Best Female Anime Characters

March marks Women’s History Month, and to celebrate, it’s high-time we look back on some of the best female characters in anime! Women in anime can be a difficult topic to approach – sometimes, anime will lean fully into their feminist side, allowing female characters to thrive in a show’s spotlight. At other times, anime can use their female characters as little more than eye-candy, a chance to draw in viewers who are interested in anime for… different reasons.

Today, we’re talking about the best female anime characters, from Japanese animated movies and shows – whether they star as the show’s protagonist, support our heroes as side characters, or even act as a terrifying antagonist, these female characters are prime examples of what women in anime should be – well-rounded characters, who exist beyond the purposes of fanservice. With that being said, let’s get into the list!

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Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon)

Image by Toei Animation

What better way to kick off our list than with one of the most iconic female, if not just plain iconic, anime characters of all time? Usagi Tsukino, better known to many as Sailor Moon, is the titular protagonist of Toei Animation’s 1992 anime which graced the households of many young anime fans over the years. Sailor Moon’s look has become so famed over the years that, even if you’ve never engaged with Sailor Moon as a show itself, you’ve likely seen someone cosplay this design at some point.

In many ways, Usagi Tsukino is one of the first characters to come to mind when people mention the word ‘anime’. For that, it’s impossible to not list her here. Beyond her infamy though, Sailor Moon is the blueprint for the ‘Magical Girl’ trope – heroic, strong, brave, and kind. As one of the few anime characters that can claim credit for protecting the entirety of Earth, Sailor Moon’s heroism earns her a spot on this list, before even factoring in her popular character design. The series is a classic, yet has maintained infamy in the anime scene over the years, and the series largely has its leading lady to thank.

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Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries)

Image by OLM

Maomao is undoubtedly one of the greatest anime protagonists of the modern era, so her appearance on this list was never in question. A character who manages to be both endearing, sharp, brutal, and witty all at once, Maomao’s practicality in the field of herbal medicine, as well as her proficiency in solving the many mysteries of the Imperial Palace, has drawn audiences in to her story – and we’ve loved every second. A large part of why The Apothecary Diaries is such an enjoyable show is down to Maomao being such an incredible lead.

It’s always refreshing when an anime allows a female character to thrive in their intelligence – far too often do anime series lean into the ditsy, clumsy trope for their female characters. Maomao is unabashedly the most intelligent person in The Apothecary Diaries, but she isn’t perfect, making her all the more relatable for the audience. In particular, her bravery and commitment to justice in some of the more violent moments of the series is particularly admirable – Maomao holds her own as an incredibly strong anime protagonist, despite the fact that her series is far from action-packed.

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Yoruichi Shihōin (Bleach)

Image by Pierrot

Yoruichi Shihōin stands out as one of the best women in anime, not only for her strength in the Bleach series, but also because she’s one of the rare, stand-out examples of a woman of colour in anime. Bleach is jam-packed with characters, and as such, it can be incredibly difficult for some of the secondary characters to stand out for viewers. However, Yoruichi has managed to stick out to many viewers for her unique abilities and enjoyable dynamic with her fellow characters, despite the fact that she appears in fewer episodes than many of her counterparts.

Though Yoruichi’s ability to transform into a cat has gone majorly unused in her more recent appearances in Bleach, it is an incredibly interesting element of her character, and still inspires her battle moveset as late as the Thousand-Year Blood War. There’s quite a lot of competition in Bleach for the title of its best female character, but for us, no one beats Yoruichi’s intelligence, battle-ability, and wittiness. Orihime and Rukia both get shoutouts here though!

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Mima Kirigoe (Perfect Blue)

Image by Madhouse

Perfect Blue may not be for the faint of heart, but it’s still one of the most impressive, intriguing anime films of all time, managing to move beyond the confines of anime fans and penetrate the world of horror outside of the Japanese market. None of this popularity would be possible were it not for Mima Kirigoe, who stars as the movie’s lead, and essentially, the sole subject of its character study. As with any great piece of horror media, a strong female lead is practically necessary, and Mima fulfils her role to perfection.

However, Mima’s role in Perfect Blue goes beyond just being a great horror lead. The story of the film also allows for Mima to represent the struggles of women in the fame industry, and the unique dangers they face. While it’s very upsetting to watch what Mima goes through in Perfect Blue, her story is incredibly important, which marks her as one of the most integral female anime characters in history.

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Yor Forger (Spy x Family)

Image by WIT Studio

Spy x Family is one of the most celebrated modern anime series, renowned for its combination of comedy and drama, as well as its incredible cast of characters. While Anya Forger often receives the most attention from the Spy x Family cast, and she certainly could have held a spot on this list herself, it’s Yor Forger that stands out to us as the greatest female character from the series. Whether it’s her loveable mother persona on display, or her double identity as the ‘Thorn Princess’ assassin, Yor steals the spotlight any time she’s on screen.

