5 Reasons Wonder Woman is Wonderful

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In conjunction with the Wonder Woman film release, DC Comics announced that today, June 3, is officially Wonder Woman Day. It's a day to celebrate Wonder Woman, one of the most iconic female superheroes ever created. But why is she so iconic? And what makes her worthy of such grandeur and celebration? Here are my five reasons why Wonder Woman is so wonderful.

1. She's strong.

It's not hard to see that Wonder Woman is strong. She's not the unrealistic skinny-yet-powerful hero that is impossible to relate to; she's an Amazonian princess, which means she's tall, she's broad, and she's curvy. She can wield a sword and a shield without much effort. But she's strong in other ways, not just physically.

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She was originally created to be an allegory of the type of women who should run society, who have strong qualities, who girls would want to be. When Wonder Woman first appeared, there weren't a lot of well-developed female characters. Wonder Woman changed that. Thus, she's more than just brawn; she also has brains. She was given abilities--including beauty, wisdom, swiftness, and strength--by several major Greek gods. She's fluent in many languages, and she's educated in psychology. She even has psychic abilities.

2. She promotes peace.

Wonder Woman first appeared in October of 1941, only a few months before America joined World War II. It was a time of turmoil, sacrifice, and violence. The world needed someone that would not be victorious because of violence; they needed someone who could triumph with peace and love. And that was Wonder Woman.

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Despite being an Amazonian princess, who has god-like strength and has been trained her entire life for war, Wonder Woman promotes compassion, love, and peace. Oftentimes, she is depicted as a healer or a doctor instead of a warrior. She stands firm in her pacifism, becoming involved with violent situations only to stop the violence instead of provoking it further. She finds ways to stop violence without using violence herself.

This compassion has propelled her into becoming a cultural icon of female empowerment, giving readers of any age, gender, or era a non-violent role model, an alternative to the other brutal comic book characters.

3. She's a symbol of feminism.

Since her creation, Wonder Woman has been a feminist symbol for the world. She shows that women can be just as strong and powerful as Superman or Batman. She is strong and sexy, beautiful and smart, compassionate and determined.

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Her influence goes beyond World War II. She was a feminist icon during the Cold War and the Sexual Revolution, and she is a feminist icon today, empowering women of all generations. Despite having experience as a leader, she was given secretarial duties within the Justice Society of America when she first joined. Many times throughout the comics she has rescued herself from bondage, dismantling the "damsel in distress" stereotype. As a feminist icon, Wonder Woman encourages women to stand up for themselves, to be strong and fight for themselves.

4. She's an advocate.

Throughout her history, Wonder Woman has always been an advocate for others. First and foremost, she's been an advocate for women and girls. In October 2016, she became an Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls within the United Nations. However, she was dropped from the role because of a petition that stated she wasn't worthy to be a role model due to not being culturally sensitive and for being overtly sexualized. Despite this, she is still an advocate for women and girls, not allowing a simple petition to take away 75+ years of being such an icon.

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In addition, she's an advocate for LGBT. She doesn't give herself a sexual label, despite the suggestion that she is bisexual or queer. Growing up in the women-only culture of Themyscira has suggested that Wonder Woman's views of gender roles would be non-existent. She was also the first superhero to officiate a same-sex marriage in the comics.

She's also an advocate for peace, those in need, support among women, and the diminishment of "masculine" aggression.

5. She's a legend.

Seventy-five years is a long time to be an icon. Thus, there are so many reasons why Wonder Woman is wonderful. She changed the comic book industry over seventy-five years ago, and she's still changing stuff today. The Wonder Woman movie is the first "tent pole" film (a film that supports the financial performance of a studio) to be directed by a woman. This opens the possibility for future female superhero films, both DC and Marvel, to be directed by women. It's been twelve years since a female superhero was the solo lead in a theatrical film. Twelve years! And of those films that have been produced, most are mediocre at best or easily forgotten. (I'm looking at you, Elektra.) In recent comic book history, there hasn't been a truly iconic solo female superhero film, but Wonder Woman changed that.

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Wonder Woman isn't fading into the background of the comic book world. If anything, she is stronger than ever and she's not going anywhere. She'll be back for The Justice League movie in November, and they're already discussing a second Wonder Woman movie. Leigh Bardugo, a well-known YA author, is publishing a Wonder Woman YA novel, Warbringer, this August, which will be the start of a YA DC Icons series and will give a new spin on the Wonder Woman story. We can expect more Wonder Woman action figures, clothing lines, Lego sets, and other toys to hit the shelves in the coming months. And, as always, we can expect more comics that continue the legacy Wonder Woman has started.

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There is a reason Wonder Woman is one of the most popular, most iconic, most well-known female superheroes of the comic book world. She changed the world back in 1941, and she continues to change the world with her promotion of compassion and her determination to stand up for what she believes, no matter the cost. Wonder Woman is truly wonderful, for many reasons, and she definitely deserves to be celebrated, not just today, but every day.

