The 25 Best Anime Waifus (Ranked)

What are the best anime waifus?

It isn’t hard to find cute anime girls if you watch animated content from Japan.

However, we’re sorry to inform you that not all of these girls are waifu material!

Don’t worry though, because we’ve watched a lot of anime to bring you the best waifus of all time.

Keep reading to find out if your current waifu has made the cut!

The 25 Best Anime Waifus Ranked

Each of the characters on our list has been chosen based on their popularity, personality, and overall waifu traits.

While there are a lot of great waifu characters to choose from, these are by far the most popular among fans. 

Here’s our list of the 25 best anime waifus:

25. Megumin

Kicking off our list, we have Megumin from Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!

Not only is she one of the best brunette-haired anime girls, but she’s one of the main characters of her anime, meaning you get to see a lot of her.

As an eccentric girl, Megumin has a boisterous personality, but as an Arch Wizard she can sometimes be a bit cocky.

Megumin is also completely obsessed with explosion magic, even neglecting other forms of magic in her pursuit of more powerful eruptions.

While she isn’t without her shortcomings, Megumin is sweet, quirky, powerful, and fiercely protective of those close to her.

All-in-all, a solid choice for any anime fan looking for a quality waifu with a lot of content to watch.

24. Emilia

Emila is a half-elf and the potential future ruler of the Dragon Kingdom in the Re: Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu series.

She loves to take care of others, though sometimes will refuse to admit it, stating that it is what anyone in her position would do.

Throughout the series, Emilia learns to have more confidence in herself and comes out of her shell while starting to live on her own.

One cute quirk of hers is her tendency to use archaic words usually only said by older people around her.

While she can sometimes come off as childish, she’s loyal and kind to those around her, making her a fantastic waifu.

23. Holo

Holo is the deuteragonist from one of the best romance anime series, Spice and Wolf.

As a non-human wolf spirit, Holo has wolf ears and a tail in her human form but can also take on the appearance of a giant wolf.

She is incredibly smart and confident but can also be flirtatious and a bit manipulative when the situation calls for it.

However, she also displays a bit of jealousy, especially when other girls talk to Kraft Lawrence, a merchant she travels with and eventually marries.

Throughout the series, we get to see her relationship with Lawrence unfold, and can’t help but feel a little bit jealous ourselves.

Holo certainly is waifu material, especially if you’re a fan of anime girls with cute animal features.

22. Merlin

Merlin appears as the Boar’s sin of Gluttony in Seven Deadly Sins, and she is hailed as the greatest mage in all of Britannia.

This anime babe has some serious magical powers, some of which she has even stolen from literal gods after ticking them!

While she comes across as passive and cool, she can show a more playful nature when around her friends.

She’s also completely dedicated to knowledge and will do anything to learn more, even suspending her own aging process to have more time to study everything.

As a shrewd and intelligent woman, Merlin is a waifu that will keep you on your toes, so long as you don’t mind being a guinea pig for magical experiments!

21. Yor Forger

Yor Forger is the tritagonist of Spy x Family, and while she works as a clerk at the City Hall during the day, there is much more to her than meets the eye.

You see, Yor leads a secret life as an Assassin who goes by the name of Thorn Princess, using her martial arts skills and weapon expertise to cut through foes easily.

However, despite her fearsome reputation and skillset, Yor is a genuinely kind person who even asks her targets for the honor of taking their lives before killing them.

Gradually, she also learns to be more expressive thanks to her co-workers at City Hall, and she even starts taking cooking lessons to be more of a “normal” mother to her adopted daughter.

Yor may be an incredibly deadly assassin, but she has a good heart and truly cares for those closest to her, so much so that she will protect them with extreme violence if necessary.

20. Mirko

Rumi Usagiyama, also known as Rabbit Hero: Mirko, is the No. 5 Pro Hero in My Hero Academia.

Mirko is a tough girl who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, even if it means starting a fight, and she respects others with the same mindset.

As a hero, she faces danger without fear and travels across Japan, taking out any villain stupid enough to get in her way.

