Good role models can be really hard to come by, but they're something that everyone needs at some point in their lives. There's no manual on how to be a human being or what makes one person more admirable than another. Instead, humans are left to watch others and come to their own conclusions on what's worth imitating and what isn't.
This is just as true in the world of fiction, where there are scores of characters who display both commendable and destructive traits depending on their narrative roles. Anime is home to many types of characters, and some of the most praiseworthy characters are the spirited girls who lead the shojo genre.
10 Tohru Is Kind, Patient, & Compassionate (Fruits Basket)
Tohru Honda has a lot to be upset about in Fruits Basket, but she continues to march forward despite the difficulties. Both her parents are indeed dead, and she feels like a burden on those around her, but Tohru turns that energy into a positive attitude and aims to keep others around her happy. In fact, it's exactly because Tohru has experienced losses that she can truly appreciate what she still has. It's an admirable trait that takes effort to put into practice.
9 Nanami Is Generous, Gentle, & Idealistic (Kamisama Kiss)
As the fox yokai Tomoe noted himself, Nanami Momozono is a girl with a strong spirit. Her determination is apparent throughout Kamisama Kiss since she has to contend with stubborn yokai who believe that humans are too absorbed with themselves to ever live peacefully with yokai. Nanami also possesses sympathy for most creatures, even bad people and yokai, and she's fiercely protective of those close to her. Her dedication to kindness and optimism marks her as a character who's worth emulating.
8 Miaka Is Hard Working, Loyal, & Courageous (Fushigi Yuugi)
Although she came from a modern world, Miaka Yuki is still enthusiastic about adjusting to ancient Chinese life in Fushigi Yuugi. She's a plucky character who rarely complains and takes on any challenge that's presented to her.
One of Miaka's most endearing traits is her loyalty to her friends, especially Yui Hongo. The Seiryu warrior Nakago turned Yui against Miaka, but Miaka sees through Yui's pain and never gives up on setting things right with her best friend.
7 Haruhi Is Intelligent, Honest, & Level-Headed (Ouran High School Host Club)
Maybe it's because her father is a cross-dressing hostess, but Haruhi Fujioka has a clear-headed and mature stance on gender in Ouran High School Host Club. She doesn't let labels like "male" or "female" distract her from what's important, which is an impressive feat for someone of her age. Haruhi's intelligence keeps her independent and a step ahead of her peers, sometimes to her chagrin. Nevertheless, her dedication to integrity and common sense comes in handy on several occasions.
6 Sakura Is Curious, Helpful, & Considerate (Cardcaptor Sakura)
Besides being athletic, energetic, and sweet, Sakura Kinomoto is a girl who's committed to protecting those she cares for. Her outgoing nature easily makes her friends everywhere she goes in Cardcaptor Sakura, and she's even thoughtful enough to maintain long-distance friendships by sending letters and making time for phone calls. When she's not thinking about what she can do to make others happy, she's busy caring for her Cards and making sure they're doing well, too. Sakura's friends know they can depend on her.
5 Utena Is Bold, Outspoken, & Determined (Revolutionary Girl Utena)
In a world that expects her to be like all the other girls her age, Utena Tenjo brazenly refuses to be anything less than a prince in Revolutionary Girl Utena. One of her most impressive moments is when she stands up to the Ohtori Academy staff, who is insisting she's not allowed to wear the boys' uniform. Utena promptly points out that she knows her rights and states that there's nothing in the official school rulebook stating girls can't wear the boys' uniform. Utena's also got a great sense of justice and fairness, making her an ideal partner for the Rose Bride.
4 Risa Is Humble, Observant, & Good Natured (Lovely Complex)
The most important thing about Risa Koizumi is that she refuses to let her height get her down in Lovely Complex. The series' main conflict revolves around her insecurity about being taller than average for most girls her age, and fans get to see her struggle with her height.
But at the end of the day, Risa knows her height doesn't define who she is and she maintains an upbeat, cheerful demeanor even after being rejected by a boy due to her height. She still finds the strength to confess to Atsushi Otani despite being rejected by another boy before.
3 Rinko Is Sweet, Unassuming, & Friendly (My Love Story!!)
Part of what makes My Love Story!! so charming is Rinko Yamato's love for the unconventionally attractive Takeo Gouda. Most girls pass over tall, muscular Takeo when compared to his friend Makoto Sunakawa, who is a stereotypical pretty boy. In fact, most girls Takeo developed feelings for spoke poorly about Takeo and attempted to confess to Makoto instead. But Rinko isn't like those girls and she possesses a pure love for Takeo in both appearance and personality, despite what other girls think about him.
2 Katarina Is Diligent, Positive, & Daring (My Next Life As A Villainess)
Initially, Katarina Claes is a selfish brat of a character who manipulates those around her to get what she wants in My Next Life as a Villainess. But that's according to the plot of a visual novel called Fortune Lover. When an ordinary high school girl who's played the game suddenly wakes up in Katarina's body, she realizes that she needs to avoid all the doom flags in the narrative to ensure she isn't executed just like Katarina in the game. To this end, Katarina becomes a kind and honest girl who tries to lift up those around her instead of using them for her own selfish purposes.
1 Usagi Is Responsible, Pure, & Principled (Sailor Moon)
Sailor Moon's Usagi Tsukino is relatable in both bad and good aspects. Like most girls her age, she's prone to laziness, immaturity, and cowardice. Most teenage girls will have a hard time staring evil in the eye and not feeling at least a little bit of fear. But Usagi always takes her job as Sailor Moon seriously and she steps up to the plate every time. She's kind-hearted and always stands up for what she believes in, as indicated in her iconic catchphrase.
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