September 6th is “Sister Day.”

This day was established in connection with the Virgo constellation (August 23rd to September 22nd), symbolizing loveliness, as it falls near the middle of its period. Kunio Hatada, who proposed “Sister Day,” also conceived many other commemorative days related to siblings, such as “Brother Day” (March 6th) and “Older Sister Day” (December 6th).

In the world of anime, the presence of an imouto is indispensable. Whether they harbor deep affection for their older brother or sister, occasionally rebel and stir up the story, or are remarkably dependable despite being younger, their diverse personalities add vibrant color to many works.

Following our annual tradition, Anime! Anime! conducted a reader survey titled “Who is your favorite “imouto” character?” Responses were collected from 537 individuals during the survey period from August 19th to August 26th. The gender ratio was approximately 40 percent male and 60 percent female, with women being slightly more numerous. The age demographic was primarily younger, with about 55 percent being 19 years old or younger, and 15 percent in their 20s.

Table of Contents

• ・First Place
• ・Second Place
• ・Third Place
• ・Other Noteworthy Comments!
• ・Top 10 Ranking
• ・2024 Results: https://animeanime.jp/article/2024/09/06/86400.html

■The Gentleness to Protect, the Courage to Fight—Imouto Characters Gather!

First Place

First place is Kamado Nezuko from `Kimetsu no Yaiba`. With approximately 22 percent of the votes, she has secured the top spot for the fourth consecutive year!

`Kimetsu no Yaiba` (also known as `Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba`) tells the story of Kamado Tanjirou’s struggle to turn Nezuko, who has become a demon, back into a human. As the protagonist’s biological imouto and the driving motivation for Tanjirou to join the Demon Slayer Corps, she is widely recognized as an iconic imouto character. Readers praised her with comments such as “Her strength to protect humans of her own will, despite being a demon who would normally attack them, is truly captivating” and “It’s wonderful that she’s not just someone who needs protecting, but an imouto who can protect her older brother. Her courage in facing Upper Rank Demons without hesitation is deeply moving.” Many admired her fighting heroine persona. Another fan commented, “She’s strong in battle, yet adorable when she shrinks into her wooden box. She’s like a character who has all the best qualities of the imouto archetype.” The ongoing release of the movie further boosted her support, surpassing last year’s numbers.

Second Place

Taking second place is Tanizaki Naomi from `Bungo Stray Dogs`. With approximately 5 percent of the votes, she has consistently held the second position for three consecutive years.

『Bungo Stray Dogs』key visual (C) 2016 Asagiri Kafka, Harukawa35/KADOKAWA/Bungo Stray Dogs Production Committee

Tanizaki Junichirou’s imouto, Naomi, absolutely adores her older brother. Their mutually affectionate relationship, characterized by an intense sibling love that keeps others at bay, is a key factor in her popularity. Readers shared comments like, “Whether it’s within the Armed Detective Agency or on the streets of Yokohama, she initiates skinship anywhere! I’d love to experience that excessive affection!” and “In the third episode of the anime, the scene where she shielded her brother and took bullets throughout her body was shocking. It wasn’t just admiration; her body moved naturally to protect him, showing such powerful love.” Many were deeply moved by her readiness to even sacrifice her life.

Third Place

Claiming third place is Hoshino Ruby from `Oshi no Ko`. With approximately 4 percent of the votes, the top three characters remain the same as last year.

『Oshi no Ko』Third Season Teaser Visual (C) Akasaka Aka x Yokoyari Mengo / Shuueisha・『Oshi no Ko』Production Committee

Hoshino Aqua’s imouto, Ruby, has captured the hearts of fans with her cheerful personality, typical of an imouto, and her knack for charming others. Fans commented, “The distance between the bright and innocent Ruby and the slightly overprotective, siscon-leaning Aqua is just perfect,” and “Whether she’s pursuing her idol career, she seems to be following in the footsteps of her mother Ai and her older brother Aqua. With even more active scenes expected in the third season, I’m already looking forward to next year!” Many expressed excitement for the upcoming third season.

■Other Noteworthy Comments!

「Himouto! Umaru-chan R」 (C) 2017 Sankaku Head / Shuueisha・「Himouto! Umaru-chan R」Production Committee

For Doma Umaru from `Himouto! Umaru-chan`, one fan said, “Outside, she’s an excellent student and polite, but at home, she transforms into a two-headed himouto! Her full-on lazy mode and constant need for her brother’s pampering can be a bother, but she’s so endearing you can’t help but forgive her!”
Regarding Nukumizu Yoshiki from `Make Heroine ga Oosugiru!` (which can be translated as `Too Many Losing Heroines!`), a fan shared, “Her calling him ‘Onii-sama’ is just irresistible! She worries about her brother making friends, so she secretly follows him to the beach and amusement parks – a little crazy, but endearing. In the anime, she’d casually sit on his lap, which highlights her unconsciously charming nature.”

For Cure Butterfly / Hijiri Ageha from `Hirogaru Sky! Precure`, a fan commented, “She’s the first adult Precure in the series and has a caring, older sister-like personality, but she’s actually the youngest of three sisters. Her older sisters are also cheerful, and they all have great chemistry. I’m excited to see her appear in the new movie.”
And for Mizutori Mizuka from the ongoing summer anime `Bad Girl` (Baddo Gaaru), a fan wrote, “She adores her older sister Atori, who is known as the school’s Madonna. She constantly monitors her, calling it ‘security,’ and won’t allow anyone to get close to her sister – it’s a bit excessive, wouldn’t you say (laughs)?”

Summer Anime 『Baddo Gaaru』 Key Visual

In the 2025 edition, the top three ranks remained unchanged from last year. Notably, `Kimetsu no Yaiba` saw Kamado Nezuko at first place, Daki at a tied ninth place, and Kochou Shinobu at a tied sixteenth place, reaffirming the series’ abundance of beloved imouto characters.
Don’t miss the top 20 rankings on the next page!

■Top 10 Ranking

[Who is your favorite “imouto” character? 2025 Edition]

1. Kamado Nezuko (`Kimetsu no Yaiba`)
2. Tanizaki Naomi (`Bungo Stray Dogs`)
3. Hoshino Ruby (`Oshi no Ko`)
4. Kagura (`Gintama`)
5. Flandre Scarlet (`Toohou Project`)
6. Shiba Miyuki (`Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei`)
7. Suou Yuki (`Tokidoki Bosotto Russia-go de Dereru Tonari no Aarya-san`)
8. Nohara Himawari (`Crayon Shin-chan`)
9. Uzumaki Himawari (`BORUTO -NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS-`)
10. Rem (`Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu`)
11. Doma Umaru (`Himouto! Umaru-chan`)
12. Daki (`Kimetsu no Yaiba`)
13. Aohitsugi Nemu (`Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle-`)
14. Gin (`Bungo Stray Dogs`)

(Response period: August 19th, 2025 to August 26th, 2025)

Next page: Rankings up to 20th place revealed!

*This survey is part of a consciousness survey regarding readers’ current interest and attention to anime works and characters. The results are not intended to determine superiority or inferiority among any characters or works. We hope this article serves as an opportunity to discover new works or characters, or to deepen understanding and interest.

Takahashi Katsunori

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