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.
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 August 22, 2025, by Mark Sammut: Red-haired anime girls are, once again, getting their time in the spotlight. Summer 2025 has Sakamoto Days’ Lu Shaotang, Rent-A-Girlfriend’s Sumi, Betrothed to My Sister’s Ex’s Marie, Bad Girls’ Atori, and Solo Camping for Two’s Shizuku, and that is not an exhaustive list. Except for Lu, who is probably not too many people’s favorite Sakamoto Days character, none of the Summer 2025 figures seem like candidates to be mentioned among the greatest of all time. Consequently, I’ve added two classics: Grelle and Kyoko Sakura.
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Stephanie Dola
No Game, No Life
- Japanese VA: Yōko Hikasa
OK, “iconic” does not necessarily mean loved, and No Game, No Life‘s Stephanie Dola tends to be polarizing, although I would argue that is not her fault but rather due to her fanservice-driven role. Still, the anime is among the most popular in the isekai genre, and Steph is effectively its secondary protagonist after the NEET siblings. She introduces 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.
39
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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Kusuri Yakuzen
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You
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.
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.
37
Grelle Sutcliff
Black Butler
- Japanese VA: Jun Fukuyama
I went back and forth on whether to include Black Butler‘s Grelle Sutcliff, just because her status as a grim reaper means she is way, way older than 30. Heck, we could even argue that she cannot be described as a “woman” since that is a human concept, and she is a supernatural being that goes beyond those types of classifications.
Yet, how can I not mention Grelle? She is absolutely awesome, a force of chaos in a series filled with characters driven by a desperate desire to satisfy their ego and push away their eternal boredom and hunger. Assisting Angelina Dalles, who is Jack the Ripper, Grelle is mostly presented as a rival/antagonist to Sebastian and Ciel, although she rarely provides a helping hand. Grelle is powerful, hilarious, unpredictable, and has an impeccable fashion sense. Really, the full package.
36
Risa Koizumi
Lovely Complex
- Japanese VA: Akemi Okamura
A shojo anime classic, Lovely Complex tells the mostly comedic love story between the taller-than-average Risa and the shorter-than-average Atsushi. Risa drives their relationship forward the most, as she develops a crush on Atsushi and makes it her mission to convince him that they would make a good couple.
While the male lead carries his own, Risa is by far Lovely Complex‘s best character, as she is a three-dimensional figure who comes across as a typical teenager rather than an idolized version. She is really funny too.
Lovely Complex
- Release Date
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2007 – 2007
- Network
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TBS, MBS, CBC
- Directors
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Konosuke Uda
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.
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 Animation, Action, Adventure, Fantasy Studio Pierrot Pierrot Based On Manga Manga Creator Masashi Kishimoto Masashi Kishimoto Streaming Service(s) Hulu, YouTube, Netflix, Crunchyroll Hulu, Crunchyroll
32
Kobayashi
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
- Japanese VA: Mutsumi Tamura
Perhaps due to her subdued personality, habitual drinking, or office job, Kobayashi might seem older than she is, but she is only 25 at the beginning of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid. Yeah, she is quite young to suddenly find herself taking care of a dragon maid (who has a huge crush on her) and a child dragon (who is relentlessly adorable but also naive). A few drunken situations aside, she tends to take on an almost mature, motherly role, helping Tohru and Kanna to gradually grow accustomed to human society.
Although she is somewhat overshadowed by other characters, Kobayashi is the glue that holds this anime together. She is not only a fantastic comedic foil to counter the other sillier personalities, but she can also be pretty hilarious herself, even if she is not specifically trying to be funny. As far as red-haired anime women are concerned, Kobayashi has her life surprisingly together.
31
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.
