Welcome to the Solaris Blog! ヾ( ʚ̴̶̷ .̫ ʚ̴̶̷ )ﾉ”
March 3rd is the official date of Japan’s Doll Festival, or Girls’ Day, an occasion to pray for the good health of young girls. Usually, families display their treasured hina dolls, which are modeled after the Japanese imperial court on the Emperor's wedding day. ( ʃƪ˘ﻬ˘)♡(≧ω≦ )
And we wanted to celebrate it too, but the otaku way…Therefore, today we’ll look at our top picks for strong female characters in anime! From badass gynoids to deceivingly bright and cheerful swordswomen, these ladies can rise from their adversities and kick some serious butt. ( `ω´ )۶▬ι═══════ﺤ
Of course, anime is chock-full of strong female characters. However, this list can only be so long, so not everyone will be mentioned. And, sorry my dear Fate/Stay Night fans, but there is no Saber in this post. Yes, she is the very definition of strength, but she gets enough of the spotlight in her own blog post, which you should check out if you haven’t already!
Kugisaki Nobara (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Let’s start with my absolute favorite, Nobara. Crazy strong, crazy feminine, and just downright crazy at times, the spunky first year from Tokyo Jujutsu High is a refreshing take on female characters. When her hands aren’t wielding a hammer and nails, they’re holding shopping bags up and down the streets of Shibuya. ( ฅΦωΦ)ฅ She refuses to be a stereotype and gives a big middle finger to the expectations society puts on women. Attagirl!
Thankfully, she’s got figures aplenty with even more in the works! As for what has caught our eye lately…we have this cool scale by Kotobukiya in stock that’s worth checking out. There is also a Kugisaki Pop Up Parade set to release at the end of April, so pre-order today!
Erza Scarlet (Fairy Tail)
If Nobara had lived in an alternate, RPG-like universe, I believe she wouldn’t be too different from Fairy Tail’s Erza Scarlet! They may even have been sisters or best friends.
Two words define her personality: major RBF. Even if she didn’t have the power and stamina that she does, I’m sure she’d still kick butt by just staring daggers. ( ≖ᆺ≖ )
And just because she’s tough doesn’t mean she can’t be pretty. Her armory is a magical girl’s dream! Each piece is designed to make jaws drop on the battlefield, both figuratively and literally. (͡× ω×)
Android 18 (Dragon Ball)
18 is *literally* strong. As we were choosing the characters to feature, we even joked that her face is strong. Not to mention that she must have patience made of titanium, because daily life with Krillin might not be easy either! Her cool, dry humor must be what keeps their relationship going. (⌒_⌒;)
This glamorous figure of Android 18 is currently in stock! We also have a pre-owned for a sweet 22% off.
Major Kusanagi Motoko (Ghost in the Shell)
Speaking of gynoids, we have to mention Ghost in the Shell's Major Kusanagi Motoko. She is utterly badass, and not only for her perfectly sculpted, downright OP cybernetic body. Having transcended humanity, Major has unfathomable character depth. Hers is the voice that sparked my first existential questions back in the day: what makes me...me? (ʃ⌣́ ,⌣́ ƪ)
Mikasa Ackerman (Attack on Titan)
Fight. The world is a cruel place. You have to fight if you want to live.
But it’s also beautiful. And so is Attack on Titan’s Mikasa Ackerman! She’s a steel rose everblooming on the battlefield, who went from trembling orphan to fearless hero. Once her unbreakable spirit awakened her innate gift, nothing could stop her. (ﾒ｀ﾛ´)/ She slashes through death, fueled by the love and loyalty she keeps underneath her stone-cold exterior.
Senju Tsunade (Naruto)
Everyone can be useful in war according to their own gifts. The glory is often given to those on the frontlines, dealing death freely among their enemies. However, let’s not forget how equally glorious is the contribution of those who protect life amidst the bloodshed.
Tsunade is an excellent fighter and an even more excellent medic. Off the battlefield, she’s warm and caring in that blunt “tiger mom” way of hers. Though, with pupils like Naruto, I don’t see any other way to teach them. (￣︶￣ ;)
Akemi Homura (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Strength isn’t found in muscles and power exclusively. There is also strength in our feelings! And in Madoka’s universe, the pull of those feelings can generate enough energy to weave the threads of fate and crown a new goddess. Such is the depth of Homura’s love for her best friend Madoka. Only those who have loved so deeply understand how real it feels, no matter how impossible the odds may be. (✿❛U❛)(❛‿❛✿)
This deadly scale by Good Smile Company is currently in stock at our store. There is also a neat Pop Up Parade coming up at the end of June 2022. Pre-orders are currently open, so order today! At the time of writing this post, you can still save 16% on an Early Bird promotion. (๑・ω-)
And in case you missed it, consider subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Instagram for weekly news, Early Bird discounts, and sweet deals on anime figures and merchandise!
Kochou Shinobu (Demon Slayer)
Don’t ever mistake a sunny disposition for weakness, because you’ll be in for a painful defeat. But in the case of Demon Slayer’s Kochou Shinobu, you can take solace in the fact that it will be beautiful. Imagine a thousand butterflies slashing you with their wings like a thousand paper cuts: a tragically glorious way to die, isn’t it?
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒヽ( ꒪д꒪ )ﾉ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
Despite her sweet and delicate appearance, the Insect Hashira is a powerful fighter. Her presence is so intense that it betrays that ever-present gentle smile. (ㅇ‿ㅇ)
Like Jujutsu Kaisen, the Demon Slayer series is also full of very strong and very feminine characters! Fans of Shinobu’s predecessor Kouchou Kanae, fellow Hashira Kanroji Mitsuri, and her successor Tsuyuri Kanao will be happy to find they have a sizable selection of merch and figures!
Kamado Nezuko (Demon Slayer)
Now, why does Nezuko get her own section? Because I like her.
OK, sorry. Not just that.（ﾉ´∀`）
It’s because I find her strength is different from what I’ve shown so far. Her power comes from a curse, and one that dramatically changed her life…her nature, even. Since the fateful day of the attack, Nezuko has to prove to the world she’s human enough to keep on living. But she’s also beginning to embrace her demonic nature, which is cool to see, but a little worrying if you think of the consequences. It takes resilience to take life’s adversities in stride, and Nezuko is an inspiring example to follow.
Revy (Black Lagoon)
To go out with a literal bang, we're closing this list with Black Lagoon's cold-blooded gunslinger, Revy. I'm not sure if there is any sugar, spice, or anything nice left in her...only bloodlust, it seems. ’ ̿’\̵͇̿̿\з=(▼□▼)=ε/̵͇̿̿/’̿’̿
An ace in her craft and deservedly proud of it, Revy is among the most intriguing characters I've ever seen in anime. Witty as she is gritty, she exudes Roanapur energy, where the only diplomacy that works is the type done at gunpoint. Some people only fight because they have to…but Revy is made of chaos and conflict.
She’s a good reminder that even if you break a strong spirit, you have to be doubly careful: the shards are still sharp and will draw blood.
That concludes our picks of strong female characters in anime! Who did we miss? Who do you think should definitely have been featured here? Leave us a comment below! (´-ω-)σ
Until next time! ヾ(＾∇＾)
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