Shojo anime targets a niche demographic of young female viewers, which makes the genre far less approachable than its more popular counterpart, shonen. Despite its notoriety, shojo offers the fans myriads of exceptional, critically acclaimed stories. What started as a prejudiced genre disregarded for its shallowness and lack of bite transformed into a multifaceted anime category that all genders and ages enjoy.
Shojo made ways for unconventional stories, diversifying the media’s landscape. Some series were particularly notable for their efforts in setting a higher standard for shojo anime. These shows raise the bar for the genre tremendously, showing the masses the potential shojo holds.
10 Whisper Of The Heart Is A Masterclass Of Shojo Coming-Of-Age Fairy Tales
Studio Ghibli is well-known for its tremendous impact on the anime industry. The legendary director Hayao Miyazaki raised the standard for shojo anime with his 1995 film Whisper of the Heart.
One of the studio's most charming and artistically impressive works, Whisper of the Heart tells a heartwarming coming-of-age story of a teen bookworm Shizuku and her search for purpose. Ghibli’s take on shojo was a sign to consider the genre seriously. Miyazaki proved that shojo storylines are perfect for his magical, timelessly captivating narrative style.
9 Rose Of Versailles Was At The Forefront Of Historical Shojo Romance
Capturing the ambiance of a historical setting without making the story too unrelatable for a modern audience is an art most shojo period dramas can’t perfect. After all, the bar for the genre was set extraordinarily high by Rose of Versailles back in the late 70s.
The series managed to captivate the viewers with the story of Princess Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution, suddenly making history interesting. Outstandingly well-written and more thrilling than fiction, Rose of Versailles aged too well to be outshined anytime soon.
8 His And Her Circumstances Proved That Shojo Doesn’t Need To Be Unrealistic
Masses prominently associate shojo romance with a lack of realism. Yet, not every anime romcom is an escapist fairy tale. Hideaki Anno, the iconic creator behind Neon Genesis Evangelion, showed the world what shojo romance is capable of in his cult-classic series His and Her Circumstances.
Unlike most shallow love stories, Kare Kano commits to authentically portraying the blooming relationship between its leads and stays as close to real life as possible, straying away from sugary fantasies. Anno’s experimental series set the standard for grounded shojo romance stories.
7 No Shojo Series Is Quite As Relaxing As Natsume's Book Of Friends
Somber, soothing, and magically enchanting, Natsume's Book of Friends is one of the most unorthodox shojo series out there. While most shows race to be the most thrilling and entertaining, Natsume's Book of Friends takes a different approach, inviting the viewers to explore the eerily beautiful world of Japanese spirits.
No iyashikei series before Natsume's Book of Friends was as universally beloved, and the franchise soon became synonymous with soul-healing shows, setting the standard for this niche subcategory of slice-of-life from within the shojo genre.
6 Ouran High School Host Club Made People Fall For A Previously Dismissed Genre
At first glance, Ouran High School Host Club doesn’t stand out as anything more than a typical reverse harem romcom. Yet, anyone who gets past the initial preconceptions surrounding the genre understands why this show is held in such high regard.
Ouran High School Host Club cleverly deconstructs the tropes of its genre, turning the clichéd tropes of shojo romance into a revolutionary character exploration. It also remembers to be endlessly entertaining at the same time, charming the fans with witty humor and endlessly lovable heroes.
5 Cardcaptor Sakura Perfected The Magical Girl Formula
Archetypes and clichés exist within media for a reason and, if executed smartly, can contribute to the story’s overall quality. Mahou shojo, or magical girl anime, is often dismissed as a childish, predictable genre.
Yet, the magical girl icon Cardcaptor Sakura managed to charm even the most skeptical viewers. This outstanding series set the standard for mahou shojo, becoming a hit with both kids and adults. Cardcaptor Sakura’s success proves that a creative approach and passion can turn even the most formulaic narrative into a masterpiece.
4 Banana Fish Defied The Limitations Of Shojo
When it comes to shojo, a violent story about New York gangsters is the opposite of conventional expectations. Yet, the action-adventure staple Banana Fish inspired the fans to diversify their perception of shojo anime.
One of the rare shojo series to push the envelope of genre standards, Banana Fish attracted a diverse fanbase. Viewers are often surprised to find this show listed as shojo. Yet, the series' triumph proves that not every well-received show in the genre has to be a cutesy romance or a magical girl flick.
3 Maid Sama! Is The Standard All Romantic Comedies Look Up To
Despite being seemingly indistinguishable from every other shojo romance, Maid Sama! earned the love and adoration of so many dedicated fans. It was the first classic high school love story to capture so many hearts. Maid Sama! perfected every element of classic shojo romcoms.
By holding up an impressively high bar of quality throughout, the show engaged countless people, even those with zero prior interest in shojo, in the bizarre romance between the school’s popular bully and the stern council president with a shameful part-time job.
2 Nana Showcased A Perfect Mature Shojo Series
One of the most mature and nuanced shojo series out there, Nana doesn’t concern itself with genre-specific limitations. Instead of playing into classic shojo tropes, Nana captures the thematic spirit of the genre, centering around different kinds of love.
At its core, the series is all about the tender bond between two friends, both of whom are coincidentally named Nana. Their tale might not look like a typical shojo, yet, Nana’s success set a high bar of gravity and maturity for future shows influenced by this cult classic.
1 Revolutionary Girl Utena Raised The Bar For Every Anime Genre
Staying true to its name, Revolutionary Girl Utena reshaped magical girl anime, showcasing just how much potential this seemingly simple genre holds. Thematically dense, psychologically insightful, and unexpectedly symbolic, this show is an icon of experimental anime.
Expanding its reach and popularity far beyond the shojo genre, Revolutionary Girl Utena influenced anime as a whole, setting a new standard of complexity and intelligent writing for the medium. Even decades after its release, most modern shows of all genres can’t reach the bar this iconic series has set.