Don’t expect Mirko to back down even if she is overpowered, because surrender and retreat aren’t words in her vocabulary.

However, despite her independent nature, she is willing to help others and isn’t above asking for help herself if she really needs it.

While she doesn’t have a secret soft side to discover, Mirko is one of the best waifus of all time for those who love strong, independent anime girls.

19. Mai Sakurajima

Mai Sakurajima is one of the best black-haired anime girls and the main female protagonist of the Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai series.

A third year at Minegahara High School, Mai is an actress and model who can come across as being serious and cold at first.

However, she gradually learns to open up to others, though she can still be considered a bit of a tsundere,  especially when Sakuta says something lewd.

She has a sarcastic sense of humor but tends to suppress negative feelings rather than deal with them head-on.

Overall though, Mai is a kind, nice, good-hearted girl who is even willing to sacrifice herself for her friends, even if it means endangering herself.

18. Rias Gremory

Rias Gremory is the main female protagonist of High School DxD, and she is also called the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess because of her hair and power of destruction.

As a devil, Rias is kind to her servants and those close to her, but she can become violent and angry when people insult her.

While she is proud of her family name, she chooses to live in the human world so that people will see her as Ria and not just as an extension of her family line.

She is also an incredibly competitive girl and hates to lose in anything, especially after losing to Riser during her first Rating Game.

While she is Issei’s fiance in the anime, we see no reason why this fiery devil can’t also make a great waifu.

17. Shinobu Kocho

Hailing from Demon Slayer, which has become a cultural phenomenon, Shinobu Kocho, is a complicated figure with a tragic backstory.

Having taken up the demon slayer uniform after a demon murdered her parents, Shinobu presents herself as a bright, friendly, and cheerful person.

However, this is only masking her true hatred for demons, which can lead her to even be cruel to them.

Shinobu can also tease others to the point of seeming sadistic, though she does grow to show more compassion as the show goes on.

She is certainly a force to be reckoned with, and she could definitely protect you from anything that goes bump in the night.

16. Makima

Makima is one of the best red-haired anime girls from the Chainsaw Man series, but she comes with an incredibly dark secret.

While she appears to be a friendly woman who always wears a smile, Makima is actually an incredibly calculating devil who sees the people around her as nothing more than ‘dogs.’

She is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish her goals and has been shown to be remarkably cold, cunning, and manipulative.

However, underneath all of this, Makima secretly yearns for a family and laments being unable to form meaningful relationships as a controlled devil.

Although Pochita, the chainsaw devil, is the only person she’s ever shown true affection towards, she shouldn’t be written off as a potential waifu candidate.

She’s already acquired a strong fan following as a well-written antagonist and has become a favorite female anime character to many fans of the show.

15. Maki Oze

A second-generation pyrokinetic from Fire Force, Maki Oze is literally hot stuff.

While she serves as the unit leader of Tokyo’s Special Fire Force Company 8, Maki demonstrates a driven and calm personality.

However, she is a hopeless romantic at heart and is very reluctant to hurt others, something that eventually leads to her defection.

That said, she isn’t afraid to brutally kill anyone to defend herself and those she cares about.

She is a bit self-conscious about her body, feeling that her toned physique isn’t feminine enough, despite many people around her finding her beautiful.

Maki has the potential to be a great anime waifu, just don’t upset her because you might end up getting burned.

14. Saber

One of the main characters from Fate/Zero, Artoria Pendragon, is best known by her class name Saber.

As one of the strongest servants in the series, Saber isn’t a fierce fighter who hates being underestimated because she’s a woman.

However, outside of battle, she is shown to be unwaveringly kind and charitable to those around her.

Although her main goal is to retrieve the Holy Grail, she won’t abandon her honor to do so, even if it puts her at a disadvantage.

Her strength, kindness, loyalty, and unshakable morals make her one of the best anime waifus of all time.

13. Zero Two

Standing out as one of the best long-haired anime girls, Zero Two is the main heroine of Darling in the Franxx.

A human-klaxo sapien hybrid, Zero is a member of the APE Special Forces, and she is damn good at what she does.

