Cheer We Go Again!

Many of the girls in Senran Kagura have been known to wear cheerleading outfits on occasion, but Yoshimitsu is basically defined by her cheerleading efforts. Cheerleading is predominantly an American tradition, so it makes sense for an American-born gal like Yoshimitsu to be actively involved in the pastime. She dreams of becoming a super ninja, but her blue-and-white outfits wouldn’t look out of place on the sidelines of a Dallas Cowboys game. To her credit, she finds a way to integrate cheerleading routines into her shinobi-related activities. In battle, she’s largely defined by her electrically-charged pom-poms. This is brilliant misdirection on her part. Pom-poms look harmless, after all, and attacking someone with them would be akin to using a pillow as a weapon. I wouldn’t mind being attacked by her pillows, but that’s another topic altogether.

The roster in Asuka 120% is mostly comprised of high school girls, and many of them have athletic backgrounds. We’re introduced to students who dabble in tennis, volleyball, gymnastics, softball, and even wrestling. Megumi Suzuki is the type of person who would rather encourage people than compete with them directly, so she’s the perfect fit for the cheerleading club. Her cheer routines bolster her popularity, and they also serve her in other ways. Incidentally, Ryouran Academy hosts a fighting tournament as part of their annual culture festival. Megumi is one of the smallest girls in her class, but she’s also one of the fastest girls in school. Her acrobatic fighting style borrows heavily from her cheerleading workouts, and she’s resourceful enough to use her pom-poms as weapons. She also has surprisingly large tits!

Rebecca Welsh has been discussed on other lists, under the guise of her rebellious Candy Cane persona. This time around, we’re focusing on her babyface iteration. Becky is an idealized version of Rebecca that gives insight into who she could be if she was in a supportive environment. The cheerful girl keeps herself busy with her studies, but she also finds time for wrestling and cheerleading. Naturally, she incorporates elements from her cheer routines into her wrestling matches. Her agility is almost unmatched in the ring, and her flexibility helps her endure submission maneuvers. She even uses an energetic cheer routine as her entrance music, and she performs elaborate stunts while flanked by other cheerleaders. Her spread eagle jumps and crowd-pleasing backflips highlight her nimbleness before she even steps into the ring!

Mandy Wiles embodies more negative tropes than anyone else on this countdown. She’s a stereotypical alpha bitch who takes a condescending tone with anyone who falls below her on the social ladder. She outright bullies her classmates at Bullworth Academy, and anyone she doesn’t like is refused entry into her cheerleading squad. Her actions are informed by a layer of insecurity, of course, and there are widespread rumors that she has an eating disorder. Mandy considers herself to be the hottest girl in school and dreams of being a model, but her personality is downright ugly. She takes pride in humiliating others, so it’s hard to feel sorry for her when she becomes a victim of bullying. She loses her social status after embarrassing pictures are spread across the academy, and this allows her to be viewed in a more sympathetic light.

The Project X Zone is an ambitious crossover title that features characters from popular Capcom, Sega, and Namco games. There’s a tremendous amount of star power, but the plot revolves a brand new character named Mii Koryuji. Mii is tasked with tracking down an ancient family heirloom that can create rifts between worlds. Her family has been protecting this artifact for many generations, so Mii was trained in the monastic martial arts since she was a young child. It’s obvious that her fighting style was actually derived from her cheerleading routines, however. She often twirls her giant rifle around like a baton, and all of her movements look like they were choreographed ahead of time. Her tutor even encourages her to raise her legs higher in an effort to please her fans! Three cheers for that guy!

Although Satomi Momozono is often given supporting roles, she has appeared in more games than anyone else on this list. She occasionally acts as a manager for various sports clubs, and she also has a gig working at an ice cream parlor. She was originally depicted as a cheerleader, however, and that’s the role she’s most strongly associated with. Satomi has an energetic personality, and she enjoys cheering on her friends from the sidelines. Although most of her adventures are linked with Nekketsu High School, she has also had the opportunity to expand her horizons. In River City Saga, the students of Nekketsu High act out a play based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Assuming the role of Tian Nu, Satomi retains many of her cheerleading attributes despite her second-century surroundings.

In a post-apocalyptic future where the last remnants of humanity are forced underground, drastic measures are taken in order to push back against invading alien forces. On that note, women and children are converted into loyal soldiers called Nikkes. Some of these soldiers are sent to the frontlines while others take on supporting roles. Bay is given a rather unusual assignment, as she’s tasked with leading the city’s cheerleading squad. Her enthusiasm is undeniable, and her underboob makes me want to stand up and cheer! Unfortunately, she suffers from scopophobia and has an intense fear of being stared at. (The girl’s clearly in the wrong line of work, and her uniform certainly isn’t going to divert any attention.) Despite her affliction, Bay confronts her fears and makes sure that her spirited cheers reach every corner of the city.

Although Rival School and its sequel are set in Japan, Tiffany Lords proudly represents America as a foreign exchange student. (It’s unclear who America got in exchange, but it’s safe to say that Japan came out on top.) Cheerleading is largely a product of the United States, and Tiffany is as American as apple pie. Her patriotic outfits draw obvious inspiration from Apollo Creed, and her charisma is undeniable. I love the way she incorporates cheerleading routines into her fights, and her repertoire includes various cartwheels, high kicks, and spread eagle jumps. She’s also outwardly flirtatious and has no qualms if smothering her opponents in her ample cleavage. The girl obviously knows how to work a crowd. Tiffany looks like a 1990s Playboy centerfold, but her personality is somehow even bigger than her rack is.

The Elite Beat Agents are civil servants who provide encouragement to those in need. Their black suits and standard-issue sunglasses make them look like typical government agents, but their lively dance routines are a great source of motivation. Elite Beat Agents was effectively a western take on Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, which was somehow even more over the top. This game (and its sequel) focuses on proper cheer squads who lift spirits through the power of song and dance. Although the games feature both male and female members, I’m recognizing Ryuta Ippongi in the name of gender equality. The hot-blooded weirdo is the leader of the group, and his distinct hairstyle helps him stand out. Whether he’s drumming up business for a ramen stand or helping students study for exams, his enthusiasm is infectious.

Juliet Starling is gaming’s quintessential cheerleader, so her position on this list isn’t surprising. The bubbly captain of San Romero High’s cheer squad attended the Cheerleading Nationals three years in a row, and the hobby informs every aspect of her character. Juliet wears a standard-issue cheerleading outfit even when she’s not on the field, and her enthusiasm is off the charts. She stays optimistic even in the midst of a looming apocalypse, and she beams with self-confidence while she bisects undead hordes with her bedazzled chainsaw. Juliet’s cheerleading skills make her an ideal zombie hunter, and her acrobatic capabilities cannot be denied. The girl has all the makings of a great cheerleader. She’s charismatic, athletic, and drop-dead gorgeous. Most importantly, she’s not afraid to flash her panties if the situation calls for it!