25 Best Female Anime Characters of All Time, Ranked (2025)

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.

25 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.

24 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.

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.

23 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.

22 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.

21 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.

20 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.

19 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.

18 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.

17 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.

16 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.

15 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.

14 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.

13 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.

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.

12 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.

11 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.

10 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.

9 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.

8 Chihiro Ogino

Spirited Away

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10/10

Spirited Away

PG

Animation

Family

Fantasy

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Cast

Rumi Hiiragi , Miyu Irino , Mari Natsuki , Takashi Naitô , Yasuko Sawaguchi , Tsunehiko Kamijô , Takehiko Ono , Bunta Sugawara

Release Date

July 20, 2001

Main Genre

Animation

Director

Hayao Miyazaki

Studio(s)

Studio Ghibli

Distributor(s)

Toho

Writers

Hayao Miyazaki

Runtime

125 minutes

Budget

$19 Million

Spirited Away is the only anime film to ever win an Oscar for good reason, and a large part of that is its protagonist, Chihiro. A startlingly accurate portrait of a girl on the edge of adulthood, Chihiro is one of the most realistic anime characters of all time. Though she might initially come across as whiny to some, watching her grow and mature throughout her experiences in the bathhouse is genuinely heartwarming.

Chihiro's journey into adulthood is not an easy one, but that's what makes it so powerful and what makes her one of anime's greatest female characters.

7 Sophie

Howl's Moving Castle

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9/10

Howl's Moving Castle

8-12 years

Animation

Action

Adventure

Family

Fantasy

Romance

Release Date

November 20, 2004

Writers

Diana Wynne Jones

Cast

Chieko Baisho , Takuya Kimura , Akihiro Miwa , Tatsuya Gashûin , Ryûnosuke Kamiki , Mitsunori Isaki

Director

Hayao Miyazaki

Runtime

119minutes

Budget

2.4 billion JPY

Despite being cursed at the beginning of the film, causing her to turn into a decrepit old woman, Sophie remained headstrong in the face of her situation and did everything she could to find a solution – even if it meant cleaning up behind Howl. Her headstrong, devoted attitude and warm heart make her a standout among female protagonists, and is part of the reason Howl's Moving Castle has become such an iconic, timeless film.

By the end of the film, Sophie and Howl end up together, but their romance doesn't come without a lot of sacrifice, with Sophie enduring a range of Howl's own insecurities and struggles that confirm her love for him. The two are an absolute Ghibli power couple, and without Sophie's incredibly written personality, the couple would be far less interesting to see develop.

6 Oscar François de Jarjayes

The Rose of Versailles

Oscar François de Jarjayes was a groundbreaking shojo protagonist who even inspired other iconic anime characters like Utena, thanks to the realistic portrayal of her internal conflicts by having to disguise herself as a man to serve as captain of the Imperial Guard, which traps her between what her duty means and finding her gender identity.

Oscar loves men and women alike, which entails numerous struggles as she lives in a classist and conservative society, but also makes her a character to whom many viewers can relate, which explains why her story keeps being relevant even after 50 years. Oscar is also incredibly brave, and despite living surrounded by the nobility, once she is aware of the precarious situation of other people, she understands their suffering and supports them.