History Main / PluckyGirl

* The girl Micha from a German film ''Stahlnetz: PSI''. She is kidnapped for ransom [[spoiler:which her family cannot pay as it's not actuall rich]] and cannot escape on her own, but she still holds herself with dignity until the very end, (though she slowly begins to resign, but in her situation, it's hard not to; and she ''still'' doesn't break).

* The titular character of ''Literature/{{Momo}}'' by Michael Ende. The bad guys actually take over the world (while she's asleep for AYearAndADay), but she never gives it up. She even dares giving one of the grey men a CareBearStare while she's completely on her own.

-->'''Seika:''' Stop it. You're killing me.

* In ''Literature/{{Toliver's Secret}}'', Ellen considers giving up on her journey to deliver her grandfather's message to his friend for the [[UsefulNotes/AmericanRevolution Revolutionary War]] and going back home a few times, especially after a disastrous chase at the beginning with two boys who stole it from her. She pulls through out of sheer determination to complete her grandfather's mission.

** Tuxedo Mask from ''Franchise/SailorMoon'' could definitely be considered a [[GenderInvertedTrope rare male example]]. He'll face [[MonsterOfTheWeek monsters of the week]] and the QuirkyMinibossSquad just as quickly as the girls, and his faith and encouragement of Usagi is often key to saving the day.
** Pick any MagicalGirlWarrior from ''Anime/PrettyCure''. There are 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/FreshPrettyCure Miki Aono/Cure Berry]], [[Anime/HeartcatchPrettyCure Erika Kurumi/Cure Marine]], [[Anime/SuitePrettyCure Hibiki Hojo/Cure Melody]], [[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, Hime Shirayuki/Cure Princess]], [[Anime/GoPrincessPrettyCure Haruka Haruno/Cure Flora]], and [[Anime/KiraKiraPrecureALaMode Ichika Usami/Cure Whip]].

* IntrepidReporter Roxanne Ritchi from ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'' remains fearless despite [[DisignatedVictim being kidnapped by a supervillain almost every day]].

%%* If it's made by Creator/HayaoMiyazaki, it probably has one in the cast, if not as the protagonist herself, like Ponyo of ''Anime/PonyoOnTheCliffByTheSea'' (pictured above).

* Of ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'':

* Luke Pearson's ''ComicBook/{{Hilda}}'' doesn't let trolls, giants, or big scary dogs get her down.

* 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.]]

* Jana Teires in ''Fanfic/TomRiddlesSchooldays''. No misfortune stops her, or even slows her down for long.

%%** Wendy Moira Angela Darling from ''WesternAnimation/PeterPan''.
%%** Tiana from ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog''.
%%** Nala from ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'', and Kiara in [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKingIISimbasPride the sequel]].
%%** Jasmine from ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}''.
%%** Belle from ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast''.
%%** Ariel from ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989''.
%%** Alice from ''WesternAnimation/AliceInWonderland''.
%%** WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}} from... ''[[RoleCalled Mulan]]''.
%%** Olivia Flaversham from ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatMouseDetective''.

* 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.
%%* Princess Merida from ''WesternAnimation/{{Brave}}''.

%%* WesternAnimation/{{Coraline}}, so much so.
* IntrepidReporter Roxanne Ritchi from ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'' is very much this.
%%* MK from ''WesternAnimation/Epic2013''.

* ''WesternAnimation/ABugsLife'': Dot is shown to be incredibly determined, which allows her to fly.

* 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]].
%%* [[RoleCalled Annie]] from ''Theatre/{{Annie}}''.

%%* Asuka Kazama from ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}''. And Jun, and Christie, and Xiaoyu, and Lili...
* ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'': The KOF: KYO manga/game has Kyo's girlfriend Yuki, specially when she stands up to [[spoiler: Iori]] in the middle of a GoThroughMe. Not halfway bad for a BarrierMaiden GirlNextDoor.
%%** Almost every female, with special mentions to Athena Asamiya, Mary, Momoko, Malin, Leona, Whip, Bonne Jenet, Kula Diamond, May Lee, and ''any'' membress of the Women's Team.

* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOriginsAwakening'':
** Sigrun is unusually cheerful for being a member of a group of {{Death Seeker}}s with the goal of achieving a HeroicSacrifice, joking that she'll try harder next time whenever she gets through a battle. During party banter with Nathaniel, she states that being {{Wangst}}y about it doesn't really help her much, and demonstrates that it would just get annoying really fast.
** [[JeanneDArchetype Leliana]] in ''Origins'' lives through a tremendous amount of [[TraumaCongaLine nasty]] [[DarkAndTroubledPast stuff]], yet comes out of it stubborn, courageous, and possibly the sweetest girl you will ever meet.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
** Krile from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV''. She's already an orphan when you meet her. Then [[spoiler:watches her grandfather die right in front of her. ''Then'' his spirit tells her she needs to take his place in defeating the warlock that just killed him]]. And she [[BadassAdorable does]], while still being cheerful enough to poke fun at the hero and pioneer the role that would appear in every numbered Final Fantasy after her.
** Relm in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' is a ten year old girl who talks smack to everyone and constantly gives her grandfather, Strago, grief. She's also a powerful magic user and she can sketch monsters in battle to use their abilities against them. Even after [[spoiler: Kefka wrecks the world]], Relm is still the same smart mouth optimist she always was and isn't totally fussed by [[spoiler: the world being destroyed]] when you see her again.
** Aerith from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. She had a pretty terrible upbringing as a flower girl in the slums, but she still maintains a feisty and flirtatious personality (but also a kind heart too), and she never backs down from anyone. [[ActionGirl Pretty hands on]] for the WhiteMagicianGirl too. Unfortunately this independent streak of hers ends in disaster when she takes the responsibility of bringing down Sephiroth on herself, leaves the party and [[ItWasHisSled is murdered by the man she was trying to stop]]. [[spoiler:Given the final shot of the game before the credits roll though, ''that may have been her plan all along''.]]
** Tifa from the same game is strong case of this too. Her mother died when she was little and she fell off a rickety bridge at MT Nible convinced her mom was at the summit. Cloud, her crush left Niblehiem [[ThePromise promising]] to become a legendary SOLDIER and come dashing to her rescue whenever she needed him, but she never saw him in the papers and he (seemingly) never returned. Then Sephiroth came to to inspect the town’s reactor, went nuts and burned everything down, killed her father and cut her down as well. Despite all this and losing her second home in Midgar a few years later, Tifa has remained [[ActionGirl strong]] as ever. She even provides moral support to Cloud and Barret without letting her own sadness show.
** Selphie Tilmitt from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII''. Her original home was destroyed, many of her friends were killed, the world was about to end, and she ''still'' maintained her plucky attitude and sense of humor. Worryingly, she's also always the first one to propose an excessively violent solution to a problem, such as skinning a [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Moomba]] to use as a disguise for escaping captivity.
--->''"Blow it to smithereens with a rocket launcher! BOOOOOM!"''
* ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'':
** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIV'': Princess Alena never lets anything get her down or stop her. Even though her kingdom has been destroyed and her father is missing, she is completely confident that she can find the culprit and punch it to death.
** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestV'': It does not matter what happens to Bianca Whitaker (which includes [[spoiler:being kidnapped and turned to stone right after giving birth to her children, and spending eight years as a statue before being rescued]]), she never loses hope that the Hero can defeat Nimzo, and she does not hesitate in rejoining her husband to fight the very monsters who tried to destroy her life.

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** 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]].
* [[Characters/{{Castlevania}} Maria Renard]] from ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood'', doubled as a BadassInDistress. Right after being freed, you can control her all the way from where she's held captive to beat up Dracula all by herself and her pets (which is a case for most people anyway, since she's stronger and faster than Ricther.)
%%* Amy Rose of the ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' series often has shades of this.
* ''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 cheerful 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.

