I have a confession to make: I'm a grown adult woman, and I watch anime. Lots of anime. I don't recall my first time, but I know it's been going on for as long as can remember. As a child in the 1980s, I was lucky enough to be exposed to some of Japan's earliest mainstream animated exports. Sure, everyone already knew Speed Racer, but newer characters like Unico and Marina the Mermaid made the journey to the U.S. by way of the Disney Channel, enchanting us with their wide, innocent eyes, kewpie doll faces, and breathless voices. I, along with countless others, I'm sure, was entranced. In the 90s, we went on to become devoted fans of Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z, series that were fantastical and exciting, but still reflected our youth and innocence. Some people still cling to these classics and continue to exalt them as pinnacles of perfection within the genre. Some people wanted something more than that.

While I still found joy in the anime aimed at younger viewers, burgeoning interests in science fiction, fantasy and history led me away from the daily struggles of magical teenagers and towards something more substantial. And while certain classic anime films such as Akira and Ghost in the Shell delivered that mix of action, violence, character development, and heart that I found lacking in the series of my youth, the majority of available material was not up to par. It wasn't that other shows didn't have action, violence and emotion; it was that they had something else, something that drives many viewers like me away from the genre: an abundance of hyper-sexualized female characters.

Now let's get this straight, I am no prude. So far from it, it's comical, actually. However, it is nearly impossible to ignore the plethora of scantily clad, insanely buxom women that inhabit the world of Japanese animation. I understand that they are woven into the fabric of the genre, but I would love to be able to enjoy my futuristic space-opera without a ginormous set of boobs floating about. Beyond the visual portrayal of women as brainless sex objects, male characters are constantly making comments, ogling them, smacking them on the rear-end, etc. Many people would counter that anime is made specifically for and marketed to young men, and that I should just get over it. Since I'm a rational person, I'm pretty sure the Japanese animation industry isn't going to change the way they do things just to make some American lady happy, but I also feel that "getting over it" isn't really a valid option. Luckily for me, I don't have to.

The fact is, while many, many anime series feature hyper-mammiferous, air headed girls, there are some that do not. And not to say they manage this by being devoid of female characters entirely. Below is a list of three series that feature incredibly bad-ass female leads, all of whom are fully clothed! These series are a great starting point for gals like myself, who want all of the blood and gravitas that anime is known for, without the bimbos. All three series are dark, gripping dramas, and you won't find any unexplainably skimpy outfits or damsels in distress here. Ikimasho!

Attack on Titan

The Plot:

By far the most mainstream of the three highlighted here, Attack on Titan, based on Hajime Isayama's manga by the same name, premiered in early 2013. Set in a desperate future where the last remains of humanity must hide behind great walls to avoid the flesh-eating titans, mindless giants that feed off of humans, Attack on Titan blends military drama with gut-wrenching emotion. The story follows three main characters: brave but rash Eren Jager, his meek, brilliant best friend Armin, and their preternaturally fast and strong adopted cousin, Mikasa Ackerman.

The Ladies of Attack on Titan:

Mikasa Ackerman is the main female character in the series, and while her physical beauty is definitely mentioned, her prowess as a titan-killer is far more exalted. After the initial titan attack, Mikasa joins the military with her male friends, and it quickly becomes apparent that she is far more skilled than anyone around her. She is heavily featured in early episodes, acting as the emotional rock for Eren, as well as anchoring missions for her outfit within the Survey Corps. Mikasa sports a no-nonsense bob haircut and is almost never seen outside of her military uniform, and in the one instance her clothes are torn during a fight, her shirt rips away only to reveal her incredibly defined 6-pack. Attack on Titan features multiple impressive female characters, all who hold important positions in the military or government. Squad Leader Hange Zoe stands out immediately. As not only an officer but a scientist, Hange-san tries to understand her enemies from all perspectives, but she never puts her scientific curiosities before her troops. Annie Leonhardt, Sausha Braus and Ymir also receive honorable mention as tough-as-nails heroines in this fast-paced, grim tale.

Notes:

Attack on Titan, while a fantastic series, is not for the faint of heart. Graphically violent and at times emotionally draining, this one will surely put your nerves through the ringer. It remains one of my all time favorites, so if you think you can handle the gore, I would highly recommend giving it a shot.

