One of the most popular and common hair colors for people out there is brown. Although chocolate-colored locks are beautiful, they seem to be overrated, especially when it comes to anime characters. In recent years, most anime protagonists, whether a girl or a boy, have unique hair colors or highlights to make them more memorable. An example of this trend is Usagi from Sailor Moon, who sports golden hair, Nezuko from Demon Slayer, who has black hair with orange tips, and even Rem from Re: Zero, whose hair is blue.

Female characters who tend to be brunettes are usually more down-to-earth people. They're often shy at the start and clumsy, but they will always fight for what they believe in. They are also a lot more relatable to young anime fans due to their common hair color, which is a rarity in most anime shows that try to be as over-the-top as possible when it comes to their character designs. Sometimes, these grounded characters with believable looks end up being the most beloved ones of the lot instead.

Updated on April 23, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: With the over-the-top designs that most people come to expect from most anime characters, it's pretty sobering to see that some personalities don't come with stylized hair colors that are meant to look natural when the truth is anything but. Brown hair is pretty common, and a lot of males and females in anime sport this color that, coupled with the rest of their design, helps them stand out as memorable characters in their respective anime. There are a lot of females in anime with brown hair who have become iconic in their own right, serving as major characters who either drive the plot forward or motivate the series' protagonists to reach new heights.

Rin Nohara

Kakashi And Obito's Friend Who Meets A Tragic Fate

• Age: 9-11
• Japanese Voice Actress: Haruhi Terada

Naruto is one of the most iconic anime ever made, with Shippuden introducing a new group of criminals known as the Akatsuki who have the diabolical plan of taking the chakra of all the Tailed Beasts to unleash the power of the Juubi. One of the goofier members of this group, Tobi, ends up being a member of the Uchiha named Obito who was assumed by many to be dead, sharing a history with Kakashi and the third member of their group.

Rin was a chirpy and capable shinobi who was captured by Kirigakure and forcibly turned into the jinchuuriki of the Three Tails. In a bid to prevent herself from being used as a weapon, she wilfully steps in front of Kakashi's Chidori to sacrifice herself and save her village. Obito sees this happening from a distance, and his love for Rin causes him to go down a dark path as he decides to carry out Madara's will.

Hange Zoe

A Memorable Member Of The Survey Corps Who Has An Unnatural Obsession With Titans

• Age: 29-31
• Japanese Voice Actress: Romi Park

Attack on Titan is a series that doesn't rely on cliches, which is why a lot of the characters feel more realistic, including their hair colors. Hange Zoe is a particularly memorable part of the show who serves as an inquisitive member of the Survey Corps and has an unhealthy obsession with Titans.

After a series of events that completely flips the show's script, Hange becomes the leader of the Survey Corps and sacrifices herself in a noble attempt to help the Survey Corps sail off and potentially save the world. It's a tear-jerking moment, with her meeting the rest of the people who served as the Corps' commanders in a final sendoff for one of the most entertaining characters in the series.

Nobara Kugisaki

Forms A Dastardly Trio With Megumi And Itadori

• Age: 16
• Japanese Voice Actress: Asami Seto

The second season of Jujutsu Kaisen left Nobara's fate up in the air, with Mahito's transfiguration causing permanent damage to her face and maybe even her mind. The extent of this injury hasn't been explored yet, but fans can only hope that this powerful cursed technique user has what it takes to power through this injury.

Her ability requires a lot of work to trigger, but Nobara makes things engaging with her drive and spirit in battle as she finds a way to defeat her opponent time and time again. Her headstrong nature makes this brown-haired girl one of the best characters in Jujutsu Kaisen and a steadfast friend to both Itadori and Megumi.

Chiho Sasaki

Maou's Friend And A Fellow Employee At MgRonald's

• Age: 16
• Japanese Voice Actress: Nao Toyama

The Devil is a Part-Timer is about Satan, the lord of demons, who tried to conquer the land of Ente Isla but got stopped by the hero Emilia. While trying to evade her, he ended up on Earth as a human with one of his generals. In a magic-less world, Satan assumes the identity of a human named Maou and must find a way to survive until he can go home.

Chiho Sasaki is Maou's fellow employee at MgRonalds and friend. Ever since Maou started working with her, she has developed a massive crush on him that will not falter even after learning the truth about his true identity. Chiho is a petite teen girl with reddish-brown hair. She's kind-hearted, and polite and can get jealous of other girls who might pose a threat to her "relationship" with Maou.

Nagisa Furukawa

One Of Clannad's Main Heroines

• Age: 17-19
• Japanese Voice Actress: Mai Nakahara

Clannad is about Tomoya, a guy with no interest in school until he meets a shy girl named Nagisa and agrees to restart the drama club as a way of impressing her.

Nagisa is one of the main protagonists alongside Tomoya. She has short wavy brown hair and a very petite and frail look due to her poor health and immune system. Despite her weak appearance, she's actually very kind and selfless and will often put other people's happiness before hers.

