As superficial as it might sound, character designs are incredibly important in anime. Everyone loves a complex three-dimensional personality, but that type of character also needs a stellar and memorable aesthetic to have any chance of reaching icon status. Silly as it might sound, hair color is an important choice that can help stamp an impression on a viewer’s mind, especially since white-haired anime girls are rare compared to other options.

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White hair tends to be associated with relatively “innocent” personalities, particularly for female characters. Naturally, some exceptions subvert or ignore this archetype, but that presentation is generally quite common. Let’s highlight the most iconic and best anime girls with white hair.
While it can be difficult to tell them apart, female anime characters with silver hair will be omitted. Technically, they are different colors, despite looking very similar. Here are a few silver-haired characters who will not be mentioned: Frieren, Emilia (Re:Zero), Lena (86), Najenda (Akame Ga Kill!), Alisa (Alya Sometimes Speaks In Russian), and Meiko (Anohana).
Updated on March 5, 2025, by Mark Sammut: Winter 2025 is gradually approaching its end-point and the season does not have all that many white-haired anime girls. The lineup includes a few silver-haired characters, but that technically is a different color. Consequently, another classic character has been added to this discussion, and they hail from one of the most beloved shonen anime ever.
12
Black Hanekawa (Bakemonogatori)
A Devilish Menace To Everyone Around
- Japanese Voice Actor: Yui Horie
- English Voice Actor: N/A
Bakemonogatari started the Monogatari series, setting the stage with an exceptional story that gets more extravagant with every part. Black Hanekawa serves as the alter-self of Tsubasa Hanekawa, the sister of the male protagonist. After coming into contact with the Oddity, Tsubasa gained another personality called Black who features pearl white hair and a much more aggressive attitude.
Black Hanekawa is devilish and outspoken compared to her counterpart. She has little remorse and could also be called bloodthirsty, sharing characteristics similar to those of Rize Kamishiro from Tokyo Ghoul. There is no doubt that when Black Hanekawa makes an appearance, things are sure to go awry.

Monogatari
- Release Date
-
July 3, 2009
11
Noi (Dorohedoro)
- Japanese Voice Actor: Yū Kobayashi
- English Voice Actor: Charami Leigh
Noi is perhaps one of the most dominant white-haired anime girls on the list and one of the most brutal to speak of. A beautifully designed muscle-bound psychopath, Noi is an extremely skilled magic user who is responsible for cleaning up messes for En in the series.
Noi’s first appearance was visceral as she cleaved through several targets with her bare hands, crushing their skulls and destroying their bodies. Along with her ruthless abilities, Noi is a kind-hearted and carefree woman who has undying loyalty for her partner, Shin. Noi’s cheery disposition and unrivaled fighting ability make her stand out even among other standouts.
10
Eri (My Hero Academia)
A Very Likable Character
- Japanese Voice Actor: Seiran Kobayashi
- English Voice Actor: Emily Neves
Even though she debuted during one of My Hero Academia‘s weaker seasons, Eri was still a positive addition to the superhero anime, and she stuck around well after the conclusion of the Shie Hassaikai arc. This young girl has been through absolute hell, specifically due to her possessing a powerful Quirk that can be easily abused by villains. Eri is treated like a tool, and she is beyond desperate when she finally meets Deku and a few other heroes.
My Hero Academia, naturally, has plenty of noble characters, but there are not all that many genuine innocents in the story. Eri is an exception, and her gradual rise in confidence and hope is a sight to behold.
9
Canaan (Canaan)
A Resolute Design Of The 2000s
- Japanese Voice Actor: Miyuki Sawashiro
- English Voice Actor: Shelley Calene-Black
Caanan is one part a typical twenty-year-old girl and one part an elite mercenary with the supernatural power to combine her senses. The anime Canaan is a classic among fans, and the series’ namesake main character is one of the most iconic of its time.
Canaan is a cold executioner with a strong sense of attachment to her friends. Her design of a gray pair of bell bottoms and a red sleeveless turtleneck sticks out with her shoulder-length white hair. An expert marksman and tactician, Canaan is voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro in the Japanese version and Shelley Calene-Black in the English dub.

Canaan
- Release Date
-
July 4, 2009
8
Koneko Toujou (High School DxD)
A Tiny Ball Of Absolute Chaos
- Japanese Voice Actor: Ayana Taketatsu
- English Voice Actor: Jad Saxton
Koneko, or Shirone Toujou, is one of the main female protagonists in High School DxD. She is a member of her high school occult club, the younger sister of Kuroka, and the fiancee of the series’ main protagonist Issei. Konecko is an expert hand-to-hand combatant who can also change into a cat hybrid called a Nekoshou.

