Best Anime Adoptive Mothers & Stepmoms

Summary

• Stepmothers in anime prove that familial love transcends blood ties, showing compassion and care for their families.
• Stepmoms and adoptive mothers, regardless of species, value their families above all else, offering love and support unconditionally.
• Whether biological or not, these characters embody selfless love and unwavering support for their families.

Among the numerous character types in anime, one that tends to be recognized a lot is the kind and caring mother. Whether they are blood-related to their family or not, these mothers are best known for their never-ending love and support for their families, something they are more than willing to express.

For the most part, the most iconic mothers in anime are biological mothers. However, as of late, there has been a notable appearance of stepmoms and adoptive mothers who are just as loving as their counterparts. With these parental figures around, it’s safe to say that their families are in good hands.

Updated December 28, 2024, by Mark Sammut: The year is basically over, and 2024 was not particularly stuffed with stepmoms or adoptive parents. Hopefully, 2025 will explore this dynamic a bit more. In the meantime, two more adoptive anime moms have been added to this discussion. Click below to jump directly to these characters.

24

Honey Hatter (Howl’s Moving Castle)

Worried About Sophie’s Well-Being When She Was With Howl

Originally named Fanny Hatter in the Howl’s Moving Castle novel, Honey Hatter proves to be the same character in the corresponding Studio Ghibli film. Despite her posh appearance and motivations, namely dressing extravagantly to receive attention, Honey is a loving mother to her daughters Sophie and Lettie despite them not being her biological children.

Upon learning that Sophie has received a job, Honey is understandably worried about her, even more so when she sees Sophie’s aged appearance due to the Witch of the Waste’s curse. Though she is eventually used as a pawn in one of Madame Suleman’s schemes against Howl, Honey nonetheless wastes no time in seeing Sophie one more time, even insisting that the two of them live as a family again.

23

Richita (Black Clover)

Accepted Liebe As Her Son Despite Him Being A Devil

In terms of personality, Richita can be described as a motherly figure. This is mainly due to her drive to protect any child in need. It was due to her love for her son Asta (and her fear of her unique magic robbing his life force) that she left him in the care of a nearby village, a decision she did not make on a whim and one that left her with deep feelings of regret.

Though she had many regrets about Asto’s fate, Richita more than made up for it with her stepson Liebe, whom she was extremely loving towards. Despite Liebe’s status as a devil, Richita still treated him as her son and even sacrificed herself to drive Lucifero out of his body, an incident that is the main source of Liebe’s scathing grudge towards devils in the present.

22

Asuna (Sword Art Online)

Technically, Asuna Is Yui’s Mom

OK, Asuna is one of those characters who does not scream “adoptive mother,” especially since this aspect is a relatively small part of the overall Sword Art Online universe. Yui’s introduction is also generally regarded as one of the more controversial moments in the series, with the AI girl herself not ranking among the most loved SAO characters.

Still, Asuna is a pretty great adoptive mother, at least from the little snippets of family life shown throughout the anime. Kirito, Asuna, and Yui seem to be at their happiest when they are together, and they very much identify as a family unit.

21

Kobayashi (Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid)

Cares For Kanna Kamui’s Well-Being

Always with a seemingly bored expression on her face, Kobayashi is rather calm and collected compared to the other sociable characters in Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid. The only thing that can break her composure is alcohol, as she becomes rowdy and demanding whenever she gets drunk.

Despite her personality, however, Kobayashi is a kind and well-meaning individual, something that is best shown through her relationship with the young dragon Kanna Kamui. Throughout the series, Kobayashi works herself to the bone to spend time with Kanna and ensure her needs are being met.

20

Masane Amaha (Witchblade)

Makes Rihoko’s Protection Her Main Priority

Despite being Rikoho’s stepmother, Masane still possesses a casual and reckless demeanor. The latter trait is especially exacerbated upon utilizing the Witchblade in battle. When the Witchblade is active, Masane takes immense pleasure in destruction, to the point that her thirst for fighting seems nigh unquenchable.

Although her personality is far from that of a model mother, she nonetheless takes full responsibility for looking after her stepdaughter Rihoko, whom she genuinely adores. As proof of their strong bond, Masane immediately sets out to take Rihoko back after she is taken by the Child Welfare Division, and Masane can sense whenever Rihoko is in trouble whenever the Witchblade is active.

19

Nanoha Takamachi (Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha)

Rescues And Adopts Her Stepdaughter Vivio

As the titular character of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, Nanoha is an innocent and playful girl who gradually becomes more mature. Throughout the series, she endures multiple conflicts, ranging from her relationship with Fate Testarossa to fighting monsters and enemy magical girls alike. During one conflict, Nanoha meets Vivio, a mysterious girl with a Relic attached to her leg.

After Nanoha assumes care of Vivio, she begins to form a bond with her, showing her care by gifting Vivio her signature device, Sacred Heart, and supervising her magical training. While she is also very strict towards Vivio, in contrast to Fate’s more laid-back approach to raising her, Nanoha nonetheless wants the best for Vivio and loves her, a feeling that Vivio wholeheartedly reciprocates.

