There is something truly special about classic anime that most modern adaptations lack; and while Studio Ghibli and a select other "golden oldies" are still highly celebrated, many noteworthy series have fallen through the cracks of time. Their awe-inspiring heroines have unfortunately tagged along down the rabbit hole, their contributions to the industry subsequently forgotten over the years.
It may have been about two decades since these lovely ladies debuted but strangers to the following series should still give them a chance, so long as thought-provoking storylines, compelling character developments and jaw-dropping artwork is what fans are looking for.
7 Nadia and the Secret of Blue Water (1990)
Loosely based on the classic tale of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, a youthful optimist inventor named Jean gets swept off his feet the moment he lays eyes on the captivating Nadia and declares to follow her to the ends of the Earth. Empowered by the Blue Water gem but lacking in the memory department, Nadia's quest is to discover her origins and fearlessly explore the meaning of life and other dark, disturbing notions (at just fourteen years old!)
It is not only refreshing for a female to take the lead role in an anime but having a dark-skinned beauty on board for a change is the cherry on top. Don't be deterred by NHK's failure at the box office with this installment, as Nadia's unsuccessful debut was a marketing issue and ineffectively reflects the high quality of this classic anime.
6 The Girls from Magic Knight Rayearth (1994)
Sailor Moon may have survived the test of time; however, Rayearth regrettably fell to the sidelines of the Magic Girl genre, which is surprising considering Magic Knight's unique blend of the strong Isekai, Mecha, and JRPG influences added to the bewitching narrative.
Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji share the spotlight in their fantasy-fueled adventure, each dominating their individual skill sets. The fire-wielding Hiraku has a no-nonsense attitude coupled with a passionate personality, while Umi is more considerate and mature, not to mention deadly with a rapier. The bookworm Fuu has an incredible aptitude for magic, and together, they navigate through the treacherous terrain of Cephiro on their crusade to liberate Princess Emeraude.
5 Tokiko Mima- Key The Metal Idol (1994)
Tokiko Mima (better known as Key) may look like the average young girl; however, her mechanical structure would beg to differ. This advanced form of Artificial Intelligence had a relatively normal upbringing, raised like any other average person by her creator and "grandfather," Murao. Things take an unfortunate turn for the worst when the old man suddenly dies, leaving the amicable android orphaned, but not hopeless, as she too can become human once she manages to make 30 000 friends.
The dauntingly cruel world does not provide much solace, but Key endures the savagery long enough to find friendship in Tokyo among her childhood friends. After embarking on an Idol singer's career path, Tokiko unlocks mysterious supernatural abilities; but be warned, this storyline is much less lighthearted than first impressions dictate.
4 Naomi- Armitage III (1995)
This action-packed anime may only be four episodes long but is definitely worth a watch, as it takes a rather macabre approach to the android phenomenon. Gender plays a crucial part in the political systems at play, as most women prefer to stay on Earth where they are coveted, inciting a shortage of females on Mars. As a result, highly advanced androids are created to "fill the gap," uprooting a plethora of moral problems in the process.
The illegal "Third type" android, Naomi Armitage, sends out cyberpunk vibes that are potent enough to give even the iconic Motoko Kusanagi goosebumps, and as the police officer assigned to take down a lethal assassin, she needs all the intimidation factor she can get! Apart from her superhuman strength, Armitage's skillset includes hacking, technological manipulation, a mastery of hand-to-hand combat, and more; not to mention she is essentially immortal (and capable of reproduction.)
3 Yurika Misumaru- Martian Successor Nadesico (1996)
Most of this Space Opera takes place aboard the Nadesico starship as it explores the cosmos and forges a warpath against the alien Jovian Lizards. Yurika Misumaru may be more ditzy than diehard; however, as the Captain of the ship, she at least deserves some respect for earning her rank, while not forgetting her valuable IFS implant, granting her the ability to pilot Aestivalis robots.
In addition, Yurika becomes a Gekiganger III otaku, (which is pretty impressive!), and she is not afraid to bare her claws at anyone getting too affectionate with her beloved Akito. It is recommended that interested parties play Martian Successor Nadesico: The Blank of 3 Years after the original series but before attempting to watch The Prince of Darkness film, as the game is canon to the overall storyline.
2 Sasahara Natsuki- Hyper Police (1997)
There is much more to this cute catgirl that meets the eyes, as she is actually a direct descendant of the Ancient Egyptian goddess Bast and arguably the sweetest bounty hunter around. She can cause an electric discharge to emit from her hands, which catches the eye of the werewolf, Batanen, and subsequently lands her a job on the police force.
Natsuki's biggest flaw is her Storm Trooper aim, so she trades in her guns for an orihalcon blade instead which, combined with her magical prowess, earns her the #2 position within the Police Company. She gets paired off with some questionable partners during her service but manages to survive them all, eventually reuniting with her dearest friend Batanen.
1 Marlene Angel- Blue Gender (1999)
It is now 2031, and Earth has been invaded by colossal, insatiable insectile creatures called Blue; however, with the much-needed assistance from the mechanical Armour Shrike suits, humanity might stand a chance. Those fortunate enough to survive have taken residence on a space station named Second Earth, while brave soldiers are sent to round up stragglers and exterminate the enemy; dystopian to the max!
The main protagonist would have ended his story quite abruptly if the amazing Angel hadn't come along, a seasoned warrior who's basically been surviving on her own since the age of ten. Marlene arguably goes through the most substantial amount of character development in Blue Gender, evolving from her hostile android-type persona into a compassionate companion (who can still kick some ass!)