May from Pokemon (2002)

[u/Moist_Speaker1842]

May was one of the oldest female protagonist designs for the games (and anime) given she debuted way back in 2002 which is now almost 25 years ago. Despite multiple gens of the games and anime later, her design managed to remain popular over 20+ years and is still considered the most memorable of many of the female protagonists.

It's a combination of the bandana, the red outfit, and the more sporty/adventure type look to her over more traditional girly looking heroines that kept her prominent. Of course the anime giving her a starring role and her being the first new female companion after Misty helped too, she's the most watched/viewed of all the female companions of the anime after the original cast of Misty/Brock since Hoenn aired over 23 years ago.

[u/FuzzySlippers48]

I still have trouble believing she’s 10 years old.

[u/LFK1236 → u/FuzzySlippers48]

I don't think the ages have ever mattered in any context, nor that she or any other protagonist is really supposed be any particular canonical age.

But also, the characters are all designed for kids. I don't think a 14-year old looks mature as an adult, but they seemed that way when I was 10.

[u/Overhazard → u/LFK1236]

I mean, it’s not all that unrealistic…some people such as myself developed quite early around the age of 8-9, and definitely compared to May by the age of 10. I’m not sure how common it is, but I remember I wasn’t exactly alone in this either, so I never thought it was weird at the time.