In the Middle

It’s important to note that this list isn’t focused exclusively on abs. If we were simply discussing who had the most impressive physique, the Amazon from Dragon’s Crown and Daidouji from Senra Kagura would be battling it out for the top spot. This isn’t to say that I don’t appreciate a well-toned stomach, however. Lady Urbosa has obviously done some sit-ups in her day, but she managed to keep an hourglass figure and an impossibly thin waist. Her unreal proportions correlate to her personality, and her strong core could be seen as a reflection of her strong will. The Gerudo chieftain was easily the most celebrated warrior in her tribe, and her abs are indicative of a woman who has achieved a perfect balance between power and beauty. Gerudo women are known for their midriffs, but Urbosa stands above them all.

It would be very easy for a list like this to devolve into a competition of who shows the most skin. After all, it’s difficult to talk about someone’s midriff if you can’t see it. Tharja’s Egyptian-inspired body stocking technically counts as clothing, but it conforms to her body and is almost entirely see-through. She has a slender waist and you can almost see her ribs, but her navel area is well-defined. The Japanese version of Fire Emblem Awakening plainly acknowledged that she had the “nicest body in the army.” The rebellious dark mage has a jealous streak and has been known to place hexes on men (and women) that she wants to bang, but I question why anyone would need magic when they have a body like hers. She’s the type of girl who will murder you while you sleep, but her brooding personality doesn’t make her any less attractive.

Most of the women mentioned on this list are obvious choices for the most part. Martial artists and cheerleaders bare their midriffs in real life, after all, and scantily-clad women have always been a staple of the fantasy genre. A mechanic that shows her midriff is not something we see every day, however. When you think of mechanics, you probably envision overweight men with beards and greasy overalls. Cindy Aurum completely shatters the tired stereotype, and her exposed skin serves as a constant reminder that dainty women are perfectly capable of picking up a wrench. Critics insist that her outfit is inappropriate for her occupation, but her customers have the utmost faith in her abilities. The belle of the body shop has a sterling reputation, and her toned stomach is the mark of a hard-working woman who challenges societal norms.

No celebrity is more closely tied to the midriff-baring craze than Britney Spears. Her iconic schoolgirl outfit from the …Baby One More Time video kicked off a new fashion trend and inspired a generation of girls to flaunt their tummies. Juliet Starling is cut from the same cloth, and the bubbly senior from San Romero High encapsulates the “not so innocent” look that so many young girls strive for. When she’s not busy with her cheerleading duties, she’s likely out hunting zombies or practicing karate. All of these pastimes require unreal athleticism and acrobatic capabilities, so Juliet’s flat stomach is a testament to all the exercise she gets. It’s not surprising that most of her outfits leave her navel exposed. She’s a ditzy gal with a short attention span, but Juliet knows how to keep them interested.

Most of the midriffs on this list speak for themselves, but Poison is a special case since her muscle tone changes drastically from one outing to the next. In some games, she has a remarkably slender waist. In other games, she’s a hard-bodied gal with washboard abs. She’s scorching hot in every outing, however, so her placement on this list is completely justified. Whether she’s rail-thin like a supermodel or well-defined like a fitness model, her wardrobe usually consists of skimpy crop tops and low-riding cutoffs. In other words, her sexy stomach is almost always on display. Poison has always been defined by her ambiguity, and her ever-changing physique has no doubt contributed to her popularity within the fanart and cosplay communities. Variety is the spice of life, and they don’t get much spicier than Poison.

Seemingly every woman from Shantae’s universe has similar proportions, so you could argue that her hourglass figure is a reflection of a particular art style rather than a reflection of Shantae herself. That being said, this list wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from gaming’s greatest belly dancer. After all, her mesmerizing midriff is one of the things that defines her as a character. As the half-genie hero defends her town from invading pirates, Shantae gains special abilities by performing magical belly dances. Her abdominal area is accentuated by a wardrobe that consists of harem pants and bikini tops, and even her jammies highlight her mid-section! Shantae isn’t overtly sexualized like some of the women on this list, but she’s a total babe nonetheless. She looks good without even trying.

Seong Mi-na grew up in a Korean dojang and she was surrounded by weapons for her entire life. Although she was skilled with an assortment of weapons, she was especially proficient with a the naginata. This pole-type weapon helped create spacing between herself and potential opponents, and it obviously did wonders for her abs as well. You simply can’t use a weapon like that unless you have a strong core. Seong Mi-na has been featured in every game in the Soul series (beginning with Soul Edge in 1995), and she rarely sees a need to cover her abdomen. Maybe she doesn’t want to trade speed for protection, or perhaps she’s confident in her ability to keep her distance in combat. In either regard, I’m glad she’s willing to put the goods on display. She has little interest in men, but most of them are smitten with her.

For the uninitiated, the Fate series revolves around heroic spirits that participate in intense battle royales to determine the ownership of the Holy Grail. These spirits are manifestations of legendary figures from history, mythology, and fiction. Saber’s true identity is Emperor Nero of Rome (just go with it), but she evolves into Saber Venus after obtaining the War God’s Sword and combining it with her own energy. She speaks of herself as a goddess, so it’s fitting that her outfit exudes as much confidence as her personality. Many of the girls from Fate could have been mentioned on this list, but none are more reliant on double-sided tape than Saber Venus. That low-rise thong barely counts as clothing, but her outfit underlines the contours of her body and highlights her midriff in its entirety. Wow!

Tekken 4 was highly experimental in nature, and fans had mixed feelings about some of the new features. There was one notable addition to the game that received universal praise, however. Of course, I’m talking about the incomparable Christie Monteiro. This Brazilian hottie was a master of capoeira and arguably the most graceful fighter in the entire series. She has curves in all the right places, and she’s nice enough to show them off. She’s relatively conservative from the waist down, but her jaw-dropping bikini tops maximize her under-boob and accentuate her captivating midriff. Whether she’s catching her opponents with sweeping kicks or dancing freely after a victory, Christie’s body is a fluid wave of motion whenever she moves her waist. You’ve really gotta appreciate how lively and energetic she is.

As the princess of the Firewood Kingdom, Tyris Flare lived a peaceful life until an evil army invaded and slaughtered her family. With revenge on her mind, she trained with the Amazons and mastered the art of swordsmanship. Swinging a sword around all day apparently does wonders for your core, and Tyris’ abs are as hot as her fire magic. From the original Golden Axe arcade game to the ill-conceived 2008 reboot, her spectacular midriff has been a focal point of her design from the very beginning. The bikini-clad warrior is strong-willed and hard-bodied, and her skimpy outfits are a reflection of her unshakable confidence. Even though she spends her days fighting skeletons and riding dragons, she doesn’t feel the need to wear armor. The girl’s on a quest to vanquish unspeakable evils, but she looks like she’s ready for a day at the beach!