It's no understatement to say that women are the backbone of anime, naturally making fans try to rank 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 leading ladies to heart-wrenching love interests, no matter the plot or genre of the anime, female anime characters have captured the hearts of fans.
Though stereotypes might reduce women in anime to one-dimensional love interests, the truth is that women in anime are just as diverse as their male counterparts. Though 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 every genre of anime, making ranking the best difficult. In a way, the best female anime characters can almost be considered a reflection of the industry as a whole.
30 Yumeko Jabami
Kakegurui
- Release Date
- July 1, 2017
- Seasons
- 2
- Creator(s)
- Mckenzie Hammonds
As the charismatic leading lady from Kakegurui, Yumeko Jabami is the perfect example of an anime character where one doesn't necessarily have to have watched the series to recognize her. Enrolled in a school for gambling, this thriller anime ranks students by their winnings.
A prolific and eccentric gambler, Yumeko's addiction to the thrill of a game is somehow both exaggerated and realistic, leading her deadly and disturbing expressions work to draw the audience in. While she may not be the most wholesome character, she is certainly an interesting, well-written, and strong female lead in this anime series.
29 Shōko Nishimiya
A Silent Voice
A Silent Voice
Cast
Miyu Irino-
Saori Hayami
-
Aoi Yuki
-
Kensho Ono
- Release Date
- September 17, 2016
- Runtime
- 130 Minutes
- Director
- Taichi Ishidate, Naoko Yamada
- Writers
- Yoshitoki Ôima, Reiko Yoshida
Despite not being an anime series, the female protagonist of the instant anime classic movie, A Silent Voice, Shōko Nishimiya quickly stole the hearts of fans. A story that focuses on the effects of bullying and a blossoming connection between two high schoolers, the film tackles many heavy topics.
Her personal struggles with both her physical and mental health made her both sympathetic and relatable to audiences.
Clinically deaf and with a pure heart, Shōko comes across as highly likable due to her sweet nature. While she may not have too strong of a personality, she nevertheless formed deep connections with fans. Her personal struggles with both her physical and mental health made her both sympathetic and relatable to audiences, cementing her firmly as one of the best female anime characters out there.
28 Maki Zenin
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen
Cast
-
Junya Enoki
-
Yuma Uchida
-
Yuichi Nakamura
Adam McArthur
WHERE TO WATCH
- Release Date
- October 3, 2020
- Directors
- Sunghoo Park, Shōta Goshozono
- Writers
- Hiroshi Seko
- Franchise(s)
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
- Main Genre
- Animation
Born into the Zenin clan, Maki hasn't had it easy growing up – especially considering she lacks any cursed energy, leading her to use cursed tools to fight. Despite her circumstances, though, Maki has risen above the scrutiny she received from her family and has become an incredibly powerful fighter. Her glasses grant her the ability to see curses, and her battle prowess makes her one of the strongest characters in the series.
In addition to raw strength, Maki is also a dedicated friend and ally, which can be seen in her enduring friendship with Yuta. After reluctantly teaming up with him in Jujutsu Kaisen 0, the two become best friends, and her dedication to Inumaki and Panda is truly irable.
27 Nezuko Kamado
Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Cast
-
Natsuki Hanae
-
Akari Kito
-
Hiro Shimono
-
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
- Release Date
- April 3, 2019
- Seasons
- 5
- Main Genre
- Animation
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 a very easily likable character.
While she doesn't get as much time on screen as her fellow main characters, when she does appear, she makes a big impact, whether it be from her wholesome moments or her recent epic transformations.
26 Nobara Kugisaki
Jujutsu Kaisen
As one of the female leads in the action-packed series Nobara stands out among the other characters in the show for being one of the best depictions of a strong female role. Strong in both will and physicality, Nobabra is a serious threat.
She also provides plenty of funny moments and isn't ever afraid to share her opinions. On top of this, Nobara's unique powers are visually interesting and, despite her strong competition, she stands out as one of the best female characters.