* The main trait of Kat the heroine of ''VideoGame/GravityRush'', constantly upbeat and cheerful and [[TheCape actively enjoys being a hero]]. It’s revealed Kat’s former self was once weak and vulnerable but after falling to Hekseville and becoming a hero she is anything but weak.
* ''Franchise/BlazBlue'':
** While a number of girls qualify for this in some shape or form, Makoto Nanaya clearly stands head and shoulders above the rest. If she can stand to rebuild a positive outlook on life in the wake of a lifetime of wall-to-wall FantasticRacism, you're going to need some heavy ordinance to break her down - physical injury, financial woes, mind games, [[spoiler:a trip through [[EldritchLocation the Boundary]],]] and [[ManipulativeBastard Yuuki Terumi's]] [[MindRape mental penis]] don't work.
** To a much lesser but constantly increasing extent, Noel Vermillion. She began as a ShrinkingViolet with huge issues, but after the events of ''Continuum Shift'' and leading up to ''Chrono Phantasma'', she seems to have [[TookALevelInBadass taken a few levels in badass]] [[CharacterDevelopment and developed a more assertive but still kind personality]]. And as her best friend, Makoto helped her quite a bit. So yeah, try stopping her from [[spoiler: [[DeclarationOfProtection saving]] [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl her other best friend Tsubaki]] ]]. '''Try it'''.
* Kairi from ''Franchise/KingdomHearts''. She was prepared to take on ''[[TheBerserker Saix]]'' '''''unarmed''''' at one point, and [[PlayingWithFire Axel]] commented on her guts.
* Quite a lot of the female characters from the ''VideoGame/SoulSeries''. Nearly every female character who has ever appeared in a ''Soul'' game is either this trope, or an IceQueen. Cassandra, Xianghua and Talim are this big time, Sophitia and Seung Mina were this in their earliest incarnations but grew out of it to eventually become [[ActionMom other]] [[CoolBigSis tropes]], and in the most recent game ''Soul Calibur V'', Pyrrha (specially when she manages to pull herself together after ''years'' of BreakTheCutie), Yan Leixia (who runs away to both refuse an ArrangedMarriage and to seek for adventure) and Natsu (Taki's pupil and one of Leixia's travel partners).

* Recette from the game ''VideoGame/RecettearAnItemShopsTale'' fits this trope to a T. She's a young, naive, and overwhelmingly optimistic girl who, despite her desperate circumstances, is determined to make the best of them and is nice to most everyone (even people who previously tried to kill her!) She starts off the game in danger of being evicted from the only home she's ever known because her father irresponsibly ran off on an adventure and left behind a huge debt that she must now repay. In spite of this, Recette manages to keep a smile on her face and pay back her father's debts. She may act rather dumb at times and obsess over sweets, but ultimately Recette's [[MagneticHero infectious optimism and kindness]] is what wins her both customers ''and'' friends. Even the [[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou player cannot help but be endeared to her!]]
%%* The sisters Nakoruru and Rimururu from ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'', as well as Cham-Cham and Charlotte Marie Colde.
* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'':
** 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 willful 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 {{love interest|s}} [[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 such qualities throughout ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvil6 RE6]]'' despite being an 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]].
* While most Toads from ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' are portrayed as {{Lovable Coward}}s, Toadette is portrayed as, well, brave and optimistic. Even in ''VideoGame/CaptainToadTreasureTracker'', the initial reason why she was captured by Wingo was that she wouldn't let go of the power star she and the Captain found. Even then, [[DamselOutOfDistress this is only temporary]].

* Atari from ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyoQuest''; no matter how many lemons are thrown at her, be it in the form of her boss' rather unreasonable expectations, her "clients'" odd requests or even just her own incompetence, she always keeps a smile on her face, remaining enthusiastic and ready for action.

* [[Creator/AgathaChristie Mary Clarissa Christie]], the main character from ''VisualNovel/ShikkokuNoSharnoth''. The minigame is even based off of it: If her mental state falls too far, you lose.

* Emi Ibarazaki from ''VisualNovel/KatawaShoujo'', a young woman who lost her legs [[spoiler:and her father]] in an horrifying accident, but around a year later she had already relearned to walk, and is the star of Yamaku High's track team. [[spoiler:Once the player pursues her route, though, it's a DeconstructedTrope. Emi knows that loss of a relationship is normal, and it is best to be strong and move on. However, at the same time, the same stubbornness that enables her to deal with her issues prevents Emi from growing close to anyone because she is afraid that the pain of loss will prevent her from moving onto the future. This prevents anyone from helping her when she ''does'' need it, so Hisao must be VERY patient and persistent with her.]]

