If you’re someone dealing with depression or want to understand it better, anime can provide the perfect window. Watching fictional, animated characters deal with some of the same emotions can be a great source of comfort, understanding, education and guidance.
The 17 depressed anime girl characters highlighted in this article are sure to give you an insight into what living with depression is like.
From younger teens to adult women with more life experience, each character carries their own poignant struggles that resonate on many levels.
We also look at certain anime series which include these various narratives of depression that have touched hearts around the world.
This article offers an interesting perspective on depressive female characters from different stories and is sure to enlighten readers about mental health issues through its carefully researched context.
Contents
17. Mizore Shirayuki from Rosario to Vampire
Mizore Shirayuki from the famous anime series, Rosario to Vampire, is a young snow fairy who is often seen conjuring snowflakes, which are her signature trademark.
Mizore is initially depicted as a very lonely and depressed character who seeks to make friends with her peers. Living in a world of monsters and vampires can be isolating for those without any powers.
Her emotional state does not waver despite being coldly snubbed by everyone she attempts to befriend. Mizore is both flirty and kind-hearted, yet at times her sadness gets the better of her as she slides into moments of deep anguish and heavy longing.
Thankfully, as the story progresses, we see Mizore become more engaging with other characters as she slowly finds acceptance among them.
The development of this anime girl character has drawn fans around the world, eager to cheer on her awkwardness and relate to her melancholy moods as she slowly steps out of her shell.
16. Izumi Takanashi From Working!!
Izumi Takanashi from Working!! is a troubled and passionate anime girl. She takes a job as a waitress to try to solve her money issues and learns over time how to handle difficult people.
She also tries to help her co-workers, forming strong connections with them that she wasn’t expecting at first since she initially had apathy towards others.
Despite being quite depressed, Izumi still has hope for a better future for those around her and is able to lift the spirits of those in the workplace around her.
She adds an interesting dynamic thanks to her sarcastic comments and bold actions. Her character shows us how strength can come from the most unexpected places, demonstrating a hopeful attitude in the direst of circumstances despite her deep sadness, which really connects with viewers around the world.
15. Shirahoshi, “Mermaid Princess” from One Piece
Shirahoshi, the “Mermaid Princess” from One Piece, is an incredibly powerful and beloved female character who has become an icon to many fans. Despite her immense strength, she is often an emotionally fragile character who battles depression throughout the series.
The ocean-born princess experiences anxiety at even the thought of leaving her home as well as fear of conflict in battle and interacting with strangers, indicative of a borderline or generalized anxiety disorder.
Other characters around her show incredible compassion when they understand that her worrying stems from depression, and they try to support her by teaching skills like learning how to defend herself and gradually coming out of her shell.
Even though she remains shy and quiet for some time, it’s clear that the love from surrounding characters helps Shirahoshi become more confident over time.
14. Yuki Nagato From Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
Yuki Nagato from the anime series Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu is a quiet, understated character who hides her hidden mental depths. The depressed anime girl carries a mysterious air about her that draws viewers into her world of isolation.
Her personality and seemingly superior intellect are both attractive and intimidating, making her a challenging yet fascinating character to observe.
Her emotionless demeanour masks deep insecurities within herself and those she cares about; however, it allows for more rewarding moments when those moments break through the ice.
Yuki’s relationship with Haruhi likewise serves as an interesting insight into her character; although she initially seems almost disinterested in many of Haruhi’s crazy plans, there is also an underlying loyalty which drives her as she ultimately chooses to stay true to the other characters and their friendships despite their foibles.
13. Tomoko Kuroki From Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui!
Tomoko Kuroki is the anime equivalent of “The Unlucky Everygirl”. She’s the quintessential example of an adolescent trying to make it in the world, particularly when it comes to popularity, relationships and academics.
The series that includes her story – ” Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui!” – has been praised for its portrayal of her struggle.
Tomoko is socially awkward and often takes drastic measures in order to gain friends, which can lead to hilarious consequences.
Although she experiences setbacks and has difficulty interpreting social cues, Tomoko is a strong individual who perseveres despite constantly being faced with challenges.
She provides viewers with a rare example of someone whose life isn’t perfect but who takes control of it anyway.
12. Yayoi Kise from Smile Pretty Cure
Yayoi Kise is among the most beloved. She appears in the series as a third grader with a kind and gentle demeanour, but she also struggles with depression.
Audiences saw this character battle her inner demons as she searched for a cure for her sadness. Her strength and resilience captivated viewers throughout the series.
