And it’s easy to see why, considering how many new soldiers enter the ring each season. So who truly are the best waifus in all of anime? Well we’re gonna do our best to at least look at some of the better competitors, and hopefully we don’t start another war in the process.
35. Chelsea
Anime: Akame ga kill! Chelsea was one of my favorite characters in the show, as she gave off that cool older sister vibe. She was also the only proper assassin among the bunch. She puts up a strong exterior and likes belittling her teammates, but we all know it comes from a good place. They do risk their lives every day, so it’s smart to keep your teammates grounded and realistic. And while she might have not had the most screen time, she definitely left a big impression.
34. Kallen Stadtfeld
Anime: Code Geass A characteristic you’ll find quite often on this list is that of a badass. Sure, the damsel in distress can be attractive from time to time. But female characters that take names and kick ass are usually a lot more memorable. And Kalen is quite the badass herself. Regardless of how slim her chances in battle are, she never hesitates to go all-out in the pursuit of victory. Even when she’s caught off guard while fully naked, it’s a matter of seconds before a knife is at your throat.
33. Ryuuko Matoi
Anime: Kill la Kill Ryuuko is another battle ready veteran, although she’s far from a soldier. With her trusty sidekick in the form of a skimpy outfit, she charges into battle headfirst and figures out the details later. And her tenacity is admirable, as she can be knocked down a dozen times and still find a way to stand on her feet. She might not be as cheery and optimistic as Mako, but she gets the job done. She also works that tomboy style like it was nobody’s business.
32. Shinobu Kochou
Anime: Demon Slayer Shinobu is the type of character that really nails the “don’t judge a book by its cover” mentality. She seems like the kindest, bubbliest person ever. Always smiling, talking in a low soft voice, and talking up her teammates. But this butterfly has some bite to her. It turns out that she’s an incredible warrior who utilizes poison to take down her foes. And she can be quite sadistic while doing her duty. But hey, at least you know she can protect you. Just never get on her bad side.
31. Akatsuki
Anime: Log Horizon I can’t say that I would even mind if Akatsuki murdered me, as I feel like it would be the most kawaii way to go. She’s a bite-sized assassin that’s loyal to a fault, and excels at gathering information and taking out enemies from behind. She’s also quite the goofball. Expressing emotions is a foreign concept to the little ninja, and she even managed to get a rival who is in middle school. But we love her for it nevertheless.
30. Morgiana
Anime: Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic To this day I’m fascinated that Alibaba had to save Morgiana and not the other way around. Sure, Alibaba is quite handy with a sword. But Morgiana can kick you with the power of a thousand suns, and then finish you off with a glare that’s just as powerful. And it’s not just her thunder thighs that you should be worried about, either! She’s incredibly fast, can probably arm wrestle a bear to a draw, and has senses so keen that she can smell death itself. You honestly can’t get any more “self-reliable” than that.
29. Tatsumaki
Anime: One Punch Man Tatsumaki is a high risk/high reward type of waifu. She holds immense power, and I truly do mean immense, as she can drop meteors from the sky if she chooses. She’s also very irritable, so even talking to her is a death wish unless you’re the protagonist of your respective anime. However, on the plus side, she has the cutest smile! Given, the only time I saw her smile was when she was drunk and repeatedly stabbing a person… but it still counts!
28. Rem
Anime: Re: Zero Rem has been a strong waifu contender for quite some time now. So much so that the war devs literally had to nerf her. And it’s simple to see why: When she likes you, she’s like a cold breeze on a sunny day, spreading nothing but cheer and kawaii around her. And when she doesn’t like you, well, you have to carry an extra pair of pants in case you royally soil yourself. It’s that kind of duality that really allows for certain waifu soldiers to stand tall above the rest!
27. Sasha Blouse
Anime: Attack on Titan Sasha is very special to me for two main reasons: Firstly, she’s the only character in Attack on Titan that has made me laugh. And secondly, she’s the only female character that I don’t fear from the bottom of my heart. Don’t get me wrong, she can still kick some butt. Especially if you’re between her and a five-pound ham. But at least she won’t spit on your grave afterwards. She’s just genuinely friendly, and you just have to admire her devotion to the art of stuffing your face.
