An Expert Guide: Who Are the Best Anime Girl and Manga Characters?

Table of Contents

1.Introduction: The Never-Ending Fight for Best Girl

2.What Makes an Anime Girl Actually Memorable?

3.Know Your Type: A Guide to Anime Girl Vibes

4.The Appeal of the Sexy Anime Girl: More Than Just Looks

5.The Emo Anime Girl Vibe: When Sad is a Mood

6.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Introduction: The Never-Ending Fight for Best Girl

Alright, let's be real. The internet has been fighting forever about who the best anime girl is. It’s the kind of argument that starts wars in Discord servers and Reddit threads. But here’s the thing: "best" is all about the vibe. What makes you simp for one character might be totally different for someone else. Some people are all about the girls who can throw down and are strong AF. Others are here for the feels—the ones with a deep story, relatable problems, or just a personality that makes you go, "Yep, she's the one." So, we're not here to crown one queen. Nah, this is about breaking down what makes an anime girl go from just a drawing to a total legend. We're gonna look at the main types, shout out the fan faves, and get into what really makes these characters live rent-free in our heads. This is your guide to figuring out your type and who really slays in the anime world.

What Makes an Anime Girl Actually Memorable?

The anime girls we can't forget are never basic. They're complicated, with a mix of traits that make them feel like real people. A cool design is nice, but it's what's going on inside that makes us care. Their backstory, what drives them, their friendships—that's the stuff that hits different. Two things always make a character top-tier: a backstory that’s kinda messed up and being both strong and super loyal.

More Than a Pretty Face: The Power of a Real Backstory

A character's past is what makes them who they are. The ones that stick with us usually went through some serious stuff, because it explains why they do what they do. It's not about liking their pain, but seeing them get strong because of it. Look at Mikasa Ackerman from Attack on Titan. She saw her parents get murdered, then Eren saved her. That messed her up, but it's also why she's ride-or-die for him. Her being quiet and a beast in a fight? She learned that to survive, she wasn't born that way.

Then you have Violet Evergarden. She started as a kid soldier, basically a weapon, not a person. After the war, she's on a mission to figure out what feelings are, especially "I love you." Watching her go from an emotionless tool to someone who cares is a whole journey. It feels real because it shows how hard it is to heal and become human again. Even in a fantasy movie like Spirited Away, Chihiro starts as a whiny kid and turns into a brave, smart girl. It's a whole metaphor for growing up, and that's why we don't forget her. These backstories give them weight. Their wins feel earned and their strength is legit.

Loyalty and Strength: Why We Stan

A heavy backstory gives a character depth, but being strong and loyal is what makes them a true fan favorite. We love characters who can handle themselves but are also 100% there for their friends. Erza Scarlet from Fairy Tail is a perfect example. She's one of the strongest mages, but we also love her for being like a protective big sister to Natsu and Gray. She's strong  for them.

Saber from Fate/Stay Night has this same vibe. She's a noble warrior with a legendary sword, Excalibur, and she's all about justice and honor. But she's also struggling inside between being a king and just being herself, which makes her loyalty feel real and sometimes even painful. And of course, there's Mikasa again. Her loyalty to Eren is everything. Some people say she's too obsessed with him, but for a lot of fans, that's the whole point. It's a powerful, sad part of who she is, all because of what happened to her as a kid. These characters show us that real strength isn't just winning; it's having a reason to fight.  

Know Your Type: A Guide to Anime Girl Vibes

In anime, you see a lot of the same character types, especially the "-dere" girls. "Dere" (デレ) is basically the sound for being all lovey-dovey. These types aren't strict rules, they're more like starting points for writers. If you know the types, you can figure out what kind of anime girl you're into. The best characters usually start as one of these and then get more complicated and unique.

The Tsundere: Mean on the Outside, Sweet on the Inside

The "tsundere" is probably the most famous one. This is the girl who's mean or cold to the guy she likes, but then slowly, she shows she's actually a big softie. The "tsun" part means to turn away like you're mad. It's satisfying to watch because when she finally shows she cares, it feels like a big win.  

A classic tsundere is Touka Kirishima from Tokyo Ghoul. At first, she's super harsh, especially to Kaneki. But her anger comes from her messed-up life as a ghoul in a world that wants her dead. Her family got wrecked by ghoul hunters, so she has to hide who she is. This makes her a total emo anime girl, using anger to protect herself. But as she and Kaneki go through stuff together, you see her caring side, and you realize she's always been super loyal deep down.  

The Kuudere: The Cool, Quiet Type

The "kuudere" comes from the word "cool." These girls are calm, quiet, and sometimes seem like they have no emotions. They don't freak out and talk in a flat voice. But for the right person, they can be super loving. Because they're so chill, when they finally show emotion, it hits hard.  

Mikasa Ackerman is the definition of a kuudere. She's famous for being stoic, even when fighting giant monsters. But she's not cold because she doesn't care. It's how she deals with the trauma of losing her family twice. Her whole mission is to protect Eren, the last person she has. Her loyalty is quiet but absolute. So when she does break down—when she's scared for Eren or has to make a terrible choice—it's a huge deal and shows how much she feels.  

The Deredere: The Sweet, Cheerful One

The "deredere" is the total opposite of the other two. She's super sweet, kind, and energetic from the very beginning. She's friendly to everyone and isn't afraid to show she likes someone. People love her for being a ray of sunshine.  

