The role of a mother in the life of her offspring is a crucial one. A mother's actions can shape a person's entire personality. In the world of anime, there have been countless displays of incredible motherhood, which makes it extremely difficult to choose.
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But, there are few anime mothers, who are a cut above the rest in terms of parenting. They take care of their kids while fighting against all the problems of the world. With that in mind, here's a list of the most lovable moms in the anime world.
Updated on February 3, 2025, Mark Sammut: The Winter 2025 season is going strong, and the lineup includes a few anime moms who might eventually be contenders. 100 Girlfriends' Hahari is a bit of an acquired taste, but she can be quite funny at times. Despite mainly featuring in only one episode so far, From Bureaucrat to Villainess's Mitsuko is instantly likable. Medalist's Nozomi has gone through a surprising amount of development so far, even if she is not necessarily the most lovable. While it is still too early to include any of the above, two 2024 characters deserve to be mentioned among the best anime mothers.
While the focus will be generally on biological mothers, a few mother figures will be included. Also, stepmoms have a separate article.
22 Ine Saitou
Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again
Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2024
- Japanese Title
- Jiisan Baasan Wakagaeru
- Studio
- Gekkō
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Kagiri Araido
- Number of Episodes
- 11
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
This one is a bit of a strange case. As hinted by the show's title, Ine Saito is primarily presented as a grandmother; however, she interacts frequently with her son, so that relationship is not an afterthought either. Most importantly, she is charming and likable. After eating a golden apple, Shozo and Ine revert to their younger selves, although the change is (initially) exclusive to their bodies. They both make the most of the situation, while still mostly sticking true to the people they have become over the years.
Shozo and Ine's relationship is pretty adorable, with the couple sharing a level of trust that only comes from decades of experience. Ine's personality is fairly traditional, and she has a great rapport with nearly everyone. At one point, Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again even reverts Ine to her teenage self, giving the audience a chance to see her at different stages of her life.
21 Takae Niijima
TsumaSho
TsumaSho
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2024-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru.
- Studio
- Studio Signpost
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Yayū Murata
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
A fairly modern anime, TsumaSho uses a convoluted reincarnation premise to tell a powerful story about grief, family, and moving on. Now, Takae rarely appears in the flesh since she died a decade before the story's events. However, she shows up at her family's doorstep as a 10-year-old child, claiming to have reincarnated. While initially having no plans to reach out to her former self's husband and daughter, she decides to do so after realizing they have not moved on from her death.
TsumaSho's earliest episodes are essentially wish-fulfillment slice-of-life about three family members who are reunited in the most unlikely of situations. As enjoyable as these earlier parts are, the anime becomes far better when it turns into a drama that touches upon mature themes. Takae is a fully fleshed-out character who has to constantly make tough decisions.
20 Chi-Chi
Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball Z
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1989 - 1996
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Akira Toriyama
- Number of Episodes
- 291
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Chi-Chi is the wife of Goku and mother to Gohan and Goten. She met Goku at a very young age, and the two eventually got married. Goku was absent for almost the entire childhood of his kids, so Chi-Chi was the one who took care of them.
Chi-Chi tried to help them in any way she could, and her affection undoubtedly played a big role in making Gohan and Goten good people. She is also very protective of her family, and she doesn't hesitate to stand up for her kids and husband.
Bulma is also a good mother to Trunks.
19 Mito Freecss
Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2011 - 2014
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Yoshihiro Togashi
- Number of Episodes
- 148
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu
Mito Freecss is the only mother figure in Gon's life. After Gon's father left to pursue his own ambitions, Mito was left in charge of the young boy. Mito raised Gon as if he were her own son, and she tried to keep him safe from harm.
Mito didn't shy away from scolding Gon if he did something stupid and risky. It was only because of her protective and caring nature that Gon didn't become a ruffian. Gon has also shown his respect for Mito many times, which further solidifies her reputation as one of the best anime moms.
18 Kurumi Saiki
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2018-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Japanese Title
- Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Shūichi Asō
- Number of Episodes
- 56
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Kurumi Saiki has been a crucial figure in the life of her son, Kusuo. She is a kind and compassionate person, but she can become terrifying if her family is threatened. While she does not have any special abilities like her son, Kurumi isn't afraid to face a challenge.