26. Raphtalia
Anime: The Rising of the Shield Hero When Raphtalia was first introduced, she was so cute and little that I just wanted to wrap her in a blanket and give her some hot chocolate. Now that she’s more grown, at least physically, I want to give her a blanket and a wet towel so that she can wash the blood off her sword. She’s extremely loyal, and would go to the ends of the earth if it meant protecting those she cared for. And I am not just saying that. She has definitely shown us that side of her. Plus, look at how cute and puffy her ears are.
25. Taiga Aisaka
Anime: Toradora! Who doesn’t love a tiny tsundere? There’s just something so adorable about a five-foot ball of poor communication skills and pent up anger, and Taiga is definitely among the most famous characters in this category. Since everyone likes to downplay her because of her size, she took matters into her own hands and built up a reputation that’s based on both fear and respect. But when she does have her girly moments, especially in the latter part of the series, it truly is a blissful experience.
24. Zero Two
Anime: Darling in the Franxx Zero Two was basically birthed into the waifu world. I mean, her introduction literally had her jump out of a river naked with a fish in her mouth. So not only is she comfortable with her body, but she can also catch you some dinner! When she’s calm, she’s the bubbliest of the bunch. And when she’s angry, I expect a death scene to be nearby. I have also never heard someone say a single word in such an alluring way as when Zero Two says “darling”.
23. Haruhi Suzumiya
Anime: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Haruhi is definitely one of the S-class waifus, not only by legacy, but also her difficulty rating. Slight spoilers here: She is basically a god, and a very picky one at that. She’s constantly bored and bouncing off the walls to feel fulfilled. Some days this results in hot bunny girl costumes and other days just straight blackmail. But you’ll never be bored. So get out your Queen Haruhi bible and I’ll see you on Sunday.
22. Esdeath
Anime: Akame ga kill! If dominance was a person, it would be in the form of Esdeath. She’s a terrifying leader who can squash entire armies by herself, and then have the opposing captain lick her boots before dinner’s ready. In love, she is a bit more squeamish and girly. But don’t think that means she’s submissive. Even in love she’s the alpha dog, and you have to either accept that or prepare to become a popsicle. So if you like your fair share of dominatrix waifus, she suits the role perfectly.
21. Revy
Anime: Black Lagoon Revy is just a glorious loose cannon. She’s like the Grim Reaper when she’s holding a gun, and she has stared death in the eyes so many times that she hardly even reacts anymore. She obviously never believed in the whole “being girly” concept, as she’ll outdrink, outeat, and probably beat up any dude who steps in her way. It’s not like she’s evil or anything. In fact she can be quite sweet. But you really have to work hard if you want to get to the center of this Tootsie Pop.
20. Miria Harvent
Anime: Baccano! Miria and Isaac make for such a perfect couple that people seldom bring up Miria in the waifu wars. And I can’t just sit here and ignore an obvious “best girl” competitor. She’s just beyond sweet, kind, and naïve, and she also dishes out more support than the Canadian healthcare system. Whatever Isaac wants to do, Miria is in it 100%, no questions asked! And since she isn’t really bound to the law, she makes for the perfect partner in crime! So stop sleeping on this overpowered pick and join the cause.
19. Hitagi Senjougahara
Anime: Monogatari series Senjougahara is quite the tough customer. In fact, the first time she met the protagonist, she put a stapler in his mouth. Isn’t that a great story to tell the kids? But once she softens up, she is pure waifu material. Now she isn’t going to be a doormat, and will fight with you if you’re in the wrong. But she will also place her faith in you when all the chips are down. She’s level-headed, incredibly clever, and can even do some wicked voice acting!
18. Mirko
Anime: My Hero Academia If you’ve only watched the anime, this pick might come as a shock since she has only appeared briefly in the final season. However, if you’ve read the manga, I don’t have to tell you anything. For the anime watchers, let’s just say that this woman has the charisma and the tenacity to rival big man All Might himself. Like seriously, this woman cannot be stopped once she gets going. Plus, she’s an incredibly strong bunny girl. That should be enough reason in itself.
