Even in anime, single mums still shine.
Mother’s day highlights the love, strength, and resilience of mums–either real or fictional! Anime has a wide range of mothers who embody these traits in unforgettable ways, but we’re shining the spotlight on the unsung heroes: single mothers.
Nothing and no one compares to a mum who did it all, and did it all alone. These women raised children through a cavalcade of struggles and hardship, often with no support but their own determination. Whether they were fierce protectors, gentle nurturers, or quietly enduring pillars of strength, anime’s single mums have given us some of the most heartfelt and powerful portrayals of motherhood. This Mother’s Day, we’re giving them the recognition they deserve.
Miyako Ishida (A Silent Voice)
Miyako Ishida is painted as a kind and caring woman with incredible emotional strength. As the mother to A Silent’ Voice’s protagonist Shoya, she plays a crucial yet understated role in his journey of guilt, growth, and redemption. Despite the mistakes her son makes, including his past bullying and later suicidal ideation, Miyako remains a steadfast presence in his life; firm when necessary, but always loving.
She works tirelessly to support her family, even going so far as to sell her own belongings to help Shoya make amends. But her empathy isn’t limited to only her loved ones; she treats Shoko and her family with sincere kindness, never once casting judgment. Miyako represents the kind of mother who quietly carries the weight of her children’s struggles, doing what she can with limited means, but limitless love.
Sonomi Daidouji (Cardcaptor Sakura)
Sonomi Daidouji may not be featured much, save for a few appearances in both the Cardcaptor Sakura and Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card arc anime, but when she is, her presence is electric. Sonomi is career-driven, hardworking, and incredibly filthy rich, and though her work-life balance means that she’s not able to spend much time with her daughter Tomoyo, it’s evident that their relationship is built out of a deep love, mutual respect, and complete trust.
Despite her intensity, Sonomi is one of the most doting mothers out there. She is supportive of Tomoyo’s talents and passions, and does what she can to provide nothing but the best for her, attributes that Tomoyo also embodies through her friendship with Sakura and Syaoran. She also stands somewhat as a motherly figure to Sakura herself, always doting on her alongside her daughter.
Acrobatic Silky (Dandadan)
Acrobatic Silky may be a yokai in Dandadan’s current timeline, but before she became the malevolent spirit encountered by Aira, Momo, and Okarun, she was revealed to be a struggling single mother doing everything she could to keep herself and her daughter alive.
Her backstory is incredibly heartbreaking, shedding light on the harsher realities of being a single mum in an unforgiving world. Silky worked countless odd and often unsavoury jobs, and even turned to loan sharks in a desperate attempt to make ends meet. Though the details of why she had to do what she did were left unsaid, what’s clear is her unwavering determination to provide her daughter with a better, more stable life–even at the cost of her own emotional and physical well-being.
In the end, her story as a human finishes in tragedy. But Silky’s love and sacrifice remain the emotional core of her character. She represents the raw, selfless power of mothers who will go to any length, even the unimaginable, to care for their children.
Sachiko Fujinuma (Erased)
Sachiko Fujinuma, although a supporting character in Erased’s plot, is one of its core pillars to the overarching narrative. She’s the mother of protagonist Satoru and a quiet but powerful influence on his decisions at the start of the anime. Her murder is the catalyst that sends Satoru back in time, making her tragic death the reason he decides to alter the course of the past.
But even beyond her role in the plot, Sachiko stands out as a sharp, composed, and deeply caring mother. She sees through people with disarming clarity, picking up on things long before others do, but refrains from weaponising what she finds out. Her parenting style is gentle but firm, and it’s clear that she raised Satoru with love, patience, and a strong moral compass.
Though her time on screen is brief, her presence lingers throughout the story. Sachiko’s grace under pressure, emotional intelligence, and quiet resilience make her one of the most memorable anime mums: someone whose love leaves a lasting impact even beyond the bounds of life.
Kyoko Honda (Fruits Basket)
Kyoko Honda may have passed away at the beginning of Fruits Basket, but her presence is nothing short of encompassing. Her death opens up a whole new life for her daughter Tohru, and teaches her the everlasting influence of strong, unbreakable bonds.
Throughout her short life with Tohru, Kyoko showered her with love and care, doing everything in her power to provide a stable, nurturing home–even while quietly carrying the paralysing grief of losing her husband. Through it all, she instilled in Tohru the values of kindness, empathy, and above all, resilience.
