The girls of video games – as notorious as the girls of comics or perhaps even more so. There’s a reason Jiggle Physics is a trope – and why this is my second top ten girls list after the girls of comics.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

But first a note on the visual images used in this top ten. Given the copyright in such images, I only use a visual image as fair use for the purposes of comment and review in each entry – an iconic feature image to identify the character, either in general or in their most iconic version as I review it to be (or both), sourced from the published game cover or promotional art, or occasionally captured from gameplay or trailers.

I also include a special section in each entry under the subtitle of art and cosplay – not for any actual art and cosplay as such but instead where I nominate my favorite artists and cosplay models depicting the character, which you can look up for yourself. For art, I award a special ranking for any art by my two favorite artists – the two freelance digital artists Sciamano and Dandonfuga. For cosplay, I award a special ranking for any cosplay by my holy trinity of models – my favorite model Yummychiyo with her insane figure in top spot, followed by Hane Ame and Helly Valentine.

As for the iconic feature image I’ve chosen for this page itself and girls of video games in general, I couldn’t go past the notorious cover girls of the Grand Theft Auto series. Also intimately familiar (heh) to players from the long loading screens, the GTA cover girls have their own history and backstories, although typically with no or limited appearance in the games themselves. It’s arguable which GTA cover girl is most iconic or notorious, but I settled on the bikini selfie girl from GTA5. And yes – unlike other GTA cover girls who have names, that’s as far as her identity goes, an unnamed representative of the game setting Los Santos taking a selfie of herself in a bikini on the beach. Despite apparently being based on a real life model Shelby Welinder that Rockstar Games contracted for a photo shoot, there were waves of speculation as to the identity of the unnamed bikini girl – with two of the most popular being Swimsuit Illustrated model Kate Upton (and to be honest, it does look like her to the extent that I too thought it was) and Lindsay Lohan, the latter even filing a lawsuit.

 

 

 

(10) EVE –
STELLAR BLADE (2024)

 

My usual rule is to award my wildcard tenth place entry to the top entry for the previous or ongoing year, but for this one I’m ahead of the curve as I’m awarding it to a girl from a video game still pending release, albeit shortly at the date of writing this.

And what a girl! Normally I lag behind the curve for my girls of video games, until I’m caught up in the wave of art and cosplay from the character – but I’m boarding the hype train on this one right from the start, such is the media or social media attention she has received before her game’s release. From the trailers I have seen of her character – particularly in her skin suit – we’re talking the singularity of Jiggle Physics here, people. The wave of art and cosplay is yet to start, but I’m betting this will be a tsunami, particularly as she apparently has thirty costumes or so in the game. Oh – and she’s motion-captured from a real life Korean model.

The plot synopsis from Wikipedia – “Humanity is driven from Earth after a losing war against alien invaders called Naytiba. To reclaim their lost home, Eve and her squad are deployed from the Colony to fight the Naytiba and to take back Earth. Eventually, Eve meets a survivor named Adam, who leads her to Xion, humanity’s last surviving city on Earth. Eve then makes contact with the elder Orcal and establishes relationships with the residents of Xion, in order to further her mission to save humanity and reclaim Earth.”

Adam and Eve? See – it’s of Biblical propotions!

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, I’ve chosen the promotional game cover art itself.

 

ART – SCIAMANO & DANDONFUGA

 

And yes – she may be new to 2024 but she had such an impact that she quickly scored Sciamano and Dandonfuga rankings with their art of her (in alternate versions). I’m slowly building up to an Eve art top ten but so far my favorite artists depicting her include Neoartcore, Logan Cure, Kitty, Shura KRGT, and Aleiira V.

 

COSPLAY – HANE & HELLY

 

Sadly no Yummychiyo ranking – she would rock Stellar Blade’s Eve – but Hane Ame has rocked Eve cosplay and Helly Valentine is a close ru

 

RATING: 4 STARS****
X-TIER (WILD TIER)

 

 

 

 

 

(9) 2B –
NIER AUTOMATA (2017)

 

Nier: Automata (or NieR: Automata) – sequel to post-apocalyptic game Nier. And even more post-apocalyptic! Post-post-apocalyptic, even?

It is the distant future – and the last remnants of humanity have fled to the Moon while deploying combat androids to fight machine proxy wars with alien invaders. Or something like that.

Enter our protagonist YoRHA No 2 Model B, or 2B for short – a white-haired long-legged female model with an elegant steampunk appearance and dangerously short skirt (or leotard) of dubious combat utility.

Not entirely sure why our most advanced military technology in 11495 AD seems to consist of…swords.

Except of course – video game play and video game girls (with swords)!

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, I couldn’t go past the screenshot of one of her iconic in-game poses (commonly replicated by cosplay models). It also features her iconic appearance and costume, although she does dispense the skirt in the game and just goes round in her leotard she wears underneath it.

 

ART – SCIAMANO & DANDONFUGA

 

One of the most popular video games for artists, she scores both Sciamano and Dandonfuga rankings as both have done art of her. Even artists that more usually work in comics couldn’t resist her allure – such as Elias Chatzoudis and Nathan Szerdy.

Here’s my top ten on the spot for 2B art:

1 – Sciamano (apparently 2B art is also a favorite for the artist as well)

2 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

3 – Elias Chatzoudis (for one of my favorite works of Nier art – by a professional comics artist to boot)

4 – Nathan Szerdy (more 2B art by a professional comics artist)

5 – Kikol Draws (Nier Automata and 2B is one of Kikol’s favorite subjects – and the source of some of my favorite 2B art)

6 – Neoartcore (for sensational 2B art)

7 – Logan Cure (for yet more sensational 2B art)

8 – Magion02 (2B is the subject of some of Magion’s best artworks)

9 – Ayyasap (for some nice 2B art)

10 – Aroma Sensei (Aroma Sensei does like doing art of white haired pretty girls)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

 

AI shoutout to Naughty Neurals.

 

COSPLAY – YUMMYCHIYO  (HANE & HELLY)

 

2B is also popular among cosplay models, getting a clean sweep of rankings from my holy trinity of cosplay models – Yummychiyo, Hane and Helly. Hane Ame deserves a special shoutout – I’d rank 2B among her best (and signature) cosplay.

I can’t quite rank a top ten of 2B cosplay but it’s close – with Octokuro, Lupinus, Tako, and Kato ranking after my top three cosplay models for their 2B cosplay.

 

RATING: 4 STARS****
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

(8) MORRIGAN AENSLAND –

DARKSTALKERS (1994)

 

Darkstalkers was a fighting game series, with the twist that the game’s characters were based on classic literary or film monsters (although its Little Red Riding Hood character was the “biggest psycho of the bunch”).

Yet despite its large cast, the “most recognizable, prominently featured and iconic character” of the series – and video games in general – is its bat-themed succubus, Morrigan Aensland, which is only fitting as succubi just don’t get the attention they deserve.

Of course, a large part of that is due to her appearance – “one thing that video game babes have over the real–life variety is that it’s much easier for a girl who’s made of pixels to rock an absolutely ludicrous outfit and still look hot … her appearances across the Capcom fighting franchises prove that the company has an excellent eye for the female form”.

Her iconic appearance is as a beautiful young woman (belying her actual demonic age of centuries), with that aforementioned female form and long green hair, although the shade of green varied between art styles or artist. Her “absolutely ludicrous outfit” is essentially a black bustier leotard with purple nylons and black boots. She is described as 172 cm (or 5’8″) and 58 kg – and of course the game also has her measurements (86-56-83).

As for her bat theme, she out-bats the Batman. Her nylon tights are emblazoned with bats. She has bat wings – from her back of course, but also, more inexplicably from her head. And her outfit as well as her wings can themselves transform into swarms of supernatural bats.

And as for her backstory, she IS a succubus (with all the demonic sexiness that entails), but apparently of demon aristocracy – the adopted daughter of the demon king Belial – and born in Scotland (in 1678) of all places, although it doesn’t show in her game accent.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, it’s her classic art pose from Darkstalkers Resurrection (used as her profile image in the Darkstalkers fan wiki).

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

Sadly no Sciamano ranking but she does score a Dandonfuga ranking.

