Key Takeaways
- Anime girls with pink hair often stand out thanks to their unique hair color.
- Characters like Virgo and Chibiusa showcase loyalty, combat prowess, and inner strength, making them standout icons.
- Pink-haired characters like Anya, Sakura, and Madoka defy stereotypes and are characterized by their growth, intelligence, and courage in their respective series.
If there’s something anime does best when it comes to character design, it would probably be the liberal use of hair color for a lot of its cast members. It doesn’t matter if it’s for a protagonist or a random individual – sometimes, hair color can get wild for anime characters, particularly women with a penchant for a strong attitude.
As such, it’s easy for these girls to make a mark in their respective anime. This is particularly the case with anime girls with pink hair, who usually dominate their series as leading ladies or characters with important roles. However, for otakus out there, just who are the most iconic anime girls with pink hair?
Updated on October 7, 2024, by Rhenn Taguiam: With the likes of Uzumaki, One Punch Man Season 3, and even Dandadan being among the contenders of most-anticipated anime during this half of the year, otaku and anime fans are likely eager to check out just what kind of characters they have to bring to the table – especially female characters with unique hair colors that are sure to grab the audience’s attention. The phenomenon of pink-haired characters remains a popular trope today, especially with many anime girls of this hair color being built for roles with quite exciting premises. Other famous pink-haired girls in anime include the tritagonist of a story based on the Arabian Nights, the telepathic adopted daughter of two undercover spies, a skilled swordsman dragged into the conflict of princes, and a vengeful victim of an experiment.
14 Virgo – Fairy Tail
Although not necessarily the main character in Fairy Tail, the Celestial Spirit Virgo is a testament to what loyalty truly is given her servitude to Lucy Heartfilia. As one of the Celestial Spirits in the 12 Golden Zodiac Keys, Virgo represents the chaste yet dignified nature of the Virgo astrological sign. And while this is something she’s often scolded about, Virgo is no pushover either.
Being associated with the element of Earth in real life, it makes sense for Virgo to have access to Earth Magic, allowing her to manipulate all its aspects. Not only that, but Virgo has access to incredible Transformation Magic and uses Chain Magic to summon chains as whips. It’s her access to hard-hitting attacks that makes her an ever-reliable Guardian Spirit to guard Lily – and evidently makes her a pure badass pink-haired character in combat.
13 Morgiana – Magi: The Labyrinth Of Magic
A Girl Who Overcame All Odds
The story of Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is largely based on stories in the Arabian Nights, where protagonists Alibaba Saluja and Aladdin become unlikely companions in a bid to conquer dungeons, acquire their treasure, and capture the powers of Djinn. Their first dungeon would bring them one of their earliest companions, Morgiana, a slave they helped become free from the shackles that bound her.
Serving as the tritagonist of the Magi series, Morgiana is quiet but fiercely loyal to her new companions. Much of the series involves Morgiana slowly overcoming her inferiority complex, which is likely caused by her upbringing as a slave. However, Morgiana is no slouch in combat. Being part of the hunters of Fanalis, Morgiana is extremely fast and rather strong – with combat prowess improved further by martial arts. Thanks to Alibaba, she can use an extension of Djinn Amon’s powers through her Household Vessel, allowing her to use heat and flame to augment her attacks.
12 Utena Tenjou – Revolutionary Girl Utena
An Icon For Early-Era LGBT Anime Stories
In a world where being a “prince” is a matter of upholding principles rather than being tied to a specific gender, Utena Tenjou of Revolutionary Girl Utena dreams of becoming a “prince” – a status that comes true when she is tasked to defend Anthy Himemiya, the Rose Bride with the power to “revolutionize the world.”
While many of Revolutionary Girl Utena’s arcs involve Utena emerging victorious in all manner of sword duels, it’s Utena’s interactions with her fiancee Anthy, the latter’s brother Akio, and other students that cemented the allure of the anime’s metaphor-heavy storytelling. For an anime released in 1996, Utena Tenjou and her peers displaying love for all without the boundaries of gender had made not just Revolutionary Girl Utena but even Utena herself early icons of LGBT presence in anime.