What do you love about Wonder Woman?

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5 Important Lessons from Princess Leia

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The entire Star Wars community, including cast, crew, creators, and fans, is still dealing with the loss of Carrie Fisher, making May the 4th a bittersweet celebration this year. For fangirls around the world, this blow was particularly intense on a far more personal level than most celebrity deaths, largely because of the impact Princess Leia had on many of us.

During a time when most of our ‘princess’ icons were damsels in distress, Leia was a woman capable of holding her own, commanding respect, and remaining strong and bold even in the face of certain death.

I was introduced to Star Wars by my father at the age of six, and Princess Leia immediately captivated me. As far as I can recall, princesses had never interested me because I didn’t want to hear about someone who needed to be saved. There were no female characters I adored, none whose spirit and personality were something I wanted to aspire to. But then, there was Leia. In a story of heroes and warriors, she stood out as being capable, determined, and fearless.

Leia was beautiful and bold. She didn’t wait for people to give her the opportunity to lead or present herself as worthy of being heard as a woman; she simply stood up and did what she needed to.

For many of us, Princess Leia was the first feminist icon in our limited world views. She also set the tone for strong female leads in the franchise long before the Star Wars EU was even birthed into existence.

As a lifelong devotee of all things Star Wars, the Original Trilogy presented me with only a fraction of who Leia was. Through the Extended Universe, we saw a young woman flourish and grow into a force to be reckoned with. She intricately wove together many aspects of womanhood into one beautiful canvas. Being a warm, loving, and tender mother and wife was easily reconciled with her determination and boldness as a leader. Although there were certainly times when apprehension led her to slower reactions, generally speaking, she knew when was the time for being political and when springing to action was a better course of action.

The things I learned from Princess Leia changed the way I looked at female leads forever. They led me to pursue books with strong female leads who defied gender stereotypes and found success through hard work and determination. Leia filtered into everything from determining the type of woman I wanted to be to the types of female characters I cultivate for my novels.

These are just some of the lessons Leia taught me:

1.  Never let someone intimidate you into compromising what you stand for. 

Leia believed with her entire being that life under the control of the Sith and the Empire would be a far worse sentence than not living at all. Her life was not worth betraying her people for. She believed so strongly that even torture devices designed to force the truth out of people couldn’t break through her bravery. She stood face to face with one of the most powerful villains in the universe and refused to back down or give in, knowing standing her ground could very well mean her own death. 

2. While not opposed to help, a woman doesn’t need saving. 

Sure, if Han and Luke hadn’t shown up she probably would have been executed, but she didn’t need them to cut through the stormtroopers and do all the hard work. When they were backed into a corner and unable to think on their feet, Leia took control and made a move to get them out of there. She had no problems fighting back and had no patience for people trying to play the hero if they weren’t prepared to follow through. When the rebels went to battle, she was prepared to do what she needed to do and lead her troops. She stayed until the last possible moment, refusing to abandon ship until she knew everyone else was safely away. 

3. Emotions aren’t a setback, own them. 

As women, we are often told our emotions make us incapable of being rational, of being leaders, or of doing things as well as men. Leia proved that concept wrong. Her emotions weren’t shut down or buried, but they didn’t make her less of anything either. She used them to fuel whatever she was doing. Her heartbreak over the destruction of Alderaan didn’t turn her into a heaping mess. With the impending attack on the rebel base by the Death Star, she knew her grief could not overwhelm her, instead using it to help her focus on the task of destroying the weapon. 

Her love for Han Solo wasn’t weakness either. She embraced her feelings and channelled them into passion--passion to fight, passion to take risks, and a passion to stand up for what was right and stand against her oppressors. 

Her emotions were a part of her and they made her stronger.

4. You can be feminine and be powerful

Leia was a force to be reckoned with. She often wore feminine outfits, her hair was always done, and she always had on a splash of makeup. She was beautiful, and with a small frame almost dainty, but none of that got in the way of her being able to lead. As mentioned earlier, she didn’t wait for permission or acknowledgement that it was okay to command respect and take charge--Leia simply stood up and did it. She was well-educated and knowledgeable, but she also knew how to cultivate a strong team by supporting the talents and expertise of those who surrounded her. Her gentleness and loving nature encouraged the support of those around her because they knew she was genuinely working for their freedom. Tenderness combined with a fighting spirit helped lead her to success.

5. It’s okay to be exactly who you are.

Throughout history, women have been told how we should look, act, dress, and speak. We’re told the types of jobs we should be doing, what our life goals should be, and what we should be most proud of. Leia wasn’t someone who changed her behaviour, looks, or personality to suit others. She was happy to show her emotions when she wanted. She was sarcastic and funny, not afraid to show annoyance, and was exactly the person she wanted to be. She pursued a role in the rebellion, and later on continued in leadership, not because it was expected of her as a Princess, but because it was what she truly believed in. 