Yuki Cross

The Protagonist Of Vampire Knight

• Age: 16-17
• Japanese Voice Actress: Yui Horie

Cross Academy is a particular school that teaches two different groups of students; the Day Class and the Night Class. Unbeknownst to the Day Class, the Night students are vampires, which only classmates Yuki and Zero are aware of, and they must ensure the secret never gets revealed by upholding order and peace.

Yuki, a human from the Day Class, takes her job at the school very seriously even though she fears vampires, except for one named Kaname Kuran. She is caring, and her cheerful attitude is inspiring to many fans.

Sakura Kinomoto

One Of The Most Popular Magical Girls

• Age: 10
• Japanese Voice Actress: Sakura Tange

Magical girl anime is pretty popular in its own right, with many people considering Cardcaptor Sakura to be right up there along with Sailor Moon as one of the very best in this genre. Elementary school student, Sakura, makes a life-changing discovery while browsing books at her school library. A book titled The Clow captures her attention, but once the book opens, magical cards get unleashed into her world. This event awakens Kero, a cute little lion who keeps watch on the cards. It then informs her she must retrieve them before each card uses its abilities to cause chaos.

Sakura is an energetic ten-year-old girl who is an excellent athlete even though she appears to be clumsy. She may also look dense to some people, but she always surprises them by finding different ways of catching the wild cards. Her determination truly inspires people. The character design of this magical girl is pretty notable in its own right, with her brown hair being a recognizable facet of her character that is pretty great indeed.

Atsuko "Akko" Kagari

A First-Generation Witch And The Series' Protagonist

• Age: 16
• Japanese Voice Actress: Megumi Han

Little Witch Academia's plot resembles My Hero Academia a lot. Like Deku, Akko is born without any abilities, well in her case, magical abilities. However, that doesn't stop her from dreaming of becoming a witch like her favorite idol Shiny Chariot. She even applies to Luna Nova Magical Academy, a school of witchcraft, to learn how to become one of the best witches and get accepted despite low odds.

Akko is a dreamer at heart whose compassion, energy, and kind soul make it easy for her to make friends. Her determination to reach her goal, like Sakura, is a major inspiration for most fans of the anime.

Tohru Honda

Helps Out The Cursed Sohma Family

• Age: 15
• Japanese Voice Actress: Manaka Iwami (2019 anime)

Fruits Basket is about Tohru, a high school student who finds herself living in a tent on the grounds of a unique family called the Sohmas. After being invited to live with them, Tohru discovers their secret curse and befriends two teens, Kyo and Yuki, who then become her potential love interests.

Tohru Honda is a caring young girl who always puts her friends' needs first, often hiding her own out of fear of being a burden. Her optimism and positive outlook on life never cease to brighten up someone's day, and even if that doesn't win over people's hearts, her kindness and clumsiness definitely will.

San

The Princess Of The Wolf Gods

• Age: Teenager
• Japanese Voice Actress: Yuriko Ishida

Princess Mononoke follows the story of Ashitaka, a prince who after getting infected during an animal attack, must find a cure if he wishes to survive. During his journey, he encounters the harsh reality of humans and their wrath upon Earth and how they disrupt the harmony between Gods and animals. Then he crosses the path with Princess Mononoke, a young girl fighting for the forests and their animals.

San is the name of the princess Ashitaka meets. She's the second main character of this Ghibli movie and is nicknamed the "wolf girl" due to her wolf companions. She's another anime girl with brown hair that many fans adore thanks to her warrior-princess status.

Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter

A Tough Magical Girl Who Takes No Nonsense

• Age: 14
• Japanese Voice Actress: Emi Shinohara

Sailor Moon is about Usagi, a young girl who encounters a struggling cat on her way to school and helps it. The cat, named Luna, reveals that it can talk and explains how Usagi is a guardian of the galaxy, known as Sailor Moon, and she must find the other sailors if they wish to protect their world from evil.

Sailor Jupiter, aka Makoto Kino, is the tomboy of her squad. Her intimidating height and strength usually scare her classmates, but she is a very kind and loyal person. As Sailor Jupiter, she uses the lightning ability to defend herself and attack her enemies.

Diane

The Serpent's Sin Of Envy

• Age: 700+
• Japanese Voice Actress: Aoi Yūki

The Seven Deadly Sins is a group of knights who once protected the Liones Kingdom of Britannia but disbanded after the Holy Knights tried to get rid of them and destroyed their reputation. Ten years later, the Holy Knights managed to replace the king after capturing him and began ruling over the region leaving Elizabeth, the princess, to set out on a quest to reunite the Seven Deadly Sins and ask for their aid in reclaiming her home.

Diane is a member of the Seven Deadly Sins and represents the sign of Envy within her group. As a giant, she often intimidates people at first glance, but her beauty and friendliness reassure people that she isn't one of the bad guys. She's a brave and fierce fighter who always protects her friends and innocents.

