Capcom is practically a household name, spoken with reverent pride by those who remember the days of platform gaming. In the 20th century, Capcom was known for its fighting games and science fiction content in a contrast to other brands in the video game industry that used the fantasy angle.
In the decades that Capcom has been making games, they've also created some memorable protagonists, including many iconic heroines. It's fair to say Capcom has continued to push the envelope and take chances when it comes to art, design, and gameplay.
7 Maya Fey — Ace Attorney
Ace Attorney was a sleeper hit, and one of the first visual novel adventure video games to reach a larger audience. Maya has been an essential part of the plot and storyline since the beginning, supporting the main protagonist Phoenix Wright and lending him her psychic powers. Maya is part of a clan of spirit mediums, and she lends her powers to the storyline.
Maya was introduced when she was framed for the death of her sister, and Phoenix successfully defended her in court. After this, she becomes his legal assistant and takes part in virtually every case.
6 Roll Caskett — Mega Man
Roll Caskett first appeared in Mega Man Legends, which was released in 1997. She was a reboot of a character of the same name, who was also in the original Mega Man video games.
It wasn't exactly a smooth transition from platforming into 3D, but at least the fans appreciated the backstory and lore that were also added. The protagonist, Mega Man Volnutt, is a Digger, which is actually a type of diver. He investigates the ruins of the past on the flooded earth on which they live, and Roll is his Spotter. She appears consistently in both the games, other Mega Man media, and promotional materials.
5 Felicia — Darkstalkers
Players that liked the Street Fighter franchise will also like Darkstalkers, which uses the same combat system but has some creative twists. The unique backstory and characters, which are based on fantasy horror, are a change from the grit of other fighting games.
Felicia was a furry before it was cool, and her appearance helped popularize the aesthetic. She's a Catwoman, to use the vocabulary of the game, and is one of ten playable characters that were in the first installment which was released in 1996. When she's not fighting, she's spreading happiness as a singer.
4 Amaterasu — Ōkami
It's the iconic artwork and design of Ōkami that makes it such a memorable experience, and the flagship character for this adventure is the sun goddess from Japanese mythology.
The world of Ōkami is the celestial plain, and Amaterasu lived there in peace with other supernatural beings until the evil Orochi appeared. n doing battle with him, the goddess fell into the mortal realm. This is the backstory of the game and how the story begins.
3 Trish — Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry made an impressive impact on the gaming world when it was first released in 2001, proving that hack and slash could also have some depth and detail. Trish is one of the heroines the series has had since the beginning, appearing in every installment except the third one.
Trish is a demon in human form, and her goal is to destroy her creator, Mundus, who also happens to be the Emperor of the Underworld. She reaches out to Dante for help, since his professional vocation is hunting demons for a living. At times, she approaches Dante in disguise and even fights against him.
2 Chun Li — Street Fighter
One of the most iconic characters from what could be Capcom's most famous franchise, Chun Li from Street Fighter is one of the most recognizable faces of gaming, not only for Capcom but for video games in general. Her first appearance was in Street Fighter II: The World Warrior in 1991 and she's been featured in all the related media ever since.
Chun-Li was one of the main characters in the 1994 movie and had her own live-action film in 2009, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. Her backstory seems to change for every different kind of media she's appeared in. Some versions set her up as a love interest with protagonist Ryu, for example, or make her a former musician. She's one of the few faces of video gaming that everyone can recognize.
1 Claire Redfield — Resident Evil
Jill Valentine gets an honorable mention here, but when it comes to the Resident Evil franchise heroines, the crown has to go to Claire Redfield. Unike other characters that have legitimate backstories as cops, special ops, or army, Claire is a civilian with a checkered past who seems to have a special talent for fighting zombies.
Having a main role in one of the best video games ever made, Resident Evil 2, isn't Claire's only claim to fame. Her bike and red jacket are just as iconic as she is, hinting at a clue to her past as part of a gang, which would also explain why she's so handy with all these weapons and survival tactics.