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The woman behind the character most certainly played a large role in making Leia who she was. She contributed greatly to changes in the scripts and shaped our favourite Princess into the well-rounded woman so many of us adore. 

Her princess will remain an inspiration to us for the rest of our lives.

May the force be with you, always, Carrie.

“Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.” - Carrie Fisher

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Top 3 Favorite Female Final Fantasy X Characters

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WARNING: In order to gush properly, there may be Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 spoilers throughout the post. If you haven't played them and want to keep the gaming experience fresh and free of spoilers, please refrain from reading.

Final Fantasy X (FF X) was my first Final Fantasy, and though it wasn’t my last, it is still my favorite. FF X was the first in the series to offer voice acting, it had stunning visuals for the time (gorgeous in HD), it effortlessly meshed eastern and western cultural elements, and it had thought-provoking philosophical and ethical questions.

Even without all that, the Final Fantasy series is excellent with character development and character design. FF X is no exception. It has a cast of characters who are multi-layered, likable, and memorable. It even has fantastic leading ladies, and can you believe that not one of these gals are damsels in distress?

So, I’m counting down my top 3 favorite Final Fantasy X ladies. Starting with...

3. Lulu

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It took a while for Lulu to actually open up, especially about her past, but when she did, we saw her true colors (besides black, that is).

Rock Hard Exterior, Mushy-Gushy Interior
Lulu could be prickly at times, but she had every right to be. After all, her fiancé Chappu was killed by Sin, Yuna (someone who is like a sister to her) was planning on sacrificing herself for Spira’s sake, and Seymour waged multiple surprise attacks and spouted lengthy, death-related ramblings. (Shut up and just stay dead, Seymour! Quit turning into a zombie-thing and attacking me.)

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But even though she may look like a tough, tormented goth girl, she's really just as sweet and soft as cookie dough. In fact, she helped raise Yuna and treats her like a sister throughout the game. Yuna looks up to Lulu, and Yuna continues to consult her throughout FF X and FF X-2. Not to mention, Wakka and Lulu are so sweet together. Oh, and it's hilarious to see her interact with Tidus, especially when she later warms up to him and starts messing around.

Overpowered
Lulu is extremely powerful. She was a fixture in my party and eventually was strong enough to go toe to toe with Seymour. Maybe that's why he always targeted her first…

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Anyway, she was one talented character. Thank goodness she used her black magic for good and not for evil. I always thought it was funny, though, that she conjured earth-shattering magic by channeling it through a cute and cuddly stuffed doll. Guess wands are for sissies.

2. Rikku

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I remember Rikku speaking Al Bhed for the first time, and I absolutely loved it. The fantasy world seemed so big to my 16 year old brain. I also recall learning a few phrases of Al Bhed and speaking it to a friend of mine in high school.

Quirky Comments
In video games, RPGs especially, your characters have battle cries or just looped dialogue they say during battles or off the field. Rikku's (in both FFX and FFX-2) comments were downright hilarious. Not only would she belt out a string of Al Bhed phrases, she would comment on the silliest things. Here are just a few of her terrific lines:

“Rikku-approved item coming up!”

“Sometimes, when I got a lot on my mind, it just helps to go, ‘AAAAAAAAAAAH!’”

“Disasterriffic!”

“Oh, poopie!”

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Energetic and Positive
Rikku has way too much energy. She's always moving, grooving, and talking (a mile a minute, I might add). That’s why it was amusing to see Tidus (who is upbeat and lively) interact with Rikku. It was especially entertaining to hear what they both had to say in battle.

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With her endless energy, Rikku also has a sunny disposition throughout most of the game.

Final Fantasy X (and at times, Final Fantasy X-2) is depressing. Like...extremely depressing. The player questions whether or not all the characters will survive, questions how he/she is going to defeat Seymour for the fifteenth time, and heck, the player even questions his/her own existence. But Rikku (and Tidus) makes Yuna’s pilgrimage (and the game) cheery and hopeful, which is sorely needed since all the other guardians seem to be serious and dutiful. Yuna HAD to have someone liven things up a bit.

Just *ahem* don’t tell Rikku about any thunderstorms.

1. Yuna

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At last! My favorite Final Fantasy character. Out of all the other characters, Yuna is the one who changes the most drastically throughout the games. She goes from a quiet, sweet, and passive girl to a more rebellious, strong-willed, and independent young lady.

Strong-willed
At the start of her pilgrimage, Tidus and the player don't realize that Yuna’s quest is supposed to end with her sacrificing herself for the good of Spira. That's right...sacrifice. She needs to die to end Sin. She's willing to lay down her life so that Spira can enjoy two years of peace (I know, not even an everlasting peace). Even knowing that she must die, she continues on her journey. It gets more difficult when she realizes she’s falling for Tidus. Of course, Tidus convinces her that there must be another away and that he’ll find it...for her. She continues on though, still hoping to defeat Sin and end its spiral of death.

