Magical girl anime has become a subgenre of its own through the years. While some might argue that the genre is solely aimed at a young girls' audience, loyal anime fans would beg to differ. This subgenre has had many remarkable changes up to this day, evolving from simple plots to realistic scenarios and characters who face relatable struggles.

Related: 10 Most Relatable Magical Girl Protagonists

In the past, a typical magical girl wouldn't have dared face serious enemies, no actual deaths were involved, and the main character was nothing short of delicate and feminine. Luckily, the magical girls subgenre caught up with the age of its audience, leaving behind the stereotypical behaviour and adopting new and realistic ways of keeping them invested. While this newfound practicality is something to be praised, some series should remain playful and unusual as they were perfectly constructed that way.

10 Should Have A Reboot: Shugo Chara's Message Needs More Gravitas

Shugo Chara Amu Hinamori

Shugo Chara follows the story of Hinamori Amu, a girl who wishes to be herself in front of everybody but cannot seem to do so as she's all too used to putting up a front, appearing disinterested when she can be pretty childish and girly. Naturally, she's not the only kid struggling to be her true self. Following their wishes, the main characters and Amu herself get to meet their shugo chara, their would-be-selves.

They bear the strain of holding on to their true selves while Amu and the guardians fight to keep every child's heart egg uncorrupted by the greedy Easter corporation. This lovable concept deserves a more serious reboot, all the while teaching audiences to not give up on their dreams.

9 Should Stay Whimsical: Princess Tutu's Whimsical Setup Is Perfect As Is

Princess Tutu from Princess Tutu anime

Princess Tutu is a series based on the illustrious Swan Lake and the wonderful world of ballet. Told from the perspective of a story-teller, the fairytale characters literally come alive and mingle in the real world to find an ending to their unfinished story.

Princess Tutu is in fact, a duck, who wishes to aid a prince in recovering his heart which was shattered in order to seal the evil raven. The flow of the series is the very definition of quirky in the best possible way. Princess Tutu remains one of the warmest classics which fans of magical girls can enjoy. It has no need for changes.

8 Should Have A Reboot: Tokyo Mew Mew Could Stand To Be More Realistic

Tokyo Mew Mew

Tokyo Mew Mew is a bright, colorful series featuring a group of middle school girls who share the D.N.A of endangered animal species and use their powers to ward off evil and chimera animals, thus protecting said species. Ichigo Momomiya, the leader of their group, has merged with the D.N.A of an Iriomote Cat.

While enjoyable to watch, this series could benefit from a reboot, giving it a sense of urgency and a much-needed drop of realism. The characters themselves are in need of more development, and facing the dangers of real loss would be the perfect medium to prolong their stay in fan's hearts long after the series had ended.

7 Should Stay Whimsical: Cardcaptor Sakura Strikes A Perfect Balance

Cardcaptor Sakura

A beloved classic series, Cardcaptor is easily recognized as one of the best magical girl series out there. Kinomoto Sakura is an elementary school girl tasked with capturing the scattered Clow cards, created and brought to life by a great magician.

Sakura has a very visible development through the series all the while being relatable and loved by the audience for her kind-hearted nature and effort to achieve her best. With a gorgeous cast of unforgettable characters and beautiful story development, this series does not need a reboot as it makes no effort to engrave itself in the hearts of viewers for a long time to come.

6 Should Have A Reboot: Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne Is Way Too Underrated

Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne

Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne follows Kusakabe Maron, a sixteen year old girl who lives alone and fights off demons as the reincarnation of Jeanne d'Arc. Under the guise of a thief stealing precious pieces of art, Jeanne cleanses only the pieces that have been inhabited by demons.

Related: The 5 Best Couples in Magical Girl Anime (& 5 Of The Worst)

Her best friend, Miyako Todaiji is the daughter of a detective in charge of catching Jeanne d'Arc. Miyako is more passionate about her capture than her own father and always tries to get in the way of Jeanne's "stealing."  It's possible that a gritty approach is exactly what this underrated series needs to be strongly remembered.

5 Should Stay Whimsical: Flip Flappers Already Takes The Viewer On An Unforgettable Adventure

Flip Flappers

Flip Flappers introduces fans to the quirky world of Peculiar Illusion where two middle school girls go adventuring together in the search of crystal shards. Wherever there is adventure, danger inevitably awaits. Papika and Cocona learn to transform by using their crystals, but most of all, their feelings for one another.

While the flow of this series is at times confusing and not very clear, it has a unique approach, focusing more on the girls' friendship and the importance of fun. With its intrinsic design and overly colorful world, Flip Flappers takes the audience on a trip similar to Alice in Wonderland and should need no further changes.

4 Should Have A Reboot: Sugar Sugar Rune Lacks Depth And Development

Sugar Sugar Rune Anime

Chocolat Meilleure and Vanilla Mieux are two young witches selected by the magical world as potential future Queens. They are sent to the human world in order to hone their skills by stealing the hearts of those who have fallen for them, which is a valuable currency in the magical world.

The show could have gone further with this idea, giving it a more serious approach. Maybe not as serious as Puella Magi Madoka Magica, but enough to fill the series with a sense of gravity, thus giving the characters more depth and a chance to develop and stay with the audience for longer than the series spans.

3 Should Stay Whimsical: Ojamajo Doremi Is Both Jolly And Serious In The Right Amounts

Ojamajo Doremi Witches Helping Santa

Doremi is a spoiled but lovable middle school girl who thinks her stable life is unfortunate and wants to be a witch so she can solve her problems with magic. One day, she walks into a mysterious shop where she exposes the owner for being a witch, thus turning her into a frog.

Now Doremi must become her apprentice in order to turn her back into a witch. Later on she is joined by two other girls and their journey of fun and growth is explored in a playful but also solid manner. The series gives the impression of a perfect balance between jolly and serious.

2 Should Get A Reboot: Tweeny Witches Failed To Connect With Audiences

Anime Tweeny Witches Trio

Not a very popular series, Tweeny Witches is the story of Arusu, a young girl who believes in magic and its use for fun and good deeds. However, when she is suddenly transported to the magical world, the witches there are anything but fun. They enslave the native fairies of the land and only seek power and control.

Related: 5 Strongest Magical Girls (& 5 Weakest)

Arusu sets out to change this world, along with two other apprentice witches. While the concept of this anime is wonderful, there is a lack of presence throughout the series that fails to have the audience connect with the story and characters.  A reboot where their world would feel real and the characters more grounded would greatly help this series.

1 Should Stay Whimsical: Little Witch Academia Is The Perfect Magical Adventure

Akko and friends activate magic in Little Witch Academia anime

Atsuko Kagari enrolls in Luna Nova Magical Academy after being inspired by Shiny Chariot as a kid. However, Akko is challenged by her lack of magic and the fact that Chariot is mocked as a witch because of the way she used her powers for entertainment.

Fans are thrown into a wonderful world of adventure where the ideal purpose of magic is a controversial subject, and Akko, while at times too loud and eccentric, shows great potential and place for character development. This series went in the right direction, balancing everything just right.

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