11 Lucy – Elfen Lied
A Perplexing Protagonist Who Falls Under Both Hero And Villain
While most anime would have its protagonist also become its central “hero” figure, the same couldn’t be said for Lucy in Elfen Lied. Introduced as a member of the new quasi-telekinetic species called the Diclonius, Lucy is introduced in the dark sci-fi story as someone attempting to escape a research facility – a premiere controversial for its displays of gratuitous violence and mature content – only to be shot in the head and develop somewhat of a split personality.
After her discovery by locals Kouta and Yuka, Lucy slowly opens up and becomes the anime’s main “driver” of its themes – exploring identity, social alienation, and humanity. While Lucy certainly hasn’t risen to “icon” status due to the ultraviolent and bizarre nature of Elfen Lied, she certainly became a recognizable figure among anime protagonists whose true natures remain a topic of debate well after their anime’s run had ended.
10 Anya Forger – SPY X FAMILY
The Adopted Telepath Of A Strange Spy Family
When Loid Forger and Yor Forger married each other in SPY x FAMILY, neither of them knew the real identity of the other – they were actually spies sent on separate missions that required them to enter into a fake marriage. To sell the cover, they adopted a daughter, the seemingly hyperactive Anya Forger, who unbeknownst to them is actually a telepath. While impressionable just like a young child, Anya genuinely believes in Loyd’s desire for world peace and wants to help him achieve it at all costs – despite her limitations as a child, of course.
Being a telepath, Anya can easily look into others’ motives and intentions. She’s also quick on her feet and is portrayed as more gifted and perceptive than her age. However, she does have the typical qualities of a child – not one to see the bigger picture often neglects her studies, and tends to have a comically hilarious expression for almost any occasion.
9 Chibiusa Tsukino – Sailor Moon
A Savior From The Future
Fans of older shoujo anime will instantly spot Chibiusa Tsukino among the Sailor Senshi of Sailor Moon. Despite her small stature and bright pink locks, Chibiusa turns out to have come from 30th Century Earth, being the child of the future Mamoru Chiba and Usagi Tsukino, Sailor Moon herself.
Despite this weird time travel mumbo jumbo, Chibiusa ends up as one of the sweetest and most energetic pink-haired characters in anime. She’s quite upbeat, hotheaded, and outgoing – very opposite her mother Usagi, who has a tendency to become clumsy and a crybaby. It’s her adorable nature that makes her immediately recognizable among anime fans.
8 Yachiru Kusajishi – Bleach
The Anchor Of The Soul Society’s Strongest
Contrary to Chibiusa’s childlike nature is Yachiru Kusajishi of Bleach who, despite her childlike exterior, is not one to belittle. Serving as a lieutenant of the 11th Division of the Gotei 13, Yachiru is one of the few who can playfully interact with the terrifying Captain Kenpachi Zaraki without so much as flinching. As President of the Shinigami Women’s Association, Yachiru definitely is someone to aspire to.
Outside her cheerful nature in Bleach is a force to reckon with. Yachiru exhibits high spiritual power, which she channels through her automatic reflexive abilities and expert-level combat abilities. Moreover, Yachiru seems to specialize in infiltration as well as detection and analysis, fitting expertise considering her impressive speed. Perhaps more terrifying is Yachiru’s Shikai, called Sanpo Kenju. By summoning two creatures that attack before and after she strikes, Yachiru’s attacks are guaranteed hits.
7 Amu Hinamori – Shugo Chara!
A Girl Who Wants To Find Her True Self
Fans of classic shoujo anime will almost immediately remember Amu Hinamori of Shugo Chara!, particularly for her “spicy” demeanor that she uses to mask her true introverted personality. When Amu dreams of the courage to show her true personality, she wakes up finding three guardians (Shugo Charas) alongside her, all in charge of helping her find her “true” self.
When the anime eventually gets chaotic pretty quickly, Amu realizes she – and certain others – can use their own Shugo Charas to transform and have special abilities. Against the backdrop of these action setpieces, Amu is one character to look up to, especially when one is also seeking the courage to become truer to oneself.
6 Euphemia Li Britannia – Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion
A Girl Who Tried Changing A Country, Even If It Cost Her Life
Fans of Gundam who watch Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion will immediately get Lacus Clyne vibes from Euphemia Li Britannia, a royalty of the world power Britannian Empire that wants only peace among all nations. While her dreams seem futile, innocent, and naive compared to the horrors at the time, it’s her vision of true peace that would motivate both Lelouch Vi Britannia and Suzaku Kururugi to pursue their goals in different ways.
