25 Best Female Anime Characters of All Time, Ranked

It’s no exaggeration to say that women are the backbone of anime, naturally making fans try to classify the greatest female anime characters. While male anime protagonists are still generally the norm, anime still offers a wealth of interesting female characters that can’t help but steal the show. From strong protagonists to heartbreaking love interests, no matter the anime’s plot or genre, female anime characters have won the hearts of fans.

While stereotypes may reduce women in anime to one-dimensional love interests, the truth is that women in anime are just as diverse as their male counterparts. While shojo anime is always a great source of female characters, even shonen anime has its share of interesting women. Great female characters can be found in all genres of anime, making it difficult to rank the best. In some ways, the best female anime characters can almost be considered a reflection of the industry as a whole.

25

Yumeko Jabami

Kakegurui

As the charismatic protagonist of Kakegurui, Yumeko Jabami is the perfect example of an anime character where you don’t necessarily need to have watched the series to recognize her.. Enrolled in a gambling school, this thriller anime ranks students according to their winnings.

A prolific and eccentric gamer, Yumeko’s addiction to the thrill of a game is somehow exaggerated and realistic.hearing their deadly and disturbing expressions work to draw in the audience. While she may not be the most wholesome character, she is certainly an interesting character, well writtenand strong female protagonist in this anime series.

24

Shoko Nishimiya

A silent voice

Despite not being an anime series, the female protagonist of the instant classic anime film A silent voice, Shōko Nishimiya quickly stole fans’ hearts. A story that focuses on the effects of bullying and a blossoming connection between two high school students, the film touches on a lot of heavy topics.

Her personal struggles with her physical and mental health made her sympathetic and relatable to the audience.

Clinically deaf and pure of heart, Shōko appears highly sympathetic. due to its sweet nature. Although she may not have a very strong personality, she has formed deep connections with fans. Her personal struggles with her physical and mental health have made her likable and relatable to audiences, firmly cementing her as one of the best female anime characters out there.

23

Maki Zenin

Jujutsu Kaisen

Born into the Zenin clan, Maki didn’t have an easy time growing up – especially considering she doesn’t have any cursed energy, which leads her to use cursed tools to fight. Despite his circumstances, however, Maki overcame the scrutiny she received from her family and became an incredibly powerful fighter.. Her glasses grant her the ability to see curses, and her skill in battle makes her one of the strongest characters in the series.

In addition to brute strength, Maki is also a dedicated friend and ally, which can be seen in her lasting friendship with Yuta. After reluctantly joining him in Jujutsu Kaisen 0the two become best friends, and their dedication to Inumaki and Panda is truly admirable.

22

Nezuko Kamado

Demon Slayer

One of the most popular female anime characters of all time is Nezuko from Demon Slayer. Despite being turned into a demon, her cute and caring nature towards her brother, Tanjiro, makes her an easily likable character.

While she doesn’t get as much screen time as her fellow main characters, when she does appear, she makes a big impact, whether it’s through her wholesome moments or her recent epic transformations.

21

Nobara Kugisaki

Jujutsu Kaisen

As one of the female protagonists of the action-packed series Jujutsu Kaisen Nobara stands out among the other characters in the series for being one of the best representations of a strong female role. Strong in both will and physicality, Nobabra is a serious threat.

She also provides many funny moments and is never afraid to share her opinions. Furthermore, Nobara’s unique powers are visually interesting and, despite strong competition, stands out as one of the best female characters.

20

Tohru Honda

Fruit basket

Tohru Honda is more than the desperately good girl from the Shojo anime, too kind, because her compassionate personality masks deeper, more painful emotions. What makes Tohru a great female character is that she is a great representation of empathy and unconditional love.because she doesn’t care about the Soma’s curse and instead accepts them as they are, be they in animal or human form.

Additionally, Tohru is the biggest influence for members of the Chinese zodiac to move towards changethanks to the way she prioritizes others over herself, transmitting to the Soma family a affection that they had not experienced until then. Plus, Tohru stays true to herself from start to finish Fruit basket and is able to support others by genuinely trying to understand their situations and emotions, which makes her a unique and sympathetic female protagonist that fans can help but root for.

