Looking for the best anime that empowers women? Well, check out this list of anime that will empower and make you feel courageous after a watch. Read further to know more.
Although male leads predominate in the anime world, women have earned their place in anime that aims to inspire women today. Let's look at some of the best anime that empowers women in honour of Women's History Month.
Best Anime That Empowers Women
Sailor Moon
Seasons: 5 | Episodes: 200 | Editor's Rating: 8/10
When people think of women empowerment, the first anime that immediately springs to mind is Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon premiered in the United States in 1995 and describes the tale of Usagi Tsukino, a mid-school student.
Usagi make friends with a talking black cat named Luna, who confers upon her a magical brooch. This brooch is responsible for her transformation into the lovely guardian Sailor Moon. This was most people's first anime experience, and it demonstrated how women can be fabulous Earth defenders.
Most women will recognize themselves in one or more of the sailor troops. This show gives young girls the opportunity to see themselves as superheroes or, in this instance at least, pretty guardians. It’s definitely the best anime that empowers women.
Nana
Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 47 | Editor's Rating: 9/10
Nana, an anime from the 2000s, depicts wholesome female friendships as well as the problems that women face. This anime has 47 episodes and takes you on an emotional roller coaster from start to finish.
This show's major protagonists are two women named Nana. They run into each other and end up becoming housemates. Nana Komatsu, affectionately known as "Hachi," has a habit of falling in love too quickly.
Meanwhile, Nana Osakis is a small-town rocker who has recently broken up with her ex-boyfriend. This anime empowers women by depicting the hardships of discovering one's true self in one's early twenties.
You're not quite an adult, but you're also not a kid. Both Nanas' good relationship and support for one another truly represent female sympathy and care. It’s one of the best anime that empowers women on the list.
Black Lagoon
Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 24 | Editor's Rating: 8/10
The Black Lagoon premiered in 2006 with 24 episodes that followed the tale of pirates recognized as the lagoon company who smuggled goods. Rebecca Lee, also known as Revy, is the main female main character of this show.
She is the lagoon company's primary gunfighter and a force to be reckoned with. Revy encourages women with her sarcastic and clever attitude, demonstrating that she is strong without relying on others.
She's a one-woman army anti-hero who demonstrates to females that you can be more than your past traumatic experiences. It’s the best anime that empowers women for the character development of the female protagonists.
Princess Mononoke
Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 12 | Editor's Rating: 8.5/10
Princess Mononoke was released in the United States in 1999 and is a Studio Ghibli crowd favourite. The plot follows Ashitaka as he attempts to make order and stability with the enraged spirits in the wilderness that surrounds Irontown. San, a human girl raised by wolves, attacks Irontown in this tale.
San is a strong woman because she is not scared to stand up and fight for the people she truly cares about. Ashitaka, of course, falls in love with San. But Ashitaka finds her magnificent because she is strong and courageous.
Despite her feelings for Ashitaka, San rejects being with him since he is human. This film empowers women because San demonstrates that we can rise up for what we believe in, regardless of our backgrounds. Princess Mononoke is one of the best anime that empowers women.
Yona Of The Dawn
Seasons: | Episodes: | Editor's Rating:
Yona of the Dawn, which premiered 24 episodes in 2014, is one of the best examples of female character growth. This story revolves around Yona, a simple minded princess, and the mishaps that occur in her kingdom.
Yona's father is assassinated on her sixteenth birthday, forcing her to flee with her bodyguard and childhood friend, Son Hak, and seek asylum. It’s the best anime that empowers women.
She then witnesses firsthand the poverty and difficulties within her kingdom and vows to strengthen herself in order to assist. To do so, she must strive for the power of the four dragons to aid her on her adventure.
Princess Yona empowers women in both anime and manga because she forces herself to transform from an oblivious honourable into a strong warrior who defends people. Most people ignore this anime because they believe it is a romance, but it focuses solely on Yona and the difficulties she faces in fighting for what she truly believes in.
Mikasa Ackermann in Attack On Titan
Seasons: 4 | Episodes: 87 | Editor's Rating: 10/10
After taking the world by storm in 2013, and now with three seasons out, humanity was given a chilling reminder as Attack on Titan aired. The main plot is that people are forced to live behind walls that safeguard them from Titans, which are giant man-eating monsters.
The main character of the show is young Even Jaeger, who joins the scout regiment to protect innocent people. Attack on Titan is the best anime that empowers women.
Mikasa Ackermann, the main female protagonist, is the one who most people remember as empowering. Mikasa, Eren's younger adoptive sister, also enters the scouts to protect Eren. Mikasa is arguably one of the single most powerful fighters on the show, and she certainly kicks Eren's ass a lot more than he does at times.
The best thing about Attack on Titan that empowers women is that characters like Mikasa are not drawing comparisons to their male cast; while Mikasa has an emotional connection to Eren, she is a strong character in her own right.
Mikasa empowers women because she does what is appropriate, believes in what she is doing, and does not let anyone tell her otherwise.
Michiko To Hatchin
Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 22 | Editor's Rating: 7/10
Michiko to Hatchin, which premiered 22 episodes in 2008, is an underappreciated adventure about a woman on the run seeking to accomplish her dream. Michiko, a free-spirited woman, escapes from an unbreakable prison for the fourth time in this story.
She meets Hana, or "Hatchin," a young girl, and helps her flee from her abusive adoptive parents. It’s the best anime that empowers women!
Fate brings the two outcasts together, and they spend their lives on the run. This anime empowers women who watch it because Michiko is not only a badass, but it also demonstrates how important her relationship with Hana is.
