Moe anime characters have existed since the 2000’s. Studios like Kyoto Animation are to thank for that.
Anime shows like Azumanga are also to thank for it since it was an “early adopter” when it comes to Moe.
Moe characters have a few traits:
- They’re not just cute.
- But they make you want to adore the character.
- Or in the case of anime cliches – “headpat” the character.
And basically they induce feelings similar to how you’d treat a cat or a kitten for comparisons sake.
That’s the idea and original intention anyway.
Here’s a list of characters just like that!
1. Uiharu Kazari (A Certain Scientific Railgun)
Uiharu Kazari is a definite Moe type of character from the Railgun series. She wears a set of flowers as a head accessory, which differentiates her style from others.
She’s more than just her appearance and voice though. Uiharu is clever and one of the smartest characters in the series without abilities or otherwise.
She’s an ethical hacker who works with JUDGMENT officers and Anti-Skill, an organization who works as a sort of police force.
As long as she has a laptop laying around, there’s not much Uiharu can’t accomplish as far as hacking, tech, research, or otherwise.
2. Marga (Magi: Kingdom Of Magic)
Marga is a small girl from the MAGI series. She shows up in the 2nd season of the anime, a little towards the last half.
After characters like Titus Alexius discover how horribly some people are living in a certain city, underground, Marga is one of many who’s saved from poverty and death.
Before the fact Marga is one of the few, if the only one who’s able to smile, keep a positive attitude, and see things in an optimistic way. Even though the reality was anything but that.
This is even in spite of her mother being sick and ill at the time.
3. Popura Taneshima (Working!!)
Popura is the main female character of this slice of life series. And easily the Moe character you’ll recognize and warm to.
Taneshima is a small character who’s much older than she looks. And she works in a cafe.
She’s insecure about her height and typically is annoyed when she’s misjudged, which is seen as her being or looking “cute”.
4. Mio Akiyama (K-On)
Mio Akiyama is one of the 5 main characters of the K-On series. She’s the one who plays BASS when it comes to instruments and music.
Her instrument is actually called “Eliza-bass”.
Being the introvert of the group, and the one who’s easily scared of things, she’s teased by Ritsu Tainaka who jokes at her expense.
Mio is one of the clear leaders of the group who holds others accountable and to a certain standard, and dislikes it when everyone slacks off.
That’s because Mio is a hard worker and likes to take things seriously. Especially with music.
5. Noela (Drugstore In Another World)
Noela is the white fox girl from Drugstore In Another World, a 2021 Isekai anime series. It’s one of the few Isekai that doesn’t focus on the MC’S backstory.
As a character, Noela is more comic relief and one who makes the series more wholesome and chilled. That’s how she’s designed.
She’s a lot stronger than she looks and is useful to the MC because of her abilities as a wolf, which helps the pharmacy business they all run together.
6. Platelets (Cells At Work)
Platelets are exactly as they sound if you understand science and biology. Platelets are the cells that literally “fix” you up and heal your wounds.
In the Cells At Work series they play a support role to the main characters who are red and white blood cells.
The Platelets are comically poked in the cheeks by red blood cell, and the platelets leader leads her Moe little team with the use of a whistle when giving instructions.
7. Roka Shibasaki (D-Frag)
Roka Shibasake is considered the strongest character in the school, but not in the way that it sounds.
She’s a bit of a weirdo but she doesn’t care either. She’s confident and assured in her differences.
Being a small character in the anime, the anime constantly highlights this for comedy by minimizing the characters size with art and animation effects.
She’s a major highlight of the series, besides the male MC.
8. Chino Kafuu (Is The Order A Rabbit)
Chino Kafuu is the granddaughter of a cafe shop that she works in. She’s also the smallest worker in the cafe.
She’s a shy introvert who doesn’t like overbearing extroverts invading her space. This is shown to be the case with Cocoa, the other main character.
Eventually she warms to her after getting to know her.
Chino is definitely relatable besides her being portrayed as “overly cute” at times.
9. Hanayo Koizumi (Love Live School Idol Project)
Hanayo Koizumi is one of the many 9 members of U’s. She’s more of a background idol in the sense that she’s shy, introverted, quiet and not as “out there”.
When she’s passionate about something though her personality shines and comes out to an extreme, kinda like DEKU in My Hero Academia.
Her personality comes out when it involves people she cares about as well.
