Romance is one of the anime genres that never runs out of the best girls every season. In fact, the 2025 summer anime season just introduced fans to yet another female character with the potential to become the best girl of the year—Kaoruko Waguri of The Fragrant Flower That Blooms With Dignity anime.
Of course, the best girls in romance anime are more than just pretty faces. They are more than just the female characters who exist to hold hands with the male lead. Instead, these girls became the heart of the story, grappling with the highs and lows of romance. That said, let’s take a closer look at the best girls in romance anime, from shy and sheltered ladies to bold and outspoken heroines. This list will only include female characters from romance anime, so don’t expect to see any waifu from other anime genres.
10
Chizuru Ichinose
Rent-A-Girlfriend
- Voice Actress: Amamiya Sora
Chizuru Ichinose is known for being Kazuya Kinoshita’s rental girlfriend after his former girlfriend dumped him. When she’s on duty, she acts like an ideal girlfriend, doing her best to please her clients at the right price. However, when she’s not doing any work, she could come off as rude and intimidating to protect herself, especially her feelings. She has a love-hate relationship with Kazuya, but she would later recognize his likable traits.
Of all the girls linked to Kazuya in Rent-A-Girlfriend, Chizuru Ichinose is applauded for her commitment to achieving her goals. She is strict and hardworking, someone who really knows her priorities in life. She wants to be a successful actress someday, so much so that she was willing to train herself by being a rental girlfriend. She would do anything to make this dream a reality, making it more difficult for Kazuya to enter her already complicated life.
9
Yukino Yukinoshita
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
- Voice Actress: Saori Hayami
Yukino Yukinoshita has all the qualities of the best anime girl. She is beautiful and clever, not to mention one of the most relatable due to her vulnerabilities. In My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, almost everyone sees Yukino Yukinoshita as the “Ice Queen,” mostly due to her ice-cold personality, which could send shivers down anyone she interacts with. Most of the time, she’s aloof and blunt, unafraid of saying what’s on her mind. She’s brutally honest, to the point that she can come off as rude and discriminating.
However, one of the best things about Yukino is her character development. She started off as the Ice Queen of the series, but she eventually opened herself to others even in the most awkward and uncomfortable ways. Little by little, she also learned how to trust and rely on others, especially Hachiman. Because of this, more fans started rooting for her, hoping she could become a better and kinder person to others, Hachiman, and even to herself.
8
Miku Nakano
The Quintessential Quintuplets
The Quintessential Quintuplets
- Release Date
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2019 – 2021
- Network
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TBS
- Directors
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Fumio Maezono, Ippei Ichii, Youichirou Aoki, Fumihiro Yoshimura, Yasuo Iwamoto, Takuo Suzuki, Kazuomi Koga, Ryo Miyata, Akiko Seki, Yoshihisa Matsumoto, Yuki Morita
Miku Nakano is the most popular quintuplet, whom many fans want to protect no matter what happens. Anime fans could easily relate to her character, someone who is introverted, aloof, and shy most of the time. This makes her stand out from her sisters, especially those who would go above and beyond to win Futaro Uesugi’s attention through flashy and over-the-top antics and gestures.
Instead, Miku would rather show her true self to Futaro, despite not being comfortable in her own skin. She’s honest and pure, earning the respect of many fans. Most importantly, her character development from being a shy and reserved girl to becoming a more confident and self-aware woman is endearing and worthy of respect.
Of all the quintuplets, Miku Nakano has the most adorable stammers and pouts, which have truly become a recognizable character trait.
7
Kyoko Hori
Horimiya
- Voice Actress: Haruka Tomatsu
There’s nothing more attractive than an anime girl who takes excellent care of her family and boyfriend. Kyoko Hori of Horimiya is the type of girl who would give up karaoke and café hunting to watch over her brother and tend to his needs. While Hori’s parents are away, she sees to it that the house and her brother are well taken care of at the cost of her free time.
When it comes to Hori’s love interest, Miyamura, she appreciates the small yet intimate moments they share. She is warm and sweet to him, and Miyamura doesn’t find it difficult to stay in a relationship with her. She has an open mind and is very supportive, even though she could also be unbearable at times because of her tendency to get jealous and clingy.
6
Marin Kitagawa
My Dress-Up Darling
- Voice Actress: Hina Suguta
Marin Kitagawa quickly became a fan-favorite female character not only for her pretty face but also for her good heart. Fans find her endearing for her genuine passion and endless excitement for cosplay and anime, not letting anyone rain on her parade. She is also very supportive of other people’s interests, especially Gojo Wakana, making them feel special with her words and actions.
