History Main / PluckyGirl

* Mei from ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'' is optimistic about what she can do to make the world a better place and determined to do her part in realizing that goal.

* ''Series/Monk'' has Natalie Teiger who brings bushels of optimism as a counterpoint to her employer's crabbiness.

%%* Mikan Sakura from ''Manga/GakuenAlice''.
%%* Nadja Applefield from ''Anime/AshitaNoNadja''. Sweet Lords, Nadja is some plucky girl and then more.

%%** Other plucky girls in this series are: Karin Kurosaki, Tatsuki Arisawa, Chizuru Honshou, Yoruichi Shihouin, Sui-Feng, Yachiru Kusachiji, Nanao Ise, Rangiku Matsumoto, Hiyori Sarugaki, Lisa Yadomaru, Mashiro Kuna, Tia Harribel and her AmazonBrigade (whose VillainousValour was praised by Yamamoto [[spoiler:before he nearly killed them]]), Senna from the first movie, Homura from the third movie, and recently Jackie Tristan and Riruka Dokugamine. As an OlderAndWiser version, we have [[spoiler: Hikio Kirifune]].

%%* Sanae Nakazawa, Yukari Nishimoto, Kumi Sugimoto, Machiko Machida and especially Maki Akamine from ''Manga/CaptainTsubasa''.

%%* Odie from ''Film/TheHairyBird''.

%%* Bethany Hamilton in ''Film/SoulSurfer''.

* ''Manga/CaseClosed'' has several: Ran Mouri, who either witnesses or is subjected to BreakTheCutie many times but ultimately brings herself back; Sonoko Suzuki, who never loses her GenkiGirl behavior for too long [[ButtMonkey despite her amazingly bad luck]]; Masumi Sera, a BikerBabe {{bifauxnen}} who does her best to help her friends [[spoiler: and look for her missing older brother]], Miwako Sato, who is a physically ''and'' mentally strong ActionGirl; Hina Wada, an ActionGirl who believes in aliens and says she'd love to "have a heartfelt conversation with them using her fist" if they tried to invade...

-->-- ''Wisdom'' # 6

** Belarus is described as one by Russia. But he quickly adds: [[{{Yandere}} "In]] [[StalkerWithACrush a]] [[AbhorrentAdmirer bad]] [[KnifeNut way."]]

You might be able to [[BreakTheCutie pile life complications]] onto this young woman/girl, to the point where the audience would forgive her if she just refused to go on. She might even have an episode or so where she ''does'' [[TenMinuteRetirement throw in the towel]], because human beings can only take so much of what the universe is handing out for her. But the Plucky Girl always comes back. That's the bravery part.

** Tuxedo Mask from ''Franchise/SailorMoon'' could definitely be considered a RareMaleExample. He'll face MonstersOfTheWeek and the QuirkyMiniBossSquad just as quickly as the girls, and his faith and encouragement of Usagi is often key to saving the day.

%%** Other plucky girls in this series are: Karin Kurosaki, Tatsuki Arisawa, Chizuru Honshou, Yoruichi Shihouin, Sui-Feng, Yachiru Kusachiji, Nanao Ise, Rangiku Matsumoto, Hiyori Sarugaki, Lisa Yadomaru, Mashiro Kuna, Tia Harribel and her AmazonBrigade (whose VillainousValor was praised by Yamamoto [[spoiler:before he nearly killed them]]), Senna from the first movie, Homura from the third movie, and recently Jackie Tristan and Riruka Dokugamine. As an OlderAndWiser version, we have [[spoiler: Hikio Kirifune]].

** Kallen Kouzuki [[spoiler:When faced against the now practically superhuman Suzaku, she fights him to a standstill, reducing ''both'' of their machines to scrap before finally destroying Suzaku's machine with the very last blow she has left before her machine shuts down. Suzaku even wonders aloud how he can't beat her, even with his "live" Geass.]]

** Yumoto Hakone is a RareMaleExample. He eagerly accepted his role as protector of the planet and he's usually the most proactive and energetic fighter during MonsterOfTheWeek battles.