Despite their constant arguing and fighting, they were the ones who wanted each other the most. This reminds us, women, to stick together no matter what.
Black Clover
Seasons: 4 | Episodes: 170 | Editor's Rating: 8/10
The ongoing anime first premiered in 2017 and is still available to watch on Crunchyroll today. Black Clover is a new shounen anime about a young Asta who dwells in a magical world and strives and worked diligently to become the wizard crown prince despite having no magic of his own.
While this is a tale of a young man's journey, Black Clover highlights the entire cast. Female characters with powerful backstories, such as Noelle Silva, are given action sequences. In fact, the main character admires the power of all the female characters and nothing more because he is a bit dense when it comes to romantic relationships.
Mereoleona Vermillion is one of the show's most prominent characters; she is the sister of one of the royal captains and is forced to take orders when her brother is wounded. This woman tests the limits of her royal knight squad and refuses to leave fighting no matter how many times she is taken down.
The female cast of Black Clover empowers females by showing them as more than just romantic interests or damsels in distress. Women in Black Clover have demonstrated their strength and demonstrated that we can fight until the bitter end. Black Clover is the best anime that empowers women.
Snow White With The Red Hair
Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 24 | Editor's Rating: 7.5/10
Snow White With The Red Hair, which premiered in 2015 and ran for two seasons, captivated audiences' hearts with its breathtaking animation and enchanting storytelling. Shiryuki is the main character of this story, who stands out due to her unusual red hair.
Shiryuki's bright red locks catch the eye of Prince Raj, who only wants her as a slave woman, but Shiryuki is a diligent herbalist. When she flees, she comes across the Prince of a neighbouring kingdom, Prince Zen of Clarines. Zen appreciates Shirayuki not for her red hair, but for her devotion to being a herbalist.
Because Shiryuki is all about judgment and strengthening her own path in life, this story empowers women. She declines to be a target of what others expect of her and instead follows her heart. It’s the best anime that empowers women.
Despite the fact that she develops feelings for Prince Zen, she allows herself to create her own path despite the complexities of their relationship.
Black Rock Shooter
Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 12 | Editor's Rating: 6/10
This brief eight-episode series debuted in 2012, based on a popular OVA that began in 2010. Three different middle school girls are the emphasis of this plotline. Each girl is dealing with her own interpersonal conflict. Black Rock Shooter is the best anime that empowers women!
Their dispute manifest in another world, where these formidable warriors clash. These warriors take on similar physical attributes and have different variations and symbolism for each girl.
This anime empowers women by symbolizing how serious and deadly conflict can be if not handled properly. The nature of our relationships must be addressed before they develop into something much more serious. This anime emphasizes the importance of managing friendships and resolving conflicts.
A Certain Scientific Railgun
This anime series, "A Certain Scientific Railgun", is a spin-off of A Certain Magical Index, but is an excellent series in its own right and should certainly not be overlooked.
Set in the futuristic Academy City, the story follows one of the city's seven powerful espers, Mikoto Misaka also known as the Railgun.
As fans of the original series will know, Mikoto is not someone to be taken lightly and this series is no exception.
Join Mikoto and her friends as they investigate the mysteries of Academy City and discover the secrets hidden in its utopian walls. Don’t miss this exciting and action-filled spin-off series and experience all the heart-pumping adventures that await!
Lycoris Recoil
Lycoris Recoil is a relatively new series that had fans abuzz when it was released in Summer 2022.
Its captivating storyline follows two yuri leads, Chisato and Takina, in a Tokyo overrun by a mysterious squad known as Lycoris.
These Girls in school uniforms take great measures to keep all criminal activity well-hidden and suppress any would-be wrongdoers.
At first glance, Chisato appears to be a cheerfully energetic young woman, but put her in a gunfight and she immediately becomes a force to be reckoned with.
Together, Chisato and Takina battle against the Lycoris in a thrilling story that keeps fans hooked until the very end.
Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell is a classic anime movie from the 90s, often cited as one of the greatest in the genre and most recognisable films of all time.
It follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a female protagonist whose power and strength makes her one of the most iconic female leads in an action anime movie. But whether she can be truly called a 'female lead' is debatable.
The story, which takes place in a 2029 where cybernetics are far more enmeshed in society than we are today, follows Major Kusanagi as she leads her special operations unit and uses her robotic body to fight in battle and in other missions.
With her determination, strength, and resourcefulness, it is no surprise that Major Kusanagi is seen as one of the most iconic female protagonists in the anime movie world.
Hitomi Uzaki from Killing Bites
Here's an amazing action anime with female lead, if you love action anime!
It's rare that an anime (or any media for that matter) will represent female characters as empowered and unapologetically brave as male characters.
Hitomi - better known as Brute Ratel - delivers both an impressive display of power and an incredible climb towards self-acceptance.
In the show Killing Bites, Hitomi's angst and ferocity reveal her human/honey badger hybrid nature; a state of being where she grows stronger and more determined the farther she is pushed into a corner.
The show may not be extremely deep and complex, but the evident strength and confrontational attitude of Hitomi allows her story to stand out amongst the chaos.
One iconic moment of her overcoming adversity and displaying a fearless spirit was in a particular fight scene where she used her own severed arm as a weapon to defend herself - something more than enough to make her an iconic feminist symbol in the anime world.
The Future Is Female
You will find strong female characters in anime no matter what you stream. Although anime has always been more advanced than Western media, there is a lot of anime that degrades women. This list should help you find some truly inspirational female role models to follow.
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