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She’s also strong-willed and persistent in FF X-2 when she finds a sphere of Tidus (He’s alive?!) and decides to go in search of him. After each trial and tribulation, Yuna continues, all for the sake of finding him.

Rebellious
We see this a bit in FF X when Yuna decides to stray from her summoner path after falling in love with Tidus and is convinced that they should try to defeat Sin a different way. The alternative is to kill Yevon, a being (really, a summoner from years ago) that Spira has been worshiping like a god for a thousand years. And they defeat him. Yup, Yuna and her band of guardians take down Sin and a god (ahem, crazed summoner).

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Then, in X-2 Yuna breaks out of her shell and develops more pluck. Besides her wardrobe change (actually, the entire game features the Gullwings in various outfits), Yuna becomes the leader of her sphere hunting group, makes major political decisions, and becomes a performer. She isn't the sweet, goody-two-shoes any more. She now has sass and flare. It must come with being a pop star, or a Square Enix "Charlie’s Angel", or maybe she’s just had it in her the whole time.

Do you have a favorite Final Fantasy girl?  Favorite video game gal in general?   

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Happy International Women's Day!

Happy International Women's Day! To celebrate, we've gathered together to discuss our favorite female characters--the ones that have made us laugh, the ones who have made us cry, and the ones we're just plain glad exist. Let's get started.

Amanda Horn

The most iconic female character that holds a special place in my heart is Lucy Pevensie from The Chronicles of Narnia. As a life-long fan of this book series, I always wanted to be more like Lucy, and as a teenager, I still wish I could be more like her. But what exactly makes Lucy Pevensie so special?

The first thing that comes to mind is that Lucy has copious amounts of faith. She never loses that childlike (not childish) faith in something she saw with her own eyes and felt with her own hands. Narnia never faded for her, and she never stopped remembering and loving the land of her childhood.

Lucy is also extraordinarily brave. Even as a young girl, she never wavered from protecting the people she loves, and she always wanted to be right on the scene of danger, working alongside everyone else. Later, as a woman, she joined her older brothers on the field of battle, and she fought admirably. Lucy never stays behind if she knows she can help in a dangerous situation, however, she also knows when to step back if she cannot help.

But the thing I appreciate most about Lucy is that she possesses an enormous capacity to love and forgive. She becomes friends with Mr. Tumnus very quickly, and she is heartbroken when he is captured by the White Witch. Her quick attachments and friendships might seem to be a drawback at first; however, Lucy experiences and learns so much more about herself and other people through them. Yes, there may be pain that comes with loving deeply, but Lucy loves making new friends and meeting new people.

Lucy is a sensitive and wonderful girl who grows up to be a strong and mature woman. She’s a strong role model for people of every age and a character whose story I hope will continue to be timeless for years to come.

Sky Destrian

From Daisy Johnson to Gamora, Marvel is rocking it with the female characters lately. We still have a long way to go--getting women of color in leading roles is still extremely important, and we have yet to have a female superhero head her own movie (come on, Captain Marvel). But Marvel is well on its way to creating well-written female characters, and one shining example (besides Natasha Romanoff) is Jessica Jones.

You may have heard about her original Netflix series, Jessica Jones, a cousin to Daredevil and a predecessor to the team-up show, The Defenders. Jessica and her show came on the scene last November, busting through my computer screen and straight into my heart. A private eye with a troubled past, Jessica has seen a lot of darkness. She has questionable methods, and she drinks... a lot. She’s rough around the edges, but to me, that’s what makes her so likable. She’s allowed to be vulgar, and she’s allowed to be angry, but her womanhood is never in question. She is a fully developed female character, and she’s able to show every spectrum of every emotion (expertly acted by Krysten Ritter). She strikes the perfect balance of being badass and vulnerable, and she doesn’t fit any sort of mold. She is a complete human, and she is allowed to be just that: human. This, to me, is huge and remarkable. We need more female characters like Jessica Jones.

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Anna Gensimore

There are a lot of wonderful female characters in things I've read, watched, and played. This makes it super hard to narrow them down to a few favorites. The first that comes to mind is Ellie from The Last of Us.

At the beginning of the game, Ellie is a fourteen year old girl on a dangerous quest across the  post-sort-of-zombie-apocalypse U.S. She is eager to prove her worth and competency as she has a secret that could prove itself the turning point for humanity. Along her cross-continental journey to seek out the ever elusive Fireflies, she ends up more than proving her mettle to Joel, her guide turned father figure, and everyone she meets. My favorite parts of the game are where I got to play as her because her size allows for stealth and speed when hiding from Clickers (zombies caused by a mutated cordyceps fungus) and the even more dangerous humans out to survive however they can. Her growth in confidence and the bond that grows between her and Joel as the game goes on is quite heartwarming. Ellie was the first character in a video game that I ever felt kinship with. 

