Summary

  • Female-led anime series offer diverse storytelling and strong characters.
  • Highlights include Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Canaan, and The Twelve Kingdoms.
  • These series showcase women in leading roles across various genres like fantasy, action-thriller, and isekai.

It's no exaggeration to say that some of the best anime feature strong female characters. Anime is an incredibly diverse media that has something for everyone. Whether the audience is looking for an action-packed, battle-oriented story with larger-than-life characters who possess all kinds of cool powers, or a down-to-Earth, heartwarming tale of everyday life with a relatable cast of characters, there's a whole list of anime to choose from.

From mystery thrillers to magical girl adventures, these are some of the best female-led anime series of all time.

Kill La Kill screen cap featuring Ryuko holding her scissor blade up in a crowded arena space.

With that in mind, female leads aren't exclusive to magical girl or shoujo outings, either, as plenty of quality romance, isekai, and action-thriller series prominently feature women in leading roles.

20 Darling In The Franxx's Female Hero Makes Up For Its Lackluster Writing

Anime Series By Studio Trigger & A-1 Pictures

Zero-Two

Release Year

2018

Number Of Episodes

24

Where To Watch It

Crunchyroll

Of all the eccentric and overall entertaining characters of Darling in the Franxx, none have stood out more than its female lead, Zero Two. Zero Two's intensity and aggressive impulses are what make this anime so much fun to watch, and the depth of Zero Two's character does a lot to make up for the various shortcomings of Franxx's script.

The soundtrack also helps to boost this show's ratings along with other strong female characters like Ichigo, Miku, Kokoro, Ikuno, and, of course, their Franxx, which are every bit as important to the series as their operators.

Watch On Crunchyroll

19 Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Is Already A Landmark In Fantasy Anime

Anime Series Produced By Studio Madhouse

Release Year

2023

Number Of Episodes

21+

Where To Watch It

Crunchyroll

The first great anime with a female protagonist to discuss is 2023's Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End uses its high fantasy setting to tell a poignant story about dealing with loss and the importance of forming meaningful connections with others, and that, naturally, results in Frieren being a character who always grows as a person and can always showcase how good a person is expected to be. Add in how she's always more than capable of fending for herself, and Frieren is bound to go down as one of the best female protagonists in all of anime.

Watch On Crunchyroll

18 Canaan Is Action Thriller At Its Finest

Canaan-and-Alphard-armed-against-the-background-of-a-cityscape-in-Canaan

Release Year

2009

Number Of Episodes

13

Where To Watch It

Currently Unavailable

When a photographer is on the hunt for her next big story, she finds herself investigating the strange happenings at a local carnival and pulled into a conspiracy about a deadly virus. An old friend who happens to be a mercenary, the titular Canaan, comes to help her. Of course, Canaan is also out to get former teammate Alphard, the antagonist of her story.

Canaan is the rare anime where the strong female protagonist, the damsel in distress, and the antagonist are all layered and complicated women who ally and come into conflict with one another repeatedly.

17 The Twelve Kingdoms Is A Great Take On The Isekai Genre

Anime Series By Pierrot

Twelve-Kingdoms-Anime1

Release Year

2002

Number Of Episodes

45

Where To Watch It

Crunchyroll

High school can be hard enough on students without them suddenly being transported to a whole new world where their status as an Earthling makes them a wanted fugitive, but that's exactly what happens to Youko Nakajima in this 2002 isekai anime.

Based on a novel series that began a decade earlier, aspects of The Twelve Kingdoms are definitely dated, but watching Youko grow from a whiny teen into a full-blown strong female protagonist is worth it. The anime also features a great musical score.

