Top 10 List - Best Waifu in Anime

Waifu. The undeniable best character in any anime series. Without further adieu, here are the 10 best waifu in anime (that I've found so far). Except...narrowing the list down to 10 was nearly impossible, so you're getting a couple bonus nominations, bringing the grand total to 12.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Mirajane Strauss, Fairy Tail

Mayumi Saegusa, The Irregular at Magic High School

Violet Evergarden, Violet Evergarden

Winry Rockbell, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Kizmel, Sword Art Online Progressive

TOP 10...er, um, I mean 12.

12. Morgiana, Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Poor Morgiana lived a horrible, cruel life, until she was freed from slavery. But even after obtaining her freedom, she never forgets where she came from, and is humble, devoted, and reliable. She works hard, kicks butt, is tough as nails, and never, ever complains. What more could you ask for?

11. Rias Gremory, High School DxD

I know, I know. You're probably scratching your head a little on this one, considering she is not only a devil, but also the queen bee of the self declared Harem King. But aside from being smoking hot, there is one HUGE reason Rias makes the list: TRUST. For the most part, she isn't bothered by the advances of the lesser members of Isse's harem, and she majorly has the chill factor going on. Even though on occasion she gets emotionally worked up, most of the time she lets Isse do his thing and never allows it to make her insecure. Confidence, trust, and loyalty? Those are all synonymous with waifu.

10. Kurisu Makise, Steins; Gate

In real life, your waifu would most likely be the person you spend most of your time with. That means that you'll be doing a lot of talking. And who better to talk to than a brilliant quantum physicist who has wit and sarcasm to boot? I imagine conversation with Kurisu would never get boring, plus she's super down to earth and knows how to geek out like a boss.

9. Erza Scarlet, Fairy Tail

Erza may not be your typical doting, domestic waifu, but she is always looking out for the people she care about. Her immense physical strength is only matched by her willingness to protect the people she loves. Despite her sketchy past, she found a family within the guild that reciprocates her love (along with a heavy dose of fear at times...but whatever) and she will do anything, including sacrificing her own life to save theirs. Now that's waifu material. 

8. Maria Otonashi, The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria

You may be wondering where I dug this one up from. Well, it's technically not an anime...yet. But I'm about 1000% positive it will be soon. Maria hails from the eponymous light novel series, and in it finds herself repeatedly giving everything, even her life, to save others. She even knows her companion, Kazuki Hoshino, so well that she immediately knows what he's thinking just by looking at him. Oh yeah, she's also the top of her class, an expert martial artist, and she rides a motorcycle. One word: waifu.

7. Ichigo, Darling in the Franxx

While Zero Two may be the girl to blow your mind with a life in the fast lane, Ichigo is the girl you take home to your mother. She's carries herself with dignity, especially for her age, she has strong leadership ability, a no nonsense way of thinking, and is fiercely loyal. All good reasons to leave the harem behind and become a one waifu man.

6. Tsubasa Hanekawa, Monogatari Series

Hanekawa's sad family situation can't take away from the fact that she is basically the perfect waifu. She's brilliant, caring, impossibly optimistic, supportive, and even her little dark side comes out in the form of a sexy, lingerie-clad cat lady. She puts up with a TON of crap from other people and still manages to keep her head squarely on her shoulders.

5. Irisviel von Einzbern, Fate/Zero

While she may not technically be human, Irisviel is hands down the best homunculus waifu on the planet. She is gorgeous, polite, delicate, feminine, loyal, brave, and above all else, willing to sacrifice her own life to fulfill the dreams of the man she loves. After seeing her I loved all homunculi...until I watched FMA. That pretty much ruined it for me...

4. Lacia, Beatless

Can androids be waifu material? Since we're already talking about fictional characters here, I'm going to go with a resounding YES. And of all androids I've encountered (sorry 18) Lacia takes the cake for top AI waifu on the planet. She's devoted, domestic, kind, cute, polite, cheerful, and can annihilate entire city blocks without batting an eye. You know, everything you look for in a 2D girl.

3. Saber/Altria Pendragon, Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works & Today's Menu for Emiya's Family

 If only Saber weren't just a resurrected spirit. She's the ultimate personification of strength, loyalty, respect, dignity, bravery, morality, and every other good quality you want in a waifu. She is calm under pressure. She's adorable when she's not leveling mountains with her noble phantasm. And most of all, she is absolutely devoted to her man (the whole Master/Servant nomenclature only adds to the appeal). I included her role in Today's Menu for Emiya's Family even though she doesn't actually do any cooking in the show because it really shows how supportive she is of Emiya. She always compliments his meals, she welcomes him home, and she is always happy to see him. Ah Saber. If only summoning heroic spirits was a real thing...

2. Mai Sakurajima, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Senpai

She's sarcastic, a little bossy, definitely a tease, and has a pension for hopping around in a bunny costume. Not exactly your typical waifu. But then, in the quiet moments, she calls to check on you. She takes care of your little sister. She cooks you dinner unasked. She makes time in her busy showbiz schedule just to come visit you in person. She has a big heart and goes out of her way to help people, even if it's not her responsibility. And suddenly, you can't help but fall for her.

1. Asuna Yuuki, Sword Art Online

Do I really even need to say anything about Asuna? The answer is no, no I don't. But I will anyway for you poor, deprived soul out there who doesn't know who Asuna Yuuki is. She is the ultimate waifu. And fortunately for us, given that she's a digital character, she can be everyone's waifu at the same time and nobody needs to be jealous of Kirito (even though deep down we still are...). Asuna is loyal, kind, smart, witty, and confident, with just enough attitude to keep things interesting, but not enough to be a buzzkill. She's a stellar cook, "a floor-clearing badass" as Kirito once said, and she can even override GM paralysis codes with the sheer willpower of her love. Dang. Now THAT's a woman. Oh yeah, AND she's rich.