* Tohru Honda from ''Manga/FruitsBasket'' [[PlayingWithATrope plays with this trope]]. She still is optimistic despite being orphaned, temporarily homeless, and living in a tent, bullied in the past, and helping a whole {{DysfunctionJunction}} with their trauma. Then we learn that [[spoiler: this is her way of dealing with all the pain in her life--she's not exactly a StepfordSmiler, as she is sincerely happy often, but she also uses it as a way to keep from succumbing to grief and accepting that her beloved mother is gone.]] And then... [[spoiler: it's reconstructed and reinforced: when a maddened and despaired [[BigBad Akito]] tries to definitely break her as the members of the DysfunctionJunction are being released of their curses... Tohru aknowledges that not so strong part of herself, accepts it, and manages to ''kindly speak to Akito and offer her kindness as well''. This finally breaks the vicious cycle that has trapped the Sohma clan, and even when Tohru is severely injured after falling off the cliff she's standing, it kickstarts Akito's HeelFaceTurn, and helps Tohru herself to deal with her own suffering.]]

** And throw Prussia inside for a RareMaleExample.

* Anju Kitahara from ''Manga/MarmaladeBoy'', a quiet YamatoNadeshiko who handles her IllGirl and LoveHurts problems with amazing strength.

** A lighter example is Mileina Vashti, almost always plucky and happy despite being caught in the middle of a war. [[spoiler:She lives to tell]]. Also Mileina's OneeSama and fellow BridgeBunny, Feldt Grace. [[spoiler:She gets very broken in season 1, then some more in season 2, but also pulls through and lives.]]

* Many girls from ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' qualify, but [[ShrinkingViolet Nodoka]] surpasses them all. ''Every time'' she's encountered an enemy, despite having no combat skills whatsoever, her first reaction is to get out her artifact and fight, even when up against opponents completely out of her league, even when ''everyone else'' is panicking, [[HeroicBSOD lost in despair]], or running away, even when she only ''just'' figured out that magic even ''exists''. In the middle of the battle between Fate's party and Ala Alba at Ostia instead of retreating with the rest of the party she forced Kotarou to take her ''right in front of Fate'' so she could get his true name and then interrogated him ''as he was attempting to petrify her''. And of course, when [[FromBadToWorse everything went wrong]] and [[spoiler:several of her friends were erased from existence right in front of her by one of the most powerful characters in the entire series she gets up, steals HIS artifact, downloads the instruction manual ''[[MindReading from his brain]]'', and [[WeakButSkilled teleports away]] so she can tell the rest of Ala Alba they're taking the battle to the enemy]].

** Nami despite her horrific childhood and being a DistressedDamsel on occasion has displayed Plucky Girl qualities since she was little and is still highly adventurous and bold as a grown woman. Even when OvershadowedByAwesome she’s proved be invaluable and supportive crewmate even when the Straw Hats have suffered a humiliating defeat such as in Water 7.

** Kaya, after having spent an arc a IllGirl recovers and journeys out of her village determined to become a doctor, inspired by Usopp whom she adores.

* Several girls from ''Manga/VampireKnight'' - specially Yuuki, Yori and Fuuka [[spoiler:before she dies.]]

%%** Jaden Yuki from ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' counts as well as a RareMaleExample.
* Keiko Yukimura from ''Manga/YuYuHakusho''. While she's usually a NeutralFemale, it's pretty amazing she pulls through after all the traumatizing events her boyfriends' life/career puts her in. In the manga, she didn't hesitate to ask to be taken to the Dark Tournament when she found out Yusuke had gone there. She may be a bit frailer in the anime, but she still does her best to be there for her friends when needed. To different degrees there's also Yukina, Shizuru, Botan, Ayame, Hinageshi from TheMovie, Kokou, Natsume, the Lady Doctor [[spoiler:aka Yuusuke's ancestor]] and [[spoiler:Mukuro.]]

