Nuns aren’t as prevalent as cat girls or tanned fighters in anime, but they’re no less worthy of praise. Though these holy and sanctimonious girls wear similar uniforms, they stand apart from one another in their dutiful service to their different gods and their loyalty to their friends. That gives some insight into how Christianity is viewed in Japan. Let’s count down some of the best nuns in anime.
1. Chaos (Heaven’s Lost Property / Sora no Otoshimono)
Chaos is not only a cute nun girl, but she is also a very powerful robot girl. She’s the first in a second generation of Angeloids. As such, she has superior abilities and equipment at her disposal. Chaos is also gifted with a second, teen-form body. She was quite a bit insane for a while until her older brother figure Tomoki helped to show her the true meaning of love.
Suu Minazuki wrote and illustrated the series from March 26, 2007, to January 26, 2014. Kadokawa Shoten published all twenty volumes in Monthly Shonen Ace.
2. Kate & Maria Takayama (Haganai / Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai)
Kate and Maria are sisters in both profession and familial bond. Maria is a child prodigy, and her childishness attracts teasing and manipulation from her older sister Kate. Kate’s behavior, meanwhile, hides the fact that she’s a skilled teacher, and very knowledgeable about Christianity. Both sisters seem bratty and crass, but they are still good people. They also have a fondness for Kodaka.
Yomi Hirasaka and Buriki created the light novel series from August 31st, 2009 to August 25th, 2015. Media Factory released all eleven volumes in the MF Bunko J imprint.
3. Implacable (Azur Lane)
The Azur Lane shipgirls come in many forms, from cute bunny girls to voluptuous nuns. Implacable was added to the game some months back, and she came with her own anime trailer. She loyally serves her commander and fights to her utmost ability, however, Implacable is quite willing to flirt with and tease her commander.
The developers at Shanghai Manjuu and Xiamen Yongshi first released the game to mobile devices on May 25, 2017.
4. Tamaki Kotatsu (Fire Force)
Yes, the cute nekomata girl with an affinity for fanservice is also a nun. She trained in The Holy Sol Temple and acts as a member of Special Fire Force Company 8. As a nun of Sol, she is able to officially deliver the rites for Infernals. So she’s a nun, she has a cat girl form, and she is fine running around in little to no clothing. Tamaki is the Best Girl of the series.
Atsushi Ohkubo, who previously created Soul Eater, worked on this series between September 23rd, 2015 to February 22nd, 2022. Kodansha released all 34 volumes in Weekly Shonen Magazine.
5. Kiki (TenPuru)
Kiki is the caretaker of the Mikazuki temple. Sure, she’s a priestess, but that counts as a “nun” for the purposes of this list. There are some tantalizing reasons why, and you can check out the TenPuru episode reviews written by Joe to see why. Despite her sultry nature, she’s quite skilled in her profession. She even trains the other girls in the ways of the priestess. Kiki is also Best Girl. No debate needed.
Kimitake Yoshioka first released the manga series on September 1st, 2018. Kodansha has since released ten volumes in Comic Days.
6. Esther Blanchett (Trinity Blood)
Esther’s origins are a bit murky at the start. She was taken to Istvan shortly after her birth and raised by Edward Blanchett. She grew up in a Catholic church and was taught their ways by Bishop Laura Vitez. Though her origins seem humble, she is endowed with great courage, wisdom, unyielding hope, and compassion.
Sunao Yoshida and Thores Shibamoto worked on their original light novel from February 28th, 2001 to December 28th, 2004. Kadokawa Shoten released all twelve volumes in the Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint.
7. Rei Hino / Sailor Mars (Sailor Moon)
While Rei is famously the pretty guardian Sailor Mars, her day job is as a shrine maiden at the Hikawa Shrine. She incorporates her miko/nun abilities with her Sailor abilities, such as the Akuryo Taisan, which uses a purifying ofuda. There is an instance where Minako Aino / Sailor Venus uses this same spell to purify Rei after she’s possessed by Ghost Sistern, but I don’t think Minako counts as a nun.
Naoko Takeuchi wrote and illustrated Sailor Moon from December 28th, 1991 to February 3rd, 1997. Kodansha published all eighteen volumes in the pages of Nakayoshi.
8. Shizuri Castiella Kasugaya (Strike the Blood)
Shizuri is both a skilled paladin and a nun. She is also a blood servant and a romantic interest for the protagonist of this harem series, Kojo Akatsuki. This cute nun girl spent time training with Kojo, which allowed her to help him recall his past. There are two horns beneath her nun’s habit, which makes her quite the unique woman of God.
Gakuto Mikumo and Manyako worked on the original light novel series between May 10th, 2011 and August 7th, 2020. ASCII Media Works released all 22 volumes and four short stories in the Dengeki Bunko imprint.
9. Haruka Amanogawa (Ah My Buddha / Amaenaide yo!!)
Despite her silly and flirtatious appearance and attitude, Haruka is one of the most powerful Buddhist priestesses at the Saienji Temple. Haruka also boasts the largest bust size in the series. She represents the Deva (Heaven) Realm, one of the bosatsu of the six lower realms of the traditional Buddhist cosmology. Though she doesn’t act like it, she takes her job seriously when the time comes to act.
Toshinori Sogabe worked on his manga series from March 25th, 2004 to February 24th, 2007. Wani Books released all seven volumes in Comic Gum.
10. Melpha (Queen’s Blade)
Of course, Queen’s Blade has one or two sexy nuns on its roster. It’s a series that makes cute girls of every archetype they can possibly think of. Melpha is a devout nun in service to God. She happily follows and supports the angel Nanael, and is unaware that her divine angel is a dropout. Melpha’s true power comes from a series of “Holy Poses” that channel the power of God into her actions. These poses prompt her to take revealing and humiliating stances that one might take during intimate moments. Her church is great and we should all go there to support the nuns.
Queen’s Blade first began its sexy tournament as a series of visual combat books published by Hobby Japan.
What do you think of our list? Do you like these sorts of holy maidens? Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below.
If you want to take your own miko/nun home, J-List can help you out. The Shuna POP UP PARADE Figure from Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken is now available for purchase. She’s both a nun and an oni, so it’s win-win.
