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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 red-headed characters that nearly every fan of anime will recognize.
Updated May 15, 2022 by Danny Guan: Anime is a massive industry, and hundreds of new characters come out every season. While they may not all become iconic characters, there is always a massive amount of well-known personalities to pick from. Here are some more iconic redheaded girls that have left their mark on anime.
15 Shana (Shakugan no Shana)
As a being known only as a Flame Haze, Shana’s duty is to exterminate Denizens attempting to toy with the Power of Existence keeping people alive. One such victim of such an attack is Yuji Sakai, who has a mysterious power that allows him to remain alive even though his Power of Existence is so weak.
While Shana is unconcerned with Yuji, the two’s paths remain intertwined. It is Yuji who names her Shana, and she slowly begins to care for him in her own way. With her ability to wield flame and a powerful sword that serves as her namesake, Shana is both strong and capable.
14 Mereoleona Vermillion (Black Clover)
The oldest daughter of House Vermillion is also one of the fieriest characters on this list, not just in her magic specialty but also in her personality as well. She cuts a belligerent and intimidating figure, but she is also an inspiring figure that was born to lead, even if she prefers not to.
Unlike many of her family members, Mereoleona chose not to become a member of the Magic Knights, only choosing to become the temporary captain of the Crimson Lions when her brother Fuegoleon is incapacitated. She is shown as incredibly competent in that role and later leads the Royal Knights as well.
13 Lucy/Nyu (Elfen Lied)
Two young university students discover a young woman who is unable to speak. They call her Nyu due to the only sound she can make at the time, but they soon realize that there is more to her. Eventually, they learn that Nyu is a split personality of Lucy, a murderous Diclonius with the power to control invisible arms called vectors that can kill indiscriminately.
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While Nyu is kind, peaceful, and introverted, Lucy is violent, merciless, and hates all humans. While her time living with Kouta and Yuka mellow her out slightly, she never loses her murderous tendencies, and fate as a Diclonius means that her life could never be peaceful.
12 Rias Gremory (High School DxD)
Seemingly a normal third-year student at Kuoh Academy, Rias Gremory is actually a devil and a member of the Gremory Clan, a high-ranking clan of devils. She revived Issei Hyodo after his death at the hands of Yuma Amano, turning him into her servant.
As the President of the Occult Research club, Rias secretly assembles a clan of devils loyal only to her. Compassionate, kind, and caring, Rias Gremory is nevertheless an authoritative leader with incredible strength. Her beautiful figure belies her incredible powers, and she is easily one of the strongest characters in the series.
11 Radical Ed (Cowboy Bebop)
While the main cast of Cowboy Bebop is generally mature and grounded, Radical Ed is the complete opposite. A 13-year-old computer hacker living alone, Ed ends up stowing away on the Bebop and joining the crew on their various adventures.
Calling Ed unique is an understatement at best; she is childlike, curious, carefree, and a constant source of trouble. Nevertheless, she is also incredibly capable and has constantly saved the Bebop crew from certain doom. While she had the least screentime of the four main characters, she is still a vital part of the show.
10 Kei (Dirty Pair)
Kei is one of two members of the “Lovely Angels,” a task force meant to solve problems for the World Welfare Works Association. However, due to their reckless, devil-may-care natures that often cause their missions to end in massive collateral damage, the two are more popularly called the “Dirty Pair”.
Matching her ferocious red hair, Kei is the more aggressive of the two, being more experienced with weaponry and willing to jump into combat situations. Despite being tomboyish, she is just as obsessed with finding a boyfriend as Yuri is.
9 Misty (Pokemon)
The Pokemon series contains a long series of games, TV shows, movies, and more, with a sea of characters to go with them. Despite this, Cerulean City gym leader Misty still stands out as one of the most recognizable characters in the series thanks to her role in the anime.
Misty joins Ash in his adventures through Kanto and Johto, becoming one of his most famous companions. Despite her focus on Water Pokemon, Misty has a fiery personality that can flare up when provoked. However, she also has a nurturing side, especially with her Pokemon.
8 Erza Scarlet (Fairy Tail)
The mage guild Fairy Tail is one of the most famous in the land of Fiore. It is home to many powerful mages, including the S-Rank mage Erza Scarlet, known for her special Requip magic, which allows her to change her equipment at will.
Erza is known for being very strict and stoic, but she also has a short temper as well. Despite this, she cares for her friends at the guild and would do whatever it takes to protect them. This resolve is what makes her one of the most popular characters in the series.
7 Yoko Littner (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)
The provocatively-dressed, rifle-toting Yoko Littner is one of the main characters of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, a landmark mecha anime that follows a small group of oppressed humans who are fighting for freedom with mechs known as Gunmen.
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Despite her fiery hair color, Yoko is a very calm and knowledgeable woman, preferring to think things out instead of acting recklessly. While she does not pilot a Gunmen, she does provide support in battle with her energy rifle.
6 Asuna Kagurazaka (Negima! Magister Negi Magi)
Asuna Kagurazaka is the first student that young teacher Negi Springfield meets on his first day at Mahora Academy. Despite initially getting off on the wrong foot, Asuna quickly becomes one of Negi’s closest friends and allies.
With a rambunctious and arrogant personality that butts heads with Negi frequently, she quickly becomes an older sister figure for him, especially when she gets more involved with the magical side of Negi’s occupation. While she is often exasperated by how often Negi’s magic gets her into trouble, she always helps him out nevertheless.
5 Kallen Kozuki (Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion)
Kallen Stadtfeld is a quiet and meek student of Ashford Academy. However, that is only a front for Kallen Kozuki, a member of an anti-Britannian resistance force that would eventually become Lelouch Vi Britannia’s Order of the Black Knights.
As Kallen Kozuki, her personality is quite different from how she is at school. She is strong-willed, short-tempered, and somewhat reckless. She is incredibly passionate about liberating Japan from Britannian rule and doesn’t like to acknowledge her Britannian heritage. She is one of the resistance’s strongest fighters, piloting the Guren Mk II.
4 Lina Inverse (Slayers)
Among the many novels, movies, anime series, and spin-offs collected in the Slayers universe, the immensely talented sorcery genius Lina Inverse remains the sole constant mainstay, being the main character of the entire series. She is renowned for her legendary Dragon Slave spell, which is immensely powerful — enough to devastate whole cities.
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Lina is vain, arrogant, gluttonous, and greedy. Nevertheless, she has a heart of gold, and she is always willing to help out her friends and acquaintances, sometimes even for free. While she may not be a saint, she is still a hero in her own right.
3 Female Ranma Saotome (Ranma 1/2)
A rather unique entry; unlike the other entries on this list, Ranma Saotome is a young man with black hair. However, when he is splashed with cold water, he transforms into a red-haired female form. Ranma dealing with this bizarre crux is the core of Ranma ½, and it is the underlying motivation behind many of the character’s actions.
Ranma’s personality does not change while in the female form, which makes her seem tomboyish, short-tempered, and belligerent. However, Ranma may occasionally play up elements of femininity when in this form in order to achieve certain goals.
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1 Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Asuka Langley Soryu is the Second Child and the pilot of Unit 02. Headstrong and willful, Asuka made a massive impression in her first appearance as a hothead during her initial conflict with fellow pilot Shinji Ikari. She is a genius, which is something that fuels her superiority complex, and she’s also an excellent pilot.
Asuka is a defining example of the tsundere archetype and one of the most recognizable representatives. With her fiery red hair and volatile personality, Asuka has had a considerable influence on anime and manga as a whole. MORE: Best Anime That Defy Their Usual Genre Tropes
