20+ Popular Anime Crushes (Male & Female)

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Anime expert Inferno Jae helps you discover your next anime waifu or husbando

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)

2 Mirko (My Hero Academia)

3 Inuyasha (Inuyasha)

4 Erza Scarlet (Fairy Tail)

5 Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)

6 Hinata Hyuga (Naruto)

7 Enjin (Gachiakuta)

8 Yor Forger (Spy x Family)

9 Suo Hayato (Wind Breaker)

10 Makima (Chainsaw Man)

11 Soshiro Hoshina (Kaiju No. 8)

12 Nami (One Piece)

13 Shin Kashiwagi (Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You)

14 Sailor Mercury (Sailor Moon)

15 Lu Guang (Link Click)

16 Mikasa Ackerman (Attack on Titan)

17 Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling)

18 Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop)

19 Caesar Gattuso (Dragon Raja II - The Mourner’s Eyes)

20 Rangiku Matsumoto (Bleach)

21 Julius Von Pallistan (May I Ask for One Final Thing?)

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Co-authored by Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: February 25, 2026 References

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Admit it. If you’re an anime fan, you’ve probably crushed on your fair share of anime characters over the years. But which ones still live rent-free in your mind? We partnered with anime experts and a pop culture commentator to compile a list of some of the most popular male and female anime crushes. Keep reading to find your next waifu or husbando!

The Most Crushworthy Anime Characters

Anime expert Inferno Jae says that Nami from One Piece, Erza Scarlet from Fairy Tail, and Hinata from Naruto are some of the most popular female anime crushes. Some of the most popular male crushes include Sebastian from Black Butler, Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen, and Inuyasha from Inuyasha.

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1

Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)

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1. He’s simply one heck of a butler… and a crush! Sebastian Michaelis is handsome and charming, and as soon as Black Butler was released, fans fell in love with his striking good looks and witty banter. Even though the Black Butler craze has died off in recent years, many fans still have a soft spot in their hearts for this demon butler.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Inferno Jae is an anime and gaming content creator.

   Michael Udayakumar is a pop culture commentator.

   Alli Oshida is an anime expert and cosplayer.
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2

Mirko (My Hero Academia)

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1. Who doesn’t love a bunny girl? But Mirko is more than just her adorable ears—she’s an absolute powerhouse. She has killer legs, incredible athleticism, and confidence for days. She proves that the best anime waifus are the ones who can kick butt and look incredible doing it.

3

Inuyasha (Inuyasha)

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1. If you ask an anime fan who their first crush was, many of them will probably say Inuyasha. He’s the epitome of the “tsundere” archetype; he puts on a tough-guy bravado, but deep down, he’s vulnerable, caring, and loyal. Plus, he’s got gorgeous, long white hair, and according to pop culture commentator Michael Udayakumar, “Any character that has white hair is automatically, like, the hottest character.”

   • Think you have a type? Take our hottest anime guys quiz to find out!
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4

Erza Scarlet (Fairy Tail)

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1. Jae says Erza Scarlet is one of the most iconic anime waifus. With her luscious scarlet hair and skimpy bikinis, you may think Erza is just for fan service, but she’s more than just her good looks. She’s also the protective “mom” friend who will do anything to help those she cares about. She’s one of the strongest female mages in Fairy Tail, and her tragic backstory gives her a ton of emotional complexity.

5

Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)

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1. Satoru Gojo may be the most powerful sorcerer alive, but most fans are drawn to his playful personality. He’s goofy, carefree, and a bit of a troublemaker (even though he’s a teacher, rather than a student). Udayakumar also adds that Gojo is “built like a model” and has white hair and blue eyes: “He’s definitely got the look for sure… The ladies love him. Everyone loves him.”

   • Curious which anime character would have a crush on you? Try out our generator!
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6

Hinata Hyuga (Naruto)

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1. Jae says Hinata Hyuga is another popular waifu. Hinata definitely had the biggest glow-up in Naruto. She blossomed from a shy girl to a beautiful Kunoichi who bravely faced Pain to protect the man she loved. Her deep compassion and kindness make her one of our top anime crushes.

7

Enjin (Gachiakuta)

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1. The world of Gachiakuta might be filled with trash, but Enjin is a treasure to many fans. Fans love his character design (hello, tattoos!) and his humorous personality. He possesses a relaxed confidence and always remains grounded and humble.
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8

Yor Forger (Spy x Family)

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1. Yor Forger is the perfect mix of beautiful and deadly. By day, she’s a polite civil servant, and by night, she’s the infamous assassin, the Thorn Princess. But even more than that, what makes her so attractive is how she tries so hard to be a good wife and mother, despite her secret life.

