10 anime characters like Tsunade from Naruto

It's difficult to find female anime characters like Tsunade in the shōnen anime series, however, not impossible. The character sketch of Tsunade became a popular prototype for portraying strong female characters in anime.

Tsunade from Naruto was the 5th Hokage and one of the legendary shanins. Her medical ninjutsu and chakra control were second to none. However, Tsunade isn't all about power, her overwhelming presence, intellect, military tactics, and caring nature charmed the audience for a decade now.

There are many characters Tsunade, Erza, Fubuki, and others, who changed the definition of female roles in anime series by their strong presence.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

From Fairy Tail's Erza to Attack on Titan's Hange, here are 10 anime characters like Tsunade from Naruto

1) Erza Scarlet- Fairy Tail

Erza (one of the anime characters like Tsunade) (Image via A-1 Pictures)

The 2013 anime Fairy Tail has a lot of powerful characters, and Erza Scarlet is one of them. Erza, "the Titania" single-handedly changed the definition of female characters in shonen anime.

She was insanely powerful, showed remarkable leadership qualities, and was known for battle tactics. While being so powerful, she also has a warm and caring heart. She cares about her guild mates and friends and can go to any length for them.

Not only in terms of power, Erza also has remarkable similarities with Tsunade in her behaviour, backstory, and love life. While looking for anime characters like Tsunade, Erza Scarlet can be the first name to ring a bell.

2) Makima- Chainsaw Man

Makima (one of the anime characters like Tsunade) (Image via MAPPA )

Makima from the famous Chainsaw Man is like a machiavellian Tsunade in a different universe, who would do anything to achieve her goals. Makima was the leader of Public Safety Devil Hunters under the command of Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Makima, the “control devil” is one of the strongest individuals in the anime. Initially, she’s shown as a kind, powerful, and obedient leader, however, her intentions are unmasked slowly.

Makima’s presence, charm, power, and stubbornness are similar to Tsunade's, however, she differs from Tsunade in ideology. Makima is a female anime character like Tsunade, who captured the audience with her strong presence but serves a different role in the plot.

3) Fubuki- One Punchman

Fubuki (one of the anime characters like Tsunade) (Imgae via Madhouse)

Although not as powerful as Erza or Makima, Fubuki is another anime character like Tsunade from One Punch Man. She is one of the strongest B-Class Heroes from the Hero Association.

Fubuki has a serious persona and is extremely calculative and confident. Like Tsunade, she doesn’t falter on a battlefield and usually employs a strategic approach against powerful opponents.

Her calculative, and strong presence made her a fan favourite and often being compared to Tsunade.

4) Mereoleona- Black Clover

Mereoleona (one of the anime characters like Tsunade) (Image via Pierrot )

Another memorable anime character like Tsunade is Mereoleona Vermillion from Black Clover. Like Tsunade, she left home because she disagreed with the rules and regulations of the Royals.

Mereoleona is one of the strongest mages in Black Clover and is considered the real leader of the Vermilion Clan. She led the troops during the magic knights' raid on the elves. Mereoleona is an excellent fighter, a strict teacher, and an anti-authoritarian voice in the anime.

Mereoleona has a rough demeanour, but she’s also shown as a very kind person. Unlike most of the Royals in the anime, Mereoleona doesn’t discriminate among people based on their social class, rank, and rumours. She’s a headstrong female anime character like Tsunade.

5) Cornelia- Code Geass

Cornelia (one of the anime characters like Tsunade) (Image via Sunrise)

Cornelia li Britannia, the second princess of the Empire of Britannia is the Viceroy of Area-11. She is a ruthless fighter and a skilled military leader. Her cold, stubborn personality is exactly the opposite of her younger sister Euphi.

Albeit having a cold exterior, she deeply cares about her soldiers and often takes the frontline to save others. However, she turns into a cold-blooded killer upon suspecting any harm towards the Britannian Empire.

Her overwhelming presence, strength, and political role are very similar to Tsunade. Therefore, it’s easy to draw the connection between both the characters.

