With its compelling characters, exciting plots, and over 40 different subgenres,animehas been attracting millions of viewers worldwide since the 1960s, tackling themes as light as coming-of-age romance and slapstick comedy, and as dark as terminal illnesses, bioweapons,and the apocalypse.
Though the industry is plagued with inevitabletropes that diehard fans never fail to recognize, from bouncy busts to announcing signature attack names, anime has also produced memorable female characters of all backgrounds and ages.
Flawed, relatable and powerful anime girls and women have made legions of fans, fromHayao Miyazaki’s independent and determined heroinesto Rin Shin’s femme fatales and Leiji Matsumoto’s melancholic, mysterious, and slender sirens.
Whether emotionally, physically, or supernaturally, the following 15 protagonists and villainesses are among the strongest and most determined women in anime, with abilities ranging from super-speed to military prowess, psychokinesis, elemental manipulation, regeneration, healing, and interdimensional travel.
15Olivier Mira Armstrong — Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009 – 2010)
Adapted from theFullmetal Alchemistmanga series by Hiromu Arakawa and produced by Bones,Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodremains one of the highest-rated anime series of all time, chock-full of action, adventure, political intrigue, and philosophy.
The basic plot follows Edward and Alphonse, two brothers whose attempt to revive their deceased mother alchemically leaves Edward dismembered and Alphonse trapped in a metal body, forcing the brothers to use their skills for the military to get by while they try to get Alphonse’s body back.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
A No-Nonsense Military Leader
Hailing from a prestigious family,Olivier Mira Armstrongis a Major General in the Amestrian army and the commanding officer of Fort Briggs. She is a true force of nature, an elite tactician and swordswoman who hates wasting time, formalities, flattery, and small talk. She diligently unifies her loyal troops under her leadership while effortlessly dividing their tasks and mercilessly destroying enemies along the way.
Stream Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on Crunchyroll
14Mikasa Ackerman — Attack on Titan (2013 – 2023)
Attack on Titanis a dark fantasy series adapted from the manga by Hajime Isayama that garnered many accolades, including awards for Best Studio, Best Director, and Best Theme Song. The plot pits what is left of humanity against giant humanoids called Titans. The main protagonist is Eren Yeager, who witnesses his mother being consumed by a Titan and vows to destroy their species.
Attack On Titan
A Selfless Elite Warrior
The last descendant of a noble clan,Mikasa Ackermanbecomes Eren’s close friend after he rescues her from bandits and shefollows him into the military, ranking first among the 104th Cadet Corps, before they both make it into the Scout Regiment. From an early age, she learns to successfully fend off and even dispatch assailants when need be, including a great and terrible sacrifice at the end of the show.
Stream Attack on Titan on Crunchyroll
13Emeraldas — The LeijiVerse
The legendary animator Leiji Matsumoto created a series of characters who appeared in most of his interconnected manga, series, and movies, which includeSpace Pirate Captain Harlock,Galaxy Express 999,Queen Millennia,Queen Emeraldas, andArcadia of My Youth.
One of those iconic characters is Queen Andromeda Promethium II, the mother of twins Maetel and Emeraldas, whose dying, frozen planet inspired her to mechanize and enslave her subjects and seek out more soldiers in other worlds.
Related:These Are The Leijiverse’s Most Iconic Characters
A Formidable Space Pirate
“Some call me ‘the woman who does not cry’ — let them call me what they will, for theirs are merely the foolish words of those who have little understanding of the reason for my journey.”
The ginger-haired, lavender-eyed princessEmeraldasrebels against her evil mother’s mechanized world, forsaking a life of luxury and comfort to roam the universe in pursuit of justice. She defends the weak any way she can, and forges solid alliances with antiheroes like the iconic Captain Harlock.
She builds a fierce reputation as a space pirate aboard her flagship, theQueen Emeraldas, and is particularly skilled with a handgun and a saber. The biggest proof of her emotional strength is that she left her little daughter safe in an orphanage on Earth, so she could pursue her honorable goals for the sake of humanity.
Stream Captain Harlock: Arcadia of My Youth on Crunchyroll
12Major Motoko Kusanagi — Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Adapted from the cyberpunk seinen manga series written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow,Ghost in the Shellrevolves around the members of Public Security Section 9, a particularly skilled, secretive, and mostly mechanized counter-terrorism and crime-fighting task force. The franchise includes five animated films, four animated series, and a live-action movie starring Scarlett Johansson.
An Elite Cyborg Detective and Martial Artist
“If we all reacted the same way, we’d be predictable, and there’s always more than one way to view a situation. What’s true for the group is also true for the individual. It’s simple: overspecialize, and you breed in weakness.”
The main protagonist in the franchise isMajor Motoko Kusanagi, an officer in Section 9 who is first depicted on the trail of the Puppet Master, a cyber hacker.
She is an organo-synthetic human, meaning that her integration between her biotech and her human form is practically seamless. Her super-abilities include enhanced strength, sight, and coordination, bullet interception, illusion creation, camouflage, and drone control.