 

And she also features in surprisingly prolific art from my favorite artists – my Morrigan top ten art on the spot:

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – Kikol Draws (for one of my favorite Morrigan art works)

3 – Neoartcore (one of his most recurring art subjects)

4 – Artgerm (again – this professional comics artist is a dependable source of art for video game girls)

5 – Nathan Szerdy (I was surprised as normally this professional artist sticks to girls of comics but his Morrigan rocks)

6 – Elias Chatzoudis (Morrigan is popular among professional comics artists)

7 – Warren Louw (another professional comics artist taking on Morrigan)

8 – Magion02 (one of his best art works)

9 – Inhoso (striking Morrigan art)

10 – Logan Cure (okay – it may actually be League of Legends’ Sona cosplaying as Morrigan but I’m counting it)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

 

Rangko usually specializes in, ah, kinkier art – but his Morrigan rocks.

Also AI shoutout for Naughty Neurals

 

COSPLAY – HANE

 

Sadly no Yummychiyo or Helly ranking but she scores my Hane ranking for some surprise cosplay by Hane Ame

 

As for my other favorite models – By0ru surprised me with perhaps the most striking cosplay in versimilitude to her art design, with runners-up Uri and Vampy Bit Me.

 

RATING: 4 STARS****
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

 

(7) MAI SHIRANUI –

FATAL FURY / KING OF FIGHTERS (1992)

 

I do like my ninja girls!

Not surprisingly, they are a staple of the fighting game genre of video games. Mai Shiranui is yet another ninja girl – or kunoichi for the proper term. And as usual for ninja girls in popular culture, her signature fighting costume seems distinctly un-ninja-like or particularly conspicuous for a ninja (that highly visible ninja trope again). Firstly, there’s not much of it, all the better to display her, ah, jiggle physics (literally her trademark fighting stance – or bounce). Apparently that aspect of her character was inspired by tales of kunoichi using their bodies for seduction and distraction – I’m certainly distracted!. Secondly, it’s red – and rather weird in its design.

She made her debut in the Fatal Fury fighting game series in 1992 – a series which consistently features that usual plot excuse of martial arts action set pieces, a martial arts tournament (which also strangely seem to be run by crime lords). From there, it becomes complicated as the Fatal Fury characters then featured in King of Fighters, a crossover series combining the company’s other fighting game series.

The development of her character is quite intriguing, from her intended origin as a “sexy and beautiful kunoichi” (with her official character description in games as the “Gorgeous Ninja” or the “Knock-Out Ninja”). Apparently, her, ah, bust and buttocks were modelled after two different Japanese actresses (and her costumes certainly don’t let them go to waste). Otherwise, she “represents the ideal of a Japanese woman – or yamato nadeshiko. Her profile lists her height, weight and measurements, because of course it does (1.64 m or 5’4”, 48 kg or 106 pounds and 87-55-91 or 34-22-36).

Mai is the Japanese word for dance while her surname is the Japanese word for an atmospheric ‘ghost-light’ phenomenon, referencing her pyrokinetic abilities. Her weapon of choice is the characteristic kunoichi set of folding fans or tessen.

“Largely due to her sex appeal, Mai has become one of the most popular, recognizable and celebrated female characters of the fighting game genre and video gaming in general, especially in Japan, China and some other East Asian countries.”

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, I chose the promotional art for her from King of Fighters XIII. It may not be up there with the glorious fan art for her but it still showcases her game…assets. Not to mention one of her classic poses.

 

ART – SCIAMANO & DANDONFUGA

 

Everyone loves Mai – especially artists and it is her prolific fan art, even after over three decades, that sees her in my top ten.

And yes – it also sees her score Sciamano and Dandonfuga rankings for their art of her, with the latter some of my favorite Mai art.

As for my Mai top ten art on the spot

1 – Sciamano (for my Sciamano ranking)

2 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking – and some of my favorite Mai art)

3 – Kikol Draws (for some of my favorite Mai art)

4 – Artgerm (consistently the professional comics artist with the best art of video game girls)

5 – Neoartcore (for Mai in Neoartcore’s usual style)

6 – Logan Cure (for Mai in Logan Cure’s usual style)

7 – Ayyasap (for cute Mai art)

8 – Prywinko (for Mai in Prywinko’s usual style)

9 – Kittew (for some sizzling Mai art – too hot to handle!)

10 – Magion02 (recently bringing their A-game to Mai art)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

Al Rio (for some of my favorite art of Mai I just happened across)

AI shoutout to Naughty Neurals.

 

COSPLAY

Sadly no cosplay from my holy trinity, all of whom would rock Mai cosplay – Yummychiyo, Hane, or Helly.

There is a lot of quality Mai cosplay out there, including my favorite models – Anxi, Miu, Nami, and Giorgia Cosplay.