9

Suo Hayato (Wind Breaker)

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1. What can we say? The eye patch just works for us. But on top of that, he’s calm and gentlemanly while also being dangerous and mysterious. He’s incredibly kind but ruthless when dealing with cruel people. He embodies all the characteristics of the ideal anime husbando.
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10

Makima (Chainsaw Man)

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1. Yes, Makima may be manipulative and ruthless, but hear us out: some of us are just drawn to the dark side. Makima is mysterious and dangerous, but she’s also intelligent and dominant, making her an unforgettable character. She’s the perfect blend of elegance and horror, and she’s seductive and terrifying all at once.

11

Soshiro Hoshina (Kaiju No. 8)

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1. Fans love the Third Division Vice-Captain for his wit, humor, and skill. His charismatic, laid-back personality provides a sharp contrast to his lethal swordsmanship, and while he’s often smiling, he knows when to take his role seriously.
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12

Nami (One Piece)

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1. Nami is one of the most iconic anime femme fatales, and according to Jae, one of the most popular anime waifus. She’s a beautiful, skilled thief who knows how to take care of herself. While cold at first, she slowly warms up to Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat pirates and will do anything to keep them safe—including putting herself in harm’s way. Plus, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t completely captivated by her outfits.

   • Which anime girl would fall in love with you? Take our anime waifu quiz to find out!

13

Shin Kashiwagi (Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You)

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1. There are a ton of crushworthy characters in Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You (it is a reverse harem, after all), but ultimately, we had to choose Shin Kashiwagi. He’s playful, mischievous, and always knows how to lighten the mood.
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14

Sailor Mercury (Sailor Moon)

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1. We could’ve included any of the Sailor Moon heroines on this list, but Sailor Mercury is a standout in our eyes. With her bright blue hair, intelligence, and calm demeanor, she provides contrast to her more fiery teammates, making her one of the most recognizable characters. With her grace and warm demeanor, she’s definitely the type of girl you’d want to introduce to your parents.

15

Lu Guang (Link Click)

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1. Lu Guang is more than just a pretty face. While fans appreciate his good looks, they’ve ultimately grown attached to him because of his dynamic with Cheng Xiaoshi. He somehow manages to come across as calm and snarky at the same time. Plus, his voice is gentle and calming.
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16

Mikasa Ackerman (Attack on Titan)

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1. A beautiful woman like Mikasa can make even the cruel world of Attack on Titan easier to endure. Mikasa is as powerful as she is gorgeous. She’s fiercely protective of her loved ones, can be gentle when the moment calls for it, and is capable of taking down enemies with lethal precision. She truly has it all.

17

Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling)

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1. Sung Jinwoo has multiple love interests throughout Solo Leveling, so clearly, he’s doing something right. He’s often described as being hot, but fans really gravitate toward his personality. He’s protective and intensely loyal to his family, and he’s got that brooding, mysterious aura that fans can’t get enough of.
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18

Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop)

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1. Anime expert Alli Oshida says Faye Valentine is one of the most common anime waifus. Faye is the ultimate femme fatale. With her gorgeous purple hair, bold yellow shorts, and seductive smirk, she’s the ideal crush for anyone who loves the “bad girl” type. She’s the type of woman who’d steal your wallet, then buy you a drink with your own money. But despite her tough exterior, she has a soft spot for those she holds dear.

19

Caesar Gattuso (Dragon Raja II - The Mourner’s Eyes)

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1. Canonically, Caesar Gattuso is described as attractive, tall, and muscular. Mingfei even noted that his chest is “as hard as a rock.” He’s also confident, popular, determined, and has excellent combat skills. What’s not to love?
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20

Rangiku Matsumoto (Bleach)

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1. The lieutenant of the 10th Division is known for her curvy figure, long blonde hair, and effortless charm. She’s powerful and serious when she needs to be, but she prefers to take it easy. Her beauty, paired with her flirty, carefree personality, makes her one of the most crush-worthy anime characters out there.

21

Julius Von Pallistan (May I Ask for One Final Thing?)

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1. Come on, who wouldn’t have a crush on a prince? Julius is described as an exceptionally beautiful young man, and he’s a breath of fresh air compared to his younger brother, Kyle. Julius is charming and calm, but beneath his demeanor, he’s also calculating and intelligent.
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