Top 10 Most Badass Female Anime Characters

These characters are not just the standard damsels in distress waiting to be rescued. No, they are the warriors, the strategists, the leaders, the protectors, and the rebels.

They are the ones who have portrayed a plethora of emotions and have been a beacon of strength and inspiration, not just for other characters in their respective series but also for us, the spectators, who look up to them.

From mystical magical girls who take on the world with their enchanted abilities to high-flying mecha pilots who redefine bravery to the witty and strong-willed everyday girls who tackle life's challenges with grit and humor, these characters radiate an aura of badassery that is hard to match.

The Top Ten

Saeko Busujima - Highschool of the Dead

Saeko Busujima is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Highschool of the Dead, written by Daisuke Satō and illustrated by Shōji Satō. She is a high school senior skilled in kendo and becomes one of the main survivors during a zombie outbreak. Saeko is known for her calm demeanor, combat... read more
Revy - Black Lagoon

Rebecca Lee, commonly known as Revy and sometimes called Two Hands, is the main female protagonist of the anime and manga series Black Lagoon. She is known for her combat skills and use of dual pistols. Revy is one of the most prominent and violent characters in the series.

Overall, the ten I picked here were an excruciatingly difficult decision. There are so many eligible female badasses! But I have no doubt that Revy is number one. She has spunk, bullets, and is almost undefeatable when it comes to gun standoffs. Saeko has nothing on her.

Everything about Revy screams badass. She's the best gun user in anime, in my opinion, and she's undefeatable but not ridiculously overpowered either.

Revy is the best bounty hunter ever! She's very badass! I'm so sad that the anime is so short. I would watch it for years if Revy was there with her crew!
Mikasa Ackerman - Attack on Titan

Mikasa Ackerman is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Attack on Titan, also known by its Japanese title Shingeki no Kyojin. Created by Hajime Isayama, she is one of the main characters and serves as a close companion and protector of Eren Jaeger. Mikasa is known for her exceptional combat... read more

There's a difference between being a badass and being an overpowered Mary Sue. Mikasa is the latter.

She is number 1! She's the biggest female badass ever!

Number 43? Come on, she should be higher on the list!
Lucy - Elfen Lied

Don't even think about voting until you at least Google "Lucy gun." Then tell me what a badass chick looks like.

I'm pretty sure that she can slice up every other girl on this list (no offense).

She is really badass. I mean, the way she fights!
Erza Scarlet - Fairy Tail

Erza Scarlet is an S-Class Mage from the infamous magic guild Fairy Tail. She starts off as a lone wolf who strictly follows the rules. As the story develops, Erza changes into a loving, strong, and independent mage.
Her terrible past haunts her, and she initially ignores her nakama's calls for... read more

Erza is an incredible wizard, capable of many great things! I think she deserves to be at least top 3.

Not many people in Fairy Tail are badass, but Erza is an exception.

She should be the best female in anime and in shonen because she is the best female in anime and the most badass.
Motoko Kusanagi - Ghost in the Shell

Major Motoko Kusanagi is the main protagonist of Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell manga and its various anime adaptations. She is a full-body cybernetic human employed as the field commander of Public Security Section 9, a fictional counter-cyberterrorist organization under Japan's National Public... read more

How low she is is really disappointing, considering it's Motoko we're talking about here! I don't think any anime fan can deny her badassery.

Finally, an anime list on this site in which the top item totally deserves the spot!
Android 18 - Dragon Ball

Android 18 is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga and anime series created by Akira Toriyama. She is originally introduced as a villain and one of the androids created by Dr. Gero to destroy Goku.
After being absorbed and later released by Cell, Android 18 reforms and becomes a key... read more

Most badass and strongest anime girl ever. Android 18 rocks.
Saber - Fate Stay Night

Saber is a fictional character from the Japanese visual novel and anime series Fate/stay night by Type-Moon and its prequel Fate/Zero by Type-Moon and nitroplus. She is the Saber-class Servant of Kiritsugu Emiya during the Fourth Holy Grail War in Fate/Zero and the Servant of Shirou Emiya during the... read more

To be honest, I think Saber is more badass and stronger than Asuna. I still love Asuna, but I think Saber would beat her by a mile in a fight.

Saber is more badass than Erza, in my opinion.
Riza Hawkeye - Fullmetal Alchemist

Riza Hawkeye is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its various adaptations, created by Hiromu Arakawa. She is known as a loyal and skilled sharpshooter who serves as the trusted adjutant to Colonel Roy Mustang. Her character is central to the series' themes of duty, loyalty... read more

This woman has about twenty pistols and will not hesitate to pull the trigger. She has even held her superior officer (and love interest) at gunpoint because he was losing sight of his goal and turning dark.

