Shojo anime is marketed primarily toward a female audience. The plots vary and can span many genres, but the common themes focus on relationships and a developing romance between two or more characters. The tone of the anime may vary from romantic comedies to dramatic, however.
Writers sometimes design the love interest to be distastefully hot and cold to the protagonist, or clueless to their own feelings to stretch out the romance. The best shojo love interests may have flaws and foibles which fuel the plot, but they also have unique qualities that make them perfect for the protagonist and, ideally, have well-developed character arcs.
10 Albert Hawke Has Ice Powers And A Warm Heart
The Saint's Magic Power Is Omnipotent
In the romance The Saint's Magic Power Is Omnipotent, Albert Hawke, commander of the Knights of the Third Order, is as frigid in personality as he is noble in his heart. His relationship with Sei is based on a sincere friendship.
Albert gives Sei his solemn vow to protect her, a promise he does everything he possibly can to keep. Despite his naturally remote demeanor, he wants to hold Sei's hand often, denoting his sweeter side. There is nothing better than a knight who is kind and devoted.
9 George Is Encouraging, Creative, And Kind
Paradise Kiss
George Koizumi is a talented designer in Paradise Kiss. He shows a great propensity for emotional intelligence when he's able to recognize that a relationship isn't working for either party, and as a result makes peace with the parting. It denotes a level of awareness in himself, and in others.
George is also a wonderful and encouraging friend who's perceptive to his friends' plights, and wants the best for them. He's also not afraid to be his genuine self, with a distinct fashion style and manicured hair.
8 Prince Zen Will Always Choose Shirayuki
Snow White With The Red Hair
Snow White with the Red Hair's Prince Zen first gets to know his love interest Shirayuki as a friend before their romance begins. Though he's a prince, he doesn't care for standing on ceremony, and wants to be seen for his humanity before his station.
Prince Zen's friendship and resulting romance with Shirayuki encourages him to grow as a person, and he becomes more trusting, even after his world treats him roughly. He's honorable in his intentions, always, and isn't afraid to defy convention so that he can stand by Shirayuki's side.
7 Fukuo Bakes Bread And Takes Care Of His Wife
Kiki's Delivery Service
Kiki's Delivery Service is a magical girl anime based off a novel by Eiko Kadono, about a young witch who works out of a bakery run by a woman named Osono and her husband, Fukuo. Fukuo doesn't say much, but he always has a small smile for Kiki and her cat familiar, Jiji.
Fukuo is excellent at his job, and he is always there to watch out for his wife and the witch girl who lives up in the attic. Despite his brawn, he's gentle and kind, and gains a lot of happiness from his simple life in the seaside bakery.
6 Tomoe Is Wonderful, Despite His Best Intentions
Kamisama Kiss
Tomoe, the fox yokai of Kamisama Kiss starts out as a rather rude, distasteful character. It's established fairly early on, though, that he has a nobler nature, a warm and fuzzy side which he tries to hide from most people. In the end, he'll always do the right thing, especially if it involves making Nanami, the girl he's falling for, happy and safe.
As with any surly character, it's always satisfying to see them be kind and genteel, despite their best efforts to fight against it. Nanami brings out the more competent, wily side of Tomoe which is arguably his best side.
5 Hayate Gets A Whole New Job In Order To Protect His Girl
The New Legend Of Snow White
In The New Legend of Snow White, Hayate is a Leafé Knight of the Wind with long, black hair, broad shoulders, and soulful eyes. He wears a long, dark blue knight's tunic with epaulets and a high collar, and knee-high white boots, looking every inch the fairy tale prince.
At first, he rejects the protagonist, Himeno Awayuki, but when he observes her skill and determination, he falls for her. Hayate is very protective of Himeno, and goes through great lengths to maneuver himself closer to her for that very purpose.
4 Takeo Gouda Has A Strong Moral Compass
My Love Story!!
The shojo My Love Story!! is delightfully divergent in a few ways, one of which being that it centers around a male protagonist, Takeo Gouda. Takeo looks like a linebacker and has the heart of a true gentleman. He values kindness above all and is willing to go to great lengths to help the people around him.
Takeo can't stand it when people get hurt for no reason and seeks to right those wrongs. He doesn't turn a blind eye to injustice, and he's not afraid to speak out when necessary.
3 André Grenadier Would Do Anything For Love
Rose Of Versailles
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The Rose of Versailles was one of the first shojo manga to hit the mainstream successfully, and it centers around the royal guard, Lady Oscar, and her star-crossed love interests, including the genteel André Grenadier.
André met his love interest when they were both in their youth, when they learned how to fence together. He doesn't hesitate to come to Oscar's aid when she's in danger, even at great cost to his own safety. While he loves Lady Oscar deeply, he also cares very much for the people around him and seeks to do his part to make the world a more equitable place.
2 Prince Endymion Believes In A Better World
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon's Prince Endymion lives many lives as he's reincarnated over and over, trying to protect the Moon and Earth from the forces of evil. His chivalrous spirit is impossible to stop, and proves to be as perennial as his love for Sailor Moon.
Whether he was fully aware of it or not, through every stage of his being, Prince Endymion acted as a sentry to the people he loves and those who are vulnerable. Though he has no particular magical abilities, Prince Endymion keeps up with Sailor Moon and the rest of the Sailor Scouts with his stout heart and keen mind.
1 Hak Speaks Plainly And Leads With The Heart
Yona Of The Dawn
Hak is the obvious endgame love interest in Yona of the Dawn. He is the protector of the protagonist, Yona. He loves her unrequitedly for a while as she struggles with her feelings for someone else, who proves to be less worthy of her.
Hak is loyal and protective to the point where he overdoes it, sometimes. He eventually learns to trust Yona, and appreciates her for her strong will and capabilities. However, he brooks no nonsense when it comes to safety. He's adept at it, too – he wields a polearm with deadly precision.