 

RATING: 4 STARS****
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

 

(6) SAMUS ARAN –

METROID (1986)

 

“The Cosmos. In the vast depths of the Universe, the history of humanity is but a flash of light from a lone star. The life of a single person should be lost in space and time. But among the stars, there is one light that burns brighter than all others. The light of Samus Aran. Her battles extend beyond her life, and etch themselves into history.”

Samus Aran is one of the first female protagonists in a video game and certainly the first major such protagonist, with the debut of the Metroid series of games in 1986 – in the words of TV Tropes, “Samus Aran created history in 1986 by being the first video game hero (or in her case, heroine) to be a female”

Of course, the big twist of the first game, revealed at the end of the game, is that she is female, which was effectively hidden by her exoskeleton Power Suit – a twist that has earned its own trope, Samus is a Girl.

And what a girl! In the words of TV Tropes, “underneath her armored suit, she’s also drop dead gorgeous, and regularly recognized as one of the sexiest females in video games”, although that was somewhat hard to tell in her original pixellated art.

Interestingly, she was modelled on SF cinematic heroines, particularly Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley from the Alien films (which accounts for her brunette hair in her pixelated appearance, as opposed to her subsequent blonde appearance). Her appearance is much more evident in her zero suit (with heels to match), the skintight jumpsuit she wears under her Power Suit – so much so that her appearance in it is dubbed Zero Suit Samus.

That girl is also one of the galaxy’s greatest heroes, fighting space pirates and the eponymous Metroids, which resemble space jellyfish (with teeth), only much more dangerous. In the words of GameDaily, she was “the first dominant female” in video games, “a femme de force that didn’t rely on a man to save her” and her iconic popularity has endured, not least in some sensational art and cosplay.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

What else for her iconic feature image but the zero suit that is the staple of her art and cosplay? Hence here we have Samus Aran wearing the zero suit, as depicted in promotional artwork for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

 

ART – SCIAMANO & DANDONFUGA

 

Samus has been a favorite subject of artists, scoring both Sciamano and Dandonfuga rankings for their art of her. Here’s my Samus art top ten on the spot.

1 – Sciamano (for my Sciamano ranking)

2 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

3 – Kikol Draws (Samus is one of Kikol’s specialties and best subjects – with multiple artworks of her, including some of my favorite)

4 – Artgerm (one of the few professional comics artists I know to feature her in his art – at least as far as I know)

5 – Neoartcore (for some cute Samus art)

6 – Logan Cure (for multiple artworks of Samus)

7 – Prywinko (for multiple cute artworks of Samus)

8 – Ayyasap (for some cute Samus art)

9 – Aroma Sensei (for some of the best Samus artwork outside her canonical costumes…in characteristically compromising positions)

10 – Kittew (for Samus art in a similar vein to Aroma Sensei)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – Magion02

2 – Ispyn

3 – REIQ

4 – Olchas

She’s a favorite among AI artists as well – shoutout to Naughty Neurals among others.

 

COSPLAY

 

Sadly, her cosplay is not as prolific as her art, at least among my favorite models. Octokuro and Kato have my standout favorite cosplay for Samus.

 

RATING: 4 STARS****
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

 

 

 

(5) RAPI –
GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE (2022)

 

That’s right – the girls of Goddess of Victory: Nikke, a science fiction third-person shooter role-playing game, really jiggled on to the scene when the game was released in November 2022.

And that’s also right – they’ve spelt Nike, the usual translation of the name of the Greek goddess of victory, with an extra k.

As for the plot, it’s somewhat similar to the Nier Automata series – a far-future post-apocalyptic Earth, albeit one in which humanity is not extinct, but close to it as remnants that have retreated to a technologically advanced underground bunker known as the Ark. Retreated that is, from extraterrestrial robots known as Raptures.

Like Nier Automata, humanity is fighting back with Nikkes- combat-ready androids in the form of beautiful women, a curious design choice but one obviously chosen by someone similar to me because that’s exactly how I’d design them, or anything really. The androids fight in teams led by human commanders which I understand to be essentially the gameplay.

One of those Nikkes is Rapi, the iconic poster girl of the game who has featured heavily in their promotion as well as fan art and cosplay – in a design seemingly resembling some sort of Red Army fetish girl in stockings.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

What better than the game’s own promotional art as iconic both of Rapi and the game itself?

