In most iconic anime, the women are dainty, yet mighty, portraying power in some very unexpected ways. However, some popular anime series, like One Piece, and Castlevania, also showcase various women who wear their muscles with pride, reminding audiences that a strong, and powerful appearance isn’t just for show, but also comes with a great and powerful mind.
Many iconic anime characters prove that physical power can be just as impactful as inner strength, especially against terrifying villains. Although strength comes in many forms, sometimes achieving victory requires a quick transformation into a buff goddess, capable of laying down the hurt, and bringing some really hardcore villains to justice.
10
Yukina
‘Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress’
While Yukina may appear to be a stern, no-nonsense woman, beneath that exterior is a kind and loyal heart. In the anime series Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, the story follows humanity’s battle for survival against the terror, which is the Kabane–undead human monsters. With survival and safety in mind, humans built stations as sanctuaries and relied on trains to portal those fleeing danger or heading into battle. On one such train is Yukina, a confident and very capable engineer.
Yukina may not be one for any hand-to-hand combat, but she is a fine warrior in her own right. Being both the engineer and conductor of a train is no easy work, especially with the Kabane blocking the path on the tracks. Yukina gained her impressive muscles from her time spent in the hot engine rooms, fixing parts, pulling levers, and changing gears. With survival on the line, Yukina’s quick hand, sturdy body, and stable mind are important to keeping people alive.
9
Maki Oze
‘Fire Force’
Fire Force explores the lives of those in a special firefighting unit that combat Infernals–humans that became living infernos. Among these fierce individuals is the highly capable Maki Oze. Maki is a by-the-book-kind of girl, with the strength to see through her given orders. While she dislikes the act of hurting others, Maki doesn’t hold back against her enemies, resorting to a bit of brutality, to defend herself and others.
With a fierce set of combat skills, Maki is not a character to take on lightly. Despite her insecurities about her athletic body, believing that it is too muscled and not very feminine, she is often praised by her peers for her strength, kindness, and undeniable beauty.
Fire Force
- Release Date
-
July 6, 2019
- Cast
-
Derick Snow
, Jeremy Inman
, Christopher Wehkamp
, Sarah Roach
, Alexis Tipton
, Eric Vale
, Jad Saxton
, Ian Sinclair
, Jason Liebrecht - Seasons
-
2
- Creator(s)
-
Atsushi Ohkubo
8
Mereoleona Vermillion
‘Black Clover’
This short-tempered redhead is all hot flames and loud determination. Being one of the most powerful in the series, Black Clover, Mereoleona Vermillion earned her honor and frightening reputation. The series follows Asta, a young magicless teen who wishes to one day be the Wizard King. On his journey, Asta learns from some very powerful characters, and one of them happens to be Mereoleona, the muscled captain of the Crimson Lions.
Mereoleona is a ferocious beast of a woman, with an intensity that leaves not only villains quaking but many of her allies as well. Her ripped physique is as intimidating as her hot-tempered personality, and is often on display, as she cares little for nudity in the presence of men and women. Mareoleona trained her body intensely, pushing past her limits with a relentless drive to be stronger, something she fearsomely teaches the youth of the Clover Kingdom.
Black Clover
- Release Date
-
October 3, 2017
- Creator
-
Yūki Tabata
- Cast
-
Dallas Reid
, Jill Harris
, Cris George
, Christopher R. Sabat
, Micah Solusod
, Brandon McInnis
, Justin Briner
, Sarah Wiedenheft
, Bryn Apprill
, Lydia MacKay - Seasons
-
1
- Studio
-
Pierrot
- Creator(s)
-
Yūki Tabata
7
Michelle K. Davis
‘Terra Formars’
Michelle K. Davis is a glasses-wearing powerhouse of an anime character. In the series, Terra Formers, a group of individuals is forced to head to Mars to stop a terrifying virus on Earth. On Mars, they must fight against humanoid cockroaches in order to complete their mission. Among those individuals, is the fearsome elite, Michelle.