18

Burnet (Pokemon The Series: Sun & Moon)

Looks After Ash During his Time In The Alola Region

Much like her husband, the regional professor Kukui, Burnet is highly versed in studying Pokemon in the Alola region. Matching her intelligence is her upbeat and cheerful personality. She deeply cares about the Pokemon under her watch and is considered a ray of sunshine by everyone who knows her.

Concerning her relationship with Ash, Burnet cared for him like a son. She frequently gave him useful advice about Pokemon and even allowed him to live with her and Kukui. When Ash decided to leave the Alola region to explore the rest of the world, Burnet was in tears at the thought of him leaving but still vowed to support Ash even from afar.

17

Curly Dadan (One Piece)

Raised Ace And Luffy And Rescued Them From Bluejam

As the leader of her own squad of bandits, appropriately called the Dadan Family, Curly Dadan has a close relationship with her subordinates and treats them with care. Unfortunately, the same could not initially be said for her relationship with young Ace and Luffy, both of whom were left in her care by Luffy’s grandfather, Garp.

But despite believing the boys to be thorns in her side, Curly Dadan still cared for Ace and Luffy to some degree, as shown when she came to their rescue when the two boys were accosted by the notorious pirate Bluejam. Several years later, when she learned of Ace’s death at Marineford, Curly Dadan was devastated to the point of asking why Garp let Ace die.

16

Rea Masaki (Tenchi Muyo!)

Helps Tenchi Come To Terms With His Birth Mother’s Imperfections

After marrying the esteemed architect Nobuyuki Masaki, Rea naturally becomes the stepmother of his children, Tenchi and Tennyo Masaki, from his previous marriage. However, while Rea easily adapted to her life with the Masakis, her stepson Tenchi was initially hesitant to accept Rea as his new mother.

Tenchi’s feelings toward Rea become even more complicated upon his shocking realization that his birth mother Kiyone had quite a mischievous streak, made especially clear by her dark jokes about her death. Fortunately, it is Rea who helps him accept that his mother was not perfect in life, and Tenchi in turn acknowledges Rea as a true motherly figure.

15

Yuni Irido (My Stepmom’s Daughter Is My Ex)

Shows Kindness Toward Her Stepson Mizuto

Having conceived her daughter Yume in her previous marriage, the kindhearted Yuni decided to separate from her first husband due to his extreme focus on his work and lack thereof toward his family. From there, she met and married Mineaki Irido, unaware of the history between his son Mizuto and Yume.

As Mizuto’s new stepmother, Yuni is extremely kind towards him and treats him like her own son, though she is often left confused when he and Yume act more like ex-lovers instead of step-siblings. Yuni also acts as a conflict deterrent whenever Mizuto and Yume fight, as shown when she stops Yume from hitting Mizuto when the former becomes angry at Mizuto for his academic negligence for her sake.

14

Touko Fujiwara (Natsume’s Book Of Friends)

A Warm Home, A Comforting Presence

Natsume has led a hard life. Ever since his parents passed away, he has been shifted around between family members, all of whom ultimately reject him because of his “strange” behavior. The latter is due to Natsume’s ability to see youkai, a burden that has isolated him from pretty much everyone. By the time he moves in with Shigeru and Touko Fujiwara, he has pretty much given up that he would be able to find a warm and welcoming home. Fortunately, his new adoptive parents defy his expectations and provide a place where he can feel safe.

Touko does not get too much screen time through Natsume’s Book of Friends, but she is a positive presence whenever she makes an appearance. She clearly cares a lot about Natsume, while also being aware that he does not feel confident enough to reveal everything about himself. Rather than push him, Touko just gives Natsume space.

13

Yoko Araide (Case Closed)

Ensures Her Stepson Tomoaki Does Not Take After His Father

Given her actions in Case Closed, Yoko Araide may seem like a strange addition to a list of good anime stepmothers. In particular, her well-thought-out but gruesome murder of her husband Yoshiteru may lead some viewers to believe that she may be an evil person incapable of showing love for her stepson Tomoaki.

In reality, however, it was Yoko who took Tomoaki in and cared for him as though he were her own son. Her plan to murder Yoshiteru stemmed from the desire to avenge Tomoaki’s mother, who was also her good friend, and ensure that Tomoaki did not turn out like his father, both of which she makes quite clear when admitting to her crimes.

12

Miwa Asahina (Brothers Conflict)

Immediately Accepts Ema Hinata As Her Daughter

The cheery socialite Miwa Asahina marries Rintaro Hinata near the beginning of the Brothers Conflict series, bringing along her thirteen sons from her previous marriage in the process. Upon meeting Rintaro’s stepdaughter Ema, Miwa wastes no time getting acquainted with her, immediately allowing Ema to call her “Mother.”

