The best angels in anime each come with their own unique quirks outside the stereotypical portrayal of peace, miracles, and purity. While some of these angels possess those qualities, it is not their defining characteristic. Oftentimes, a darker side of the angelic species is brought to the surface, such as when they encounter those they deem a threat.
The celestial beings known as angels may take on a different appearance in anime. They do not always take on angelic forms complete with golden halos and white-feathered wings, but come in a multitude of forms, from the ordinary to the monstrous. The same holds true for their personalities, spanning the range from upholding righteousness to cruelly eliminating an enemy.
10
Rakka Is an Existential Angel
Haibane Renmei
Rakka is an insatiably curious angel, or rather haibane, as their kind is known. Her curiosity is entirely justifiable upon breaking out of a cocoon with no memories nor understanding of who she is or used to be. Afflicted with the sin-bound curse, Rakka desperately attempts to cover the dark spots on her wings, until her fellow haibane, Reki finds out, who also suffers from the same curse.
Haibane Renmei is a classic angel anime with an underlying atmospheric tone of mystery as it tackles themes of identity, death, and the afterlife. Rakka is a relatable angel in that her past life was spent locked away, believing she was alone in the world; but now, in this current existence, she carries a different fate.
“Haibane-Renmei is, as the title suggests [hai means “ash gray” in terms of color], a story with various things in gray, that is, a story with many ambiguous factors. It is not a story to find answers, but one to wonder about the answers. In regard to things whose answer is not clearly shown in the story, think for yourself and apply your own answers to it. That will surely make the story very special for you.” – Yoshitoshi Abe, creator of Haibane Renmei
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9
Dokuro Mitsukai Is an Angel Assassin
Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-Chan
Dokuro Mitsukai is an angel of the assassination organization known as Lulutie, tasked with protecting God’s domain. She is sent on a mission to assassinate Sakura, a high schooler who unwittingly develops immortality, which greatly offends God. However, Dokuro believes that this man can be reformed, and thus starts this angel’s days of distracting her target.
While her heart is in the right place, her magical club Excalibolg is not, as Dokuro accidentally kills Sakura multiple times. Her clumsy, yet endearing ways make her an excellent, yet brutal, romantic comedic anime angel, as she says her catchphrase, “Pipiru piru piru pipiru pii,” to bring Sakura back to life.
8
Ikaros Is a Mecha Angeloid
Heaven’s Lost Property
As an Angeloid that has escaped from Synapse, a land in the sky that is home to both angels and angeloids, Ikaros imprints on high schooler Tomoki Sakurai. While she mistakenly classifies herself as a “pet class” angeloid, Ikaros is “battle class”, and a powerful one at that.
Because of this, her emotional programming is low, but as she becomes entangled with Tomoki and fights against evil forces, she gradually gains a greater understanding of her feelings. Ikaros is a unique take on an anime angel, who quite literally gives up her life to protect her master.
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7
Emi Yusa Is a Human-Angel Hybrid
The Devil is a Part Timer!
Emi Yusa is a half-human, half-angel hybrid who uses her power to push out the demon lord from Ente Isla to modern-day Japan in The Devil is a Part Timer! Once there, she assimilates to her new life and vows to track down the demon lord at all costs.
However, it turns out that the person Emi believed to be a great overlord was a decent person. As Emi and the demon lord come to know each other, hidden truths are revealed, and her built-up resentment slowly dissipates. While she may at times come off as stubborn or naïve, Emi sticks to her ideals and wishes to protect the innocent from those she perceives as evil.
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6
Shimoda Is an Assistant Manager Angel
Heaven’s Design Team
Newly hired Shimoda is learning the ropes of the design team that oversees the creation of animals, acting as an information relay between the team and God. This angel is even-keeled especially in the face of the overly rambunctious design team.
While new to the team, Shimoda’s curiosity about animal creation is endless, oftentimes involving informative, yet terrifying explanations of biological animal functions. When he’s not managing the workload, Shimoda bakes his signature cream puffs.
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5
Dark Mousy Is a Cursed Angel Thief
D.N. Angel
Dark Mousy is the alter ego of Daisuke Niwa and also a flirtatious phantom thief that steals art. While he can access the emotions, memories, and sensations of his host, Dark does not as easily allow his tamer the same access. Dark’s existence is that of a curse passed down in the Niwa family.
His angelic appearance is because Dark was created as a painting known as the Black Wings, but the ritual to inject life into the painting was interrupted by a thief. Dark is an unforgettable angel with his playful, flirty nature as well as his ability to act coldly when a situation calls for it.
4
Kanade Tachibana Is a Student Council President Angel
Angel Beats!
Kanade Tachibana is not only the student council president in a high school that operates as a base for the afterlife, but she is known by the moniker Angel whose role is to help students pass on. She may have an emotionless outward appearance, but she faithfully carries out her duties even as she is under constant attack from the SSS, a group that wishes to fight against God.
This angel’s story is bittersweet. Love finds her, but this turns out to be the missing piece she needs to pass on. However, it is heavily implied that she is once more able to reunite with her love in a different lifetime.
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3
Gabriel Tenma White is the “Slovenly” Angel
Gabriel DropOut
Gabriel Tenma White has reached the ultimate level of depravity when it comes to lazing around, often referring to herself as a “faillen,” or rather fallen, angel. After graduating as an angel at the top of her class, it is now her duty to guide humans towards the correct path. All was as it should be, until she learned the joys of video gaming.
With her newly acquired sloth tendencies, even other demons think that her slovenly ways outdo their own. Her new path in life does involve helping others, but only if it’s within a game. What makes this angel truly iconic is her ability to do the bare minimum to continue to enjoy her laid-back lifestyle.
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2
Lily Amane Is a Deceptively Cruel Angel
The Foolish Angel Dances with the Devil
An angel with a good girl act, Lily Amane is more of a devil than her appearance portrays. Her cruelty is saved for demons, such as putting a collar on her fellow student and demon, Masatora Akutsu. Eventually, she hopes to use him as a tool to help her reform heaven.
Lily is the quintessential archetype of an angel with her majestic wings and incredible powers. She has a stubborn yet righteous personality, unlike the cruelty of her fellow angels, yet also shows moments of vulnerability. This anime angel is the perfect combination of cute and destructive.
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1
Whis Is the Laid-Back, Strongest Angel
Dragon Ball Super
Whis is no ordinary angel, but a Guide Angel Attendant, and is service bound to the God of Destruction, Beerus. He’s not without his quirky mannerisms but is reliable with his knowledge of the multiple worlds and his unbeatable martial arts. While he does show indifference, as according to angel law, Whis is not emotionless as he helps others, even if it feels burdensome.
Whis is simply one of the best angels in anime, and part of that is largely due to his obsession with food. He has a soft spot for delicacies, often displaying anger when he’s interrupted, or even raring to battle if someone eats what Whis deems his. This is seen when Whis confronts Beerus over his consumption of the last strawberry.
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