Inspiring Quotes from Badass Animated Women

The end of the year always comes with trials and tribulations. A lot of us are still agonizing over the past while also feeling the future come at us full speed ahead. In many ways, this can lead to us feeling stuck. That’s why we need some motivation. We need to believe in ourselves and get ready to meet 2026 with big smiles and confident minds.

Whether you’ve created a resolution or are just determined to change, your favorite fictional characters are always here to provide the comforting words you need to succeed. With that in mind, let’s look at the most inspiring quotes from incredible animated women — including the ladies of Critical Role, Star Wars™, and more.

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“I don’t need you, Traveler. I just need myself!” – Jester Lavorre, The Mighty Nein

Jester is a wonderfully dynamic character. Super peppy and idealistic, she bolsters the Mighty Nein’s enthusiasm. Yet Jester also struggles to believe in herself. She begins to doubt her own abilities within the party, especially once she loses touch with her god. But eventually, Jester realizes she can achieve anything, with or without the Traveler. Belief and strength come completely from within.

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“You don’t have to look tough to be tough.” – Ahsoka Tano, Star Wars: The Clone Wars™

Ahsoka Tano, nicknamed Snips, is bold and scrappy. She’s also exceedingly kind and empathetic. None of these descriptions are at odds with any of the others, because she’s multifaceted and dynamic. Ahsoka also looks how she sounds: strong but sweet. Some beings in the Star Wars universe don’t get the benefit of flashy muscles and awesome Lightsabers, though. When faced with a creature who thinks he needs to change his appearance to win a fight, she dishes out this awesome advice to encourage him to be himself.

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“Don’t say goodbye. Say ‘good journey.'” – Teela, Masters of the Universe

Sometimes, goodbyes are too final. Farewells feel finite. Teela from Masters of the Universe has a better alternative, one imbued with hope and optimism. “Good journey” carries the cultural impact of her people as well as the wish for your friend to travel well. It works whether that’s a physical or metaphorical adventure. While proper goodbyes can be important, this kind of sendoff seems infinitely more idealistic.

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“Having power and knowing how to use it aren’t the same thing.” – Wonder Woman, DC Animated Universe

Wonder Woman comes from a long line of warriors. Additionally, she comes from a long line of female warriors. Unlike most men, the Amazons know when to fight and when to hold back. Although they wield immense power, they do not use it just to show off or win every petty squabble. Wonder Woman’s wise advice to Supergirl shows how all DC super heroes should behave when it comes to using their abilities.

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“If I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it!” – Misty, Pokémon

Let’s be honest. It’s hard to break into any competitive field if you’re a woman. So when it comes to Pokémon catching and training, Misty has to be ready to fight with her Water team and her words. Standing up for herself and her choices in the anime, she reminds the boys that she doesn’t need any unsolicited advice. This fighter isn’t afraid to make a splash!

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“You can’t knock me down!” – Katara, Avatar: The Last Airbender

Katara is a font of wisdom. Since she’s often given the most inspirational and empathetic quotes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, it’d be easy to pick out one of her grand speeches about morality and justice. However, we’d rather go with a simpler scene. Faced with rampant sexism from a waterbending teacher, Katara holds her own and shouts out that she can’t be knocked down. Katara won’t let him (or anyone else, including herself) doubt her or her bending abilities.

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“Tell them that … Ellie is the little girl who broke your f*cking finger.” – Ellie, The Last of Us

Like Katara above, Ellie from The Last of Us is severely underestimated. She’s a small teenage girl, so her enemies and allies alike discount her completely. In many instances in the game, they view her as a nuisance, a hindrance, or in this scene, an object. Here, a cannibal cult leader wants to make Ellie his child bride. He thinks they have a special connection. Ellie plays into this until it’s time to strike, and breaks the man’s finger through her cell bars.

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“Then you’d better promote me.” – Peggy Carter, Marvel’s What If…?

Marvel’s What If…? animated series explores heroic stories untold in the MCU. In an entire Multiverse of options and offshoots, what could happen? Well, just about anything! So what if … Peggy Carter was injected with the Super Soldier Serum instead of Steve Rogers? Here, Peggy becomes the Allied Forces’ strongest soldier as Captain Carter. And she demands a well deserved promotion alongside the physical upgrade.

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“I want so much more than they’ve got planned.” – Belle, Beauty and the Beast

Belle’s world is full of ordinary people with no motivation. So she remains completely self-motivated, bettering herself through knowledge and dreaming of escaping to better worlds. This Disney Princess plans to achieve greatness when she doesn’t have much of an opportunity to do so. No matter what, though, she’s determined to find a way. Why else would she have an entire song about it?

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“Let’s try it out, then.” – Ciri, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Ciri has three potential endings in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt because of the choices/consequences concept within the video game. In one ending, she dies. In another, she becomes empress of the Continent. But in the best and fan-favorite ending, Ciri follows in Geralt of Rivia’s footsteps to become a witcher. When he brings her a sword, she marvels at its beauty. Then, she asks to test it out. Way to seize your warrior destiny, Ciri.

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Are you inspired and motivated? Good! We’re glad. Spread that love and energy with other fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!