The best female rivals in anime

Key takeaways

• Female antagonists in anime can lead to plot progression beyond character growth and romantic conflicts.
• Some anime series feature female rivals based on mutual respect and friendship.
• A strong female opponent, like Kezoma! and My Hero Academia, providing growth and motivation for both characters.

Rivalry is a common theme in almost every anime, and this integral concept has been important to character growth and plot progression in many popular anime series. However, this notion has traditionally been limited to male characters, with their female counterparts relegated to mere romantic rivalry and petty bickering.

Still, a handful of anime rise above this preconceived notion, as they present a compelling rivalry between female characters that becomes a source of their growth. Although the female rivals are less fleshed out, these series manage to offer rather deep rivalries. From friendly rivals to all-out archenemies, these are just a few The best female rivals in all of anime.

8 Atsuko “Ako” Kagari and Diana Cavendish (Little Witch Academia)

A healthy rivalry turned into friendship

While Little Witch Academia Presents a good story of a Japanese witch in a foreign academy, with a somewhat interesting rivalry between Ako and Diana leading the way. At first, Diana hates Akko's belief in magic, as she considers Akko's view to be really simplistic.

However, Diana and Akko eventually form a very strong bond after being proven wrong about the latter's magical abilities. This gives way to a healthy rivalry based on mutual respect, with Diana even considering Akko her only friend in the entire academy.

7 Kosaki Onodera and Chitoge Kirisaki (Nisekoi: Wrong Love)

Childhood friend v. Student exchange

Nisekoi: False Love Raku is home to a few romantic rivalries in Ichijou, though the most obvious of these is Onodera and Chitoge's feud over Raku. In the childhood friend and forced couple tropes respectively, Onodera and Chitoge become the primary contenders for Raku's affections.

Oddly enough, the two characters end up being friends despite fighting for the same person's affections. While some feelings of animosity sprout throughout NisekoiBoth are finally able to move forward on a positive note.

6 Nozomi and Hanabi (Keizo!).

A fierce sports rivalry between teammates

With a fantasy game at its center, Keizo! Often goes under the radar within the sports landscape. However, this anime is full of all kinds of exciting battles, with a hint of fan service. Nozomi and Hanabi's rivalry begins early in the series, specifically during the qualifying match for the academy entrance exams.

Nozomi's strength and unwavering spirit reignite Hanabi's passion for the sport. The rest of the series is marked by instances of Nozomi trying to rival Hanabi's power, meaning both characters serve as a source of growth and inspiration for each other.

5 Kagome and Kikyo (Inuyasha)

An unexpected love triangle

Although Kagome and Kikyo have a heated rivalry, there are more romantic rivalries in the case of female characters. Inuyasha Definitely worth mentioning. As Inuyasha becomes a source of jealousy and animosity between both girls, the strange love triangle becomes a major plot point for the series.

When Inuyasha finally chooses Kagome as his final partner, the rivalry between Kikyo and Kagome extends beyond Inuyasha's world. With the entire fandom divided on where Inuyasha should end, it's safe to say that this is one for the rival books.

4 Erza Scarlet and Mirajane Strauss (Fairy Tail)

A sister-like rivalry between guildmates

Ezra and Mirajane are the two strongest female characters in all Fairy TailA fact that naturally lays the groundwork for a rivalry to form. Oddly enough, their rivalry was mostly limited to flashbacks of their childhoods. After Lisanna's supposed death, Mirajane suddenly transformed from a delinquent to a caring older sister, effectively ending their rivalry.

However, rivalry still shaped many of their relationships with each other, especially as guildmates and friends. While Mirajane retires from a fighting role, she still holds the title of being one of the few S-class wizards in Fairy Tail, which naturally pits the two fearsome women against each other.

3 Sakura and Ino (Naruto)

A friendship based on defeating rivals

Naruto A host of many iconic rivals have shaped the show. Ino and Sakura have a compelling rivalry, which shaped the two characters and their relationship in the early episodes. Naruto. Initially fighting over Sasuke's attention, Ino and Sakura's friendship turns into a heated rivalry.

The two came face-to-face during the Chunin Exams, a clash that forced the two characters to reconsider their rivalry. This event marked the end of their petty rivalry over Sasuke, as it matured into something that pushed both Sakura and Ino to become stronger.

2 Ochako Uraraka and Himiko Toga (My Hero Academia)

A clash of different world views

The existence of Uraraka and Himiko Toga's rivalry isn't exactly due to the two being on opposing sides. Instead, it is the result of Toga's obsession with all things beautiful. With Uraraka being the object of his affection, the two characters naturally had many run-ins My Hero AcademiaWhich eventually fanned the flames of an exciting rivalry between the two.

While this rivalry was never the focal point My Hero AcademiaThis served an important purpose for the growth of both characters. During the final battle, Uraraka was able to see the good in Toga, realizing that not all villains are bad. The opposite was true for Toga, who saw the world in black and white.

1 Ryuko Matoi and Satsuki Kiryuin (Kill La Kill)

A fierce rivalry between estranged siblings

Ryuko Matoi and Satsuki Kiryuin's rivalry is undoubtedly the fiercest between any female character in all of anime. The two characters' mutual hatred made each other instantly archenemies, and Sastuki added more fuel to the fire by challenging Ryuko to defeat all of her nannies.

However, this fierce rivalry ends on a positive note when Sastuki learns that Ryuko is his supposedly-dead sister. This revelation marked the end of their deadly rivalry, although it cannot be denied that this conflict played a major role in pushing Ryuko to amass such unprecedented power.