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.

35 Yumeko Jabami

Kakegurui

Kakegurui

• Saori Hayami
• Tatsuya Tokutake
• Miyuki Sawashiro
• Minami Tanaka

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.

34 Shōko Nishimiya

A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice

• 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.

33 Maki Zenin

Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen

• Junya Enoki
• Yuichi Nakamura
• Yuma Uchida
• Asami Seto

Release Date October 3, 2020

Directors Ryohei Takeshita, Masataka Akai, Chie Nishizawa, Daisuke Tsukushi, Tomomi Kamiya, Kakushi Ifuku, Ken Takahashi

Writers Hiroshi Seko

Franchise(s) Jujutsu Kaisen

Seasons 1

Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll, Netflix, 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 admirable.

32 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.

31 Marin Kitagawa

My Dress-Up Darling

From one of the most beloved shoujos, My Dress-Up Darling’s Marin Kitagawa is an inspiration, not only for her devotion towards her passions, but the way she treats everyone equally and with as much enthusiasm, whether they are strangers or a friend-to-be. Marin’s love of cosplaying and otaku culture is infectious and opens up this often overlooked world.

Marin is your textbook otaku, who only wants to bring those characters to life through cosplay, something she can’t do without Wakana Gojo. Their relationship bolsters each other’s strengths and cares for their weaknesses, serving as both a tender friendship and a perfect balance as a couple. Marin’s extroverted nature will never leave you bored, guaranteed to make you smile.

30 Nobara Kugisaki

Jujutsu Kaisen

As one of the female leads in the action-packed series Jujutsu KaisenNobara 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.

29 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 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.

28 Power

Chainsaw Man

Chainsaw Man

• Kikunosuke Toya
• Tomori Kusunoki
• Shogo Sakata
• Fairouz Ai

Release Date October 12, 2022

Writers Hiroshi Seko

Seasons 1

Streaming Service(s) Hulu, 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 Manslowly 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.

27 Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden

• Erika Harlacher
• Tony Azzolino
• Kyle McCarley
• Reba Buhr

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.

Release Date January 11, 2018

Directors Taichi Ishidate, Haruka Fujita

Writers Reiko Yoshida, Tatsuhiko Urahata, Taaki Suzuki

Franchise(s) Violet Evergarden

Seasons 1

Main Genre Animation

Streaming Service(s) Netflix

Creator(s) Kana Akatsuki

Violet Evergardenfollows 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.

26 Sakura Haruno

Naruto

Naruto’s Sakura Haruno is a misunderstood character who was never allowed to live up to her full potential in the anime, but dedicated fans know that she was the most intelligent and competent ninja in her team. Not only was she a prodigy among the other students, but she also showcased the competence, knowledge, and prowess to outwit any opponent.

Often relegated to the shinobu who fell in love with Sasuke, the anime makes her out to be an annoying female lead who didn’t amount to anything beyond that. But she grew to become a competent soldier who learned both medical knowledge to protect her friends, but also powerful techniques, so she never fell short of their power level.