Top 10 Rumiko Takahashi Waifus, Ranked

Rumiko Takahashi’s character creations have been influential in both anime and manga, but there is no replacement for the real thing.

Anime romantic comedies owe everything to the works of Rumiko Takahashi. She popularized many of the gags, tropes, and character dynamics used in the genre. Takahashi’s manga and their anime adaptations set the standard for all other rom-coms to come, inspiring many other creators to follow her. This is in no small part due to her memorable characters.

RELATED: 10 Anime Rom-Com Series With Little To No Drama

The women in Takahashi’s works are typically in positions of power or are inherently powerful. They are depicted in refreshing, colorful, and funny ways. There are many reasons to develop attachments toward specific women, especially since Takahashi anime tend to run for dozens or hundreds of episodes. One of these women is bound to be someone’s waifu.

CBR VIDEO OF THE DAY

10

The Duplicitous Self-Preservation Of Ran Is Pretty Cute

When Ran initially introduces herself as Lum’s demure childhood friend, it would have been fair to assume she would be a boring character. Nothing is as tame as simply nice. That is not what Urusei Yatsura is about. The whole show is about self-centered characters constantly causing mayhem because of their personality flaws. In that framework, Ran really shines.

She plays up a cute front to mask her very selfish and petty nature. Causing a scene whenever things do not go her way, she has every right to be considered one of the most selfish characters in anime. However, it is that same pettiness that makes her shine. Ran’s presence requires attention and many will be happy to give it.

9

The Mature Earnestness Of Kyoko Otonashi Is Attractive

Maison Ikkoku stands out as Takahashi’s most level-headed and serious rom-com. There are a lot of hijinks within the boarding house, but the relationship between Kyoko and Yusaku is far more sincere than one would expect. Kyoko is a widow still grieving over the loss of her husband, and a hard worker who does her best to manage the boarding house despite how tactless the occupants are.

In both love and work, Kyoko’s actions are sincere, no matter how complicated the feelings might be. If Maison Ikkoku was not plagued with misunderstandings, it might have been clearer to see how serious her emotions were.

8

Benten’s Appeal Is Her Feisty But Friendly Nature

One of the Lum’s core friends, Benten is energetic and high-spirited. She is a goddess and gifted with extreme physical strength. In Urusei Yatsura, she often uses that strength to get into fights, much to the annoyance of people like Ran. There is also the matter of her having a flying bike which solidifies her biker girl image.

No matter how powerful she might be, Benten is a fierce friend to both Lum and Oyuki. The three of them formed a tight friendship, which scares others as they are three of the most powerful women in the show. This shows a more grounded side to her personality.

7

Kagome Stands Up For Herself

Inuyasha was a departure from Takahashi’s normal rom-com format. Instead, the show is an episodic adventure story starring high school student Kagome Higurashi. Born with the Sacred Jewel inside her, she is pulled 500 years back into the past by evil forces that want the Sacred Jewel for themselves.

RELATED: 10 Anime Couples Who Started Off Hating Each Other

While she is spirited away, many of her actions are products of her agency. She is strong-willed and does not let Inuyasha push her around. Throughout her journey, she grows and takes on more and more responsibilities, and ultimately proves herself to be the heroine of the story.

6

Akemi Roppongi Is Funny And Surprisingly Empathetic

The charm of Maison Ikkoku lies squarely on its tenants. Akemi, as the resident tenant of Room 6, is one of these endearingly disruptive people. No matter how badly Yusaku would want to study or spend time alone, Akemi, Yotsuya, and Hanae are usually crashing in his room or partying. Akemi dresses how she wants, drinks whenever she wants and says whatever she feels like saying.

Beyond messing around with Yusaku and flirting with Shun, Akemi is pretty sharp when it comes to how people are feeling. As a hostess, she probably spends a lot of time listening to her customers’ rants. Akemi has a deep level of empathy beneath her aloof demeanor.

5

Accepting The Other Half Of Ranma Saotome

As the star of Ranma 1/2, it is not a surprise that Ranma’s female form is a cute redhead. This makes her distinct, being the only redhead in the show. When the anime begins, Ranma is annoyed and troubled by his female form, but she is an integral part of him. It is even hinted at by his name.

When the situation requires it, Ranma plays up her prettiness and femininity. Normally, she does this to get her way or if someone has something she wants. If all else fails, then Ranma will default to her usual strength, fighting like a martial arts master.

4

Nabiki Tendo Is The Slyest Of The Sisters And It Rocks

Nabiki knows what she wants. Typically unfazed by the nonsense and fights in Ranma 1/2, the only times she feels animated is when she stands to gain something. The middle child of the Tendo sisters, Nabiki possesses a savviness for hustling people. She is willing to blackmail or use others for a quick buck. Her methods cannot be underestimated.

This creates some of the funnier situations in the show and makes Nabiki a standout within the cast. In many ways, her selfishness is closer to how Takahashi wrote characters in Urusei Yatsura than in Ranma 1/2. Nabiki’s actions break the flow of the show, making things more interesting.

3

Shampoo Will Never Give Up On Her Love

One of Takahashi’s most devoted characters, Shampoo wants nothing more but to live out the rest of her days with the person she loves, even if he does not feel the same way. She is intensely cute and powerful, but very possessive. There is some danger that comes with her temperament. Shampoo will smash her way through walls just to see Ranma.

RELATED: 5 Anime Harems That Are Total Nightmare Scenarios

Shampoo is one of the core love interests in Ranma 1/2 and constantly gets in fights with the other women in the show. Her clinginess has been a fan favorite factor for years now, even if it is not something to underestimate.

2

Marriage Fantasies Of The Prototypical Waifu Lum

For a while now, Urusei Yatsura has been a cultural landmark. The manga was first published in 1978 and its anime adaptation aired in 1981. As the central character of the show, Lum is one of the most recognizable women in manga and anime, right alongside Lupin the Third’s Fujiko Mine. Lum’s bright and energetic personality contrasted with the mundanity of her show.

It was her presence that forced the show into wackier and wackier situations. An electric alien bride-to-be who is incredibly possessive of her philandering fiancé made for a very funny rom-com. Lum shines even when she is not electrocuting Ataru.

1

Akane Tendo Punches Her Way Through Viewers’ Hearts

Rumiko Takahashi wanted her viewers to know that Akane was an attractive person from the start. She fends off a whole school’s male population in the first episode. Every man she fought was trying to prove themselves worthy of her, but none of them were as good of a fighter as her. Talented, skilled, pretty, and intelligent, Akane is the pillar that raises Ranma 1/2 higher.

Akane is the no-nonsense character in the show who displays many layers. She is strong but has a few insecurities that she confronts. She grows past her crush on Tofu to develop deeper bonds with Ranma. If there is any character to get attached to in Ranma 1/2, it is Akane.

NEXT: Top 10 Fairy Tail Waifus, Ranked