Thanks to her inherited ability, Michelle has enhanced strength to combat the monstrous insects attacking her and her allies. Michelle’s rigorous training regimen, which includes her material arts, ensures that her body can handle whatever her enemies throw at her. With a strategic mind and a formidable body, Michelle is a great anime character that balances both brains and brawn.
Terra Formars
- Release Date
-
September 26, 2014
- Cast
-
Akira Ishida
, Kaito Ishikawa
, Daisuke Ono
, Yoshimasa Hosoya
, Kenji Akabane
, Unshô Ishizuka
, Shizuka Itoh
, Nozomi Sasaki
, Chiaki Takahashi
, Hidenobu Kiuchi
, Tetsuo Komura
, Kôji Yusa
, Tomokazu Sugita
, Hiroshi Yanaka
, Ai Kayano
, Romi Park
, Ayane Sakura
, KENN
, Toshiyuki Morikawa
, Ai Kakuma
, Hidenori Takahashi
, Yuki Ono
, Takahiro Fujiwara
, Tôru Nara
, Aki Toyosaki
, Sayaka Ohara - Seasons
-
2
- Writers
-
Shōgo Yasukawa
, Ardwight Chamberlain
, Seth Walther
, L. Daniel LaBrune
6
Matrona
‘Seven Deadly Sins’
Matrona is a towering, muscular giantess, who dominates her role in the anime The Seven Deadly Sins. The series follows a disbanded group of warriors who were wrongfully accused of a crime they didn’t commit. Among that group is a giantess known as Diane, soft-hearted and sweet but fearsome when it comes to battle. She learned her skills through her imposing mentor, Matrona.
Martona has trained her body to become the best, and despite what she lacks physically, it does nothing to hinder her awesome abilities. Martona’s strength isn’t just physical—her resilience, loyalty, and leadership match her impressively muscled physique greatly.
The Seven Deadly Sins
- Release Date
-
October 5, 2014
- Cast
-
Rintaro Nishi
, Yûki Kaji
, Sora Amamiya
, Tatsuhisa Suzuki
, Misaki Kuno
, Aoi Yuki
, Jun Fukuyama
, Ryōhei Kimura
, Mamoru Miyano
, Marina Inoue
, Yuuya Uchida
, Mariya Ise
, Yuuhei Takagi
, Takahiro Sakurai
, Maaya Sakamoto
, Ryôtarô Okiayu
, Katsuyuki Konishi - Seasons
-
4
5
Mikasa Ackerman
‘Attack On Titan’
In Attack On Titan, Mikasa Ackerman is the definition of a warrior queen. Stacked against her are giant titans that are a threat to her and her loved ones. In the series, Mikasa can be seen performing acts of both impeccable bravery and loyalty, particularly towards Attack On Titan’s protagonist, Eren Yeager.
Mikasa’s ripped form isn’t just for show. Forced to scale buildings, trees, and walls, and do it all with barely functioning gear, it is no wonder she has honed her body into the weapon that it is. While the inherited Ackerman abilities are a nice bonus, Mikasa’s dedication to her training and her friends make her one of the fans’ most favorite characters in the series.
Attack On Titan
- Release Date
-
April 7, 2013
- Creator
-
Hajime Isayama
- Cast
-
Matthew Mercer
, Josh Grelle
, Hiroshi Kamiya
, Shiori Mikami
, Jerry Jewell
, Kishô Taniyama
, Jessica Calvello
, Masahiko Tanaka
, Yui Ishikawa
, Romi Park
, Robert McCollum
, Tomohisa Hashizume
, Hiro Shimono
, Trina Nishimura - Seasons
-
4
- Story By
-
Hajime Isayama
4
Biscuit Krueger
‘Hunter x Hunter’
While a name like Biscuit is humorously deceptive, audiences are quick to learn that Biscuit Krueger is one of the most powerful anime characters in the famed series, Hunter x Hunter. Known as the teacher to Gon and Killua, the show’s protagonists, and would-be hunters, viewers are surprised by her immense strength hidden in a small figure.
