As a 24-year-old female college student, I can attest that shoujo anime may not be as popular as shounen, but that doesn’t mean the stories presented are not interesting. In fact, several shoujo anime series have unique storylines worth watching. Plus, these anime series are always synonymous with girls and are generally focused on romantic themes, with female lead characters that girls typically enjoy. However, these stories are not sickeningly sweet and boring – many shoujo anime stories are compelling and can be enjoyed by anyone.
Here are the top 10 best shoujo anime worth watching in 2021:
10. Maid Sama!
Misaki, who serves as the student council president in a high school formerly for boys, is known for being strict and disciplined towards all students at the school. However, behind her tough demeanor is a kind-hearted maid who works in a café. This aspect of her life makes her more approachable and appealing to Takumi Usui, the handsome man at their school, who secretly has a crush on her. Maid-Sama! can be streamed on iQIYI.
9. Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
This anime series tells a story of the unlikely friendship that blossoms between a lonely and bullied girl named Sawako and a popular boy named Shouta, who has many friends. Sawako is shy and introverted, frequently bullied by her schoolmates due to her eerie resemblance to Sadako, a character from the Japanese horror film “The Ring”. Despite her shyness, Sawako tries her best to make friends. It is on this journey that she meets Shouta, and their growing closeness raises Sawako’s self-esteem. Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You can be streamed on Netflix.
8. Yona of the Dawn
Based on one of the best shoujo manga series, Yona of the Dawn follows the adventure of a princess, named Yona, as she fights to reclaim her kingdom. Yona has to flee with her bodyguard Hak following a coup d’etat organized by her cousin, who she herself has a crush on. Together, Yona and Hak embark on a journey to find a group of legendary warriors who can help Yona reclaim the throne. Yona, who was previously pampered, is forced to become a mature and strong woman in this anime series which is set in an ancient kingdom and features romantic elements that will captivate you.
7. Sailor Moon
In this classic anime series from the 1990s, five junior high school girls who have superpowers derived from different planets and celestial bodies, have to battle against various dark forces to fulfill their mission. Led by Usagi Tsukino, a lazy and crybaby girl, the five girls are tasked with finding the silver crystal belonging to Princess Serenity. Sailor Moon is available to stream on Viu and iQIYI.
6. Your Lie in April
This anime series is a moving tale of a musical prodigy Kousei Arima, who is traumatized by the death of his mother and cannot bring himself to play the piano. His mother was his inspiration and motivation but without her, he is lost. But enter Kaori, who slowly becomes an influential person in Kousei’s life and helps him overcome his trauma and his fear of playing the piano again. However, Kousei is unaware of a significant secret that Kaori is hiding. Your Lie in April is available to stream on Bstation.
5. Ouran High School Host Club
This anime series follows the story of Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at a high school for the rich who becomes involved in the Host Club, a group of male students who entertain girls for profit. Haruhi’s involvement with the Host Club starts when she accidentally breaks a priceless vase borrowed by the club. As a result, she must work as a servant for the club to repay her debt. Ouran High School Host Club has various comedic and romantic elements that will garner your interest.
These are just five of the top 10 best shoujo anime worth watching in 2021. The shoujo genre has a bevvy of titles that will please all anime enthusiasts, young or old, male or female.
