Im really sorry about this, but does anyone else agree?

[Johanen]

Right let me start of by saying sorry, some will probably find this very sexist but i in no way mean it like that.

Right...

Is it me or are women in anime really really really really annoying.

See i said sorry.

Its just that in every anime with a woman, the woman always holds the male back from a fight, or starts crying for no reason, or fancies someone and constantly moans about how they dont like her, or blush because of it. Women in anime never just act like a good strong character that you care about. I keep wanting all the female characters to die, even when theyre good looking they just moan and try to make everything womany.

Two exceptions to this rule...

1: Faye Valentine... she doesnt go all prissy and annoying , i think she may do it once but thats it.

2: Hawkeye from Full Metal Alchemist... Shes tough and strong throughout, no messing.

Does anoyone know of any others?

and oh yeah!! this doesnt just apply to females, it happens with kids and male characters who try and be all nice and good, saying they dont want to kill anyone, when you know theyre going to in the end so whats the point in all the fannying around up to the toughness. Men are loosing their manliness in anime and film alike.

Example: Al in Full metal Alchemist telling Ed not to kill the Humunculus posing as their mother because he says its "their responsibility". SHES EVIL YOUR GOING TO END UP KILLING HER ANYWAY SO WHY TALK ABOUT IT SO MUCH. Characters can be so damn gullible sometimes.

Id like to know peoples thoughts.

[General Suburbia]

Don't know how this is sexist, we're talking about fictional characters here. And if faye and Hawkeye are your only two exceptions, you've got a pretty narrow knowledge of anime. Go find something that doesn't air on Cartoon Network.

[soundchazer]

It is you. You probably need to watch more anime. Strong women in anime are easier to find than strong women in any other form of entertainment.

A few examples, since you will probably be asking for those anyway:

Madoka Ayukawa - KOR
Caska - Berserk
Haruhi Suzumiya - The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Motoko Kusanagi - Ghost in the Shell
Oscar François Jarjayes - Rose of Versailles


Those are just a few examples I can recall without straining myself.

Another thing to consider for those cases you are describing: you need to understand that the product is aimed mainly at the Japanese audience, which has a very specific idea about manners, social and personal interaction.

[Yodatsubato]

I haven't noticed that. It's proably highly dependent on what animes you've seen.

Though I will admit that most animes use diferent stereotypical archetypes to create their characters. Different characters from different animes can usually be grouped together, and you're probably just noticing one or two of these groups.

Also, there are a lot of strong women in various animes. Depending upon the classification of anime that you watch, though, there are varying probabilities that the main character will be a guy or a girl. If, for example, you're watching an action anime, the main character is more likely to be male, since men traditionally have been associated with war more often. Oftentimes, though, there will be a secondary character that's a lot more "manly."

Plus, girls aren't the only ones who whine in animes... there's a whole score of male characters from various animes who put Fran Drescher to shame.

Okay, fine, that was an exaggeration. No one's whining puts Fran Drescher to shame. :migrane:

[Johanen]

Don't know how this is sexist, we're talking about fictional characters here. And if faye and Hawkeye are your only two exceptions, you've got a pretty narrow knowledge of anime. Go find something that doesn't air on Cartoon Network.

I dont have cartoon network... and theyre just the only two i could think of.

Sorry oh extensive otaku. Just my opinion thats all.

And hey, what if i have only seen a few anime (ive seen quite a few but only a few great ones), does that really matter if im making an opinion of the way women are characterised in anime and film.

I would merely like to know if anyone agrees or disagrees or who they can think of that stands for or against this cause.

Hell if you can think of female characters that are strong and not whiny then list em up and see if people agree, just trying to start a discussion buddy.

It is you. You probably need to watch more anime. Strong women in anime are easier to find than strong women in any other form of entertainment.

A few examples, since you will probably be asking for those anyway:

Madoka Ayukawa - KOR
Caska - Berserk
Haruhi Suzumiya - The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Motoko Kusanagi - Ghost in the Shell
Oscar François Jarjayes - Rose of Versailles


Those are just a few examples I can recall without straining myself.

Another thing to consider for those cases you are describing: you need to understand that the product is aimed mainly at the Japanese audience, which has a very specific idea about manners, social and personal interaction.

Caska is a good one.