Marin Kitagawa from My Dress-Up Darling is the new queen of the deredere type. She's popular and pretty, but not stuck up at all. She's a huge nerd who loves her hobbies and never judges anyone for theirs. When she finds out her quiet classmate Gojo makes dolls, she doesn't laugh. She gets hyped and asks him to help her with cosplay. People love Marin because she's just a good person—confident, open, and positive. It's a refreshing vibe.  

The Appeal of the Sexy Anime Girl: More Than Just Looks

The whole idea of a sexy anime girl has changed. Yeah, they're still hot and there's fan service, but the best ones are also confident, skilled, and have a real personality. Their appeal isn't just about being looked at; it's part of their power. They're strong, interesting characters who own it.

Confidence is Key: The Modern Heroine

Today's best girls show us that being confident and capable is what's really attractive. Yor Forger from Spy x Family became a fan favorite overnight for this reason. By day, she's a kinda awkward office worker, but by night, she's the "Thorn Princess," a deadly assassin who's strong enough to kick a car. This double life is what makes her so cool. She's super polite, but can't cook to save her life, and she's terrifying in a fight. She's a sexy anime girl who's appealing because she's this weird mix of deadly and clueless. She's not just eye candy; she's a powerful mom who will take out anyone who threatens her new family. 

Living the Fantasy: When You're Down Bad

For a lot of fans, the connection with an anime girl is real. It makes you feel things and want to be a part of their world. Shows that lean into this, like Akeno Nyakumi, are pros at creating characters that people simp for. Girls like Akeno Nyakumiare designed to be the ultimate fantasy. She's not just hot; She's powerful devils who are smart and in charge. The show knows what it's doing with its sex animation storytelling.

This is why fans want to bring a piece of that fantasy into the real world. For people who are truly down bad for a character like Akeno Nyakumi, there are ways to make that fantasy feel real. The Akeno Nyakumi co-branding hentai figure is a perfect example. It's a high-quality collectible for fans who want to own a piece of their favorite character, capturing the exact vibe that made her so popular. It's the ultimate tribute, turning a 2D fantasy into a 3D piece of art.

The Emo Anime Girl Vibe: When Sad is a Mood

The emo anime girl is a whole different kind of appealing. These are the sad girls, the ones with deep problems and a goth or punk look. We're drawn to them not because they're happy, but because they feel real. They connect with people who get the darker, more thoughtful side of life, and there's a strange beauty in their sadness and strength.  

The Quiet Ones: Strength in Silence

A lot of iconic "emo" girls are super quiet. But they're not quiet because they're empty; they're quiet because they're full of pain and thoughts. The ultimate example is Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion. She seems blank on the outside, but inside she's dealing with a ton of pain and wondering if she's even human. She's a clone, treated like she's disposable, so being emotionless is how she protects herself. This makes her super tragic, and watching her try to find herself is one of the most powerful stories in anime. Her quiet strength makes her a mysterious and unforgettable emo anime girl.

Turning Pain into Art: The Emo Heroine

Another type of emo girl is the one who turns her pain into something creative or rebellious. Nana Osaki from NANA is the perfect example. Her mom abandoned her and her past is a mess, so she pours all of that pain and anger into her punk rock music. Her style is punk, but her music is her real story. It's raw and real, and it's her way of saying she won't be broken.  

You see this with Touka Kirishima too. Her anger is her weapon against a world that wants to kill her. But that anger comes from sadness and loss. She fights because she's scared to lose anyone else. For both Nana and Touka, their "emo" vibe isn't just a look; it's where they get their strength. They turn their pain into a powerful and relatable kind of heroism.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: So who's the GOAT anime girl? No cap, there's no single answer. Girls like Mikasa Ackerman, Asuna Yuuki, and Sailor Moon are always at the top of fan polls. It really depends on what you're looking for: strength, waifu material, or just who had the biggest impact.  

Q2: What's a "waifu"? A "waifu" is a fictional character you're basically in love with, like a fictional wife. It means you have a real connection to them, more than just thinking they're cool. It's a big part of being a fan for a lot of people.  

Q3: Why does everyone love tsunderes? Tsunderes are popular because their story is satisfying. They start off mean, so when they finally show their soft side, it feels like a bigger deal, like you earned it. That whole "tough on the outside, soft on the inside" thing is a great story that people connect with.  

Q4: Can an anime girl be strong and emotional at the same time? Bet. In fact, a lot of the best ones, like Mikasa and Yor Forger, are strong because of their emotions. Their love for their family, their loyalty, even their past pain—that's what pushes them to be so powerful and interesting.  

Q5: Where do I get good figures of my favorite girls? If you're a serious collector, you gotta look for legit stores that sell official or really well-made stuff. For fans of girls from shows with a lot of fan service, like Akeno from High School DxD, there are special shops that sell premium figures that really capture what makes the character special.

References

Attack on Titan Wiki. Mikasa Ackerman. Retrieved from https://attackontitan.fandom.com/wiki/Mikasa_Ackerman

Heroes Wiki. Erza Scarlet. Retrieved from https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/Erza_Scarlet           

Kuudere. In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuudere              

The Dere Types Wiki. Deredere. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuudere                                                          

The Dere Types Wiki. Home. Retrieved from https://the-dere-types.fandom.com/                                                                 

TV Tropes. Tsundere. Retrieved from https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Tsundere

Violet Evergarden Wiki. Violet Evergarden. Retrieved from https://violet-evergarden.fandom.com/wiki/Violet_Evergarden                                                 

Wikipedia. Saber (Fate/stay night). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saber_(Fate/stay_night