anime1

While TV and movies seem to have a hard time grappling with the evolving role of women in society, animation has been delivering strong female leads for decades.

Sure, some of their empowering swagger is tempered with skimpy clothes and breasts so large they’re almost certain to cause major chiropractic problems, but animation has been surprisingly progressive when it comes to depicting women in comparison to film and live action television.

So it was only a matter of time before someone put together a list of the most badass female characters in animation, and it makes sense that the list is heavy on the anime; Manga and anime artists infamously have a bit of a fetish for strong female leads, after all.

So, here’s (in no particular order) iO9‘s list of the most ass-kicking female characters in animation, with the Japanese anime ladies front and center — because, as you know, we love to talk about Japan here at RocketNews24.

Olivier Armstrong — Full Metal Alchemist

Mikasa Ackerman — Attack on Titan

Erza Scarlett — Fairy Tail

Seras Victoria — Hellsing

Yoko Littner — Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Miu — Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple

Asuka Langley Soryu — Neon Genesis Evangelion

Ryoko — Tenchi Muyo!

Sailor Mars — Sailor Moon

San — Princess Mononoke

Genkai — Yu Yu Hakusho

Tsunade — Naruto

Yoruichi Shihouin — Bleach

Maka Albarn — Soul Eater

Anna Asakura — Shaman King

And here are the picks from Western animation:

Wyldstyle — The Lego Movie

Jasmine — Aladdin

Mulan — Mulan

Wonder Woman — Justice League Unlimited

M’gann M’orzz — Young Justice

Raven — Teen Titans

Buttercup — The Powerpuff Girls

Elisa Maza — Gargoyles

Lana — Archer

Mandy — The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

Garnet — Steven Universe

Gretchen — Recess

Leela — Futurama

Numbuh Five — The Kids Next Door

Toph — Avatar The Last Airbender

Flame Princess — Adventure Time

EVE — Wall-E

Vanellope Von Schweetz — Wreck It Ralph

Elastigirl — The Incredibles

Elsa — Frozen

Merida — Brave

Kim Possible — Kim Possible

Disagree with the list? Think there’s a female role more deserving of a spot? Let us know in the comments. We technically didn’t come up with the ranking, so no hard feelings!

Source: iO9
[ Read in Japanese ]