The Allure of Girls with Guns in Anime
An action-packed genre thriving in the anime scene is the girls with guns subgenre, a favorite among anime enthusiasts. This popular trope seamlessly blends compelling narratives with dynamic action, featuring captivating female characters brandishing firearms. The result is an enticing fusion that resonates with a vast audience across different demographics.
Characterizing this subgenre, girls with guns typically includes series with female protagonists or significant female characters engaged in combat, often with firearms. The story arcs can vary widely as long as this pivotal characteristic is present, solidifying their place in the action anime landscape. Here’s a curated list of the best girls with guns anime to dive into.
While recent anime releases for Fall 2024 seem to steer cleared of featuring girls with firearms, this article enriches your options with several fresh recommendations, including beloved series that only partially fit the criteria.
19. Instructions!!
MyAnimeList Score: 6.45
The story unfolds at Seishou Academy, an all-girls school where every student embodies a firearm. Enter a new teacher who quickly realizes that these girls are not just typical students but lethal weapons being trained for combat. Though Upotte!! leans more towards comedy than action, it undeniably introduces an intriguing twist to the girls with guns narrative.
18. Burst Angel
MyAnimeList Score: 6.78
In an alternate reality Japan, where firearm possession is legal due to rising crime rates, Kyohei Tachibana finds himself entwined with four mercenary girls—Jo, Meg, Amy, and Sei—who battle mutated creatures threatening Tokyo. Burst Angel blends action with comedy and fanservice, making it a staple of the early 2000s action anime scene.
17. High-Rise Invasion
MyAnimeList Score: 6.69
Shrouded in mystery, Yuri Honjo’s sudden plunge into a chaotic world of skyscrapers involves combating masked killers to rescue her brother. High-Rise Invasion captivates with its blend of survival horror and action, delivering thrills that keep fans on edge.
16. Gunsmith Cats
MyAnimeList Score: 7.39
Set in Chicago, Gunsmith Cats follows the adventures of Rally Vincent and her friend Minnie May as they run a gun shop and operate as bounty hunters. This classic 90s anime, though brief, is an exciting glimpse into the girls with guns archetype.
15. Corpse Princess
MyAnimeList Score: 7.17 (Season 1)
With a mix of horror and action, Corpse Princess revolves around Makina, a female operative managing the grave danger of monstrous entities created by those lingering after death. This series balances its darker themes with action and engaging animation.
14. Canaan
MyAnimeList Score: 7.22
Chronicling the adventures of an assassin named Canaan and a photographer, Maria Oosawa, in Shanghai, this action-packed series explores a conspiracy surrounding a deadly virus. Canaan’s narrative is both thrilling and gripping for viewers.
13. Blue Archive the Animation
MyAnimeList Score: 7.05
Blue Archive the Animation adapts a popular tactical RPG, showcasing young girls in post-apocalyptic battles. While the series aired in Spring 2024, it proved to be a lighthearted take on the genre, filled with over-the-top action sequences.
12. Sword Art Online: Gun Gale Online
MyAnimeList Score: 7.01 (Season 1)
Set within a virtual battlefield, Gun Gale Online shifts focus to Karen, a newer protagonist who finds herself navigating gunfights with strategic depth, albeit within a gaming context. The blend of gameplay and rivalry provides an engaging experience.
11. The Witch Hunter
MyAnimeList Score: 7.20
Follow bounty hunter Nadie as she becomes tasked with protecting the enigmatic Ellis. A captivating journey unfolds as they unravel Ellis’s mysterious past. El Cazador De La Bruja is another gem from Bee Train, appealing to fans of the girls with guns subgenre.
10. Dirty Pair
MyAnimeList Score: 7.21
Focusing on Kei and Yuri, the Trouble Contractors for 3WA, Dirty Pair portrays the chaotic outcomes of their missions. As one of the pioneering works in the girls with guns genre, it remains a classic must-watch for action lovers.
9. Sabagebu! -Survival Game Club!
MyAnimeList Score: 7.34
Skipping the traditional action narrative, Sabagebu! instead delivers a delightful parody centered around a school survival game club. The series features a light-hearted tone, making it perfect for fans searching for humor amidst the gunfire.
8. Noir
MyAnimeList Score: 7.28
Delving deep into themes of revenge, Noir explores the lives of assassins Mireille and Kirika as they uncover their intertwined destinies. As a hallmark of the girls with guns genre, it has left an indelible impact on anime history.
7. Gunslinger Girl
MyAnimeList Score: 7.39
Exploring disturbing themes, Gunslinger Girl follows the Social Welfare Agency’s covert operations, turning young trauma survivors into skilled assassins. This dark comedy-action series showcases the complexities wrapped around its characters.
6. Akiba Maid War
MyAnimeList Score: 7.59
The comical yet violent Akiba Maid War portrays Nagomi’s initiation into the deadly world of maid cafes, where rivalries turn into fierce battles. This series balances humor and violence in a gripping manner.
5. Michiko & Hatchin
MyAnimeList Score: 7.83
Set against a backdrop of crime and chaos in a fictional South American setting, Michiko & Hatchin tells the tale of a fierce woman escaping prison and forging a bond with a young girl. The action is complimented by emotional depth, making for a compelling narrative.
4. Girls Und Panzer
MyAnimeList Score: 7.52 (Season 1)
While it may seem unconventional, Girls Und Panzer incorporates tank warfare into its competitive structure, paving the way for engaging combat scenarios. The series combines elements of sports anime with military strategy.
3. Black Lagoon
MyAnimeList Score: 8.03
Life takes a turn for Rokuro Okajima when he is captured by mercenaries. Joining the Lagoon Company, he teams up with fierce female fighters like Revy as they navigate a world of crime. Black Lagoon excels with its strong female characters and action-centric storyline.
2. Lycoris Recoil
MyAnimeList Score: 8.16
Set in a futuristic Japan, Lycoris Recoil follows a group of female agents who maintain peace through action-packed missions. With a blend of high-stakes drama and lighthearted moments, the series has captured audiences worldwide.
1. Ghost In The Shell
MyAnimeList Scores: 8.52 (SAC 2nd), 8.42 (SAC), 8.27 (Original Movie)
Steeped in a rich cyberpunk universe, Ghost in the Shell follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, whose cybernetic prowess leads her in combating criminal hackers. Its influence and critical acclaim solidify it as a cornerstone of the girls with guns subgenre.
For more information and visuals on these titles, visit GameRant.
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