From the 1990s to the late-2000s, shojo anime was famous in the West. Titles like Ouran High School Host Club, Nana, and 2001's Fruits Basket dominated the genre, but their popularity didn't last long. Studios began releasing more shonen and seinen anime, and the 2010s birthed the more well-known isekai. By the end of the decade, shojo was a dying genre.
However, fans began looking outside the male-dominated genres and rediscovered shojo. It started with female-oriented manga gaining wider audiences and, complemented with the 2019 remake of Fruits Basket, gave the genre another chance. Social media also brought shojo anime to light, creating beloved classics out of those lost to time.
10 A Plot Like Fruits Basket Was Just What The Shojo Community Needed
Shojo started losing popularity in the late 2000s. The 2010s brought more shonen and seinen-based titles, and the action-packed plotlines kept fans entertained. However, no one expected a remake like Fruits Basket would breathe new life into the shojo genre.
Fruits Basket first aired in 2001, but it couldn't follow the source material, which was still ongoing at the time. Over a decade later, the remake gave fans more than they expected. Fruits Basket looks like a light-hearted love triangle at first glance, but with each passing episode, the plot reveals deeper and darker layers.
9 Kimi Ni Todoke Regained Popularity 13 Years Later
In recent years, Kimi Ni Todoke has become a household name among younger anime fans. Sawako and Shota's simple but wholesome romance is a welcome refresher to action-packed shonen or long-titled isekai harem anime.
Kimi Ni Todoke aired in 2009 and gained a small fanbase among shojo fans, but its popularity never extended past the shojo community. TikTok played a significant part in Kimi Ni Todoke's return to the spotlight. Many fans believe this sweet shojo is a blueprint for future shojo romances to follow.
8 Natsume's Book Of Friends Is The Perfect Mix Of Iyashikei, Fantasy & Bittersweet Family Drama
Though male shojo protagonists aren't very common, it's a nice change to see such a female-oriented story told from a different perspective. Natsume's Book of Friends' Takashi must juggle an ordinary life while dealing with the supernatural beings that follow him.
Takashi's past was sad and even hard to watch. Rumored to be "creepy" because of his supernatural sight, he's passed between family members and had difficulty making friends. Now, Takashi lives with distant relatives and does what he can to hide his secret. Even with his difficult childhood, the overall plot follows the traits of an iyashikei anime. Takashi is a kind, compelling character to watch as he investigates his grandmother, who's connected to his supernatural abilities.
7 Nana's Storytelling Is Too Good To Ignore
Ai Yazawa is a fantastic storyteller, and it's great to know younger anime fans greatly appreciate her works. Nana is her most popular series in the West — her fashionable characters and their intense romantic relationships create quite the stir.
It seemed like an innocent coincidence that two women named Nana became roommates in Tokyo. One Nana wants her band to make it big, while the other Nana wants to create a new life for herself. But Yazawa's unique art style and compelling storytelling find clever ways to intertwine their lives more closely.
6 Banana Fish Is Not Like Most Shojo
Airing in 2018, Banana Fish established itself as the opposite of what most fans considered "shojo anime." It's not strange to see shojo with darker or even mature themes, but few have had complete anime adaptations. Banana Fish was the starting point and did a fantastic job highlighting these dark themes.
Ash has lived under a crime boss' control for most of his childhood, his innocence quickly stolen from him. He wants answers on behalf of his older brother, whose war trauma severely affects his mental health. The only clue Ash has is "banana fish." This heart-stopping thriller surprised the anime community, pulling no punches with the realities of the crime world.
5 Finding A Place To Belong Is Kamisama Kiss' Main Premise
A shojo romance like Kamisama Kiss highlights the fantastical elements behind Japanese culture. Supernatural series have a way of immersing viewers into their strange but enticing world, and this anime goes above and beyond with its world-building.
After becoming a shrine deity, Nanami unknowingly steps into a world of diverse and colorful mythical beings. Fans see the good-hearted heroine struggling with homelessness and can't help but cheer for her. Nanami's kindness earns her a home and people who care for her — not to mention a caring and protective lover.
4 Strong Heroines Like Maid-Sama!'s Misaki Are Very Much Welcome
Maid-sama! aired just a year after Kimi Ni Todoke, but the anime boom on TikTok helped it attract a new audience. Intelligent, straight-laced, and athletic, Misaki is a fantastic modern-day heroine who doesn't let anyone mess with her.
But, it's not just Misaki that's entertaining to watch. Her romantic interest, Takumi, is her perfect foil. He knows what to say to get under her skin, and he is more than willing to protect her. Maid-sama! is full of hilarity and Misaki and Takumi's bickering keeps fans on their toes. It's a perfect blend of comedy and romance.
3 Reverse Harem Anime Like Ouran High School Host Club Should Be More Popular
One of the most classic reverse harem shojo anime is Ouran High School Host Club. The plot is almost too ridiculous to believe, but it serves as a satirical take on the shojo genre. Regardless, it's entertaining enough as a classic.
Haruhi's interactions with her fellow host club members usually result from her irritation with their ignorance of ordinary folk. She never changes herself to appeal to her wealthy classmates, making her a well-rounded and likable heroine. Old and young anime fans look to her for inspiration, enjoying her down-to-earth demeanor in a very head-in-the-clouds world.
2 A Heroine Like Yona Of The Dawn's Is Hard To Come By
Like Kimi Ni Todoke, it took a while for Yona of the Dawn to reach larger audiences. Instead of a simple high school romance, this historical anime focuses more on Yona's fight for her throne.
The journey Yona takes after fleeing her kingdom is phenomenal, as she learns to fight for herself. The mythical Four Dragons are impeccable fighters and Yona's loyal supporters. Their relationship is heartwarming and even funny to watch at times. Fans can agree that Yona of the Dawn needs another season.
1 Snow White With The Red Hair Gives Cottagecore Fans What They Want
An anime like Snow White with the Red Hair is every cottagecore anime fan's dream. Everything about this anime is beautifully simple, from the extraordinary scenery to Shirayuki and Zen's wholesome romance. It follows the iyashikei subgenre since the plotline doesn't include much action or suspense, but it still manages to keep audiences' attention.
After escaping from a spoiled prince, Shirayuki makes a home for herself in a neighboring kingdom. Her new life is filled with peace as she starts working as a palace herbalist. She meets the prince and his guards, who become her closest friends. Snow White with the Red Hair is a fantastic story about an independent heroine taking control of her life.