 

ART

 

Sadly no Sciamano or Dandonfuga ranking. Indeed, I haven’t come across much fan art for her at all, at least from my favorite artists.

 

COSPLAY – YUMMYCHIYO & HANE

 

On the other hand, there’s an abundance of quality cosplay for her, including from Yummychiyo and Hane Ame – hence her Yummychiyo and Hane rankings.

Ranking the top Rapi cosplay in order – Hane Ame (for classic Rapi uniform cosplay), Yummychiyo (for summer swimwear Rapi cosplay), Lupinus (Rapi is her signature cosplay), Aqua, Fufukowa, By0ru, Ain Nguyen, and Ely.

 

RATING: 4 STARS****
S-TIER (GOD TIER)

 

 

 

(4) ASUNA –
BLUE ARCHIVE (2021)

 

“Wait – it’s all Asuna and Karin?”
“Always has been”

There seems to be a recurring trend in games from the 2010s and 2020s which involve gameplay of recruiting literal teams of girls for combat or similar missions. At least in Nier Automata, the pretext was that the combat-ready androids were designed in the form of beautiful woman – as I’ve quipped elsewhere, a curious design choice but one obviously chosen by someone similar to me because that’s exactly how I’d design them, or anything really.

Perhaps not as curious a design choice as here though, where you are a teacher – addressed as “sensei” of course – and, ah, recruit your students, albeit I don’t remember any students who looked liked this at my school, even without their distinctive haloes.

“You awake as a “sensei”, after seeing an unknown yet familiar girl in your dreams. You are tasked by the Vice President of the General Student Council of the sprawling academic city of Kivotos to find the GSC’s missing president… gameplay is done on an isometrically-viewed battlefield. You fight by using students you’ve recruited as units in a formation of 6″.

Given it’s a “sprawling academic city”, there’s about eleven schools and each school has a host to students to choose from, so there’s a lot of potential Girls of Blue Archive, but when it comes to art and cosplay, it is indeed like that astronaut with the gun meme – it’s all Asuna and Karin, the two signature girls of the game hailing from the Millennium Science School (and its ‘Cleaning and Clearing’ club or affiliation, hence their, ah, maid outfits). As per TV Tropes, Asuna and Karin are “Blue Archive’s poster girls for it being fetish fuel best known for the fanservice”. Of course, their variant bunny costumes help so much.

Each of the Cleaning and Clearing maids are assigned a number – with Asuna as 1 and Karin as 2, which would also reflect my rankings for them, with Asuna just edging forward of Karin to claim a top ten spot (while Karin and other girls of Blue Archive rank special mention)

Asuna is a buxom blue-eyed blond, typically with hair over one eye and a blue theme to her, including her halo. Essentially, she’s carefree and ditzy, but lucky.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

The best Blue Archive art is the game’s own promotional character art and Asuna is no exception – hence my choice for iconic feature image. The only issue was that I had to choose among the Blue Archive game promotional art for Asuna’s different ‘skins’ – her default school uniform, her maid costume and her formal attire design by artist Dishwasher1910, but the choice could only go to her bunny girl costume.

 

ART

 

Sadly no Sciamano or Dandonfuga ranking but I can at least nominate three artists for my favorite fan (bunny) Asuna art – Kikol Draws, Magion02 and Prywinko. And of course the artists for her promotional game character design (including Dishwasher1910).

 

COSPLAY – YUMMYCHIYO  (HANE AME)

 

Fortunately my favorite cosplay models step up – indeed, Asuna might well have one of the highest Yummychiyo rankings, given that she’s arguably the signature cosplay for my top favorite model Yummychiyo. She also has a high Hane Ame ranking, with Asuna as some of Hane Ame’s best cosplay in prolific photo sets for different itirations of the character.

 

My Asuna cosplay top ten on the spot

1 – Yummychiyo

2 – Hane Ame,

3 – Uri

4 – Aqua

5 – Fufukowa

6 – Okita Rinka

7 – Natsume

8 – Miu

9 – Rissoft

10 – Azami

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – By0ru

2 – Meenfox

 

 

RANKING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GOD TIER)

 

 

(3) ATAGO –
AZUR LANE (2017)

 

“Oh my, what a cute commander~ I’m Atago. I might just take good care of you…”

Ahoy! What is it with video games and ‘ship girls’ – anime girls literally personifying Second World War naval vessels? Let’s face it – there’s nothing that fans can’t or won’t see as anime girls. (Hello Earth-chan or Black Hole-chan!)

