Top 10 Badass Women in Anime

Top 10 Badass Women in Anime

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Top 20 Most Badass Female Anime Characters

Anime may be the best place to find women who turn the classic damsel in distress trope upside down and kick it in the head. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we are counting down our picks for the top ten badass women in anime. For this list we’ll be looking at women in anime who can more than hold their own at whatever hardships come their way. Accomplishments, attitudes and overall awesomeness will all be taken into account. Strap yourselves in people.

“Highschool of the Dead” (2010) This anime will give you two things in abundance. Boobs and zombies. Among the largely proportioned ladies none are more capable, and vicious than Saeko. When the dead start to walk and feast on the living, most run for the hills or take up firearms. Not this kendo student. As the survivors travel across the city in order to find shelter, Saeko’s weapon of choice remains her signature bokken, bashing in the heads of every undead she comes across with both discipline and precision. Even discounting the physics-defying breasts, there’s no denying Saeko is the companion of choice for a zombie apocalypse.

“One Piece” (1999-) When we first met Robin, she was nothing more than a henchmen of the fearsome Pirate Warlord known as Crocodile. Sure, she was charismatic and had a really awesome, if bizarre, Devil Fruit powers, but wasn’t exactly outstanding. Then we learned her backstory. Her heart-breaking, tear-jerking backstory. Condemned for death by the World Government as a child, she is a true survivor who held onto the dying words of her friend to keep smiling even in the face of overwhelming hostility. Not to mention that her capture led to one of the most action-packed arcs in all of One Piece!

“Tokyo Ghoul” (2014-15) Living as a Ghoul isn’t easy, especially when you’re trying to retain what remains of your humanity. Starting off as a cold but collected individual, Touka found shelter from the horrors of her past and her constant hunger for flesh in her day job as a waitress. While she began to grow warmer as her relationship with Ken Kaneki grew, she’s not without her bestial side, possessing an abject hatred for the CCG after they killed her parents. In a series where everyone seems to be on the precipice of turning into merciless monsters, humans and ghouls alike, Touka remains one of the few fighting for the chance of a peaceful life.

“Claymore” (2007) Teresa was certainly a badass in her own right, but in the end her successor made our list due to her overwhelming willpower, not to mention that fact she’s one of a kind. After watching her guardian murdered by the Awakened Being Priscilla, Clare became a Claymore with the sole purpose of exacting her revenge. Initially regarded as the weakest member of the Organisation, over the series run her strength increased to the point where she was on par with even the most deadly of warriors. Don’t let that cold front of hers fool you, should you push her enough you’ll awaken a beast that will carve you in two before you know it.

“Fairy Tail” (2009-16) She went from child slave to one of the strongest mages in all the land. Forced by her possessed childhood friend to build the fearsome Tower of Heaven, Erza eventually managed to escape her captivity, finding her way to the Fairy Tail Guild. From there she would rise to become an S-Class Mage and one hell of a fighter. With her magical ability known as Requip; she has access to a seemingly endless series of armours and weapons, each possessing their own devastating abilities. Even including ones that are a little…provocative. She’s a stoic warrior with a soft heart and tragic past, and you can bet she will defend her adoptive family to the bitter end.

“Attack on Titan” (2013) In a world long gone, where gigantic humanoids roam the Earth and feast on whatever they find, you have Mikasa. A member of the Survey Corp, she doesn’t just kill Titans, she eviscerates them. She was hailed as the strongest of the corps’ new recruits, and her fieldwork certainly backs that. Due to a bloody past involving the death of her mother, Mikasa is an intimidating and stoic individual, having no qualms about threatening other humans to complete her mission. The only real emotional connection she has is with Eren. Mess with him and chances are you’ll find yourself torn to ribbons by his very, very protective lady friend.

“Kill la Kill” (2013-14) Her choice in armour may be a little on the revealing side, but trying to go up against this rebel isn’t a good idea should you value your life. You won’t find a more stubborn soul in this extreme and wacky series. And trust us none of these characters are on the subtle side of things. In search of her father’s murderer, Ryuko takes up the sentient life fiber uniform and openly battles the dictatorship that is the Student Council. Stubborn as all hell, Ryuko will always stand up to anyone in her way, no matter how badly the odds are stacked against her.

“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96) She literally broke Vegeta, what more reason do you need? One of two androids created by Dr Gero in order to assassinate Goku, 18 was a literal killing machine who took great pleasure in exterminating humanity. However, she found herself suddenly switching sides when she and her brother were hunted by the horrific Cell. After nearly being digested, she was freed by the Z-Fighters and became part of their powerhouse family. She even ended up marrying Krillin of all people! Despite switching to the side of good and taking a backseat to focus on being a mother, she was still an impressive fighter. Not many can say they took on two Super Sayains at once!

“Black Lagoon” (2006) Revy is a woman of simple taste. All she cares about is stealing, smoking, and getting drunk, not to mention shooting down anyone who gets in her way. The sociopathic gunslinger serves as the muscle of Lagoon Company, and while she may be terrible at taking orders, she is in her element when it comes to life or death situations. From hunting down Nazis, taking on all manner of bounty hunters and assassins, not to mention participating in an epic one-on-one duel with an ex-Yakuza member, Revy is a foul-mouthed basket-case who would put a bullet though everyone in the world in order to get want she wanted. And we love her for it. Before we reveal out number one pick here are a few honourable mentions! Kallen Kozuki “Code Geass” (2008-09) Casca “Berserk” (1997-98) Saber “Fate” series (2006-15) Seras Victoria “Hellsing Ultimate” (2001-12) Riza Hawkeye “Fullmetal Alchemist” series (2003-10) Akame “Akame Ga Kill!” (2014)

“Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex” (2002-03) The net may be truly vast and infinite, but there is no other character we would want to lead us into battle. Commonly referred to as Major, she’s an integral part of Public Security Section 9, taking the lead when it comes to dangerous spec-ops missions. As an augmented-cybernetic human, Motoko possess far greater strength and endurance than most. You put a firearm in her hand and she’ll take out whatever target comes her way. Her cyberization has made her less emotionally inclined than others, but she’s in no way stripped of it. Do you agree with our list? Which female anime character did you think was the most badass? With new top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.