This year, Re:Zero exploded in popularity, sparking a wave of declarations from the anime community exalting Rem as the best female of 2016. I must say, Rem along with Ochako from My Hero Academia and Naho from Orange are indeed bae material. However, I'm the type of person who seeks a lot more than just a cute design when it comes to females in anime. There are many strong female leads in anime that often go forgotten in the midst of ecchi teens and tsundere queens. The following list is composed of my top 10 strong female leads in anime you probably forgot or never even knew about. :information_desk_person:

*DISCLAIMER*

This is a list of female leads, not side characters. Therefore, don't be surprised if you don't see the likes of Kushina Uzumaki or Boa Hancock. Also, this is not a list of the most overpowered women in anime. The word "strong" is used in reference to their personality/character and development throughout the series — not physical capabilities. Furthermore, these are not necessarily my favorite female leads in anime. These are simply women who I feel have the strongest representations in anime, since most anime girls are bimbos who follow the usual tropes. These are females who carry their series strongly.

10. Hiroko Matsukata

"I want to do my job without regrets."

Anime: Hataraki Man

Hiroko is a hard working woman. She made this list because of how much of a real, strong, and independent woman she is. She has an incredible drive and she's not your typical whiny shoujo protagonist. Hiroko makes number 10 because she is relatable as a woman and sets the bar for hard-working females.

9. Youko Nakajima

"I don't need a scabbard to sheathe my mind."

Anime: Juuni Kokuki (Twelve Kingdoms)

Anyone who knows about Twelve Kingdoms knows that Youko is one of the best female leads of any series. Her character development throughout the novels/show is amazing. Although she started off as a weak and typical character — Youko ascended to incredible heights that honestly surprised me.

8. Furude Rika

"Perhaps living without sin is a sin in itself."

Anime: Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni

NIPAHHHH~! I absolutely love Rika. I don't wanna spoil too much, but for those who have seen Higurashi; you know what she's been through and how strong of a person she is. She might not seem strong, but most people would not be able to handle the things she did throughout the series.

7. San

“I'm not afraid to die. I'd do anything to get you humans out of my forest!”

Anime: Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke is one of the most iconic females in anime. Anyone who is familiar with Miyazaki knows of her. Mononoke is the complete opposite of your usual "rely-on-prince-charming" princess. San carries the film like a grocery bag — putting her at number 7 on this list!

6. Holo

"There are two kinds of strength. One is the strength that comes with having something to protect. The other is the strength of having nothing to lose."

Anime: Spice and Wolf

Holo the wise wolf is a fan favorite cutie-pie with a sly attitude and realm of mystery surrounding her. She is far from a bimbo, boasting intelligence with a cunning smile.

5. Canaan

"As a person who's alive, I order you to quit dying!"

Anime: Canaan

Canaan is yet another strong female lead you don't wanna mess with! She has lived through many afflictions and has been made strong through them. I think it's no question how amazing Typemoon/Nasuverse women are. Canaan partly made the list because she's a lot less well known than Arturia Pendragon.

4. Lucy (from Fairy Tail...lol jk)

"All this time, I've lived in hope of telling you how sorry I am, I've fought armies, just to have this chance, but now, there's nothing I can say... That's good enough."

Anime: Elfen Lied

Lucy is one of those characters that most hard-core anime fans have at least heard of. She has killed countless people and is very powerful. Besides that, her journey is actually very interesting and her character is not just a bland schoolgirl. Manga readers would especially know what I'm talking about. The path of her character makes her stand out even among other women on this list.

3. Clare

“Don’t be so quick to throw away your life. No matter how disgraceful or embarrassing it may be, you need to keep struggling to find your way out until the very end.”

Anime: Claymore

A character from a series I rarely see spoken of lately, Clare is the embodiment of epicness. She's a woman who stands tall and has a strong mindset along with an immovable will. No skirt. No permanent blush. No uselessness. Try and throw her into your harem — she will cut you!

2. Motoko Kusanagi (a.k.a. Scarlett Johansson)

"I feel confined, only free to expand myself within boundaries.”

Anime: Ghost in the Shell

A little newsflash for the newer anime fans, Ghost in the Shell wasn't just now made popular because of Scarlett Johansson playing the role of Motoko in the upcoming live-action film. Ghost in the Shell is a timeless classic that has marked the anime industry and inspired many series. If you've never seen the movies, check them out and you'll see why Motoko is number 2 on the list!

1. Ryogi Shiki

"Everything in creation has a flaw. Humans don't even need to be mentioned. Air, intent and even time. My eyes can see the death of things... I can kill anything that lives, even if that thing is God."

Anime: Kara no Kyoukai

Shiki; a woman from a lineage of demon hunters who possesses 3 personalities. One of the best Typemoon characters ever created and in my opinion — the strongest female lead in anime. Her complexity coupled with her phenomenal character is what puts her at number 1 on the list. If you don't agree then fight me. :punch:

:star2: Honorable Mentions :star2:

Ai Enma (Jigoku Shoujo)

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Winry Rockbell

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Ryuko Matoi (Kill la Kill)

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Makise Kurisu (Steins;Gate)

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Mikasa Ackerman (Attack On Titan)

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Noda Megume (Nodame Cantabile)

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Yona (Akatsuki no Yona)

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Maka (Soul Eater)

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Shirayuki (Snow White with the Red Hair)

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Morgiana (Magi)

If I missed any girls you thought deserved to be on this list, tell me in the comments below! That's all guys! :gift_heart: you! PEACE! :v: :princess: