by Detective Conan’s Ran Mouri has topped Anime! Anime!’s 2026 reader survey on anime characters who look best in miniskirts. Lilithea from You Have Been Killed Again, Detective ranks second, while Midare Toushirou from Touken Ranbu ONLINE takes third place.
October 18 is celebrated as Miniskirt Day in Japan, making it an ideal occasion to look back at some of anime and gaming’s most memorable fashion choices. From classic school uniforms to elaborate fantasy costumes and colorful idol outfits, miniskirts have become a recognizable part of many characters’ designs.
To mark the occasion, Japanese anime news outlet Anime! Anime! conducted its annual reader poll, asking fans a simple question: Which character looks best in a miniskirt?
The 2026 survey received 128 responses between October 2 and October 9. The results feature characters from a wide range of anime, manga, and video game franchises, reflecting the many different ways this fashion style can express a character’s personality.
This year, Ran Mouri from Detective Conan secured first place for the second consecutive year. Lilithea from You Have Been Killed Again, Detective finished in second place, followed closely by Midare Toushirou from Touken Ranbu ONLINE.
The rankings also include popular characters such as Mitsuri Kanroji from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Marin Kitagawa from My Dress-Up Darling, and Himiko Toga from My Hero Academia.
Why Is October 18 Celebrated as Miniskirt Day?
Miniskirt Day is associated with the arrival of British fashion model Twiggy in Japan on October 18, 1967. Known as the “Queen of Miniskirts,” Twiggy became an international fashion icon during the 1960s.
The miniskirt was one of the defining fashion trends of that era. Its popularity helped establish it as a symbol of youthful style and changing attitudes toward clothing.
The influence of the miniskirt eventually extended beyond real-world fashion. Anime and video game designers began using it in school uniforms, idol costumes, magical-girl outfits, action-oriented clothing, and everyday fashion.
Depending on the character and setting, a miniskirt can create an energetic appearance, reinforce a recognizable uniform, or add a distinctive touch to an elaborate costume.
Anime! Anime!’s annual poll celebrates this variety by asking readers to choose the characters whose outfits leave the strongest impression.
2026 Survey Results: The Top Three Characters
- Ran Mouri — Detective Conan
Ran Mouri takes first place for the second year in a row, receiving approximately 7% of the votes.
Ran is a second-year high school student at Teitan High School and the captain of its karate club. She is one of the central characters in Detective Conan, the long-running mystery franchise created by Gosho Aoyama.
Her familiar school uniform consists of a navy blazer and a miniskirt, making it one of her most recognizable looks. However, her fashion appeal extends beyond her school clothes, as she also wears skirts in a variety of colors and designs in her casual outfits.
Readers praised the versatility of her wardrobe and the way her clothing complements her overall character design.
One voter commented that Ran is strongly associated with her Teitan High School uniform but also appears to favor miniskirts in shades such as pink and blue-purple when wearing casual clothes.
Another reader praised her long, slender legs and noted that both her miniskirts and shorts contribute to her recognizable appearance.
Ran’s continued success in the poll demonstrates the lasting popularity of her design. Her outfit is simple enough to be instantly recognizable, yet varied enough to remain memorable across different scenes and appearances.
Her energetic personality and martial arts skills also create an interesting contrast with her fashionable school uniform. She is not merely a character known for her appearance; she is also a capable fighter who frequently demonstrates courage and determination.
These qualities may help explain why Ran remains a favorite among fans.
- Lilithea — You Have Been Killed Again, Detective
Lilithea takes second place with approximately 5% of the votes. She represents the 2026 anime title You Have Been Killed Again, Detective.
Lilithea is a girl who lives at the Tsuiduki Detective Agency and works as an assistant to Sakuya Tsuiduki, a high school detective with the unusual ability to return to life after being killed.
Her fashion is notably different from Ran’s familiar school uniform. Lilithea wears a dark blue miniskirt decorated with frills, creating a distinctive look that combines elegance with a slightly mysterious atmosphere.
Her outfit is further distinguished by asymmetrical socks, which give her appearance a more unconventional edge.
One scene that stood out to voters shows Lilithea welcoming the revived Sakuya while he rests with his head in her lap. The moment, combined with her distinctive clothing, appears to have left a lasting impression on viewers.
Her second-place finish also highlights the influence of newer anime releases on fan polls. While established franchises continue to attract votes, recently introduced characters can quickly build a following when their designs and personalities resonate with audiences.
Lilithea’s combination of a dark color palette, decorative frills, and unusual styling helped her stand out in this year’s survey.
- Midare Toushirou — Touken Ranbu ONLINE
Midare Toushirou from Touken Ranbu ONLINE claims third place, narrowly missing second place.
The character is one of the Touken Danshi, or sword warriors, inspired by historical Japanese swords. Midare is based on a short sword crafted by the swordsmith Awataguchi Yoshimitsu.
Midare’s design is particularly distinctive because of its feminine styling. The character has long golden hair and wears a frilled miniskirt, black knee-high socks, and a hat.
This combination creates a delicate, playful appearance that contrasts with the character’s role as a warrior.
Readers specifically mentioned the outfit’s frills and the character’s cute battle animations. One voter also highlighted the line “No touching!” during combat, describing the character’s behavior as particularly charming.
Another comment compared Midare with Kyougoku Masamune, another sword warrior with a feminine appearance. The voter noted that Kyougoku Masamune wears shorts, whereas Midare’s miniskirt makes the character especially distinctive.
Midare’s third-place finish demonstrates that a memorable miniskirt design is not limited to conventional school uniforms or female anime protagonists. In a franchise built around personified historical swords, costume design plays an important role in giving each character a unique identity.
