What is Shoujo Anime? Definition, Meaning, Example
What is Shoujo Anime? Shoujo anime is an anime that targets a mostly young female audience. The term shoujo” (少女) means “young girl” in Japanese. These anime make their movies interconnected with emotions and romance and are more appealing to teenage girls and young women. Examples include Fruits Basket, Ouran High School Host Club, Sailor Moon, and My Little Monster.
Table of Contents
Shoujo vs Shounen Anime
Shoujo anime basically targets a young female audience, and Shonen anime mostly targets a young male audience. However, both can be enjoyed by viewers of any gender. Let’s understand with this table.
| Shoujo | Shonen |
| Shoujo anime targets a female audience. | Shonen anime targets a male audience |
| Shoujo anime focuses on romance, relationships, and emotional experiences | Shonen anime tends to emphasize action, adventure, and battles |
| Shoujo anime prioritizes character development and emotional depth. | Shonen anime may prioritize character growth in the context of action and competition |
| Shoujo anime often has a more detailed and expressive art style | Shonen anime may lean towards a more straightforward and dynamic style |
| Shoujo anime usually features female protagonists | Shonen anime features male protagonists. However, both can have diverse casts of characters. |
Where Did Shoujo Anime Come From?
Shoujo anime came from the creator, who is also known as the “God of Manga,” Osamu Tezuka. It was during the 1950s and 1960s that the genre began to take shape. The first shoujo manga was Princess Knight (known as “Ribbon no Kishi” in Japan).
Another significant milestone, Sailor Moon” by Naoko Takeuchi, was a Shoujo anime and manga. It became a global phenomenon, combining romance, friendship, and magical girl transformations. Shoujo anime evolved with subgenres such as high school romance, fantasy, historical drama, and science fiction to adapt to changing societal norms and audience preferences.
Related: 19 Top IMDb-Rated Shoujo Anime Series Sorted by IMDb ratings In 2024
Is Shoujo Anime a Romance Anime?
Yes, Shoujo Anime is a Romance Anime and targets young female audiences.
Shoujo anime typically features dreamy and romantic aspects, real feelings, and a strong emphasis on character interactions and emotions, making it a popular choice for romance-centered stories.
However, not all shoujo anime focus solely around romantic relationships, and they may also explore other themes like friendship, personal growth, or fantasy elements
Is Shoujo Anime Only for Girls?
Well, Shoujo anime is typically not proven to be meant for girls. In fact, Shoujo Anime has established a diverse and dedicated fanbase that includes viewers of all genders and age groups. According to the report, 88.2% of Shoujo anime is watched by young females and 12.8% by young boys and adults.
Romance (Shoujo) Anime To Watch In 2024 and These are the Examples of Shoujo Anime
These are the most anticipated Shoujo anime to watch in 2024 and these 6 series are one of the top underrated anime movies rated by anime fans. I suggest you check the anime streaming platforms to find the best shoujo anime, though here are some of the best shoujo anime to watch:
Shoujo anime to be watched in 2024:
1. Suzume – Watch at Crunchyroll IMDb (7.7 ) Release Date: April 14, 2023 (USA)
Suzume meets a man who is looking for an empty place with a door. She takes him to an old spa resort where they find a weird door. Suzume accidentally trips over a cat statue that magically turns into a real cat and runs away. Afterward, they notice smoke coming from the resort, so they close the door to keep safe during an earthquake. The man then confesses that he is a “Closer” whose job is to lock doors to prevent supernatural worms from causing earthquakes. Suzume gets involved because she can see these worms and enter another world called Ever-After realm through these doors.
2. Insomniacs After School – Watch at Crunchyroll IMDb (7.9) Release Date: April 2023
In the city of Nanao, there is a small school. There is a student called Ganta Nakami who has trouble sleeping at night. One day, he goes to his school’s empty astronomical observatory to find some peace and quiet. However, he meets a girl named Isaki Magari there, who is also unable to sleep. They become friends and decide to restart their school’s astronomy club together.
3. A Galaxy Next Door – Watch at Amazon Prime Video IMDb (6.8) Released Date: April 8, 2023
After their father passes away, Ichiro helps his brothers and sisters by drawing manga for young girls’ magazines. As his deadlines become difficult to meet, he realizes he needs someone to assist him. Fortunately, his agent finds Shiori, who is talented and works quickly. But she surprises him by telling him that she is actually a princess from another planet called the Star People, and they are engaged because Ichiro was stung by her poisonous stinger.
4. Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible – Watch at Amazon IMDb (7.1) Released Date: January 10, 2023
Junta Shiraishi is a regular and quiet high school student. He goes unnoticed by his classmates and teachers, like a background character in a video game. But everything changes when Nagisa Kubo, one of his female classmates, pays attention to him. Nagisa challenges Junta to do things that would make him stand out from everyone else.
5. The Dangers In My Heart: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart – Watch at Amazon Prime Video, IMDb (7.9) Released Date: April 2023
Kyotaro Ichikawa is a lonely student who is unhappy and feels disconnected from others. He imagines hurting his classmates, who are well-liked by everyone. He learns about murder and the human body by reading an encyclopedia, intending to harm the popular student named Anna Yamada. But as he observes Anna’s unique qualities and she starts being kinder to him, Kyotaro begins to have feelings for her. As time goes on, their relationship becomes stronger.
6. The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten – Watch at Cruncyroll, IMDb (7.5) Released Date: January 7, 2023
Amane lives by himself in an apartment. Mahiru, who is the prettiest girl in school, lives right next door. Although they are classmates, they don’t talk very often. One day, when it’s raining heavily, Amane sees that Mahiru is having some difficulty and kindly lends her his umbrella. In return, she offers to help him at his place as a way of expressing her gratitude. As they spend more time together and become closer, their relationship grows stronger.
Conclusion
Shoujo anime is a captivating world with emotional stories, beautiful visuals, and interesting plots. It includes both classic and modern shows that captivate audiences all around the world. Shoujo anime explores themes like love, friendship, and self-discovery that are relatable to people from different cultures. This makes it a powerful form of storytelling that resonates with many.
Comment to share your favorite shoujo anime and tell me about your experiences with this genre.