25 Tohru Honda
Fruits Basket
- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Directors
- Yoshihide Ibata
- Writers
- Natsuki Takaya
- Seasons
- 3
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Creator(s)
- Yûichirô Kido, Natsuki Takaya
Tohru Honda is more than the hopelessly good girl in Shojo anime, kind to a fault, because her comionate 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, whether they are in their animal or human form.
Fruits Basket Reinvented Romance's Most Tired Trope With an Incredible Twist
With a shocking reveal at the end of the series, Fruits Basket changes the common love triangle trope so everyone can receive a fulfilling ending.
Additionally, Tohru is the bigger influence for the of the Chinese zodiac to step towards change, thanks to the way she prioritizes others over herself, transmitting to the Soma family a warmth they hadn’t experienced until then. Also, Tohru stays true to herself from the start till the end of Fruit Basket and is able to others by genuinely trying to understand their situations and emotions, which makes her a unique and likable female protagonist who fans can help but root for.
24 Power
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man
Cast
-
Ryan Colt Levy
-
Fairouz Ai
-
Sarah Wiedenheft
-
Suzie Yeung
WHERE TO WATCH
- Release Date
- October 11, 2022
- Writers
- Tatsuki Fujimoto
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Chainsaw Man is filled with powerful women, and though Power might not be the strongest, she certainly ranks as the most interesting and likable. Power is a deceptive character who is so much more than her first impressions suggest. Initially appearing to Denji and viewers as a completely irredeemable narcissist, Chainsaw Man slowly reveals there are layers to the seemingly one-note heroine.
Power's over-the-top exterior makes it all the more heartwarming when she genuinely bonds and grows to care for her friends Denji and Aki. There aren't many anime characters who have had fans laughing out loud quite as much as Power, earning her a high ranking among the greatest women in anime.
23 Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden
Cast
-
Erika Harlacher
-
Tony Azzolino
-
Kyle McCarley
-
Reba Buhr
WHERE TO WATCH
Violet Evergarden is a Japanese anime series that follows the titular character, a former child soldier, as she reintegrates into society by becoming an Auto Memory Doll, a professional letter writer. Through this role, Violet embarks on a journey to understand and convey human emotions, seeking to comprehend the words of her late commanding officer. This series explores themes of love, loss, and healing within a post-war setting.
Violet Evergarden follows the titular heroine who wants to understand herself and find the meaning of love in the wake of war. Violet is a character who audiences and fans can connect with deeply as they follow her journey through the emotional highs and lows of the series.
The beauty of the show is reflected throughout in her character and while the anime is short, the emotional story that surrounds Violet Evergarden instantly hooks and cements her as a fan-favorite with anime lovers.
22 Mikasa Ackerman
Attack On Titan
Attack On Titan
Cast
-
Matthew Mercer
-
Josh Grelle
-
Hiroshi Kamiya
-
Shiori Mikami
- Release Date
- April 7, 2013
- Seasons
- 4
- Main Genre
- Action
- Franchise
- Attack on Titan
- Production Company
- Wit Studio, MAPPA
A character built on 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 could mean that she is left on the sidelines, this is far from the truth, as she is grounded in her strong mentality and physical abilities.
Mikasa's tragic past and stoic but caring personality are also what makes her popular among fans. The central conflict of Mikasa's devotion to Eren brushing up against doing what's right also makes her one of the most fascinating female anime characters.
21 Akane Tsunemori
Psycho-
- Release Date
- October 11, 2012
- Seasons
- 3
- Creator(s)
- Gen Urobuchi
Although Akane Tsunemori from Psycho- was initially a typical naive young woman, without any special traits, she began to grow and improve 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 vision of good and evil and keep holding onto her ideals, morality, ethics, and an unwavering strong sense of justice and law, despite the influence of Kogami and Makishima's philosophies.
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 system, which triggers a change in her perspective, but she is still determined to prove her conviction, even taking extreme action by herself.