Other Fan-Favorite Characters in the 2026 Poll
The survey included several additional characters whose outfits received enthusiastic comments from readers.
Mitsuri Kanroji — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Mitsuri Kanroji shares fourth place with two other characters.
As the Love Hashira in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Mitsuri is known for her cheerful personality, extraordinary physical strength, and distinctive pink-and-green hair.
Her uniform combines a short skirt with knee-high socks, creating a recognizable silhouette that contrasts with her powerful fighting abilities.
A reader praised the way the space between her skirt and socks contributes to her costume’s visual design. The voter also noted that the outfit suits Mitsuri’s acrobatic combat style.
Her appearance reflects one of the recurring ideas in the survey: clothing can reinforce a character’s personality and movement rather than serving as decoration alone.
Aine Chihaya — BanG Dream!
Aine Chihaya also shares fourth place.
The BanG Dream! franchise places a strong emphasis on music, friendship, and performance. In this kind of setting, clothing helps communicate personality and distinguish characters within a large ensemble cast.
Aine’s inclusion shows that fans appreciate miniskirts in music-related anime as well as in action and mystery series.
Nico Yazawa — Love Live!
Nico Yazawa from Love Live! completes the tie for fourth place.
As an idol character, Nico is associated with colorful performance outfits and a lively stage presence. Miniskirts are a natural part of many idol costumes, allowing for designs that appear energetic and visually striking during dance sequences.
Her ranking reinforces the importance of costume design in anime centered on music and performance.
Other Characters Tied for Seventh Place
Four characters share seventh place, each representing a different genre and style.
- Marin Kitagawa — My Dress-Up Darling: Marin is passionate about fashion and cosplay. Her interest in clothing makes her a natural fit for a poll celebrating memorable outfits.
- Rin Tohsaka — Fate/stay night: Rin is known for her confident personality and distinctive everyday outfit, which has become one of her recognizable looks.
- Himiko Toga — My Hero Academia: Toga’s school-uniform-inspired costume is closely connected to her unsettling personality and place in the series.
- Mami Tomoe — Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Mami’s magical-girl costume combines a decorative design with the polished appearance of a veteran magical fighter.
Their shared ranking illustrates how different character designs can appeal to fans for different reasons, from fashion and performance to personality and story significance.
Fan Comments Highlight More Memorable Outfits
Beyond the top three, readers discussed several characters whose miniskirts are particularly recognizable.
Lunamaria Hawke — Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY
Lunamaria Hawke’s pink miniskirt, worn with her red ZAFT uniform, was mentioned by a reader who remembered the costume’s distinctive color combination.
The voter also recalled a scene involving Lunamaria’s younger sister, Meyrin, who attempts to wear the skirt but finds that it does not fit.
The comment demonstrates how an outfit can become memorable not only because of its design but also because of the scenes associated with it.
Shiru Ieiri — Detective Precure!
Shiru Ieiri from Detective Precure! was praised for a more mature-looking outfit featuring a fitted miniskirt and a cropped top.
A reader also mentioned the character’s status as a promising young actress and questioned the significance of another character from the future not recognizing her.
This comment reflects the way viewers often connect fashion details with broader questions about a series’ plot and character backgrounds.
Himiko Toga — My Hero Academia
Himiko Toga received attention for her combination of a sailor-style uniform and cardigan.
One reader commented that Toga’s outfit suits her well while also expressing sadness about the character’s tragic circumstances. The voter wondered whether Toga might have had a different life if she had grown up in an environment where her unusual nature was accepted.
The comment also referenced a “blood dress” illustration revealed by My Hero Academia creator Kohei Horikoshi.
This response highlights an important aspect of character appreciation: fans may remember an outfit not only for its appearance but also for the emotions and story developments connected to it.
What Does the 2026 Ranking Tell Us About Anime Fashion?
The results show that miniskirts remain a recognizable design element across a broad range of anime genres.
Ran Mouri’s first-place finish demonstrates the enduring appeal of an established character whose everyday clothing is closely associated with her identity. Her familiar school uniform is simple, practical-looking, and instantly recognizable to Detective Conan fans.
Lilithea’s second-place finish represents a different approach. Her darker color palette, frilled skirt, and asymmetrical socks create a distinctive look that helps establish her character within a newer mystery series.
Midare Toushirou’s third-place position highlights yet another approach: a costume designed around a fantasy interpretation of a historical sword. The character’s frilly outfit contributes to an appearance that contrasts with the warrior role.
Meanwhile, the additional rankings show that miniskirts appear in everything from idol performances and magical-girl costumes to action series and everyday school settings.
Ultimately, the survey suggests that fans appreciate a combination of outfit design, character personality, memorable scenes, and the wider context of the story.
The 2026 “Which character looks best in a miniskirt?” poll brings together a diverse selection of anime and game characters.
Ran Mouri remains the readers’ favorite for the second year in a row, followed by Lilithea and Midare Toushirou. The other results feature familiar names from Demon Slayer, BanG Dream!, Love Live!, My Dress-Up Darling, My Hero Academia, and many more popular franchises.
Each character offers a different interpretation of the miniskirt, whether it is part of a recognizable school uniform, a stylish everyday outfit, or a detailed fantasy costume.
The results are a snapshot of reader preferences rather than a definitive judgment of any character or series. Their real value lies in introducing fans to different works and encouraging them to appreciate the creativity behind anime character design.
Which anime character do you think looks best in a miniskirt? Ran Mouri may have taken the top spot this year, but the wide range of characters in the ranking shows that there are plenty of other fan favorites worth celebrating.
