History Moe / AnimeAndManga

* Komoe-sensei from ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'', [[MeaningfulName doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out]]. Bonus points that she [[OlderThanTheyLook looks like a]] ''[[OlderThanTheyLook 10-year-old]]'' [[OlderThanTheyLook girl]].

** ''Especially'' [[http://kuro.hanyuu.net/data/preview/4e/0b/4e0b191c6b154464b225198715d563ad.jpg Tenshi.]] So moe, she joint-dominated the [[http://www.internationalsaimoe.com/ International Saimoe League]] in 2011 with [[LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex Misaka Mikoto]], went through the entire regular season without losing once, came very close to winning the whole competition altogether, and is, if anything, ''even more powerful'' in 2012.

* Jacuzzi from ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'' fits this trope perfectly. He cries a lot, is super cute, and is completely nice to everyone. ''The Slash: Cloudy to Rainy'' lampshades this.

* The Red Dragon named "Rose" from ''LightNovel/DragonCrisis'' is so incredibly moe. One simply cannot help but want to give her a huge hug every time she says something.
* Mikado Ryuugamine from ''LightNovel/{{Durarara}}'' has several [[FanNickname fan nicknames]], one of which is Moekado. [[spoiler: Others include Mootkado and Bosskado, but that doesn't stop him from being [[BadassAdorable adorable]].]]

* Tessa in ''Lightnovel/FullMetalPanic'', highlighted in the OVA after ''The Second Raid''. She also happens to be an extremely intelligent Captain of an extremely powerful submarine and Special Forces badasses. Her orders are often phrased as suggestions.

* Eucliwood Hellscythe from ''LightNovel/IsThisAZombie'' hits several moe points, especially her BlessedWithSuck powers that essentially forces her to be TheVoiceless.

* Amelia from ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'' seems to be another somewhat-prototype for the trope (having been around since [[MemeticMutation before the trope]] [[UnbuiltTrope was really identified at large]]). Although much ('''''[[GenkiGirl much]]''''') more go-getting, positive, and active than most modern characters who fall under the banner, she ''is'' the youngest of the four cast members, is very [[LoveFreak naive]], possesses a rather impressive chest for her supposed age (14 in the first season!), comes from a fairly chaste background and religious city-state, and is often used as a punching bag by the villains to [[KickTheDog show how evil they are]], which seems intended to produce an extremely sympathetic and protective feeling from the audience. It doesn't seem a coincidence that a larger number of shows like this began airing in the years following ''Slayers'' going off the air.
** Which makes it kind of weird that if you watch ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'' now, Amelia [[UnbuiltTrope could easily qualify as a parody or subversion of the trope]], as the very qualities that make her {{Moe}} are also exaggerated to such degrees that they're actually a little unnerving, and her naivete has sometimes put her in genuinely dangerous situations.

* Lisa of ''LightNovel/TheSacredBlacksmith'' seems to have been put together to embody this trope, the ending theme of the anime only turns it up to eleven.

* Taiga of ''LightNovel/{{Toradora}}'' won first place in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime_Saimoe_Tournament 2009 Saimoe]] contest. Think of it as the Otaku Moe Olympics.

* Subverted in ''Anime/WelcomeToTheNHK'' by creating a character that combines as many moe aspects as possible, with [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/NHK_Moe_Manga.png creepy results]] (though the [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/NHK_Moe_Anime.jpg anime version]] scales it back enough to actually ''be'' moe, though the girl still looks like she’s suffered severe brain damage).

* ''LightNovel/OutbreakCompany'': In an AsideComment, Shinichi considers Miusel to be a Moe. Additionally, the series generally plays with this trope as well.

** Though she's [[ChristmasCake older than most examples]], [[CuteClumsyGirl Miranda Lotto]] easily qualifies [[BeautifulAllAlong after her makeover]]. Her insecurity is [[{{Squee}} incredibly cute]].

** Crona. Cute, huggable, emotionally vulnerable and a ''massive'' [[TheWoobie woobie]]. [[spoiler:[[SanitySlippage Substantially]] [[AxCrazy less]] [[EldritchAbomination so]] in the manga as the later part of the plot progresses.]]
** [[OneOfTheKids Marie]] is [[ChristmasCake older than most examples]], but she's quite cute herself.

