When it comes to a typical anime family, the first member to always stand out is usually the main character's mother or matriarch of a family. As a result, other family members, like anime sisters, receive less attention, and can sometimes seem to fade from the minds of viewers as a result.
18 Most Iconic Families In Anime
Family bonds are a central theme in many anime, and when done right, they can create an unforgettable cast of characters.
Despite this lack of attention, however, there is still no shortage of anime sisters who are well-known among fans for their personalities. Moreover, biological sisters may be more at the forefront, but as of late, adoptive anime sisters have been getting more love. Sometimes love can transcend even bloodlines, as is the case with these wonderful anime stepsisters!
Updated February 12, 2025, by Mark Sammut: Anime stepsisters are pretty rare. For example, Winter 2025 does not have any notable characters who qualify or are worth highlighting. On the one hand, this lack of stepsibling representation can be frustrating since they can be used as a launch-pad for fun dynamics; conversely, overexposure can be an issue, and there is no point introducing an anime stepsister if her relationship with her sibling is not explored in any meaningful way.
As there are no new options to add, a character from an older series has been added. While the stepsister is generally liked, her anime is polarizing.
20 Yuzu Aihara – Citrus
The Best Part Of A Controversial Yuri Stepsister Anime
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Citrus
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- January 6, 2018
- Studio
- Passione
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Saburouta
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
While not as beloved as Bloom Into You, Citrus is the most well-known yuri anime, at least when it comes to shows that pursue relationships directly rather than sprinkle in nods as subtext. Popularity aside, the series is quite controversial and has a mixed reputation, to the point that it is arguably surrounded more by negativity than positivity. That discourse is partially due to the anime covering a small portion of the manga and ending before the story hits its stride.
Yuzu and Mei become step-sisters, which proves to be an issue when they both develop feelings for each other. Mei is far more aggressive in pursuing the romance, even crossing the line on multiple occasions during the first few episodes. While fleshed out well in the source material, the anime version of Mei can be detestable and could kill the series for many viewers. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Yuzu is a charming gyaru with an outspoken demeanor and a desire to be liked. She can come across as a bit stereotypical, but she is relatable and helps drive the story forward as she explores her sexuality.
19 Chloe Lau – Last Hope
Cares For Leon Despite Being Critical Of Him
Last Hope
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 4, 2018
- Japanese Title
- Juushinki Pandora
- Studio
- Satelight
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Though she is the youngest out of her and her stepbrother Leon, Chloe is by no means passive or shy. Not only does she have quite the bold personality for her age, but she is also very quick to criticize Leon for any mistakes that he makes, threatening to revoke their family contract if he keeps making them.
Despite her personality, however, Chloe nonetheless appreciates being under Leon's care and shows concern for his well-being whenever his research takes him away from her. In times in which Leon is in grave danger, Chloe is noticeably distraught to the point of tears, which is a stark contrast to the usual motherly disposition she has towards him.
18 Hina Tachibana – Domestic Girlfriend
Mutually Supports Natsuo During Times Of Hardship
Domestic Girlfriend
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2019 - 2019
- Network
- TBS, MBS
- Directors
- Ageha Kochouran
- Japanese Title
- Domestic na Kanojo
- Creator
- Kei Sasuga
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Diomedéa
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
Compared to her sister Rui, who is known for being reckless and carefree, Hina Tachibana is more kindhearted and motherly, a staple that she seems to have inherited from her father. As both a teacher and a sister, Hina is often a good source of support whenever her students or siblings find themselves overwhelmed by their troubles.
Upon becoming Natsuo Fujii's stepsister, Hina finds herself being supported by him whenever her emotional state takes a turn for the worse, especially about her former boyfriend. Naturally, Hina becomes a steadfast pillar of support for Natsuo as well as playfully teasing him during the many moments of levity they share.
17 Kagura Sohma – Fruits Basket
Looks After Rin's Health And Accepts Her Diploma In Her Place
Fruits Basket
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Creator
- Natsuki Takaya
- Seasons
- 3
- Studio
- TMS Entertainment
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Representing the Boar of the 12 Zodiac in the Sohma family, Kagura is best known for her headstrong and passionate personality, especially when it comes to her unrequited crush on Kyo. Still, she can empathize with those in need, such as when she lends some of her clothes to Ritsu, knowing full well that cross-dressing helps with his self-esteem.
Fruits Basket: Every Main Character's Age, Zodiac, And Height
Fruits Basket is one of the most iconic series ever made, but how much do fans know about each character's age, zodiac, and height?
But perhaps the biggest example of Kagura's compassion is through her relationship with Rin, whom she treats as if she were her biological sister. Though Rin is quite harsh towards her, Kagura nevertheless treats her as a member of her immediate family and frets about Rin's health; when Rin is in the hospital and is unable to accept her graduation certificate, Kagura steps in to accept it in her place.