Mod Edit: Double posting is bad, m'kay? ~Mana

[Roark]

There really is a distinct lack of strong female leads in anime. You're right that they can be few and far between. The problem is that a lot of the main female archetypes in shounen anime are designed to be weak, since it's an endearing quality to the boys watching it. Independant women are not quite as attractive as fawning or obviously faulty girls, at least in many eyes.

That said, there are thankfully a few good characters that break from this. Mademoiselle Oscar from Rose of Versailles sets an early example. Kiyoko from Maison Ikkoku displays a great deal of character strenght. Yukino from KareKano is one of the most outspoken women in all of anime, and Utena (Oscar's spiritual successor) is the new archetypal strong-willed woman. And lest we forget Haruko of FLCL fame is one of the most unique, bizzarre characters you'll ever find, and most definately not the hold anyone back type.

Strong anime women are out there. They just don't appeal to the shounen crowd.

[General Suburbia]

And hey, what if i have only seen a few anime (ive seen quite a few but only a few great ones), does that really matter if im making an opinion of the way women are characterised in anime and film.
I'd like to think it does. You say you've only watched few anime, yet you're making a general statement about certain characteristics portrayed in anime.

If you really want some popular examples, there's The Meloncholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Cardcaptor Sakura, FLCL, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Beck.

[Roark]

I'd like to think it does. You say you've only watched few anime, yet you're making a general statement about certain characteristics portrayed in anime.

If you really want some popular examples, there's The Meloncholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Cardcaptor Sakura, FLCL, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Beck.
Actually, having watched only a few popular/well-known/"entry" titles is probably the best time to start making a general statement. If you have to start really digging for examples, or if the examples are few and far between, then we have to ask what this says about the anime shown in America and about anime in general. If a person relatively new to the anime scene notices this, it's a good bet that a lot of other people are thinking the same thing.

So making a general statement like this is rather justified. He's not making the mistake of saying "I've only seen green elephants, therefore all elephants are green." He's saying that he's noticing a disturbing trend towards weak/annoying/whiny/bad female leads.

[soundchazer]

I wouldn't put Kyoko quite there myself. I see her being more of a well balanced character, but one who in the end was agressive in her reacions but very passive in showing her interest on her potential suitors. Instead of helping them out, she would rather take the cowardly approach of not getting intimate to avoid getting hurt. In reality, more than being a strong woman, I would see her as being a good realistic portrayal of a person (man or woman), with needs, desires, virtues and defects.

Same goes with Yukino. She starts as a very strong character indeed, but the more she falls in love with Arima, she becomes more and more dependent on him. This is even more evident in the manga. Again... another good portrayal of a person (man or woman).

I guess it all depends on what you are seeing as a strong female lead. If you want the "tough as nails, I could care less about men", the girls in my list above are better examples.

In any case, if you are looking for strong female leads in shounen anime, all I have to say is good luck. Most of the strong female leads are usually found in shoujo anime and manga.

Which reminds me... add Tsukushi Makino from Hana Yori Dango and pretty much every girl in any Hayao Miyazaki movie/series to that list of complex but strong characters.

[Roark]

I was also including complex females in the list. Girls that are a bit better than, say, Sakura from Naruto or Naru from Love Hina. Yukino and Kyoko definately fall into that category. Kyoko especially, since her anti-intimacy exterior show more that it isn't a man that she needs as much as it is the ability to trust people and get close to them - as a friend as well as a lover. The ultra-strong "I can do it all" approach works for a bit, but she also develops the strength and confidence to be close to someone.

I'd add seinan anime and manga to the list of "places to find strong women." That's where we get Kusanagi from, after all.

[bwing55543]

Right let me start of by saying sorry, some will probably find this very sexist but i in no way mean it like that.

Right...

Is it me or are women in anime really really really really annoying.

See i said sorry.

Its just that in every anime with a woman, the woman always holds the male back from a fight, or starts crying for no reason, or fancies someone and constantly moans about how they dont like her, or blush because of it. Women in anime never just act like a good strong character that you care about. I keep wanting all the female characters to die, even when theyre good looking they just moan and try to make everything womany.

Two exceptions to this rule...

1: Faye Valentine... she doesnt go all prissy and annoying , i think she may do it once but thats it.

2: Hawkeye from Full Metal Alchemist... Shes tough and strong throughout, no messing.