** ComicBook/{{Mockingbird}}, while more cynical than most examples, has also suffered so much that it'd be insane for her not to be cynical. Listing everything she's suffered would be a pretty big wall of text, but they include being raped, tortured, abducted, stalked, divorced, shunned by her own family, and yet she's pretty eager to just get back into the action and still cracks jokes all the while, and despite the tortures she's suffered, she's typically one of the fun ones of any group she's with.
** Founding member ''ComicBook/TheWasp'': losing her dad is what spurred her onto becoming a superhero, but she didn't become an angsty vengeance seeker, instead becoming the plucky idealist of the group. After her bitter divorce from her husband after his mental breakdown though, during which she was physically assaulted and left humiliated, she decided to commit to heroism more and took leadership of the team, turning the low point of her life into the start of her high-point. She's suffered still since, most notably spending time trapped in another universe believed dead by her friends and family, but still remains one of the most hopeful of the team, if not TheHeart at times.
* ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'': Stephanie Brown, the third ComicBook/{{Batgirl}}. Her ex-con of a father is starting to cause trouble again? Her mother's an addict? Her dad's trying to kill her? The father of her baby abandons her and she almost dies during delivery? The boy she's got her eyes on and who happens to be Robin's not interested in her? Batman tries to get her to quit being a crimefighter again and again - then fires her as Robin? She gets tortured, humiliated and almost killed and is forced to leave Gotham to heal? ... C'mon, you don't actually think that's gonna stop her, do you?

* ComicBook/MaryJaneWatson from ''ComicBook/SpiderMan''. Although she's gone through some rough patches and worries more than most examples of this trope, she still the type of character that will have no qualms about beating a B list hero with a baseball bat or bringing Peter out of slum with some helpful optimism.
%%** Her daughter, in the aletrnate timeline, May Parker a.k.a. ComicBook/SpiderGirl.

** ComicBook/KittyPryde, the TropeCodifier for comic books. Parents splitting up, new school, new freaky powers that somehow [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway aren't quite as useful as the powers of your new classmates]], and a [[Awesome/XMen demon attack on your first Christmas there?]] Not a problem! [[FromBadToWorse It Gets Worse?]] She gets over it.
** ComicBook/{{Jubilee|MarvelComics}}. From about middle school age on life has constantly tried to crap all over her but not the murder of her parents, homelessness, being separated from her surrogate father figure, being captured and tortured by anti-mutant government initiatives, having the boy you have a crush on blown up, being crucified, losing her powers, or being turned into a vampire will stop her from forging ahead and realizing that life's what you make of it, so why not make it fun. [[spoiler: Though she gets cured of the vampirism part later.]]
** ComicBook/JeanGrey has displayed PluckyGirl qualities many times, as a girl she was wild and happy until her friend Annie was run over and died in her arms filling Jean with despair as her Mutation activated. Thanks to Professor X, Jean was able get out of her depression by [[JourneyToTheCenterOfTheMind showing her happiness and optimism still inside her mind]]. Even after countless hardships Jean has held onto that optimism and been an emotional anchor for the X-Men frequently.
** ComicBook/{{Storm}} despite both her parents dying, getting buried under rubble, growing up the streets, leaving her Kenya tribe whom worship her as a goddess to go America and join the X-Men where she will be spurned and hated, having her beloved mentor killed and then shortly after her husband divorcing her - Ororo has never lost that plucky determination to carry on she’s had since she was a girl on the streets of Cairo.
** ComicBook/{{Rogue}} is a PluckyGirl to a mixed degree, she started off a scared and depressed girl who managed to find self confidence and become so wild she got her monicker “Rogue” after causing so much trouble and running away from home. After pulling a permanent HeelFaceTurn to the X-Men, Rogue constantly displays her vivacious pluck with only the occasional bouts of sadness over her TouchOfDeath power though even after countless hardships she’s managed to remain strong. Her [[Film/XMenFilmSeries film counterpart]] however, sadly doesn’t quite evolve past the “scared and depressed” stage.
** ComicBook/{{X 23}} of all X-Ladies becomes this in later comics, having thrown away well-justified stoicism and depression of her earlier comic years, she’s extremely upbeat to point of being TheCape. She remains strong even in face of [[spoiler: her “[[OppositeSexClone father]]” Wolverine dying (he gets better) telling Storm the last thing he’d want is for her break down over his death.]]

* Annabelle Lennox in the ''Film/{{Transformers}}'' fanfic ''Fanfic/BlackCrayons''. She's sweet and friendly, but she can be as brave and stubborn as her parents (or Ironhide) when she needs to. [[spoiler:She sneaks her way into a ''warzone'' because she thought she needed to be there. Keep in mind that she's ''six years old'' at the time]].

* Wendy's daughter Jane from ''WesternAnimation/ReturnToNeverLand'' is this PlayedForDrama. She strives to be a Plucky Girl but has forgotten what it means to be a child, since she comes from the England of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII - so she has all the practicality but none of the enthusiasm. By the end, she has recovered her spirits and has morphed into a straight example of it.