To continue with the theme of strong women who experience massive character growth, can we just talk about Eowyn for a minute? Not only does she defeat the Witch-King of Angmar, she also has the wisdom and self confidence to realize that there is a season for everything. Her whole life she felt shadowed and caged; she dreamed of battle and being a true Shieldmaiden of Rohan. After her experience in battle, she realized something that had been in her all along--in fact what fueled her desire to see battle in the first place. When she'd recovered, Eowyn felt the pull on her heart to help those in need and to help heal the wounded. She spent her time helping those ravaged by battle recover and found just as much fulfillment in that. She knew that being a warrior was just as important as helping other warriors face the aftereffects of their battles. That indeed is honorable to me and worth celebration. (Also, I am so glad she and Faramir got together.) 

Jaime Heller

Choosing my favorite fictional female characters is a hard task. There are so many good, adequate choices out there in the world of fandom. As I tried to narrow my list down to less than ten (in order to narrow it down further), I thought of Winry Rockbell from Fullmetal Alchemist. Sometimes I forgot how much I adore her character. Sometimes it feels like she gets swept away in the chaos and the monumental task of saving the country. But she's vital to the story--and not only because she's the best auto-mail mechanic ever. (That just helps give her more credit.) Sure, Ed wouldn't have gotten far without Winry always bashing him over the head... I mean, fixing his auto-mail every single time he mashed it up. But without Winry, I don't think Ed would have gotten far because she is definitely a part of his heart. She grounds him to the world where people can't do alchemy. She doesn't need alchemy or magic to hold her ground and be useful. She uses engineering, pieces and parts, and grease to make a living. In addition, she rules in what is normally a men's world of fixing things up and getting her hands dirty to do so. Plus, she's just so darn adorable and truly cares for Ed and Al.

The other ladies to come to mind when I think of great fictional women are the ladies who rule the CW's DC comics shows: Laurel Lance, Felicity Smoak, Caitlin Snow, Iris West, Sara Lance, Kendra Saunders, Thea Queen, Patty Spivot, Lyla Diggle, and all the others who have come and gone. While each lady has her own story, her own strengths and weaknesses, and her own character, together they form a solid starting ground for strong, super heroic women in the live-action, comic book adaptation world. I love when the characters interact during crossover episodes; they don't let petty things bother them or keep them from being friends. Each lady shows quality in how they deal with the "boys" and work together to save the day. I feel so grateful that the writers of these shows bless the fangirl world with such strong role models.

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Finally, we've been graced by the appearance of Rey in the newest generation of Star Wars films. Not only is Rey the main character, but she is strong, she is smart, and she is force-sensitive. In such a critical franchise, there is--in the words of an eight-year-old I know--finally a girl Jedi at the forefront of the trilogy. Rey not only shows her resourcefulness time and time again during The Force Awakens, but she reveals her care, her gentleness, and ferocity. She can care for Finn, show compassion for droids, and be gentle with herself, but she can also be strong in the face of danger, smart in times of trouble, and surprising in moments of fear. She is her own person, not meant to be a mere copy of Anakin or Luke or Padme or Leia. She is Rey, and she is our hero. Rey is so important not only for the trilogy but for Star Wars fans of all ages. 

Livia Alegi

YA has a lot of female characters, most of which are strong and empowering--that is probably my favourite part of most books these days. I have read lots of YA, but as I read more of the genre, I find that there are two female characters which I adore and cannot imagine their books without them: Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) and Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson).

What I find weird is that in a world of female main characters (Katniss Everdeen, Clary Fray and Cassie Sullivan are only some examples), my favourites are actually two secondary characters, though they basically are main characters as they are fundamental for the story.

Hermione is my favourite character because I relate to her so much: I am an only child and was smarter than most of kids my age. I also valued school much more than social stuff, so when I read about this girl who felt like being expelled was the worst thing ever, it was obvious that I would grow attached to her! Her strength is amazing, too. She never lets anything get her down (except Ron kissing Lavender) and works around her problems with creativity (though using a Time-Turner to attend all classes would be hard for us muggles).

The fact that Harry Potter was the first series of books I read in English probably contributes to my love for Hermione.

Annabeth, similarly, I admire because of her wonderful combination of intelligence and courage. I would also like to point out that she has enough determination to stick with Percy through all his adventures and, most of all, disadventures--not at an easy task at all! At only seven years old, she left her home and found two people who would be her best friends: Thalia and Luke. While she is a demigod, it is impressive that such a young girl would do something like that. I could relate to Annabeth mostly for her intelligence and confidence, but I admit that everything about her connected me to her character.

Happy women's day, even if you're not fighting monsters in a galaxy far, far away or in a dystopian world.

Who are your favorite fictional women?

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5 Reasons Why Ahsoka Tano Will Live Forever

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

There was a young Jedi Padawan named Ahsoka Tano, 
the apprentice of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker.