* ''Anime/Aikatsu''

* ''Anime/{{Kamichu}}'' is an excellent example of the two different kinds of ''moe''. Most of the show is based purely on the "protective feeling" school of ''moe'', as the show is not "sexed up" in any way and bears nary a hint of FanService. And then from left field comes the obligatory BeachEpisode, baffling the audience with lots of {{Gainaxing}}, {{Fanservice}} and stretched-tight swimsuits.

* Give Holo from ''LightNovel/SpiceAndWolf'' [[TrademarkFavoriteFood an apple]], I dare you. As a ShapeshiftingTrickster, she knows how to make good use of her talents. She also has plenty of [[TheWoobie woobie]] moments.
%%** Nora definitely qualifies as well.

** One of the [[UrExample ur-prototypes]] for the modern type is widely agreed to be Rei Ayanami; exotically beautiful, physically and emotionally vulnerable (even if it [[SugarAndIcePersonality isn't obvious at first]]), in utterly pitiable circumstances once you [[MysteriousPast discover them]], [[TheStoic coolly]] [[TheSpock logical]] where others are uncertain... and, well, 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]]''. [[UnbuiltTrope Talk about]] [[MisaimedFandom a miss]].

[[quoteright:300:[[LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/moecamera_7147.jpg]]]]

* ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'':

* From ''Manga/{{Hiyokoi}}'', the main character Hiyori Nishiyama is a positively TINY high school student (at 140 cm), shy, 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 classmates. She also cries a lot and likes to hide in lockers when stressed, upset or cornered.

** Alois' "little brother," [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Luka]], definitely qualifies in the second anime. He looks like a character popped right out of ''Manga/KOn'' and cut their hair short. For that matter, Alois himself showed shades of this towards the end when his IJustWantToBeLoved personality came into full throttle. Especially when he [[CryCute genuinely cried]] over what's happened thus far.

** 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.]]

** After over 600 chapters, the incredibly moe Princess Shirahoshi appeared. She's a [[spoiler:[[{{Hikikomori}} socially]] [[ShrinkingViolet awkward]], well-endowed, ProneToTears [[TheIngenue ingenue]] mermaid who, despite or perhaps because of the fact that she's [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever possibly of comparable size to their ship]], is just so darn cute! It helps that in the very first panel where her face is seen, [[CryCute she is crying]].]]

* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'': Madoka Kaname is a very good example. [[RoseHairedSweetie Pink hair]] that she wears in GirlishPigtails? Check. [[BigEyesLittleEyes Big]] [[CurtainsMatchTheWindow pink]] TaremeEyes? Check. [[FrillsOfJustice Cute frilly outfit]] [[PinkMeansFeminine with lots of pink]]? Check. One of the [[NiceGuy kindest]], [[AllLovingHero sweetest]], [[MessianicArchetype most selfless]] people you have ever met? Check. Often a subject of BreakTheCutie? [[TheWoobie Double check]]. And seeing her [[CryCute cry]] is [[TearJerker really heartbreaking]], too. She didn't win the 2013 Saimoe competition for nothing.

* Another Osamu Tezuka creation is Unico the Baby Unicorn from the [[Manga/{{Unico}} manga series of the same name]]. He's an [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter extremely adorable unicorn]] who just wants to make friends. Unico is very friendly but also very curious and doesn't like being lonely. Another character from the same series is [[CuteKitten Katy the Cat]], a cute kitten that wishes to become a human after getting abandoned by her owner.

** Now add Mareyo Omaeda, daughter of Marenoshin and youngest sister of Marechiyo, former and current leiutennants of 2nd division. She's so [[UpToEleven uber-adorable]] that she can even get the fans to start liking [[TheScrappy Marechiyo]], arguably the least popular character in the manga, when [[BigBrotherInstinct he stops acting like an arrogant jerk to make her feel better, coz she scared]].

** Ui's Christmas flashback is a prime example of moe. Along with her sister, they can turn this trope UpToEleven on occasions.

* ''Manga/MissKobayashisDragonMaid'' has many very huggable characters, but the young dragon girl, Kanna Kamui takes it UpToEleven by being a cute childlike sleepyhead that many characters InUniverse find absolutely adorable.

* Lisa of ''LightNovel/TheSacredBlacksmith'' seems to have been put together to embody this trope, the ending theme of the anime only turns it UpToEleven.

* ''Anime/PetitePrincessYucie'' has all these cute princess candidates, but the moe gets turned UpToEleven the moment Beth's fairy assistant Belbel appears on screen.

