Each season, we get plenty of new waifus, which results in a lot of anime girls becoming popular and deemed as best.
Mangakas seem to almost always aim to create a perfect girl so that boys (and girls) can easily simp them. This is also why many of them share similar traits and looks, which are usually perceived as desirable in a potential partner. There are also various popular character tropes ranging from tsundere through yandere to dandere, so it’s not difficult to pick your ‘dream girl’.
With that being said, there are a few girls that stand out from the rest. To rank the best anime girls, I used the MAL database, which is a website that can determine their ranking based on users’ votes—if you have a profile on MAL, you can pick your favorite characters and influence the character ladder!
I have already made a list of lesser-known waifus and unproblematic waifus, you can check that out too if you are bored with the mainstream waifus. And if you are prepared to see some of the most hated anime girls, we have that too!
This list of the best anime girls includes all sorts of girls taken from various anime with different genres, backgrounds, personalities, and looks.
This article was updated on 2/22/2023 for accuracy as there are many new waifus in the recently aired anime, plus some rankings changed significantly.
Without further ado, let’s get to know the 30 best anime girls (according to MyAnimeList)!
30. Chika Fujiwara (Kaguya-sama: Lover is War)
Chika is a beloved waifu among fans of Kaguya-sama: Love is War for her infectious personality, cute appearance, and relatable nature.
She is a cheerful and energetic high school student who serves as the secretary of the student council.
Students and fans alike adore her cute and bubbly personality, and she often brings lighthearted and playful energy to the otherwise serious and intense atmosphere of the student council.
29. Power (Chainsaw Man)
A fan-fave devil chick from Chainsaw Man, Power is a Blood Fiend who’s part of Makima’s elite squad of Public Safety Devil Hunters.
Impulsive and brash, she is often charging headfirst into battles without thinking about the consequences.
But despite her hot-headedness, Power is also fiercely loyal to her friends and allies. She has a soft spot for her kitty, Meowy, and also warms up to her partner, Denji, to the point where she is willing to risk her life to protect them. Her willingness to put herself in harm’s way for the sake of the beings she cares about is a trait that many fans find admirable.
Her bold personality, fierce loyalty, and undeniable sex appeal made her a character that many viewers have grown to love.
28. Kurumi Tokisaki (Date A Live)
The most popular and nuanced Date A Live character, Kurumi might come across as a sadistic and psychopathic individual.
Sure, she is a powerful Spirit, but she once used to be a human. Unfortunately, after she got fooled by the first Spirit who turned her into one as well, she hurt TOO many people. In fact, she killed so many humans that she is rightfully emotionally disassociated.
Despite treating humans around quite horribly, she has a noble goal in mind: to go back to the past and kill the first Spirit to prevent all the horrible events that come after.
27. Revy (Black Lagoon)
We all know those anime (and even real) characters who believe that brute force is the only effective way how to solve problems. Well, Revy is one of them.
A kick-ass mercenary, she is ruthless, sadistic, and quick-tempered and doesn’t hesitate to kill people—even unarmed civilians—with no remorse.
A formidable ally and an extremely dangerous enemy.
26. Miku Nakano
Miku used to be the queen bee of The Quintessential Quintuplets anime girls, topping all the popularity polls and whatnot. But then something happened (maybe the movie?) and now one of her sisters got her beat on MAL. This means that she is now the 2nd most popular quintuplet.
She is shy, introverted, socially awkward, doesn’t care about looks, and is the first sister to really fall head over heels for the MC.
Then we see her being shy about being in love with him and trying her utmost to make him fall for her—fighting fair and square against her sisters.
25. Marin Kitagawa (My Dress-Up Darling)
Marin hasn’t made it to the top 10 on MAL but she is already the most popular anime girl of Winter 2022. She was picked by more than 20 000 members on MAL as their favorite.
Marin is a bubbly, easygoing, and sweet-natured individual who would make a wonderful companion or girlfriend. She would be supportive of you (and your interests) and spend a lot of time with you doing enjoyable activities.
Not to add that if given the opportunity, she would love to tease you by sending you some cute cosplay photos!
RELATED: 10 Anime Like My Dress-Up Darling
24. Itsuki Nakano (The Quintessential Quintuplets)
Let me introduce you to Itsuki Nakano, one of the sisters from the anime The Quintessential Quintuplets.