(Spoilers for Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels)

In 2008, in the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie and the ensuing TV series, Star Wars fans all over the world were introduced to a new character: Ahsoka Tano, a teenaged Togruta Padawan learner.  According to George Lucas, Ahsoka was developed for the series to demonstrate Anakin’s growth from the impetuous, headstrong Padawan in Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones to the more disciplined Knight of Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith.  By giving Anakin a Padawan of his own, they were essentially putting him into a father role that would drive him to become more cautious and embrace his responsibilities.  And not only that, but by putting him through the experience of Master and Apprentice from the other side of the fence—as it were—they meant to strengthen and lend understanding to his relationship with Obi-Wan.  The decision to make Anakin’s Padawan a young woman was made when Lucas said he “knew something about the subject,” having raised two daughters of his own.  Although Star Wars: The Clone Wars has long since reached its untimely end, Ahsoka has endured and grown up independent of it, going on to join the new crew in the current series Star Wars: Rebels.  Since her inception, Ahsoka has gone on to garner thousands of fans—boys and girls alike, and here are five of the many reasons why.

1.  She’s brave and determined, and she never gives up.

Due to equal parts Jedi training, Anakin’s teachings, and her own innate unshakable spirit, Ahsoka is fearless both on and off the battlefield.  She’s always right behind her Master—and sometimes in front of him—as they lead their clone troops into battle.  And even without her Master, that fearlessness never wavers.  On one occasion, Ahsoka was kidnapped and dumped with other captured Jedi Padawans on an abandoned planet to be live game for barbarian Trandoshan hunters.  Not once did Ahsoka give up hope.  She led her fellow Padawans against their captors in escape attempt after escape attempt, relying on her Jedi teachings and her Master’s guidance: stealing weapons and airships and making allies out of their captors’ other prisoners.  Her leadership and courage not only freed her fellow captives but reunited her with her Master.

(Aww, look how concerned he was!)

2.  She and Anakin made a perfect—if unlikely—pair of Master and Apprentice.

They are a lot alike, Anakin and Ahsoka.  Both are brash, possessed of an almost ungodly amount of courage and a certain disregard for rules.  When they first meet, Anakin and Obi-Wan are in the middle of a war zone on the planet Christophsis, and it was Obi-Wan who had put in an offer to take on a new Padawan, not Anakin.  But Master Yoda felt that it was time Anakin honoured the age-old Jedi tradition of passing down knowledge to the next generation, and he was convinced that if Anakin had an apprentice of his own it would teach him patience and responsibility.  The majority of Ahsoka’s first mission in that war zone was spent trading jabs with her new Master; she dubbing him “Skyguy” and he calling her “Snips” for her “snippy” attitude.  Their equally headstrong natures were not long in getting them into trouble.  On the way to deactivate an enemy forcefield that was causing problems for their troops, they got themselves ambushed by enemy droids and Ahsoka very nearly squashed her new Master to death when she Force-pulled a wall down on top of the droids attacking him.  But despite such a rocky start, Anakin was impressed by her resourcefulness and her bravery, and made no effort to get her transferred to another Master.

3.  Her kind heart is equal to few others.

There are many times Ahsoka looked after the welfare of the clone troops under her command and that of her Master, and she not only cared about many of them but grieved deeply when they died in battle.  She also has a soft spot for children.  When rescuing Force-sensitive infants from infamous bounty hunter Cad Bane, Ahsoka tirelessly and without complaint helped care for them until Jedi reinforcements arrived.  In other instances, she undertook the task of teaching a class on political corruption to young cadets on the planet Mandalore and lent an understanding and helpful ear as they attempted to apply what they learned to their own lives.  She also escorted and protected Jedi younglings as they completed the ancient Jedi tradition of seeking and claiming a lightsaber crystal on the planet Ilum, and offered guidance as the younglings assembled their lightsabers.

4.  Like the most exemplary of her Order, she is selfless in her protection of others.

It is the duty of the Jedi to serve and protect, to be peacekeepers, and sometimes warriors when the need arises.  And sometimes it falls to the Jedi to make the most ultimate of sacrifices when protecting others.  In this, Ahsoka is as steadfast and sure of heart as any of the Knights and Masters to come before her.  During a mission when she and her Master were paired with another Master-Padawan duo of Jedi Knight Luminara Unduli and her apprentice Barriss Offee, Ahsoka and her fellow Padawan were assigned the task of planting and setting explosive charges to bring down an enemy droid facility.  Over the course of the mission, Ahsoka and Barriss were not only separated from their Masters, but they were faced with a terrible choice: saving potentially thousands of lives or their own.  In the end, both Padawans followed the teachings of the Jedi and their Masters and made the choice that would preserve thousands of innocents.

