History Moe / AnimeAndManga

* In ''Anime/LuckyStar'', when Miyuki talks about how absentminded and [[{{Dojikko}} clumsy]] she is, Konata tells her that "these are not faults, but elements of ''moe''". And then deconstructs the {{dojikko}} elements by dismissing them as something cute in anime, but annoying in real life.

* ''Anime/LuckyStar'' [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] moe characters regularly. The series as a whole is more of a parody of moe series, but can still be classified as moe due to it following high school girls who don't look a day older than 12 and are often portrayed as adorable. Its popularity also helped launch a moe subgenre that's best described as "four female moe-blobs [[SeinfeldianConversation hang out]] and do [[SliceOfLife nothing in particular]]."

* ''Manga/{{Yuru-Yuri}}'' sold itself as a moe comedy like ''LuckyStar'' or ''KOn'' but with [[GirlOnGirlIsHot more overt]] [[LesYay lesbianism]].

** To set the record straight, both Miyuki and Yutaka were outright called "walking {{moe}} points" by Konata. And, what's more, the manga called themselves {{moe}}-{{yonkoma}}-- the genre of yonkoma that started with ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh'', and hence maybe should be listed below with HidamariSketch etc...

** Momo Hinamori just ''reeks'' of {{Moe}}. Cute and willowy, even her name sounds {{Moe}} [[IncrediblyLamePun Moe]]! [[spoiler:Her Zanpakutou Spirit, Tobiume, being the one little girl of the cast, also qualifies big time.]]

** So...would that make Mochimerica [[IncrediblyLamePun a literal moe blob]]?

* The same is true of ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}''. Some of them (Like [[StrangeGirl Kotomi]]) still manage to stand out.

** All of the Misakas in general.[[hottip:*:Mikoto even won the 2011 International Saimoe Tournament!]]

** Disturbingly: [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain Viral]]. Sure he's EstrogenBrigadeBait, and sympathetic, but that only really applies after the timeskip [[spoiler: (particularly after the LotusEaterMachine)]]. Before that he was treated as moe by the EstrogenBrigade because of his VillainDecay. Why fangirls, why?

* ''AttackOnTitan'' manages to have it, without ruining the otherwise grim atmosphere of the series.

* Kotetsu from ''TigerAndBunny'' has the FanNickname Oyaji Moe due to his adorkable personality.

* Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga from ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh'' is considered by many to be incredibly moe and cute, though this dips into subjective territory since her [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} main appeal]] ranges from this to NightmareFuel. However, she did make it into the 2002 Saimoe finals.

** And during the [[spoiler:Punk Hazard Arc, we have Mocha, quite possibly the sweetest, most adorable little... er, [[CuteGiant big]] girl in the series thus far. After finding out how dangerous the "[[FantasticDrug candies]]" [[ArcVillain Caesar Clown]] were feeding her and the other children, she ''overdosed on the remaining batch to [[HeroicSacrifice prevent her friends from eating them]]'' when they were going through withdrawal. This caused the poor girl to reel over in pain and '''cough up blood'''! [[TearJerker It's a hard scene to watch]]. Thankfully, Mocha survives, but seeing a kid this young having to make such a huge decision will definitely invoke this trope on nearly anyone and she]] was already ''very'' [=Moe=] to begin with.

* The final, iron-clad ur-example for what is identified as the modern trope is Sakura Kinomoto from ''Manga/CardcaptorSakura''. While it's quite arguable that the entire ''show'' can be classified as moe, Miss Kinomoto takes the cake, between her clumsiness, her age-based cuteness, her verbal tics, and her [[BadassAdorable city-crushing omni-powers]]. What makes ''CCS'' and Sakura so notable is that the show's run marks the point when the ''industry'' noticed what kind of PeripheryDemographic Sakura (alongside Rei and Amelia) had, and how much they were willing to spend on her; this was noticed, the money was counted... and the producers began to create works to match. Modern moe shows sprang to life not very long after ''CCS'' ended its television run. Not to mention that Sakura was the winner of the 2002 Saimoe Tournament (the first one ever held).
* Shinobu from ''LoveHina''. Her regular [[LuminescentBlush luminescent blushes]], and embarrassed stutterings (not to mention that adorable squeal) are enough to melt the coldest of hearts.

