Standout Female Protagonists Who Dominated the Anime Industry

Several female protagonists in anime have earned worldwide fame through their adventures and past experiences. While some of them follow the path of peace, others solve problems through violence. Female protagonists in anime have been part of various genres and excelled in all of them. With that in mind, here is a list of iconic female protagonists in anime.

1. Sailor Moon

• Protagonist – Usagi Tsukino
• Creator – Naoko Takeuchi

Sailor Moon is one of the best animes ever made with a female as its protagonist. Its popularity knows no bounds with Usagi Tsukino at the helm. The protagonist is a middle-school student who gains the power to transform into Sailor Moon with the help of a magical cat, Luna. Sailor Moon is tasked with saving Earth from evil beings. In time, she befriends new partners and forms a team to fulfill their quest.

2. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

• Protagonist – Frieren
• Creator – Kanehito Yamada

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is one of the best animes of the last few years. Even though it belongs to the Shonen genre, it does not include unnecessary actions and has a peaceful vibe. The story is about a female elven mage, Frieren, who is on a journey to fulfill his friend’s wish. Being an elf, she leads an elongated life while her friends die. Through different situations and adventures, she learned the value of life and how to cherish relationships more.

3. The Apothecary Diaries

• Protagonist – Maomao
• Creator – Natsu Hyuga

The female protagonist of The Apothecary Diaries, Maomao, had her life turned upside down when she was sold to the Imperial Palace. Even though she belonged to the Red-Light District, her apothecary abilities helped her in treating the Emperor’s children and gaining unwanted fame.

4. Ergo Proxy

• Protagonist – Re-1 Meyer
• Creator – Dai Sato

Ergo Proxy is a one-of-a-kind cyberpunk anime based in a post-apocalyptic world. After the genocide of cyborgs called AutoRievs, who were infected with a virus, Re-1 Meyer sets out on a journey to find the killer. During her investigation, she learns about Proxies, who possess great abilities, and her investigation takes a turn. Being a soldier, she is quite tough and brutal in her methods. Later in the anime, she teams up with Vincent.

5. Kino’s Journey

• Protagonist – Kino
• Creator – Keiichi Sigsawa

Kino’s Journey is an adventurous anime with a touch of sci-fi. The plot revolves around a girl named Kino, who is on a journey with her talking motorcycle, Hermes. She travels through several countries, meeting new people and learning about their cultures. However, the entire journey was not peaceful. She had to face brutal and life-threatening situations, which made her carry weapons for protection. The mixture of carefreeness and carefulness is dangerously beautiful.

6. Violet Evergarden

• Protagonist – Violet Evergarden
• Creator – Kana Akatsuki, Akiko Takase

Violet Evergarden has one of the most soothing plots, even though it initially begins with a war. The protagonist, Violet Evergarden, was raised as a ruthless killer and participated in the Great War of Telesis. However, after she was hospitalized, the only thing she remembered was one of his dear ones saying ‘I love you’ to her. Unfortunately, she did not know its meaning and later set out on a journey of self-finding as a scribe while also helping her clients in the process.

7. Claymore

• Protagonist – Clare
• Creator – Norihiro Yagi

Claymore follows a dark and adventurous genre involving humans, demons, and hybrids. The demons are known as ‘Yoma’ and feed on human blood. The protagonist, Clare, is a Claymore, a manufactured half-human and half-Yoma. Claymores are created for the sole purpose of exterminating the Yoma. The plot revolves around Clare protecting various towns from different Yoma and encountering demons upon whom she holds a grudge.

8. Bocchi the Rock

• Protagonist – Hitori Goto
• Creator – Aki Hamazi

Bocchi the Rock is about an introverted girl named Hitori Goto. However, after watching a rock band perform, she took up playing the guitar as his passion. Initially, she started an online channel and became an overnight sensation. Later, she got into the Kessoku Band, performing at a live house in Shimokitazawa named Starry. It was not an easy journey, but it helped Hitori Goto overcome her social awkwardness. The band members gave her the name of Bocchi the Rock due to her guitar prowess.

9. Chihayafuru

• Protagonist – Chihaya Ayase
• Creator – Yuki Suetsugu

Chihayafuru is about a girl named Chihaya Ayase, whose wish is to become the best Karuta player in the world. She spends most of her life supporting her sister’s modeling career. However, after she met Arata Wataya, a Karuta player, she picked up the habit of playing Karuta. She excelled in the sport, but as she grew, she became detached from her friends. Chihaya set up the Mizusawa Karuta Club in her high school along with Taichi Mashima. Her friends supported her initiative, with the protagonist focused on fulfilling her dream of becoming the world’s best Karuta player.

10. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

• Protagonist – Madoka Kaname
• Creator – Magica Quartet

Puella Magi Madoka Magica follows the story of Madoka Kaname, who has the chance to gain magical abilities to fight witches. One day, Madoka and her friend, Sayaka Miki, encounter a cat-like creature named Kyubey, who offers them one wish and, in return, wants them to become magical beings and fight witches.

However, Madoka remains indecisive until her upperclassman, Mami Tomoe, who also gained magical powers, is killed by a witch. Puella Magi Madoka Magica is one of the most critically acclaimed anime with a complex plot and great character development with top-notch visuals.

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