* ''Manga/WatatenAnAngelFlewDownToMe'', despite its' sketchy concept of the main character being a college-aged woman obsessed with an elementary school girl, it manages to be a very cute show. Miyako's endearing awkwardness, Hinata's overwhelming energy, Hana being a DefrostingIceQueen BigEater, Noa's charisma and oversized ego, Koyori's ambition and constant failings, Kanon's unfailing kindness and etiquette, Matsumoto's attachment to Miyako - every character is endearing in their own way. Matsumoto's little sister Yuu takes it UpToEleven by being a very endearing CheerfulChild that even the already lovable girls find adorable.

* 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 horrific. However, she did make it into the 2002 Saimoe finals.

** In one episode, Shinobu, who has a thing for [[PhenotypeStereotype blonde]] [[ForeignCultureFetish british]] girls, [[TheGlomp glomps]] Alice and explicitly calls her moe. Alice does'nt understand the meaning of the term.

** One of the [[UrExample ur-prototypes]] for the modern type is widely agreed to be Rei Ayanami; exotically beautiful, physically and emotionally vulnerable (even if it [[SugarAndIcePersonality isn't obvious at first]]), in utterly pitiable circumstances once you [[MysteriousPast discover them]], [[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]]''. [[UnbuiltTrope Talk about]] [[MisaimedFandom a miss]].

** Though she's [[ChristmasCake older than most examples]], [[CuteClumsyGirl Miranda Lotto]]easily qualifies [[BeautifulAllAlong after her makeover]]. Her insecurity is [[{{Squee}} incredibly cute]].

* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' manages to have some of these, managing to portray them with nuance in order to avoid ruining the otherwise grimdark setting that's [[RatedMForManly exactly]] [[RapeAsDrama the]] [[CrapsackWorld opposite]] [[TheDungAges of]] [[NightmareFuel moe]].

* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' has some moe characters, despite the setting being [[RatedMForManly exactly]] [[RapeAsDrama the]] [[CrapsackWorld opposite]] [[TheDungAges of]] [[NightmareFuel moe]].
** Princess Charlotte, a very straight example of PrincessClassic: sheltered, innocent, and very cute. Sadly, this doesn't protect her from the grimdark.

* ''Manga/{{Beastars}}'': Deconstructed with Haru, the small, white dwarf rabbit. Haru is almost a textbook example of Moe, as far as her initial appearance and personality go. She's a sweet introvert, a small, adorable girl, and is often the target of unjustified bullying. However, she notices that other people, especially men's, tendencies to try to care and protect her come with a side of condescension and a lack of consideration for her as an equal and as a woman, feeling infantilized by this treatment. She goes on to become very sexually active and assertive in an attempt to get people to respect her, and a lot of her arc focuses on how she commands respect and attention from a society that wouldn't give her that due to her appearance.

* It's a little surprising that [[WiseBeyondTheirYears Sasami]] of ''Anime/TenchiMuyo'' isn't considered a prototype case.

* Most of the male cast in ''Manga/BigWindup''. Despite being a sports manga, it's more or less the female-targeted equivalent of a moe show in that there are tons of quirky [[CastFullOfPrettyBoys male]] [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters characters]] and has a large [[EstrogenBrigade female]] [[YaoiFangirl fanbase]] who...aren't there for the baseball.

** The manga series itself is notable. Class 3-1 and their Magic World friends represent most of the moe traits with widespread popularity; the strongest evidence being early notes for the series released as promotional material containing a chart with over 50 traits he thought would be interesting (with each girl seemingly getting about two or three). RobotGirl, CuteMute, {{Tsundere}}, ElegantGothicLolita, twin girls, CuteWitch, tomboy, ShrinkingViolet bookworm... with Akamatsu-san's frequent Naughty Tentacles, pantsu and ClothingDamage situations.

** The manga series itself is notable. Class 3-1 and their Magic World friends represent most of the moe traits with widespread popularity; the strongest evidence being early notes for the series released as promotional material containing a chart with over 50 traits he thought would be interesting (with each girl seemingly getting about two or three). RobotGirl, CuteMute, {{Tsundere}}, ElegantGothicLolita, twin girls, CuteWitch, tomboy, ShrinkingViolet bookworm... with Akamatsu-san's frequent Naughty Tentacles, [[PantyShot pantsu]] and ClothingDamage situations.

* ''Anime/StrikeWitches'', which is most famous for taking a bunch of cute moe girls and putting them in uniforms that [[PantyShot do not include trousers]].

