Hairstyles are an important part of anime. They are typically highly stylized and come in all manner of vibrant colors. The best ones tell audiences about the characters before they have a chance to speak.
One of the less common hairstyles in anime is short hair for female characters. This hairstyle typically denotes a girl or woman who is either tough, shy, or both. While it is most often sported by young girls or warriors, any anime girl with short hair is a force to be reckoned with.
10 Kisa Sohma Opens Up (Fruits Basket)
Kisa Sohma is the youngest family member cursed with the zodiac spirits in Fruits Basket. Although she transforms into a fierce tiger, Kisa initially does not speak – a habit she adopted after suffering constant bullying from her classmates due to her short yellow hair and yellow eyes.
Despite this, Kisa does speak again and forms a sisterly attachment to Tohru Honda. She also has a blossoming romance with Hiro Sohma, who is cursed with the ram spirit. Kisa’s short hair – though the source of her suffering, gives her an adorable, unique appearance that stands out from the other characters in the show.
9 Lotte Jansson Is A Great Friend (Little Witch Academia)
Lotte Jansson is a new witch in training on the show Little Witch Academia. Her short, curly blonde hair is both cute and practical as it keeps her hair away from her face while she performs spells. Lotte is very friendly and kind to those who meet her.
Though she often finds herself mixed up in Atsuko Kagari’s hijinks, Lotte keeps a mostly level head and is often the voice of reason. Lotte tends to be shy, but she always stands up for what she thinks is right. Any fan would be fortunate to have a good friend like Lotte.
8 Misty Wants To Stand Out (Pokémon)
Misty is one of Ash Ketchum's original companions in Pokémon. Along with their friend, Brock, the three of them travel across the land searching far and wide for Pokémon to train. Misty is originally from a town called Cerulean City where her sisters run the local water-type gym.
Unlike her sisters, Misty has short, orange hair that she keeps in a side ponytail. Misty is jealous of her sisters’ looks, but audiences think she’s one of the cutest characters in the Kanto region. Although she is afraid of bug-type Pokémon, Misty is a brave trainer who works hard to prove her worth.
7 Yona Begins Her Quest (Yona Of The Dawn)
Yona has never liked her unruly red hair in Yona of the Dawn. Her long locks often gave her strife until her long-time crush, Su-On said her hair reminded him of the Dawn. However, when she discovers that Su-On was her father’s assassin, his platitudes about her hair only serve as a reminder of her father’s death.
When she is eventually captured by a rival prince who wants to marry her, he grabs her long hair to restrain her. Yona then seizes a sword and chops it off, freeing herself from the prince, and starting her journey of self-discovery and heroism. Yona’s short hair is not only a reflection of her newfound grit but also a sign of rebirth as she begins her new life as a warrior.
6 Emma Saves Her Siblings (The Promised Neverland)
Emma is one of the orphans living at Grace Field House in The Promised Neverland. Emma, along with her friend Norman, are two of the three kids who discover the true nature of their existence. Emma is athletic and a resourceful thinker. She is very perceptive and has a keen intuition, which helps her as she leads the escape from Grace Field House.
Emma’s short, orange hair reflects her energetic personality. Her curls also hint at a playful side that comes out when Emma interacts with her siblings. Even in dire circumstances, Emma maintains her effortless charisma to help calm those around her and keep Mom from becoming suspicious.
5 Sailor Mercury Fights For Love And Intelligence (Sailor Moon)
Sailor Mercury is one of the Sailor Scouts from Sailor Moon. Her intelligence is unparalleled, and her keen sense of technology often comes in handy during missions. Although she is shy, Sailor Mercury never runs from a fight. She is always there to help her friends when they are in need.
Sailor Mercury’s short blue hair matches her calm personality. It also gives a nod to her water powers. Any fan of Sailor Mercury knows that she is an invaluable friend to have on their side.
4 Shirayuki Knows What She Wants (Snow White With The Red Hair)
Shirayuki is an herbalist for the Clariness Kingdom in Snow White with the Red Hair. Like Yona, she once had long red hair, but cut it off to send a message to her pursuer. Shirayuki is a strong, confident young woman. She is knowledgeable about her craft, and is as kind as a person can be.
Shirayuki’s short hair symbolizes her new beginnings as she leaves her home in Tanbarun and takes up residence in Clariness. It also heralds the beginning of her relationship with Prince Zen Wisteria of Clariness. Shirayuki is an independent woman who knows what she wants out of life and is not afraid to take it.
3 Haruhi Fujioka Emphasizes The Importance Of Kindness (Ouran High School Host Club)
Haruhi Fujioka is an honor student who gets roped into becoming a host for her school’s Host Club after she breaks a vase in Ouran High School Host Club. Although she is a girl, Haruhi’s patient nature makes her extremely popular with their club's female customers. This bodes well for her debt repayment.
Due to her short brown hair, Haruhi is mistaken for a boy. Yet, she is not upset about being misgendered. Haruhi believes that it does not matter what someone’s gender is as long as they are a good person. Haruhi sets out to prove that human kindness beats all.
2 Minori Kushieda Steps Aside (Toradora!)
Minori Kushieda is the quirky, bubbly best friend of Taiga Aisaka in the show Toradora!. Though she has a lot of energy, Kushieda harbors a secret heartbreak as she is in love with Taiga’s crush, Ryuuji Takasu. However, Kushieda remains a true friend and vows to not come between Ryuuji and Taiga.
Kushieda has short pink hair that is perfect for her fun personality, and she love of sports. She also works at a restaurant to make extra money for her family. Having short hair means that Kushieda can be at the ready no matter where life takes her.
1 Nobara Kugisaki Does It All (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Nobara Kugisaki is one of the newest students at Jujutsu High in Jujutsu Kaisen. Her Straw Doll cursed technique is not only powerful but terrifying as it uses the concept of voodoo dolls to devastating effects. Kugisaki is confident in her abilities and is willing to do what it takes to get her mark.
Kugisaki has short ginger hair that she normally wears down, but has been known to put it up when she is off duty. While she is a fierce fighter, Kugisaki is also a fan of fashion and loves to shop. Kugisaki is a well-rounded young woman who proves that women do not have to be masculine to be great warriors.