Both Loid and Yor Forger have interesting reasons behind their decision to uphold their fake marriage, but personally, I find Yor’s storyline far more intriguing. Her struggle with adjusting to normal life outside of her violent, assassin instincts, as well as her growing affection as a mother to Anya all comes together to make Yor an incredibly well-rounded character. When she occasionally has entire episodes dedicated to her, they are often some of the most entertaining in the show, making Yor the epitome of what women in anime should be.

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Frieren (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)

Image by Madhouse

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is an incredibly heartfelt, soulful, beautiful series – so, it’s no surprise that the titular protagonist herself would embody all of these qualities, and many more. Like any good character on this list, Frieren isn’t afraid to throw herself into the fray. As one of the strongest mages of her generation, Frieren is not only adept in battle, but also acts as a teacher to Fern, a character who very nearly made it onto this list herself.

Part of the reason Frieren is such a beloved character is down to how she doesn’t take herself too seriously. Though it’s not often talked about, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is quite a funny show, and a lot of the comedy is centred on Frieren herself. Her aloofness, while still remaining acutely aware of the dangers of the fantasy world around her adds real dimension to her character. As the protagonist of one of the most highly-regarded anime series of all time, her placement on this list was a certainty, and it is well-deserved.

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Tsunade (Naruto)

Image by Pierrot

Ok, let’s address the elephant in the room here – Naruto, as a series, does not have the best representation as far as women go. In fact, it’s pretty dismal, especially when you compare it to its Big Three counterparts. There’s often no real reason why the women in Naruto are so underpowered, a decision that’s especially egregious when it comes to Sakura who, based on her role in the story, should really be as strong as Naruto and Sasuke. However, there is one character who manages to break past the series’ insistence to keep its female characters on the sidelines, and that’s the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade.

Tsunade bursts onto the scene in one of original Naruto’s most enjoyable arcs, and remains a tough, strong-willed character throughout the series, as well as Shippuden. Her role in the story is also elevated through her involvement with Jiraiya, as well as her backstory with Orochimaru, one of the series’ original villains. People often underrate Tsunade, and sure, I wish she were a little stronger, but for her role as the leader of Konoha throughout most of the series, as well as her integral decisions during the Pain arc, we’re awarding her a spot on this list as one of the rare examples of good female representation in Naruto.

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Chihiro Ogino (Spirited Away)

Image by Studio Ghibli

Spirited Away is not only one of the most beloved animated films of all time, but for many, it is the pinnacle of Studio Ghibli’s work, and we find it difficult to disagree. Spirited Away is a fantasy masterpiece, and considering Chihiro Ogino is the young girl who finds herself thrown headfirst into all the madness, we had to include her here. Chihiro’s strength often makes it easy to forget how frightening the events of Spirited Away are for her – despite her whole life turning upside down, she never loses hope.

A huge chunk of the plot of Spirited Away is dedicated to Chihiro’s growth, her evolution from a scared young child to a courageous leader who’s able to pull off the impossible. In the same way as many viewers felt attached to Alice during her adventures in Wonderland, anime fans have been drawn to Chihiro over the years for how her story acts as an allegory for childhood, and the process of maturing and growing up. For her starring role in one of the most beloved anime movies of all time, as well as her strength in the face of all of the craziness the film brings, Chihiro earns a spot on this list.

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Makima (Chainsaw Man)

Image by MAPPA

Makima is a fun entry on our list, in that she’s really the only female character we’ve listed that is a straight-up, undeniable antagonist. With that being said, it’s very refreshing to not only see such a powerful female villain in an anime, but also, to see a female character used in the dominant end of a submissive, manipulative relationship. The unhealthy dynamic we see between Makima and Denji is nothing new for anime, but it feels interestingly fresh to see the woman in the relationship be the manipulator, as twisted as that may sound.

Makima also stands out on our list for not being an inspiring, courageous, or heroic character, but rather, a terrifying villain. Manga readers know all too well how horrifying Makima can be, but anime-only viewers have also seen the cracks in Makima’s friendly facade, unveiling a truly malevolent being, capable of destroying anything in her way to achieve her goals. Chainsaw Man is known for its wildly interesting, unconventional character portrayals, and there’s perhaps no better example than Makima.

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Komugi (Hunter x Hunter)

Image by Madhouse

Komugi is one of the most interesting female characters in anime, mainly due to how much her need to be protected ends up making her one of the most powerful characters in Hunter x Hunter. When we first meet Komugi, during the Chimera Ant arc, she is introduced as a young blind girl, who spoke with incorrect grammar, and was incredibly informal in the presence of Meruem. Her only talent was Gungi, a strategy board game which she managed to triumph in despite her disability – however, her ability to best Meruem at Gungi over and over again leads to a series of events that unravels the entirety of Meruem’s plan, and leads to one of the most interesting character arcs of all time.