While she can come off as dangerous and cold, she can show off a playful side, especially around Hiro, who she calls “darling.”

When she’s calm, Zero can even be a rather cheerful girl. Just don’t make her angry, because once her eyes start glowing, a death scene is usually not far behind.

If you’re a fan of female anime characters with horns, tragic backstories, and ferocious battle skills, Zero Two may be the best anime waifu for you!

12. Tohru

Tohru from Miss Kobayahi’s Dragon Maid isn’t just one of the best anime dragon girls of all time, but she’s a fantastic waifu!

Although her true form is that of a dragon, Tohru can transform her scales into a maid outfit, though she sometimes keeps her tail and wings when in Kobayashi’s apartment.

Not only is Tohru cute, but she is cheerful and kind to absolutely everyone she meets, and she is an incredibly hard worker while tending to Kobayashi’s household.

While she is completely head-over-tail for Kobayashi, her feelings are often unrequited, leading Tohru to become a bit of a trickster.

She definitely isn’t a shy girl when it comes to her affections, which is a quality perfect for any waifu.

11. Miia

If having a dragon girl as your waifu doesn’t quite appeal to you, maybe a snake girl is more your style!

Miia is a Lamia from the anime Daily Life with a Monster Girl, and she is placed with Kurusu as part of a cultural exchange.

However, because her race is known for its seductiveness, Miia is often very forward, sometimes slipping into Kurusu’s bed and wrapping around him for warmth.

There is no denying that Miia is an attractive girl, provided you don’t mind scales and potentially being strangled by her strong tail.

10. Yoko Littner

The main protagonist of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Yoko, is a determined person with a preference for long-range sniper rifles.

Her reputation as a rifleman is something she is incredibly proud of, and she’s been shown to maintain a level head even in difficult situations.

However, Yoko can become aggressive with uncooperative or belligerent people, though she is usually fairly mature.

Yoko also eventually becomes a teacher, trading in her usual bikini for a smart pencil skirt and a pair of round glasses that somehow make her even cuter.

This anime girl has a lot of waifu potential, and she can go from being a gun-toting sniper to your favorite substitute teacher.

9. Akane Tsunemori

Akane Tsunemori is a protagonist from Psycho=Pass, one of the best sci-fi anime series, and she is definitely adorable.

Although she appears naive and shy when we first meet her, she is later shown to be a surprisingly intelligent girl who is patient, insightful, and compassionate.

She evolves even further as the series progresses, and we get to see her become a true badass without having to compromise her kindness to others.

Oh, and her favorite possession is her fish-shaped alarm clock, and she plays video games in her spare time.

That’s just precious, and we definitely consider her one of the best female characters in the series, as well as an overall great waifu.

8. Ikumi Mito

Food Wars is packed with great female characters, but Ikumi Mito stands out as one of the best.

Known for her skills in the meat industry, Ikumi is known as the Meat Master, and she definitely isn’t shy about flaunting her stuff.

As a feisty character, she isn’t above using intimidation to get what she wants and feels she has to be strong in order to take over her family’s company.

However, like many other waifus in the anime world, Ikumi has a secret softer side and can be very friendly and kind, especially around Soma.

Ikumi is not only an expert butcher, but she cooks some of the best-looking anime food we’ve ever seen!

A waifu that is an incredible knife-wielding bikini-wearing chef? Yes, please!

7. Mikasa Ackerman

Mikasa Ackerman, from one of the best action animes of all time, Attack on Titan, started out struggling from a very young age.

After watching criminals murder her parents, she was taken in by Eren Yeager and his parents, only to lose that peaceful life thanks to the titans.

Due to her losses, Mikasa is incredibly protective of those she cares about and is willing to do anything to protect them.

While she can appear stoic, she truly feels deeply but doesn’t let her emotions cloud her judgment about right and wrong.

As a waifu, she is loyal, caring, and incredibly protective. Basically, everything you could ever want!

6. Asuna Yuuki

One-half of one of the best anime couples, Asuna Yuuki, is one of the main protagonists of Sword Art Online.

