Summary
A prime-time supernatural drama first aired in the late 90s that was already popular at its time, and has grown an even larger following since its initial release. Following the titular slayer as she answers her call to destiny to fight against the forces of evil while also trying to pretend to be a normal high school student, itsmonster of the week formulaintroduced viewers to Buffy’s allies and her numerous enemies.
The colorful cast of characters viewers couldn’t help but love is part of what madeBuffy the Vampire Slayersuch an enjoyable show, as they all offered humor, light, and life to each episode. There was no shortage of incredible female characters, both good and evil, so deciding who among them is the best is even harder than saving Sunnydale.
8Darla
A Dark & Dangerous Vampire
One of themore formidable vampiresBuffy comes up against is Darla, the one who sired the cursed vampire Angel, and the Master’s favorite henchman. Strong, bold, and brash, Darla never shies away from throwing herself into a fight and has little regard for the humans she preys upon. She seems to relish being a soulless vampire, in contrast to Angel, who agonizes over the curse, and Spike, who willingly goes through the trials to regain his soul in the later seasons of the show.
Though Darla’s character is more fleshed outin the spin-offseriesAngel, this does not diminish her presence as a worthy challenger against the eponymous slayer. Originally intended to die in the pilot episode, Julie’s portrayal of the character was so compelling that she was given more screentime inBuffyand reprised her role inAngel,further proof of Darla being one of the more compelling antagonists.
7Anya Jenkins
The Demoness Joins The Forces Of Good
One of the often overlooked female characters inBuffyis Anya, which is a shame as she is also one of the most compelling. As an ex-demon, who does regain her powers during the show only to lose them again, her personality often comes across as strange to any ordinary human who interacts with her, which often leads to some genuinely hilarious scenes.
She comes into her own when she starts working at The Magic Box, becoming an enthusiastic worker with a deep love for money and an integral member of the Scooby gang. She seems like one of the characters who may get her happy ending with Xander, but his abandonment of her at the altar puts a premature end to her happily ever after. Anya is really the character whodeserved better.
6Tara Maclay
The Witchy Woman Who Wooed Willow
Gone but not forgotten is a very appropriate phrase for Tara Maclay, the practicing witch who first appeared in the fourth season ofBuffy. She acted as something of a mentor to Willow at first, helping her to hone her craft, and together the two became a very formidable duo, who were thankfully on the side of the good guys.
Part of what made Tara so popular, other than her relationship with Willow, was just how refreshingly kind and supportive she was.Buffyis hardly a light show in its later seasons, but Tara was always there to offer comfort, especially to Buffy during her darkest time.
5Drusilla
The Scars Of Drusilla’s Tragic Origins May Never Heal
Drusilla isone of the major vampiric antagonistsinBuffyandAngel.Though she is not one of the more physically imposing vampires, she delights in all things dark, not above torturing others and daydreaming about their gruesome deaths. It is quite evident that she may be a little more eccentric than most other characters due to Angel killing her family right in front of her eyes before he tortures her, completely shattering her sanity.
Now, Drusilla is the tormentor, torturing others at first with Spike, before she starts to grow closer to Angelus. She eventually departs Sunnydale, leaving for LA in Season 5, but fans have the delight of seeing her through flashbacks.
4Cordelia Chase
Cordelia Is More Than A Vapid Popular Girl
One of the more reluctantmembers of the Scooby Gang, Cordelia Chase is initially introduced as the cliché popular high school girl, always followed by her clique of fellow mean girls, and always giving students like Willow a hard time. One might expect Cordelia not to be one of the greatest and most beloved characters of all time, but she breaks the pattern by breaking the mold.
She proves she is more than what people see on the surface by confessing to Buffy that she knows her friends only care about her because they want to be the popular ones, and she feels genuinely lonely even when surrounded by all of her friends. She also proves sincerity and compassion by agreeing to give Buffy a ride home in Season 3 when it is clear she is upset and troubled, no questions asked. For those who would take the effort to look beyond the surface, they would see what a multifaceted character Cordelia truly is.
3Willow Rosenberg
The Intelligent & Magically Inclined Best Friend
One of Buffy’s first allies, Willow is a faithful member of the Scooby Gang, dedicating herself to studying every new threat that they face, and not afraid to bust out her magic to aid Buffy now and again. Her unfortunate addiction to magic does occasionally cause friction with her friends, and Tara’s death sees Willow become an avatar for bloody vengeance, but for the most part, Willow is the kind and shy nerd next door.
One of the main draws of Willow is the drastic change her character goes through. Starting as an introverted nerd who is in way over her head, she becomes stronger and braver over time, especially when her magic powers manifest, which does help her become a reliable ally, for the most part. Dark Willow notwithstanding, she is the girl a slayer would want in their corner.
2Faith Lehane
The Slayer That Gave Buffy A Run For Her Money
There is one slayer in every generation, and the death of another slayer awakens another potential to answer her calling. With Buffy having died, another slayer is then awoken, who also died, resulting in Faith and Buffy both being slayers.
Faith’s way of slaying is a little different from Buffy’s, as she is far more vicious and merciless. Faith also has a meaner, wild girl streak which sometimes leads to the two to butt heads, but ultimately, she joins in the fight against the First. Her fierce yet fun personality makes Faith one of the most popular characters, and hands down one of the best slayers of all.
1Buffy Summers
The Chosen One Carries The Weight Of The World On Her Shoulders
Who else would be the best character in all of theBuffy the Vampire Slayercast but the slayer herself, the one saddled with the responsibility of protecting Sunnydale from all the creatures that come pouring out of the Hellmouth?
Sassy, fierce, and the strongest of all, it is little wonder that Buffy is often the fan favorite character, as without her, there would be no show. Her character also grows throughout the series, becoming far more emotionally vulnerable after her resurrection, which truly makes the audience feel for her without losing an edge to her slayer side. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s performance was thoroughly captivating and engaging, breathing true life into the slayer, balancing the badass monster killer and ordinary high school girl perfectly.