19

Power

chainsaw man

chainsaw man is full of powerful women, and while Power may not be the strongest, she is certainly considered the most interesting and likable. Power is a deceptive character who is much more than his first impressions suggest. Initially appearing to Denji and viewers as a completely irredeemable narcissist, chainsaw man It slowly reveals that there are layers to the seemingly one-note heroine.

Power’s over-the-top exterior makes it all the more heartwarming when she genuinely comes together and takes care of her friends Denji and Aki.. There aren’t many anime characters who have made fans laugh as much as Power, which has earned her a high ranking among the greatest women in anime.

18

Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden follows the titular heroine who wants to understand herself and find the meaning of love after war. Violet is a character that audiences and fans can deeply connect with as they follow their journey through the emotional highs and lows of the series.

The beauty of the show is reflected in her character, and although the anime is short, the emotional story surrounding Violet Evergarden instantly hooks her and cements her as an anime fan favorite.

17

Mikasa Ackerman

Attack on Titan

A character built with love and dedication, Mikasa Ackerman’s loyalty to the main character, Eren, is one of the reasons why she is the most popular female character in Attack on Titan. While these aspects of her personality may mean she is left out, this is far from the truth as it is based on her strong mentality and physical abilities. Mikasa’s tragic past and stoic yet caring personality are also what make her popular among fans.. The central conflict of Mikasa’s devotion to Eren, struggling with doing what is right, also makes her one of the most fascinating female anime characters.

16

Akane Tsunemori

Psycho-Pass

Although Akane Tsunemori’s Psycho-Pass She was initially a typical naive young woman, without any special traits, she grew and improved little by little, becoming one of the best female anime characters of all time. Akane has a mental fortitude that allows her to maintain her views of good and evil and maintain her ideals.morality, ethics, and a strong, unwavering sense of justice and law, despite the influence of Kogami and Makishima’s philosophies.

In this way, Akane becomes much stronger, both inside and out, mature and analytical. However, what makes her an interesting and layered character is that, As she faces increasingly complicated situations, Akane begins to question the systemwhich triggers a shift in her perspective, but she is still determined to prove her conviction, even taking extreme measures herself.

15

Nami

One piece

Nami is the main female protagonist of the Toei Animation film. One piece and the Straw Hat Pirates’ navigator. Nami spent most of her life forced into servitude to the evil fishman Arlong, but after Luffy and the rest of the crew defeated Arlong, she could wholeheartedly join them and continue her dream of drawing a map of the world. .

Although Nami doesn’t always have a large role in the plot, her constant presence as an emotional anchor for the rest of the cast, combined with her growth as a fighter and persistent comedian, make Nami someone who always adds something good. One pieceno matter the situation. Nami’s growth made her one of the best female characters in shonen animeand how One piece progresses slowly towards its conclusion, this is unlikely to change.

14

Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu

Nana

It’s impossible to talk about one Nana without talking about the other. Not only is it Nana one of the best animes of all time, but Nana Komatsu and Nana Osaki are also two of the most realistic and human anime charactersrepresenting the duality of women and the passage from youth to maturity. Furthermore, both Nana show how opposing personalities can understand and support each other, despite the clear contrast in tastes and goals in life, and create a beautiful bond.

Furthermore, the way in which Nana and Hachi openly expose their imperfections and struggles and having to face the consequences of their decisions and mistakes while experiencing all kinds of emotional situations, from loneliness to abuse and broken hearts, is what makes them such well-crafted female characters who continue to captivate viewers and touch the hearts of their viewers. fans all over the world.

13

Tsukino Usagi

Sailor Moon

The model of the modern Magical Girl, Usagi may be clumsy and distracted, but she deserves her status as one of the greatest mahou shojo in history. She is heroic, selfless, and a devoted friend to the other Sailor Scouts.. Even after learning her true identity, she remains humble and becomes a true protector of Earth.

The character influenced an entire generation of anime fans, and even in her darkest moments, the one and only Sailor Moon was always able to keep a smile on her face and encourage those around her.