* ''Franchise/AceAttorney'''s strongest example of this is Maya Fey -- not only is she framed for murder multiple times, but she often watches her family members be murdered (notably her [[spoiler: mother and sister)]] and frame each other for murder (and two of the times she's framed, it's [[spoiler: ''by her own family''.)]] Despite everything, she does her damnedest to keep a smile on her face and crack a joke when she can. After all's said and done in the final case of the third game, after Maya has been through absolute physical and emotional hell, Franziska just marvels at Maya's optimism and wonders aloud how she manages to stay so strong. She's followed by Trucy Wright in ''Apollo Justice'' and Athena Cykes in ''Dual Destinies''.
%%** Apollo Justice and Phoenix Wright themselves count as [[GenderInvertedTrope rare male examples]].
%%* Mikae Morikawa, Arisa Miyoshi, Chiemi Fujimoto and Yumi Matsumiya from ''VisualNovel/TrueLoveJunaiMonogatari''

%%* Molly from ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob''
* Feferi Peixes, of ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'', is one. She'd almost be a PrincessClassic, if not for her easily riled temper and lack of subtlety.
%%** Jade Harley.

* Rebecca Stone from ''WebVideo/DemoReel''. She's had a difficult life, with misogyny in the industry, AbusiveParents and a sexually abusive uncle, but she's an optimistic NiceGirl all the same. Plus can beat the crap out of anything that hurts Tacoma or Donnie.

* ''WesternAnimation/PrincessSissi'', the plucky [[CountryMouse farm girl]] who deals with danger and tribulation after tribulation to get married to her sweetheart, Prince Franz, all the while believing that she can bring peace to Austria and Hungary and [[ChronicHeroSyndrome helping who she can on the way.]]
%%* All four Chan daughters in ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingChanAndTheChanClan'', but Anne and Nancy in particular.
%%* Penny Gadget of ''WesternAnimation/InspectorGadget''.

%%* Apple Bloom from ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''.
%%** Granny Smith was this as a filly as well.
%%** Pinkie Pie sometimes takes up the role too.
%%** The Cutie Mark Crusaders are pre-school versions.
%%* Annie from ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresFromTheBookOfVirtues''.
%%* Amberley of ''WesternAnimation/TheDreamstone''.
%%* WesternAnimation/KimPossible.
%%* Suki and Katara from ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''.
* [[Characters/TheLegendOfKorraAsamiSato Asami Sato]] from ATLA sequel ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', who has remained strong, kind, and supportive despite multiple betrayals and disappointments and a lot of loss.
* Toot from ''WesternAnimation/DrawnTogether'' became a mix of this and JerkassWoobie after going through CharacterDevelopment.
* Julie Kane in ''{{WesternAnimation/Motorcity}}''. The [[TheSmurfettePrinciple token female]] ActionGirl of the Burners, who actually believes there might be still some good in [[BigBad her father]].

* 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]].
%%* Loopy from the ''Life with Loopy'' segments on ''WesternAnimation/KaBlam''
* WesternAnimation/{{Lilo|AndStitch}} [[Franchise/LiloAndStitch 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.
* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'':
** {{Gender Inverted|Trope}} with the eponymous [[Characters/StevenUniverseStevenQuartzUniverse Steven Quartz Universe]]. Both a [[ChildSoldiers young warrior]] and the only human/gem hybrid, he manages to be a [[TheHeart sweet]] and [[CheerfulChild cheerful]] boy regardless.
** While [[Characters/StevenUniverseConnieMaheswaran Connie Maheswaran]] starts out as shy and friendless, things gradually change when she meets Steven, and she still manages to become bold and a bit more cunning while still trying to be a NiceGirl. By the second season, she learns how to handle a sword, go on adventures with the Gems, and stand up for Steven because he helps her to make friends, and she cares so much for him and their inseparable bond of friendship that she wants to be a part of his universe.
* Ensign D'Vana Tendi of ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks''. From the first episode, she's very enthusiastic about her posting, and deterred by very little, even when others might find her enthusiasm a bit grating at times. Despite primarily being in the medical division, she's shown to be more than capable of handling herself in a fight, as she was able to take out numerous armed Romulan guards single-handedly by herself, and could be ''uncomfortably dominant'' with males of her own race.

