One of anime’s most enduring and defining tropes is using unusual hair colors. Whether it’s a high fantasy epic or a mundane school life setting, we can always count on seeing someone with bright blue, purple, or other bizarre colors in their hair. These hair colors are usually natural, too – no hair dye necessary.
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Among the various hair colors depicted in anime, red hair is among the more realistic options. While there are plenty of exceptions, red-haired characters tend to be hot-headed and reckless. Here are some female redheaded anime characters that nearly every fan of anime will recognize.
In this case, anime girls with red hair also encompass older characters who might be in their 20s.
Updated June 18, 2025, by Mark Sammut: Red-haired anime girls will forever be part of seasonal releases, and Spring 2025 contained an updated version of an all-time classic. Anne Shirley has been added to the full discussion, along with Uta from One Piece.
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Stephanie Dola
No Game, No Life
- Japanese VA: Yōko Hikasa
OK, “iconic” does not necessarily mean loved, as No Game, No Life‘s Stephanie Dola tends to be polarizing, arguably to no fault of her own. Still, the anime is among the most popular in the isekai genre, and Steph is effectively its secondary protagonist after the NEET siblings. She serves an important role in introducing Sora and Shiro to Disboard’s rules, races, and culture, along with serving as a comedy relief throughout pretty much the entire series. During Sora and Shiro’s games against god, Steph does not contribute all that much, but she is usually there for moral support, which is something.
No Game, No Life‘s most divisive aspect is its fanservice, and Steph is pretty much the central figure. Due to so many of her scenes going down this route, she does start to come across as if titillation is her main reason for existing. I mean, she still has her good moments.
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Uta
One Piece
- Japanese VA: Kaori Nazuka
Surprisingly, One Piece does not have all that many redheaded anime girls. Bell-mère deserves a mention as she is an important figure in Nami’s life, but she is ultimately such a minor character that I cannot justify including her. However, Uta just about qualifies, as she was effectively the protagonist of a movie that drew more than $150 million at the box office, which is not too shabby. Sure, she was probably not the deciding factor that lured most people to theaters, but she was also not a hindrance.
Uta’s history ties her directly to Shanks and Luffy, and she comes across as a big deal even though she is not canon. She also has impeccable stage presence, as one would expect from a character who is presented as a top idol in the One Piece universe.
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Lu Shaotang
Sakamoto Days
- Japanese VA: Ayane Sakura
While it arguably did not replicate the quality of its source material, the Sakamoto Days anime was still an entertaining watch for the most part, setting the stage for a sequel season. Introduced a few episodes in, Lu Shaotang is effectively the show’s third protagonist after Sakamoto and Shin.
A talented fighter with family ties that she would rather leave behind, Lu demonstrates Sakamoto Days‘ penchant for blending humor and action. The red-haired anime girl can jump back and forth between the two at a moment’s notice, highlighted perfectly in Lu’s drunken fight against Obiguro. Depending on how season 2 goes, I firmly believe this martial artist might find herself going up in the ranks, as she is just a fun presence.
37
Kusuri Yakuzen
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Considering 100 Girlfriends‘ premise, a red-haired girl was guaranteed to show up at some point in the story, and she does not take long to make an appearance. The fifth girlfriend introduced, Kusuri Yakuzen is arguably the most important character in the show besides Rentarou, largely due to her scientific background. While she does not necessarily take center stage, her experiments frequently trigger the anime’s most bizarre and absurd storylines, making her a very welcome presence.
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For example, Kusuri creates two separate potions that cause the girls to switch bodies and become babies, along with another drug that supercharges Shizuka’s cuteness. She even nearly causes the end of the world in season 2, episode 9. Even if a few other girls are more popular than her, Kusuri’s debut had more of an impact on 100 Girlfriends than pretty much any other character. She also has two forms, although her “older” version only shows up sporadically.
36
Akari Akaza
Yuru Yuri
- Japanese VA: Shiori Mikami
YuruYuri is one of the best cute girls doing cute things anime of all time, and Akari Akaza is initially presented as the protagonist. However, she goes through a peculiar arc that sees her gradually slip further into the background and become the fourth most important character in the series, and that is being a bit kind.
This is all by design, as Akari’s main selling point is that she is just nice, which makes her less interesting than her schoolmates, who have big personalities. Even though she might not leave the strongest impression, Akari is still likable and gets a couple of big laughs throughout the three seasons.
