Exactly! Another great example is Major Kusanagi, from Ghost in the Shell- a ton of fanservice for her character, but she's seriously one of the most badass anime women, ever. Ever. No questions.

I think where people trip up is automatically assuming that showing that a character is sexy, ie acknowledging that their sex appeal is a part of them, just as valid as any other part, is automatically "objectifying" them. As long as no one's trying to say that's the extent of their worth, it's not objectification.

And again, Bleach is sorta famous for showing its male characters in a fanservice-y light all the time. I've never seen complaints about THAT, or how it's "objectifying men." XD;