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Her personality has had a massive influence on Kusuo, who has openly stated that without her presence, he would have used his powers to do evil deeds. This is a big testament to Kurumi's skills as a mother.
17 Ojiya
Dororo
Dororo
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2019 - 2019
- Directors
- Kazuhiro Furuhashi
- Writers
- Yasuko Kobayashi
- Studio
- Tezuka Productions, MAPPA
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Osamu Tezuka
- Number of Episodes
- 24
- Streaming Service(s)
- Prime Video
Ojiya is the mother of Dororo, who is one of the main protagonists in the series. Even though Ojiya didn't get much screen time, it was enough for her to melt the hearts of viewers with her incredible dedication toward her child.
When Ojiya and Dororo were struggling, they couldn't even find food. One day, as they were walking, they came across a person giving away free food. When it was their turn to collect the food, the person asked them for a utensil, but they didn't have one. However, Ojiya wasn't going to let her child go hungry again. So, she asked the person to put boiling hot food in her hands. Then she cooled it down for Dororo to eat. This particular incident alone is enough for her to be called one of the best anime moms.
16 Tomoko Higashikata
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 6, 2012
- Japanese Title
- JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken
- Studio
- David Production
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Hirohiko Araki
- Number of Episodes
- 190
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu
Tomoko is the mother of Josuke Higashikata. She fell in love with Joseph, and together they had Josuke. As Joseph was already married to Suzy Q, he could not stay with Tomoko, and thus, he had to go back.
Tomoko was devastated by Joseph leaving, but she didn't let the setback affect her or her son's life. She raised Josuke mainly on her own and she ensured that he would have a great life. When he came down with a serious illness, Tomoko went to great lengths to get him to the hospital to save his life. It is also easy to see that many of Tomoko's qualities are reflected in Josuke.
15 Akari Kawamoto (Special Mention)
March Comes In Like A Lion
March Comes in Like a Lion
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2018-00-00
- Japanese Title
- 3-gatsu no Lion
- Studio
- Shaft
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Chica Umino
- Number of Episodes
- 44
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Akari is the eldest of the Kawamoto sisters. When their grandmother and mother passed away, the sisters were extremely distressed. To make things worse, their father also walked out on them, so the responsibility fell on Akari to take care of her younger sisters.
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Akari raised both of them on her own and made sure that they would not suffer from any kind of problem. Under her care, the sisters were able to live a predominantly trouble-free life. Akari is also extremely kind, as she helped Rei, who was completely drunk and vulnerable. She brought him into their house to help him recover, and eventually, he became acquainted with the rest of her family. While Akari did not have any kids on her own, she acted as a mother to her sisters, which makes her one of the best anime moms.
14 Kyoko Honda
Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Studio
- TMS Entertainment
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Natsuki Takaya
- Number of Episodes
- 63
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Kyoko was the mother of Tohru Honda. During her younger days, Kyoko used to be a violent person, and she was also the leader of a gang. Kyoko could hardly keep herself out of trouble, but once she met Katsuya, everything changed.
Katsuya helped her to become a better person and eventually, she left the gang. After leaving the gang, Kyoko and Katsuya got married, and they had a daughter named Tohru. Sadly, Katsuya passed away and left Kyoko to raise their daughter, Tohru alone. In the beginning, she did suffer from a few setbacks, but ultimately she did a splendid job at raising Tohru. Kyoko taught Tohru everything that she knew and left a very positive influence on her daughter's life.
13 Clara Magnolia
Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2018 - 2018
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Kyoto Animation
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Kana Akatsuki
- Number of Episodes
- 13
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Clara Magnolia was the mother of Ann. She was suffering from a terminal illness, which made her body frail. Clara knew that she did not have much time to live, so she wanted to create as many happy memories with her daughter as she could.
In her short life, Clara taught her daughter to be kind and polite to people. Clara would also scold Ann if the latter tried to cause any kind of trouble, and in this way, Clara ensured that her daughter would not go down the wrong path. Suffice it to say, Clara performed all the duties of being a mother to the best of her abilities, which makes her an extremely lovable character.