Goals are what drive a protagonist. Their motivation to reach their dreams makes viewers emotionally invested in their story and want to cheer them on. Any mishaps or setbacks create a sense of frustration, but seeing the protagonist get back on track is a huge relief. In shojo anime, the protagonist may wish for love or to make friends at their new school.

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While those aspirations are great, some main characters want more than just loyal friends or a heart-stopping romance. Fabulous dreams can include a new career, familial stability, or even going on an unforgettable adventure, and these protagonists won't stop until they get there.

10 Nanami Desires Peace Between Yokai And Humans (Kamisama Kiss)

After becoming the land god of a small-time shrine, Nanami Momozono was still determined to make the best of her situation. She knows next to nothing about her new duties, but she's selfless and more than willing to help anyone in need, even if it annoys Tomoe.

Nanami's open-minded, protective nature and good deeds cultivate long-lasting friendships with anyone she meets. Her biggest dream is for humans and oōkai to live in harmony eventually, and each step she takes moves her further to that goal.

9 Tohru's Dreams Were Still Tied To Her Late Mother (Fruits Basket)

Some viewers may argue that Tohru Honda doesn't have any aspirations. Since her mother's death, she keeps to herself and works a part-time job to support herself. The last thing she wants is to trouble the family that refuses to accept her.

But Fruits Basket showed that Tohru struggles with more than she lets on. Kyoko's death hit her much harder, making it difficult to move on from her loss. Tohru's dream was to stay by her mother's side, which interfered with her growing feelings for Kyo. Closure and the permission to move forward were what she truly aspired for.

8 Usagi Believes Everyone Deserves Love (Sailor Moon)

Sailor Moon's Usagi Tsukino will fight tooth and nail to protect the purest of dreams. But by daylight, she has some of her own, and not all of them have to do with splurging on snacks, crushes, playing video games, and skipping school.

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Even before becoming a Sailor Scout, Usagi strongly believes love can conquer all. No matter who they are, everyone deserves happiness with a special someone. This belief also applies to friendships, as Usagi can see the good in anyone she befriends. She may not realize it, but her friends view her as a leader worth following.

7 Misaki Wants To Help Her Family After Her Father Left (Maid-Sama!)

Disciplined and high-strung, Misaki Ayuzawa strives to keep her school in order as the first female student body president. She dislikes men after her father abandoned their family, leaving them in considerable debt. Through long days of studying and strength training, Misaki earned her teachers' trust, female peers' respect, and male peers' ire.

But it doesn't stop there. Misaki does what she can to support her mother and sister by working part-time at a maid café. She changes her rough personality to appeal to male customers but is determined to help clear the family debt, even if it worries her mother.

6 Shizuku Needs The Best Grades In Her School (My Little Monster)

Shizuku Mizutani has big plans for her future. She idolizes and strives to be like her mother, Yoshino, a calculated businesswoman. This admiration motivates Shizuku to focus heavily on her grades, which unfortunately limits her time to socialize.

Even after meeting and falling in love with Haru, Shizuku still has a one-track mind. She still wishes to attend one of the best colleges and build a life for herself. But her newfound relationships gradually softened her ice-cold exterior and opened her world even more.

5 After Escaping A Marriage Proposal Gone Wrong, Shirayuki Works To Create A New Life For Herself (Snow White With The Red Hair)

The last thing Shirayuki wants is a fate out of her control. Her peaceful life is disrupted when a spoiled prince demands her hand in marriage, forcing her to go into hiding. A fresh start in the neighboring country of Clarines could help Shirayuki get back on her feet, and it only improves after meeting the kingdom's prince, Zen.

Back in her home country, Shirayuki worked as an herbalist, which helped her land a spot as a pharmacist's apprentice for the kingdom. She wishes to become one of the top pharmacists and is hard-working and disciplined with her studies. Shirayuki and Zen's friendship slowly develops into a romance, and they continue supporting each other's dreams.

4 Different Dreams Fuels Each Nana (Nana)

Both Nanas share a name but are complete opposites regarding their life goals. Nana Komatsu, nicknamed "Hachi," wants the perfect romance, while Nana Osaki wants her music spread across the country. After becoming roommates, their lives begin to intertwine.

Hachi is cheerful and sweet but can come off as flighty and immature. Her romances always fail due to her lack of self-awareness and poor judgment of character, but she doesn't want to stop trying. Nana, on the other hand, is an aspiring singer. Her band, Black Stones, is an indie punk band just taking flight in Tokyo. The biggest obstacle is their rival, Trapnest, where her boyfriend Ren works as their bassist.

3 Haruhi Believes In Justice Like Her Mother (Ouran High School Host Club)

Haruhi Fujioka admires her late mother, Shizuku, and studies hard to be an attorney like she was. Though diligent with her studies and socially awkward, she's a bit nicer than Shizuku when first introduced.

Haruhi's a down-to-earth and honest girl compared to her superficial and wealthy classmates. The Host Club members find her lower financial status and no-nonsense attitude fascinating, even if it sometimes annoys her. Still, Haruhi strives to become an attorney and fight for what's right.

2 Sawako Is One Of The Most Wholesome Shojo Protagonists (Kimi Ni Todoke)

To go with Kimi Ni Todoke's wholesome plot, Sawako Kuronuma has one goal in mind - to do one good deed every day. It's simple, but she knows how impactful that singular act of kindness can be for someone. But as the story progresses, Sawako gradually realizes she wants more.

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Her appearance strikes fear in her classmates' hearts, earning her the nickname "Sadako," as she resembles the famous ghost from The Ring. But Sawako still wishes to make herself more approachable and befriend her classmates. Before long, she finds herself idolizing the class' most popular boy.

1 Almost A Decade Later, Kyoko Is Still The Queen Of Revenge (Skip Beat!)

Kyoko Mogami's dream may be motivated by revenge, but she's still doing everything to achieve it. In her anger, she declared war against her crush and childhood friend, Sho, after he broke her heart. Now, she wants to upstage him in the entertainment industry. But Kyoko may have bitten off more than she can chew.

Unlike Sho, she has no experience in front of a camera and no idea where to start. A rival talent agency, LME, is less than enthusiastic about taking her on as an actress and pushes her into their "Love Me" section. Kyoko has her foot in the door, but she has to work from the literal ground up to even think about rechallenging Sho.

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