Anime features plenty of lead female characters throughout its many genres, but science-fiction is one that notably stars several strong female leads. Despite this, these female heroes are somewhat unsung, and the shows that they star are in aren't quite given their due for having them. Nevertheless, sci-fi anime, and cyberpunk productions in particular, are host to some of the best female protagonists within anime as a whole.
From cybernetic law enforcement to normal girls in the midst of technological existentialism, the following sci-fi anime protagonists all showcase strength and depth in various ways. This can be both physically, through spectacular action sequences, or in other ways, such as the psychological journeys that they take throughout their respective shows. Here's a list of great sci-fi, why their female leads are so cool and where they can be watched.
Major Kusanagi From Ghost in the Shell Is an Anime Icon
No list of female sci-fi leads in anime would be complete without mentioning Major Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell. This cyberpunk series is a landmark in raising awareness for anime in the West, as well as in anime in general. The TV series Stand Alone Complex had the Major and her squad, Public Security Section 9, facing off against various cybernetic threats in their sometimes grim cyberpunk world.
The Major faced all of this with grace and a cool stoicism, making her much more than just the eye candy that many might think she would be relegated to. She's not only strong-willed but also equally as physically powerful, showing off her skills in the show's many cool action sequences. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex can be streamed through Funimation.
Lain from Serial Experiments Lain Was Unconventionally Cool
Serial Experiments Lain was an absolutely weird series that was also rather prophetic when it came to the internet and social media. Both mundane and avant-garde, the more "contemporary" psychological cyberpunk series was essentially a reversal of Ghost in the Shell. Likewise, protagonist Lain was the exact same way compared to Kusanagi, being incredibly quiet yet filled with depth of character and turmoil.
Both at odds with the physical world and scared of her surroundings and "life" in the cybernetic existence of "The Wired," Lain represents both an ordinary person and a veritable god. This makes her particularly relatable for those who are more socially withdrawn, particularly people who instead find comfort in the internet. Serial Experiments Lain can be watched through the Funimation streaming service.
Ergo Proxy Is a Complicated Series With a Nuanced Protagonist
Another futuristic science-fiction anime is Ergo Proxy, which, while it has many seemingly typical cyberpunk elements, also explores concepts such as acceptance, identity, loyalty and increasing dependence on technology. The story is set in a time when humanity's remnants have begun relying more and more on robotic AutoReivs in an attempt to rebuild society. Initially fairly subservient, these humanoid creations soon gain sentience, causing protagonist Re-L and others to look into a deepening web of conspiracy.
Re-L begins as being out of place in her seemingly perfect society, rebelling against it and finding it utterly boring. Her haughtiness is kept at bay by the fact that she's not quite the savant she thinks she is. Likewise, her relationship with society changes greatly throughout the series as more secrets are revealed. Add in her skills with gunplay, and she's a rather layered character in a series that has several weighty thematic elements to it. Ergo Proxy can be streamed through Funimation, Hulu and Tubi TV.
Psycho-Pass Is an Anime Minority Report With a Great Female Lead
In the 22nd century of Psycho-Pass, the eponymous title involves the police looking at the threat levels of criminals based on their mental states. This gives rise to two factions: the law-enforcing Inspectors and the jaded Enforcers who oppose them. The protagonist is the initially rather plucky Akane Tsunemori, an Inspector with an upright yet somewhat naive sense of justice.
This seems almost comical at first, but it's the reality that she's shown by the Enforcers that heavily changes her and how she views her colleagues. Her naivety saw some viewers dislike her at first, but her growth and maturity easily made her the series' standout figure. It's the fact that she doesn't start out as some hard-edged character that adds extra substance to her development, all while separating her from other "moe" anime ladies. Through Akane, the idea of justice, legality and brutality is explored, showcasing all of these elements from different angles through the eyes of one person. Psycho-Pass can be streamed through Hulu, Tubi and Funimation.