Top 10 Anime Girls We All Had Crushes On

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we are counting down our picks for Top 10 Anime Girls We All Had Crushes on Growing Up. For this list, we’re going back to our childhood and looking over the lovely ladies who would unknowingly go on to shape our desires going forward. Hope you’re prepared for nostalgia and embarrassing memories. Think we missed a classic anime gal? Let us know in the comments!

“FLCL” (2000-01) Granted, getting a bass guitar to the head isn’t exactly that kind of thing you want the girl of your dreams to dish out on your first encounter, but it is quintessential Haruko. From her introduction to her exit, this intergalactic officer is the embodiment of chaos, getting into all manner of troubles, while never failing to show off her more sensual side. She’s the best kind of playful, and looking back…yeah, we probably did want her to use our faces as a moped seat.

“Outlaw Star” (1998) We were somewhat spoiled for choice here, since the female members of the Outlaw Star crew are premium quality, and were likely the reason so many of us watched Toonami at dead of night. Aisha is certainly eye candy and a half, but it's Melfina’s sweet soul that kept us coming back. Adorable to a tee in spite of the tragedy in her past, she was the perfect foil for Gene, and even makes us swoon to this day. That suitcase scene? Yowzer.

“Yu Yu Hakusho” (1992-94) Hey, if this is what the Grim Reaper looks like then take our souls right now! Not quite your typical undead entity, Botan ferries the dead to the Spirit World, and looks damn good while doing it. Very much the underappreciated belle of this legendary shonen, she may not have much to do in regards to the Dark Tournament and the series’ more potent moments, but she was the one to kick things off by hauling Yusuke’s punk ass to heaven.

“Bleach” (2004-12) Speaking of heaven, this beloved shrimp of a Shinigami has been on everyone’s mind since the time she plunged her blade into Ichigo’s sternum. It may have taken her a while to get her sword in the game, but soon proved herself a skilled fighter worthy of her station. There’s also the fact she’s just so damn cute! Oh sure, Soul Society has no shortage of radiant and busty beauties, but there’s something about Rukia that still made her shine. Maybe it was the bunny obsession.

#6: Mai

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“Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters” (2000-04) What do you mean young and attractive women aren’t into children’s card games? The proof’s right here! Starting off as a rather deceitful player who wanted to game her way to fortune and fame, Mai grew to become an extended part of the duel crew, and a potential future Mrs Brooklyn for Joey. Maybe it’s the revealing attire, maybe it’s the flood of Harpy Ladies she has at her disposal, but Mai is still the only duellist we’d want to activate our Trap Card.

“One Piece” (1999-) Oda not only knows how to craft magnificent worlds, but also craft female characters dripping with harrowing backsides, only to be matched by drop dead gorgeous forms. Even before her time-skip, Nami was still the one that earned the hearts of pirates everywhere. Whether as a thief, a broken young woman or a member of the Straw Hats, Nami remains an absolute beauty who has continued to endure to this very day. She’d steal the clothes off your back while giving you a wink, but we’d say it's worth it.

“Tenchi Muyo!” (1992-2015) Standing as the forerunner for one of the great harems, Ryoko is the definitive sexy alien from the stars, one who ticks all the boxes. To the point where we still can’t believe Tenchi didn’t make her his one and only. She’s the ultimate bad girl, a space pirate, knows how to kick ass, and yet still finds time to be adorably clingy and a source of comedy. She truly was a pioneer ahead of her time, who set the stage for the many intergalactic hunnies who followed her.

“Neon Genesis Evangelion” (1995-96) Asking us to choose between these two is an impossibility. It’s the one waifu war that will never end, with each standing on their own merit as a true pillar of animated femininity. That, and anime girls who know how to pilot giant living mecha are ridiculously attractive. Sure, back then we may not have fully comprehended such things as Rei’s torturous origins and Asuka’s various traumas, but it didn’t stop us from admiring one’s cool demeanour and the other’s brazen attitude. That…and those EVA suits still work a charm.

“Cowboy Bebop” (1998-99) There’s only one Valentine that stirs our hearts above all others, and that’s the sharp-tongued bounty hunter who causes the Bebop crew no end of headaches. Faye is an exceptionally well written character, with her charm, loose trigger finger and past mired in mystery, never failing to entice us. Also, the fact she rocked every outfit she wore and had a sass game that could go toe to toe with Spike didn’t hurt. We miss you, Faye.

“Pokémon” (1997-) It was the 90s, we had no idea what waifus were, then all of a sudden there appears this fiery redhead in need of a new bike. And that’s how Misty entered our lives. The one true companion of Ash, Master of Water Pokémon, and the one who perfected the art of cucking Brock from getting any female attention. She was a joy to watch, and her interactions throughout the Indigo League arc were delightful. May, Dawn, Serena, Jesse, Ash’s mother, they all have their own qualities, but none can top this mermaid in our minds!