Ranking the Best Shojo Anime Ever (2024)

Shojo is one of the most popular anime genres, targeted particularly at the young female audience. Although shojo is mostly regarded as a demographic rather than a genre, the latter became its identity for the better. Shojo anime have garnered a solid fandom and also revolutionized itself according to every era. The genre typically catered to the “magical girl” anime in its initial days but quickly gained traction as it embraced other genres and sub-genres.

Shojo romance is one of the major sub-genres that has given fans some of the greatest anime love stories of all time. Fans have grown up with classics like Sailor Moon and Fruits Basket and have come to love their remakes equally. From incorporating the most dramatic high school stories to fantasies that go far and beyond, some shojo anime series have etched themselves in the pages of history as the ultimate best.

10 My Happy Marriage Is An Impressive Shojo Action

MAL Score: 7.79

My Happy Marriage

TV-14

Animation

Fantasy

An unhappy young woman from an abusive family is married off to a fearsome and chilly army commander. But the two learn more about each other, love may have a chance.

Release Date

July 5, 2023

Creator

Akumi Agitogi

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1 Season

Studio

Kinema Citrus

Characters By

Reina Ueda, Kaito Ishikawa, Houko Kuwashima

Production Company

Kinema Citrus

Number of Episodes

12 Episodes

My Happy Marriage is one of the few modern shojo anime that has earned itself the title of one of the best shojo romances of recent times. The story of a girl abused and disrespected by her own family and the support she found in the form of her future husband is something that hasn’t been explored much in this medium. However, My Happy Marriage makes it a point to highlight itself not only as a romance but an equally fantastic action shojo with better emotional depth, plot, storytelling, and character development.

Everything is near perfection in My Happy Marriage, from its mesmerizing animation to the themes the show portrays. Miyo and Kiyoka are the embodiment of all things beautiful and healthy about a relationship that stands firm on trust, utmost respect, and love. My Happy Marriage is everything a modern romance story should be all about – free of toxic tropes and powerful.

9 Kimi ni Todoke Is A Timeless Classic That Fans Still Love

MAL Score: 8.01

Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You

TV-PG

Animation

Comedy

Drama

See Also

The 10 Best Shojo Anime Series of All Time, RankedTop 15 Best Shoujo Anime of All Time17 Must-Watch Shojo Anime for Every Romance Genre Fan - OtakuKart10 Best Animated Shojo Anime, Ranked

Romance

Sawako's one wish in life is to make friends. That's a difficult proposition due to her resemblance to Sadako from The Ring. Her life starts to change after she befriends her classmate, Kazehaya, an easygoing guy who is nice even with her.

Release Date

October 6, 2009

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

3

Studio

Production I.G.

Number of Episodes

38

Kimi ni Todoke is a gem in the shojo realm and is hailed as one of the cutest and most heartfelt anime love stories ever. At first glance, the anime would seem like any other shojo romance back in the day, but Kimi ni Todoke outshines typical shojo with its practical approach to high school life. Sawako is a misunderstood young girl who longs for nothing but wholesome interactions with her classmates and to make friends, especially Kazehaya.

Sawako eventually finds her place and manages to make true friends with the help of her pure heart and loving personality. Kimi ni Todoke has one of the best approaches to a friendship-themed love story with the nicest cast and romance that will make anyone’s heart flutter.

8 Kaichou wa Maid-Sama’s Love-and-Hate Relationship is Iconic

MAL Score: 8.00

Maid Sama!

TV-14

Animation

Comedy

Ayuzawa Misaki serves as the student council president at Seika High. However, unbeknownst to her classmates, she works part-time as an employee at a Maid Cafe. Usui Takumi, a boy from her school, discovers this secret.

Release Date

April 2, 2010

Creator

Hiro Fujiwara

Cast

Ayumi Fujimura , Nobuhiko Okamoto , Shiibashi Kazuyoshi , Kana Hanazawa , Yu Kobayashi , Kenichi Suzumura , Riyama Takuya , Kaori Ishihara , Mariya Ise , Kana Asumi , Aki Toyosaki , Kohsuke Toriumi , Yoshimasa Hosoya , Takuma Terashima , Atsushi Abe , Mitsuhiro Ichiki

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1 Season

Production Company

Geneon Universal Entertainment, Hakusensha, J.C. Staff, Movic, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)

Maid-Sama! may have its fair share of downsides for glorifying toxic masculinity and stalkerish behavior, but it’s a romance that has stood the test of time. Today’s viewers may love to hate the clichés so vigorously portrayed in the anime, but there’s no denying that Maid-Sama! is a rom-com that works better with both the tropes and the creativity. Misaki is a strong-willed and talented school president who has to work part-time as a maid to make ends meet.