* 7 year old Son Goten of ''Manga/DragonBall Z'', despite being a male character in a Shonen series, displays some traits of this trope. He is basically the happy, sweet, innocent, considerate, well-mannered, kind-hearted, cute, constipated, and huggable little brother that we all wish we had, who is simply too good to '''ever''' be true outside a 1950's sitcom.

* Mikuru Asahina from ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'' is recruited for the S.O.S. Brigade specifically because Haruhi, besides [[ConversationalTroping liking this trope very much]], decides that there needs to be a moe mascot character (specifically a short, babyfaced girl with huge boobs). She then tries to make Mikuru even ''more'' moe by forcing her into a [[{{Meido}} maid outfit]] and [[{{Meganekko}} glasses]], and [[BlackComedyRape constantly molests her]] to get [[TheWoobie sympathy points]]. Some fans have coined the [[FanNickname term]] "Moe-blob" for her (and characters like her), because to a casual watcher, [[NeutralFemale all she actually does]] in the series is stand around and be moe, and oh yeah, ''serve tea''. [[spoiler: Of course, she's actually manipulating the entire plot via TimeTravel. [[AllThereInTheManual It's in the books]].]]

** Don't forget that [[{{Tsundere}} Kagami]] was the winner of the 2008 Saimoe Tournament.
** The entire cast, really. It's arguably what the series is best known for.

** Hell, even the current BigBad and his minions have Moe elements. [[spoiler:''especially'' [[TheMindIsAPlaythingOfTheBody Shiori]], whose [[LuminescentBlush fa]][[CryCute ce]] on the last page of chapter 283 is perhaps one of the most Moe things yet seen in the manga.]]

* Hiyori Nishiyama is a positively TINY high school student (at 140 cm), shy as all hell, adorable and often described as reminiscent of a chick (as in baby bird). She probably rivals [[LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya Mikuru Asahina]]. Unlike [[Manga/AzumangaDaioh Chiyo Mihama]], she's as old as her fellow class-mates. She also cries a lot and likes to hide in lockers when stressed, upset or cornered.

*** Not to mention, Nanoha was the 2005 Anime Saimoe Tournament winner, and Fate was the runner-up of the 2006 tournament, only to lose to [[RozenMaiden Suiseiseki]].

** And during the [[spoiler:Punk Hazard Arc, we have Mocha, quite possibly the sweetest, most adorable little... er, [[CuteGiant big]] girl in the series thus far. After finding out how dangerous the "[[FantasticDrug candies]]" [[ArcVillain Caesar]] [[CompleteMonster Clown]] were feeding her and the other children, she ''overdosed on the remaining batch to [[HeroicSacrifice prevent her friends from eating them]]'' when they were going through withdrawal. This caused the poor girl to reel over in pain and '''cough up blood'''! [[TearJerker It's a hard scene to watch]]. Thankfully, Mocha survives, but seeing a kid this young having to make such a huge decision will definitely invoke this trope on nearly anyone and she]] was already ''very'' [=Moe=] to begin with.

* Every teenaged female character from ''Manga/HayateTheCombatButler''. Hell, Hayate himself falls into this during his crossdressing moment(s); so much so that Maria and Nagi feel uncomfortable, and Klaus, unaware it is Hayate, is instantly smitten.

** It should be noted that the Maiden in Love's effect only activated when she was attacked] Presumably, had Judai attacked with Burstinatrix rather than playing Burst Return and Polymerization, she'd have fallen for the Moe, too.

** Disturbingly: [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain Viral]]. Sure he's EstrogenBrigadeBait, and sympathetic, but that only really applies after the timeskip [[spoiler: (particularly after the LotusEaterMachine)]]. Before that he was treated as moe by the EstrogenBrigade because of his VillainDecay of all things. Why fangirls, why?

* Played straight, but taken to goofy extremes, in ''PenguinMusumeHeart'', where Sakura goes into {{fangirl}} rage over one of her classmates who manages to hit just about every ''moe'' category short of having animal ears.
* Tessa in ''Lightnovel/FullMetalPanic'', highlighted in the OVA after ''The Second Raid''. Of course, she also happens to be an extremely intelligent Captain of an extremely powerful submarine and Special Forces {{Badass}}es. Her orders are often phrased as suggestions.

