In the vast and beautiful world of fiction, it seems characters with purple hair have become few and far between, which is a shame when you consider that most purple-haired characters remain some of the most iconic names in their respective franchises.
So we thought it was about time that someone celebrated these famous faces, whether their hair is lilac, plum or magenta.
In the following article, we have compiled together a list of the 16 best characters with purple hair of all time, so that we may showcase our favourite protagonists that sport the lavender look.
Beyond heroes and villains, our list also includes a range of fictional characters, from mutants and gods to vampires and assassins – so you know that there is something for everyone.
Now let’s take a look at the best characters with purple hair, to see which one has made it to our top choice…
16. Ramona Flowers
Created by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Ramona Flowers made her original debut in the pages of Scott Pilgrim, a graphic novel series that saw the titular character battling supernatural beings for Ramona’s affections.
However, it wasn’t until the 2010 film adaptation that we finally caught a glimpse of Ramona’s hair colour, as the original comics were drawn exclusively in black and white.
Portrayed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ramona spent the first chunk of the movie sporting a pixie cut of magenta locks, making her stand out as an immediately iconic and recognizable character.
Although it is unclear if we will ever see Ramona on our screens again, we should still thank Bryan Lee O’Malley and Edgar Wright for bringing this iconic character to life.
15. Shinobu Kocho
Known for her supporting role in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba, Shinobu Kocho is a trained demon hunter and current Insect Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, making her one of the most badass characters on our list.
Beyond her bubbly personality, Shinobu is also an experienced swordsman and can often be found slaying demons with her trusty katana.
In terms of appearance, Shinobu is often distinguished by her petite frame and purple hair, which slowly fades to black as it reaches her iconic bun.
The character also sports a pair of purple eyes and can often be seen wearing the signature colour during her numerous appearances on the show.
14. Violet Song
First created by Kurt Wimmer, Violet Song made her original debut in the 2006 science fiction movie Ultraviolet, which saw the heroine using her vampiric abilities to tear down the totalitarian society of her future world.
Although Violet did not sport her purple hair all the time, she was one of the first purple-haired characters to receive a starring role, with the character originally being brought to life by Mila Jovovich.
Since her movie tanked at the box office, Violet Song has seen her fair share of fan support, with the character even receiving her own anime series in the form of Ultraviolet: Code 044.
It seems kick-ass women with purple hair were as popular then as they are now, which is something we are not disappointed to learn.
13. Shorter Wong
Featuring as a primary character in the manga series Banana Fish, Shorter Wong was once the best friend and partner of series protagonist Ash Lynx, before the two grew apart and Shorter became the leader of Chinatown’s criminal underworld.
Known for his loyal and determined nature, Shorter Wong remains a dedicated friend to Ash throughout the series, making sure that he is safe and even rescuing him when needed.
One of the most notable features about this character is his bright purple mohawk, which immediately singles him out as a charismatic and likeable personality.
His distinctive haircut has even been commented on by the other characters, with Ash affectionately referring to Shorter as ‘Pineapple Head’.
12. Vidia
Known for her role in Disney’s Tinkerbell film series, Vidia is a Never Fairy with a talent for speed, which makes her one of the fastest fairies in Pixie Hollow.
Although she begins the series as an obstacle for the titular character to overcome, Vidia eventually bonds with Tinkerbell and her friends, becoming a prominent member of the group.
Beyond her brash and competitive nature, Vidia can also be distinguished by her plum-coloured hair, which she wears in a long ponytail down her back.
Like many purple-haired characters, it seems purple is also Vidia’s signature colour, as she is often seen wearing the hue throughout her many appearances.
11. Ultear Milkovich
Introduced as a prominent character in the anime series Fairy Tail, Ultear Milkovich is a powerful mage and the daughter of Ur. She is also a former member of the Grimoire Heart, where she was once the ruthless leader of the Seven Kin of Purgatory.
Known for her cold and manipulative nature, Ultear is considered a very ambitious character, who will do whatever it takes to get what she wants.
Although the character is probably best known for her revealing outfits, Ultear Milkovich also gets brownie points for her dark purple hair, which she often wears loose and down her back.
The character also has dominion over the Arc of Time, which means she has complete control over the flow of time and its various events.
10. Raven Queen
Originally created by Mattel, Raven Queen is one of many characters to feature in the Ever After High series, which focuses on a group of students growing up in a world inspired by classic fairy tales.
Born to the Evil Queen from Snow White, Raven Queen is a powerful sorceress who, unlike her mother, does not relish dark magic. Resulting in the character later refusing her mother’s throne and her evil destiny.
Being from a line of fashion dolls, Raven Queen can often be found sporting a range of glamorous outfits, with each one perfectly complementing her plum-coloured hair.
Although she may not be one of the most famous purple-haired characters in the world, Raven Queen’s story of choosing good over evil is one that should always be treasured.
9. Mizore Shirayuki
Known for her supporting role in the manga series Rosario + Vampire, Mizore Shirayuki is a Yuki-Onna, which is a Japanese spirit often associated with ice and snow.
Because of this, Mizore has the ability to create ice and must maintain her body temperature by sucking on lollipops. Beyond her icy powers, Mizore is also known for her quiet demeanour, with the character often being misunderstood by her fellow Yokai.