Itsuki is a cool and collected chick who’s got it going on. She has a bit of an attitude at first, but you can tell she’s got a big heart once you get to know her.
Fans think Itsuki is the best girl because she’s got this fire personality that’s both sassy and sweet. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believes in, which is a real turn-on for a lot of people.
Plus, she’s got that whole tsundere thing going on, where she acts all tough on the outside but is secretly a big softie on the inside.
That’s definitely waifu material right there!
23. Yukino Yukonishita
Yukino’s beautiful appearance paired with her kuudere personality is what wins you over easily.
Her cold and a little awkward personality earned her the nickname Ice Queen. Under this cold mask hides a kind-hearted and friendly Yukino but she needs to warm up to you a bit before she shows those traits.
22. Homura Akemi
Homura is considered to be one of the most nuanced anime characters. Sure, she is cute and all but her popularity stems predominantly from her personality and relatability.
As a Reddit user aofhaocv states, all she ever wanted was to protect her friend, and even after spending years and years reliving the same month and a half of hell ~100 times, her goal was ultimately stopped because of Madoka’s willingness to help others. Her need to protect Madoka gradually becomes an obsession, and leads her to take drastic measures to ensure that she is “safe.”
21. Rin Tohsaka
Rin is the Master of Archer in the Fifth Holy Grail War.
She is gorgeous, smart, and resolved, and on top of that, she is a model tsundere. And we all know how popular is the tsundere trope. It also helps that Rin is a powerful and independent magus who is constantly relevant in all Fate routes.
20. Kaguya Shinomiya (Kaguya-sama: Love is War)
One of the protagonists in the popular series Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Kaguya has always been a stunningly beautiful noble girl.
Kaguya started out as the Ice Princess, who was cold and distant towards others due to her strict upbringing. However, her personality changed for the better after she joined the Student Council. She became happier, nicer, and developed meaningful friendships with other members of the council.
19. Kaori Miyazono
Kaori is a gifted violinist and a high school student. While she is a technically sloppy violinist, her playing style is remarkable thanks to her free-spirited approach that emphasizes emotions and artistry over the pure mechanics of music.
She is iron-willed, independent, and sometimes temperamental. It’s only understandable since she has been battling a chronic serious disease for years. While she can be sometimes moody, she is also compassionate and kind-hearted, which is shown in her interactions with the MC.
18. Makima (Chainsaw Man)
Makima is a badass who works as a top-dog Public Safety Devil Hunter. She’s got the MC called Denji wrapped around her finger and treats him like her human pet.
She has a powerful and confident personality that can be both alluring and intimidating at the same time.
Her devilish charm and seductive nature have made her a standout character in Chainsaw Man.
Fans love her mysteriousness and her ability to manipulate those around her, which adds an extra layer of intrigue to her already captivating character.
Some people might argue that she’s not exactly a “good” girl, but hey, sometimes the bad ones are the most exciting, right? That’s why Makima is one of the top picks for the best anime girls out there.
17. C.C. (Code Geass)
One of the most iconic characters ever created, C.C.‘s charm is undeniable. One could argue whether it’s because of her powers, personality, or looks but many omit that she gives off mysterious vibes and this draws people to her.
While she looks like a teenager, we learn to know that she is at least 500 years old and is, as you probably have figured, immortal.
In her long life, she has been bestowing the mysterious power of Geass upon multiple people in hopes of getting her only wish granted.
No one wants to be lonely and luckily for her, she eventually meets Lelouch, the MC of Code Geass, who is more than a perfect match for her.
16. Asuka Langley Soryuu (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Asuka is a young Eva Pilot who sports the A10 nerve hair clip at all times because she is very proud of it.
She indeed appears to be confident and haughty but under this façade, she is an extroverted mess. Asuka is broken, hurt, and trying to keep up this strong façade in front of others. Her flaws are the reason why people empathize with her easily, making her one of the most popular anime characters ever created.
15. Holo (Spice & Wolf)
Holo is a fluffy foxy lady with a beautiful design and a playful personality that can make your heart skip a beat.
Her banter with the main character in the show is on point, and her wit and wisdom can make her seem like the coolest girl in the room.
