Anime has a long history of portraying the majority of its female characters as weak, or worse, useless. Most of them are based on being the male protagonist’s love interest or some cute character people can simp on but have no real purpose for the plot. This has reinforced stereotypes and contributed to the idea that women need men to protect them. Or that they’re incapable of doing anything useful except being the pretty trophy waiting at home. And even when they’re not, female anime characters are often mistreated and aren’t given a great storyline or background that could allow viewers to relate to them.
Luckily, things have been changing these last few years, and there are many exceptions in older anime too. The representation of fierce, smart women claiming their well-deserved space among other badass anime characters is growing, and we’re all here for it. We asked fans to choose some of their favorite anime girls. We listed them in no particular order, but we still invite you to upvote the coolest anime women who made watching the show totally worth it!
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#1 Hinata Hyuga - "Naruto"
With an intriguing backstory and a shy personality that sounds relatable to every introvert, it’s easy to see why Hinata is so appreciated. Forced into a horrible feud with her sister, she had many reasons to become cruel and bitter, but she managed to stay kind and true to herself despite her past. And it’s so good to witness her growth from a meek child to a confident woman who learns from every fight.
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38points
#2 Mirajane Strauss - "Fairy Tail"
Watching Mirajane fight is like watching a magician pull rabbits out of a hat. With her many demon forms (creator Hiro Mashima confirmed she has 72), it’s exciting for new fans to see which one she’ll choose for her next fight. Most viewers loved the rivalry between Mirajane and Erza, as it motivated both of them and contributed to their development.
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35points
#3 Erza Scarlet - "Fairy Tail"
Initially introduced as a terrifying presence who regularly beats up Natsu and Gray to keep the hotheaded pair in line, Erza Scarlet experienced the hardest character development in the series. She is known for her glorious strength, bold attitude, and key role in the Fairy Tail guild. Her past as an enslaved child hardened her, but she overcame life’s hardships and became an honorable and reliable companion for the other characters. She’s pretty popular among the show’s fans, and many people consider her one of the best female anime characters of all time.
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34points
#4 Kushina Uzumaki - "Naruto"
As an Uzumaki, Kushina was blessed with a strong life force. Her chakra reserves and vitality were tremendous, as were her stamina, healing power, and longevity. Her character got very little screen time but made fans wish to see more of her and glad most of what was shown was her childhood and how she became who she is.
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32points
#5 Tsunade - "Naruto"
Tons of fans certainly love her for her pretty appearance, but her talent and hard work got her where she is. Tsunade has unmatched healing powers, to the point she’s able to diagnose conditions at a glance and treat ailments that others deemed impossible to cure. Her skills are so great that Orochimaru believed she could reverse the necrosis-like effects of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
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31points
#6 Saber - "Fate/Stay Night"
Summoned by Kiritsugu in Fate/Zero and Shirou in Fate/Stay Night, Saber is a heroic warrior invoked to participate in a war between masters and servants who are fighting to accomplish their dreams using the mythical Holy Grail. Without a doubt, she’s the most beloved character from the series as well as the games. Even those who never watched the show will recognize her, as her name and face have become synonymous with the franchise.
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29points
#7 Asuna - "Sword Art Online"
Asuna is depicted as having earned a reputation as a skilled player in-game, which, coupled with her physical attractiveness, has made her a well-known character. Fans get to experience her real-world personal problems and her ability to rise above through determination and perseverance. Add that she underwent the best character development of the series, and you’ll know why she’s so popular.
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29points
#8 Rias Gremory - "High School DxD"
Characters like Rias grab attention easily. From backstory to personality, she was represented as so much more than a desirable body, standing as a strong and respected female character. Moreover, Rias has been given quite an impressive development which is always good to find and follow.
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27points
#9 Lucy Heartfilia - "Fairy Tail"
Among the vast Fairy Tail cast, she’s easily the most fun, balanced and natural heroine, with almost zero cringe moments due to her likability and confident personality. Unlike many other representations in anime, Lucy seems to radiate a genuine beauty from just the way she carries herself and her personal fashion taste. Besides her magical and intellectual abilities, she also possesses excellent combat skills that make her an all-rounder fighter.
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27points
#12 Rin Tohsaka - "Fate/Stay Night"
Rin Tohsaka got her fair share of appreciation from anime fans. Though she is widely admired for her prim and proper ways, it’s a front she puts up to prevent others from prying into her life. She always seems to have this blanket of loneliness over herself, and her backstory has a lot to do with it, making fans relate to her even more. Her past didn’t stop her from training and becoming a clever and talented mage.
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23points
