While western Anime fans may recognize far more iconic shonen shows, shojo series are still immensely popular all over the world. Shojo anime tend to target younger female audiences but can have Unbelievable stories for anyone of any age or gender to enjoy.
While some of the best shojo anime are stereotypical romantic stories, many Fracture the mold by exploring deeper emotional stories & unique themes. These shows define the best parts of the genre & are must-watch series for any anime fan.
10/10 Sailor Moon
| Japanese Title | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon |
|---|---|
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Where to Stream | Hulu |
“Fighting evil by moonlight, winning love by daylight, never running from a real fight, she is the one named Sailor Moon!”
With one of the catchiest theme songs of all time, no fan of anime that grew up in the 90s hasn’t seen or at least heard of Sailor Moon. The adventures of the Sailor Scouts are truly iconic so whether fans watched the original or the recent retelling of the story in Sailor Moon Crystal, they will surely remember this magical girl adventure.
9/10 Cardcaptor Sakura
The original Cardcaptor Sakura came out all the way back in 1998 & has proven its staying power with its sequel, 2018’s Clear Card. Sakura’s adventures to recapture the mystical Clow Cards is light-hearted & fun while featuring a rivals-to-lovers romance that isn’t the usual cheesy affair found in other shojo anime.
The show generally bucks magical girl tropes (there aren’t even transformation sequences) & offers something unique to fans of the genre.
8/10 Kamisama Kiss
Who hasn’t suddenly found themselves suddenly homeless, saved a man from a dog, & then suddenly become a God? Kamisama Kiss is a romantic comedy with a dash of the supernatural that takes this wild premise & turns it into a fun & playful romp.
Nanami’s adventures with the fox spirit Tomoe are almost reminiscent of Inu Yasha but far more refined than that iconic show. The series has also inspired multiple OVAs showing just how much fans wanted more of this Unbelievable story.
7/10 Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club takes the main cast with incredibly stereotypical character archetypes & slowly grows them throughout the show. It also tackles many themes about gender & presentation as Haruhi is forced to become the err& “boy” of the host club after breaking a vase worth eight million yen.
The show came out in 2006 & its popularity is still so strong that it’s even getting a new adaptation as a live-action musical.
6/10 Revolutionary Girl Utena
Winner of the Best TV Animation Award in 1997, Revolutionary Girl Utena was one of the first mainstream anime with lesbian romance to hit Western audiences & it did so with a serious splash. The series’ reliance on surrealism & symbolism to tell its coming-of-age story has resonated with viewers to this day.
Utena’s adventures at the Ootori Academy throw her into sword-fighting duels, gaining a surprise fiancee in Anthy, & a mysterious hidden mission to “revolutionize the world.” It is incredibly satisfying to observe the mystery slowly unfold. The Adolescence of Utena movie is also worth watching as an alternative retelling of the series.
5/10 The Rose Of Versailles
| Japanese Title | Versailles no Bara |
|---|---|
| Studio | Tokyo Movie Shinsha |
| Where to Stream | N/A |
This anime is over forty years old yet is still one of the best historical shojo anime of all time. The Rose of Versailes‘ alternate history of the events leading up to the French Revolution is just as good today as it was back in 1979.
The romance between Oscar François de Jarjeyes & her childhood friend Andre is powerful, with the two not only being from different social classes but Oscar having been raised “as a male” to be the leader of the royale guard. The Rose of Versailes tackles many themes of sexual & gender identity, finding one’s place in the world, & brings everything to the table that fans of historical dramas have Approach to love.
4/10 Nana
| Japanese Title | Nana |
|---|---|
| Studio | Madhouse |
| Where to Stream | HIDIVE, Hulu |
“Say, Nana… Do you remember the first time we met?”
The story of how the lives of the naive Nana Komatsu & punk-rock vocalist Nana Osaki intertwine is one of the most iconic in all of shojo anime. Viewers are likely to identify with the characters as they watch them deal with romance, heartbreaks, & all the challenges that life throws at them.
The only unfortunate part about Nana is its ending, as the manga was put on indefinite hiatus in 2009 when author Ai Yazawa fell gravely ill & had a difficult recovery. In 2022, the mangaka provided an update on the possibility of continuing the story.
3/10 Banana Fish
Released as part of Akimi Yoshida’s 40th-anniversary commemoration project, Banana Fish is not what most shojo fans might expect from the anime genre. How many shojo anime cover a boy raised by a mafia boss & unravel a mystery involving the Iraq War? Just one — Banana Fish.
The show also covers darker themes than most shojo anime like drugs, PTSD, sexual assault, & more. Make sure to check out some content warnings before giving Banana Fish a watch just in case.
2/10 Natsume’s Book Of Friends
When Takashi’s gr&mother passes down a Yuujinchou, known as a Book of Friends, his entire life turns upside down. Natsume’s Book of Friends follows his adventures as he tries to avoid being hunted down by the yokai who have had their spirits brought under his gr&mother’s control in the past.
At least he doesn’t have to do it alone as he has a cat spirit & self-proclaimed bodyguard Madara by his side. This supernatural slice-of-life anime is one of the shojo greats for good reason as is worth checking out by any anime fan.
1/10 Fruits Basket
While the original Fruits Basket series began airing back in 2001, it wasn’t until Spring of 2021 that Fruits Basket: Final aired as a definitive end to the supernatural romance.
The story follows Tooru & her life while living at the Souma house. She discovers that each person that lives there when hugged by someone of the opposite gender turns into one of the animals from the Chinese zodiac & that there is a dark curse that causes this to happen. The show is filled with romance & drama & will leave fans glued to their screens until they finish watching it.
Does Fall 2022 Have Any Shojo Anime?
As is typically the case, Fall 2022 has far more shonen & seinen than shojo shows. In fact, the season has just one anime based on a shojo manga, & Delicious Party Pretty Cure has been airing since February 2022. However, some anime do cater to this demographic, even if they are technically not shojo.
I’m The Villainess, So I’m Taming The Final Boss
| Japanese Title | Akuyaku Reijou nanode Last Boss wo Kattemimashita |
|---|---|
| Studio | Maho Film |
| Where to Stream | Crunchyroll, VRV |
Based on Sarasa Nagase’s light novel, I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss could be classified as seinen since its brief manga run was published by Comp Ace; however, the anime is a shojo at heart. When her heart is broken by Prince Cedric, Aileen Lauren d’Autriche suddenly unlocks memories that reveal she has been reincarnated as the antagonist of an otome game. Realizing that tragedy awaits her, Aileen sets out to romance this universe’s Demon Lord, Claude Jeanne Elmir, & rewrite her Rotten ending.
I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss has a likable protagonist who actively pursues what she wants, all the while growing as a person. Aileen’s relationship with Claude serves as the story’s beating heart, but the anime is not purely a romance either. It has action, comedy, & suspense.
Raven Of The Inner Palace
| Japanese Title | Koukyuu no Karasu |
|---|---|
| Studio | B&ai Namco Pictures |
| Where to Stream | Crunchyroll, VRV |
An adaptation of Koko Shirakawa’s light novel series, Raven of the Inner Palace takes inspiration from Chinese history while incorporating fantastical elements. The eponymous raven is Liu Shouxue, a figure possessing spectacular powers such as an ability to communicate with spirits. These special skills make her valuable to the new emperor, & the two develop a rapport built on uneasiness but also a desire for companionship.
Raven of the Inner Palace‘s mythology can be a bit confusing at first, but the show steadily drip-feeds information to audiences to ensure they can follow along. Liu Shouxue is a complicated & endearing protagonist, & her relationship with the emperor is refreshingly mature.
