Okay, let’s talk about The Walking Dead for a bit. We all have our favorite characters. Some of us love Daryl for his rugged charm, while others root for Rick because he’s the ultimate leader. But there’s one hero who deserves way more love than she gets. That beloved character is Michonne (Danai Gurira).
Think about it. This is the woman who shows up with nothing but a katana, a few sharp instincts, and a whole lot of attitude, and somehow becomes the glue holding everyone together. She’s brave enough to face an endless horde of walkers, smart enough to outthink the bad guys, and fiercely loyal to the people she cares about, even when the world seems determined to tear them apart. And yet, for all that, she doesn’t always get the fanfare that Rick or Daryl get. Honestly, I don’t get it.
When we're first introduced to Michonne, she’s mysterious, guarded, and almost untouchable, walking through the apocalypse with two armless, jawless walkers in tow like it’s no big deal. That first impression immediately tells you she’s not someone to be underestimated or messed with. But as the story unfolds, we see so much more.
We see a woman with a deeply caring heart, a sharp strategic mind, and an unshakable sense of morality. She forms strong bonds, takes on leadership roles, and protects her chosen family with a fierceness that few characters can match.
What's also great about Michonne is that she never loses sight of who she is. She’s a warrior, a protector, a strategist, and, at her core, a person who believes in doing the right thing, even when the world has forgotten what “right” means. Every choice she makes, every risk she takes, reveals a hero who leads not for recognition or power, but out of love, duty, and an unyielding commitment to those she cares about.
I'm not saying that any of the other survivors don’t have their moments of heroism because they certainly do. I just want to put the spotlight on Michonne because her heroism often goes overlooked. Her name deserves to come up more in these discussions about what it truly means to be a hero in The Walking Dead because she embodies every quality a hero should.
Gurira stars as Michonne in The Walking Dead seasons 3 to 11. She also reprises the role in the spinoff series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. You can stream the original series on Netflix, while The Ones Who Live can be watched on AMC+.