Source: Silver Link
She is beauty, she is grace, and she will either punch you in the face or make a long-standing impression that inspires you for years to come.
Shoujo Anime has been undergoing a sort of renaissance in recent years, with the release of really great titles and remakes that brought underrated titles back to the scene.
That being said, there are amazing Shoujo protagonists out there who deserve as much love and appreciation as the mainstream Shounen heroes. Whether she’s overcoming hardship with her own power or making a positive change in someone else’s life, here are 5 iconic Shoujo protagonists we fell in love with! Don’t worry, there won’t be any spoilers here:
Yona
From Yona of the Dawn
Yona is one of the most underrated protagonists out there, hands down. As the main protagonist of the series Yona of the Dawn, Yona endures a traumatic experience that saw her losing almost everything she held dear. However, even through it all Yona stands against her hardships with a strong resolve and an unbreakable will, and will do whatever it takes to reach her goals.
Tohru Honda
From Fruits Basket
Tohru Honda is the perfect example of how a pure heart can overcome all obstacles the world may throw at you, and in Fruits Basket, that can feel almost unbelievable once you learn about the difficulties she had to face to get to where she’s at.
However, Tohru goes through every challenge she encounters with kindness and love pouring out of her every word and action, and as such has made such a lasting impact to those who encounter her, ultimately inspiring those around her to be better people.
Utena Tenjou
From Revolutionary Girl Utena
Utena Tenjou truly was a revolutionary character during her time in the 90s. Showcasing a forward-thinking mindset which broke away from the standard mould of femininity during the time she was introduced to pop culture, Utena presented herself as a righteous hero who isn’t afraid to fight for what is right and good in the world.
Much of Utena’s characterisation has aged well in today’s society, where women have established life-changing movements for equality, and is an amazing inspiration for young girls out there who are grappling with the intricacies of societal and gender-based expectations.
Sariphi
From Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts
Sariphi may have been presented as the stereotypical Shoujo protagonist in the first few episodes of Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts, but she later undergoes a transformation that allows her to grow out of her shell. From acting shy and reserved, she blooms into the princess and future leader she is meant to become through her own force of will, challenging herself to overcome her doubts and be more confident in herself.
Katarina Claes
From My Next Life As a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
Reincarnating into your favourite Otome game is one thing, but ending up as the villainess is another! But Katarina rises to the occasion by beating the odds and rewriting her own story, and through her own (sometimes naive) charm and power, establishes a beautiful life for herself and the people around her.
