6 Notable JRPG Heroines and Why We Love Them

These ladies have what it takes to get through any trial and tribulation that comes their way!

Women are not always prominent in video games; when they are, it’s often as fan-service or love interest and nothing more. Many JRPGs are breaking that mold with these bold and beautiful heroines.

These are the ones that made the list, but there are so many more! These fabulous ladies prove that anyone can be a hero(ine) it just takes some of the right stuff. These ladies have what it takes to get through any trial and tribulation that comes their way!

Tifa – Final Fantasy VII

Tifa Lockhart is found within Final Fantasy VII and the related games and movies that went with it. She is shy, empathic, and acts as a mother towards her friends giving them the support and encouragement they need to get through difficult times. Tifa is also a powerful martial artist!

We love Tifa for her caring side, her love of her comrades, and her ability to keep them going. She often tends to put the feelings of others before her own, bottling her feelings and rarely talking about them. She puts others first and doesn’t even think twice about it, what’s not to love about this wonderful character?!

“People have many things pent up inside of themselves. So many things they can never forget. Strange, isn’t it?”

Yuna – Final Fantasy X/X-2

When we first meet Yuna she is weak and tired after completing a dangerous trial. She denies the aid of her friends and allies and instead walks out to greet the people of her village, Besaid, to show off her new summoning skill. Yuna takes the roles of Summoner and White Mage in Final Fantasy X and evolves to a Gunner, Dancer, and many others in X-2.

We love Yuna because she is kind, thoughtful, considerate, and empathetic. She goes out of her way to save those in need and is willing to lay down her life to do so. She has a big heart and is very compassionate towards others. She has a lot of pride in herself but also a great love for her friends and allies on her travels.

“You may be a maester, but I will still fight!”

Lightning – Final Fantasy XIII Series

Encountering Lightning for the first time in this series is an epic event! Lightning is a strong and courageous soldier who knows what’s needed to get the job done. She is on a mission to rescue her sister and nothing will stand in her way. I wouldn’t want to be on the wrong end of her sword, or her temper.

We love Lightning for being her hard soldier self but also for the times when she shows a gentler side later on. She’s fierce and deadly and not someone to take lightly as she won’t go down without a fight. When she lets her walls down, Light becomes a sweet and empathetic individual. It is rare, and she never lets that side of her out for long, but when she does it is enough to make your heart melt.

“We’ll carve out a new fate!”

Lyse Hext – Final Fantasy XIV

Lyse Hext was in the background for a while before becoming a character of note in the Stormblood expansion. She is a strong-willed Monk from Ala Mhigo. She is laid-back and very caring, although she may seem serious in a crisis, she maintains optimism. While she is very skilled in combat, she doesn’t enter fights unless she absolutely has to.

We love Lyse for her cool demeanor and optimism. She is kind and caring towards her allies and the people of Ala Mhigo but fierce towards her enemies. She won’t run from a fight and will stand with her friends to the end, making her a loyal and fierce ally.

“So, this is it. Whatever I choose to do from now on, I do as Lyse. …And I choose to continue my family’s fight. I want Ala Mhigo to be the country that Yda and my father always wanted it to be!”

Kirika – Shining Resonance Refrain

Lady Kirika Towa Alma is one of the main characters of Shining Resonance Refrain. She is a Diva Magica and a Dragoneer who holds the main character, Yuma, or the Shining Dragon, in high regard. Kirika is wise, kind, and yet firm when needs require it.

We love Kirika for her solemn demeanor and her devotion to the cause. We can’t forget her mischievous streak and her distaste for carrots! She can be fun-loving and sweet but also proud and firm. An excellent archer and musician as well as a skilled healer make her a welcome addition to any party!

“I am the maiden who has inherited the song of yore. Henceforth, I offer up this song to you.”

Estelle – Tales of Vesperia

Estellise Sidos Heurassein, or simply Estelle, is one of the main protagonists of Tales of Vesperia. Estelle has a fondness for books as, growing up in the castle, she couldn’t explore the world around her as she wished. She is a dedicated and proficient healer as well as a swordswoman. She is good-natured and selfless, putting others before herself more often than not.

We love Estelle because she is a self-sufficient character. She can fight or defend herself as well as heal and thanks to her vast knowledge she is likely able to get around just fine without any help. She has a passion for helping people and uses her healing artes to help others as much as possible, even complete strangers. She is generous and sweet but also a true value to have in any adventuring group.

“I think I figured it out while traveling with you all. To live means to choose… and to have the resolve to make those choices.”

Equality has come a long way in the past 30 years, but we still have a long way to go. Most women are under-represented in a lot of the technology industries as well as other typically male-dominated fields. These women are fantastic role-models for women and girls of all ages. Just another reason to rep our gamer girl pride!