the decade of Anime of 2010 gave us memorable female characters who broke molds, made us laugh, cry and even rethink things. Not all of them had superpowers, but they did have a lot of personality, development and charisma. Here is our ranking of the 10 most iconic female protagonists of the anime of that decade.
10. Moriko Morioka – Recovery of an MMO Junkie
A queen of modern escapism. Moriko He quit his job to give himself up to the MMORPGs, and although it could sound simple, his story touches on topics such as social anxiety, burnout and the desire to reconnect with oneself. She is a mature, real and endearing protagonist.
9. Shirayuki – Anime: Snow White with the Red Hair
brave, independent and sweet, without being submissive, Shirayuki It is the antithesis of the damsel in distress. Her determination to be a pharmacist in a world of nobles makes her a calm but inspiring heroine. And her romance feels real and respectful.
8. Yona -Anime: Yona of the Dawn
She went from pampered princess to determined warrior. Yona’s growth is one of the strongest of the decade: she loses everything and still finds the courage to fight for her people. Her journey is epic and emotional, and seeing her empower herself chapter by chapter is a delight.
7. Tohru Honda – Anime: Fruits Basket
Tohru It is the heart of Fruits Basket. His compassion and optimism are contagious, and although it seems simple at first, he is a character with deep layers and an emotional force that sustains the entire series. His tenderness is never naive: it is his greatest power.
6. Retsuko – Aggretsuko
A red panda office worker who sings Death Metal to release her stress. What more could you ask for? Retsuko It represents the silent cry of an entire generation trapped between adult life and work chaos. It’s hilarious and honest.
5. Chiyo Sakura – Monthly Girls Nozaki-kun
The queen of facial expressions and eternal crushes. CHIYO She is adorable, witty and very aware of her surroundings, which makes her unrequited love more fun than painful. A romantic comedy would be nothing without such a charming main character.
4. Violet Evergarden – Violet Evergarden
From soldier to letter writer, the history of Violet It’s an emotional roller coaster. His journey to understand what love means is subtle, beautiful and deeply human. Each episode is animated poetry, and Violet It is his melancholy soul.
3. Ryuko Matoi – kill the kill
explosive, rebellious and with an emotional scar as intense as his story. Ryuko He doesn’t just fight with a scissor sword, he also fights for the truth, his identity and his dignity. A protagonist who does not stop at anything, not even before the system.
2. Emma – The Promised Neverland
Emma It has no powers, but it does have a will of steel. In a cruel world, her empathy, intelligence and determination to save everyone make her a protagonist that you do not forget. It is the soul of resistance and a light in the midst of darkness.
1. Kaguya Shinomiya – Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
witty, competitive, bright and emotionally clumsy, Kaguya It is a protagonist as unique as it is complex. Its evolution throughout the series is subtle and real, and its relationship with Shirogane It has more tension than many action series. A modern queen of anime, no doubt.
These protagonists not only shone in their respective stories, they also marked a decade with their authenticity, strength and evolution. Whether at the point of letters, shouts or looks, they stayed with our hearts.
