30 Best Female Anime Characters of All Time, Ranked

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

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

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

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 admirable.

27

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 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 Jujutsu Kaisen 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

Tohru Honda is more than the hopelessly good girl in Shojo anime, kind to a fault, 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, whether they are in their animal or human form.

Additionally, Tohru is the bigger influence for the members 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 support 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 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 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

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-Pass

Although Akane Tsunemori from Psycho-Pass 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.

20

Senjougahara

Bakemonogatari

Senjougahara is one of the most interesting and complex characters in a franchise with brilliant and layered characters. She comes across as harsh and fiercely independent at first. However, beneath her scathing demeanor is a complex and extremely vulnerable personality that has been influenced by personal problems and past suffering that are gradually exposed during the series.

Her interactions with Koyomi Araragi are especially interesting since they show her emotional depth and personal development, which contradicts the superficial perception of her as merely a conceited person. Senjougahara stands out among the characters in the Monogatari series because of her emotional complexity, which is demonstrated throughout her journey of healing, learning to trust others, and facing her history. Her character is a beautiful exploration of the themes of power dynamics, control, and vulnerability, making her a magnetic hook in the series.

19

Nami

One Piece

Nami is the main female protagonist of Toei Animation’s One Piece and the navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates. 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 join them wholeheartedly and continue her dream of drawing a map of the world.

While Nami doesn’t always have a large role in the plot, her constant presence as an emotional anchor for the rest of the cast, coupled with her growth as a fighter and persistent comedy, makes Nami someone who always adds something great to One Piece, no matter the situation. Nami’s growth has made her one of the best female characters in shonen anime, and as One Piece slowly heads toward its conclusion, that’s unlikely to change.

18

Emilia

Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World

One of the contestants to the throne and Subaru’s reason for persevering through hell, Emilia stole the hearts of viewers with her kind yet aloof personality. Despite facing prejudice and isolation, she remains determined to overcome obstacles, with her evolving relationship with Subaru being a key focal point. Her journey of self-discovery, coupled with her struggle to protect those she cares about, adds layers of complexity to the narrative and enriches the story.

While kindness is a big aspect of her character, one can only respect how she puts down her foot when necessary, a sign of self-esteem, which is amazing considering the discrimination she went through. It is so easy to root for Emilia as she continues her journey to ascend to the throne, fighting off all her enemies and all the naysayers.

17

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 animes 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.

16

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.

15

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.

Usagi’s love for food, especially sweets, is one of those endearing quirks that the anime really leans into, more than the manga ever did.

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.

14

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.

13

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.

12

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 the 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.

11

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 that 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.