Fate/Zero

The Plot:

A prequel to the wildly popular Fate/stay night series, Fate/Zero seamlessly blends new animation technology with a stunning storyline, all while moving at a break-neck pace. Based on a visual novel by Gen Urobuchi, it debuted in anime form in 2011. Fate/Zero takes us to Fuyuki City Japan, where every ten years a mystical artifact known as the Holy Grail manifests itself. Seven mages from different magical families must each summon a heroic spirit from history to assist them in their quest to win the Grail, which grants one wish to the victor. The story follows each mage and their respective heroic spirit through the epic trials the Grail contest presents them with, however, the main plot line highlights the path of Emiya Kiritsugu, a dangerous yet deeply introspective mage, and Saber, his devoted heroic spirit.

The Ladies of Fate/Zero:

Saber is the true heroine of the entire Fate/stay night universe, and Fate/Zero is no exception. From the moment she hits the stage, she fails to disappoint. The heroic spirit of a legendary ruler, Saber exhibits all the chivalry and decorum you would expect from a medieval king, yet she is most definitely a woman. As the defender and right-hand of her mage, Saber's one goal is to assist Emiya in winning the grail. Along the way, she manages to exercise her knightly charms on Emiya's wife, whom she holds in high regard. When not clad in battle armor, Saber opts for a tailored, all black, men's suit. As with Mikasa, Saber's beauty is referenced in the series, but she is never sexualized or part of any romantic entanglements. Her limitless strength, determination, and loyalty are consistently on display. Another stand out character is Natalia, the freelance mercenary who rescues young Emiya from certain death. She trains him and imparts on him a frightening ambition that he can't escape. Fate/Zero also offers other strong women like Emiya's partner and expert assassin Mya, and his naive but devoted wife, Irisviel.

Notes:

Similarly to Attack on Titan, Fate/Zero is meant for mature audiences. Though not as outwardly bloody, some viewers might find Fate/Zero disturbing. The themes explored are dark. Very dark. Did I mention it's dark? Ok, just wanted to warn you. Also, this one moves quickly, so don't worry if you feel a bit confused in the beginning, it will all fall in to place.

Claymore

The Plot:

While one of the best reviewed, Claymore is arguably the least-known title on this list. Taking place on a mythical medieval island, Norihiro Yagi's Claymore follows the exploits of a mysterious and powerful order of women tasked with hunting and executing Yoma, humanoid flesh-eating demons terrorizing the entire land. A secretive group known as The Organization sends out these armored female warriors for a fee, essentially charging people for keeping the peace. Though their work is appreciated, the women are shunned by society, as their strength, speed and intuition seem unnatural. They are known as Silver-Eyed Witches, due to their steely gray eyes, or Claymores, as they carry the heavy Scottish sword by the same name.

The Ladies of Claymore:

One of the great things about this series is there are way too many female characters to list here. Nearly the entire cast consists of women, and they are all amazingly heroic in their own way. However, our main protagonist is clearly Clare, a young, determined Claymore. Clare posseses the grit and emotional detachment necessary to remain in control of her true nature, that is until she finds something she cares more about than her duty. Having only herself to rely on, her persistence and willingness to push past her limits are what make Clare such a memorable character. Like all Claymores, Clare only owns one outfit, which consists of a full-body undergarment and heavy battle armor. The second character that deserves mention is Theresa of the Faint Smile. Clare's reluctant mentor, Theresa is both graceful and brutal. She is the top-ranked Claymore, which means she can detect and eliminate demons better than anyone else alive. Her temperance and efficiency in battle make her both feared and admired. While Theresa is portrayed as classically beautiful, she rarely appears without her suit of armor. Other characters of note are Irena, a high-ranking Claymore who questions The Organizations motives, and Ophelia, a totally-insane-in-a-fun-way adversary that Clare must defeat.

Notes:

Claymore, while confronting some nasty subject matter (the Yoma eat human innards, specifically) manages to be pretty light on the gross stuff. The violence is more implied and less graphic, as this series relies heavily on ambiance as opposed to action. If you are looking for a definitive "girl-power" anime to dive in to, this is a great one.

So, there you have it. Three phenomenal series, chock full of sword-wielding, titan killing, demon hunting women presented for your enjoyment. They are kicking butt and taking names, and they are doing it with their clothes on. Arigatou gozaimasu for reading!

A final thought: Always, always watch anime in Japanese with English subtitles. The Japanese voice is the character's true voice, and dubbed versions not only paraphrase dialogue, they can change the entire tone of a show. Anime is art, and should be viewed in its original form.