To keep her reputation intact, Misaki goes to various lengths to protect her after-school activities, but she gets caught by none other than the mischievous Usui. Since he wants to satisfy his infatuation with Misaki, Usui pretends to blackmail her into taking part in his shenanigans – but behind their cute cat-and-mouse game is love that needs the right time to come out.

7 Yona of the Dawn is an Intriguing Story with a Fantasy Backdrop

MAL Score: 8.03

Yona of the Dawn

After being betrayed and run out of her home, the red-haired Princess Yona searches for four legendary dragons to take back her stolen kingdom.

Release Date

October 7, 2014

Creator

Mizuho Kusanagi

Cast

Main Genre

Anime

Rating

T - Teen (Some violence and thematic elements)

Seasons

1

Studio

Pierrot

Main Characters

Yona,hak,son hak,kija,shin-ah,yoon

Number of Episodes

24

Harems and reverse harems are hard to pull off without overdoing the clichés and the romance. However, the balance of action, fantasy, romance, and comedy sets Yona of the Dawn apart. The anime definitely qualifies as a shojo masterpiece for its unique storytelling, impressive character development, and featuring a strong female lead. Yona was a pampered princess who knew nothing beyond the luxuries she was born into.

However, when her crush/cousin betrays her father, she’s forced to flee with her childhood friend and protector, Hak. Yona loses everything overnight, but instead of giving in to her fate, she embarks on a journey to reclaim her throne and destiny. Yona of the Dawn is a beautiful anime that will have the audience rooting for the characters till the very end.

6 Nana Was Ahead of Its Time

MAL Score: 8.54

Nana

TV-MA

Drama

Romance

Musical

Two ostensibly opposite women, both named Nana, become roommates in Tokyo and grow inseparable. However, their relationship is jeopardized as the harsh realities of adult life take shape.

Release Date

April 5, 2006

Creator

Ai Yazawa

Cast

Romi Park , Toshiyuki Morikawa

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

1

Studio

Madhouse

Number of Episodes

47 + 3 Recaps

Nana strays far away from the typical, and that’s why it's hailed as a shojo masterpiece. There’s nothing laid-back about Nana since it's not a clichéd rom-com or a cozy high school drama; it’s about life’s realities and how two people’s choices can lead to different outcomes despite being in the same position. The plot mainly focuses on two young girls, both named “Nana,” as their lives intertwine when they randomly encounter each other on a train. One is a dependent and sheltered girl who is chasing after her boyfriend, while the other is a free-spirited and independent girl who knows what she wants.

One of the best things about Nana is its relatable characters and the way they are written. Almost every viewer can experience a deep connection with at least one of the characters. Nana is unique yet complex, but it’s a story that will involuntarily dive deep into the audience’s hearts.

5 Fruits Basket Is One of the Biggest Names in Shojo

MAL Score 8.21

Fruits Basket (2001)

TV-PG

Comedy

Drama

After her mother's death, Tohru Honda finds herself living with the Sohma family consisting of three cousins: Yuki, the 'prince charming' of their high school, Kyo the hot headed, short tempered outcast, and Shigure the mischievous novelist, if not sometimes that of a pervert.

Release Date

July 5, 2001

Creator

Natsuki Takaya

Cast

Eric Vale , Laura Bailey , Yui Horie

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1 Season

Producer

Daniel Cocanougher

Production Company

Nihon Ad Systems (NAS), TV Tokyo

Number of Episodes

26 Episodes

A true shojo anime fan can’t claim allegiance and devotion to the genre without naming Fruits Basket as one of the best shojo anime of all time. It’s an iconic story and emblem representing the genre’s staples alongside other timeless classics. The secret to Fruits Basket’s success lies in its approach to blending various themes and relying on solid storytelling instead of one-dimensional characters thrown into cringey love triangles or squares.

Tohru's story of finding support (and eventually love) when she needs it the most is inspirational, especially since she’s the kind of heroine who saves others rather than the other way around. Her life gets tangled with the Sohma household and its cursed Zodiac members, but she faces every challenge head-on without blaming her fate and embracing every person around her with open arms and understanding. Although the original anime is iconic, the remake is also worthwhile.

4 Natsume’s Books of Friends Explores Deep Themes and Life Lessons

MAL Score: 8.31

Natsume's Book of Friends

Animation

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

Horror

When Natsume Takashi inherits a book that belonged to his late grandmother he realizes the book is filled with the names of spirits she defeated and bound to her will. He then decides to return their names so they can be free once again.