While she initially doesn’t care about being killed inside the game, this quickly changes when she meets Kirito.

Asuna is incredibly caring, and she won’t abandon anyone who needs her help, willing to give even her own life to protect those she loves.

She is also an exceptional cook, having maxed out her cooking skill using a variety of in-game ingredients to replicate her favorite comfort foods.

Overall, she’s everything you could ever want in a waifu, and we’re glad she is front and center so often in the anime!

5. Erza Scarlet

Ezra Scarlet is an S-Class mage in the Fairy Tail Guild, and she isn’t shy about showing off her body or her skills.

Regardless of how many enemies she goes up against, Ezra always manages to come out on top, and she boasts a great sense of justice.

However, despite her strictness in the Guild, Ezra has a secret love of smut and erotic novels, something that she tries to hide from everyone around her.

She is also a lover of good food, with strawberry cake and souffle being her favorites.

Ezra definitely stands out as one of the best anime waifus of all time, so long as you don’t invoke her wrath.

4. Fubuki

Fabuki is the Rank 1 Class B hero in One Punch Man, and she goes by the moniker Blizzard of Hell.

A powerful but stylish esper, Fubuki is an absolute powerhouse as one of the best One Punch Man characters, and she isn’t afraid to do what it takes to get ahead.

With her charming personality, she leads the Blizzard Group, and while she can appear cold to those she doesn’t know, as a hero, she can be remarkably selfless.

Fubuki is a popular character in the series and a better waifu candidate than her sister, Tatsumaki, who is more likely to slam you to the ground than show you affection.

3. Hinata Hyuga

A standout character from Naruto, Hinata Hyuga starts off as a soft-spoken girl who always thinks of others before herself.

She deeply admires Naruto’s courage and kindness towards others, which makes her strive to gain his attention.

Her personality matures further after she marries Naruto, becoming more insightful and wise as an amazing wife and mother.

Now a shinobi, Hinata will do whatever it takes to protect her village and help her children succeed.

Hinata has come a long way in the series and proven herself to be one of the best anime waifus of all time.

2. Kurisu Makise

Kurisu Makise is a genius and a member of the Brain Science Institute in Steins;Gate.

As one of the main characters, Kurisu is usually a mature and sensible young woman, but she can be hilariously sarcastic at times.

How she treats others largely depends on how they treat her, and she has even been described as a tsundere by Okabe and Daru.

She doesn’t enjoy sports but loves swimming, and floating in the water puts her in a good mood.

Despite not being the most outgoing girl, Kurisu is creative, intelligent, and beautiful, making her a fantastic waifu for anyone.

1. Rem

While arguably all of Re: Zero’s girls are the best, when push comes to shove, we have to name Rem as the overall best anime waifu.

A maid alongside her sister Ram, Rem is one of the main characters in Re: Zero and is absolutely adorable.

It’s easy to fall for her fantastic personality, unwavering sense of loyalty, and easy-going nature.

She’s quick to handle most of the maid work around the mansion but is also a fierce fighter when she needs to be.

Overall, if you want the sweetest, cutest, and most loyal waifu of all time, Rem is your girl!

Summary

There are a lot of great anime girls to choose from if you want a waifu to call your own, and narrowing down the playing field definitely isn’t easy!

However, each of these girls stand out as some of the most popular in the anime community, with traits and personalities that make them ideal waifus.

While Rem takes our top spot, you really can’t go wrong with any of these great girls!

Here’s a quick recap of the 25 best anime waifus:

1. Rem
2. Kurisu Makise
3. Hinata Hyuga
4. Fubuki
5. Erza Scarlet
6. Asuna Yuuki
7. Mikasa Ackerman
8. Ikumi Mito
9. Akane Tsunemori
10. Yoko Littner
11. Miia
12. Tohru
13. Zero Two
14. Saber
15. Maki Oze
16. Makima
17. Shinobu Kocho
18. Rias Gremory
19. Mai Sakurajima
20. Mirko
21. Yor Forger
22. Merlin
23. Holo
24. Emilia
25. Megumin

Did your waifu end up making the list? Let us know in a comment!