5.  In the end, Ahsoka is unafraid to walk her own path.

There came a time when Ahsoka was framed for a grave act of violence against the Jedi Temple, expelled from the Order and forced to go on the run.  She was eventually cleared and the perpetrator was caught, but the damage had been done.  She refused the offer to return her to the Order and chose to leave the Jedi behind to find her own way in the galaxy.  In doing this, she was leaving behind not only the Master she had come to view as a father but the only family she had ever had.  Ahsoka had been found as a very young child by Master Plo Koon of the Jedi Council, abandoned by her parents, and she was raised in the Temple until the age of fourteen, when she was chosen by Master Yoda to be the apprentice of Anakin Skywalker.  I don’t know about you, but it would take a great strength of will that I do not possess to walk away from and sever ties with the only family I’ve ever known.  For those of us who are steeped in Star Wars lore and know what was to come in Star Wars III: The Revenge of the Sith, we now know that Ahsoka’s courageous decision spared her from the genocide that wiped out the Jedi and destroyed the Republic, enabling her to return in the new series Star Wars: Rebels.

Like many other Star Wars fans out there, I love Ahsoka.  I grew to love her over the course of the series for her heart, her spirit, and the fact that she does not let anyone define who she is but her.  And like many of my fellow fans, I cried when she made the decision to leave the Jedi at the end of season five.  I still do, sometimes, when I watch that episode.  At that point in time, to us fans, her fate was uncertain.  We did not know if she died like all the other Jedi despite her leaving or if she survived Order 66.  But then in October 2014, a year after her departure, we fans were rewarded for our loyalty and our tears when Ahsoka made her triumphant return to the world of Star Wars as she joined the fight against the Empire in Star Wars: Rebels and found her destiny as one of the founding members of the infamous Rebel Alliance.  To quote Darth Vader…

The Apprentice Lives.

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Are you an Ahsoka fan?  What do you love most about her?

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15 Favorite Fictional Females

I’ll be getting back to my series on Relationships in The Avengers soon, I promise. But when I saw on Twitter that it was International Women’s Day, I knew I had to focus on some great fictional ladies. It can be hard to find well-written women in fiction, but once in a while, there are a few precious gems. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, these are just a few of my favorite heroines I’ve come across over the years. They amount to, more or less, 15, so that's the title of this post. Hooray, alliteration! Also, I've kept this post (mostly) spoiler-free.

1. The supporting ladies on Parks and Recreation

Obviously, when I think of fantastic female characters, I think of Leslie Knope. And as Amanda showed us, she really is awesome. However, it’s hit me while watching Parks and Rec lately just how much the rest of the ladies rock, as well. So it’s time to show them some love.

Ann Perkins: She’s often the foil and straight man to Leslie’s wild side, so sometimes she can get lost in the shuffle due to the loud personalities of the other characters. But honestly, I think Ann is awesome. I find her very relatable, especially in the episodes where she realizes she changes herself based on which boyfriend she has. She’s also hilarious in and of her own right, because she’s so deadpan. While Parks and Rec’s sense of humor is often larger than life, Ann allows us to see a sense of humor that’s a bit more subtle. I love that. Kudos to Rashida Jones for playing such an awesome character.

April Ludgate: Who doesn’t love April? Her creepy, dark persona makes my life. But the best part about April is that the writers have often shown us her vulnerability underneath the hardened exterior she projects. We saw this particularly in season 7, though it’s sprinkled throughout the entire series. One great piece of evidence that indicates her soft side is that she’s in love with Andy, who’s practically a ray of sunshine. I love April so much, not only because she’s so dark, but because she’s relatable in so many ways.

Donna Meagle: It wasn’t until season 7 that I realized how much I love Donna Meagle. She takes no crap and isn’t afraid to speak her mind, but she’s also intensely loyal to her friends. My favorite scenes with her happened with Jerry in “Pie Mary (Producer’s Cut)”. And I’m wildly happy about where she eventually ended up. But most of all, Donna, thank you for reminding us to… 

Honorable mentions: Shauna Malwae-Tweep and Joan Callamezzo, whom I personally find hilarious. Thanks for the laughter, ladies. And to Diane, because I love Lucy Lawless.

Shoutouts to: Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza, Retta

2. All the ladies on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Marvel has been doing an amazing job bringing females to the big screen, and AOS is no exception.

Melinda May: Okay, okay, I confess, I’m a terrible person because at first, I wasn’t sure if I liked Melinda May all that much. HOWEVER, over the course of the series, I’ve found myself falling in love with her. She’s another one of those ladies with a badass exterior, but we have been able to see vulnerable moments, mostly with how she cares for Skye and Coulson. While she is an incredible fighter, I appreciate the way she has a good head on her shoulders and can think quickly. She has a gift for tactical thinking, which is something she desperately needs.

Skye: Skye has been my favorite since day one. She is basically a fangirl in the first episode--why wouldn’t I love that? As the series has gone on, though, we’ve seen her become something extraordinary--she went from hacker to S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, to, ahem, [SPOILER REDACTED]. And her personality has grown by leaps and bounds as well, which is incredible to see. When I think back on our very first episode of AOS, I can’t believe she’s the same person.

