As more audiences become exposed to various kinds of anime, quite a few of the older titles sink deep into the sands of time. And whether it be because they're hard for fans to seek out or for other reasons, some forgotten shows deserve to be respected regardless of the year of their release. And this is especially true when it comes to anything from the shoujo genre.
With this list, we'll take a glance at some series and movies you may never knew existed. From tales of simple magical girls to famous emotional tearjerkers, there is something on this list for everyone. So get ready to hop aboard a neon-colored time machine, and let's take a look at 10 retro shoujo anime you're sleeping on!
10 Candy Candy
When it comes to shoujo series, none of them get more aesthetically pleasing than Candy Candy. Created by writer Keiko Nagita, the anime adaptation tells a historical fiction story revolving around Candice "Candy" White Ardley. We meet her as the newest resident of an orphanage and witness various dramatic plotlines that lead her down a path to maturity through tough life lessons.
But what fans have loved the most about this show is the beautiful 70's visuals accompanied by the optimistic feeling at its center. For what Candy Candy proved was that no matter what hardship you faced, you could still take charge as the heroine of your story.
9 Creamy Mami
Do you wish Hanna Montana had a more magical girl vibe? Then Creamy Mami is the anime for you! This show is part of Studio Pierrot's legacy of mahou shoujo (i.e. magical girl) series and is by far the most popular of them all. For not only is it regarded as a classic, but it also defined the visual aesthetics of 80's female-driven anime.
The story revolves around a girl named Yū Morisawa, who one day finds herself with a magical alien made wand. With it, she can transform into an older version of herself - who also happens to become a successful music idol. But can she keep her new persona a secret on both sides? That and many other bits of drama are brought to life in sparkling detail within the series.
8 Princess Knight
The story of Princess Knight revolves around Princess Sapphire - a royal born with both the heart of a boy and a girl. Because of this, her parents decide to raise her as a prince, so that she may rule the kingdom. Of course, such a decision leads to various villains trying to uncover her secret - a journey full of hijinks and classic anime drama.
It is impossible to discuss the shoujo genre without mentioning this landmark title. For much like Walt Disney's Snow White, this Osamu Tezuka creation is one of the reasons we have anything girl-driven in the world of anime. And with its story of gender role breaking, swashbuckling adventure, and other bits of fantasy, it defined the way a generation saw a female protagonist.
7 The Little Mermaid
You likely know the story - mermaid princess turns a significant age, falls for a human prince, and tries to win his heart before the metaphorical clock runs out. But in this anime version, the happiness commonly found in the Disney adaptation is replaced with a much more balanced juxtaposition of whimsy and melancholy.
Though much of anime history has brought classic fairy tales to life, none of them are as iconic as Toei Animation's The Little Mermaid. Sticking much more faithfully to the original Hans Christen Anderson version, this movie combines the sparkly aesthetics of late-70's shoujo with one of the most painful children's stories to ever exist.
6 Aim for the Ace!
If you're a fan of sports-related stories, then Aim for the Ace! is the show for you. Debuting in 1973, this TMS series (adapted from the manga by Sumika Yamamoto) tells the story of Hiromi Oka - a girl whose biggest passion is to become a professional tennis star. But with various struggles getting in her way, Hiromi has to make some tough decisions towards making her dream come true.
And this constant battle has continued to draw in fans for generations - even inspiring new creators to give their spin on this shoujo tale. But no matter which version you watch, Aim for the Ace! never loses any aspect of its dramatic charms.
5 Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl
Back in the late '80s, it could seem impossible to balance your feminine side with your athletic one. And that's precisely the struggle that lead character Yawara faces in her story. For she wants to be a typical teenager, but with her incredible judo skills, and her crazy grandfather pushing her towards joining the Olympic team, Yawara's life seems anything but ordinary.
Though it seems a tad dated in some areas, Yawara! makes it onto this list because of its refreshing simplicity and down-to-earth appeal. The show isn't full of glitter and transformation sequences, but rather real-life stakes that are ridiculous, just like your own.
4 The Rose of Versailles
Considered to be one of the landmark shoujo shows, The Rose of Versailles perfectly blends historical fiction and high stakes in the most fantastical of ways. The series revolves around Oscar François de Jarjayes - a girl raised by her military father in a masculine fashion, who eventually becomes the protector of the Dauphine Marie Antoinette.
As the series progresses, the focus shifts from Oscar to the rest of the Royal Court as the French Revolution slowly unfolds. The first half of the show is full of sparkle and drama, while the second shows more of the realistic view. But by the final episode, it becomes one of the grandest rides in anime history.
3 Red-Haired Anne
With several anime adaptations created over the years, none of the Anne of Green Gables ones have been quite as memorable as Red-Haired Anne from 1979. It perfectly captures the innocence and whimsy of the story but never lacks the emotional pay-off of the original story.
For those unfamiliar, the series focuses on the titular Anne - an orphan who comes to Green Gables farm by accident. But luck and love guide her down a path she never expected. One that allows this quirky dreamer to become the woman she was destined to be.
2 Only Yesterday
Considered to be an underappreciated Studio Ghibli classic, Only Yesterday tells the story of 27-year-old Taeko Okajima. She's unmarried and a working girl in Tokyo who, one day, decides to visit the countryside to take a break from her normal life.
While on this new adventure, Taeko thinks back to her childhood days. We witness everything from her trying different food to discovering both the joys and pains of womanly life. But by the end, you (the audience) tend to gain both respect for Taeko herself, and a new perspective on your crazy journey.
1 Fairy Florence
When you often think of Sanrio, your mind immediately goes to thoughts of stationery, lunch boxes, and of course, Hello Kitty. But Sanrio was also behind a handful of the most beautiful films to ever exist, including Fairy Florence (aka A Journey Through Fairyland in the USA.)
Directed by Masami Hata, the movie tells the story of a teenage musician who begins to fall for a flower fairy. She encourages his love of music - so much that she brings him to her magical world. But emotional stakes come about - making for one pastel filled, yet heartbreaking, adventure.