* Pretty much every single girl in ''Manga/TheWorldGodOnlyKnows'' has a {{moe}} moment at some point (even [[AttractiveBentGender girl Keima]] pulls it off. The most promiment ones are Elsie ([[Really700YearsOld 300-year-old]] who looks like 14 and acts like 7), Tenri, and [[ShrinkingViolet Shiori, the librarian]]

* ''{{Kaiji}}'' often gets called moe or even a moeblob, as part of MemeticMutation. Of course, he is both male and not ''really'' moe, but the sheer amount of [[TheWoobie woobieness]] makes him look moe in the eyes of fans.

** Really, any Kaishaku work is pretty much guaranteed to be drowning in moe.

* Aruruw in ''{{Utawarerumono}}''. Of course, once she gets to know you, she can actually be rather manipulative.

* Yin of ''DarkerThanBlack'' is like Yuki above another EmotionlessGirl character who seems to fall into this both because of mannerisms and {{woobie}} characteristics. Amber from the same series is probably a subversion. She looks and behaves most of the time like a very cute and [[GenkiGirl cheerful]] young girl. However, this is due to the MerlinSickness caused by her renumeration, and more importantly, her plan involves pretty much killing the entire population of Japan (although she has a somewhat [[NecessarilyEvil justifiable]] reason).

* [[AdorablyPrecociousChild Conan]] of ''Manga/DetectiveConan''. Of course, this is a case of OlderThanTheyLook...

* Ranka from ''MacrossFrontier''. Hell, she once [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome stopped an uprising]] by airdropping onto the battlefield and ''[[GlamorousWartimeSinger singing]]''. The fighting Zentradi '''stopped dead'''.

* Despite being fully grown and decidedly masculine looking men, one of whom is actually in his 30's and even has a daughter, Kotetsu T. Kaburagi and Keith Goodman from ''TigerAndBunny'' are considered very moe -- mostly because they are [[{{Adorkable}} complete dorks]].

* Mikado Ryuugamine from ''{{Durarara}}'' has several [[FanNickname fan nicknames]], one of which is Moekado. [[spoiler: Of course, others include Mootkado and Bosskado, but that doesn't stop him from being [[BadassAdorable adorable]].]]

** Subverted by Nina Einstein, who looks and most often acts the part, but is a racist who not only endangers her friends with her xenophobia-driven panic attacks, but also invents the series' premiere WeaponOfMassDestruction to fulfill [[HoYay Princess Euphemia's]] EvilEye induced dreams of genocide. She [[MustMakeAmends partially manages to fix]] the mess she caused, however.

** Signum (yes, ''[[{{Badass}} that]] [[LadyOfWar Signum]]'') shows her fair share of moeness in the ''[[MagicalRecordLyricalNanohaForce Force]]'' manga after [[spoiler:recovering from the [[CurbStompBattle brutal slaughtering]] [[NearDeathExperience that almost killed her]] [[SoLastSeason at the beginning of the season]]]]. Her first reaction [[spoiler:upon recovering counsciousness]] is to give a broad smille with big, bright eyes(complete with blushing cheeks) and say some cute lines to the ones around her.

* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica''. In addition to the art style, this series inspires the trademark huggable/in-need-of-protection feelings by putting the cute female characters through [[DarkerAndEdgier massive amounts of suffering]], turning them into epic {{woobie}}s.

* Suzie Wong, from ''DigimonTamers'', manages to [[spoiler:[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJtOmz_qcgg overcome the semi-religious programming of one of the Devas and turn her against her own faction]]]] with the power of sheer concentrated moe.

* Mytho from ''Anime/PrincessTutu'' is a male example. The DamselInDistress of the series, with huge eyes framed with thick eyelashes, Mytho's lost his [[EmotionlessGirl emotions]] and a good deal of his common sense--which means he's CONSTANTLY in danger. [[TallDarkAndSnarky Fakir]] just can't seem to resist how helpless he is.
** Our main character Duck fits the bill as well, with her flusteredness every time she gets around Mytho or gets turned into a duck.

* In episode 10 of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', it's revealed that [[spoiler:Homura Akemi]] was an {{Adorkable}} example of this before [[spoiler:[[TookALevelInBadass taking several levels in badass]] during the course of her GroundhogDayLoop and becoming the {{antihero}}ic StoicWoobie that we know today]].
** Madoka herself is an example of this, too, as well as Sayaka Miki, which just adds to the [[MoodWhiplash emotional whiplash]] when [[spoiler:Sayaka snaps and starts gleefully cackling to herself while bludgeoning a witch to death]].

