Best Anime With Formidable Female Characters to Watch in 2026
Stories with strong female leads always leave a lasting impression, and anime of this sort is not an exception. With all the women-centered holidays we just marked, we wanted to compile a list of some of these titles: anime with well-written, powerful, and strong women. All of these titles could be considered as ongoing, giving you a great opportunity to get into the fandom!
Yona of the Dawn
Yona of the Dawn adaptation is a beloved anime, featuring the titular Yona as she sets out on an adventure after losing someone important to her. Yona is sheltered and has led a peaceful life, while being protected by her bodyguard Hak. Her only setback is her unruly red hair, or so she thinks. But when disaster strikes, she doesn't think twice and decides to do what needs to be done, even if it means bringing an old legend to life.
Yona does have allies, and while she relies on them, she still strives to be a strong warrior so that she can protect those she loves and not be the one who requires protection at all times. This is exactly what makes her so beloved and why she's managed to win everyone's hearts to the point where fans were eagerly waiting for a sequel for a decade after the anime originally premiered.
The anime is streaming on Crunchyroll.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
It's difficult to find a person who hasn't heard about Frieren: Beyond Journey's End anime, and its titular white-haired elf. As we follow Frieren on her emotional path to understanding humans and their emotions, we get to know this powerful mage a little bit better. Of course, a lot of the story relies on the fact that she is an elf with a very long lifespan, which leads to her coming across as somewhat distant and perhaps emotionless. But, below the surface, it's easy to see Frieren actually feels quite a lot, even if she doesn't realize it.
Frieren's student, Fern, also deserves some praise. The two have completely opposing personalities, and their dynamic in which Fern takes on the role of a caretaker and the responsible one is quite interesting. Fern is stoic and reserved; her childhood made her grow up a bit too early, but it's adorable to see her actually enjoy things. She's all Frieren never was emotionally, and perhaps her presence is helping Frieren come to terms with the feelings she had for the members of her former party, especially Himmel.
The anime is streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix in select regions.
Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries anime took the world by storm in recent years. Similar to Frieren above, everyone knows about Maomao, the highly intelligent apothecary with a knack for solving bewildering mysteries. Maomao is truly the heart and the soul of this series. It's not that she's the only female character, or the only female character that deserves attention in a list like this; it's just that she has so much charm and is so relatable, which is exactly why so many love her.
The series has quite a large female cast, and so many of them have complex backstories: the consorts, Anshi, Maomao's sisters,... Basically, if you are looking for a story focused on women, told from a woman's point of view, then The Apothecary Diaries is a perfect choice.
The anime is streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix in select regions.
May I Ask For One Final Thing?
Scarlet is a highly regarded noble and fiancée to the crown prince, until she finally snaps after all the injustice she had to put up with through the years. After suddenly calling off the engagement during a ball in front of other nobles, Scarlet finally unleashes the rage she has been burying and decides to create a new path for herself.
She was always hotheaded and stubborn, but it is nice to see a character who owns up to these traits and is unapologetic about living her own life. She masterfully combines her brute physical strength with pure elegance, making May I Ask for One Final Thing? an enjoyable watch.
The anime is streaming on Crunchyroll.
Dorohedoro
Dorohedoro is one of those stories that doesn't push characters into the spotlight just because of who they are. The way Q Hayashida writes her characters is definitely praiseworthy in many ways. Women in Dorohedoro aren't just props, and they don't exist to simply support the male protagonist. They are strong and capable, have strong convictions, and are not perfect little angels.
The story mainly follows three of them (as of now): Nikaido, Noi, and Ebisu. Nikaido is kind and supportive of Caiman, but hides some big secrets and is stubborn to the point where she wants to do everything by herself.
Noi very obviously has feelings for Shin, but that does not define who she is. Even though she supports him in every way, she's not just a sidekick: she's her own person, capable of making her own decisions, and she is so strong.
On the other hand, we have Ebisu, who is a somewhat morally gray character. She doesn't remember much about herself, but we can see bits of her personality and who she was before the accident. She is quite fun to be around (although she does some questionable things), and deep down, she appears to be kind.
The anime is streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix in select regions.
Madoka Magica
Puella Magi Madoka Magica was the powerhouse of a strong female cast back in the day, but it's still holding up strong to this day. The story seemingly focuses on Madoka, who gets mixed up in the world of magical girls who fight evil witches to help preserve the peace in the world. However, the truth is much darker, and every one of the girls has an important role to play.
The rich storyline complements the detailed character writing, which is some of the best in the genre. It's not just Madoka, it's also Homura, who is lovable and worthy of respect. The franchise is still going strong, with a new movie slated to premiere this summer in Japan.
The franchise also has a spin-off series, titled Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story (streaming on Crunchyroll).
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is currently not available to stream, but the Crunchyroll Store does have the full Blu-ray collection.
Secrets of the Silent Witch
Secrets of the Silent Witch is one of the newer titles on this list and perhaps one of the most underrated ones. Monica Everette is the only witch capable of using voiceless magic: this is not some innate talent, but a way for her to avoid speaking in public. She gets sent on an important mission and has to put her fears and anxieties to the side to protect those she cares about and fulfill her duty.
Even though she's considered powerful, Monica is an anxious mess. This makes her quite relatable, but also inspiring because watching how she overcomes difficulties in her life is quite rewarding. The art style is also pretty cute, and the characters overall add to Monica's story.
Witch Hat Atelier
Witch Hat Atelier on this list feels a bit like cheating: the anime will begin this April. However, if you're in North America, perhaps you had a chance to see it in the theaters. If not, let's just say that the Witch Hat Atelier brings a charming female cast, and we'll definitely enjoy watching their adventures.
And that's it for our list! Do you have a favorite?
Images:
Yona of the Dawn, © Mizuho Kusanagi, Hakusensha/Akatsukino Yona Production Committee
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, © Kanehito Yamada, Tsukasa Abe/ Shogakukan / "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End" Production Committee
May I Ask for One Final Thing?, © Nana Otori, Alphapolis/Saihito Production Committee
The Apothecary Diaries, © Natsu Hyuga/Imagika Infos Co./The Apothecary Diaries” Production Committee
Puella Magi Madoka Magica, ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex, WR
Secrets of the Silent Witch, ©2024 Matsuri Isora, Nanna Fujimi/KADOKAWA/Serendia Academy PR Department
Dorohedoro, ©2020 Q-HAYASHIDA・Shogakukan／Dorohedoro Project