* The ''Literature/ChaletSchool'' is full of these, to the point where you wonder if it's a requirement to get into the school. Joey Bettany - who shares more than a few similarities with [[Literature/LittleWomen another Jo]] - is but one example. [[IllGirl Childhood illness]], running away from the Nazis, war, her husband Jack being temporarily MIA, the deaths of friends, a shedload of children...nothing will keep her down for long. And then there's Corney Flower, Biddy O'Ryan, Daisy Venables, Mary-Lou Trelawney, Carola Johnstone, Len Maynard...the list goes on.

* ''Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian'' has Zenobia from ''Literature/TheHourOfTheDragon'', an [[BeautifulSlaveGirl harem girl]] that has no martial training whatsoever, but is brave and resourceful enough to save Conan when he is thrown into prison by the conspirators, arranging for his escape and showing no fear whatsoever. Her courage ends up making him fall for her.

* From ''Literature/HarryPotter'': Lily Potter (standing between the Dark Lord and her baby without a second thought) [[HeroesWantRedHeads Ginny Weasley]] (CuteWitch who does what she can to help Harry and Co.), [[InsufferableGenius Hermione Granger]] (member of the Golden Trio and MagicalGirlWarrior extraordinaire), and [[CloudCuckoolander Luna Lovegood]] - though it's hard to say with her what is indomitable pluck and what is sheer CloudCuckooLand training.

* Creator/RoaldDahl's ''Literature/{{Matilda}}'' is ignored by her parents and terrorised by the awful Miss Trunchbull, and just 6-7 years old. So what's a little super-smart girl to do? Obviously, play some 'subduing' pranks on your boastful, corrupt father to take him down a peg, then develop your latent [[MindOverMatter psychokinetic powers]] to help that nice teacher who recognised your genius.

* Don't forget the eponymous ''Momo'' in the novel of Michael Ende. The evil men actually take over the world, but she still attempts to save it. She even dares giving one of the grey men a CareBearStare while she's left by all her friends.

* Christine Daae in ''Literature/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'' novel (which may be surprising to fans [[AdaptationDisplacement more familiar]] with the [[Theatre/ThePhantomOfTheOpera Broadway Musical]]) is an [[SpiritedYoungLady adventurous and vivacious heroine]] in Gaston Leroux’s novel, whose prim and proper lady-like behaviour is frequently offset by her wildness and boldness. Her LoveInterest Raoul in awe explicitly describes Christine as “plucky” upon learning how brave she has acted in spite of the looming threat of the phantom. Unfortunately the majority of adaptations have [[AdaptationalWimp completely]] [[{{Chickification}} excised]] Christine’s PluckyGirl qualities and dialled up TheIngenue [[{{Flanderized}} traits to the extreme]].

* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'': Shallan Davar gives off this vibe, always ready with a smile and a quip, persevering through sheer pluckiness. It soon becomes clear that [[HiddenDepths she's faking nearly all of this]] [[BrokenBird in order to keep herself functional]]. She goes as far as actively repressing memories, but when push comes to shove she turns into a stone cold pragmatist who is willing to do ''anything'' to survive. [[spoiler:She killed her mother in self-defense when she was eleven, and later poisoned her father to stop him from killing her brother. When that failed to kill him, she calmly strangled him while her brothers watched in horror]].

* Mavra Chang from Creator/JackChalker's ''Literature/WellWorld'' series absolutely refuses to give up despite all of the BodyHorror inflicted on her -- seemingly cripplng mutations and [[PlayingWithSyringes body modifications]] only seem to make her even more determined. Hell, Mavra's probably ar her most dangerous when she doesn't even have any hands.

* Audrey Parker Of ''Series/{{Haven}}'': A young FBI agent who is sent to the small town of Haven, Maine to capture a killer but stays to solve the terrifying "Troubles" that afflict the town and to find her long lost mother and learn to be a "small town cop." Being cocooned alive, almost driving off a cliff and dealing with super powered freaks of nature only makes her pissed and/or more determined. Also a very capable ActionGirl but could be considered a BrokenBird at times because of the emotional distance she keeps from people.
* ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'': Nico Saiba is determined enough [[TheThingThatWouldNotLeave to stick around]] the resident TokenEvilTeammate and [[DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu flip off Ctulhu]] if she thinks the situation calls for it. One example is when she hit [[TheDreaded Kamen]] [[OurZombiesAreDifferent Rider Genm]] with a ''mop''.