Her attitude, her intelligence, her badass aim, her sexy hair and calmness, and overall, her back tattoo - which taught Roy flame alchemy - makes her amazing.

Oh, I love Riza. Easily the most badass FMA female.
Yoruichi Shihōin - Bleach

Yoruichi Shihōin is a fictional character in the Bleach manga series and its adaptations, created by Tite Kubo. She is a former captain of the 2nd Division in the Gotei 13 and a former commander of the Onmitsukidō. Known for her speed and ability to transform into a black cat, she plays a key role in... read more

The Newcomers

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Historia Reiss - Attack on Titan
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Yelena - Attack on Titan

The Contenders

Seras Victoria - Hellsing

Seras Victoria is a fictional character in the Hellsing manga and anime series created by Kouta Hirano. She is introduced as a police officer who is turned into a vampire by Alucard. After her transformation, she joins the Hellsing Organization and becomes a powerful fighter.... read more

She should be at least in the top ten. She's strong, determined, and caring. She's a badass! And I love her guns!
Ryuko Matoi - Kill la Kill

Ryuko Matoi is the main protagonist of the Japanese anime series Kill la Kill, produced by Studio Trigger. She is a high school student who enrolls at Honnouji Academy to uncover the identity of her father's killer. Ryuko uses a half-scissor blade and wears a sentient uniform named Senketsu, both of... read more
Videl - Dragon Ball Z

Videl is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Dragon Ball, created by Akira Toriyama. She is the daughter of Mr. Satan, also known as Hercule, a martial arts champion, and later becomes the wife of Gohan, the son of Goku. Videl is known for her fighting skills and strong-willed personality... read more
Kyoko Sakura - Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Kyoko Sakura is a fictional character from the 2011 anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica and its related media. She is introduced as a lone magical girl who values self-interest but gradually becomes more cooperative. Kyoko wields a spear and is known for her tragic backstory and strong sense of determination... read more
Faye Valentine - Cowboy Bebop

Faye Valentine is a fictional character from Cowboy Bebop who first appeared in the third episode, Honky Tonk Women. Initially introduced as a wanted bounty head, she eventually joins the bounty hunting crew alongside Spike Spiegel and Jet Black... read more
Zangya - Dragon Ball Z

Zangya is a fictional character from the Dragon Ball Z franchise. She appears as a villain in the movie Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound. Zangya is a member of Bojack's group and is known for her distinctive blue skin and orange hair.
Rukia Kuchiki - Bleach

Rukia Kuchiki is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Bleach, created by Tite Kubo. She is a Soul Reaper who later becomes the lieutenant and eventually the captain of the 13th Division. Rukia is the adoptive sister of Byakuya Kuchiki, a close friend to Ichigo Kurosaki, and eventually... read more

She's cool and not the typical crybaby damsel in distress. She's funny and cares about her friends. I wish she had ended up with Ichigo. One of the reasons I relive the moments and watch Bleach is because of Rukia.

Why is she so low? Rukia is the best anime female character and a total badass! Love you Rukia.

The only reason why I read Bleach 'till the end. Long live Queen Rukia!
Annie Leonhart - Attack on Titan

Annie Leonhart is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Attack on Titan, also known as Shingeki no Kyojin in Japanese. She was created by Hajime Isayama. Annie is known for her stoic demeanor, formidable combat skills, and ability to transform into the Female Titan.

She did a good job kicking Eren's ass.
Casca - Berserk

Casca is a major character in the manga and anime series Berserk, created by Kentaro Miura. She served as a high-ranking member of the Band of the Hawk and was a close ally of the protagonist, Guts. Her complex storyline includes themes of trauma, resilience, and identity.
Nanoha Takamachi - Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
Touka Kirishima - Tokyo Ghoul

Touka Kirishima is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Tokyo Ghoul, created by Sui Ishida. She is a ghoul who works at the Anteiku café and plays a significant role in the series' storyline. Throughout the series, she attempts to live among humans while navigating a world divided between... read more
Cure Moonlight / Yuri Tsukikage - HeartCatch Precure
Fate Testarossa - Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha

Probably the most badass magical girl I've come across (even against the likes of the Sailor Moon gang or even Kyoko!). Anyway, she's great.
Minene Uryu - Future Diary
Tatsumaki - One Punch Man

Tatsumaki (タツマキ), also known by her hero alias Tornado of Terror (戦慄のタツマキ), is a character in the anime and manga series One-Punch Man. She holds the rank of S-Class, Rank 2, in the Hero Association, making her one of the organization's most powerful heroes.... read more

How is she not in the top 10? She's basically rank two in One Punch Man!