Does anoyone know of any others?

and oh yeah!! this doesnt just apply to females, it happens with kids and male characters who try and be all nice and good, saying they dont want to kill anyone, when you know theyre going to in the end so whats the point in all the fannying around up to the toughness. Men are loosing their manliness in anime and film alike.

Example: Al in Full metal Alchemist telling Ed not to kill the Humunculus posing as their mother because he says its "their responsibility". SHES EVIL YOUR GOING TO END UP KILLING HER ANYWAY SO WHY TALK ABOUT IT SO MUCH. Characters can be so damn gullible sometimes.

Id like to know peoples thoughts.


Women that aren't annoying include, but aren't limited to:

1. Melfina (Outlaw Star)
2. Tomoe Yukishoro (Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen)
3. Kaoru Kamiya (Rurouni Kenshin)
4. Aoi Sakuraba (Ai Yori Aoshi)
5. Julia (Cowboy Bebop)
6. Electra (Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door)
7. Rukia Kuchiki (Bleach)

[Evanlor]

I'm shocked no one mentioned Katsuragi from Eva. Also, kudos to those of you who mentioned the Myazaki films and Card Captur Sakura.

One new one: Levi from the action-drama Black Lagoon. Geneon recently licensed the series - check it out when it becomes available.

As to the general comment, I'd have to agree with it. The downfall of anime has been the ease of use and reduced cost in computer generated graphics. This resulted in MORE anime, but also mounds of terrible anime with a few gems stuffed in them. The terrible animes have those aweful stereotypes for both men and women, while the better anime routinely break them (much to our delight)!

As in life, if you keep watching, you'll find the women you are looking for!

-Evan

[WinterLaurel]

Example: Al in Full metal Alchemist telling Ed not to kill the Humunculus posing as their mother because he says its "their responsibility".


Nice spolier there, sport.

[Dirty Harry]

I hate women in anime. Usually because they do retarded emotional shit without fully explaining themselves and they create dramaz that didn't really need creating.

Like Faye and Nami. They suck balls.

Other chicks are cool though.

Like Caska. She ****ing owned.

[Johanen]

Nice spolier there, sport.


ah, sorry,


Btw im not just including women in this now, there are plenty of annoying male characters aswell.
I've started to see a trend in animes where there seems to be many back-up characters that keep telling the action base characters not to fight. Many female characeters do this also, where the male/female lead goes into a fight and the female/male back-up stops them fighting by pleading in a whiny voice. I have seen a trend in most of the action based animes ive seen.
Am i the only one or has anyone else noticed this?

Women that aren't annoying include, but aren't limited to:

1. Melfina (Outlaw Star)
2. Tomoe Yukishoro (Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen)
3. Kaoru Kamiya (Rurouni Kenshin)
4. Aoi Sakuraba (Ai Yori Aoshi)
5. Julia (Cowboy Bebop)
6. Electra (Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door)
7. Rukia Kuchiki (Bleach)

....i cant believe you included Kaoru from Kenshin...sorry but thats just wrong, plain wrong, i actually took a break from the Kenshin series because her and Misao annoyed me so much lol.

SC: Using the edit button is divine. Do not double post. It makes Mana go on a shopping spree. Be considerate to Roark.

[soundchazer]

uh... trends are a fact of life. Just like Pastel colored clothes throughout the 80s.

They will eventually fade away and a new trend will start. Anime is no different. Most males in anime in the 70s were the stoic, silent type heroes. The 80s saw the lovable, but wishy washy lead who couldn't make up his mind. The 90s saw the nerd and the emotional nervous wreck (thank you Shinji... not).

The only way to fight this problem is for you to be more picky about your choices. believe, there are too many anime being produced today, that even if the good characters appear in a minority of shows, there would still be enugh shows to satisfy your needs. The same thing can be said about clothes, music and anything else in general, and it happens in every generation.

[animanic_critic]

Btw im not just including women in this now, there are plenty of annoying male characters aswell.
I've started to see a trend in animes where there seems to be many back-up characters that keep telling the action base characters not to fight. Many female characeters do this also, where the male/female lead goes into a fight and the female/male back-up stops them fighting by pleading in a whiny voice. I have seen a trend in most of the action based animes ive seen.
Am i the only one or has anyone else noticed this?
[/i]
What you say here contradicts the main topic at hand. Wasn't the point here is that you believe that female characters are bloody annoying? If you put male characters into the fray, then you've say that there are characters that annoy you, and you feel like getting it off your chest.

