Underrated Female Heroes Tag

I love a strong, complex female character. I also love featuring underrated characters. So when I found the Underrated Female Heroes Tag, I knew it was an excellent fit for me.

This tag is originally from Kate at Melting Pots and Other Calamities.

Name a heroine you like, but whom you feel is always overshadowed by the male characters in the story

I’m going with Mikasa from Attack on Titan. She is an absolute badass and such an interesting character, but definitely gets overshadowed by Eren, Levi, and even Armin in ways. I’m specifically talking in the anime since I have not read the manga. I wish Mikasa was seen as more than just badass and protective of Eren.

For that matter, name a heroine whom you feel is always overshadowed by the other female characters in the story

I’m picking Luna Lovegood for this one. While she gets a lot more love now, at first she was just a weird girl overshadowed by Hermione, Ginny, Cho, and others.

Name a character who had potential but was greatly underutilized in her story

Jun from The World Next Door. That whole game had potential and was greatly underutilized. But Jun’s backstory not being included clearly is one of my biggest complaints about the game. The one way to get a sliver of her backstory was through sidequests and not the main plot, which still annoys me so much. They could have done so, so much with Jun’s character if they just dug into her backstory.

Name a female character who you either find better in her book than her movie, find better in her movie than her book, or whose portrayals you find equal

The ever-popular opinion for this is Book Ginny is so much better than Movie Ginny. And I’d agree. Ginny is very forgettable in the films to me.

Name a character who you want more backstory on

Professor McGonagall was initially my answer for this, however, I discovered that there is an entire section on Pottermore about her backstory! It is super interesting too.

Name a character with traits you feel are sadly overlooked by everyone

This one is very tough for me to think of. The only one I can think of is Mikasa again. I say that because yes everyone knows she is badass, but I’m not sure if people recognize her other traits at all.

Name a morally grey character. (Villain or anti-hero!)

This is going to be such a random answer, but Shego from Kim Possible. She is on neither good or evil, she is on her own side. It’s very morally grey.

A character you’re stunned isn’t more famous

My first thought is Merida from Brave. Compared to all other Disney Princesses, she barely exists. I think it is partly because it was a Pixar film versus only Disney.

Do you want to do this tag? Here are the prompts!

1. Name a heroine you like, but whom you feel is always overshadowed by the male characters in the story
2. For that matter, name a heroine whom you feel is always overshadowed by the other female characters in the story
3. Name a character who had potential but was greatly underutilized in her story
4. Name a female character who you either find better in her book than her movie, find better in her movie than her book, or whose portrayals you find equal
5. Name a character who you want more backstory on
6. Name a character with traits you feel are sadly overlooked by everyone
7. Name a morally grey character. (Villain or anti-hero!)
8. A character from a piece of fiction you’re amazed isn’t more famous