** Sportacus is both a RareMaleExample and a rare adult one. He's as cheerful and encouraging as Stephanie, despite the added pressure that come with being the town savior and dealing with the BigBad.

* In ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', as much as we love to see one of Chloe Sullivan's ''[[TraumaCongaLine many]]'' BreakTheCutie moments, she always pulls herself together to help Clark at the end of the day. [[spoiler:Season eight, "Abyss", "Bride" and "Legion", for instance. She has her memory slowly destroyed, making her gradually forgetting everything and everyone, attacked at her wedding, Jimmy almost dies, she is kidnapped by Doomsday to be possessed by Brainiac, and the Legion is about to kill her before Clark rushes in. She is up and about almost unnaturally quickly after the ordeal.]] And that isn't even half of it.

* Many Christian martyrologies have tales about young and not-so-young girls who choose torture and death rather than renouncing to their beliefs and worshipping non-Christian Gods, and many of them are described as plucky to the extreme.
** For that matter, the Blessed Virgin Mary is this to Catholics, oh so very much.

* Swanhilde from ''Theatre/{{Coppelia}}''. She's unwilling to just take her boyfriend Franz's sudden abandonment to favor the titular Coppelia [[spoiler: and later desert him when it turns out that he's in danger of losing his own soul.]] So she will go into [[spoiler: Dr. Coppelius]]'s home to see what's going on with her "love rival" with her own eyes [[spoiler: and later protect Franz as much as she can once Coppelia's RobotGirl nature is revealed]]

** Linde from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight'' and ''VideoGame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem''. Alongside Maria, post-HeelFaceTurn!Minerva, Yumina, Lena, Elice, Tiki, Feena, etc. ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden Gaiden]]'' adds Celica, Sonya, etc. Merric and Rickard are {{Rare Male Example}}s.

*** The second generation: Lana (and Mana), Patty (and Daisy), Fee (and Femina), Nanna (and Janne), Altena, Larcei (and Radney), Leen (and Laylea). On the enemy side, we have the AntiVillain Ishtar. On the {{rare male example}} side, there's Corple (and Sharlow) and ''specially'' Seliph.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThracia776'': The aforementioned Nanna alongside Mareeta, Tanya, Karin, post-HeelFaceTurn!Olwen, Sara, Safy, Lara, Tina, Eda, Linoan, Misha and Princess Miranda, with Evayle [[spoiler:or better said, an amnesiac Briggid]], Machyua, Selphina and post-HeelFaceTurn!Amalda as older versions. TheHero Leif and Asvel are {{rare male example}}s.

*** Lyndis/Lyn, Louise, Priscilla, Serra, Farina, Fiora and Rebecca, too. A good part of Florina's CharacterDevelopment comes from her doing what she can to become one. If you want {{rare male example}}s, look no further than Sain, Guy and Wil.
** In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade'' (set 20 years after ''The Blazing Blade'') Princess Lilina is this and some more. Makes sense since her dad is Lord Hector [[spoiler:and her mom can either be Lyn, Farina or Florina]]. Other than her, we have: Clarine, Ellen, Princess Guinevere, Thany, Thite, Lalum, Sue, Milady and Fir. Adult versions include: Echidna, Igrene, Cecilia and Niime. "Mayfly" versions include [[spoiler:the dragon Fa]] {{Rare male example}}s include Lugh, [[spoiler: one of Nino's sons]] and TheHero Roy [[spoiler: whose mom can be either Fiora or Lyn.]]

*** Princess Tana. So plucky that she refuses to stay on the sidelines even when her brother Innes demands her to do so, helps both Eirika and Ephraim as much as she can [[SkilledButNaive despite her limited battle experience]], can convince the very distraught Cormag to defect ''with words alone'' [[spoiler:and hook up with him if they have an A support]], and pulls Ephraim out of his HeroicBSOD after [[spoiler:he sees that he can't bring Lyon back and loses one of the stones to him.]]

