Though this girl’s hair is not really as long as the others in this list (wait for #2 and #1, everyone), she is nonetheless very notable because of how unique her personality is. Despite the multiple personality trope being used in anime multiple times, Touko is, for some reason, thanks to the writers of the anime, able to bring a unique take on a character that hides something dark inside. Shy and ruthless, demure and brash, gentle and brutal, Touko brings a fresh new take to the concept of characters with underlying secrets that lie beneath the surface. For that, she deserves a spot on our list.

Lacus is simply the princess of the Gundam SEED universe. Beautiful, sweet, and good-natured, she is the very definition of what a leading lady is. Playing a huge part in the vast, intricate plot of the Gundam SEED universe, Lacus grows from a somewhat naive young girl to a mature, capable commander by the end of the series. Her trademark long pink hair flows down her back in a very notable fashion. Usually, female anime characters who are introduced with long hair would cut it short the moment they decide to get their hands dirty (Take Yona from Akatsuki no Yona, for example). Lacus, on the other hand, never does this. Rather, she stays the sweet, good-natured girl who was introduced at the beginning of the series, but by the end of the story, she’s become better.

This noble lady is one of the most memorable characters in the Trinity Blood saga, with her long flowing robes and her ridiculously full hair. Though she is usually portrayed as the very definition of how a noblewoman must think and act, Lady Caterina is actually a completely different woman under the surface, willing to take risks that might even endanger her own life in the long run. Nevertheless, this thick-haired beauty never hesitates to take risks, making her even somewhat Machiavellian. Though her hair usually portrayed to be styled in massive curls, the scenes when the anime does portray her to literally let her hair down show her crowning glory to be extremely long.

Long hair is usually associated in anime with women who have pasts that are very notable. There is probably no other anime character with a past as dynamic as Kikyo, the woman who finds herself a rival to her very reincarnation. Sounds pretty crazy, right? Author Rumiko Takahashi makes it work, though, as her characterization is one thing that was explored very well during the course of InuYasha’s plot. The fact that she looks like a traditional Japanese shrine maiden is another thing that definitely adds to her appeal. As much as most of the series’ fans don’t like her due to her resurrected persona’s psychosis, no one can deny that this girl, who battled death itself, is a presence to be reckoned with.

The main heroine of one of Key’s masterpieces, Air, is one notable long-haired girl. Portrayed as an innocent, sweet, albeit a bit clumsy girl, Misuzu is the first girl that the series’ protagonist, Yukito encounters. Eventually, they develop feelings for each other, though such a love is destined to fail as Misuzu is cursed by something that was branded on her during her past life. Her iconic appearance in the anime involves her extremely long hair, which she usually wears in a ponytail. As the series drew to a close, however, and as she started reverting back to a childlike persona and appearance, her hair was cut short, being used as a prominent plot device and symbol.

Chi is the definitive persocom of the Chobits anime. Sweet and innocent, Chi has to relearn everything about the world when she was found by Hideki, whom she later develops feelings for. Being extremely attractive with her lithe form and her extremely long blonde hair, even the somewhat responsible Hideki usually finds himself thinking inappropriate thoughts when interacting with her. Chi is among the rarest series of persocoms ever made, the Chobits series, who are rumored to have sentience far beyond that of the average persocom. During the course of the series, this was proven true, as both Chi and Hideki eventually develop feelings for each other.

From the modern classic anime that has endeared the hearts of anime fans, Belldandy is one of those girls that are far too good to be true. Considering she is an actual goddess, such notion is not entirely without merit. This fact alone makes Keiichi, the series’ protagonist, as arguably the luckiest guy in the anime universe. Beautiful beyond compare, she is just one of those girls who is just as beautiful inside as she is outside. Her appearance alone makes her noteworthy, especially her long, flowing hair. Though she usually keeps it tied up in a ponytail, it is quite obvious that, as critics have pointed out, it is “impossibly long” and beautiful. Well, is is a goddess after all and yes, Keiichi is still the luckiest guy in all of anime.

The cunning Laura of the To Aru Majutsu No Index universe is definitely a girl that deserves a spot on this list. With hair that extends more than twice her height, calling her long-haired is simply an understatement. Laura always takes a lot of effort in maintaining her crowning glory, however, as she makes it a point to take care of her hair as much as she can. Vain as she can be, however, she is also quite dangerous. Being one of the most powerful personalities in Academy City, Laura is what many would call the very symbolism of balance, as she is capable both of extreme good and extreme evil. Morally ambiguous to the point of making her dangerous, Laura is one prominent female character that very few should cross.

Of course, we can never have a list of long-haired girls in anime without Iwai, the character who is actually called the Hair Queen. Having hair that is cursed to never be cut, Iwai eventually grew quite isolated. It was only after meeting Kiri Hairuma that she is able to cut her hair, though, as they soon find out, it eventually grows back to its original length. Though the anime has had its share of detractors due to its rather conventional use of tried and tested anime tropes, there is no denying that Iwai probably holds the record for having the longest hair ever in anime. And considering this is anime we’re talking about, that is no small accomplishment.

Of course, at the top of our list is the princess of all anime bishoujos, Sailor Moon herself. With her iconic ridiculously long hair that is always tied in an equally iconic bun, Usagi is credited with possibly single-handedly bringing shoujo anime to the West, and part of this is due to her quirky appeal. Clumsy yet sweet, hesitant yet resilient, Usagi stands at the very peak of all long-haired girls in all of anime. After all, she does not really wear her hair long just because of vanity. As shown in Sailor Moon Crystal, her hair is actually very much connected to the moon, and as such, the more she became aware of her past life in the Moon Kingdom, the more her hair grew to even more extreme lengths. For being simply unforgettable, Usagi is our list’s Number 1.

I know this is a top ten list, but this feisty little bundle of energy definitely deserves a spot in this list. Why? Just look at this girl’s hair! They’re ridiculously long and they’re used as nunchucks. Need I say more? Sanae’s allure goes far beyond the length of her hair, however, as fans are usually endeared to her engaging personality and her extremely quirky nature. Though pretty short in stature, her confidence and personality makes her tower above the series’ other characters, gaining her a pretty decent fanbase. Plus, she’s actually uber rich, and a genius to boot!