* Sakura's mom in ''CodeBreaker'' is a true Moe Blob: she's the size of a small child and loooooves playing dress up [[spoiler: since she's Sakura's adopted mom, who knows how old she is]]. There's also Sakura's classmate [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Nenene]], who is also very tiny (yet two years older then Sakura), has [[{{meganekko}} glasses]] (and MismatchedEyes), and loves groping Sakura's breasts (she even ''names'' them).

** To take away from Hotaru´s cuteness is the fact that she has the same last name as an 11th century female war hero who could probably kick Musashi´s ass if she wanted to.
** Chibi-Usa would jump between {{Moe}} and BrattyHalfPint during Sailor Moon R.
* Moe Sagisawa of the little known (to westerners) anime [[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1304 Kyoryu Wakusei]] is another possibility for the trope namer. As in the case of Hotaru Tomoe her name and year of the anime's debut coincide perfectly with the earliest uses of the term.

** Then there is Misato who is so [[BrokenBird tough on the outside yet tender in her heart]], male fans will feel an irresitible urge to do her laundry, cook for her and hand out hugs on demand.

* The final, iron-clad ur-example for what is identified as the modern trope is Sakura Kinomoto from ''Manga/CardcaptorSakura''. While it's quite arguable that the entire ''show'' can be classified as moe, Miss Kinomoto takes the cake, between her clumsiness, her age-based cuteness, her verbal tics, and her [[BadassAdorable city-crushing onmi-powers]]. What makes ''CCS'' and Sakura so notable is that the show's run marks the point when the ''industry'' noticed what kind of PeripheryDemographic Sakura (alongside Rei and Amelia) had, and how much they were willing to spend on her; this was noticed, the money was counted... and the producers began to create works to match. Modern moe shows sprang to life not very long after ''CCS'' ended its television run. Not to mention that Sakura was the winner of the 2002 Saimoe Tournament (the first one ever held).

* One of the ur-prototypes for the modern type is widely agreed to be ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''[='s=] Rei Ayanami; exotically beautiful, physically and emotionally vulnerable (even if it [[{{Kuudere}} isn't obvious at first]]), in utterly pitiable circumstances once you [[MysteriousPast discover what that is]], [[TheStoic coolly]] [[TheSpock logical]] where others are uncertain... and, well, [[BandageBabe occasionally shown bandaged up]]. An absolutely staggering amount of what constitutes the modern trope has its origins in Rei, which is particularly hilarious when you consider that the creator was trying to make Rei ''[[CreepyChild distu]][[UncannyValley rbing]]''. Talk about [[MisaimedFandom a miss]].

* [[{{Kuudere}} Satellizer]] [[DefrostingIceQueen L]] [[TheWoobie Bridget]] from ''{{Freezing}}'' can pull this off quite well, especially [[{{Meganekko}} when she has her glasses on]].

* One of the ur-prototypes for the modern type is widely agreed to be ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''[='s=] Rei Ayanami; exotically beautiful, physically and emotionally vulnerable (even if it [[{{Kuudere}} isn't obvious at first]]), in utterly pitiable circumstances once you [[MysteriousPast discover what that is]], [[TheStoic coolly]] [[TheSpock logical]] where others are uncertain... and, well, [[BandageBabe occasionally shown bandaged up]]. An absolutely staggering amount of what constitutes the modern trope has its origins in Rei, which is particularly hilarious when you consider that the creator was trying to make Rei ''[[CreepyChild disturbing]]''. Talk about [[MisaimedFandom swing and a miss]].

* Mikuru Asahina from ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'' is recruited for the S.O.S. Brigade specifically because Haruhi, besides liking this trope very much, decides that there needs to be a moe mascot character (specifically a short, babyfaced girl with huge boobs). She then tries to make Mikuru even ''more'' moe by forcing her into a [[{{Meido}} maid outfit]] and [[{{Meganekko}} glasses]], and [[BlackComedyRape constantly molests her]] to get [[TheWoobie sympathy points]]. Some fans have coined the [[FanNickname term]] "Moe-blob" for her (and characters like her), because to a casual watcher, [[NeutralFemale all she actually does]] in the series is stand around and be moe, and oh yeah, ''serve tea''. [[spoiler: Of course, she's actually manipulating the entire plot via TimeTravel. [[AllThereInTheManual It's in the books]].]]

** Haruhi herself is also generally considered kinda cute [[MisaimedFandom for analogous reasons that Rei Ayanami was]]. Many fans find her quirky personality, her appearance and antics endearing in it's execution [[FridgeLogic even though when one thinks of them]] [[JerkAss much of what she does]] [[ComedicSociopathy is disturbing]].

