15 Best Shoujo Anime of All Time
From its beginning, shoujo has evolved from being a program that only females watched to the cream of the crop for any anime or manga lover, producing the finest shoujo anime. Shoujo is a subset of the manga business that is largely targeted at adolescent girls.
Shoujo anime like Fruits Basket and Beastars is the enduring masterpieces that keep the attention of true anime fans, whereas shounen anime like Naruto and Dragon Ball Z may be the gateway anime for many takes.
Because of the sophisticated plots, captivating themes, and likable characters found in shoujo anime, the series on this list demonstrates how important shoujo anime has grown in recent years. They also wonder why it is so important for individuals to interact and connect, as well as the difficulties that come with doing so.
What is Shoujo Anime?
In Japanese, the word “girl” or “young lady” is called shoujo. It is therefore simple to infer that it is intended for the readership, which is primarily made up of young ladies and adolescent girls. It’s fascinating to note that most shoujo artists were real men, as evidenced by the fact that the first shoujo magazine was ever published in 1903. Female painters didn’t start coming out of the shadows and exhibiting their works until the 1960s when they were influenced by post-war events, American TV shows, and female empowerment.
The need and justification for the creation of shoujo may have been quite straightforward: women and young girls were finally allowed to be the main characters; previously, their everyday struggles and frequently ignored romantic interests had been brought to light, providing entertainment and fulfillment.
The shoujo genre has been developing since the 1970s in terms of both style and story. The non-offensive and romantic material that defines the shoujo genre is said to be its most crucial aspect.
1. Kaguya-Sama: Love is War
This romantic comedy is set in a prominent high school where the two school council presidents are always at odds with one another, not because of a desire for rank or dominance, but rather to see who will be the first to profess their love to another.
The two main characters in the program are from opposing worlds. The student council president, Miyuki Shirogane, had to battle and claw his way to the top of this famous school without any assistance. He lacks authority and money.
While Kaguya Shinomiya, the show’s title heroine, comes from a wealthy and influential family, she has never worked a day in her life and has instead always shaped herself into the person that everyone around her desired her to be.
Although it is apparent that these two are in love, their feud is far more amusing and raises numerous questions about class conflict and high school life.
2. Boarding School Juliet
As the title indicates, this animation is based on William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, which is frequently plagiarized in literature, film, and anime. Yet, there is another twist to the plot that differs from the typical warring family’s cliché.
Boarding School Juliet completely changes the scenario, but many programs, films, and literature have moved away from the initial family strife to embrace more subtlety to the plot. The two are separated into dormitories with residents from nearby countries who are divided into opposing groups for various school activities.
Yet this doesn’t stop love; like the greats before them, Romio Inuzuka and Juliet Persia fall madly in love and must now keep it a secret from everyone around them while intensely competitive rounds of school activities force them to continually compete against one another.
3. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
On paper, the idea of this one might seem trite and full of clichés, but it has a deeper meaning and adult topics. Our main character is a high school student who just so happens to observe his senpai, who is hiding from everyone but him while donning a bunny girl attire.
You would be deceived since the introduction implies that there would be many love interests and that this is an ecchi anime series. This anime poses issues regarding the effects of high school, media, and phones on young brains rather than depicting the ecchi and harem that every other anime does.
Although the show doesn’t explain what Puberty Syndrome is or how it affects the person, the spectator can see that teens and children in this world experience it.
Popular model and actress Mai, aka The Bunny Girl Senpai, takes a break from the show due to the toll it has had on her life. As a result, Mai becomes completely invisible to the public, which exacerbates her despair.
This anime employs its supernatural element to highlight the struggles and hardships that high school students face in real life that have an impact on their destinies.
4. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun
It’s fascinating to see the artists concoct new gags about the shoujo manga industry and the fans since this one is so directly related to the shoujo anime material.
He assumes that Chiyo Sakura is finally declaring her love to Umetarou Nozaki due to the shoujo manga he creates, but this time, Sakura wants him to see her as a lover rather than a fan.
She continues to be a fan and she also takes on the role of an assistant, but this turns out to be the ideal development for their relationship. They embark on expeditions to discover the sources of inspiration for Sakura’s shoujo manga in each episode.
The writers make this a joyful and engaging journey even if the idea may be overly straightforward and stretched out for a program by using colorful characters and humorous remarks about mangakas in general.
5. Nana
Because Nana is more serious and has mature situations that are uncommon in shoujo anime, it may be viewed as more josei (targeted at women in their late teens or adulthood) than shoujo. Overall, Nana is a wonderful treasure that touches on several topics including drug usage, the drawbacks of celebrity, and heartache.