* Ahsoka Tano from ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' begins as a headstrong, impulsive Padawan learner, and [[BreakTheCutie while the realities of the war and being betrayed by the Jedi council temper her somewhat,]] she never loses her fundamental bravery and optimism.

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

** {{Gender Inverted|Trope}} with the eponymous Steven. Both a [[ChildSoldiers young warrior]] and the only human/gem hybrid, he manages to be a [[TheHeart sweet]] and [[CheerfulChild cheerful]] boy regardless.
** While Connie starts out as shy and friendless, things gradually change when she meets Steven, and she still manages to become bold and a bit more cunning while still trying to be a NiceGirl. By the second season, she learns how to handle a sword, go on adventures with the Gems, and stand up for Steven because he helps her to make friends, and she cares so much for him and their inseparable bond of friendship that she wants to be a part of his universe.

* Molly Brown in ''Theatre/TheUnsinkableMollyBrown''. "I ain't down yet" is her CatchPhrase.

** Rapunzel from ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}''. This trait was something that varied between scripts in development. In ''Rapunzel Unbraided'' she was a plucky girl but in the {{darker|and edgier}} ''Rapunzel'' she was more demure and anxious. In the final ''Tangled'' she is very optimistic and chipper despite being locked up for eighteen years with no human contact besides her mother.

** Anna from ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen|2013}}''. The traits that define her are her sheer optimism and energy. Similar fo the above-mentioned Rapunzel, in [[WhatCouldHaveBeen earlier versions of the film]] Anna apparently lacked much of this. In the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM9palXgpC4 full version]] of the "That's no blizzard--that's my sister!" MissingTrailerScene (which dates back to when Elsa was still the BigBad), she showed fears about jumping off a mountain and in the CutSong "More Than Just A Spare" she has more self-confidence issues than in the final product.
** Judy Hopps from ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}''. No amount of discrimination will stop her from helping others. [[spoiler: What temporarily brings her down is realizing her own unconscious bigotry actually made things worse for others.]]
* 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.

Female protagonists who are not straightforward {{Action Girl}}s (and a good many who are) will be Plucky Girls because of the AnthropicPrinciple - if she's the protagonist and she gives up for good, the story gets cut short without resolution.

* ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'':

Male versions exist, but they tend to be closer to {{Determinator}} territory instead, [[DoubleStandard because men always have to be]] '''[[RatedMForManly MANLY]]'''.

* Casca from ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' zigged in and out of this trope. She was first like this when Guts patronized her for being a weak female when she fell ill during her period, but she never let him get to her. After Guts returned after a year's absence when everything came crashing down for the Hawks, Casca had an emotional breakdown and nearly committed suicide, [[InterruptedSuicide but Guts saved her]] and [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre gave her some emotional strength]] [[spoiler: [[LoveEpiphany while admitting their love to each other]]]]. After that, Casca more or less [[ToughLeaderFacade resumed her role as the strong female acting-leader of the Hawks]], and even managed to keep her cool in the wake of a bad situation when [[spoiler: the Eclipse began, and the Hawks were warped to another dimension]]. [[FromBadToWorse And then that bad situation turned worse.]] [[BreakTheCutie Casca did not come]] [[RapeLeadsToInsanity out very well]] - [[GoMadFromTheRevelation AT ALL.]]

** Nia Teppelin will tell you she's not going to die. To your face. [[DefiantCaptive While you're shoving a pistol into her forehead. Or about to snap her in half with your claws. Or about to demateralize her.]] She may not be able to fight you, but she ''will'' tell you to fuck off ([[{{Keigo}} only very]] [[IFeelAngry politely]]), because Simon's on his way, and that's a wave of pain you don't want to happen.

* Antigone from [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Greek Mythology]], who refuses to abandon her father Oedipus even [[OedipusComplex after learning]] [[ParentalIncest the truth]] [[{{Squick}} of her birth]]. She also defies her uncle Creon when he orders to not give burial to her brother's corpse, and prefers execution rather than renouncing to her beliefs.