12

Makima

chainsaw man

Presented since the beginning of chainsaw man, Makima’s ethereal yet underwhelming kindness towards Denji seemed strange at best. but fans could never have imagined just how sinister the Control Devil could truly be until she began to show her true colors throughout the series.

With the ability to completely take control of his victims and force them to do his bidding while sporting a smile on his face, Makima’s identity as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is more than deserved and, despite being defeated in the first part of the mangathe weight she left on Denji’s shoulders is still being carried in the last chapters of the manga.

11

Major Motoko Kusanagi

Ghost in the Shell

Main Motoko Kusanagi’s Ghost in the Shell franchise is one of the most iconic women in anime history. Whether its appearance in the classic 1995 film or in Autonomous complexKusanagi is always a compelling presence whose power and introspection draw viewers in.

The Major’s existence as essentially a brain in a robotic body raises a number of profound questions about identity and what it means to be human. Ultimately, it’s these questions and the Major’s response to them that make her one of the deepest female characters in anime.

10

Utena Tenjou

Revolutionary Girl Utena

Few anime women are as subversive as the titular heroine of Revolutionary Girl Utena. More than living up to her title of revolutionary, Utena subverts classic anime and fairy tales by promising to one day become a brave prince instead of a princess who needs to be rescued. This decision puts his life on a collision course with the Ohtori Academy Student Council, who are secretly dueling for the hand of the Rose Bride, Anthy.

What follows is a story that explores gender identity, sexuality and the power of stories. At the center of it all is Utena, a girl whose dedication to her convictions marks her as one of anime’s greatest female characters.

9

Haruhi Suzumiya

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Haruhi Suzumiya is the title character of the Kyoto Animation film The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiyaan eccentric and chaotic girl who seeks to discover evidence of supernatural strangeness in the world. Unbeknownst to Haruhi, however, three of her friends are exactly the kind of weirdness that Haruhi is looking for, and they have all come together to observe her godlike powers that can change the universe in an instant, which Haruhi is blissfully unaware of.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is one of the most famous anime of the 2000s, and Haruhi is one of the biggest reasons why. With his direct attitude and penchant for comical and quick dialogue, Haruhi Suzumiya is a character who exudes charisma from the moment she enters the screenand the show is always better with her around. Haruhi may not be the protagonist of the series, but her presence cannot be forgotten anyway.

8

Chihiro Ogino

Away from spirit

Away from spirit is the only anime film to win an Oscar for good reason, and a big part of that is its protagonist, Chihiro. A surprisingly accurate portrait of a girl on the cusp of adulthood, Chihiro is one of the most realistic anime characters of all time. Although she may initially appear tearful to some, watching her grow and mature throughout her experiences in the bathhouse is genuinely moving.

Chihiro’s journey to adulthood isn’t easy, but that’s what makes her so powerful and what makes her one of the greatest female characters in anime.

7

Sofia

Howl’s Moving Castle

Despite being cursed at the beginning of the film, causing her to turn into a decrepit old woman, Sophie remained stubborn in the face of her situation and did everything she could to find a solution – even if it meant cleaning up after Howl. You stubborn, Devoted attitude and warm heart make her a standout among female protagonists and is part of the reason Howl’s Moving Castle has become such an iconic and timeless film.

At the end of the film, Sophie and Howl end up together, but their romance doesn’t happen without a lot of sacrifice, with Sophie facing a series of insecurities and struggles from Howl himself that confirm her love for him. The two are an absolute Ghibli power couple, and without Sophie’s incredibly written personality, the couple would be much less interesting to watch develop.

6

Oscar Francois de Jarjayes

The Rose of Versailles

Oscar François de Jarjayes was an innovative shojo protagonist which even inspired other iconic anime characters like Utena, thanks to the realistic portrayal of her internal conflicts when having to disguise herself as a man to serve as captain of the Imperial Guard, which traps her between what her duty means and discovering her identity of gender.

Oscar loves both men and women, which brings with it numerous struggles living in a classist and conservative society, but it also makes her a character that many viewers can identify with, which explains why her story remains relevant even after 50 years. Oscar is also incredibly brave and, despite living surrounded by nobility, when he becomes aware of the precarious situation of other people, he understands their suffering and supports them.