In 2013, it was Kantai Collection – KanColle or Fleet Girls in English, with girls personifying Imperial Japanese Navy vessels (somewhat disturbingly, given Imperial Japan’s role in the war) against a mysterious abyssal alien opponent.

And in 2017, Azur Lane is a Chinese copycat version of the same thing – perhaps even more disturbingly with the same focus on Imperial Japanese naval vessels, given Imperial Japan’s actions towards China.

But I can’t stay mad at Imperial Japanese vessels when they’re anime catgirls. As usual, Azur Lane came to my attention through cosplay – particularly cosplay of Atago, ship cat-girl for the Imperial Japanese Navy heavy cruiser of the same name. Or more precisely, ship dog-girl, as she sports dog ears (as all the Japanese ship girls have animal ears or tails). Similarly to Kantai Collection, embodying a big ship, she has some, well, big guns – along with her sisters in the Takao heavy cruiser class. While her original appearance features her in white naval-style uniform, she has a number of racier ‘skins’ or appearance – we all know we’re here for Racing Queen (or RQ) Atago, in which she barely fits in a black and white racing flag-style bikini outfit. O my goddess!

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, there was only one choice – the promotional art for her Race Queen skin!

 

ART – SCIAMANO

 

Atago arguably scores THE Sciamano ranking – my all-time favorite Sciamano art of any character and the one that originally drew me (heh) to his art, as the first Sciamano art I saw. It’s also my favorite art of Atago, both in her Race Queen version and her more formal dress uniform version.

Sadly, Atago does not have prolific art from my favorite artists so I don’t have enough for a top ten – Sciamano would rank first of course, but after that there’s Kikol Draws and Kittew

 

COSPLAY – YUMMYCHIYO & HANE

 

However, Atago does have prolific cosplay, particularly in her Race Queen version because – just look at it!

She does score my Yummychiyo ranking, but perhaps even more so my Hane ranking. Ahri may be Hane Ame’s signature cosplay (and her personal favorite) but her Atago is up there as well – the Race Queen skin of course but also the other skins.

And I can squeeze out a top ten of Atago cosplay

1 – Hane Ame (one of her signature cosplays – and a reliable source of Azur Lane cosplay in general)

2 – Yummychiyo (another reliable source of Azur Lane cosplay)

3 – Fufukowa

4 – Takomayuyi

5 – Biya

6 – Natsume (another reliable source of Azur Lane cosplay)

7 – Anxi

8 – Okita Rinka

9 – Oripiepie

10 – Camilla

 

RATING: 5 STARS****
S-TIER (GOD TIER)

 

 

 

(2) TIFA LOCKHART –

FINAL FANTASY (1997)

 

Pinup girl of the cyber-generation. Introduced in FFVII – the same edition of the game that broke through to widespread Western popularity. Coincidence? I think not.

She’s of the fantasy monk character class. Think kung fu not Christian – a combination of martial arts and mystical training. In a black mini-skirt – for extra kicks.

Also measures in at 36-24-35″ (or 92-60-88 cm – at 5 feet 6 inches or 167 cm) because of course she does.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, I chose one of her more popular game screenshots – which seems to be popular for a reason.

 

ART – SCIAMANO & DANDONFUGA

 

Tifa scores both Sciamano and Dandonfuga rankings, with Sciamano’s art as some of my favorite for his art and also for Tifa herself – but Tifa is very popular among artists and arguably the most popular subject among ‘fan’ artists. Here’s my Tifa art top ten on the spot:

1 – Sciamano (for my Sciamano ranking with a number of artworks of her – including one in tribute to her appearance in the Italian Parliament. No, seriously)

2 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking – as above with a number of artworks of Tifa)

3 – Neoartcore (for cute Tifa art – with multiple artworks)

4 – Kikol Draws (Tifa is one of Kikol’s specialties and best subjects – with multiple artworks of her)

5 – Magion02 (for one of my favorite artworks of Tifa in canonical swimsuit)

6 – Artgerm (one of the few professional comics artists I know to feature her in his art – at least as far as I know)

7 – Logan Cure (for multiple artworks of Tifa)

8 – Aroma Sensei (for some of the best Tifa artwork outside her canonical costumes)

9 – Kittew (another artist with some sizzling art of Tifa as recurring subject)

10 – Shura KRGT (for Tifa in her classic costume)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

She’s a favorite among AI artists as well – shoutout to Naughty Neurals among others.