Stream Ghost in the Shell on Tubi
11Esdeath — Akame ga Kill! (2014)
Based on the manga books written by Takahiro and illustrated by Tetsuya Tashiro,Akame ga Kill!is a dark action fantasy series centering on a young country boy, Tatsumi, whose misfortunes and tragic encounters force him to join the revolutionary Night Raid, a group of assassins fighting against the corrupt and tyrannical Empire.
A Sadistic Warrior and Ice Bender
The insanely charismatic antagonist and fearless General of the Empire,Esdeath, is a strong believer in the survival of the fittest and not giving in to emotion. Her thirst for blood allows her to mercilessly hunt down members of Night Raid and overpower 100,000soldiers of the Revolutionary Army.
Besides being an exceptional, agile fighter and a master manipulator, she also has the ability to bend ice, such as making icicles and weaponizing them, not to mention freezing her opponents to death.
Stream Akame ga Kill! on Hulu
10Rukia Kuchiki — Bleach (2004 – 2012)
Bleachis a supernatural, adventure and martial arts series based on the manga by Tite Kubo and produced by Studio Pierrot. The story centers on Ichigo Kurosaki, a high-school student who can see ghosts and becomes a substitute Soul Reaper. He then uses his new powers to fight evil spirits and lead human souls safely into the afterlife.
A Compassionate and Strong Reaper, Martial Artist, and Spell Caster
Rukia Kuchikiis a beloved character in the series who breaks Soul Society protocol for practical reasons; as a dedicated Soul Reaper, she suddenly finds herself forced to lend her powers to Ichigo, a mere mortal, so he can finish her job of dispatching a Hollow.
Now stuck in the material world, she has no choice but to train the human boy. Brave, fearless, and collected, she is a master of sword fighting and incantations and possesses freezing powers.
Stream Bleach on Hulu
9Big Mom — One Piece (1999 – Ongoing)
Based on the best-selling works of Eiichiro Oda,One Pieceis a beloved and enduring sea adventure and fantasyseries with top-tier filler episodes. The story follows Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, in their quest for a mythical treasure that will make him the next King of the Pirates.
Read Our Review of Netflix’s Live-Action Adaptation
Massive, Soul-Stealing Force with Devastatingly Destructive Powers
Charlotte Linlin, also known asBig Mom, is one of the series’ strongest and most intelligent tactical women, and the main antagonist of the Whole Cake Island Arc. She can not only grow to a monstrous size and display immense physical strength, climbing tall buildings in no time despite her volume and mass, but she is also capable of breathing life into objects and stealing the souls of her minions.
She effortlessly sinks battleships, breaks through metal doors, crushes spears with her teeth, rips towers from the ground, and deflects cannon and gun fire. The destructive effects of her ultrasonic scream are devastating.
Stream One Piece on Netflix
8Ragyo Kiryuin — Kill la Kill (2013 – 2015)
Produced by Trigger,Kill la Killis set in a high school called Honnouji Academy that is modeled after social class, where students wear uniforms that grant them supernatural powers. The main protagonist is 17-year-old Ryuko Matoi, who is on a quest to find her father’s killer.
A Power-Hungry CEO of Life Fibers
Ragyo Kiryuinis the Director of Honnouji Academy and the main antagonist of the series. She has been enhanced with Life Fibers, granting her superior strength, endurance, and speed, not to mention the power to heal her wounds and regenerate. She also has flight abilities and is capable of sewing Life Fibers into others, thus controlling their minds.
Stream Kill la Kill on Hulu
7Boa Hancock — One Piece
One Pieceis too long and too popular a series to warrant only one strong woman on this list.Boa Hancock, the Captain of the Kuja Pirates, is another remarkable character, ruling alongside her two younger sisters, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold.
A Charismatic and Petrifying Pirate Empress
Boa Hancock suffered many hardships in her youth, but grew into the strongest person in her tribe, with unmatched hand-to-hand and long-range combat prowess.
Headstrong, intelligent, and fiercely protective, she has the ability to manipulate people’s desires, even turn them into stone. She also has a high tolerance to pain. Her other powers include superior agility and speed, manipulation, and tracking anything and anyone in the ocean.
6Erza Scarlet — Fairy Tail (2009 – 2019)
Adapted from the manga written and illustrated by Hiro Mashima, the award-winning and highly acclaimed shonen seriesFairy Tailfollows the members of the titular guild of wizards on their search for the dragon Igneel, all the while fending off criminals, dark guilds, and ancient demons.
A Wizardess-Knight in Shining Armor
“The path I have walked alongside my friends will light my tomorrow. I have nothing to fear!”
Erza Scarletis a 19-year-old, red-haired member of Fairy Tail, and the guild’s most powerful fighter. Abandoned by her mother and enslaved as a child, she mustered enough strength to lead a slave revolt, becoming a dependable, albeit impatient defender of justice.
Her mastery of the sword, staff, and ax is unparalleled, but she also possesses superior physical strength, telekinetic and holographic projection abilities, and is capable of either charging or destroying sacred weapons.
