When it comes to shoujo anime, there are a ridiculous amount of great titles to watch. Shoujo anime is any anime that’s geared toward teenage girls and young women, so it spans a variety of genres (although many of them include romance even if they’re not strictly romance anime). However, for most shoujo lovers, there are several that stand out among them all. Here are the best shoujo anime of all time in no particular order.
Fruits Basket
No best Shoujo anime list would be complete without Fruits Basket. The anime was originally released in 2001 but never made it past a single season and included a few issues that would’ve made it hard to adapt after the manga was completed. However, in 2019, the series was redone and complete, topping the charts in the years the three seasons were released.
The anime follows Tohru Honda as she gets involved with the Soma family, a family that’s been cursed by the Chinese zodiac where they turn into the various zodiac animals. There’s not much to hate about the show with its extensive cast of characters that all feel fleshed out and unique. Plus, the main character is incredibly endearing and has one of the best personalities in all of anime.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale
2023 saw the release of the Sugar Apple Fairy Tale anime, a long-awaited manga adaptation that brought new life to Shoujo anime. The show follows Anne Halford, a young girl who’s recently lost her mother and is working to become a Silver Sugar Master, a title reserved for the best sugar artisans.
In the show, fairies are creatures that are enslaved by humans, and the two races generally abhor one another. Anne’s heart of gold doesn’t let that stop her from trying to advocate for fairies, including one she enslaves/employs, Challe. The two go on a journey to help Anne become a Silver Sugar Master and follow her mom’s aspirations.
Say I Love You
For anyone looking for the best “awkward girl and popular boy” fall-in-love anime, then Say I Love You is the top choice. The 2012 anime follows the story of Mei Tachibana and Yamato Kurosawa as they become closer. The relationship between the two thrusts Mei into society and allows her to explore friendships in general.
The overall concept of Say I Love You isn’t all that unique anymore, but the anime perfects the trope. Mei’s character development isn’t because of Yamato, giving her more strength and independence compared to other Shoujo anime. Seeing Mei make friends and navigate her relationship with Yamato is endearing, painful, and nostalgic all at once.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon is a classic, and while it definitely fits into multiple anime genres, it’s one of the biggest Shoujo anime and manga to ever release. The show follows a group of young girls who are given powers and the ability to transform in order to save the world. The show was first released in 1992, and it’s had multiple movies and a sequel show that’s been released since.
The show’s incredibly progressive, and while localization and censorship teams removed a lot of the controversial topics in the 90s, it’s not hard to see where the show was going. Plus, the sub exists for viewers to see an adaptation closer to the manga.
Snow White with the Red Hair
Sometimes cozying up and watching a light-hearted romance Shoujo anime is the best way to spend time, and Snow White with the Red Hair is one of the best options for this. The anime follows Shirayuki, a commoner who ends up under the protection of Prince Zen. While the first few episodes make it seem like the anime’s dramatic, it’s much more relaxed afterward.
Most of the anime follows Shirayuki’s experiences while rebuilding her life in a foreign kingdom. The show may not have heart-pounding drama or romance, but its gentle nature sets it apart from the majority of Shoujo anime. Plus, the group of friends Shirayuki makes is lovable and heart-warming.