 

COSPLAY – YUMMYCHIYO, HANE & HELLY

 

Tifa may be even more popular among cosplayers than she is among artists – perhaps one of the most popular subjects of cosplay of all time. She certainly gets a clean sweep of my holy trinity of cosplay models – Yummychiyo, Hane & Helly. However, if I had to choose between them, I’d have to nominate Hane as the definitive Tifa cosplayer – both as a contender for another Hane Ame signature cosplay but also as the definitive cosplay of Tifa throughout her costumes. Wow – at this rate, I may just have to do a top ten Hane Ame cosplays. My Top 10 Girls of Video Games alone has seen some of her best (and signature) cosplays – probably Ahri in top spot as Hane’s personal favorite, but then Tifa, Atago and Asuna.

 

As for my Tifa cosplay top ten on the spot –

1 – Hane Ame

2 – Helly Valentine

3 – Yummychiyo (as my favorite cosplay model but ranking third here as Hane and Helly have more prolific cosplay of Tifa)

4 – Uri

5 – Kalinka Fox

6 – Aqua

7 – Lupinus Rando (just a glimpse of Tifa cosplay!)

8 – Kisaragi Ash

9 – Diaphora

10 – Camilla

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – Vampy Bit Me

2 – Katyuska Moonfox

3 – Octokuro

4 – By0ru

5 – Miu

6 – Rissoft

7 – Anxi (if only I could find Tifa cosplay by her colleague Hedy, who would also rock it!)

8 – Ely Cosplay

9 – Plant Lily

10 – Meenfox

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GOD TIER)

 

 

 

(1) LARA CROFT –

TOMB RAIDER (1996)

 

Could there be any doubt? There could only be one girl in the top spot as THE most famous, THE most iconic and THE most enduring action girl in video games (or indeed, video games protagonists in general) – the first (if not only) female video game character most people would name as such: Lara Croft, tomb raider. (Indeed, she holds a Guinness World Record for most recognized female video game character).

Tomb Raider is a video game franchise with Lara as the titular tomb raider and adventurer archaeologist (who, along with Indiana Jones, made archaeology seem adventurous rather than the boring dusting of broken pottery that it is in reality). The games have her trotting the globe, raiding tombs for treasure while avoiding rival hunters, wildlife, and various death traps.

Since its debut in 1996, the games have sold millions of copies and extended into comics, films (with Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander in the title role) and an animated series.

As for Lara herself, does she need any introduction? “A British archaeologist who has a knack for descending into trap-riddled tombs and ruins, and loves every bit of it”.

Armed with her wits and her trusty dual pistols” (with seemingly limitless ammunition, “Lara uncovers secrets across the globe stopping at nothing to get what she wants”. She is the archetypal video game action girl, “practically the trope codifier” for female video game protagonists of this type, and “at the height of her popularity, she was probably the best recognized and most popular video game character originating in the western hemisphere”.

Of course, two continuity reboots have led to three radically different Laras, while changing game design has multiplied these Laras even more, with alternate outfits (as well as magazine advertisements) from wet suits to bikinis to cocktail dresses.

Throughout her incarnations, she has been a s€x symbol, one of the earliest in the video game industry to achieve widespread attention, portrayed by official models and licensed for promotion or appearances – “as of June 2016, Lara Croft has been featured on over 1,100 magazine covers surpassing any supermodel”.

In appearance, she is depicted with brown eyes and reddish-brown to brown hair, frequently kept in a pleat or ponytail, with her classic costume of turquoise tank top, light brown shorts, boots and socks (although, as noted above, there are variations on the theme and different costumes).

Her basic (or classic) costume makes for prolific cosplay – not to mention her official models. All hail Lara Croft, Tomb Raider and goddess of video games!

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, I went with her game art from the 2006 Tomb Raider: Anniversary edition, still arguably the classic version of the character.

 

ART – SCIAMANO & DANDONFUGA

 

Not surprisingly, as the iconic girl of video games Lara scores both Sciamano and Dandonfuga rankings – as my favorite art from her and among my favorite art from those two artists.

