Summary
With most anime being set in Japan, it’s only natural for these narratives to feature characters solely from the archipelago. While shonen series do tend tofeature non-Japanese characters, witnessing foreign characters in romance anime is certainly a rare sight. However, a few series defy this convention by featuring non-Japanese characters who add a foreign touch to the premise with their eccentric personalities and unique cultures.
Traditionally, romance anime series have incorporated international characters for comedic relief purposes, though these trends have changed considerably over time. With central roles in their respective series, these non-Japanese characters have cemented themselves as crucial figures in their narratives, showcasing the novelty that foreign cultures have to offer.
12
Studio
A-1 Pictures
As an Italian chef ina café in Tokyo, one would expect Dino to be a stern, assertive young man with a passion for cooking. While the latter still holds true, Dino surprises viewers with an entirely contrary disposition — an otaku obsessed with anime figurines and Japanese waifus.
Maika,Blend S’main character, fits the description of Dino’s choice, making her the object of his affection. Despite his clear sentiments for Maika, she remains entirely oblivious to his feelings. For some, Dino’s eccentricities might come off as a bit unpalatable, though he still manages to tie together the series’ plot with his foreign persona.
Despite not being an official resident of Sakura-sou dormitory, Rita Ainsworth fits right in with the rest of the dorm’s ragtag members. Rita makes a few appearances inThe Pet Girl of Sakurasouafter she is introduced as Mashiro’sroommate in England. Rita may come off as an envious person, considering she was initially jealous of Mashiro’s artistic talents, but she eventually outgrows this unpalatable trait.
Rita is ethnically English, yet she subverts expectations by speaking fluent Japanese, almost at a native level. Similar to the rest of the show’s cast, Rita has a few eccentricities of her own. These oddities tend to shine through in her interactions with Ryunosuke and his AI program “Maid,” giving way to all manner of comedic moments.
Debuting alongside her sister inAlya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, Masha is the epitome of the supportive elder sister trope. However, Masha’s character is arguably much more nuanced than her little sister, asher airhead personais merely a facade to protect Alya and keep herself out of the competition.
Since Masha is merely an ancillary character, her screen time is rather limited, consequently leading to minimal scenes of her speaking in Russian. However, she might take center stage down the line, as the series continues to hint at Masha being Masachika’s childhood Russian friend, a revelation that could flip the script for these lovestruck characters.
24
Bones
Victorique de Blois is as unique as they come, with her persona being a mix of eloquence, grace,and unadulterated tsundere. Despite her sarcastic tone and cunning disposition, Victorique possesses a sort of otherworldly charisma, which largely stems from her interest in all things supernatural.
Victorique is a native of Sauville, a fictional country on the continent of Europe that is used as a setting forGosick. Her European features are rather prominent in her appearance, with her blonde hair, green eyes, and an almost doll-like appearance reminiscent of early European royalty.
Known as Half-san at school, Chitoge Kirisaki is a half-Japanese, half-American student at Bonyari High. Notorious for lashing out at others and being indifferent, Chitoge had initially garnered somewhat of a notorious reputation, though this sentiment changed after she became entangled in an arranged relationship with Raku Ichijou.
Chitoge is originally from the United States, though she transferred to a high school in Japan to become a part of an arranged setup forher father’s gang. Chitoge’s character undergoes considerable development throughoutNisekoi, with the once quick-tempered girl turning into a soft-hearted, considerate character down the line.
6Alisa “Alya” Kujou (Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings In Russian)
A Transfer Student From Russia
The newest non-Japanese character on the block, Alisa Kujou, better known as Alya, made herdebut in Summer 2024as the lead ofAlya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian. With her bilingual advances on Masachika in an adorable Russian voice, Alya immediately garnered a sizable fanbase of viewers who couldn’t get enough of the silver-haired princess.
Embodying the Russian stereotype of being cold and aloof, Alya can come off as indifferent and apathetic to most. However, her true disposition of an awkward tsundere-in-love is only apparent to Masachika and company. Alya’s addition to the romcom scene has set a new benchmark for other romance anime, as her bilingual escapade continues to captivate viewers with each new episode.