10. Ayumi Otosaka (Charlotte)
Ayumi Otosaka is the younger sister of Yuu Otosaka, the maine character of the Charlotte series.
Since family is never home, a typical anime cliche, Ayumi is the one who cooks and makes food for the house.
She always makes the same thing with ketchup over and over again, and has the “nose bleed” cliche some anime like to show.
In all seriousness she’s probably the best “younger sister” character there is in anime.
Related: 16+ Of The Best Anime Siblings Who Deserve Some Credit!
11. Hitori Bocchi (Hitoribocchi)
Hitori Bocchi is the girl the anime is named after. It’s a wholesome slice of life series with similarities to Komi San.
Hitori is a shy girl starting over in a new school. No friends, just her by herself. She made a promise to make more friends without any outside help from a childhood friend.
Being the awkward, and even eccentric, insecure character she is, this becomes a comical struggle you can’t help but laugh at.
The anime has its relatable moments, and when all is said and done it’s a good anime series.
12. Shamiko (The Demon Girl Next Door)
Shamiko, or Yuko Yoshida is the main comical character of The Demon Girl Next Door. She’s an ordinary girl who finds out she’s the opposite.
Demon horns start growing out of her head, and the mission to destroy magical girls falls flat on its face because she’s too weak.
This is the theme basically. An unlikely friendship between demon and magical girl (Momo Chiyoda). And their odd relationship which is leading up to a bigger plot in the anime.
13. Ushio Okazaki (Clannad After Story)
Ushio Okazaki is the later daughter of Tomoyo Okazaki and Nagisa in season 2. Watch season 1 for better context.
She’s a tiny child and about as Moe as you’re gonna get with an anime character. More so because of her age.
Given the circumstances surrounding the events of S2, Ushio is a brave child in a world where things are happening that she doesn’t yet understand.
14. Renge (Non Non Biyori)
Renge is the little superstar of the Non Non Biyori series. She’s the youngest of the group, and easily the most eccentric and sometimes weird.
She’s that kind of child and is definitely one a parent can be proud of.
With her witty and sometimes surprisingly intelligent conversations, and her thirst for adventure in the countryside, Renge is a character everyone will enjoy watching.
15. Inari Fushimi (Inari Kon Kon Konari)
Inari Fushimi is the main character of this Seinen/fantasy and romance series. It’s a different mix and it’s surprisingly emotional.
The MC has been visiting the same shrine since she was a kid, and this time around she see’s a white fox that leads her deeper into the shrine.
Once there she meets Lady Uka, the shrine goddess who watches over it. And who has been watching Inari for years.
Inari gets a wish which she later regrets, and the anime follows on from there with Uka playing a role along with Inari’s older brother.
Wholesome series more people need to know about.
16. Riri Hitotsuyanagi (Assault Lily Bouquet)
Riri is the pink haired magical girl, or lily as they’re called in the anime series. It’s an anime by SHAFT with similar character designs as Madoka Magica.
The references are constant and a good reminder for Madoka Magica fans.
Riri is energetic, and is able to draw others to her with the personality she has. She’s a bit airheaded and overly cute, but consistent, dedicated, and fights with a purpose in mind.
I’d say she’s an upgraded version of Madoka Kaname \(the character).
17. Last Order (A Certain Scientific Accelerator)
Misaka Misaka is the mini version of Mikoto Misaka. A clone of which there weren’t tons of duplicates.
She shows up mostly in A Certain Magical Index and also A Certain Scientific Accelerator.
Being the one who watches over Accelerator by a twist of fate, she holds him accountable and calls him out on his B.S.
Seeing her interactions makes those mini moments wholesome in a not so wholesome anime.
18. Akane Sakurada (Castle Town Dandelion)
Akane Sakurada is part of a massive family who’s born into wealth. Each sister and brother, including Akane is in competition for the throne. But only if they choose to.
She’s introverted, anxious because of the fame attached to her family’s name, and isn’t good in crowds or with things like public speaking.
One thing she is though is thoughtful and one of the most considerate of the family.
Her ability allows her to manipulate gravity, or her own gravity, even to the extent that she can fly.
19. Nico Yazawa (Love Live School Idol Project)
Nico Nico Nii, or “Nico Yazawa” is another small character in the Love Live music group. Maybe the smallest.
She acts tougher and bigger than she really is, but deep down she’s childish and immature in some ways, but still thinks big and has more guts than other members.
Her famous “Nico Nico Nii” really says it all. She defines Moe differently.
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