Plus, let’s be real, who wouldn’t want a cute wolf girl for a girlfriend?
Holo’s got it all, and it’s no wonder she’s made it to the list of best anime girls!
Fun fact: Holo is the 4th most popular anime girl with brown hair on MAL.
14. Yuno Gasai (The Future Diary)
Probably the most famous pink-haired & also pink-eyed character is no one else than our favorite yandere, Yuno Gasai!
She is, in fact, a stalker who is willing to go to great lengths to prevent her crush from dating another girl. And yes, she is a broken girl because of her horrendous past.
While she looks delicate as a flower, there are two sides to her. One of them is sweet as a strawberry and the other one is cold and calculative, not shying away from extreme violence if needed. She is incredibly skilled with all sorts of weapons and explosives and also uses her wits and deductive skills to outsmart her enemies.
Definitely wouldn’t want to piss Yuno off.
13. Asuna Yuuki (Sword Art Online)
Asuna has all qualities that a perfect waifu should have. She’s cute, loyal, polite, modest, classy, and powerful. On top of that, she can even cook yummy meals just for you!
Apart from that, she is also a skilled player in Sword Art Online, which just adds to her attractiveness because you could spend the whole night with her playing some good MMORPG.
12. Saber (the Fate series)
Many anime friends I have talked to consider Saber the best girl.
She is beautiful, noble, and courageous. On top of that, she has proved that she is a brilliant strategist in battle. Now when we put that together, not only is she a badass knight but also a perfect waifu.
11. Taiga Aisaka (Toradora!)
Taiga is an example of a tsundere done right. She isn’t a tsundere because “she doesn’t care, baka”. She is a tsundere because of her life circumstances. Her past is dark and her broken family broke her. Thus, she unconsciously built a tsundere defense mechanism. This is, of course, not an excuse for her abusive behavior toward others. But at least it explains it.
What makes Taiga special is her personality transformation and successful deconstruction of the tsundere, allowing us to permanently see the real sweet Taiga that was previously hidden under the protective tsundere shell.
RELATED: An In-depth Analysis of Toradora!
10. Shinobu Oshino (Monogatari)
Would you give up your powers to get happiness? A tricky question but Shinobu did it with no hesitation.
Many anime fans adore this endearing legal vampire loli who has an unparalleled passion for donuts. And again, it’s not just the looks, she is a very well-written character.
Shinobu is blunt, forgiving, and caring. These are all qualities we not only like to see in others but also strive to have.
9. Violet Evergarden (Violet Evergarden)
Violet Evergarden is the least controversial waifu you can stumble upon. No signs of waifu baiting, no fanservice scenes, and no cringe personality traits. I wish there were more popular anime girls with this personality type.
She is the protagonist of the series and it portrays her journey to finding a place in the world, bonding with others, and understanding human emotions. Seeing her progress from being an emotionally detached war weapon to an empathetic person who reconquered her ability to feel and understand love.
8. Emilia (Re:Zero)
This September-born beauty is the main heroine of one of the most popular dark isekai series, Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World.
Emilia is a powerful half-elf girl with spirit affinity, which means that she can form contracts with various spirits. She is a magic and spirit arts user who managed to form a contract with the Great Spirit of Fire, Puck.
When you look at Emilia, she looks very pure and innocent which matches her personality. She is a kind and caring girl who gives without expecting anything in return. It doesn’t matter who or what she is against, she will never abandon the people she cares about.
Emilia is also one of the five candidates to lead the kingdom and is the love interest of the protagonist of the series.
7. Zero Two (Darling in the FranXX)
When you look at this beautiful pink-haired girl, you would have not suspected that she is not a human. However, the horns she has are not an accessory. Zero Two is a human-klaxo sapien hybrid girl. Just to elaborate quickly, Klaxosaurs are the main antagonists of the series, so Zero Two is looked down upon and labeled as a monster by many.
In the beginning, we see her being emotionally distant and cold, prioritizing her duty as a Parasite above everything else because she wants to be acknowledged as a human; this changes when she meets a boy named Hiro, who will soon become her partner and pilot. This is the point where she starts to change and shows her playful, breezy, and fiery side.