Biscuits’s original appearance is one of a small, slight girl, looking almost equal in age to Gon and Killua. Despite that, she is quite older than them both, a woman shape-shifter in her own right. Once she gets serious, Biscuit transforms into her muscled form, surprising both enemies and allies alike.
Hunter x Hunter
- Release Date
-
October 2, 2011
- Cast
-
Issei Futamata
, Megumi Han
, Cristina Valenzuela
, Mariya Ise
, Michael McConnohie
, Erica Mendez
, Erika Harlacher
, Miyuki Sawashiro - Seasons
-
4
- Creator(s)
-
Yoshihiro Togashi
3
Ghislaine Dedoldia
‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation’
When it comes to powerful, muscled, female characters, no anime fan would ever skip swordmaster Ghislaine Dedoldia. The series, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, delves into the life of a reincarnated Rudeus Greyrat-once an adult shut-in living in Japan. Rudeus, an overpowered character in his own right, unfortunately lacks much swordsmanship ability. There to help with what he is missing in his stacked resume of power is the impressive Ghislaine.
Ghislaine is a character so powerful, that out of the few who exist in the show as Sword King, she happens to be one of them. As the daughter of the once Doldia’s Village chief, fans have loved her for her fantastic skills, and straightforward nature. Her buff body is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sword.
- Release Date
-
March 29, 2022
- Creator
-
Rifujin na Magonote
- Cast
-
Yumi Uchiyama
, Tomokazu Sugita
, Amber Lee Connors
, Ai Kakuma
, Daisuke Namikawa
, Ai Kayano
, Konomi Kohara
, Toshiyuki Morikawa - Seasons
-
2
- Creator(s)
-
Rifujin Na Magonote
2
Nezuko
‘Demon Slayer’
Demon Slayer is a beloved shounen anime, iconic for making viewers pity its villainous characters. The story follows Tanjiro Kamado as he joins the Demon Slayer Corps after the tragic slaughter of his entire family by the demon king Muzan Kibutsujito. Though Tanjiro is the sole human survivor of the incident, there is his sister Nezuko, who has been transformed into a demon. Nezuko helps her brother battle evil, protecting humanity from those not so dissimilar from herself.
Though Nezuko is usually a tiny girl riding in a box on her brother’s back, her fighting form is much more formidable. When it is time to fight, Nezuko transforms into the larger, veined, and muscled version of herself to pin down whoever’s giving her brother trouble. Despite her demon status, Nezuko is always ready to sacrifice herself in order to save the day.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
- Release Date
-
April 6, 2019
- Cast
-
Natsuki Hanae
, Zach Aguilar
, Abby Trott
, Akari Kitō
, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka - Seasons
-
5
1
Mirko
‘My Hero Academia’
Not all bunnies are soft and cuddly, and Mirko is sure to remind viewers of that. In the popular anime series, My Hero Academia, which delves into the lives of the students of UA High, practically Class A, Mirko is the No.5 hero on the heroes ranking chart. She has an amazingly brawny body, rabbit-like abilities and appearance, and a completely fearless demeanor.
Mirko has proven her strength in many My Hero Academia episodes, but it’s in Season Five and Six that her muscled body is truly pushed past her limits, and still, she goes beyond even that. With her body ripped apart by monstrous villains, Mirko uses her unwavering spirit and raw power to defend her comrades and shock the mass of My Hero fans.
- Release Date
-
April 3, 2016
- Cast
-
Aoi Yuki
, Ayane Sakura
, Christopher R. Sabat
, Yûki Kaji
, Nobuhiko Okamoto
, Luci Christian
, David Matranga
, Justin Briner
, Kenta Miyake
, Clifford Chapin
, Daiki Yamashita - Rating
-
- Seasons
-
7
- Story By
-
Kōhei Horikoshi, Yōsuke Kuroda