16 Maika Tsuchimikado – A Certain Magical Index
Loves Motoharu Unconditionally And Yearns For His Acceptance
A Certain Magical Index
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2008 - 2019
- Network
- MBS, AT-X
- Directors
- Hiroshi Nishikiori, Shigeki Awai
- Japanese Title
- Toaru Majutsu no Index
- Creator
- Kazuma Kamachi
- Seasons
- 3
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Working as a maid at the behest of her stepbrother Motoharu, Maika maintains a selfless deposition, making her very easy to get along with and befriend. She takes pride in her duties as a maid, though it should be noted that she speaks in a way that is very unprofessional for one; she addresses people only with their given names and without any honorifics.
Maika's greatest trait is her love for her stepbrother Motoharu, whom she adores to a great extent. Her biggest desire is to be of use to Motoharu, and she greatly fears being rejected by him; perhaps as a result of that fear, Maiko chooses to live with Motoharu instead of staying in a dorm in her maid school.
15 Suguha Kirigaya – Sword Art Online
Helps Kirito Rescue Asuna And Practices Kendo With Kirito
Sword Art Online
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2012 - 2020-00-00
- Creator
- Reki Kawahara
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
Despite Sword Art Online's Suguha looking to Kirito as a brother, it is later revealed that the two are cousins, with Kirito having been adopted after the death of his parents. Since then, they have been very close, with Suguha even taking up kendo to spare Kirito their grandfather's ire, though they practice together from time to time.
It is through Kirito that Suguha started to develop an interest in the virtual reality genre of MMORPGs. An avid player of Alfheim Online after learning about it from her friend Nagata, Suguha, under her avatar name Leafa, later becomes Kirito's most crucial ally in his bid to rescue Asuna from the clutches of Oberon.
14 Kotori Itsuka - Date A Live!
Loves Shido And Depends On Him To Suppress Her Abilities
Date A Live
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2024
- Creator
- Kōshi Tachibana
- Seasons
- 5
- Studio
- AIC Plus, Production IMS, J.C. Staff, Geek Toys
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Though her outward appearance is typical of a cute anime step-sis, Kotori's personality fluctuates wildly whenever she changes her hair ribbon. Regardless of whether she is meek, domineering, or even bloodthirsty, however, one thing remains certain: Kotori treasures her older stepbrother Shido above all else, both as a family member and as a means to seal her powers.
Initially an ordinary girl, Kotori later developed Spirit powers after receiving a crystal from a mysterious being during her childhood. Since then, and much to Shido's shock, she has become the commander of the Ratatoskr organization, which serves to deal with Spirits in a peaceful yet decisive manner.
13 Kanako Urashima - Love Hina
Looks After The Apartment Complex In Keitaro's Place
Love Hina
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2000 - 2001-00-00
- Seasons
- 1
The mature yet devious Kanako is a master of both impersonations and martial arts, the latter of which is especially surprising given her gentle appearance. Despite being a high school student upon her debut, it is Kanako who briefly oversees the Hinata Apartment complex in her stepbrother Keitaro's stead.
Usually the calm and collected type, Kanako has no qualms about messing with the other employees of the Hinata Apartments, even going as far as to physically examine another employee while disguised as Keitaro's friend Naru. Initially possessive of Keitaro, to the point that she makes a hobby of thinking about him, Kanako eventually becomes less so when Keitaro reveals his love for Naru.
12 Saya Otonashi - Blood+
Treats Kai And Riku Like Her Brothers
Blood+
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 8, 2005
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- Production I.G
The main protagonist of Blood+, Saya is initially a shy but kindhearted girl who has a close sibling relationship with her stepbrothers Kai and Riku. The only thing that seems to make her unhappy is her amnesia, which becomes a source of insecurity for her in some parts of the series.
Upon regaining her memory, Saya becomes far more melancholy, broken down by Riku's death and her identity as a Chiropteran. Originally intending to kill both herself and Diva to rid the world of Chiropterans, Saya ultimately regains the will to live after encouragement from Kai and her lover Hagi.
11 Mikasa Ackerman – Attack On Titan
Aids Eren And His Friends During Their Childhood And Time In The Survey Corps
Attack On Titan
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2023-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Shingeki no Kyojin
- Creator
- Hajime Isayama
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- Wit Studio, MAPPA
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Crunchyroll, Adult Swim
After being saved from a group of human traffickers who murdered her parents, Mikasa was adopted into the Yeager family, whom she loved as much as her birth parents. She especially developed a close relationship with Eren, helping him and their friend Armin out of tricky situations when the three of them were children.
Much like Eren, Mikasa chose to join the Survey Corps after the attack on Wall Maria and the death of their mother. In her own right, she is currently one of the strongest members of the Survey Corps, but she still prioritizes Eren's safety and well-being above all else. Even after Eren became fully devoted to the Yeagerists' cause, Mikasa still refused to fight and kill him despite Eren himself claiming otherwise.