6. Mai Sakurajima (Rascal Does Not Dream of a Bunny Girl Senpai)
Mai is the best girl from Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai.
No one can deny her physical beauty—she is a successful model and actress equipped with enchanting big eyes, a cute face, and a well-defined body. This, however, doesn’t mean that her life is easy. She was taken advantage of when she was younger which permanently scarred her. The worst thing? Her mum used her beauty to make “easy money”.
Being a tsundere, it’s natural that she gets angry and flustered if the MC makes any lewd remarks toward her. In her ‘normal self’, she is earnest, polite, and kind-hearted.
5. Megumin (KonoSuba)
With more than 36k people choosing her as their favorite character on MAL, it comes as no surprise that this explosion-obsessed loli ended up on our list of the most popular anime girls.
Fans praise her for her cuteness, design, and even character, saying that these traits make her one of the most distinctive characters. Simply put, it’s close to impossible not to fall in love with Megumin!
4. Hitagi Senjougahara (Monogatari)
A very beautiful but broken girl. She reminds me of Effy from Skins.
Fans of the Monogatari series often say that she is the best character ever written and a fictional character they fall in love with because there are legit no downsides to her.
Hitagi might come across as harsh, but she is beautiful, smart, and witty, and would tease and mock you all the time. She is the queen of banter, after all!
I understand that some people might confuse her sarcasm with tsuntsun behavior, but that’s not the case here, trust me!
3. Rem (Re:Zero)
First of all, you must be familiar with Rem if you have access to the Internet because I remember the year when the series aired and people spawned tons of memes, youtube clips, and pillows, that there is almost zero chance of you not catching at least a glimpse of her somewhere.
Rem is one of the twin maids who works for Roswaal L Mathers. She’s got this habit of talking all fancy and polite-like, but sometimes she jumps in headfirst without thinking it through.
Rem’s got a lot on her mind, though. She has a rather complicated relationship with her sister Ram. On the one hand, she respects her so much that it’s like worship. But on the other hand, Rem feels guilty about something that went down between them in the past. That’s why it made her feel like she was always playing second fiddle.
But then, Subaru (the MC) comes along and saves her from some tough times, and she falls head over heels for the guy. She’s all about making him happy, even if it means watching him be with someone else.
2. Mikasa Ackerman (Attack on Titan)
It’s a challenging task to compete with a powerful female character from one of the most influential & popular series—Attack on Titan.
Being an Ackerman means that she is not an ordinary human like me or you. Their bloodline is a byproduct of titan science, and they are genetically modified, which means that they possess exceptional abilities. For now, there are only two known Ackerman alive: Mikasa & Levi Ackerman who fight for the same side. She, along with Levi, possesses superhuman agility, strength, and tenacity among other fighting qualities.
While others struggle to take down monstrous Titans, Mikasa makes it look like a tutorial. She alone is worth more than 100 soldiers!
The only weakness Mikasa has is Eren (the MC) but he is also the reason why she continues fighting. It’s worth noting that her future would be very grim (if there was any) if he didn’t save her in the first place, so it all makes sense.
1. Kurisu Makise (Steins;Gate)
The #1 MAL girl, loved by all Steins;Gate fans, and simultaneously the best anime girl is no one else than Kurisu Makise.
This babe has gathered more than 62 000 fans on MAL. Kurisu is actually only a few votes behind Eren Yaeger from the popular Attack on Titan series, which makes her the 14th most popular character in the whole database!
Kurisu is a serious and mature woman who never loses her cool. When she interacts with some of the lab members, her cynical side comes out, although she is normally nice and kind when approached.
She loves swimming because she likes the feeling of floating in the water (is she me?).
Who wouldn’t want a lovely tsundere girlfriend who is also a genius?
Honorable Mentions:
- Robin Nico (One Piece)
- Mashiro Shiina (Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo)
- Rei Ayanami (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
- Chika Fujiwara (Kaguya-sama: Love is War)
- Ryuuko Matoi (Kill la Kill)
- Haruhi Suzumiya (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)
- Shouko Nishimiya (A Silent Voice)
- Misato Katsuragi (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
- Shiro (NGNL)
- Konata Izumi (Lucky Star)
Do you agree with this list of the best anime girls (according to MAL)? Who would you add or remove if you could? Let me know in the comments!