Name 5 bad-ass female fictional characters and tell me why. Try and use as many different canons you can!

I think 'bad-ass' has connotations that aren't necessarily part of my perspective looking at some of these (mostly because to me it implies 'awesome in the sense of fighting' and...not really the focus for some of these), but eh. I actually realized, when I stopped to think about it, that I can think of a bunch, though some of them are canon overlap. So - sticking to one per canon and going for some more out of the way ones.

Retsu Unohana, Bleach - At first glance, she seems like yet another Yamato Nadeshiko. And then you discover that the batshit crazy fighter division are terrified of her. She has a giant flying manta ray. She has a quiet strength that I am absolutely in love with (see: various posts of me going 'ajlskdfjlksf ♥' over her interactions with Jyuushiko). (PS Kubo Tite, WTB moar old captains appearances)

Yuna, FFX - The one people will probably disagree with me for! I know the reactions to her are seriously mixed, but I love Yuna. See much of this post as to why, but - she's idealistic without being incredibly naive (she's a little naive, at the beginning, but she really does grow through the game), and she chooses her own path freely. I mean, she agrees to marry Seymour - so she can get close enough to Send him. And when that plan fails, she already has a back-up in place, and jumps off the city onto Valefor to escape. Also, FFX: proving that white mages can kick ass and take names too!

Mazikeen, Lucifer - She is the consort of the Morningstar, the war leader of her entire people, and basically a berserker demon-blooded warrior. She would do basically anything to protect those she is loyal to - and that's something she only gives out to a respected few. She was raised to be fierce and strong and independent, and she is. Also, when Lucifer pulls his epic dick move at the end of the series (I still say that was a dick move, really), she has no qualms about giving him hell for it, despite the fact that he's, you know. One of the firstborn of the Almighty.

Mitsuru Kirijo, Persona 3 - She won't hang out with you until you prove you're as smart as she is. She learned to summon a Persona when she was teeny because she wanted to protect the only family she had left. She owns, and rides a motorcycle (you get to sit in back). Also, just...her crit animation

Yelena Rossini, Transmetropolitan - Short, flat-chested, bitter as hell, can probably smoke like three packs a day. She's also an absolutely brilliant writer, and along with the other two of the Transmet trio, is willing to be put on the hit list for daring to try and take down a corrupt President - through the power of free speech.

(other awesome female characters not appearing on this list - much of the female casts of aforementioned canons, the women of Resident Evil, Samus Aran, girl-Turks, half of the Endless)