real world to a popular, caring, and reliable guild master in Elder Tale, Marielle is making the best out of her situation.
3. Tuka Luna Marceau
Anime: GATE Tuka is 165 years old. But looks like a typical blonde teenager because she’s an elf. She’s kawaii and is fashionable with her skinny blue jeans and a white short-sleeved shirt showing off her tummy. Yet life is far from easy for Tuka, having witnessed the destruction of her village and the death of her father. So she initially has a delusion that her father is still alive when Itami rescues her. She even asks for sleeping space and food good enough for two people — and she thought of Itami as her father. Itami has since helped her improve her mental and emotional health, and I wish her lifelong happiness. Anyway, it’s amusing how elves like Tuka who have blonde hair and blue eyes are supposedly from a rare group — an ironic situation given how elf girls in anime usually have either one or both of those aspects.
2. Emilia – Re:Zero
Anime: Starting Life in Another World It would’ve been a shock if Emilia wasn’t comfortably at the top of my list. There’s no other elf in anime history that’s as popular and beloved as her. As the female MC of one of the biggest anime in recent memory, Emilia carries high expectations from fans. Emilia has been discriminated against because she looks like Stella. She thinks she’s selfish when she’s being an earnestly selfless person. Lastly, she had a hard time adapting to the society beyond her home in the forest. But none of those will stop Emilia from being the silver-haired, purple-eyed half-elf eager to become king (with Subaru a.k.a Rem’s heartbreaker as her loyal knight) and be of help to others. She’s forever immortalized in Subaru’s viral “I love Emilia” scene, and her fame won’t wane in the near future, especially with the continued anime adaptation of Re:Zero.
1. Deedlit
Anime: Record of Lodoss War Appearing way back in 1991 in the 13-episode OVA, Deedlit is the High Elf MC of the Record of Lodoss War: a beloved franchise built on high fantasy and adventure that just happened to get an adaptation. The value of all sorts of creatures and races aren’t an afterthought here. Deedlit and the rest aren’t just backdrops for a generic anime plot. Like Celcia of Those Who Hunt Elves, Deedlit sports a vintage character design that makes her look more fabled and refined than her contemporaries (as opposed to just being a moe girl with pointy ears). Her art and animation have stood the test of time. Her expressions and movement are undeniably hers (though at times pompous). As a High Elf, Deedlit treasures nature and harnesses natural elements like wind and water for her magic. Her foes include dark elves and a dark wizard. And so her skills and her enemies point to her being an elf in the most classic sense of the word. Most importantly, Deedlit evokes more a sense of magic and mystery over beauty and feminine allure (although she does exude both). This her the best individual to represent and champion the elven race in all of anime.