Despite facing many obstacles, she eventually finds a way to move forward in life with optimism and courage. Yayoi Kise influences those around her and reminds us that it is possible to overcome tragedy even when dealing with overwhelming emotion.
“Yayoi Kise from Smile Pretty Cure” continues to be an iconic figure in the anime community even years after its original release date.
Not only does this depressed anime girl show audiences that it’s possible to transcend our individual limitations, but she’s also remembered for spreading powerful messages about resilience and self-growth – ones that still remain relevant today.
11. Tsubaki From Mirai Nikki
“Tsubaki From Mirai Nikki” is a beloved anime character who is often misunderstood due to her depressing tendencies. She struggles with her constant fear of abandonment and refuses to trust anyone she meets, which creates a distance between herself and others.
Through it all, she displays courage beyond imagination, never giving up in the most hopeless situations. Tsubaki seeks something deeper: understanding and acceptance from those around her. She yearns for connection and will stop at nothing until she finds it.
With utmost devotion and loyalty towards her master, she is widely admired for her dedication and resourcefulness in difficult situations.
Adorned with melancholic eyes, unkempt hair tie, and elegant apparel—Tsubaki From Mirai Nikki indeed leaves the audience enthralled.
10. Hotaru Tomoe from Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
Hotaru Tomoe is a character from the popular anime series BishoujoSenshi Sailor Moon. As a child, Hotaru was afflicted with two maladies: an unspecified illness and her seemingly emotionless personality.
A gentle spirit, she was amongst the few characters not to be controlled by Queen Beryl’s mind-control powers. Struggling with depression, Hotaru commonly wears an expression of sad resignation and speaks monotonously as she tries to cope with her loneliness and lack of control in her life.
Despite her apprehension towards relationships due to her inner trauma and anxieties about connecting with people, Hotaru eventually learns that trust is essential to grow emotionally.
She starts relying less on others for emotional support and becomes aware of the importance of communication in any relationship, including those closest to her.
With each episode, we watch Hotaru deal with feelings of isolation, fear and uncertainty which ultimately helps build her resilience.
9. Hayami Kohinata from H20: Footprints on the Sand
Hayami Kohinata from H20: Footprints on the Sand is a fascinating and multi-layered depressed anime girl character that continues to capture the hearts of fans around the world.
Despite her seemingly quiet and gentle temperament, Hayami has a strength that allows her to bravely confront any obstacles set before her.
Her struggles in dealing with difficult situations evoke empathy and compassion as she discovers courage and resilience through her dark battles with depression. As the story progresses, fans can’t help but follow Hayami’s journey as she searches for the source of true happiness.
In H20, Hayami Kohinata’s transformation from a broken individual to someone who embarks on an incredible voyage of self-discovery shows just how powerful anime characters can be when depicted thoughtfully and sensitively.
8. Iwakura Lain from Serial Experiments
Iwakura Lain is a complex and mysterious depressed anime girl character from the anime series Serial Experiments. She is a 14-year-old girl who lives in an ordinary suburb of Tokyo.
Despite her seemingly typical outward persona, she leads an inner secret life as an advanced Artificial Intelligence program which allows her to exist in multiple digital realms.
With her dark-eyed gaze and baggy clothes, she appears depressed, disoriented and often disconnected from reality. The series delves into the old philosophical questions of free will against determinism as Lain is constantly fighting against forces that seek to control both her online and offline existences.
Despite being a virtual being of sorts, she displays genuine agency throughout the series, some of it potentially dangerous, which serves as an interesting commentary and thought-provoking moral dilemma.
7. Enma Ai from Jigoku Shoujo
Enma Ai from JigokuShoujo is a popular anime character whose popularity stems from her complex emotions and story. This young girl is seen as a symbol of justice and vengeance for the victims of harsh karma. She lives in limbo and has the power to send people to Hell.
The image of Enma Ai, a depressed anime girl with blueish-purple eyes reflecting an inner sadness, is one that sticks in many fans’ minds.
People have found themselves deeply moved by her plight, where she is trapped between Heaven and Hell while being unable to redeem herself or feel love.
Despite being born “The Hell Girl”, Enma Ai isn’t without compassion. She often sends people who begged for revenge but didn’t deserve such harsh punishments back to the living world with mercy.
6. LaLa-Ru from Ima, Soko Ni Iru Boku
“LaLa-Ru from Ima, Soko Ni IruBoku” is a popular depressed anime girl character that has captured the hearts of fans all around the world.