In My Dress-Up Darling, Marin makes every episode brighter and lovelier with her presence. Her energy is also infectious, especially to Gojo and her friends. They are naturally drawn to her positivity, enthusiasm, and honesty, including the many viewers, who are rooting for her. It’s always exciting to see her in a new cosplay, as she looks the happiest when she’s channeling her favorite characters in a dress or suit that Gojo customized for her.
5
Kaoruko Waguri
The Fragrant Flower That Blooms With Dignity
- Voice Actress: Honoka Inoue
Kaoruko Warugi is one of the best contenders for the best girl of the summer anime season. Fans can’t help but admire everything about her, from her adorable appearance to her kind and compassionate heart. Just like the many girls in this list, Kaoruko stands out for her sweet and caring personality, making people around her feel accepted. She sticks to what she knows is right and will not let anyone dictate to her.
In times of difficulty, Kaoruko handles it with grace and quiet strength. When it comes to her relationship with Rintaro Tsumugi, she motivates him to do better from episode to episode. In other words, her presence encourages Rintaro to change for the better. It won’t be a surprise if the two of them hit it off in the end, as fans love their chemistry.
4
Anna Yamada
The Dangers in My Heart
- Voice Actress: Hina Yomiya
Without Anna Yamada, The Dangers in My Heart would lose its spark. She is the heart of the series, known for her bubbly and cheerful personality. She might be the typical popular model in class, but she won’t let her fame define her. She might also be the campus crush, but she never lets it go to her head. Instead, she treats her friends and classmates warmly, choosing to be kind and considerate most of the time.
Anna Yamada seems like the perfect anime girl, with her looks and body to die for, but she still struggles with her flaws and insecurities. It might not look like it, but she worries about her standing in her career and even in school. Despite these vulnerabilities, they don’t weaken her character but instead make her more relatable and human.
3
Mai Sakurajima
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
- Voice Actress: Asami Seto
Strange things happen in romance anime, especially in Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, where an otherworldly phenomenon called Puberty Syndrome affects the beautiful and popular Mai Sakurajima. For some reason, the syndrome causes Mai to become invisible to people, except for another student named Sakuta Azusagawa. He was the first one to catch Mai in the library, wearing not her school uniform, but a bunny outfit!
Anime fans best remember Mai for wearing the symbolic bunny outfit in the library, where she first encountered Sakuta. But even without this suit, she stands out for her appearance, likable personality, and selflessness. On top of that, she is independent, someone who is mature and has deep emotional intelligence at her young age. She is also loyal and caring, often going above and beyond just to express her deep concern to others.
Additionally, Mai’s relationship with the other characters, especially Sakuta, is mature and believable. She puts in great effort to help others grow as people, prioritizing their feelings first before her own, without losing herself.
2
Kaguya Shinomiya
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Kaguya Shinomiya is one half of the main couple of the wildly popular romance anime, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, which has released three seasons and one movie split into four special episodes. She is the scheming vice president of the Shuchiin Academy’s Student Council, known for her intelligence, poise, and wealth. Beyond that, fans also remember her for her elaborate mind games with President Shirogane, where each tries to outwit the other into confessing first.
There’s never a dull moment with Kaguya Shinomiya, because more often than not, her reactions and inner monologues lead to some of the most hilarious moments in the anime. Watching her spar with Shirogane verbally and internally is charming and fascinating, making their moments truly unforgettable. Her relationship with Shirogane shows the playful side of romance, which captivates fans episode after episode.
Make no mistake, though, Kaguya Shinomiya is not a one-dimensional female character. She also has her share of vulnerable moments, where fans can relate and empathize with her struggles and insecurities in life. She may look like a perfect girl from the outside, but she is often conflicted and unsure of her choices, especially when it comes to the romance department.
1
Tohru Honda
Fruits Basket
- Voice Actress: Manaka Iwami / Yui Horie
This list would not be complete without Fruits Basket’s Tohru Honda. She is one of the most popular female characters in anime, known for her warm and healing presence, as well as her good heart. Fans shower her with affection, with many treating her as the ultimate best girl they would want to marry in real life. Who wouldn’t? She’s extremely caring and understanding, on top of being compassionate and kind.
In Fruits Basket, Tohru Honda brings the Sohma Family together, proving just how powerful kindness, acceptance, and unconditional love are. Despite her personal struggles, she inspires others to see the goodness in life. In short, she is the heart of Fruits Basket, an irreplaceable character who represents what unconditional love is.