Watch On Crunchyroll

16 Made In Abyss' Dark Writing Makes For An Incredible Story

Anime By Kinema Citrus

Riko and Reg in Made in Abyss

Release Year

2017

Number Of Episodes

25

Where To Watch It

Amazon Prime

Made in Abyss is a classic story of adventure at its core, driven by the curiosity of its main character Riko. Riko has spent her childhood looking up to her mother, an explorer who vanished into the mysterious Abyss soon after Riko was born. So when Riko receives a letter from her mother telling her to come to the bottom of the Abyss, Riko jumps at the chance.

While she may not seem like a typical strong female character, the strength Made in Abyss' Riko shows in the face of adversity makes her one of the strongest anime protagonists, regardless of gender.

Watch On Amazon Prime

15 Chihayafuru Makes An Obscure Card Game Fun To Watch

Anime Series By Madhouse

Chihaya from Chihayafuru

Release Year

2011

Number Of Episodes

76

Where To Watch It

Crunchyroll, HIDIVE

Chihayafuru is one of the more niche anime on this list, focusing on the obscure Japanese card game of karuta. However, it is hard not to get invested in the game when seeing how passionate the show's protagonist Chihaya is about it.

Chihaya's passion also draws many of the show's other characters to the sport of karuta, making her the anime's most important character. Chihaya is one of the most unique strong female protagonists on this list and she makes Chihayafuru compelling despite its niche subject.

Watch On Crunchyroll

14 Kill La Kill Is Still One Of Studio Trigger's Best Works

Anime Series By Studio Trigger

Ryuko swings her blade for Kill la Kill

Release Year

2013

Number Of Episodes

24

Where To Watch It

Crunchyroll, Hulu

The story of Kill la Kill is about Ryuko Matoi, a girl who sets out to find the one responsible for her father’s death and exert her revenge. She ends up at the Honnouji Academy, an elite school where clothes are a crucial element of its competitive hierarchy.

Kill la Kill relies heavily on clothes to explore themes like fate, freedom, and sexuality—hence the weird costumes. But it’s also immensely fun and hilarious with tons of stunning action and one of anime's strongest female protagonists.

Related
10 Best Studio Trigger Anime
Trigger's anime have a reputation for excellence at minimum, and over a decade of operation, has built up a selection of shows worthy of viewing.

Watch On Crunchyroll

13 From The New World Is Incredibly Inventive Dystopian Fiction

Anime Series By A-1 Pictures

Characters from the anime series From The New World.

Release Year

2012

Number Of Episodes

25

Where To Watch It

Crunchyroll

Set in a dystopian future society where humans have developed psychic abilities, From the New World is a coming-of-age story told from the perspective of Saki Watanabe as she narrates the events from her childhood. Saki’s world is an isolated society of psychic humans that's bound by complex rules and shrouded in mystery.

It’s abundantly clear that there’s much more to things than meets the eye, and the audience follows Saki and her group of friends as they unearth the dark truths about the nature of their society, and that reveal will leave fans with plenty to think about.

Watch On Crunchyroll

12 Fate/Zero Finally Gave The Fate Franchise The Anime It Deserved

Anime Series By Ufotable

Release Year

2011

Number Of Episodes

25

Where To Watch It

Crunchyroll, Hulu

Saber is essentially the mascot of the Fate franchise, and Fate/Zero is one of her strongest showings. A prequel to the original Fate/stay night, the series shows what Saber was like before her debut, and in addition to being just as powerful and competent as before, Fate/Zero takes the time to truly explore the emotional weight of Saber's past and her struggles to overcome it.

While it might be a prequel, the success of Fate/Zero paved the way for the Fate franchise to become the major success it is today, and Saber's writing undoubtedly played a big part in that.

Watch On Crunchyroll

11 Love Is Hard For Otaku Is A Near-Flawless Adult Romcom

Anime Series By A-1 Pictures

The main characters of Love is Hard for Otaku pose for the camera and throw up peace signs

Release Year

2018

Number Of Episodes

11

Where To Watch It

Amazon Prime

Most romance anime tend to focus on the pursuit of the relationship rather than the actual relationship, but that's not the case for Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku. Wotakoi tells two love stories: there’s the story of two friends who have common otaku interests and decide to start dating, eventually falling in love with each other realistically; and then there’s the already established, occasionally dysfunctional relationship of their two friends.