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Koneko was traumatized at a young age by her sister losing control of her Nekoshou power, and as such, has a very withdrawn personality. Issei helps overcome her trauma and her personality shifts to more affectionate. Her design consists of her High School uniform, cat ears sticking up from her white hair, a pair of battle gloves, and yellow eyes. She is voiced by Ayana Taketatsu in the Japanese version, and Jad Saxton in the English dub.
7
Shiro (Deadman Wonderland)
Enigmatic And Unstoppable
- Japanese Voice Actor: Kana Hanazawa
- English Voice Actor: Monica Rial
Deadman Wonderland was a rollercoaster of a battle royale anime. Shiro is a bubbly but clumsy young girl with a classic deredere personality, but she also serves as the antagonist of the series. She had a very close relationship with the anime’s main character Ganta, being his childhood friend but also his curse.
Shiro’s bright personality, paired with her dark history, made her the most interesting character in the anime. Her appearance in a sleek white jumpsuit, along with her white hair, stands out in the dark and dismal theme of the series as well as the prison scenery. Shiro is voiced by Kana Hanazawa in the Japanese version and Monica Rial in the English dub.
6
Illyasviel von Einzbern (Fate Series)
Adorable Disposition
- Japanese Voice Actor: Mai Kadowaki
- English Voice Actor: Cynthia Martinez
Illya is a Servant Master from the Type-Moon series, Fate/Stay Night. She controls the servant Berserker and is a skilled magician in the Fate series. Illya has a cute but tsundere attitude; she will often throw backhanded compliments at her opponents, and while she was an antagonist in the Fate series, her story is very tragic.

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Illya’s design usually shows her in a white frilled dress to match her white hair, with a purple jacket or coat with snow boots to match. She is voiced by Mai Kadowaki in the Japanese version and Stephanie Sheh in the English dub.

Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya
- Release Date
-
July 13, 2013
5
Sakura Ogami (Danganronpa)
Beautiful, Bronze, Badass
- Japanese Voice Actor: Kujira
- English Voice Actor: Rachel Robinson
Sakura Ogami is a character in the Danganronpa series, who bears the title of Ultimate Martial Artist. She is a descendant of a long line of martial artists, and her family even owns a own dojo that has stood for three generations. Sakura is a very kind and level-headed character, in contrast to her somewhat fearsome appearance.
Her design is a hyper-muscular figure with feminine features, wearing a schoolgirl outfit with battle scars all over her body. Her white hair is among the longest of the characters on this list and contrasts her darker skin. She is voiced by Kujira in the Anime version and Rachel Robinson in the English version.
4
Type B (NieR: Automata Ver1.1a)
A Sheer Force Of Nature
- Japanese Voice Actor: Yui Ishikawa
- English Voice Actor: Kira Buckland
2B has a long history among fans of gaming and anime as one of the most striking main characters in a series since Samus Aran from the Metroid games. As a humanoid android with unrivaled strength and speed, 2B won the hearts of thousands with her badass abilities and iconic design.

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Her black garb and blindfold flicker perfectly as she rips apart animatronic horrors with brute strength. The NieR anime does not disappoint, with amazing animation that breathes beauty and poise into 2B’s character, making her stand out among most other main characters.

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a
- Release Date
-
January 7, 2023
3
Komugi (Hunter x Hunter)
Do Not Judge A Book By Its Cover
- Japanese Voice Actor: Aya Endō
- English Voice Actor: Ryan Bartley
Featured only in Hunter x Hunter‘s Chimera Ants arc, Komugi is a relatively minor character, at least when viewed in terms of screen time. However, she has a huge impact on the story through her dynamic with Meruem, one of the most powerful characters in shonen history. Introduced as a pretty straightforward villain who wants to eradicate humanity, Meruem sets out to showcase his superiority by defeating board game masters, only to find his match in Komugi.
As the world champion in Gungi, Komugi has dedicated her entire life to the activity, to the point of promising death if she ever loses. Without context, that assertion could seem like arrogance, but it is a reflection of her low self-esteem and false belief that she has nothing to offer beyond her skills as a player. A rare example of a blind anime character, Komugi is a picture of frailty, or that seems to be the case when she is viewed superficially. However, she demonstrates incredible inner strength, and she refuses to move away from her conviction even when threatened by death.
2
Mirajane Strauss (Fairy Tail)
A Kind-Hearted Powerhouse
- Japanese Voice Actor: Ryoko Ono
- English Voice Actor: Monica Rial
Mirajane Strauss is an S-class mage in the Fairy Tail universe. Once an infamous figure, she was feared by criminals and other mages alike. Mirajane was known as “The Demon” for her special power Satan Soul, which allows her to assume the traits and abilities of several demonic beings. Mirajane is a somewhat hot-headed and volatile character, but she finds herself thanks to reconnecting with her brother and sister later in the series.

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Her design varies as she uses her Satan Soul spell, but each form is as awesome as the last. Mirajane has incredible strength, speed, and durability and is a force to be reckoned with on any battlefield. Ryoko Ono voices her in the Japanese version, and Monica Rial supplies her voice in the English dub.
1
Kanade Tachibana (Angel Beats!)
Cold And Caring
- Japanese Voice Actor: Kana Hanazawa
- English Voice Actor: Emily Neves
Kanade, also known as “Angel,” is the main antagonist to the Afterlife Battlefront in the series Angel Beats!, a fun and unique series that will tug at audiences’ heartstrings. She is a quiet and reserved girl lacking emotional expression, which often makes her harder to understand. She has spiritual powers and enhanced speed and strength that allow her to manipulate aspects of the afterlife.
Kanade’s design usually shows her in a school uniform with a black skirt and beige sweater with yellow eyes, and her white hair. She is voiced by Kana Hanazawa in the Japanese version and Emily Neves in the English dub.
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