Anime’s vibrant landscape and vast cultural footprint would have been impossible to achieve if not for its greatest trailblazing female anime characters. While it’s certainly just as easy to name prominent male heroes, female anime characters, and their manga counterparts, have inspired entire genres for the medium. But this extends beyond their contributions to staples like magical girl anime.
Legions of well-written female anime characters are found in battle shōnen anime, just as they are in revered seinen classics and all-timer hit movies. Some carry the plot on their backs as heroes just as others bring their enemies to their knees as antiheroes or even villains. To rank anime’s greatest female characters, is to celebrate an entire industry’s history.
20
Nico Robin
One Piece
A prominent member of One Piece’s Straw Hat Pirates, Nico Robin, proves to be one of the best female leads in anime, serving to complement areas where Nami cannot. As another Devil Fruit user in her party, Robin is not one to be taken lightly when it comes to a fight.
Whereas Nami would much rather avoid confrontation, Robin has no problem ending them. Her story arcs continue to be some of the best One Piece has to offer, displaying a profound love of knowledge and renewed conviction to live her life as she wants, without being dragged down by her past.
19
Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu
Nana
It’s impossible to talk about one Nana without talking about the other. Not only is Nana one of the best anime of all time, but Nana Komatsu and Nana Osaki are also two of the most realistic and human anime characters, representing the duality of women and the passage from youth to maturity.
Also, both Nana’s showcase how polar-opposite personalities can understand and support each other despite the clear contrast of tastes and objectives in life, and forge a beautiful bond.
Moreover, the way that Nana and Hachi openly expose their imperfections and struggles and have 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-constructed female characters who continue to captivate viewers and touch the hearts of fans worldwide.
18
Komugi
Hunter X Hunter
The blind Gungi genius from Hunter X Hunter‘s brilliant Chimera Ant arc managed to solidify herself as one of the series’ best characters in a relatively short time. While she is credited for Meruem’s humanization and character growth, she is a great character herself.
Although she seems delicate, Komugi’s relentless resolve in the Gungi game showcases her inner strength. Despite her lower status, she remains unaffected by pride or power struggles, emphasizing her purity and integrity.
Her relationship with Meruem goes beyond typical villain-hero roles, unveiling a deep emotional bond and delving into themes of love, sacrifice, and personal evolution.
And finally, the moment that solidified her in the hearts of fans was when she embraced Meruem as he was dying at the cost of her life, and the two played one more Gungi match before passing away. Truly a fantastic conclusion to such a beautiful character.
17
Usagi Tsukino
Sailor Moon
The blueprint for the modern Magical Girl, Usagi may be clumsy and absent-minded, but she deserves her status as one of the greatest mahou shojo in history.
She’s heroic, selfless, and a dedicated friend to the other Sailor Scouts. Even after learning her true identity, she stays humble and becomes a true protector of Earth.
The character has influenced an entire generation of anime fans, and even in her darkest moments, the one and only Sailor Moon has always been able to keep a smile on her face and encourage the people around her.
16
Makima
Chainsaw Man
Introduced from the very beginning of Chainsaw Man, Makima’s ethereal yet off-putting kindness toward Denji seemed strange at best, but fans could never have imagined just how sinister the Control Devil could actually be until she begins showing her true colors over the course of the series.
With the ability to completely take control of her victims and force them to do her bidding all while wearing a smile on her face, Makima’s identity as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is more than earned, and, despite being defeated in the first part of the manga, the weight she left on Denji’s shoulders is still being carried into the latest chapters of the manga.
15
Major Motoko Kusanagi
Ghost in the Shell
Major Motoko Kusanagi from the Ghost in the Shell franchise is one of the most iconic women in anime history.
Whether it be her appearance in the 1995 classic film or her appearance in Stand Alone Complex, Kusanagi is always a compelling presence whose power and introspection draw viewers in.
The Major’s existence as essentially a brain in a robot body raises numerous deep questions about identity and what it means to be human. It’s ultimately these questions and the Major’s response to them that make her one of anime’s deepest female characters.
14
Utena Tenjou
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Few anime women are as subversive as the titular heroine from Revolutionary Girl Utena. More than living up to her title as revolutionary, Utena subverts classic anime and fairytales alike by vowing to one day become a valiant prince instead of a princess in need of rescuing.
This one decision sends her life on a collision course with the Student Council of Ohtori Academy who secretly duel 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 heart of all of it is Utena, a girl whose dedication to her convictions marks her as one of anime’s greatest female characters.
13
Haruhi Suzumiya
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Haruhi Suzumiya is the title character of Kyoto Animation’s The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, an eccentric and chaotic girl who seeks to discover proof of supernatural oddities in the world.
Unbeknownst to Haruhi, though, three of her friends are the exact sort of oddities Haruhi is looking for, and they’ve all gathered to observe her godlike powers that can change the universe in an instant, all of 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 her straightforward attitude and penchant for comedic and snappy dialogue, Haruhi Suzumiya is a character who exudes charisma from the moment she steps onto the screen, and the show is always better with her around. Haruhi might not be the protagonist of the series, but her presence can’t be overlooked either way.
12
Maomao
The Apothecary Diaries
Maomao is the best female lead to have made her way into the anime sphere. From the hit historical drama series, The Apothecary Diaries, Maomao has proven to be not only hilariously relatable but also compassionate, intelligent, and devious to boot, which makes her incredibly interesting to watch from episode to episode.
What makes her so intriguing is that she’s not your typical female lead; she’s more interested in the palace mysteries that run anywhere from wayward politics to the consorts’ drama and the corruption sown amongst them all. Her sense of justice can get her into trouble, but her wits are just enough to save her skin time and time again.
11
Chihiro Ogino
Spirited Away
Spirited Away is the only anime film to ever win an Oscar for good reason, and a large part of that is its protagonist, Chihiro. A startlingly accurate portrait of a girl on the edge of adulthood, Chihiro is one of the most realistic anime characters of all time.
Though she might initially come across as whiny to some, watching her grow and mature throughout her experiences in the bathhouse is genuinely heartwarming.
Chihiro’s journey into adulthood is not an easy one, but that’s what makes it so powerful and what makes her one of anime’s greatest female characters.
