Female villain in anime is a surprisingly underrepresented archetype, given the medium’s tendency to turn female characters into helpless damsels in distress, often needing to be saved by their strong male counterparts. Even when that’s not the case, they are often given supporting roles or play the main character’s love interest instead of having their own identities.
In general, anti-heroes in anime are not entirely uncommon, but they are almost always male, who are often allowed to have stronger and more dominant personalities without having to concern themselves with other characters. people around. Regardless, there are also female protagonists who are said to travel the world as they see fit, not following any rules, and establishing themselves as some of the best female anti-heroes .
10 Revy (Black Dress)
The official Black Lagoon Company is a group of people who often work for criminal organizations, providing services such as smuggling and piracy. Revy’s personality seems perfectly suited to her job, as she is known for being rude, aggressive, and sadistic, often using profanity and killing without hesitation. However, this destructive behavior was actually motivated by her deep psychological trauma, as she was verbally, physically, and even sexually abused by those who were supposed to protect her. This left her desperate for power, and being poor made her obsessed with money. However, Revy also seems to have a soft side, occasionally saving her teammates.
9 Yuno Gasai (Future Diary)
As the female protagonist of Future Diary, Yuno Gasai’s identity and actions revolve around her lover, Yukiteru Amano. Despite genuinely caring for Yukiteru and doing everything in her power to ensure his success in the survival game they are playing, her methods tend to be questionable. Many of her problems stem from her childhood; After being adopted into a seemingly happy family, her father was largely absent, and her mother abused her, even locking her in a cage. This causes Yuno to get into trouble and develop a twisted personality, often resorting to cruel and violent methods.
8 Akame (Akame Ga Kill)
Akame Ga Kill’s eponymous villain, Akame, is a ruthless assassin who kills her enemies without showing any mercy or remorse. However, she is not entirely a villain, as she appears to care very much for her teammates, always trying to protect her friends, and being affected when she is unable to do so. Her seemingly cold and emotionless nature is a result of her childhood, during which she and her sister were sold to the Empire and forced to take a brutal exam. The survivors are then trained by elite assassins to become effective assassins, learning murder and espionage techniques and undergoing grueling training.
7 Inverse Lina (Killer)
As the main character of the Slayers series, Lina Inverse’s actions are usually not too different from other heroic magicians, as she also tends to spend most of her time fighting evil forces. However, what sets her apart from her peers is her method; She has a hot temper and tends to cause great damage in battle, using black magic derived from chaotic creatures, with no care or concern for her surroundings. Furthermore, coming from a family of merchants, she always tries to get a bargain, sometimes even forcing people to give her things for free.
6 Triela (Shooting Girl)
Gunslinger Girl revolves around the Social Welfare Agency, where young girls are given cybernetic implants and used as counter-terrorism agents, working alongside “Handlers” who brainwash them into becoming perfect. completely loyal, often at the cost of their memories. Triela became one of the Agency’s first cyborgs after living a tragic life as a victim of the mob, frequently drugged and abused, and at one point nearly dying. She is shown to be one of the more compassionate and calm characters, often teaching and helping other girls in need. Although considered an anti-hero for his brutality, Triela is simply a product of circumstances.
5 Koko Hekmatyar (Jormungand)
Koko Hekmatyar is an arms dealer, often seen traveling with her team of bodyguards around the world to conduct business. Her personality is difficult to gauge because she rarely shows her true emotions. Her manners are sometimes immature but she can also be calm, especially when dealing with business partners. One thing that can be said for sure is that she is very determined as she leads a secret project called Jormungand, with the goal of ending war and the arms trade. This plan could cause up to 700,000 casualties, but she considered it a necessary sacrifice, worthy of being made for the goal of achieving world peace.
4 Shiki Ryougi (Garden of Sinners)
Born into a family of demon hunters, Shiki Ryougi grew up with two personalities, a stoic and cynical female, and a male who knew nothing but killing. However, after being involved in an accident that left her in a coma for 2 years, she realized that she had lost her male personality SHIKI, and instead gained the “Mystical Eyes of Death”, an ability Her supernatural ability allows her to perceive the death of any object. or exist. The Garden of Sinners follows the life of Shiki and the mysteries she is drawn into, making no attempt to hide her ruthlessness and ruthlessness when she wants to.
3 Kaede (Lying Elf)
Elfen Lied’s protagonist Kaede is a Diclonius, a species with horns and psychokinetic abilities, defined by one of anime’s most tragic backstories. Raised in an orphanage, she grew up with the mistaken belief that her parents had abandoned her and wanted her dead, causing her deep psychological problems. At the orphanage, she was not only abandoned by the staff but also bullied by other children. As she matured, her invisible telekinetic vectors or arms also developed and she unconsciously used them to kill people as she repeatedly felt betrayed and angry. However, when she learns about love, she makes a wise decision to change and atone for her past mistakes.
2 Clare (Claymore)
Clare is a Claymore, or human-Yoma hybrid, who fights demonic creatures called Yoma that are tormenting the lands. Although she may be considered an anti-hero because of her generally cold and blunt attitude, seemingly prioritizing Yoma’s elimination above all else, including protecting others, she proves to be quite a kind person who really cares about her. friends and comrades. Unfortunately, she has difficulty expressing her emotions due to her traumatic past. After losing her parents to Yoma and being captured and abused by one, she was eventually saved by another Claymore, specifically Teresa, but eventually lost her, leaving nothing but the desire for revenge.
1 Michiko Malandro (Michiko & Hatchin)
Michiko Malandro, the co-character of Michiko & Hatchin, is a strong woman with a troubled past. Growing up in an orphanage, she often stole from stores to provide for other children, feeling responsible for them. After leaving the orphanage, she was eventually captured, then escaped from prison in search of her ex-lover’s daughter, Hiroshi. Saving Hana, whom she later names Hatchin, from an abusive foster family, the two embark on a journey together. Michiko may have strange expressions, often appearing rude or disruptive, and not afraid to point a gun at others, but she truly cares for the people she loves, trusting them completely.
These anti-heroes prove that strong female protagonists in anime can also be popular, although not particularly popular. In fact, their rarity only makes them more special. Instead of rejecting or blindly following the expectations associated with the protagonist’s role, they demonstrate that there are many ways to advance the story and establish the rhythm of the action. That’s what makes these female anti-hero in anime some of the most interesting and memorable anime characters ever.