6) Hange Zoe- Attack on Titan

Hange (one of the anime characters like Tsunade) (Image via MAPPA )

Hange Zoe is known for her eccentric personality and her craze for titans. However, there’s more to her, she’s a skilled fighter, a driven researcher, and a loyal comrade.

Apart from having structural similarities with Tsunade, Hange plays a similar role in the anime. Erwin nominated her as the leader of Survey Corps after him, instead of Levi because of her leadership qualities. She’s apt to make quick decisions and hard choices for victory.

Her sacrificial tendency is also remarkable like Tsunade. Her sacrifice to ensure everyone’s safety at the end was a timeless scene. She’s another anime character like Tsunade from Naruto.

7) Charlotte Roselei- Black Clover

Charlotte Roselei (one of the anime characters like Tsunade) (Image via Pierrot)

Not only similar characteristics, but Charlotte Roselei with her blonde hair can remind anyone about Tsunade. She was the captain of the "Blue Rose" Knight squad and renowned for her temper, and battle prowess in the anime Black Clover.

Like Tsunade, she was a responsible, and capable leader. She mostly behaved harshly, however had a softer side. Charlotte guards her emotions with this behaviour, but liquor makes her vulnerable like Tsunade. She’s bashful about her love interest towards Yami.

8) Najenda- Akame ga Kill

Najenda (one of the anime characters like Tsunade) (Image via White Fox )

Even though it is hard to find capable and strong female leaders in the animeverse, it’s not rare to get them. Like Tsunade from Naruto, Najenda from Akame ga Kill is a wonderful leader and fighter.

Najenda was a general in the Imperial Army, however, the corrupt nature of the government made her leave the army and join the Revolutionary Army. She became the head of the assassination group “Night Raid”.

Due to her calm perceptive nature, military knowledge, and intuitions, she worked as one of the strategic heads in the Revolutionary Army HQ. After losing an eye and a hand, she fought toe-to-toe with her ex-comrade Esdeath to stop Tatsumi’s execution. Najenda is one of the anime charcaters like Tsunade.

9) Motoko Kusanagi- Ghost in the Shell

Motoko Kusanagi (one of the anime characters like Tsunade) (Image via Production I. G. )

Major Motoko Kusanagi is a famous name among sci-fi anime lovers. Kusanagi shows remarkable power, dedication, strategic analysis, and leadership as the leader of Public Security Section 9.

As Naruto and Ghost in the Shell have entirely different plotlines and thematic structures, the roles of Tsunade and Kusanagi are also very different. However, both create a commanding, and overbearing effect upon the audience. Both characters show explorations of their inner psyche vividly.

Albeit having thematic differences, the characters of Tsunade and Kusanagi share similarities in their various personality traits.

10) Nana Osaki- Nana

Nana is an exploration of people’s lives in their early twenties. The striking realism of the anime impacted the audience through the ages. One of the titular deuteragonists- Nana Osaki’s character shows significant similarities with Tsunade’s character design.

Nana is a stubborn, commanding individual and the lead singer of her band “Blast”. Throughout the series she kept trying to hold onto people, she cared about but failed each time like Tsunade. She too, hid her emotions and was afraid to reveal her true feelings to people.

Nana Osaki is like a modern-day Tsunade, struggling with her responsibility, dreams, and emotions.

To Conclude

It’s impossible to find the exact carbon copy of anime characters like Tsunade in another animeverse. However, sometimes, some characters become archetypes and thus, get replicated in different anime.

Every anime has a different storyline and demands different sets of characters. But, the previously created characters become inspirations for the new ones. Characters of Tsunade, Erza, etc. serve as inspiration for strong female characters. And work as an unyielding female voice throughout the plot.

Tsunade Senju is a popular character and many strong female characters like- Erza, Fubuki, Mei Mei, and others, embody her character traits. This listicle provides a comparative analysis between Tsunade’s character and other anime characters like Tsunade to draw the audience’s attention to find their similarities.