I don't see this trend that you're claiming to see. List the anime that back up this claim if you will. There are plenty of anime where the females are independent and so are the males. Here are some anime that features males & females that still maintain their independant demeanor:

Batou & Motoko Kusanagi (Ghost In The Shell)
Revy & Dutch (Black Lagoon)
Maho Minami & Ryuusuke Minami (BECK)
Edward Elric & Liz Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Kenzo Tenma & Anna Liebert (MONSTER)

[jetfire]

You think male characters arent the whiniest in anime? Look at Shinji from Evangelion and see if you don't change your mind. Although the rest of them arent quite that bad...

I also nominated Revi (or Levi, or whatever she's called) from Black Lagoon. She's the complete opposite of whiny. And while Saya from Blood+ may appear whiny and weak at first (mainly because she starts off with no experience. Can you blame her?), she turns into a pretty strong lead.

But I do know what you mean by whiny, weak women in anime. There's Hitomi from Escaflowne, that big boobed girl that follows Maki around in Air Master, Sakura from Naruto is pretty weak and useless at the start, etc...also, there's too many girls acting as "healers" or priestesses in anime or RPGs, like Orihime in Bleach.

[animanic_critic]

But I do know what you mean by whiny, weak women in anime. There's Hitomi from Escaflowne, that big boobed girl that follows Maki around in Air Master, Sakura from Naruto is pretty weak and useless at the start, etc...also, there's too many girls acting as "healers" or priestesses in anime or RPGs, like Orihime in Bleach.
Don't forget Mika from Gungrave. She's the sole reason for Gungrave's setback. She's up there for contention against Hitomi of Escaflowne.

[soundchazer]

...and yet, Gungrave and Escaflowne are two of the best anime out there. Go figure.

[Kai-Zodd]

I can see why these character stereotypes are annoying to you; I don't thnk this is anything to do with being sexiest, quite the opposite actually;....but I think you may just be watching the wrong anime. For example, alot of shounen anime or, even more specifically, shounen romances (a genre plagued by dirivite stereotypes in the first place), are full of just the type of characters you're talking about; and yes, it can be rather irritating that such anime simply assign women to weak, powerless roles; it seems stereotypical, narrow-minded and, well, quite frankly, somewhat sexist. I, for one, am actually a big fan of the opposite; that is to say, strong female roles. But don't worry, like I said, I think you may just be watching the wrong anime, because there are actually very many anime with strong females, many times as the leading role. Here's a few you may want to check out, and the characters that I'm referring to in them. I won't go really in-depth, since there's quite a few I'm gonna list, but I think these anime, and their women I'm gonna list, will fit exactly what you're looking for, and dispell the idea that women in anime are usually being underestimated or neglected as powerful characters:

1. Black Lagoon- Revy (main character)
2. Berserk- Caska (one of the main supporting characters)
3. Ergo Proxy- Real Mayer (one of two main characters)
4. Revolutionary Girl Utena - Utena (main character)
5. Wolf's Rain - Blue (One of the main supporting characters)
6. Iria: Zeiram the Animation - Iria (main character)
7. Dominion Tank Police/ New Dominion Tank Police - Leona (main character)
8. Ghost in the Shell - Motoko Kusanagi (main character)
9. Elfen Lied – Lucy (one of the main characters)
10. Any one of Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli’s films, for the most part.
11. Battle Angel Alita – Alita (main character)
12. Beck – Maho (main supporting character)
13. Crest of the Stars/Banner of the Stars/Banner of the Stars 2 – Lafiel (one of the two main characters)
14. Blue Gender – Marlene (one of the two main characters)
15. Chrno Crusade – Rosette (one of two main characters)
16. FLCL – Haruko (main supporting character)
17. Galaxy Express 999 – Maetel (main supporting character)
18. Mezzo DSA/Mezzo Forte – Mikura
19. Noir - Kirika and Mireille (both main characters)
20. Witch Hunter Robin – Robin (main character)

And that’s just what I can think of off the top of my head. There’s definitely plenty of strong female characters in any. Just look a little deeper and you’ll find plenty.

[silan]

No one's mentioned Yoko from Twelve Kingdoms? I'm shocked. Sure, she starts out horrendously whiny, but she becomes a very strong and very independent woman throughout the course of the anime.