But Kyoko’s impact wasn’t limited to just her daughter. She also became a mother figure to Kyo Sohma, offering him rare comfort and warmth in a world that often rejected him. In doing so, Kyoko unknowingly linked the fates of Tohru and Kyo, planting the seeds of connection and healing that would blossom long after she was gone.
Trisha Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Similar to Kyoko Honda, Trisha Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist had little screentime, but that doesn’t mean her presence was barely felt. Her death is the catalyst that kickstarts Edward and Alphonse’s story, and although it’s incredibly tragic, you can tell that her children loved and adored her so much that they were willing to do unspeakable things (like forbidden alchemy) to bring her back to life.
We don’t know much about Trisha save for the fact that she had to raise the siblings alone after their father, Hohenheim, left. But you can tell how much of a good mother she was by how Edward and Alphonse are characterised. They are resilient, empathetic, and kind young men who would do anything and everything to help the people around them. These characteristics are particularly evident with the softspoken Alphonse, who takes most after Trisha.
Even in absence, Trisha is the heart of the Elrics’ journey. Her quiet strength and unconditional love laid the foundation for the bond between her sons, and her memory is what drives them forward through loss, guilt, and growth.
Inko Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
Although the show doesn’t delve into why Inko is raising Izuku alone, her presence in My Hero Academia is one of quiet strength and deep maternal love. She’s a fiercely supportive, if anxious, mother who only wants the best for her child. Inko believes in Izuku’s noble dreams, and though the thought of him facing life-threatening danger terrifies her, she still does her best to support him when he enters U.A. High.
Her love is not without limits, though: when the threat of villain attacks grows too great, Inko seriously considers pulling Izuku out of school. It’s only after a heartfelt plea from All Might that she reluctantly agrees to let him continue, reminding us that even heroes need the unconditional (but cautious) love of a mother.
Delia Ketchum (Pokemon)
Longtime Pokemon fans may joke about how Delia Ketchum allowed her 10-year old son Ash to go on a cross-country trip to become a Pokemon master without parental supervision, but beyond the in-fandom humour, you can definitely tell that Delia is incredibly, if not the most, supportive mom in this list.
Delia is always in Ash’s corner, cheering him on through every league, every loss, and every evolution. She may not always be front and center in the story, but her pride in her son and unwavering emotional support never waver. Whether it’s packing his meals, offering encouragement, or simply trusting him to chase his dreams, Delia’s love is constant and unconditional.
What makes her even more admirable is how she handles everything on her own. She runs a household without the presence of Ash's mysterious father, all while being a warm, understanding, and emotionally available parent. Delia Ketchum reminds us that believing in your child–even when the world might not–is one of the strongest forms of love.
Yasuko Takasu (Toradora)
During the first few times we get to meet Ryuuji’s mom, Yasuko, in Toradora, we get the impression that she’s somewhat of an irresponsible, airheaded mother. She works late nights, sleeps during the day, and often relies on her teenage son to keep their home running smoothly. However, as we get to know more about her, it becomes clear that her carefree demeanour hides an incredibly resilient mother who had to do it all alone.
We find out that Yasuko endured a lot of hardship to raise Ryuuji into the kind man he is. Being a teen mom with no support from her son’s father, she was compelled by her parents to abort Ryuuji, but refused, determined to protect and raise her baby all by herself.
Yasuko gave up her dreams and endured the relentless judgement she received due to her choices, all so that her son could live a life of dignity and opportunity. She may come off as eccentric and klutzy, but her love for Ryuuji is unwavering and deep-rooted: everything she does, no matter how messy and unconventional, is driven by a desire to give him the best future possible.
Hana (Wolf Children)
Hana’s story in the anime movie Wolf Children is one of the most tender and bittersweet portrayals of single motherhood. After losing her mysterious, wolf-human hybrid husband to a tragic accident, Hana is left to care for their two children–Yuki and Ame–all on her own.
It’s not an easy journey. Hana undergoes tons of trials and tribulations just so that she could support her children; she endures loneliness, exhaustion, and isolation, all while trying to be the mother and father Yuki and Ame needed. She gives them the freedom to choose who they want to be, and in the end, even if it meant letting go, her unwavering love and devotion to her children paints a strong, deeply human mother who personified the values of patience, grace, and unconditional love.