*** And L'Arachel, too. So plucky that she can bring Eirika out of an HeroicBSOD [[spoiler:when she has to assume that Lyon's too far gone to be truly saved, after his SuperpoweredEvilSide uses him to steal the MacGuffin from her.]]

** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance'' and ''VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn'': Mist, most prominently. Also to some extent Mia, Jill, Lucia, Elincia after her CharacterDevelopment, Sanaki, Laura, Micaiah, Heather, Eda and others. The {{rare male example}}s are Rhys, Oscar, Rolf, Boyd, Geoffrey and ''specially'' [[{{Keet}} Kieran.]]

*** A female Avatar (default name: Robin), Sully, Lissa, Maribelle, Nowi, Tharja ([[{{Yandere}} in a... strange way]], that is), Cordelia, Sumia (who's normally more of a submissive badass), Emmeryn (specially when she [[spoiler: fearlessly goes through an HeroicSuicide to stop an upcoming war]], [[spoiler: Say'ri]] and [[spoiler: the grown-up Tiki]]. [[spoiler: And maybe [[TheLostlenore Ke]]'[[PosthumousCharacter ri]], if Lon'qu's testimony is to be believed]].) And let's not forget the male Avatar, Prince Chrom, Stahl, Vaike, Henry, Donnel and Ricken as {{Rare Male Example}}s.
*** From the second generation there's [[spoiler: Sully]]'s daughter Kjelle, [[spoiler: Sumia]]'s daughter Cynthia, [[spoiler: Cordelia]]'s daughter Severa, [[spoiler: Nowi]]'s daughter Nah, [[spoiler: Tharja]]'s daughter Noire ([[BewareTheQuietOnes in her]] [[SplitPersonality own]] [[SuddenlyShouting way]]) and [[spoiler: Chrom's daughter Lucina.]] And there are some {{rare male example}}s like [[spoiler: Olivia]]'s son Inigo and [[spoiler: Lissa]]'s son Owain. Oh, and Morgan counts in here whether as a boy or a girl [[spoiler: unless they get corrupted by Grima after the death of his Avatar mom/dad]].
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'' continues the tradition with the Female Avatar (default name: Kamui or Corrin), Azura, Hinoka, Elise, Camilla, Mozu, Oboro, Selena [[spoiler: aka an OlderAndWiser version of the aforementioned Severa]], Felicia, Peri ([[CuteAndPsycho in a rather terrifying way]]), Effie, Hana, Reina, Kagero, Anna, Sophie, Ophelia and Soleil. The Rare Male Examples include the Male Avatar, Silas, Leo, Arthur, Odin [[spoiler: aka an OlderAndWiser Owain]], Laslow [[spoiler: aka an OlderAndWiser Inigo]], Azama, Hinata, Siegbert, Asugi, Percy, Kiragi, Shiro and Forrest. And Kana counts whether as a boy or a girl too.

* The title character of the freeware action/adventure ''VideoGame/{{Iji}}'' is a teenage girl who wakes up six months after an alien attack kills her family to discover that scientists have implanted nanotech in her to combat the invaders, but her only support is her little brother Dan, who has grown bloodthirsty, cynical and emotionally distant. Even after [[spoiler:she discovers that humanity is on the brink of extinction and the earth is a charred husk, she presses on with the mission Dan gives her. This first quest fails miserably, the second makes the situation even worse, and, depending on the player's actions, Iji fails to save her brother from an assassin, which [[HeroicBSOD traumatizes her horribly]].]] And yet she still carries on. The player can choose to play her as an ActionGirl or pacifist; regardless, the final boss is awed by her determination.

** All of the ''VideoGame/Persona4'' girls show different shades of this after their Shadows are dealt with. Special mention goes to [[MissionControl Rise Kujikawa]], who [[spoiler:took control of her Persona, Himiko, ''right after the Shadow Rise fight''.]]

** Zelda in many of her incarnations is a courageous Plucky Girl, particularly her ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'', ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker Wind Waker]]'' versions. Even the extremely insecure ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' Zelda shows a playful side [[spoiler: and by the ending TookALevelInBadass by holding back Calamity Ganon.]]
** Malon/Marin in both ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening Link’s Awakening]]'' and ''Ocarina of Time'' displays these qualities. The OOT version in particular remains strong despite her ranch getting taken over by Ingo and her father Talon ousted out, only fearing over Ingo hurting the horses not her own safety. Malon’s AlternateUniverse counterparts Cremia and Romani from [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora’s Mask]] are of the same mold, with Cremia putting up a brave face [[spoiler: despite knowing the moon is gonna crash into Termia and kill everyone.]]

