Custom Image by Hannah DiffeyUpdated Jul 4, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT
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For decades, anime has introduced audiences to unforgettable heroes, but some of the medium's most compelling stories belong to women. These protagonists aren't memorable simply because they're powerful fighters or gifted with extraordinary abilities. They stand out because of their resilience, emotional depth, intelligence, and the way they shape the worlds around them.
Whether they're leading revolutions, solving impossible mysteries, surviving impossible odds, or discovering who they want to become, great female protagonists have appeared in every genre imaginable. From action epics and psychological thrillers to romance, fantasy, slice-of-life, and science fiction, these series prove that some of anime's greatest stories are driven by remarkable women. Alongside longtime classics, several modern favorites have continued to redefine what a great female lead looks like.
20 Nana Is a Beautiful Story Of Female Friendship
Anime Series by Studio Madhouse
Nana tells the story of two women who, despite sharing the same name, couldn’t be more different; where one is helpless and naïve, the other is proud and bold. Nevertheless, they end up becoming close friends and supporting each other through life.
Nana’s story is that of friendship, romance, and the difficulties of transitioning to adulthood, and the execution is where this anime truly shines. Nana relies on realistic dialogue and thought processes, relatable characters that act like real people, and believable plot lines that resonate in order to explore themes relevant to young adults who are stumbling through adulthood.
19 A Place Further Than The Universe Is Adventure At Its Finest
Anime Series by Studio Madhouse
A Place Further than the Universe was one of the best anime of 2018. The adventure comedy follows four girls traveling from Japan to Antarctica, and their story is so incredibly earnest, inspiring, and heartwarming.
A Place Further than the Universe is about having the courage to follow a dream; it's about conquering the paralyzing fear of living life. On their journey, the four girls support each other in facing their fears, all the while engaging in all kinds of shenanigans that will make the audience burst into laughter and tears.
18 Shy's Take On The Superhero Genre Is A Sight To Behold
Anime Series By 8bit; Based On The Manga By Bukimi Miki
8bit's Shy has a unique take on the superhero genre by combining it with the emotional themes of magical girl anime. Shy's titular hero does a good job of growing into a strong hero while never abandoning her ability to empathize with others.Shy isn't the most popular anime around, but with its strong character writing and stylish direction, it's still plenty worth watching.
17 Violet Evergarden Is One Of Kyoto Animation's Most Gorgeous Anime
Anime Series by Kyoto Animation
Violet Evergarden is known for its gorgeous animation, but it’s far from being style without substance. It follows the titular hero, Violet, as she attempts to reintegrate into society after returning from the battlefield and learn the meaning of emotions, most notably why her superior officer said that he loved her.
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To do this, Violet becomes an Auto Memory Doll, a ghostwriter for people who can’t write but want to convey their emotions in a letter. The emotional growth Violet goes through in Violent Evergarden is always rendered most poignantly, and it plays a big part in why the series has so much appeal.
16 Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Is A Great Alternative To The Classic Film
Anime Series by Production I.G
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex follows Major Motoko Kusanagi and Public Security Section 9 as they investigate highly sensitive criminal cases in a world where many people have become cyborgs.
But these amazing advancements in technology also have drawbacks; the existence of cyberbrains led to a whole new class of dangerous crimes, as criminals can take control of people’s cyberbrains, alter memories, and manipulate their sensory input. With action and thought-provoking ideas, Stand Alone Complex is a must-see series for any anime fan, especially those seeking a strong female lead.
15 Sailor Moon Crystal Is The Perfect Update To The Legendary Classic
Anime Series by Toei Animation
Regarding anime with strong female characters, it would be remiss not to mention Sailor Moon Crystal. Not only does Usagi undergo an incredible transformation throughout the manga and both anime series, but she also saves Tuxedo Mask consistently throughout.
In addition, the rest of the Sailor Senshi are some of the most epic sidekicks anyone could ask for, each offering their own unique personality along with a skill they've honed from day one.Teamwork, feminism, and general butt-kicking are all part of the Sailor Moon series, and it's iconic in every category.