[animanic_critic]

Yoko Nakajima's one of those strong chicks that started out as a weakling. She began as this goodie-two shoes and slowly but gradually became a leader of a country. One of the best anime out there, if only it had more closure to one of its arc AND the series itself.

Tatiana Walker from Last EXILE is also another strong female cast member. She started out as a close-minded loner and became more thoughtful towards the end, but not whiny luckily.

[7Raven7]

While I personally would disagree that gender has any correlation to a character being annoying, you would have a good argument seeing as the two most annoying characters in anime are women: Hitomi in Escaflowne and Excel in Excel Saga.

[Johanen]

What about Ayeka in Tenchi Muyo
Fuu in Samurai Champloo
AND MISAO in Kenshin.... I hate Misao, I hate her sooo much.

lol

[Apolyion]

Here are some unmentioned female characters from anime that I found quite admirable for their strength of character and mental endurance:

All three leads - Fuu, Hikaru, and Umi - from Magic Knight Rayearth. Also Presea and Sierra from the supporting cast.

Nanoha, Fate, Admiral Lindy, Hayate, and Signum from Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha.

Hazuki from Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito.

Melissa Mao from Full Metal Panic.

Lala Ru from Now and Then, Here and There.

[Neo-Hunter]

I Think the annoying female anime charater would have been

1. Karou from R.K.

2. Nami from one piece

3. Kaname from Full metal panic

[Mevolution]

In almost every anime mentioned that contains a strong female character, there's a good chance it also contains an annoying female archetype. that sort of thing is prevalent in any form of entertainment and isn't exclusive to anime. in anime, it's just something you would have to deal with unless you convince japanese boys and men that there's nothing cute about a helpless and fragile girl (and that she won't call you 'goshujin sama' anyway) and that they should treasure a female's intelliengence and non-physical beauty more than how cute a girl looks whining and throwing a tantrum and his disproportionally large breasts jiggle madly when she doesn't get her way. Until that happens, abvious remedies include avoiding loli-crap and shounen romance.

on listing animes with 'strong' women, i'd say GTO cause there's an abundance of "bitch" type female characters, a kind of female more prevalent in any society than your typical gun toting 'strong' female. female bullies bullying fragile and helpess boys...scaaewry

[tinnacious]

No one mentioned Kino's Journey? She sure breaks the stereotypical anime girl mold. Independent, strong willed, intelligent, small boobs, rides a motorcycle...etc etc

[Ghostmaster]

I mean there are quite a few annoying female characters in anime:
1. Excel from Excel Saga, even though she's funny, shes extremely irritating.
2. Aisha Clan Clan from Outlaw is one of the most annoying characters in anime period.
3. the one from Tecnhi Muyo with the white hair I forget her name. She was extremely annoying. In the english version at least, but she was just an irritating person.

[zarahf]

To a certain extent I have to agree with Johanen on this one. Not to extreme degree suggested, but there is definitely a norm of weak(er) women. Now, this is also understandable. How is the hero supposed to save the day if there isn't a damsel in distress? But even some of the "strong" women mentioned are of questionable strength...it would be best to say that there are character who are strong for women.

Caska from Berserk is a great example. She is most defiantly the strongest woman in the series/manga (unless of course you count Slan) but she isn't particularly strong. During menses she faints and falls off of a cliff (which as a woman was a real WTF moment). True, she pulls he Hawks back together after Griffith's capture, but she is supported and propped up by the men around her. Even Pipin (a child) is on the support. Further, she is so exhausted by filling a man' shoes she, again, falls off of a cliff. After the events of the Eclipse her mind is so shattered she reverts to a childlike state. Granted it was a horrific experience. But Gutt's not only came out of it with his wits about him, it could be argues he became stronger. And then there is Judeau's death. Among his last words were "I'm gad to see you cry." Why you might ask...because she is extressing emotions as a woman should, suggesting that her character to date had not been fully womanly...ie strong (for a woman).

It has been my experience that unless the female is THE actual main character the best a female can hope for is to be capable...but just not as capable as her male counterparts.

Note: I know I am pulling up some old threads here....but things just seem so darned slow lately.

[Zelkiiro]

Also, in terms of strong anime females, insert any lead female characters from Miyazaki's films here.

[ProfessorWashu]

Does anoyone know of any others?