* Despite anyone watching the show probably [[FetishFuel not having a problem with an older lead female]], Mizuho's age in ''Anime/PleaseTeacher'' is discretely never mentioned. Adding to the problem is that the plot treats her position as Kei's teacher as being the illicit detail, and not apparently an age gap. She seems to inhabit a magical twenties-something spot that is also somehow young enough to give her a little sister and a first kiss during the show's run. Mizuho's mother is no help, as she [[{{Shotacon}} REALLY has no problem]] with Kei being younger...

** Haruhi herself is also generally considered kinda cute [[MisaimedFandom for analogous reasons that Rei Ayanami was]]. Many fans find her quirky personality, her appearance and antics endearing in it's execution [[FridgeLogic even though when one thinks of them]] [[ComedicSociopathy much of what she does is disturbing]].

* Mikuru Asahina from ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'' is recruited for the S.O.S. Brigade specifically because Haruhi decides that there needs to be a moe mascot character (specifically a short, babyfaced girl with huge boobs). She then tries to make Mikuru even ''more'' moe by forcing her into a [[{{Meido}} maid outfit]] and [[{{Meganekko}} glasses]], and [[BlackComedyRape constantly molests her]] to get [[TheWoobie sympathy points]]. Some fans have coined the [[FanNickname term]] "Moe-blob" for her (and characters like her), because to a casual watcher, [[NeutralFemale all she actually does]] in the series is stand around and be moe, and oh yeah, ''serve tea''. [[spoiler: Of course, she's actually driving the entire plot via TimeTravel. [[AllThereInTheManual It's in the books]].]]

** Mikuru could arguably be a deconstruction, since she is so obviously traumatized by being forced into the Moe-blob role that you feel like a [[YouBastard total bastard]] to get turned on by it. Either that or [[spoiler: she's just faking the whole thing to cynically [[ManipulativeBastard manipulate everyone]] on orders from her future self]]

** Haruhi herself is also generally considered moe [[MisaimedFandom for analogous reasons that Rei Ayanami was]]. Many fans find her quirky personality, her appearance and antics both cute and endearing in it's execution [[FridgeLogic even though when one thinks of them]] [[ComedicSociopathy much of what she does is quite disturbing]].

[[/folder]]

* The first two seasons of ''DaCapo'' feature a character actually [[MeaningfulName named]] Moe. Given her large breasts, [[CloudCuckooLander easygoing personality]] and way of speaking, she is indeed what many would consider ''moe''.

* Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga from ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh'' is considered by many to be incredibly moe and cute, though this dips into subjective territory since her [[CloudCuckoolander main appeal]] ranges from this to NightmareFuel. However, she did make it into the 2002 Saimoe finals.

* Sakura's mom in ''CodeBreaker'' is a true Moe Blob: she's the size of a small child and loooooves playing dress up [[spoiler: since she's Sakura's adopted mom, who knows how old she is]]. There's also Sakura's classmate [[CloudCuckooLander Nenene]], who is also very tiny (yet two years older then Sakura), has [[{{meganekko}} glasses]] (and MismatchedEyes), and loves groping Sakura's breasts (she even ''names'' them).

** Orihime Inoue counts as moe as her [[TaremeEyes big droopy eyes]], [[CloudCuckoolander spacy attitude]], and [[spoiler:eventual [[BreakTheCutie cutie-breaking]]]] sometimes overshadow her hotness. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLfFUGnLWC4 Her image song]] is just adorable.

* ''Manga/AxisPowersHetalia'' is stuffed to capacity with moe goodness, appropriately, as its huge cast of characters consists of [[MoeAnthropomorphism moe anthropormorphisms of countries]]. You've got your standard-issue "[[CloudCuckoolander Hetare]]" (Hetalia is a contraction of "Hetare Italy," referring to North Italy, but many other characters also qualify), {{Tsundere}} (Germany, South Italy, and most notably, England), {{Yandere}} / CuteAndPsycho (Russia, (arguably) Latvia, and Belarus), [[AdorablyPrecociousChild Adorably Precocious Children]] (Sealand and Latvia), TheCutie (Taiwan), and various others. Listing all the {{Meganekko}} would take up half the page. England and Italy have been called tsundere and moe, respectively, ''in canon''.

* ''LightNovel/MacademiWasshoi''