While events surrounding Euphemia are quite heavy, it’s her innocent spirit that provides a breath of fresh air among the conspirators in the upper echelon of Britannians. Not to mention, both Euphemia and Lacus Clyne of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED are quite similar in their goals of a world without hate.
5 Miyuki Takara – Lucky Star
An Adorable Mini-Wikipedia
Being a slice-of-life anime, it’s natural for Lucky Star to have its fair share of adorable and quirky protagonists. Chief among them is Miyuki Takara, the group’s resident bookworm who just loves knowing something about just about anything. Dubbed “Miwiki” or Miyuki + Wikipedia due to her penchant for spouting weird facts, Miyuki remains an adorable character with fierce loyalty among her friends.
Considering that Lucky Star is composed of predominantly female characters, it’s no surprise that one of them would end up being pink-haired. And making this pink-haired character the group’s resident know-it-all just adds to the overall appeal of the entire cast.
4 Lacus Clyne – Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
An Idol Whose Influence Changed The World
Otaku and mecha fans already around in 2004 would probably have Mobile Suit Gundam SEED as their introduction to modern Gundam, and Lacus Clyne easily becomes a recognizable character for her wildly bright pink hair. In Gundam SEED, a war between human Naturals and more superior Coordinators would separate childhood friends Kira Yamato and Athrun Zala into fighting for separate sides. Their common link comes in the form of Lacus Clyne, an influential pop star who just wants peace between the two factions.
Although seemingly innocent, Lacus Clyne proves herself aware of the horrific nature of the ongoing war and the potential chaos it brings. Her courage and persistence to end the war allow her to do so in a unique way – form a third faction designed specifically to stop it. It’s Lacus and the conviction behind her innocence that makes her quite an admirable and iconic pink-haired character.
3 Yuno Gasai – Mirai Nikki
The OG Yandere
Release Date |
October 10, 2011 to April 16, 2012 |
---|---|
Number of Episodes |
26+OVA |
Studio |
Asread |
Yukiteru Amano’s bleak view of the world is shattered when his cell phone is transformed into a Future Diary (a Mirai Nikki) that can predict the future for up to 90 days. Not only that, it seems he’s thrust into a survival game, where Yuki has to eliminate 11 other Future Diary owners. Thankfully, he’s not alone, as he’s protected by Yuno Gasai, a pink-haired girl who becomes his stalker after Yuki promised to go stargazing with her a year prior.
Unfortunately for Yuki and the viewers, Yuno Gasai isn’t just a typical admirer. Yuno has developed a remarkable obsession with Yuki, to the point of being willing to kill just about anyone who tries to harm Yuki or steal him from her. Anime fans would almost always use Yuno Gasai as an example of a yandere, a dangerously possessive character.
2 Sakura Haruno – Naruto
Not One To Fall Behind Her Peers
Females in shounen manga often get overshadowed by the often edgier or adventurous male protagonists, but Sakura Haruno of Naruto wouldn’t let her companions do just that to her. Although initially a damsel in distress due to her nature as an ordinary kunoichi, Sakura grew to be one of the most powerful kunoichi in Konoha. Her inner strength and perseverance, coupled with her natural intellect, allowed her to be on par with Naruto, the vessel of the Nine-Tailed Fox, and Sasuke with his Sharingan.
Sakura grows up to be an extremely competent medical-nin and is even regarded as the best, second only to her teacher Tsunade. Her strength is immensely terrifying, capable of destroying boulders easily. If anything, Sakura’s growth in Naruto is a testament that one’s hard work will always be worthwhile.
1 Madoka Kaname – Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
A Girl Who Broke Reality To Save The World
If anime viewers imagine anything regarding a cute creature offering a schoolgirl the ability to become a magical girl, it’s probably a wonderful adventure filled with friendship, laughter, and happy moments. Protagonist Madoka Kaname of Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica entered a contract with Kyubey to get magic and help her friends. Unfortunately for Madoka, she gets more than what she bargained for.
Of all pink-haired characters, Madoka has perhaps gone through immense ordeals for a 14-year-old girl. Kind of heart and embodying traits of a true protagonist, Kyubey and circumstances in Madoka Magica force Madoka to grow into a stronger person while facing the horrors of a harsh world.