Best Female Detectives in Anime

From murder mysteries to supernatural crime solving, the anime landscape is laced with all sorts of detective series. While male characters are often associated with the detective role, plenty of anime deviate from this preset notion by featuring female detectives that rival their male counterparts. Some series feature head-strong female detectives as the main protagonist, while others showcase equally competent female operatives in the backdrop.

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These female characters are accompanied by several of the tropes associated with traditional detectives, whether it’s genius intellect or an indifferent persona. These leading ladies are also always at the forefront of solving the case, be it an obscure trail of red herrings or a supernatural mystery.

8 Kotoko Iwanaga (In/Spectre)

A Mediator Between Humans And Yokai

As a mediator between Yokai and humans, Kotoko Iwanaga serves a special role in the world of In/Spectre. Deemed the “Goddess of Wisdom” by Yokai, Kotoko is tasked with resolving any supernatural problems that threaten the balance between the two realms.

Despite her moniker of the Goddess of Wisdom, Kotoko often acts immature and selfish. However, she makes up for these unpalatable traits with her detective work and ingenious solutions to any problems that arise between Yokai and humans.

7 Siesta (The Detective Is Already Dead)

A Self-Proclaimed Legendary Detective

Calling herself the “Great Detective,” Siesta is the leading lady of The Detective is Already Dead. Despite being self-proclaimed, her moniker isn’t merely a ceremonial title, as she has the intelligence and wits to back up this claim.

However, Siesta isn’t just a genius, as she can hold her own in a fight with her heightened physical capabilities. While Seista’s life comes to an untimely end, she has a significant impact on her detective partner Kimizuka and the rest of the series’ roster of characters.

6 Aya Rindo (Undead Girl Murder Farce)

A Millennia-Old Witty Detective

Set in a historical setting in Europe, Undead Girl Murder Farce is a captivating mystery series. At the helm of the series is Aya Rindo, an immortal detective on a journey to find her stolen body. Aya’s appearance is just as unique as her persona, as she is simply just a talking severed head.

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Despite being just shy of being millennia old, Aya isn't above making comedic jokes about the odd arrangement of her head being lugged around in a bird cage. Her wittiness shines through in her detective work, and so too does her sense of humor.

5 Sakurako Kujou (Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation)

An Investigator With An Obsession With Bones

Most detectives end up as investigators due to their excellent deduction skills, though Sakurako Kujou’s case is rather unique. Her passion for bones, whether human or animal, lands her in the middle of crime scenes as she investigates the remains of murders.

Sakurako’s passion for osteology (the study of bones) makes her character quite novel, and her creative use of skeletal knowledge is another intriguing aspect of her character. While her investigations in Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation might not be the most action-packed in the detective genre, they certainly make for some interesting crime-solving.

4 Victorique De Blois (Gosick)

An Oddball With A Knack For Solving Mysteries

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

Victorique is the embodiment of the tsundere archetype with an otherworldly presence, though her human side shines through in a few heartfelt moments with Kazuya. While she isn’t a detective in the traditional sense, Victorique’s mystery-solving endeavors pin her as a worthy detective.

3 Re-L Mayer (Ergo Proxy)

Investigating The Mysteries Of Her Own Existence

Ergo Proxy is set in a post-apocalyptic world where members of humanity reside in domed cities, and their lives are assisted by androids. Re-L Mayer stands at the center of this grim premise, as she is assigned to investigate a virus infecting androids that ends up giving them self-awareness.

Since the citizens of this domed city are programmed to remain indifferent and passive, Re-L’s persona is no different. However, her encounter with Ergo Proxy leaves her curious for more, which marks the beginning of her growth as a character. Still, her antisocial personality traits remain a part of her character, which largely come in handy during her investigations into the secrets of Romdeau.

2 Akane Tsunemori (Psycho-Pass)

A Compassionate Detective In A Dystopian World

In a world where a person’s aptitude and career is judged by a central hive-mind system, Akane Tsunemori is deemed qualified to lead her own law enforcement squad. Despite initially being shy and reserved, Akane eventually eases into her despair-laden role of leading a squad in a dystopian world full of crime and misfits.

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There are plenty of female detectives within the anime landscape, yet Akane stands out largely due to her growth from a naive recruit to a confident, assertive inspector. Psycho-Pass’ premise is as dystopian as it can get, 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: Stand Alone Complex)

An Iconic Cybernetic Detective

Popularly known as the Major, Makoto Kusanagi is the iconic detective of the 90s who paved the way for women leads to thrive in the genre. As the cybernetic squad leader of her division of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force, Makoto is a genius detective with both beauty and brawn.

While Makoto Kusanagi’s character differs in the original Ghost in the Shell films and the Stand Alone Complex series, her defining persona and commanding presence remains the same in all versions. With a nuanced characterization and an engaging persona, Makoto Kusanagi is arguably the most intriguing aspect of the Ghost in the Shell franchise.

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