In the world of anime, characters often break the mold—and gender presentation is no exception. Here are 8 female characters who are so convincingly androgynous or masculine in appearance that you might not realize they’re girls at first glance!
1. Gin
*From: Bungou Stray Dogs
A quiet and composed member of the Port Mafia, Gin is a master of infiltration and assassination. With her hair usually tied back, face hidden behind a white mask, and body cloaked in black, she blends perfectly into her covert lifestyle. So much so, that when she appeared in a casual white dress with her hair down, even Akutagawa failed to recognize her—mistaking her for a spy!
Despite her cold and distant exterior, Gin is actually a beautiful girl with striking, gentle features—a true “gap moe” character.
2. Yuu Kashima
*From: Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun
Arguably the most handsome character in the show, Yuu Kashima is tall, charming, flat-chested, and sports a short blue hairstyle—basically indistinguishable from a prince. Her flirtatious personality and good looks make her incredibly popular among the girls at school.
Though she’s often mistaken for a boy, Yuu doesn’t mind—she embraces her princely image. And while she’s a bit of an airhead and a chronic class-skipper, she somehow always ranks at the top academically. Just don’t ask her to sing—she’s tone-deaf and painfully aware of it!
3. Naoto Shirogane
*From: Persona 4
Nicknamed the “Detective Prince,” Naoto is a brilliant investigator who dresses as a boy and exudes a mysterious aura. From her male school uniform to her masculine shoes, everything about her presentation says “cool young guy.”
Though polite, she can be rather blunt and standoffish—especially with people she doesn’t find interesting. Naoto struggles with how adults dismiss her due to her age and gender, which fuels her desire to appear more masculine and capable.
4. Momoe Sawaki
*From: Wonder Egg Priority
A tall, slim girl with brown hair and green eyes, Momoe has a beauty mark under her left eye—and a serious case of mistaken identity. Girls often fall for her, thinking she’s a handsome boy.
Though admired by many, she secretly longs to be recognized for who she truly is—a girl. She’s sensitive, has girly interests like collecting pins and enjoying parties, and is highly attuned to others’ opinions of her.
5. Hotaru Tachibana
*From: Aoharu x Machinegun
At first glance, Hotaru looks like your average tough guy. But surprise—she’s a girl! She’s a high school student council president with a strong sense of justice who often gets mistaken for a boy.
She’s totally clueless when it comes to airsoft, but her instincts and physical prowess are incredible. Even after confessing she’s a girl, people thought she was joking—until someone else confirmed it!
6. Hibiki Shikyoin
*From: Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live
Known as the “Top Prince,” Hibiki is a popular idol and movie star from Europe. Behind that regal charm is actually the granddaughter of the headmaster of Paprika Academy.
Hibiki’s mission? To transform Pretty Top into her own ideal paradise by recruiting geniuses and reshaping the idol world as she sees fit—totally rejecting the feel-good “we’re all friends” idol philosophy.
7. Yelena
*From: Attack on Titan
Yelena is a tall, androgynous woman with sharp eyes and short blond hair. As the leader of the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers, she’s fiercely loyal to Zeke and will do whatever it takes to realize their vision.
Whether it’s lying, betraying, or sacrificing others, she believes the ends justify the means. Her fate takes a tragic turn when Eren betrays her, revealing the painful cost of her idealism.
8. Zhang Shuai Zi
*From: Big Ear Tutu
Thanks to her wild hair and unfortunate name pun (Shuai Zi sounds like “dirty brush” in Chinese), she constantly clashes with Tutu—though they eventually become close friends. Zhang Shuai Zi is bold, brash, and totally against wearing skirts.
Even when she reluctantly tries on a cool denim skirt, she hates it—feeling like a delicate little girl. But beneath her tomboyish exterior, she’s still just a young girl trying to figure herself out.