14 Fruits Basket Is A Hallmark Of Romantic Drama
Anime Series by TMS Entertainment
Fruits Basket tells the tale of Tohru Honda, a young girl who finds herself in the company of Yuki Sohma and the Sohma family. The Sohmas have a secret, however: when under stress, embarrassed, or when hugged by a member of the opposite gender, they transform into a corresponding animal of the Chinese Zodiac.
Throughout this story, Tohru vows to keep the Sohma family curse a secret and quests to find a cure for the strange ailment. Fruits Basket is a tale of love, loss, and everything in between and exists as a tentpole shoujo anime series that almost anyone will enjoy.
13 Yona of the Dawn Is an Essential Shojo Experience
Anime Series by Studio Pierrot
No discussion of anime series with a strong female protagonist is complete without Yona of the Dawn, one of the shojo demographic's greatest fantasy series. However, its reason for deserving such a high appraisal is due to its titular character's development from a sheltered, spoiled princess into a capable warrior. That the series manages to work in some romance on top of this only adds to shojo's flexibility.
Yona of the Dawn isn't as serious as its high-concept, mythology-inspired premise might suggest. The series juggles comedy and relatable characters to provide another elegant experience from Pierrot. However, despite not receiving a second season, the anime is only the start of the Yona experience, while the manga only just finished its run in December 2025.
12 Little Witch Academia's Hero Is As Funny As She Is Engaging
Anime Series By Studio Trigger; Created By Yoh Yoshinari
Studio Trigger's Little Witch Academia isn't as deep as some of their other work, but from start to finish, Akko Kagari is always at the heart of what makes Little Witch Academia work.
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01
Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) became one of the most-watched anime on Crunchyroll. The story takes place in a world where humanity lives behind massive walls to protect themselves from giant humanoid creatures. What are these creatures called?
AKaiju BTitans CHollows DDemons
✓ Correct! The giant humanoid creatures are called Titans. In the original Japanese, they’re referred to as “Kyojin” (giants). Eren Yeager’s quest to destroy all Titans after they breach Wall Maria became one of the most gripping storylines in anime history.
✗ That answer needs more filler training! The answer is Titans. Kaiju are giant monsters from Japanese cinema like Godzilla, Hollows are the enemy creatures in Bleach, and Demons appear in series like Demon Slayer. In Attack on Titan, these towering humanoid creatures are specifically called Titans.
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02
Studio MAPPA has become one of the most prominent anime studios in recent years, producing several massive hit series. Which of these popular anime was NOT produced by MAPPA?
AJujutsu Kaisen BAttack on Titan: The Final Season CChainsaw Man DDemon Slayer
✓ Correct! Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) is produced by ufotable, not MAPPA. Ufotable’s stunning animation quality — especially the breathtaking fight sequences — became a hallmark of the Demon Slayer franchise. MAPPA produced Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan: The Final Season, and Chainsaw Man.
✗ That answer needs more filler training! The answer is Demon Slayer. Demon Slayer is animated by studio ufotable, renowned for its gorgeous visual effects. MAPPA has produced Jujutsu Kaisen, took over Attack on Titan: The Final Season from WIT Studio, and animated Chainsaw Man.
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03
Solo Leveling became a massive hit anime in 2024 after being one of the most popular manhwa (Korean comics) in the world. The story follows a weak hunter who gains the unique ability to level up. What is the protagonist’s name?
AJin-Woo Sung BSung Jin-Woo CKim Dokja DYoo Joonghyuk
✓ Correct! Sung Jin-Woo is the protagonist of Solo Leveling. Originally the weakest E-Rank hunter, he gains the power of the mysterious System, allowing him to level up infinitely. His transformation from the “World’s Weakest Hunter” to the most powerful Shadow Monarch captivated millions of readers and viewers.
✗ That answer needs more filler training! The answer is Sung Jin-Woo. Jin-Woo Sung reverses the name order (Korean names place the surname first). Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk are protagonists from Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, another popular Korean series. Sung Jin-Woo is the iconic Shadow Monarch of Solo Leveling.
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04
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards celebrate the best in anime each year. Which anime won Anime of the Year at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards?
AJujutsu Kaisen Season 2 BFrieren: Beyond Journey’s End COshi no Ko DVinland Saga Season 2
✓ Correct! Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End won Anime of the Year at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. This beautifully contemplative series about an elven mage reflecting on mortality and the passage of time after her hero party’s quest ends charmed audiences and critics alike with its unique, introspective storytelling.
