The best female detectives in anime

Key conclusions

• Female detectives in anime defy stereotypes with unique characteristics and intriguing personalities.
• Characters like Akane Tsunemori and Victorique de Blois stand out for their stature and mystery-solving skills.
• Ghost in the Shell's Makoto Kusanagi paved the way for iconic female cybernetic detectives.

From murder mysteries to solving supernatural crimes, the anime landscape is littered with all kinds of detective series. While male characters are often associated with the role of detective, many anime deviate from this set notion by featuring female detectives who rival their male counterparts. Some series feature strong female detectives as the protagonists, while others feature equally competent female operatives in the background.

These female characters follow several tropes associated with traditional detectives, whether brilliant intelligence or indifferent personality. These leading ladies are also always at the forefront of solving a case, whether it's a puzzling red herring trail or a supernatural mystery.

8 Kotoko Iwanaga (In/Spectre)

Mediator between humans and Yokai

As a mediator between Yoka and humans, Kotoka Iwanaga has a special role in the world In/Ghost. Considered the “Goddess of Wisdom” by Yokai, Kotoko is tasked with dealing with any supernatural problems that threaten the balance between the two realms.

Despite being called the Goddess of Wisdom, Kotoka often behaves immature and selfish. However, she makes up for these unpleasant traits with her detective work and ingenious solutions to any problems that arise between Yoka and humans.

7 Siesta (the detective is already dead)

A self-proclaimed legendary detective

Siesta, who calls herself “The Great Detective,” is the main girl The detective is already dead. Although she is self-proclaimed, her moniker is more than just a ceremonial title, as she has enough brains and wit to back up that claim.

However, Siesta is more than just a genius, as she can hold her own in combat with her enhanced physical abilities. While Seista's life is prematurely cut short, she has a significant impact on her detective partner Kimizuku and the rest of the series' characters.

6 Aya Rindo (Farce of Killing the Undead)

The witty detective of the millennium

Set in a historic setting in Europe, A farce about killing the undead is an exciting mystery series. At the helm of the series is Aya Rindo, an immortal detective who embarks on a journey to find his stolen body. Aya's appearance is as unique as her personality, as she is simply a talking severed head.

Although Aya is just shy of a millennium, she doesn't hesitate to joke about having her head pulled around in a birdcage. Her wit shines through in her detective work, as does her sense of humor.

5 Sakuraka Kujo (Beautiful Bones: The Sakuraka Investigation)

An investigator with an obsession with bones

Most detectives become investigators thanks to their excellent deduction skills, although Sakurako Kujo's case is quite unique. Her passion for bones, human or animal, puts her at the center of crime when she investigates the remains of murders.

Sakurako's passion for osteology (the study of bones) makes her character quite unusual, and her creative use of skeletal knowledge is another intriguing aspect of her character. While her research in Beautiful Bones: The Sakurako Investigation maybe not the most action-packed in the detective genre, they certainly help solve crimes.

4 Victorique de Blois (Gosik)

An oddball with a knack for solving mysteries

With doll-like looks and Victorian charm, Victorique de Blois is a character shrouded in mystery. However, one thing is clear – her love for solving mysteries and supernatural encounters.

Victorika is the epitome of the tsundere archetype with an otherworldly presence, though her human side shines through in some candid moments with Kazuya. Although she is not a detective in the traditional sense, Victorique's efforts to solve mysteries make her a worthy detective.

3 Re-L Mayer (Ergo Proxy)

Exploring the mysteries of her own existence

Ergo Proxy The action takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, where representatives of humanity live in domed cities, and androids help them in their lives. Rae-L Meyer is at the center of this dark premise, as she is tasked with researching a virus that infects androids, eventually giving them self-awareness.

As the citizens of this domed city are programmed to remain indifferent and passive, Re-L's personality is no different. However, her encounter with Ergo Proxy leaves her curious about more, marking the beginning of her growth as a character. However, her antisocial personality traits remain a part of her character, which will come in handy during her investigations into Ramdo's mysteries.

2 Akane Tsunemori (Psycho-Pass)

A sympathetic detective in a dystopian world

In a world where a person's abilities and careers are judged by a central hive system, Akane Tsunemori is deemed qualified to lead her own law enforcement squad. Although initially shy and reserved, Akane eventually fulfills her desperate role as squad leader in a dystopian world full of crime and losers.

There are many female detectives in the anime landscape, but Akane stands out in large part because of her transformation from naive recruit to confident, assertive inspector. Psycho-pass“The premise is as dystopian as it gets, and the only human aspect of the show is Akane herself as she questions the moral dilemmas she witnesses around her.

1 Makoto Kusanagi (“Ghost in the Shell: Autonomous Complex”)

The iconic cybernetic detective

Popularly known as The Major, Makoto Kusanagi is the cult detective of the 90s that paved the way for the genre to flourish with female leads. As the cyber squad commander of his unit of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Makoto is a brilliant detective with both beauty and strength.

While Makoto Kusanagi's character is different from the original Ghost in the armour movies and Autonomous complex series, her defining personality and commanding presence remain the same across all versions. Makoto Kusanagi is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this film. Ghost in the armour franchise.