Release Date

July 7, 2008

Creator

Yuki Midorikawa

Cast

Matthew Elkins , Marisa Duran , Hiroshi Kamiya , Kazuhiko Inoue , Christopher Wehkamp , Miki Itō , Ryōhei Kimura , Hisayoshi Suganuma , Miyuki Sawashiro , Kristian Eros , Hiroshi Shimozaki , Akira Ishida , Kazuma Horie

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

6 Seasons

Producer

Tomomi Kyôtani, Reiko Sasaki, Hirofumi Sugawara, Shûko Yokoyama

Production Company

Brains Base, Shuka, Nihon Ad Systems (NAS)

Number of Episodes

82 (8 – Season 7)

There aren’t many shojo/slice-of-life anime that are as good and thought-provoking as Natsume’s Books of Friends. For viewers who want a break from heavy harems and coming-of-age romance, this anime offers quality content that will have the audience reflecting on their lives. The story mainly revolves around the adventures of a boy named Takashi Natsume, who receives the Book of Friends from his grandmother with a few malevolent spirits trapped inside.

Now, these demons have come back for revenge and wish to harm Takashi, but he’s accompanied by a friendly cat spirit who vows to protect him. Natsume’s Book of Friends doesn’t ooze thrill or love, but it’s a well-paced story about confronting ghosts of the past, reflecting on who people are in loneliness, and how a person can accept themselves for the better.

3 Ouran High School Host Club Is A Cult Classic Comedy

MAL Score: 8.16

Ouran High School Host Club

TV-14

Anime

Romantic Comedy

You'll fall for the Ouran Host Club: Tamaki's truly romantic. Kaoru and Hikaru display brotherly love, Kyoya's brainy, Honey's innocent, and Mori's manly. Oh, and don't forget Haruhi. He knows what girls want, because he's a girl too.

Release Date

April 4, 2006

Cast

Maaya Sakamoto , Mamoru Miyano , Kenichi Suzumura

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

1

Number of Episodes

26

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll , Funimation , Hulu , Tubi

Despite the anime not aging well in a few areas, Ouran High School Club still stands as one of the most well-crafted anime comedies of all time. The shojo anime blends comedy, romance, and drama into a single story that may feel too over-the-top, but it does its best to charm the audience. Haruhi’s misadventures as the “pauper” of Tamaki’s and his rich buddies’ host club are roller-coaster rides of wackiness that will have the viewers rolling in laughter.

Although Haruhi is the heroine who somewhat defies the damsel-in-distress tropes, the real star of the show is definitely Tamaki Suoh. His personality is a toxic combination of innocence and mischievousness that will instantly win viewers’ hearts. There’s nothing too serious about Ouran High School, and that’s why it’s a brilliant comfort shojo anime.

2 Kamisama Kiss Set the Trend For White-Haired Beauties

MAL Score: 8.10

Seasoned fans know that it was Tomoe who popularized the broody white-haired fox spirits that have inspired several characters over the years. Kamisama Kiss is a good-feel show that impressively incorporates lore and connects it via a romance that almost every fan cheers for. The love-hate relationship between Nanami and Tomoe is golden and something that will always make the audience hope that the couple works out in the end.

Nanami and Tomoe’s lives take a 180-degree turn when Nanami is made a deity by a man she rescued, and she becomes the master of the shrine and the spirit residing in it. The shojo anime’s charm and laid-back story make it highly addictive, whether it’s the cute moments between the protagonists or the on-point comedy.

1 Your Lie in April Offers A Bittersweet Experience

MAL Score: 8.6

Your Lie in April

TV-PG

Drama

A piano prodigy who lost his ability to play after suffering a traumatic event in his childhood is forced back into the spotlight by an eccentric girl with a secret of her own.

Release Date

October 9, 2014

Creator

Naoshi Arakawa

Cast

Max Mittelman , Erica Lindbeck , Erica Mendez , Kyle McCarley , Erik Scott Kimerer , Erika Harlacher , Stephanie Sheh , Wendee Lee , Carrie Keranen , Christina Vee

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1

Studio

A-1 Pictures

Your Lie in April is not for the faint of heart; it's not only one of the saddest anime, but it will also play with viewers’ emotions to the point where it’s simply unbearable not to see the “happily ever after.” There’s nothing twisted or dark about Your Lie in April. Rather, it’s a complex yet beautiful depiction of unrequited love. It’s about living life to the fullest and accepting that it's too short to give up on things that a person is passionate about.

Kousei was deemed a piano protégé from a very young age, but his strained relationship with his mother sucked the soul out of him and his love for music. Unable to feel or “hear” music the same way, Kousei rediscovers the very essence of being alive through a girl to whom “life” is the most precious gift. From its impeccable animation to outstanding music, Your Lie in April is an anime masterpiece that is a must-watch for every shojo fan.