17. Celty Sturluson
Anime: Durarara!! We’ve gotten to a point where anime can even make headless characters insanely hot and likable. Celty is honestly such a babe and a sweetheart at the same time. One the one hand, she can kick some serious butt. And just watching her zip around the city on her bike gives me the chills. On the other hand, she’s so goofy that you just can’t help but love her. Whenever she gets embarrassed she’ll just trap her boyfriend in a ball or darkness and angrily punch the pillow. So innocent, so sweet.
16. Abigail Jones
Anime: Great Pretender Just on the account of how hard she’s rocking the short hair, Abigail is definitely on this list. But she’s also an incredibly tenacious and capable person, quickly mastering crafts that would take most people years or decades. However, she hasn’t had the most ideal childhood. So there are going to be a lot of walls before you ever see even a glimpse of her true character. But hey, good things come to those who wait. And preferably also know how to help someone going through trauma.
15. Shouko Nishimiya
Anime: A Silent Voice Since A Silent Voice is a movie, I’m not going to say much in order to avoid any spoilers. All I will say is that Shouko makes my heart melt whenever I see her. Rarely do you see a character as untainted and as kind as Shouko, while simultaneously having a believable personality. She has the tenacity of a god, and honestly humanity would be a lot better off if it had more people like Shouko around. Man I love this character.
14. Himeko Inaba
Anime: Kokoro Connect Himeko is a slow burner. At first she seems completely cold and analytical, at times even down-right rude. But the more comfortable she gets, the more approachable she becomes. Because when you take away all of her logical jibber-jabber, you’re left with a clumsy girl who’s just deathly afraid of being left all alone. She’s willing to sacrifice her own wishes if it means that the people around her are happy. And I think that’s a trait a lot of us can relate to.
13. Megumin
Anime: KonoSuba There’s no other way to describe Megumin other than as adorable. Her antics are always so childish, and yet so oddly relatable that you just can’t help but love her. I mean just count it all: Her obsession over blowing things up instead of actually being useful, her petty fights with Yunyun, her definitely normal cat, her evil smirk when she finally realizes how to get what she wants… it’s all too perfect. So she might not be the most useful or skilled adventurer out there. But she is definitely the most loved.
12. Emilia
Anime: Re: Zero When the first season concluded, Emilia was nowhere near the waifu race. She was so far back in Rem’s dust that not even a blue shell could save her. But then season two came around and that all changed. Suddenly she wasn’t just this shy girl who may or may not become a Queen. Her backstory really fleshed out why she is the way she is, and suddenly it all seemed genuine. She’s honestly a trooper for even being sane at this point. So at the very least in terms of mental strength, she and Subaru are a match made in heaven.
11. Maki Oze
Anime: Fire Force Maki just puts most Instagram fitness personalities to shame. The girl has the body of Zeus, is drop dead gorgeous, and can probably make you drop dead as well. She’s extremely skilled in hand-to-hand combat, and her level-headedness is a major plus of the battlefield. This description would definitely make you think that she’s some cold and unapproachable character. But she is actually quite the sweetheart. She’s a true romantic, and commonly uses her powers to make little fiery friends and just mess around.
10. Merlin
Anime: The Seven Deadly Sins Merlin feels like the rarest card in the waifu deck, because man is she a difficult woman to catch. Don’t believe me? She negotiated with two gods to join their side, tricked both of them, and then ran off with their powers. If literal gods can’t hold this woman’s attention, then who could? Okay, manga readers already know the answer to that one… Plus, she is a stone-cold fox. And I refuse to be told otherwise. I mean, she made a man who can create suns with his hands get hot under the collar. She just has too many feats to ignore.
9. Tsunade
Anime: Naruto: Shippuden Usually when picking a representative, here’s a few characteristics that aren’t often preferred: Liking to gamble, liking to drink, having a short fuse, being able to crush a mountain with just bare hands, and having a giant pet slug. And yet Tsunade somehow made for an excellent Hokage! And sure, people like to dog on the female characters in Naruto. But at the very minimum, Tsunade has the tenacity of 100 men. You can split this woman in two and she’ll still look for a way to kick your butt. And that type of mentality my friends is waifu material.