 

As for my Lara art top ten on the spot

1 – Sciamano (for my Sciamano ranking with a couple of versions)

2 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking again with a couple of versions)

3 – Neoartcore (for cute Lara art)

4 – Nathan Szerdy (for some fine Lara art, although I would have expected more)

5 – Sun Khamunaki (not as prolific as expected but she has done some Lara art – and Zenescope characters in the style of Lara)

6 – Elias Chatzoudis (again for some fine Lara art, although I would have expected more)

7 – J Scott Campbell (not surprisingly – as Lara is a girl made for that classic Campbell style)

8 – David Nakayama (for a classic piece of Lara art)

9 – Logan Cure (for hot Lara art)

10 – Prywinko (for cute Lara art)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – Michael Turner (for classic Michael Turner art of Lara)

2 – Adam Hughes (for classic Adam Hughes art of Lara)

3 – Greg Horn (for cover art in photo-realistic style)

4 -Jeff Champion (also for cover art in photo-realistic style)

AI shoutout to Naughty Neurals

 

COSPLAY – HELLY

 

Sadly no Yummychiyo or Hane ranking – I’d love to see it! – but she does score a mighty fine Helly ranking.

 

 

MEDIA & MODELS

 

Lara is my only Girl of Video Games with both media adaptations and official models.

 

For the first, the definitive cinematic incarnation of Lara remains that portrayed by Angelina Jolie in the 2001 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider film and its 2003 sequel. The films may have been of, ahem, average quality, but Jolie perfectly embodied Lara for the screen. Live-action Lara was reprised by the Swedish actress Alicia Vikander – after her breakout role as the robot girl in Ex Machina – in the 2018 Tomb Raider film which sought to reboot the film franchise but sadly failed to do so.

 

 

Yes – I’m going there. Apparently, Christmas Jones in the 1999 James Bond film The World is Not Enough as played by Denise Richards was based on Lara Croft – at least in visual design – and Richards was rumored for casting as Lara. Christmas Jones may have not been – how do I put this delicately? – one of the best Bond girls but I’m including her as special mention for media adaptations of Lara, indeed prior to any other live action film. I don’t know if Richards would have embodied the character as well as Jolie in performance – but certainly would have in appearance.

 

 

Secondly, her video game company had nine professional models to portay Lara for promotional events – in chronological order as follows:

1 – Nathalie Cook (English model) 1996-1997

2 – Rhona Mitra (English model & actress) 1997-1998 – arguably the highest profile model, given that she went on to quite the acting career, usually in action girl roles, hence my (fair) use of her in classic promotional pose to represent the Lara Croft models. One wonders why they didn’t cast her as Lara in film (or television)

3 – Vanessa Demouy (French model) 1998

4 – Nell McAndrew (English model) 1998-1999 – sadly fired for posing in Playboy

5 – Lara Weller (Dutch model) 1999-2000

6 – Lucy Clarkson (English model) 2000-2002

7 – Jill de Jong (Dutch model) 2004-2006

8 – Karima Adedbibe (English model) 2006-2008

9 – Alison Carroll (English model) 2008-2010 – after which the company discontinued the use of models

 

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GODDESS-TIER)

 

 

 

FANTASY GIRLS –
GIRLS OF VIDEO GAMES: TOP 10 (TIER LIST)

 

S-TIER (GODDESS TIER)

(1) LARA CROFT – TOMB RAIDER (1996)

Like Wonder Woman in comics, Lara pretty much defined girls in video games for me and remains the definitive girl of video games.

(2) TIFA LOCKHART – FINAL FANTASY
(3) ATAGO – AZUR LANE
(4) ASUNA – BLUE ARCHIVE
(5) RAPI – NIKKE: GODDESS OF VICTORY

If Lara and Tifa are my Old Testament of girls in video games, Atago, Asuna and Rapi are my New Testament.

 

A-TIER (TOP TIER)

(6) SAMUS ARAN – METROID
(7) MAI SHIRANUI – FATAL FURY / KING OF FIGHTERS
(8) MORRIGAN AENSLAND – DARKSTALKERS
(9) 2B – NIER AUTOMATA

 

X-TIER (WILD TIER)

(10) EVE – STELLAR BLADE (2024)

Finally, my wildcard tenth place entry – as entry for ‘best of the year’ in 2024 – is of course Eve from the newly released Stellar Blade.