With its refreshingly adult take on romance anime, Wotakoi sets itself apart from the abundance of high school-based romance series. If anime fans are sick of standard sappy rom-com, Wotakoi will feel like a breath of fresh air.

Watch On Amazon Prime

10 Nana Is A Beautiful Story Of Female Friendship

Anime Series By Studio Madhouse

Nana is surrounded by snowflakes in a closeup in the anime Nana

Release Year

2006

Number Of Episodes

47

Where To Watch It

Hulu, HIDIVE

Nana tells the story of two women who, despite sharing the same name, couldn’t be more different; where one is helpless and naïve, the other is proud and bold. Nevertheless, they end up becoming close friends and supporting each other through life.

Nana’s story is that of friendship, romance, and the difficulties of transitioning to adulthood, and the execution is where this anime truly shines. Nana relies on realistic dialogue and thought processes, relatable characters that act like real people, and believable plot lines that resonate in order to explore themes relevant to young adults who are stumbling through adulthood.

Watch On Hulu

9 Aggretsuko Thrives Off Of Its Relatability

Anime Series By Fanworks

Release Year

2018

Number Of Episodes

50

Where To Watch It

Netflix

Based on the eponymous Sanrio character, Aggretsuko, short for "Aggressive Retsuko", is a hilarious anime about a 25-year-old anthropomorphic red panda named Retsuko who works in the accounting department of a Japanese trading firm, and whenever she gets stressed out, she decides to blow off steam by going to a karaoke bar after hours and singing death metal.

Aggretsuko is a brutally honest and biting satirical take on modern life, and that relatability, despite the goofy premise and art style, makes for some of the most resonant writing of any anime.

Watch On Netflix

8 A Place Further Than The Universe Is Adventure At Its Finest

Anime Series By Studio Madhouse

Shirase, Kimari, Hinata, and Yuzuki stretch out in a circle in A Place Further Than The Universe

Release Year

2018

Number Of Episodes

13

Where To Watch It

Crunchyroll

A Place Further than the Universe was one of the best anime of 2018. The adventure comedy follows four girls traveling from Japan to Antarctica, and their story is so incredibly earnest, inspiring, and heartwarming.

A Place Further than the Universe is about having the courage to follow a dream; it's about conquering the paralyzing fear of living life. On their journey to a place further than the universe, the four girls support each other in facing their fears, all the while engaging in all kinds of shenanigans that will make the audience burst into laughter and tears.

Watch On Crunchyroll

7 Violet Evergarden Is One Of Kyoto Animation's Most Gorgeous Anime

Anime Series By Kyoto Animation

Release Year

2018

Number Of Episodes

13

Where To Watch It

Netflix

Violet Evergarden is known for its gorgeous animation, but it’s far from being style without substance. It follows the titular hero, Violet, as she attempts to reintegrate into society after returning from the battlefield and learn the meaning of emotions, most notably why her superior officer said that he loved her. To do this, she becomes a ghostwriter for people who can’t write but want to convey their emotions in a letter.

The emotional growth Violet goes through in Violent Evergarden is always rendered most poignantly, and it plays a big part in why the series has so much appeal.

Related
10 Best KyoAni Anime
Kyoto Animation is one of the most iconic anime studios around, famous for its incredible romance anime, but its portfolio goes beyond that.

Watch On Netflix

6 Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Is A Great Alternative To The Classic Film

Anime Series By Production I.G

Motoko in a still from Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex

Release Year

2002

Number Of Episodes

52

Where To Watch It

Funimation

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex follows Major Motoko Kusanagi and Public Security Section 9 as they investigate highly sensitive criminal cases in a world where many people have become cyborgs. But these amazing advancements in technology also have drawbacks; the existence of cyberbrains led to a whole new class of dangerous crimes, as criminals can take control of people’s cyberbrains, alter memories, and manipulate their sensory input.