** Also, Tianzi, [[IllGirl Nunnally]], Shirley, Euphie.

** Mutsumi is a [[CuteClumsyGirl Cute Clumsy]] NiceGirl who is [[CloudCuckoolander a bit spacey]] in an endearing way, along with her IllGirl and IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy traits on top of this giving her [[TheWoobie some woobie points]]. (Not that this interferes with [[PluckyGirl her upbeat attitude]].) She is also very cute in terms of physical attractiveness too.

** Yutaka as well, due to being a small, innocent IllGirl. Especially in the dub -- her voice actress is Creator/HyndenWalch, voice of [[WesternAnimation/TeenTitans Starfire]] and young [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Nia]]. The back of DVD volume 4, supposedly Minoru Shirashi's[[labelnote:*]]the character, not [[Creator/MinoruShiraishi his voice actor]][[/labelnote]] thoughts, has this to say:

** Episode 10 reveals that [[ShellShockedVeteran Homura]] [[spoiler: was a [[ShrinkingViolet shy]], [[{{Meganekko}} bespectacled]] IllGirl with braided hair before she suffered a round of [[BreakTheCutie cutie-breaking]] caused by a GroundhogDayLoop to save her OnlyFriend, Madoka]]. As a result, her [[spoiler:previous self]] is often given the FanNickname "Moemura".

* Sailors [[IllGirl Saturn]] and [[ShyBlueHairedGirl Mercury]] in ''Franchise/SailorMoon'' are [[UrExample prototype cases]] - in fact, there's a [[EpilepticTrees theory]] that the term Moe was originally derived from Saturn's civilian name, To'''moe''' Hotaru (written as 土萌; even the relevant kanji is the same.) Researchers such as Patrick W. Galbraith and Tamaki Saitō have found that "moe" was first used in 2channel in the 1990s, discussing female characters who were "hybrids of the {{lolicon|AndShotacon}} and bishoujo (beautiful girl) genres". As this describes exactly Hotaru Tomoe, and coincides with Hotaru Tomoe's height of popularity in 2channel, there is likeliness in the theory that ''Sailor Moon'' is the TropeNamer.

** Specifically, she is a childhood friend who is a {{Meido}} robot, IllGirl, an apparition, alien, and a [[{{Youkai}} Kitsune]].

* ''Manga/LuckyStar'', the source of this trope's original page image, [[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]]."

%%*** Utterly epic explosion of pink hearts for extra points!!
%%*** This has unintentionally made some people mistake moé for anything that TastesLikeDiabetes.

* ''Anime/BinchouTan'' is the MoeAnthropomorphism of various Japanese charcoals and, for some reason, aloe. Heartbreaking poverty and loneliness, mind-blowing cuteness, and incredible SceneryPorn ensue. On a [[TastesLikeDiabetes cuteness scale]] of 1 to 5, it's a solid 11.

* Then there's ''VisualNovel/LittleBusters'', where not only are most of the girls very moe (especially [[TokenMiniMoe Kud]], [[CuteClumsyGirl Komari]], [[{{Tsundere}} Rin]], and [[ReiAyanamiExpy Mio]]), the ''protagonist himself'' has a particularly girly, young-looking face, a kind personality, and [[IllBoy an illness]] that causes him to [[SleepyHead fall asleep often]]. The other girls even outright use the term 'moe' for him in one scene in which he is DraggedIntoDrag and [[WeaknessTurnsHerOn cooed over by them]].

* ''Manga/{{Trigun}}'' gives us Vash the Stampede, the "Pacifist with a Gun" who, despite his reputation, [[{{Adorkable}} is a goof-ball]] and a surprisingly vulnerable guy. Some of his {{Face Fault}}s are particularly adorable, and that little [[BeautyMark mole]] by his eye probably helps.

* Amelia from ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'' seems to be another somewhat-prototype for the trope (having been around since [[MemeticMutation before the trope]] [[UnbuiltTrope was really identified at large]]). Although much ('''''[[GenkiGirl much]]''''') more go-getting, positive, and active than most modern characters who fall under the banner, she ''is'' the youngest of the four cast members, is very [[LoveFreak naive]], possesses a rather impressive chest for her supposed age (14 in the first season!), comes from a fairly chaste background and religious city-state, and is often used [[StuffedIntoTheFridge as a punching bag]] by the villains to [[KickTheDog show how evil they are]], which seems intended to produce an extremely sympathetic and protective feeling from the audience. It doesn't seem a coincidence that a larger number of shows like this began airing in the years following ''Slayers'' going off the air.