Sure do!

1) Ruliya of Pearla (Aqua Knight) was anything but a weak woman. Independent-minded, strong, unyielding, and unwilling to even consider marrying any man who could not beat her in combat first. Ruliya even challenged the servant of a god to a duel!!! (And I ain't talkin' Yu-Gi-Oh, people!)

2) Chief Aki Kisaragi (Tekkaman Blade II) was a hardened war vet who didn't take crap from anyone. Natasha Pablochiva (Tekkaman Vesna) was also a strong-willed woman.

3) KOS-MOS (Xenosaga). Yes, it was a videogame first, but there's an anime now, so there! KOS-MOS is not my definition of weak, even if she is an android and therefore doesn't count as alive. She at least doesn't meet the criteria for weakness laid out here.

4) Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi (Everyone knows already). Misato is inarguably a strong person. One need only listen to her final words to Shinji in End of Eva to understand that. As to Ritsuko, she has a cool, contemplative outlook on life until she finds out that the man she loves is manipulating her. Then she just becomes bitter and refuses to cooperate with NERV on a regular basis. True, she cries and is upset, but that's not weakness in her circumstances. I would've put up spoiler blocks, but (a) I don't know how and (b) the series was new in 1997. If it's still a spoiler, then holy cow have you been living under a rock. :D

5) Relena Peacecraft (Gundam Wing). Hear me out on this one. True, Relena could be argued as being weak, but I view her as strong for standing by her ideals even in the face of near impossible odds of ever achieving them. It takes a strong person to be a pacifist in a world fraught with endless war. And it takes an even stronger person to try to turn the entire world pacifist. She wasn't a strong combatant, but she was one kick-a** diplomat. And a verbal battle can be just as fierce as any physical one, let me tell you.

6) Anna Kyoyama (Shaman King) is relentless in her drive to become Shaman Queen by touting Yoh to victory. If she is weak-willed or whiney, there isn't a strong woman left in fiction. True, hers is a more supportive role, but she gets some action here and there and is very important to our main hero's development.

7) Haruka Urashima (Love Hina) was able to act independently of any man's help or guidance, and really had her head on her shoulders. She was a clever businesswoman and the voice of reason in an otherwise chaotic anime.

I'll admit that females aren't always represented in the best light in anime (many are there either exclusively for fanservice or to serve as someone for the hero to save.) But I don't think that there is a trend of weak women, since I see strong women in most anime.

[A-R@D]

I agree somewhat with the statement of girls being annoying, but more as to the effect that they are portrayed as weak and servile generally in anime, though this is mostly a reflection of Japanese culture. Yet, there are many that portray strong, admirable women, despite this general misogynistic culture in Japan (actually I would say that this attude is starting to disapear and women, more and more are being portrayed more equaly, though there is still a tendancy to use women characters as sex objects in shounen anime)

Here is a list of anime with well portrayed female main characters that you might be able to sink your teeth into:

Fio from Porco Rosso
Anna Liebert from Monster
Shizuku Tsukishima from Whisper of the Heart
Kyoko from Maison Ikkoku
Kiki from kiki's Delivery Service
Yukari from Paradise Kiss
Madoka from kimagure Orange road
Caska from Berserk
Lafiel from Crest/Banner of the Stars
Haruko from FLCL
Yoko from Twelve Kingdoms
Nausicaa from Nausicaa Valley of the Wind
Oscar from Rose of Versailles
San from Princess Mononoke
Kitajima Maya from glass mask
Inokuma Yawara from Yawara! A Fashonable Judo girl


Manga wise:
Yotsuba from Yotsubato!
Gally from Battle Angel Alita
Nodame from Nodame Cantabile

[Ghostmaster]

Revy in Black Lagoon is a pretty kick ass and strong character that I forgot to mention.

[wheelman286]

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind:

Nausicaa is a prime example of a good female lead. She's very assertive, yet just as attractive and still comes across as the innocent type even though she can quickly take charge in a given situation if necessary. This is my favorite type of female character.


Ah! My Goddess:

I couldn't hate Belldandy if I tried.

Urd is a good female character... if a bit of a tease. She pretty much takes charge when there's a problem... and usually uses it as an opportunity to push Keichi and Belldandy closer to one another.

Burst Angel:

Jo is about as no nonsense as female characters get in an anime.