Kara Dennison
October 9, 2023 
Alien anime girls are invading!… and, in fairness, they have been for a while now. Considering just about anything can happen at an anime high school, it’s an ever-present likelihood that the kid you’re sitting next to is not of this world. (Alternately, they may just be going through their chuuni phase and claim to be an alien. But that’s another topic entirely.)
Here are just a few of our favorite out-of-this-world anime heroines, ranging from decades ago to this very season. Who are some of your faves?
Yuki Nagato
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is packed with more than just alien anime action. Espers, time travelers, and godlike girls pack the story. But in the eyes of fans, one certain extraterrestrial being outranks every other strange visitor. Yuki Nagato, a construction of the Data Overmind, has a story as weird and multifaceted as the title character’s… possibly even more so.
When we first meet Yuki, she’s a taciturn bibliophile keeping an eye on the resident demigod. But with The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya and other spinoffs, we get a deeper look into her personality and other “what ifs.” As devoted to her mission as she may be, she has fascinating depths that her creators would likely refer remain unexplored.
Lum Invader
It’s not really sticking our neck out to say Lum Invader is the definitive alien anime girl. She’s starred in multiple TV series, specials, movies, and even music videos. Her electrifying personality, combined with her devotion to Ataru, have made her a fan favorite for literal decades.
Of course, she’s not the only extraterrestrial in Urusei Yatsura… not by a long shot. She’s just the first of many, to the point that the local high school eventually doesn’t even question new arrivals. This is normally where we’d say something sweet about how Ataru only has eyes for Lum even so… but we all know that’s not true.
Yuu Akeuchi
Crash-landing into the fall anime season is Yuu, one of the heroines of Stardust Telepath. This alien anime extravaganza stars Umika, a shy and anxious girl who has trouble making friends. She believes that, since she can’t make herself heard by anyone on Earth, her only chance is with aliens. And wouldn’t you know it… just as she enters high school, an alien appears.
Yuu and Umika become close almost immediately. Yuu’s forehead-touching telepathy lets the shy Umika convey her feelings to at least one person. Yuu, on the other hand, has a hard time telling Umika anything. Because she’s forgotten a lot. How did she get to Earth? What is her mission here? She can’t seem to remember. But as the season continues, maybe we’ll all find out together.
Speaking of classic anime, here are three to start streaming right now!