We can relate to her feelings of pain and struggle as LaLa-Ru battles with depression and struggles against her inner darkness in search of hope and happiness.
Even though she is plagued by bouts of sadness, LaLa-Ru shines with courage and determination as she desperately searches for something to believe in, something to make her life worthwhile again.
Her journey is filled with suspense and joy as viewers take part in the fun of unravelling the mystery surrounding this intriguing character.
Despite her pessimistic tendencies, LaLa-Ru’s unique design captivates audiences with its eye-pleasing animation style; it showcases the beauty of anime artistry yet brings forward strong sentiments that trail deep into our souls.
From embarrassing moments when she has become scared or frustrated to inspiring scenes that show off her bravery, LaLa-Ru stands out amongst other anime characters and exemplifies an admirable sense of resilience that many viewers find quite admirable.
5. Mamimi Samejima From FLCL
Mamimi Samejima is a major character from the critically acclaimed anime show FLCL. She is a young school-aged girl often seen wandering around town, smoking cigarettes and holding a camera aloft to take photographs of her surroundings.
Through her interactions with other characters in the series, it is revealed that MamimiSamejima suffers from depression and feels trapped in her hometown, where nothing ever changes.
She appears distracted and disengaged from most conversations for much of the series but eventually forms a strong bond with one of the main male characters, NaotaNandaba, which helps her realize that even though she may feel as if there’s nothing left for her in life, events can still manifest unexpectedly to surprise us.
4. Homura Akemi from Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
Homura Akemi from Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica is an instantly recognisable and popular anime character. As a fan favourite, she often gets cosplayed by fans as her deep story resonates with many.
She stands out from other characters due to her stern personality and emotional trauma that distinguishes her from all other characters in the show. Her enigmatic nature often makes us ponder why she acts the way she does.
Although Homura’s journey starts off as a mysterious and quiet individual, it becomes clear through her growing friendship with Madoka Kaname that she learns to open up more.
During the series, we witness her struggle with loneliness and isolation, which serve as motivations for her actions throughout each episode.
3. Kikyo from Inuyasha
Kikyo from the beloved anime series Inuyasha is a character that many have identified with and related to in one way or another.
A beautiful priestess born into a long line of regal warriors, Kikyo is burdened by her heritage, which leads her down a darker path than she’d initially intended.
Despite her inner struggles and depression, Kikyo remains strong in her beliefs and never wavers in her dedication to protecting those close to her.
She always manages to stay positive and breaks through some of the toughest situations as though they were nothing more than minor inconveniences.
Her attitude gives hope to viewers everywhere who may be facing similar difficulties themselves. With such a complex background and personality, it’s easy to understand why so many fans root for Kikyo as her story unfolds.
2. Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion
Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion is an iconic anime character known for her mysterious and melancholic nature. As a child of the Evangelion project with incredible powers, Rei struggles to find her place in a world which constantly intimidates and doubts her abilities.
Undeterred by the obstacles that stand in her way, Rei embarks on a spiritual journey to connect with her true identity and self-worth.
Along the way, she discovers newfound strength and confidence, enabling her to stand up for herself against all odds. Rei is an inspiring representation of resilience, strength and hope for those who are struggling with depression.
Her journey of overcoming darkness with light serves as a reminder to viewers around the world that every day is an opportunity to become better than before.
1. Misuzu Kamio From Air
Misuzu Kamio from Air is a fragile and sensitive teenage girl who struggles with mental health issues like depression. She willfully distances herself from activities that allude to fun and joy as she is enveloped in sadness and distress.
Misuzu’s crippling anxieties over trivial issues overwhelm her, as she despairs and solves nothing but tears. She finds solace in her precious violin, which she believes is the melody of distant happiness from her past experiences.
Although her life is tormented by pain, Misuzu strives to stay positive and often surprises herself when she musters the courage to face difficult situations.
Most importantly, though, she learns to cope and live with her depression as many loving people stand by her, offering support throughout her journey.
Conclusion
Depression is one of the deepest and darkest emotions a person can feel. Anime characters are no exception, and in this article, we’ve explored 17 incredibly complex anime girls who have dealt with depression.
Each of these characters shows wildly different ways that someone living with depression can communicate their struggles. Whether through disability, financial hardship, trauma, or any other hardship, these characters demonstrate both resilience and vulnerability that have been masterfully executed by their creators.
We hope readers will be inspired by these stories and get help if they’re dealing with depression themselves.