Jemma Simmons: Like May, I wasn’t sure if I liked Simmons. But now, I adore her. She has a sharp mind, but the greatest thing about her is her compassionate heart. She searches for answers because she truly loves humanity, I think. I love the blending of brains and heart. I also think we’ve seen her at her best in season 2. While my heart breaks over Fitzsimmons, this season’s events have been great for her character arc, and I can’t wait to see where she goes.

Honorable mentions: All the ladies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This honestly deserves a post of its own someday, but I wanted to give it a quick mention here. Truly, Marvel has some of the best ladies out there. From the deadpan Pepper Potts to Agent 13, the Marvel ladies are a true gift. (Black Widow especially. You already probably know how I feel about her. Also, AGENT CARTER.)

Shoutouts to: Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Elizabeth Henstridge

3. Felicity Smoak (from Arrow)

Felicity Smoak from Arrow is one of the best-written female characters I’ve ever seen. While I’m not very far into Arrow, I still had to give her a mention because she is fabulous. She’s quirky, nerdy, smart, beautiful, and a great role model for all fangirls everywhere. 

Shoutout to: Emily Bett Rickards

4. Jessica Day (from New Girl)

Who's that giiiiirl.... it's Jess!

Jess is one of my favorites. She’s adorable, feminine, and hilarious. Like a lot of my favorite characters, she has a good dose of awkward. She’s strong, but vulnerable. She makes us laugh with her singing and dancing. And best of all, she likes Lord of the Rings.

Shoutout to: Zooey Deschanel

5. The ladies from Once Upon a Time

Emma Swan: Emma is fantastic. She starts out as a bail bondsperson and then grows into even more of a heroine as the story progresses. We see her fight a dragon with her gun and a sword, and she will do anything for the people she loves. She learns to open up over the course of the show, but still retains her ability to defend herself (and her family).

Regina Mills: Nobody touch Regina! Yes, she started out as the Evil Queen, and yes, we do hate her for a while, but she cleans up her act and then becomes arguably one of the best characters on the show. She’s loyal like Emma is, and once she uses her magic for good instead of evil it’s a sight to see. The only beef I have is that the storywriters seem like they just really don’t want to give her a happy ending.

Snow White: Snow’s a little busy now that she’s taking care of her family, so we haven’t seen her as active in the storylines as she was in the beginning. And that’s really a shame. Seeing Snow White as a wanted outlaw and warrior, who knew how to think on her feet, was awesome. Seeing a woman warrior with a soft heart was even more awesome. Please, OUAT, bring back the kick-butt Snow that we love.

Belle: She’s strong, yet has an unfailing loyalty and optimism to those she loves (aka Rumple). She’s not afraid to cry and is one of the softest characters in the series, I think, yet isn’t afraid to get stuff done.

Shoutouts to: Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Ginnifer Goodwin, Emilie de Ravin

6. The Bennet Sisters from The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Elizabeth Bennet had a vlog? Me too.

This is one story that you must check out if you haven’t yet. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a webseries on YouTube that ran from April 2012 to March 2013. It’s a modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, told via vlog-style episodes and social media accounts. It was brilliant. You can watch all episodes here. And if I may say so, they did a wonderful job of giving us ladies to love and root for.

Lizzie: Obviously a take on Elizabeth Bennet, this version of Jane Austen’s famous character is my favorite. She is wickedly smart and unfailingly sarcastic, and a bit impulsive. Like in the original story, she makes snap judgments. She is flawed and she is real, but she is also amazing. She is hilariously funny, loyal to her siblings, and dedicated to her dreams. She’s wonderful and I love her.

Lydia: I never loved Lydia until this version. Lydia starts off as “totes” exuberant, and she is definitely a bit obnoxious. But over the course of the series, we see her get hurt and go into a downward spiral. We see her broken. It hurts a lot. And yet Lydia is resilient, and by the end, we know she’s going to be okay. (It’s a character arc that really hurts and I’m still not over it.)

Jane: JANE. Jane is that character that you want as your best friend, your confidant, and your everything. She’s one of the sweetest people I’ve ever seen--too sweet for me to express. She’s there for her sisters whenever they need her. Like her sisters, she gets hurt in the series, but believes in love enough to try again. She also will offer you a cup of tea anytime you need it.

Honorable mention: Charlotte Lu, featured above. She helps Lizzie run her vlog channel, is Lizzie's best friend, and keeps everything sane and rational. She's also ambitious and just a great character. Also, Gigi Darcy. She plays a big role in the series, and you end up falling in love with her. She went on to have her own series, too--Welcome to Sanditon.

Shoutouts to: Ashley Clements, Mary Kate Wiles, Laura Spencer

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This list is by no means the end, and I hope to feature even more awesome female characters in the future! Please check out the Twitters I linked in order to support these actresses for bringing us such amazing characters. And lastly, who are your favorite female characters? Tell me below in the comments!

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