Here is everything you need to know about the best female leads in Shonen Anime.

Anzu Hoshino (Romantic Killer)

Anzu only has video games, chocolate, and cats on the brain, making herself out to be an “Anti-Heroine”. Unfortunately, the wizard-like creature Riri tries to make Anzu find love whether she wants it or not.

While many would swoon during the trope-filled shojo-like scenarios she finds herself in, Anzu stands firm and knows what she’s about. Following Anzu’s trials as she continuously rejects romance and gives Riri a good thrashing makes her a unique and hilarious protagonist to follow in this anti-romance anime.

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Nana Hiiragi (Talentless Nana)

In a school full of students with superpowers, the most terrifying among them is actually the one without powers at all. Sent to eliminate all her classmates, Nana Hiiragi may put on a convincing persona as a kind and bubbly classmate.

But her true self is cold and calculating, making her all the more effective as an assassin in Talentless Nana. Being a skilled killer, Nana employs various meticulous methods to execute her targets and avoid suspicion.

Shoko Komi (Komi Can’t Communicate)

Shoko Komi is the most popular girl at her school. Everyone loves her and wishes they were her, despite the fact she’s never said a word. Komi is actually extremely socially anxious to the point where she’s too terrified to speak to anyone. Despite that, Komi’s goal throughout Komi Can’t Communicate is to overcome her anxiety and make one hundred friends.

While it’s a tall order to overcome such crippling fears, Komi inches forward little by little. With each new friend added to the list, her dream becomes closer to reality. Komi’s quest can be both funny and heartwarming to watch for those who also struggle with social anxiety.

Jolyne Cujoh (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean)

Much like her father, Jotaro, Jolyne is cool as ice but easy to anger. Once she sets her mind to something, there’s no stopping her. Determined to be free of prison and save her father, with confidence and nerves of steel like Jolyne’s, there’s little doubt that she can do it.

Taking out any enemy that comes her way with her Stand Stone Free, Jolyne is a JoJo through and through even though she broke the all-male JoJo protagonist streak.

Read this: Five Most Honorable Anime Women

Maka Albarn (Soul Eater)

The daughter of a skilled meister and a powerful, yet lecherous, death scythe, Maka Albarn from Soul Eater strives to reach the same heights and surpass them. Studious and disciplined, Maka may at times come off like a stick in the mud, but she’s not unfriendly or unapproachable by any stretch.

Partnered with Soul, Maka has gone much farther than many young meisters her age have been able to achieve. It includes advanced Soul Resonance techniques and managing to turn her weapon partner into a death scythe. Maka is definitely one of the greatest students to ever come out of Death Weapon Meister Academy.