Rin Tohsaka

Archer's Master And One Of Shirou's Potential Love Interests

• Fate/stay night

  Action

  Fantasy

  Supernatural

  Release Date

  January 7, 2006

  Studio

  Studio Deen

  Creator

  Type-Moon

• Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works

  Action

  Fantasy

  Supernatural

  Release Date

  October 4, 2014

  Studio

  Ufotable

  Creator

  Type-Moon

• Age: 17 (Fate/stay night)
• Japanese Voice Actress: Kana Ueda

The Fate series is one of the most popular shonen titles around, spawning from an adult visual novel into something way bigger than anyone could've imagined. It helps that the premise of this series is amazing yet simple, focusing on the Holy Grail War and how everyone tries their hardest to win this competition and make their wildest dreams come true.

When Shirou Emiya becomes an unwitting participant in this competition, he ends up attracting the attention of three important women in his life. One of them is Rin Tohsaka, another mage who uses Archer as her servant. She's a boisterous character who is pretty entertaining, and players love it whenever she interacts with Shirou and the gang, showcasing a lot of depth to her character than what meets the eye.

Revy

The Fearless Two Hands And A Stalwart Member Of The Lagoon Company

• Age: 20s
• Japanese Voice Actress: Megumi Toyoguchi

Black Lagoon is a great seinen series with a simple yet captivating premise, focusing on a group of pirate mercenaries who carry out various odd jobs and interact with a whole host of memorable characters in the process. The group at the heart of this tale is the Lagoon Company, with Revy being a member who is excellent when it comes to wielding guns.

Her chemistry with the rest of the main cast is pretty engaging, and players love how unapologetically rude she can be. She's a brash-mouthed character who always talks in an over-the-top and colorful manner, infecting a lot of energy in whatever scene she's featured in.

Ochako Uraraka

Uravity's Quirk Lets Her Control The Gravity Of Certain Objects

• Age: 15
• Japanese Voice Actress: Ayane Sakura

My Hero Academia is an anime about a world where most of its population got blessed with superpowers or unique abilities known as Quirks. Although many view this gift as a blessing and use it for good, not everyone is kind-hearted. Some use their Quirks for crimes and selfish acts prompting the need for heroes like All Might, Deku's idol, to keep the city safe. Deku always dreamed of following in his idol's footsteps but found out he's part of the minority who won't develop Quirks in their lifetime. This temporary setback only drives Deku's determination to attend UA and become a superhero despite it all.

Ochako is Deku's classmate and fellow superhero in training. She's known as a laid-back, warm, and empathic character who can sometimes be blunt but always has the best interest of her friends at heart. Her Quirk, Zero Gravity, may seem useless to many, but it has many advantages not everyone can foresee.

Sasha Braus

A Foodie Who Becomes One Of The Survey Corps' Most Endearing Members

• Age: 16
• Japanese Voice Actress: Yū Kobayashi

Attack On Titan focuses on Eren and his friends who live in a town reinforced by walls to prevent man-eating Titans from entering and disrupting their lives. When a Titan manages to break in with others, Eren loses everything and vows to rid his world of these monsters by becoming one of the best members of the Surveys Corps.

Sasha was one of Eren's team members known for her insatiable appetite and even got nicknamed "potato girl" after being caught stealing a potato to snack on while training. She was brave and often relied on her intuition to protect innocents. Her teammates and fans of the anime admired her courage and grew attached to the quirky girl. She's an incredibly likable character who matures in her own way throughout the series... making her fate in the Final Season even harder to swallow.

Raphtalia

Naofumi's Steadfast Companion

• Age: 18 (Estimate)
• Japanese Voice Actress: Asami Seto

Naofumi, a regular man in his early twenties, discovers an incomplete novel about four heroes at a bookstore and gets summoned to their world with three other guys. As the chosen ones, they must fulfill the duty of these four heroes and are each given a weapon. Naofumi gets stuck with a shield and gets titled the Shield Hero, the only warrior to be hated and mocked by the kingdom he must protect if he wishes to go back home.

Raphtalia is a demi-human slave hired by Naofumi to act as his sword since he cannot use any other weapon than his shield in combat.

Raphtalia starts the series as a sweet, innocent girl with self-esteem issues, but as she grows closer to Naofumi, she learns to believe in herself and becomes a skilled fighter.

Yuuki Asuna

Forms A Bond With Kirito As One Of The First And Foremost Characters Introduced In Sword Art Online

• Age: 15
• Japanese Voice Actress: Tomatsu Haruka

Sword Art Online (SAO) is a brand new Virtual MMORPG game that Kirito gets early access to. While completing quests within the game, he discovers he cannot log out and isn't the only player with the same issue. He learns that every player is trapped within the game unless they succeed in completing the 100 levels or die. Dying in the game also results in death in the real world. Kirito must stay alive and clear all the levels if he wants to escape the game.

Asuna is the first official player to join Kirito's party in SAO. She's a kind and proud swordswoman who watches over Kirito and her friends, often putting her own life at risk to spare them. She also becomes romantically involved with Kirito as time marches on. She is one of the most famous female anime characters with brown hair and her strength, courage, and determination are qualities praised among fans.