With lots of action and thought-provoking ideas, Stand Alone Complex is a must-see series for any anime fan, especially if they’re looking for a strong female lead.

Watch On Funimation

5 Sailor Moon Crystal Is The Perfect Update To The Legendary Classic

Anime Series By Toei Animation

Release Year

2014

Number Of Episodes

39

Where To Watch It

Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu

Regarding anime with strong female characters, it would be remiss not to mention Sailor Moon Crystal. Not only does Usagi undergo an incredible transformation throughout the manga and both anime series, but she also saves Tuxedo Mask consistently throughout. In addition, the rest of the Sailor Senshi are some of the most epic sidekicks anyone could ask for, each offering their own unique personality along with a skill they've honed from day one.

Teamwork, feminism, and general butt-kicking are all part of the Sailor Moon series, and it's iconic in every category.

Watch On Netflix

4 Fruits Basket Is A Hallmark Of Romantic Drama

Anime Series By TMS Entertainment

Release Year

2019

Number Of Episodes

63

Where To Watch It

Crunchyroll, Hulu

Fruits Basket tells the tale of Tohru Honda, a young girl who finds herself in the company of Yuki Sohma and the Sohma family. The Sohmas have a secret, however: when under stress, embarrassed, or when hugged by a member of the opposite gender, they transform into a corresponding animal of the Chinese Zodiac. Tohru vows to keep the Sohma family curse a secret and quests to find a cure for the strange ailment.

Fruits Basket is a tale of love, loss, and everything in between and exists as a tentpole shoujo anime series that almost anyone will enjoy.

Watch On Crunchyroll

3 Serial Experiments Lain's Surreal Story Is More Relevant Than Ever

Anime Series By Triangle Staff

Serial-Experiments-Lain

Release Year

1998

Number Of Episodes

13

Where To Watch It

Funimation

When schoolgirl Lain Iwakura receives a mysterious email from a supposedly deceased classmate, she embarks on a strange journey that could change the way life, death, and reality itself are perceived. In Serial Experiments Lain, individuals can transcend their physical forms by uploading their consciousness into The Wired, a virtual world created as a consequence of man-made technology.

Serial Experiments Lain is weird, cerebral, and almost tough to follow at points, but it's still one of the best single-season anime series of all time, and the amazing growth Lain Iwakura goes through is a big part of why that is.

Watch On Funimation

2 Puella Magi Madoka Magica's Dark Story Perfectly Complements Its Cast

Anime Series By Studio Shaft

Release Year

2011

Number Of Episodes

12

Where To Watch It

Crunchyroll, Hulu

When it comes to anime with predominantly female casts, very few stand out like 2011's Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Madoka Magica is a famously deconstructive take on the magical girl genre, and it's through that dark storytelling that the five protagonists go through such emotionally resonant character development surrounding self-worth and their relationships with others.

Over a decade later, Madoka Magica's strong writing still makes it one of the best anime to watch for great female characters, and with 2024's Madoka Magica movie on the horizon, that's bound to become even more apparent.

Watch On Crunchyroll

1 Claymore Is Still A Standout Fantasy Anime

Anime Series Produced By Studio Madhouse

The protagonist of the anime series Claymore.

Release Year

2007

Number Of Episodes

26

Where To Watch It

Crunchyroll, Hulu

There's no arguing that Clare is an incredible female protagonist in Claymore. While seemingly just a stoic warrior at first, the way in which Clare's history is revealed, coupled with the physical and personal growth she goes through, makes for some incredible character writing that still stands out over a decade later. There are very few protagonists written as well as Clare, female or otherwise, and that writing easily makes Claymore stand out as one of best anime with a female protagonist.

Watch On Crunchyroll