In addition to her quick acceptance of Ema, Miwa also has a loving relationship with her stepson Louis, whom she adopted when he was two years old. Outside of caring for her children, Miwa works as a successful fashion designer, occasionally traveling overseas as part of her job, which is how she came to adopt Louis when he was only two years old.

11

Balsa Yonsa (Moribito: Guardian Of The Spirit)

Protects Prince Chagum While Teaching Him About The World

A capable spearfighter, Balsa is first shown as a wanderer, hiring herself off as a bodyguard to repay the eight people who died protecting her. It is during her travels that she meets Prince Chagum, who is entrusted to her by his mother to protect him from assassination after Balsa saves him from drowning in a nearby river.

Initially reluctant to take the request, Balsa ultimately grows to care for Chagum as though he were her son, teaching him about the world outside his castle while protecting him from hunters who wish to see Chagum dead. Though her strict, no-nonsense demeanor causes her Chagum to butt heads at times, Balsa is still dedicated to helping him adjust to life as a commoner.

10

Nono Yakushi (Naruto: Shippuden)

Adopts Young Kabuto Yakushi And Gives Him His Name

Originally a spy from the highly secret organization Root, Nono ultimately left to become a caretaker at Konoha’s orphanage. She cared greatly for the children under her care, including a young amnesiac Kabuto; it was Nono who ultimately gave Kabuto his name due to the helmet he wore when they first met.

Unfortunately, Nono was thrust back into the world of espionage when she was tasked with infiltrating another village to learn their plans. From there, she was tasked with killing her fellow Root spy Kabuto, whom she was unable to recognize, even as he healed her wounds, due to gradual brainwashing over five years.

9

Belle-mere (One Piece)

Raises Nami And Nojiko And Supports Nami’s Dream

Belle-mere from One Piece is one of the first names to be mentioned when the best stepmothers (or best mothers in general) are brought up. A former marine, she rescued the young Nojiko and Nami from a war-torn land and proceeded to raise them as her daughters despite everyone around her doubting her ability to be a good mother.

Though she and Nami often clashed due to the latter being naive about her adoptive status, Belle-mere was nonetheless supportive of Nami’s dream and worked hard to provide the bare necessities for her and Nojiko, even at her own expense. Upon being forced to choose between saving herself or her daughters when confronted by Arlong, Belle-mere ultimately chooses to save her daughters and pays the ultimate price for it.

8

Grandeeney (Fairy Tail)

Raises Wendy Marvell And Teaches Her Sky Dragon Slayer Magic.

Not all mothers have to be human to love their families, and no one proves this point better than the Sky Dragon Grandeeney. One of many dragons to exist 400 years before the main story of Fairy Tail, Grandeeney was the one responsible for teaching Wendy how to read and write in addition to her signature magic.

Along with four other dragons, Grandeeney implants her soul into Wendy’s body to prevent Wendy from ever turning into a dragon and lies in wait for a chance to defeat Acnologia once and for all. Upon being briefly reunited with Wendy after the battle against Tartarus, Grandeeney wasted no time praising her growth and professing her love for her foster daughter.

7

Moro (Princess Mononoke)

Raised San As Her Own After Her Human Parents Abandoned Her

Much like Grandeeney, Moro is another mother who finds herself raising a human offspring despite not being human herself. This is especially an odd role for Moro to assume due to her hatred towards humans for destroying the forest in their pursuit of industrialization.

Amidst her seething hatred, however, Moro nonetheless cares for San, having raised her as her own after her parents gave her up in order to save themselves from getting eaten. Though she passed down her prejudice toward humans to San, Moro also taught San the ways of the wolf and the beauty of nature. Near the end of Princess Mononoke, it was Moro who fought tooth and nail to save San when Okkoto became corrupted, at the cost of her own life.

6

Mito Freecss (Hunter x Hunter)

Raised Gon Freecss And Ultimately Supported His Dream

Due to Gon’s father choosing the path of a Hunter, Mito eventually took custody of Gon and raised him in his parents’ stead. However, she was not supportive of Gon’s wish to become a Hunter, as she did not want Gon to end up as reckless as his father, something that became a point of contention between the two.

As Gon continues his path to becoming a Hunter, Mito finally admits to him the reason why she took him under her wing, clearly ashamed of having lied to him about his father. When Gon returns to Whale Island, however, Mito expresses happiness at Gon’s friendship with Killua and decides to tell Gon more about his father.

5

Michiko Malandro (Michiko & Hatchin)

Saved Hana From An Abusive Household

Having grown up in a volatile environment, Michiko was thrust into a leadership position at a young age, having looked after the other children in her orphanage when she was growing up alongside her friend Atsuko. Despite this maturity, however, she can be quite childish, throwing the occasional fit when things don’t go her way.

After rescuing Hana from her abusive adoptive family, the two of them embark on an adventure, with Michiko caring for Hana as she would her own daughter. Though their contrasting personalities lead to Michiko and Hana butting heads at times, the two of them form a mutual dependency on one another that lasts even when they are separated due to Michiko’s imprisonment.