Top 15 Best Anime Mom Characters Of All Time

In anime, even something that seems so normal, like the concept of mothers, can be turned on its head for something wholly unlike anything you could've ever thought to be the case. This list commemorates some of the strongest moms in anime that have carved their way into our hearts with their unique characterizations and familiarity. Oh, and let's not mention the bunch that can easily kick butt without even breaking a sweat.

From mental fortitude to physical superiority, these moms have broken down any preconceived barriers and shown that nothing can stop them from becoming an unrelenting force who can achieve anything.

Updated April 2, 2023, by Jerel Levy: Anime mothers will always be the best characters in the genre. To continue to celebrate them, we've updated this article to improve formatting and readability and ensure that these mothers have the presentation they deserve.

15 Bulma (Dragon Ball)

When one talks about one of the most iconic mothers in anime history, Bulma from Dragon Ball is definitely at the top of this list. The fact that she's a part of one of the most popular anime series of all time certainly helps.

We've seen her grow from a teenager into a mother. Nobody could've predicted her relationship with Vegeta, and she's been more than a lovable mother to Trunks and Bulla in Vegeta's absence.

14 Carla Yeager (Attack On Titan)

A major aspect of being a parent is sacrifice. There are many things that people enjoy that need to be forsaken when they have the added responsibility of taking care of a child.

Well, Carla Yaeger from Attack on Titan made the ultimate sacrifice. The sight of her being taken by a Titan still remains one of the most memorable episode endings of all time. Coupling this with the fact that this happened in the very first episode of Attack On Titan, and you have a recipe for greatness.

13 Hana (Wolf Children)

Perhaps one of the most loving mothers on this list, the emotional fortitude displayed by Hana in Wolf Children is second to none. Taking care of one child is hard enough, but Hana needs to take care of two.

Oh, and these two kids can also randomly transform into wolves. It's an odd premise that could only work out in anime, and watching this endearing mother provide a constant and unwavering level of love to her children is one of the most heartwarming things you can witness.

12 Mari Katsuragi (The World God Only Knows)

The World God Only Knows - Mari Katsuragi

At a glance, Mari might seem like the most normal mother on this list — and, to an extent, she actually is. However, don't get the wrong idea. This is an anime character after all, so there's bound to be a quirk.

In the case of Mari, it just so happens that she used to be a gangster. Currently, Mari has the daunting role of taking care of her otaku son, who is seemingly poised to achieve nothing in life. With a husband that's constantly overseas, it must be harrowing to constantly provide for your kids.

11 Yasuko Takasu (Toradora!)

Another single mother with her fair share of problems, Yasuko might seem somewhat irresponsible at first glance. She frequently finds herself under the table, forcing her son to clean her mess up. However, don't think badly of her — Yasuko actually does way more than you might think.

The passing of her husband meant that she had to take up multiple jobs to provide for her son, which she tries her hardest to accomplish. Her efforts are admirable and should definitely be recognized and appreciated.

10 Bell-mère (One Piece)

The story of Bell-mère is one of the most emotional tales during the early goings of One Piece, which provides some much-needed character development for Nami and established her character to be more than just a person who only looks out for herself.

Sacrifice is a theme we've already touched upon in the list, and Bell-mère makes the ultimate sacrifice when she chooses her daughters' lives over her own. This arc wraps up with a nice bit of redemption when Luffy smacks Arlong with all his might.

9 Chi-Chi (Dragon Ball Z)

Chi-Chi, from Dragon Ball Z, seems like the cliche mother who wants her child to excel at everything and fail at nothing. While this might seem somewhat controlling, she still has a loving side that genuinely cares about Gohan and Goten.

Her limited knowledge of martial arts meant she was relegated to being a stay-at-home mom. She's taken over this role in stride, and her outbursts have become the stuff of legends among Dragon Ball fans.

8 Nobuko Izumi (Parasyte -The Maxim-)

The Parasyte anime was a breath of fresh air that did justice to a fairly old manga series. The concept of parasites taking over the bodies of humans is quite spooky, and the fact that this happens to Izumi's mother is a tragic event.

Her loving spirit is replaced with a powerful parasite that almost ends Izumi's life as well. It's only through Migi's quick thinking that his life is saved, which turns out to be somewhat of a blessing since Izumi's physical capabilities are augmented as a result.

7 Izumi Curtis (Fullmetal Alchemist)

One of the more tragic tales in Fullmetal Alchemist, the story of Izumi Curtis, is not for the faint of heart. While nothing will beat that heart-wrenching tale of Nina and her twisted transfiguration into a Chimera, among other sad tales from the manga, Izumi's tale is also quite a sad affair.

After her baby died during childbirth, Izumi tried to use alchemy to bring them back. However, the end result is nowhere near ideal — Izumi created a monster that had to be taken care of. On top of all this, she also ended up causing permanent damage to her body.

6 Queen Serenity (Sailor Moon)

It feels like we're constantly talking about the element of sacrifice when it comes to parenting, but sometimes it simply can't be avoided. In the case of Queen Serenity from Sailor Moon, her sacrifice absolutely needs to be mentioned.

Related: Best Video Game Moms, Ranked

To put it into context, she makes the ultimate sacrifice so that her daughter and all her friends can live out their lives on Earth. Usagi never forgets this and always stays in touch with her mother's spirit.

5 Masaki Kurosaki (Bleach)

A person so mythical that she's still considered one of the most powerful Quincy around, even after her demise, Masaki Kurosaki technically bridged the gap between Shinigami and Quincy way before it was supposed to.

Since not a lot is known about her, we can't exactly compare her to the other fighters in Bleach. However, if Ishida could progress so far with his powers quickly, then one can only wonder just how powerful Masaki actually was.

4 Kushina Uzumaki (Naruto)

One of the most memorable women in anime, Kushina's red hair is not her only striking feature. The fact that she was selected to host the rogue chakra of the Nine-Tails proves just how much of an integral character she was in the events of Naruto.

Her influence over her son stretched even after her demise, helping Naruto cooperate and — ultimately — befriend Kurama. While her abilities weren't shown in detail, what did make the cut was certainly quite impressive.

3 Android 18 (Dragon Ball Z)

It's kinda weird and creepy how Krillin developed feelings for Android 18. The label of her being an "Android" certainly didn't stop him from trying to woo her, which is... well. Perhaps the fact that Android 18 was a robot with the instructions to destroy life on Earth should've knocked some sense into Krillin... but we digress.

Android 18 is definitely one of the most powerful fighters in the Dragon Ball universe. The fact that her brother won the Universe Tournament should indicate her huge untapped potential, which can make her a daunting mother indeed.

2 Medusa Gorgon (Soul Eater)

Medusa Gorgon shares many similarities with Ragyō Kiryūin from Kill La Kill. She's an incredibly powerful mother who hasn't exactly treated her kids properly... oh, and she also happens to be a major antagonist in her series.

Her powers are on a whole other level. The fact that she has one of the largest souls in the series makes her an incredibly powerful witch. Her big reveal as the villain after being a seemingly normal nurse is also quite memorable, making her entry in Soul Eater a turning point for the series as a whole.

1 Yui Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the best anime shows of all time. The symbolism of this series is so prevalent that it's almost mandatory to watch the series twice to pick up on all its subtle messaging. The participation of Yui Ikari might be the most disturbing aspect.

If you haven't seen the series or don't remember the finer details, you might wonder why Yui Ikari — an unassuming scientist — is on this list. Well, the fact is that the Evangelion that Shinji is piloting is actually his mother.

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