35
Nena Trinity
Gundam 00
- Japanese VA: Rie Kugimiya
Initially, Nena Trinity and her brothers seemed like welcome allies for the paramilitary organization Celestial Being, having saved them from certain death in the middle of a battle. However, their thirst for blood and overall viciousness made them a hindrance to the group’s goal, with Nena easily being the worst. Impulsive, selfish, and cruel, Nena was a large part of the reason why the factions of Earth joined together to destroy the Celestial Being.
Though Nena made for an awful ally, she played quite a dangerous villain, especially in the second season. Now operating under Wang Liu Mei, Nena Trinity was a wild card who cared only for herself. She is easily one of the most psychotic Gundam characters, considering she’s up against some fierce competition.
34
Benten
Urusei Yatsura
- Japanese VA: Yuko Mita (1981 series); Shizuka Ishigami (2022 series)
Benten is one of Lum’s many alien friends in Urusei Yatsura, having known her since childhood, along with Oyuki and Ran. She is a member of the Fukujin clan, which often engages in various competitions against Lum’s Oni clan. Despite having a relatively low number of appearances, she is a popular character in the show.
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A fiery girl with a biker aesthetic, Benten’s personality matches her bright-red hair. She is easily the most rambunctious troublemaker among Lum’s friends, and while she is certainly a tomboy, she does know how to use her charm to get what she wants. I tend to prefer Benten’s portrayal in the modern remake, but the classic version is also fun.
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Urusei Yatsura Urusei Yatsura Release Date 1981-10-14 2022-10-13 Genres Romance, Comedy, Sci-Fi Sci-Fi, Drama, Animation, Romance, Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy, Music Studio Pierrot, Studio Deen David Production Based On Manga Manga Creator Rumiko Takahashi Rumiko Takahashi
33
Kushina Uzumaki
Naruto
- Japanese VA: Emi Shinohara
Kushina Uzumaki is the mother of Naruto, who had already passed by the time the story began. The previous Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails before it was handed over to Naruto, Kushina was once mocked and bullied by her fellow ninja students for her bright red hair, which she paid back with righteous anger. Her hot temper would only be quelled by Minato Namikaze, the man who would eventually become her husband and the Fourth Hokage.
Kushina had very little screentime, appearing only as a spirit to help Naruto gain control of the Nine-Tails. However, she has had a strong and long-lasting impact on the anime’s story, making her a fan favorite in the community.
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Naruto Naruto: Shippuden Release Date 2002-10-02 2007-02-15 Genres Animation, Action, Adventure Martial Arts, Animation, Action, Adventure Studio Pierrot Pierrot Based On Manga Manga Creator Masashi Kishimoto Masashi Kishimoto Streaming Service(s) Hulu, YouTube, Netflix, Crunchyroll Hulu, Spectrum, Crunchyroll
32
Koume Sawaguchi
Blue Seed
- Japanese VA: Kotono Mitsuishi
Koume Sawaguchi is a member of the Terrestrial Administration Center, also known as the TAC, which is in charge of exterminating Aragami, supernatural threats intent on destroying humanity. Sawaguchi is one of many agents assisting the main character, Momiji Fujimiya, in her battles against the vile Aragami, whether it be in combat or as support.
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Koume Sawaguchi perfectly displays the hot-blooded attitude a red-haired girl would be expected to present, as displayed by her brash attitude and rugged style. Her main mode of attack is to use as big a gun as possible and to never let up on the offense, regardless of whether she is hitting anything. Despite all this, she does have a sensitive side that she does her best to hide from others.
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Masami Iwasama
Angel Beats
- Japanese VA: Miyuki Sawashiro
Despite featuring prominently in only one episode and disappearing about a quarter of the way through the anime, Masami Iwasama is nevertheless among the more famous Angel Beats characters. Her presence lingers long after she departs the story, to the point that it is felt during the very last scene of the show.
As part of the Afterlife School, Masami is caught in limbo, just like all the other teenagers. Aloof and cool, she is the lead vocalist and guitarist of Girls Dead Monster, a band that supplies most of the best songs in the series. Iwasama’s storyline might be short, but it is among the most important in the series, as she showcases the process that the characters should arguably be going through. She finally reaches acceptance, allowing herself to move on.
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