Summary
If there’s somethinganimedoes 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 June 11, 2025, 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.
Although notnecessarily the main characterinFairy Tail, the Celestial SpiritVirgois 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.
The story ofMagi: The Labyrinth of Magicis largely based on stories in theArabian Nights, whereprotagonists Alibaba Saluja and Aladdinbecome 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 theMagiseries, 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.
In a world where being a “prince” is a matter of upholding principles rather than being tied to a specific gender,Utena TenjouofRevolutionary Girl Utenadreams 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.”
Whilemany ofRevolutionary 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 justRevolutionary Girl Utenabut even Utena herself early icons of LGBT presence in anime.
While most anime would have its protagonist also become its central “hero” figure, the same couldn’t be said forLucyinElfen 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 andbizarre nature ofElfen 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.
WhenLoid Forger and Yor Forger married each otherinSPY 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 hyperactiveAnya 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.
Fans of older shoujo anime will instantly spotChibiusa Tsukinoamongthe Sailor SenshiofSailor 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 Moonherself.
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.
Contrary to Chibiusa’s childlike nature isYachiru KusajishiofBleachwho, 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 inBleachis 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 infiltrationas 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.
Fans of classic shoujo anime will almost immediately rememberAmu HinamoriofShugo Chara!, particularly for her “spicy” demeanor that she uses tomask 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.
Fans ofGundamwho watchCode Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellionwill immediately get Lacus Clyne vibes fromEuphemia 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.
Whileevents 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 ofMobile Suit Gundam SEEDare quite similar in their goals of a world without hate.
Being a slice-of-life anime, it’s natural forLucky Starto have itsfair share of adorable and quirky protagonists. Chief among them isMiyuki 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 thatLucky Staris 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.