Aside from her unique abilities, Mizore is often depicted with large purplish-blue eyes, as well as her signature pixie cut which takes on a lavender hue.
During her time in the series, Mizore grows more powerful and eventually develops a romantic internist in Tsukune Aono, who she later begins to stalk.
8. Gamora
Created by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, Gamora is primarily known for being one of the original members of the Guardians of the Galaxy, with the character featuring in countless comics, video games, animated shows and blockbuster films.
Distinguished by her cold nature and fighting skills, Gamora was originally raised by Thanos the Mad Titan, who trained her to become one of the universe’s most deadly assassins.
Beyond her green skin and professional appearance, Gamora can also be identified by her distinctive hair, which appears black but brightens to magenta at the ends.
These days, Gamora is currently portrayed by American actress Zoe Saldana, who is set to reprise her role in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.
7. Zatanna
First introduced into the DC Universe in 1964, Zatanna is a powerful sorceress who uses her magical abilities to masquerade as a successful magician.
Known as one of the origins members of the Justice League Dark, Zatanna is often considered to be one of the most powerful DC superheroes, with her magical knowledge still remaining unmatched.
Although the character is often depicted as having black hair, she has also sported purple hair on and off throughout the years. Recently, a purple-haired iteration of the character made her debut in the animated television series DC Super Hero Girls.
In this show, Zatanna sports long lilac-coloured hair, with her magical energy also reflecting the same vibrant hue.
6. Tecna
Debuting on our television screens in 2004, Tecna is now known as one of the original members of the Winx Club, a group of teenage fairies who each possess their own unique magical power.
As her name would suggest, Tecna was the fairy of technology, which meant she had complete control over all things electrical. Beyond this, the character was also favoured for her strong personality and superhuman intelligence.
However, one of the most notable features about Tecna was her short and spiky magenta hair, which gave her a fashionable and rebellious edge. Pair with that her iconic data-inspired costume and you have the makings of a modern fantasy heroine.
5. Rize Kamishiro
First introduced as a prominent character in the anime series Tokyo Ghoul, Rize Kamishiro was a ghoul and the adopted daughter of Matasaka Kamishiro.
Originally born into the Washuu Clan, Rize was the illegitimate daughter of former CCG chairman Tsuneyoshi Washuu, until she escaped the organization as a child.
Known for her voracious and independent nature, Rize is considered a femme fatale by the fandom and would use her charms to lure in victims.
Beyond her iconic glasses and hourglass figure, Rize also sported long chest-length hair, which was a rather striking shade of plum. The character was also originally depicted as having purple eyes, as well as purple lips and nails.
4. Shinoa Hiragi
Known as the main female protagonist of the manga series Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign, Shinoa Hiragi is also the main character in the anime adaptation and is the younger sister of Mahiru Hiragi.
Originally born into the prestigious Hiragi family, Shinoa would later become the sergeant of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army and the leader of the Shinoa Squad in the Moon Demon Company.
Distinguished by her sarcastic and apathetic attitude, Shinoa is known for her dry humour and is often depicted as having a petite frame.
Beyond this, the character is often shown to be shorter than other female characters in the series, while also sporting long lavender-coloured braids that she ties back with a magenta ribbon.
3. Twilight Sparkle
Created by Lauren Fraust, Twilight Sparkle is the fictional heroine of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, which first aired on television in 2010. Based on a doll from the G1 range, the character was portrayed as a winged unicorn and was known for her studious and relatable nature.
Portrayed by Tara Strong, the character was an immediate hit with the My Little Pony fandom, who praised the unicorn for her quirky personality and flaws.
Beyond her iconic wings and horn, Twilight Sparkle is an entirely purple character, with her overall design encompassing various shades of the popular colour. While her coat is a rich lavender, her main and tail take on a darker shade, which is then cut up by streaks of hot pink.
2. Psylocke
Otherwise known as Elizabeth Braddock, Psylocke is a mutant who is sometimes affiliated with Marvel’s X-Men, although the character is often portrayed as a more morally grey character than a full-blown superhero.
Originally introduced as the twin sister of Captain Britain, Psylocke was born with powerful telekinetic abilities, which allow her to create blades and other weapons from pink energy.
Aside from her iconic blue outfit, Psylocke also sports natural purple hair, as the mutant gene can also affect your physical appearance.
Thanks to her long and storied history, Psylocke has become one of Marvel’s most recognizable characters, with the anti-hero appearing in numerous comics, animated shows and even blockbuster films.
1. Turanga Leela
We have finally reached our top entry and who better to fill this spot than one of television’s most iconic purple-haired heroines.
Originally introduced in the pilot of Matt Groening’s Futurama, Turanga Leela (otherwise known as Leela) made an immediate impact on audiences, who praised the character for her professional nature, fighting skills and can-do attitude.
Distinguished by her one large eye, Leela spent the majority of the show searching for her real family, who she believed were aliens from a distant planet.
It wasn’t until the show’s fourth season that she discovered her parents were sewer mutants, resulting in one of the most heartwarming moments in television history.
Besides her more notable characteristics, Leela also sports a purple ponytail, which she inherited from her mother’s side of the family, hence why she has made it to the top of our list.
