Top 10 Alternative Anime Heroines

Anime has brought us lots of colourful heroines over the years, but usually when a magazine publishes a list of great anime heroines, the results are full of ass-kicking, gun-toting, frequently undressed action chicks. That’s because most of these lists are written by men.

So since SFX recently took on an intern, Isobel Roach, who deeply loved her anime, we thought it was a great opportunity let her redress the balance.

So here’s Isobel’s pick of the most unique and individual anime heroines… With no Major Kusanagi in sight.

And don’t miss out on the new SFX Anime Special, in the shops next Friday. More details soon…

10 Nagi Sanzenin

Series: Hayate The Combat Butler
First Appearance: 2007
Age: 13
Memorable Quote: “This is why I hate, hate going outside…”

Lazy through and through, nerdy rich girl Nagi Sanzenin is the lead heroine of Hayate The Combat Butler and the rightful heiress of the Sanzenin family’s colossal fortune. With an aptitude for gaming and a lazy personality, Nagi is a heroine who brings us all the action. Not unlike Konata (of Lucky Star), name dropping and referencing are second nature to Nagi, often likening the world to Gundam and losing her temper when she meets those who are uneducated in the world of anime. Being used to a life of luxury, it’s no surprise that Nagi has no clue when it comes to living the humdrum life of “the commoner”, causing her to under-value money and shy away from public transport (why bother taking the train, when you can just travel by helicopter?) She is often misunderstood and always prefers to stay inside her mansion than to venture out into the world, re-watching all her anime box sets instead of partaking in conversation. Either way, Nagi’s an original heroine with a unique sense of humour and personality.