✗ That answer needs more filler training! The answer is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. While Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Oshi no Ko, and Vinland Saga Season 2 were all critically acclaimed, it was Frieren’s meditative exploration of time, memory, and connection that captured the top prize at the 2024 ceremony.
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05
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is consistently rated as one of the greatest anime of all time. The story follows two brothers who attempted a forbidden alchemical technique. What taboo did Edward and Alphonse Elric commit?
ACreating gold BHuman transmutation (trying to revive their dead mother) CDestroying a Philosopher’s Stone DKilling a homunculus
✓ Correct! Edward and Alphonse attempted human transmutation to bring their deceased mother back to life. The attempt failed catastrophically — Edward lost his left leg and then sacrificed his right arm to bind Alphonse’s soul to a suit of armor. This event drives the entire series as they search for the Philosopher’s Stone to restore their bodies.
✗ That answer needs more filler training! The answer is human transmutation — specifically, attempting to resurrect their dead mother. In the world of FMA, human transmutation is the ultimate taboo in alchemy. The brothers’ failed attempt cost Edward his limbs and Alphonse his entire body, setting the stage for their epic journey.
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06
Spy x Family became a worldwide phenomenon with its wholesome yet action-packed story of a found family. The father, Loid Forger, is secretly a spy. What is his spy codename?
AAgent Dusk BTwilight CShadow DNightfall
✓ Correct! Loid Forger’s spy codename is Twilight, and he’s considered the top agent of Westalis’s intelligence service, WISE. His mission, Operation Strix, requires him to build a fake family — leading him to adopt the telepathic Anya and marry the assassin Yor, creating one of anime’s most beloved found families.
✗ That answer needs more filler training! The answer is Twilight. Agent Dusk and Shadow are fictional names, while Nightfall is actually the codename of another WISE agent, Fiona Frost, who has a crush on Loid. Twilight is Westalis’s greatest spy and the heart of Spy x Family’s charming story.
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07
Crunchyroll merged with another major anime streaming service to become the dominant platform for anime. Which streaming service was absorbed into Crunchyroll?
ANetflix Anime BFunimation CHIDIVE DAnimeLab
✓ Correct! Funimation was merged into Crunchyroll after Sony’s acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T in 2021. The merger consolidated the anime streaming market, bringing Funimation’s massive library of dubbed anime together with Crunchyroll’s simulcast catalog, making Crunchyroll the world’s largest dedicated anime platform.
✗ That answer needs more filler training! The answer is Funimation. Netflix Anime is part of Netflix and operates independently, HIDIVE is Sentai Filmworks’ streaming service, and AnimeLab was a smaller Australian service. Funimation — once Crunchyroll’s biggest rival — was fully absorbed into the Crunchyroll platform.
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08
Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli are legendary in the anime world. Miyazaki’s final film was released in 2023 and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. What is the title of this film?
ASpirited Away 2 BThe Wind Rises CThe Boy and the Heron DPonyo Returns
✓ Correct! The Boy and the Heron (Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka) was released in 2023 and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2024. The deeply personal, surrealist fantasy film was widely considered Miyazaki’s farewell masterpiece, exploring themes of grief, imagination, and the passage between worlds.
✗ That answer needs more filler training! The answer is The Boy and the Heron. Spirited Away 2 and Ponyo Returns don’t exist. The Wind Rises was Miyazaki’s previous “final” film from 2013. The Boy and the Heron marked his true farewell, winning the Oscar and cementing his legacy as anime’s greatest storyteller.
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Through Akko's comedy and constant determination, and the show's gorgeous artwork and animation always did a lot to sell that. It's one of Studio Trigger's best works, and Akko undoubtedly played a big part in that.
11 Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Helped Redefine The Magical Girl Genre
Anime Series Created By Masaki Tsuzuki
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha was a major examples of a magical girl anime incorporating high-octane action with the typical emotional beats of the genre.
Fittingly for such a premise, Nanoha is always a character who does a great job of balancing emotional appeals with a willingness to be as destructive as possible. The series might not be well-known outside of Japan, but it's a great one to watch, nonetheless.
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