JapanaTen: 10 characters we'd love to have mother us

11:47 PM on 05.08.2011   |   Josh Tolentino

Mothers are awesome. They play a very important role in the lives of their children, and that's perhaps the most understated statement one can make.

That said, you could expect every site and their mother to come up with a "best of" list of anime mothers. That's where we here at Japanator tried to go different. We decided to come up with a "best of" list of our favorite would-be mothers, girls that have yet to be knocked up, but we bet would make the most of their child-bearing hips.

Celebrate them with us, won't you?

1. Mizuho Kazami (Please Teacher!)

Who better to consider seriously as a potentially awesome mom than a happily married career woman? That's exactly who Ms. Mizuho is, as a successful high school teacher, very pretty lady, and powerful alien.

Unfortunately, any of us with the good fortune to be Mizuho's child would have to deal with their less-than-ideal father, Kei Kusanagi.

2. Balalaika (Black Lagoon)

Being the son (or daughter) of Balalaika, the matron of Hotel Russia and baddest-ass businesswoman on Roanapur would definitely make for an interesting life, not to mention that one's "family" would be the local branch of the Russian mafia.

Plus, she probably wouldn't bat an eye when she discovers your secret porn stash, or your hidden AK-47.

3. Sylia Stingray (Bubblegum Crisis)

Can Boomers have babies? Of course they can, and if you end up one of them, you'd do well to know that your mother dearest is as hardcore as her hardsuit.

As leader of the Knight Sabers, Sylia's cool under pressure, knows her way around some hot future tech, and happens to be loaded as all hell.

4. Ritsu Tainaka (K-ON!!)

Ritsu's the kind of mother who'd just as soon be your best friend. Her training for life as big sister to your uncle Satoshi makes your home a warm, welcoming place, constantly shaking to her drum solos and noisy with the squeals and laughter of her bandmates from Ho-kago Tea Time, Aunt Mio especially.

Unfortunately, with her being a famous rock idol, you'd constantly be annoyed by your friends who go "Dude, your mom is sooo hot" as they leer at her album covers. Eeeewww.

5. Sasami (Tenchi Muyo!)

You might not expect your mom to be a tiny loli, but thankfully, we're referring to your real mom, who's known as "Tsunami" and lives in said loli's mind. That Tsunami's a kind old broad, cooks like magic, and fortunately didn't inherit her mother's overbearing nature.

6. Chifuyu Orimura (Infinite Stratos)

Expert swordswoman? Hard-ass dojo instructor? High school homeroom mistress? Yuri idol? The world's greatest IS pilot? That's Chifuyu, the ultimate Tiger Mom.

Just as she did with your idiot uncle Ichika, mother dearest defends you from the clawing hands of a crowd of girls (or boys) begging to lunge at your junk, like Cerberus guards the gates of the underworld.

You can be sure that anyone she does let in eventually will be the best suitor for you. Count on it.

7. Saber (Fate/stay night)

Well, duh. You'd be a prince, or princess. Unfortunately you'd be a sibling to Mordred, and eventually find out that the king's a caring enough parent to run her stupid kids through when they have it coming. So don't piss her off.

8. Belldandy (Ah! My Goddess!)

Though she spends her shifts running the Goddess Assistance Hotline (not nearly as illicit as it sounds, mind you), your mom is the kindest person on Heaven and Earth. Not only that, she's not only domestically divine, but literally as well.

The only wrinkle in this lovely family picture is the lingering suspicion that your parents are way too timid to have actually got it on. Seriously, they're so nice it's impossible for them to have felt "that" need. Are you adopted? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

But really, do their jokes that they were "too nice" to leave you in the box they found you in actually carry a ring of truth?

9. Mitsuru Kirijou (Persona 3)

Now here's a lady you can trust to care for your best interests, even if you don't think being an honor student is all that important. Then again, you'd better live up to her (admittedly) high standards, for you'd be heir to the Kirijou conglomerate.

Dare you disappoint her? Before you say yes, remember that she's a champion fencer, and braved the horrors of Tartarus tower to save the goddamned world. You should be thankful.

10. Rei Ayanami (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Umm...I don't know how to break it to you, but your mom is a clone of your grandmother. So, technically, her marriage to Shinji (and Shinji's dad) counts as incest.

Sorry.

Honorable (?) Mention: Elis, Manami Kinjou, and Aoi Futaba (Asobi ni Ikuyo: Bombshells from the Sky)

Your dad is the densest person alive. In fact, you doubt that he even realizes that he's married to three girls, Big Love style.

Good thing your moms are awesome people. One is the Catian ambassador, another is the chief of Catian embassy security, and another is voiced by Kana Hanazawa. Best mothers ever.