Embark on an exciting journey into the world of shonen anime, reimagined through our handpicked selection of the best shonen series starring female protagonists. Shonen, traditionally known for its young male heroes and action-packed narratives, also boasts a rich array of series led by dynamic, strong, and inspiring female characters.
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These anime not only break the mold with their compelling female leads but also weave stories that resonate deeply, blending classic shonen elements with unique perspectives from fierce warriors like Clare from Claymore to powerful assassins like Akame from Akame ga Kill!. This list explores the must-watch shonen anime with female protagonists.
10Dr. Slump
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 6.97
Why Watch Dr. Slump?
Arale Norimaki, the protagonist of Dr. Slump, is a notable character, primarily for her unique origin and endearing personality. Created by the bumbling but brilliant scientist Senbei Norimaki, Arale is an android with the appearance of a young girl. Despite her robotic nature, she exhibits childlike innocence and curiosity.
What makes Arale particularly memorable is her incredible strength, often used comically to great effect. She is naively unaware of her power, which leads to amusing incidents, such as accidentally launching classmates into orbit or splitting the Earth. Aale’s adventures in Dr. Slump parody traditional shonen anime tropes, providing a lighthearted and whimsical take on the genre.
Release Date
Episode Count
Where To Watch
June 08, 2025
Crunchyroll
9Tokyo ESP
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 6.54
Why Watch Tokyo ESP?
Rinka Urushiba, the protagonist of Tokyo ESP, is a high school girl who becomes astrong esperafter encountering a mysterious glowing fish that grants her the power of teleportation. What makes Rinka stand out is her transition from an ordinary, financially struggling student to a determined superhero figure in Tokyo.
Her journey begins with confusion and fear as she grapples with her newfound abilities. Unlike many who gain powers in the series and use them for selfish reasons, Rinka uses her abilities to protect the city from supernatural threats. A significant moment showcasing her heroism is when she decisively confronts a group of enemies attacking the parliament.
June 12, 2025
8Medaka Box
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.02
Medaka Box
Why Watch Medaka Box?
Medaka Kurokami, the protagonist of Medaka Box, is a remarkable figure in the world of shonen anime, known for her extraordinary abilities and charismatic leadership. As the student council president of Hakoniwa Academy, she is almost superhumanly talented, excelling in academics and athletics.
A standout aspect of Medaka is her establishment of the Medaka Box, a suggestion box through which she addresses any request from the student. An example of a request involves Medaka dealing with delinquent students causing trouble at the school. In another instance, she is asked to find a lost pet. Medaka’s larger-than-life persona and care for others make her a memorable character.
June 20, 2025
7A Certain Scientific Railgun
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.66
A Certain Scientific Railgun
Why Watch A Certain Scientific Railgun?
Mikoto Misaka, the protagonist of A Certain Scientific Railgun, is a standout character in the Academy City universe, primarily due to her strength, intellect, and moral integrity. Known as the Railgun, she’s one of the city’s most powerful espers, ranked Level 5, and her signature ability involves generating and manipulating electricity.
A defining moment for her is the Sisters Arc, where she discovers the unethical cloning experiment involving her DNA. This arc showcases her determination and sense of justice as she goes to great lengths to stop the experiment and protect her clones despite the overwhelming odds and powerful adversaries she faces. Mikoto’s character is not just powerful but also relatable and inspirational.
June 26, 2025
6Akame Ga Kill!
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.47
Akame ga Kill!
Why Watch Akame Ga Kill!?
Akame, the protagonist of Akame ga Kill!, is askilled assassinand a member of the revolutionary group Night Raid. Initially raised and trained by the Empire as an assassin, her perspective changes upon realizing the corrupt nature of the government. What makes Akame stand out is her stoic demeanor, sense of justice, and abilities.
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Akame’s combat prowess is exceptional, demonstrated through her mastery of the Murasame, a cursed sword that can kill with a single cut. A pivotal moment in her journey is her confrontation with her sister, Kurome, who remains loyal to the Empire. Akame’s journey is defined by her growth from a government tool into a freedom fighter.
August 03, 2025
5The Promised Neverland
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.50
The Promised Neverland
Why Watch The Promised Neverland?
Emma, the protagonist of themystery animeThe Promised Neverland, is distinguished by her unwavering optimism. Living in the seemingly idyllic Grace Field House orphanage, Emma’s life is upended when she discovers the dark truth behind the institution: it’s a farm raising children for demons to consume. This revelation sparks her journey, transforming her from an innocent, carefree child into a determined and resourceful leader.
Emma’s standout moment is her decision to not only escape but also ensure all the other children escape with her, showcasing her selflessness and leadership. Unlike many shonen protagonists who rely on physical strength, Emma’s strengths are her emotional intelligence, ability to inspire and unite others, and her strategic mind.
July 18, 2025
4Kakegurui
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.24
Why Watch Kakegurui?
Yumeko Jabami, the protagonist of Kakegurui, is known for her intense love for high-stakes gambling. She stands out due to her paradoxical nature: she appears as a polite, charming schoolgirl, but her true persona is that of a thrill-seeking, risk-loving gambler. Yumeko’s entry into Hyakkaou Private Academy disrupts the established order.
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Unpredictable gamblers like Yumeko, Kirari, and Midari add drama and intensity to Kakegurui’s high-stakes games of luck.
What makes Yumeko fascinating is her approach to gambling. Unlike her peers, who gamble for gain or social standing, Yumeko cares little for the consequences. A notable example is her match against Mary Saotome, where Yumeko’s sheer enjoyment in the face of potential defeat is evident. Yumeko’s enigmatic nature and love for the game’s inherent risk make her an unconventional protagonist in the shonen genre.
August 09, 2025
3JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.15
JoJo Bizarre Adventure
Why Watch JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure?
Jolyne Kujo, the protagonist ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, stands out as the first female JoJo, bringing a fresh dynamic to the franchise. Initially, Jolyne is somewhat detached and rebellious, partly due to feeling abandoned by her father, Jotaro Kujo. However, after being falsely imprisoned in Green Dolphin Street Prison, she undergoes significant character development.
Jolyne’s Stand, Stone Free, allows her to unravel her body into elastic thread, which can be used for various purposes, including surveillance, binding enemies, and stitching wounds. Her battles with Enrico Pucci and other Stand users highlight her physical strength, strategic acumen, and resilience.
July 10, 2025
2Soul Eater
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.84
Soul Eater
Why Watch Soul Eater?
Maka Albarn in Soul Eater is a dedicated and headstrong Scythe-meister at the Death Weapon Meister Academy, where she stands out for her intelligence, moral compass, and bond with her weapon partner, Soul Eater. Unlike many of her peers, Maka is more driven by her values and the desire to protect others than by pursuing power.
This is exemplified in her determination to turn Soul into a Death Scythe not for status but to help him achieve his goals. Maka’s empathy and understanding are highlighted in her interactions with Crona, a troubled character, showcasing her ability to connect with and help heal others' emotional wounds.
July 15, 2025
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.74
Why Watch Claymore?
Clare is the #1 female protagonist on this list because Claymore presents a dark and gripping narrative not seen in typical shonen series. What makes Clare particularly compelling is her evolution from a low-ranked, revenge-driven Claymore to a compassionate leader. Initially driven by a personal vendetta against the Yoma responsible for her family’s death, Clare’s journey is marked by pivotal moments.
A defining instance is her relationship with Raki, a young boy she saves and befriends. This relationship humanizes Clare, revealing a nurturing side beneath her stoic exterior. Clare’s resilience, empathy, and struggle to retain her humanity in a brutal world make her a standout female character in shonen anime.
July 31, 2025
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