If you’ve never experienced Hunter x Hunter for yourself, I recommend you go watch it, so I won’t spoil anything else about Komugi here. All you need to know is that her placement on this list is earned in a much different way than any of the other women on this list. Komugi is not on the frontlines, battling against other Nen users, nor is she supporting any particular side in any way. Komugi is one of the most pivotal characters in Hunter x Hunter based entirely on her passive existence, earning her a much deserved spot on this list.

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Nico Robin (One Piece)

Image by Toei Animation

Of the many, many, many characters that have appeared in One Piece over the years, my personal favourite has always been Nico Robin. Nami is a great character, and as one of the original Straw Hat Pirates, she’ll always have a special place in fans’ hearts, but Robin is such a nuanced, tragic, yet brilliant character, she triumphs for me as the greatest female character in One Piece. Not only does her Devil Fruit power allow her to hold her own in battle, she’s also the Straw Hat Pirates’ resident archaeologist.

A lot of people don’t give credit to the fact that, without Robin and her ability to read Poneglyphs, our protagonists would likely never be able to reach the One Piece, making her an integral asset to the team. Her ability to read these Poneglyphs being forbidden by the World Government also gives her character real stakes – despite how infamous the entirety of the Straw Hat Pirates have become by late in One Piece’s story, Robin is often the Government’s primary target due to this rare ability, so much so that her entire home island was genocided by the Government due to the dangers of their education. One Piece has a great cast of female characters, but for me, Robin trumps them all.

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Mikasa Ackerman (Attack On Titan)

Image by MAPPA

Some controversies aside, Mikasa Ackerman is one of the most fascinating characters in Attack On Titan, and in anime in general. From the very beginning of the series, Mikasa is shown to be a physically adept fighter, one of the greatest assets on the Scouts’ side in the battle against the titans. However, as the show progresses, it’s the contradiction between Mikasa’s devotion to Eren, and her commitment to doing what is best for the world. As global as the scale of Attack On Titan’s story is, the heart of the story comes down to the relationship between Eren and Mikasa.

As riddled with tragedy as it is, Mikasa’s story is one of the most enjoyable in anime. It’s often devastating to see how little Mikasa values her own life over that of Eren’s, but equally, it adds an incredibly complicated dimension to her character, one that moves her beyond the one-dimensionality of some of the other characters in the series. Mikasa’s dedication may often be mistaken for weakness, but she remains one of the most iconic female anime characters of all time.

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Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop)

Image by Sunrise

Faye Valentine is one of the pioneers of female characters in anime – Faye is flirtatious, headstrong, and has an unequivocal desire for getting as much money as is humanly possible. This may all make her sound like a slightly unlikeable character, but this is far from the case. In the world of Cowboy Bebop, Faye’s characterisation makes her one of the galaxy’s most entertaining bounty hunters. While she eventually harbours a much warmer relationship with her fellow Bebop crewmates, her initial rough relationships with them were just as enjoyable to watch.

Beyond just being able to hold her own as a woman in the world of Cowboy Bebop, Faye’s amnesia-centric storyline is one of the series’ most emotionally investing arcs. While I won’t spoil how that storyline ends, Faye’s arc is critical in contributing to Cowboy Bebop’s suffocating feeling of loneliness and meaninglessness in the vastness of space. Cowboy Bebop was a very progressive show for the time, and Faye’s character is one of the greatest examples of this.

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Momo Ayase (DAN DA DAN)

Image by Science SARU

The final entry on our list is also the newest addition to the anime world – Momo Ayase is one of the two protagonists of DAN DA DAN, and honestly, given the things she has to deal with in the series, Momo has put up with enough to guarantee her a spot on this list from the jump. However, what secures her spot here is her personality – Momo is bold and brash, but is also, under the harsh exterior, extremely selfless, and ultimately puts herself in harm’s way to help those around her.

Her ability to take on the occult head-on, despite how terrifying DAN DA DAN’s villains can often be, is truly inspiring. Better yet, Momo is a hilarious character – oftentimes in comedy anime, female characters are placed outside the boundaries of the humour. As is also seen in the case of Aira Shiratori, DAN DA DAN isn’t afraid to let its female characters experience all the chaos and hijinx as much as its male characters, and the result is absolutely incredible. DAN DA DAN was one of my favourite anime of 2024, and with Momo at the forefront, she has more than earned her spot on this list.

See also: Best Short Anime Series to Binge

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Conclusion

There’s plenty of times where female anime characters are treated less than admirably, but when done right, women in anime can be some of the most intriguing, beloved characters in their respective series. Who’s your favourite female anime character? Do you agree with our picks? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

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