* ''VideoGame/GhostTrick's'' Lynne gets killed [[TheyKilledKennyAgain no less than five times in one night]], but she'll be damned before that will keep her from laughing it all off with her [[ThemeMusicPowerup cheerfull theme tune]] every time Sissel has to go back in time to undo her deaths. And then there is the bravery she displays when she [[spoiler:gets trapped in a sinking submarine with Kamila]]. [[TheCutie Kamila]] couldn't wish for a finer [[CoolBigSis protective older sister surrogate]] even if she wanted to try.

** Jill Valentine has shades of this. [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil She’s lost most of her colleagues]] to a MadScientist’s deathtrap mansion, [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis had her the city she swore to protect get infested with zombies and then nuked]] and [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil5 then was captured, shoved in a tube and turned into a]] BrainwashedAndCrazy SuperSoldier. Yet even after all that Jill is still wilful as ever and just tells Chris to hurry up and save the world immediately after he brings her back to normal. Oh and last we hear from her? She’s stuck in hospital naturally recovering but still wants to get back in the field as soon as possible.
** This is a central trait of Claire Redfield as well. A upbeat biking tomboy turned activist and welfare worker, Claire has [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil2 gone through]] the ZombieApocalypse, lost both her dearest allies Sherry and Leon to TheGovernment, had her LoveInterest [[VideoGame/ResidentEvilCodeVeronica Steve die in her arms]] and then [[VideoGame/ResidentEvilRevelations2 the human-rights agency she works for turned out to be evil]]. But Claire like her older brother Chris hasn’t lost any of her righteousness and is the optimistic one of the Redfield siblings.
** Sherry displays PluckyGirl qualities throughout ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvil6 RE6]]'' despite being a orphan confronted with near literal hell on earth. Her legal guardian [[BigBad Derek Simmons]] even comments on Sherry’s constant compassion and optimism in a file... personally finding it absolutely [[EvilCannotComprehendGood intolerable and disgusting]].

** RareMaleExample in [[TheAtoner Sakazaki]] [[BigBrotherInstinct Yuuya]], who accepted his guilt [[spoiler: in [[OffingTheOffspring Killing his half-brother to let his full brother Sakuya live]] and refuses to let himself be get down by anything from Sakuya hating him to being [[TakingTheBullet stabbed by a poisoned cleaver]] to being guilt-tripped by [[EldritchAbomination The King]] using [[HellIsThatNoise the sound of breaking eggs]].]]

%%** Apollo Justice and Phoenix Wright themselves count as {{rare male example}}s.

* The blind Idony and the carefree Chara from ''Webcomic/TheSilverEye''

* Tinker Bell is portrayed as this in the Franchise/DisneyFairies franchise. In her [[WesternAnimation/PeterPan original film]] she was more of a {{Yandere}}, though she still showed traces of this when [[spoiler: she fearlessly took a bomb away from Peter and almost sacrificed herself to help him.]]

* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': Imagine being stuck in the lair of an EvilSorcerer for months and then learning the AwfulTruth [[spoiler: that you are an ArtificalHuman with implanted memories]]; do you think would have both the courage to continuing trying to escape, ''and'' the presence of mind to act like a ProperLady? Vaya Kloac can, and does; she even rescues a captured mercenary in the process.

* Christine Daae in ''Literature/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'' novel (which may be surprisingly to fans [[AdaptationDisplacement more familiar]] with the [[Theatre/ThePhantomOfTheOpera Broadway Musical]]) is an [[SpiritedYoungLady adventurous and vivacious heroine]] in Gaston Leroux’s novel, who’s prim and proper lady-like behaviour is frequently offset by her wildness and boldness. Her LoveInterest Raoul in awe explicitly describes Christine as “plucky” upon learning how brave she has acted in spite of the looming threat of the phantom. Unfortunately the majority of adaptations have [[AdaptationalWimp completely]] [[{{Chickification}} exercised]] Christine’s PluckyGirl qualities and dialled up TheIngenue [[UpToEleven traits to the extreme]].

