March 8th is International Women’s Day, so we added a new mood list on our site for Strong Female Leads. But, there are so many awesome women in anime that our list got crazy long!
Here’s our attempt at highlighting some favorites:
Major Motoko Kusanagi – Ghost in the Shell
Commander in a law-enforcement agency. Kicks major butt.
Mikasa, Historia, et al. – Attack on Titan
Vital members of the Scout Regiment who remind us that all women are queens.
Haruko – FLCL
Extraterrestrial investigator with a big personality and a sweet Vespa SS 180.
Michiko and Hatchin – Michiko & Hatchin
Bad-A woman on the run with a brave orphaned girl along for the ride.
Tsukimi and the women of Amamizu-kan – Princess Jellyfish
Talented group of shut-ins who find the guts to face the world. Sometimes.
Lina Inverse – Slayers
Fiery sorceress whose incredible powers often leave a trail of destruction.
Maka – Soul Eater
Scythe Meister who faces her fears and helps her partner to do the same.
Holo – Spice and Wolf
Wise and coy goddess with unmatched skill in bartering and economic strategy.
Revy and Balalaika – Black Lagoon
Merciless merc, who does what she wants, and a ruthless leader in the mafia.
Kobayashi and Tohru – Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
Straight-forward programmer who shows kindness to the fiercest of dragons.
Sakura and Tomoyo – Cardcaptor Sakura
Magical girl on a quest to protect the world with the help of her loyal friend.
Aoi – Kakuriyo –Bed & Breakfast for Spirits–
Hardworking woman who’d rather rely on her own skills to pay off her debts.
Mai – Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
Child celebrity who works hard to maintain her public image while living a normal life.
Emma – The Promised Neverland
Clever and tough leader of her siblings. Her spirit is unwavering.
Ochaco, Tsuyu, and Inko Midoriya (Deku’s Mom) – My Hero Academia
Ok, so some of these aren’t exactly lead roles. But they’re strong and they bring us joy. They stay.
Let’s all take a moment to thank anime for these amazing characters. 🙏 Find these shows and more in our mood list for anime with Strong Female Leads.
Got a best girl, best mom, waifu, or an all around favorite female character? Tell the world who you’re celebrating on International Women’s Day and why they belong on this list!
And don’t forget to chat about any and all things anime in the Funimation Forums.