* Of the ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'':

* Casca from ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' zigged in and out of this trope. She was first like this when Guts patronized her for being a weak female when she fell ill during her period, but she never let him get to her. After Guts returned after a year's absence when everything came crashing down for the Hawks, Casca had an emotional breakdown and nearly committed suicide, [[InterruptedSuicide but Guts saved her]] and [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre gave her some emotional strength]] [[spoiler: [[LoveEpiphany while admitting their love to each other]]]]. After that, Casca more or less [[TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask resumed her role as the strong female acting-leader of the Hawks]], and even managed to keep her cool in the wake of a bad situation when [[spoiler: the Eclipse began, and the Hawks were warped to another dimension]]. [[FromBadToWorse And then that bad situation turned worse.]] [[BreakTheCutie Casca did not come]] [[RapeLeadsToInsanity out very well]] - [[GoMadFromTheRevelation AT ALL.]]

* Casca from ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' zigged in and out of this trope. She was first like this when Guts patronized her for being a weak female when she fell ill during her period, but she never let him get to her. After Guts returned after a year's absence when everything came crashing down for the Hawks, Casca had an emotional breakdown and nearly committed suicide, [[InterruptedSuicide but Guts saved her]] and [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre gave her some emotional strength]] [[spoiler: [[LoveEpiphany while admitting]] [[TheyDo their love]] [[RelationshipUpgrade to each other]]]]. After that, Casca more or less [[TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask resumed her role as the strong female acting-leader of the Hawks]], and even managed to keep her cool in the wake of a bad situation when [[spoiler: the Eclipse began, and the Hawks were warped to another dimension]]. [[FromBadToWorse And then that bad situation turned worse.]] [[BreakTheCutie Casca did not come]] [[RapeLeadsToInsanity out very well]] - [[GoMadFromTheRevelation AT ALL.]]

* Aura of ''LightNovel/{{Corsair}}'' boisterous, opinionated, and quick-tempered, and remains so even after she is kidnapped and threatened with execution.

* ''LightNovel/IHadThatSameDreamAgain'': Nanoka has a bit of an attitude problem and tends to look down on her classmates for not seeing things like she does, but on the whole she is optimistic, courageous, and tries her best to help and encourage people.

* ''LightNovel/TheSacredBlacksmith'' has Cecily, who in the anime, despite losing and needing saving a lot, never stops practicing and fighting.

* Cleao Everlasting from ''LightNovel/SorcererStabberOrphen'' will ''not'' let Orphen go kill himself before he returns her the Sword of Baltanders that her father gave her before dying, and which he needs for a very important quest. So what if she has to tag along with him and his apprentice Majic despite all the dangers it'll bring to her? She ''will'' follow them, become the TeamMom, and pull through no matter what.
* Ai from ''LightNovel/SundayWithoutGod'' is brave, optimistic, and determined, and she goes out her way to help those in need. Of course, since she's resolved to save the world God has abandoned, this is the attitude she needs.

** 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]].

** Pick any MagicalGirlWarrior from ''Anime/PrettyCure''. There are 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]].

* 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.

** Kagome Higurashi has got self-esteem problems, is the reincarnation of a priestess who CameBackWrong, her love interest can be a real jerk despite having a good heart, her friends have huge troubles of their own... and yet she stands by them no matter what. Sure, she has more than one breakdown, but she still stands by her friends and [[WakeUpGoToSchoolSaveTheWorld is more concerned with her love life and her grades.]]

* ''Anime/MacrossDelta'': Freyja Wion. Even her homeworld declaring war on the rest of the galaxy ([[YouCantGoHomeAgain indirectly exiling her from it]]), being involved in the middle of multiple war zones as part of her career, and [[spoiler: finding out her LoveInterest's father bombed her homeworld]] ultimately do not stop her from pursuing her dream to sing with the idol group Walkure, even if they do take her aback, and she ultimately holds her energetic personality and kind heart to the end.
** She follows her predecessor, [[Anime/MacrossFrontier Ranka Lee]], in this regard. While Ranka is significantly less energetic, she is no less determined to be an idol and pursue her dreams (and her LoveInterest Alto), even despite her DarkAndTroubledPast and frequent setbacks.

** Founding member [[Characters/AntManHeroes The Wasp]]: 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.

* Cheryl in ''Series/WelcometoFlatch'' isn't having a great time with the move but tries to put on as brave of a face as she can for the documentary crew. She also takes a lot of pride in her budding newspaper.