** Pick any MagicalGirlWarrior from ''Anime/PrettyCure''. There are [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters lots to choose from]], and chances are that they are as good with [[GoodOldFisticuffs their fists]] as they are with their magic and are completely unafraid to prove it against anybody from the MonsterOfTheWeek to the BigBad himself. Standout examples include [[Anime/FutariWaPrettyCure Nagisa Misumi/Cure Black]], [[Anime/FutariWaPrettyCureSplashStar Saki Hyuuga/Cure Bloom]], [[Anime/YesPrettyCure5 Nozomi Yumehara/Cure Dream, Urara Kasugano/Cure Lemonade]], [[Anime/HeartcatchPrettyCure Erika Kurumi/Cure Marine]], [[Anime/SmilePrettyCure Miyuki Hoshizora/Cure Happy, Yayoi Kise/Cure Peace]], [[Anime/DokiDokiPrecure Mana Aida/Cure Heart, Alice Yotsuba/Cure Rosetta]], [[Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure Megumi Aino/Cure Lovely, and Hime Shirayuki/Cure Princess]].

* ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'': Nico Saiba is in-universe example of TastesLikeDiabetes and determined enough [[TheThingThatWouldNotLeave to stick]] around the resident TokenEvilTeammate and [[DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu flip off Ctulhu]] if she thinks the situation calls for it. One example for all came when she hit [[TheDreaded Kamen]] [[OurZombiesAreDifferent Rider Genm]] with a ''mop''.

%%* MK from ''WesternAnimation/{{Epic}}''.

* Madoka Kyouno from ''Anime/RinneNoLagrange'', going so far as to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxJuI8YWx20 sing in the cockpit during a mecha battle]]... the same battle in which she deliberately tries to keep collateral damage to areas she knows to be empty of bystanders (such as the lot of a recently demolished house or a shop that had gone out of business the week before). Considering the genre she's in, she angsts remarkably little - and even when she does, [[AngstWhatAngst she shrugs it off quickly]] and jumps right back to the other extreme on the optimist-realist scale. It is later revealed that she wasn't always like this: [[spoiler:after her mother's death, Madoka was a depressed wreck until her cousin inspired her into the energetic girl always ready to help everyone regardless of what needs to be doing]]. Truly, Madoka's motto in life is JumpedAtTheCall: she doesn't pilot because she ''has'' to, she pilots because she ''wants'' to help.

** ComicBook/{{Jubilee}}. From about middle school age on life has constantly tried to crap all over her but not the murder of her parents, homelessness, being separated from her surrogate father figure, being captured and tortured by anti-mutant government initiatives, having the boy you have a crush on blown up, being crucified, losing her powers, or being turned into a vampire will stop her from forging ahead and realizing that life's what you make of it, so why not make it fun. [[spoiler: Though she gets cured of the vampirism part later.]]

* Asami Sato from ATLA sequel ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', who has has remained strong, kind, and supportive despite multiple betrayals and disappointments and a lot of loss.

* Princess Ilana in ''WesternAnimation/SymBionicTitan''. She's fairly cheerful, something of a GranolaGirl and passionate about school-related activities. Although she is shown to worry about the state of the people on her planet.
* Miko from ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'', who is ever eager to get her self in to the action.
* Tinker Bell is portrayed as this in the Franchise/DisneyFairies franchise. In her [[WesternAnimation/PeterPan original film]] she was more of a {{Yandere}}, though she still showed traces of this when [[spoiler: she fearlessly took a a bomb away from Peter and almost sacrificed herself to help him.]]

* [[WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch Lilo Pelekai]] in ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitchTheSeries''. This little Hawaiian girl is not afraid of dealing with destructive, mischievous aliens on a regular basis as she helps them use their abilities for constructive purposes.

* Djaq from ''Series/RobinHood'' originates from the Holy Land which is being torn apart by war in which she lost her father, mother and twin brother. She was then enslaved and brought to England in chains, all the while hiding her gender from her jailers. When she's rescued by Robin Hood, her fellow prisoners abandon her while she's helping out the outlaws. Yet she joins the gang, contributing her skills as a scientist and a medic to the country that is at war with her own, overcoming race and gender prejudices, and proceeding to kick ass all over the place whilst keeping her rather wicked sense of humor, resulting in one of the few times in which a character with obvious MarySue qualities manages to be imminently likeable.