8. Akane Tsunemori
Anime: Psycho-Pass Akane is the type of character that had to grow up really quickly, and really drastically. At first, she was just a naïve girl with a good head on her shoulders and strict morals in her heart. By the end of the series, however, she was a cunning woman who single handedly posed a threat to an entire system. And I loved seeing it! She became a pure badass, but still kept part of her original kind-heartedness. Plus she’s a hoot at parties, and the hero the city needed, all at the same time.
7. Ikumi Mito
Anime: Food Wars! Food Wars has more waifu and husbando characters than one can count. But Ikumi definitely stood out for me. I’m a sucker for the nemesis-turned-ally trope, and Ikumi was among the first to jump ship. The woman knows her meats like they were the back of her hand. And she never disappoints when the gang needs her expertise. She’s still very headstrong, and her clothing choices probably break several health regulations, but who cares! And don’t you dare make any meat jokes in your head.
6. Rias Gremory
Anime: High School DxD If you took a picture dictionary and looked up the word “babe”, you would probably see Rias. I mean, let’s not kid ourselves: she is smoking hot. She has the power to absolutely annihilate those who dare oppose her, but she’s also kind at heart and can make you feel truly loved. Granted she does get a bit jealous, but who doesn’t these days? Plus, with the success of Queen’s Gambit, it’s the perfect time to learn chess! And why not have an anime babe do the explaining?
5. Miia
Anime: Monster Musume I generally tried to keep the monster girls to a minimum on this list, as they might not be for everybody. But Miia is too iconic to leave out. Monster Musume has more than a handful of monster girls, each interesting and alluring in their own ways. But I always liked Miia the best. Is it because she was the original, or because she seems like the most reliable of the bunch? Who knows! Judging from my last pick, I might just like the color red. But nevertheless: Miia is an S-class waifu and deserves all the mama mia’s.
4. Erza Scarlet
Anime: Fairy Tail Erza might be a top class waifu, but she’s also one of the bros. She isn’t shy in the slightest when it comes to her body. I mean, she will drink with you until the sun goes down, and she’s always up for a casual fist fight. Although the last example might not be such a good idea… This is because Erza is no laughing matter when it comes to battle. Regardless of how many foes you throw her way, she always manages to get out on top. Through her versatile arsenal of weapons and armors, she has an answer to every situation. Even if it means being a bunny girl for some reason.
3. Mai Sakurajima
Anime: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai Speaking of bunny girls, it’s time to give up the stage for Mai. Being that Mai is a successful actress, you would really expect the usual spoiled brat attitude. However, because of her experience with Puberty Syndrome, she’s quite the kind and quiet individual. She still has some tsundere vibes, especially if she’s teased with some lewd jokes. But she never reacts too over the top. In fact, sometimes she simply reacts in a manner so adorable that you forget all about the jokes. And that’s nothing less than a superpower.
2. Yoko Littner
Anime: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann I loved Yoko from the very beginning. She was full of energy and spunk, never giving up and always ready to fight the good fight. Even though she did not have a mech, she was one of the most valuable assets to the army. And the fact that she does all this while in a bikini gives her some bonus points. But I truly fell in love with the character when (spoiler alert) she became a teacher. She was the coolest and most down to earth teacher I have ever seen, plus she still had that old spunkiness to her step.
1. Kurisu Makise
Anime: Steins; Gate I’ve stated this multiple times throughout numerous articles: Kurisu is simply one of my favorite characters of all time. She doesn’t really have some special gimmick or anything. She’s just a very believable, clever, kind and snarky character that I can’t help but adore. Even though her massive success has caused quite a lot of problems for her, she still pressed on in the pursuit of knowledge. And when the situation got rough, she double-downed. Plus (and spoiler alert here) her rendition of the Hououin Kyouma act is still one of my favorite scenes in anime.
