I'm presenting some shoujo anime that are more than just "girly anime" and that teach us very important things—at least they did for me—and I hope they will be as valuable and enjoyable an experience for you as they were for me.
Yona of the Dawn
Far beyond a princess tale, Yona of the Dawn (Akatsuki no Yona) presents one of the best-constructed coming-of-age journeys in shoujo manga. Yona is the only princess of the kingdom of Kouka and lives surrounded by luxury until, on her 16th birthday, she witnesses the murder of her own father. From that moment on, her life changes completely.
Forced to flee to survive, Yona is left with only Son Hak, her bodyguard and childhood friend, to rely on. During her escape, she learns about the harsh reality of the kingdom she previously ignored and decides to seek out the legendary Four Dragons to save her people.
Yona starts out innocent and spoiled, but evolves in an intense and natural way. Her emotional growth, coupled with her well-developed relationship with Hak, transforms the story into something inspiring and memorable.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
At first glance, Madoka Magica seems like a traditional mahou shoujo, but it quickly shows that it's here to deconstruct the genre. The story follows Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki, two ordinary girls who receive a dangerous proposition from Kyubey: any wish in exchange for becoming magical girls.
Alongside Mami Tomoe and under the constant interference of Homura Akemi, Madoka begins to understand the true weight of this contract. The anime reveals that being a magical girl involves pain, sacrifice, and profound losses, going far beyond colorful battles.
It is a reflective, somber, and extremely well-crafted work that questions desires, choices, and consequences.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon tells the story of Usagi Tsukino, a seemingly ordinary girl who discovers she is the warrior Sailor Moon, destined to protect the Earth. Guided by her cat Luna, she must find the Moon Princess and confront evil forces like the Dark Kingdom.
Throughout the story, Usagi discovers she is the reincarnation of Princess Serenity and gathers her guardians: Sailor Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus. Each one possesses her own personality, creating a rare and powerful female diversity.
More than just battles, Sailor Moon is about friendship, love, courage, and growth. It's a story about transformation and accepting help when needed.
Kimi ni Todoke
Sawako Kuronuma has always been misunderstood because of her appearance and cruel rumors, earning her the nickname "Sadako." Despite this, she is extremely kind and dreams only of making friends.
Everything changes when Kazehaya, the most popular boy in school, approaches her. Gradually, Sawako begins to open up to the world, form bonds, and discover love.
Kimi ni Todoke is a pure and delicate story that shows how respect, empathy, and patience can transform lives.
Fruits Basket
After losing her mother, Tohru Honda lives alone until she is taken in by the Souma family. There, she discovers the secret of the curse that transforms family members into animals of the Chinese zodiac.
With her genuine kindness, Tohru changes the lives of everyone around her. Each character carries deep pain, and the anime addresses themes such as trauma, family, acceptance, and hope.
Fruits Basket is a sensitive and powerful work about believing that happiness is possible.
Ore Monogatari
Takeo Gouda completely defies the stereotype of romantic protagonists. Strong, clumsy, and extremely kind, he always believes that girls prefer his handsome friend, Sunakawa.
When Rinko Yamato enters his life, everything changes. Ore Monogatari presents a sweet, sincere romance that defies stereotypes.
It's a necessary story about love, self-esteem, and acceptance.
Lovely Complex
Risa is considered too tall. Otani, too short. Together, they become the target of jokes, but also of a great deal of complicity.
Amidst bets, fights, and confused feelings, a romance unfolds that lightly addresses themes such as insecurity and social norms.
Lovely Complex shows that love is about accepting the other person as they are — and also accepting yourself.
Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge
Sunako rejects everything related to beauty after a romantic trauma. To "correct" her, four boys are given the mission of transforming her into a perfect lady.
The result is a fun comedy full of emotional development. The work is about facing fears, growing up, and accepting who you are without erasing your own essence.
Full moon wo sagashite
Mitsuki dreams of becoming a singer, but faces a serious illness and a cruel fate. With the help of shinigami, she gets a chance to live her dream before it's too late.
Full Moon wo Sagashite is sad, sensitive, and deeply meaningful. It speaks of dreams, loss, love, and the finiteness of life in a touching way.
Magic Knights of Rayearth
Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu are transported to the magical world of Cefiro, where they must become the legendary Magic Knights to save Princess Emeraude.
The work blends fantasy, adventure, and emotion, offering reflections on courage, responsibility, and the weight of choices.
It's a story that stays with the viewer for a lifetime.