6. Ao Haru Ride
Can you truly forget your first love? is a theme explored in one of the most well-known shoujo anime, Ao Haru Ride? The anime is based on one of the most popular shoujo manga ever, and it is set in high school with an enthusiastic girl and a repressed, grumpy male.
7. Fruits Basket
It appears that the orphan girl Tooru Honda may be the one to ultimately break the curse, which causes the Souma family members to transform into the Chinese zodiac animals whenever they get a hug from someone of the opposing gender. Furuba supporters still hold out hope for the second season, which would ultimately finish up everything from the manga adaptation, despite the unfortunate fact that the Fruits Basket anime does not completely follow the manga.
8. Bloom Into You
You have always been a fan of shoujo manga and have waited her entire life for a love confession. She doesn’t react at all when a student professes his love for her. Before she meets Nanami, a girl who recently confidently rejected a suitor, You is perplexed and unclear about why she did not behave the way she had always assumed she would. You choose to ask Nanami for advice. She had no idea that Nanami would be the next to tell her she loved her.
9. Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
Misaki Ayuzawa, the first female president of the newly co-ed institution, believes she needs to establish her worth. She ultimately gains the moniker “Demon President” for her rigorous disciplinary methods that are based on her knowledge of aikido.
Misaki, though, is hiding something humiliating. She works part-time at a maid café to support her family financially. And who enters that same café but Takumi Usui, the most well-liked student? The main conflict of this love shoujo anime is determined by how he decides to use this new knowledge about the dangerous class president.
10. Angel Beats!
One day, Otonashi awakens to discover that he has passed away and that all he can recall of his previous existence is his name. In reality, the afterlife is a high school where the pupils must recall and learn how to cope with the pain they endured to be reborn.
It’s difficult to concentrate when the other pupils are equally upset as anything that would have occurred to you when you were living.
11. Your Lie in April
Based on the same-named manga, Your Life in April is a one-season anime that aired between 2014 and 2015. It centers on Kosei, a piano prodigy who suffered a terrible occurrence and afterward lost his ability to perform. He will conquer his phobia and start playing again thanks to his encounter with an eccentric musician who is hiding something.
The world’s greatest compliments would fall short of adequately expressing how incredible this anime is. It’s an emotional rollercoaster with a fantastic soundtrack and stunning visuals. Before beginning, prepare a box of tissues since there will be a lot to process.
12. Orange
One of the most heartbreaking and emotional selections for a shoujo anime. In Orange, Takamiya Naho is introduced. Ten years in the future, Takamiya Naho receives a letter addressed to her in the mail. As a result, Naho embarks on a quest to find out what must have happened in the future for her to feel the need to write this letter to herself.
To shield Naho from danger in the future, Kakeru, a new transfer student, is foretold to arrive. When Kakeru becomes engaged in Naho’s circle, the tale shows how this leads to Naho and Kakeru developing a strong and loving bond.
As this advice Naho has been given is about averting Kakeru’s future descent into depression, the novel paints an accurate picture of how high school relationships and the friendships you have during that time may damage your life.
13. Sailor Moon
The very finest of anime. A lot of material that celebrates women’s liberation has taken cues from the Sailor Moon franchise. Sailor Moon is a unique anime since it was the only one on television at the time with a female lead against the forces of darkness.
Usage, the first magical girl, gets drawn into a battle between powers in a distant world when she resolves to aid Luna, the cat she saved from a collision. She now has to perfect her skills, achieve high marks, and embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
14. Yuri on Ice
Another narrative from the Boys Love genre captured the hearts of many men and women simply because of how watching this anime looked and felt. One of the most beautiful animations you will ever see, and the plot just serves to enhance that reputation.
Yuri on Ice, the show that went viral online, is about an ice figure skater named Yuri getting back in shape so she can compete again. The relationship between student and teacher, Yuri and Victor, and their developing love for both figure skating and each other are shown in this narrative, which is among the greatest LGBTQ+ depictions in any anime.
Similar to the beautifully animated figure skating performances, the romance is sophisticated and graceful. Hope for a quick release of the upcoming season of this incredible instant classic.
15. Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
Of all shoujo anime, Kaichou wa Maid-Sama is one of the most well-known. A confident and attractive man begins having feelings for the class president, who turns out to be a maid who works in a cafe. As her secret is revealed, laughter erupts, and the two quickly realize that they are both quite different individuals when they are not at school.
