Hello, welcome! In this post we will get to know some shoujo animes that are more than just “girl animes” and that teach us very important things, at least they did for me, and I hope they are as valuable and enjoyable an experience for you as they were for me.
Akatsuki no Yona
In this work, we are introduced to Yona, the only princess of the kingdom of Kouka, who lives a luxurious and carefree life, but on her 16th birthday, she witnesses the murder of her father. Because of this, her life is completely transformed, and Yona can now rely only on her bodyguard and childhood friend Son Hak to stay alive.
Throughout her journey, Yona comes across the miserable state of her kingdom and decides to go in search of the 4 dragons from the legend of the origin of her kingdom to help her kingdom escape the deplorable state it is in.
Yona is a formidable character. She starts out innocent and a bit spoiled, but throughout her journey, she grows and evolves magnificently.
His relationship with Son Hak is very well constructed and worked, making the audience identify with the characters and the rest of the story.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Madoka Magica tells the story of Madoka Kaname and her friend Sayaka Miki, who encounter a small, magical, cat-like creature called Kyubey, who offers them a dangerous contract so that the girls can have any wish granted in exchange for obtaining magical powers.
They are in charge of fighting witches and meanwhile, a transfer student named Homura Akemi, who is also a magical girl, tries to stop Madoka from making the contract with Kyubey.
Madoka and Sayaka then meet Mami Tomoe, another magical girl and a senior at their school. She offers to take them on her witch hunts. On this journey, they learn about the responsibilities that come with being magical girls.
While Madoka ponders whether or not to accept Kyubey's proposed contract, she witnesses a witch killing Mami and realizes that the life of a magical girl is full of danger, anguish, and suffering. She also discovers that magical girls give up their souls to form their Soul Gems, the source of their magic.
This anime is different from any other mahou shoujo I've ever seen in my life, as it shows not only the consequences of the wishes that girls make can have, but also the difficulties of facing witches and the whole story behind the soul gems, making Madoka Magica above all, a reflective and extremely well-crafted anime to escape the traditional.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon tells the story of Usagi Tsukino, a normal and innocent 14-year-old girl—or so she thinks—who one day encounters Luna, a talking cat who reveals Usagi's identity as "Sailor Moon," a magical warrior destined to save the Earth from the forces of evil.
The cat, who originally lived in the Moon Kingdom, gives him tasks, such as finding the Moon Princess and protecting the Earth from various antagonists, starting with the Dark Kingdom that had destroyed the Moon Kingdom.
Throughout the story, Usagi discovers that she is actually the reincarnation of Serenity, the princess of the Moon Kingdom who had been sent to Earth by the Moon Queen, along with the cats Luna and Artemis, her aides, and the Prince of the Earth Kingdom, Endymion. She also meets her guardians—the intelligent Sailor Mercury, the psychic Sailor Mars, the delicate but strong Sailor Jupiter, and the cheerful Sailor Venus. Princess Serenity fights evil and, in time, meets Tuxedo Mask, her true love.
Sailor Moon is the kind of story that initially captivates you with its characters, but then grows and transforms the story into something much more meaningful about friendship, love, and courage. It introduces us to a unique diversity of female characters, as each of the sailors has her own identity, yet they care for each other and become loyal friends as the story unfolds.
Finally, I consider Sailor Moon a story about transformation in which people all over the world can identify and learn about friendship, being yourself and that it's okay to receive help from friends when needed.
Kimi ni Todoke
Sawako Kuronuma, nicknamed Sadako by her classmates because of her resemblance to the character from the movie "The Ring," has always been feared and misunderstood because of her appearance and the rumors at school that say she is able to see ghosts and curse people.
Despite her scary appearance, she is actually a very kind and shy girl who just wants to make friends and be admired by others.
When her school idol, the popular Kazehaya, starts talking to her, her world changes, and she begins making new friends and talking to different people. Eventually, she and Kazehaya fall in love, while having to overcome numerous obstacles in their paths.
Kimi ni Todoke is a work that can only be described as pure, because the way the relationship between Sawako and Kazehaya develops is so beautiful and natural that it even has a certain tone of innocence.
The evolution of Sawako's personality is wonderful and wrapped in kindness that further enhances the story and her relationship with the other characters, showing that when everyone gives a chance, something incredible and unforgettable can happen: respect for others.
Fruits Basket
The anime tells the story of Tohru Honda and the tragic accident that led to her mother's death. Because of this, she must live in her grandfather's house. However, before she can move in, the house needs renovations, which forces her to find a place to live. Unsuccessful in her search due to various events, she decides, on her own and without telling anyone, to live in a makeshift shack.
While living there, he discovers the house of Yuki Souma (his schoolmate) and his cousin Shigure nearby.
One day, a landslide leaves her homeless and she is taken in by Yuki and her cousin who allow her to live in the house.
Later, Tohru ends up discovering a secret of the Souma family: There are 13 people in the family and they have a curse that transforms them into animals of the Chinese horoscope when they are very weak or are hugged by someone of the opposite sex.
Tohru promises to keep the secret and is granted permission to continue living with them. As the story unfolds, all the cursed are introduced and begin to live with the protagonist.
All the characters have unique personalities, all related to their sign, some more friendly than others, which makes the experience of living together unique.
Fruits Basket is a story about kindness, family, courage, and determination. Tohru, with her unique personality, transforms the lives of each character she interacts with. The anime helps the characters believe that happiness is possible if they desire it and strive for it, and most importantly, that we all have the right to find our place in this world.
Ore Monogatari
Takeo Gouda and Makoto Sunakawa are childhood friends. They have maintained their friendship despite their physical and psychological differences.
The first, despite appearing strong and tough, is quite sensitive, falls in love easily, but is never reciprocated; meanwhile, the second is very handsome, but is indifferent towards the girls who fall in love with him.
One day, Takeo gets involved in a fight to protect young Rinko Yamato from a train pervert. She becomes eternally grateful to Takeo, though she always feels awkward around him. Thus, Takeo comes to the conclusion that she has certainly fallen in love with Sunakawa, but it seems that this time, things will be different.
Ore Monogatari is that kind of work that appears rarely and makes us have a different view from other things we have seen before, because in addition to being presented from the boy's point of view, it is well outside the standards that we are used to in other works of this genre and even so it does not lose its sweetness and beauty, being a unique and extremely necessary work.
Lovely Complex
Lovely Complex tells the story of Risa Koizumi, a 1.72m tall girl who is considered a "little" tall for her age, and Atsushi Otani, a 1.56m tall boy who is considered a "little" short for his age.
Because of this, and also because they are funny together, they are known at school as “All Hanshin Kyojin” (Japanese comedians of different heights).
In the first episode, Koizumi and Otani make a bet to see who can find a boyfriend faster. If Otani wins, Risa will buy him a new pair of sneakers; if not, Otani will pay for whatever she wants. But in the end, they fall in love, creating a lot of confusion.
Lovely Complex, like Ore Monogatari, is a rare and completely different story, as it addresses a number of serious issues, such as acceptance and living with differences, in a lighthearted and entertaining way. The anime introduces us to characters who are truly themselves, breaking away from any stereotype that girls must always be cute and boys must always be strong and masculine.
Above all, Lovely Complex is about learning to love and accepting that the person you love is not always what you idealize, but rather who they simply are.
Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge
In this work, we are introduced to a girl named Sunako, who was called ugly by the first and only person she confessed her love to. This incident causes a life-changing event, and as a result, Sunako shuns all forms of beauty, both in herself and in life.
Concerned about this change for the worse, Sunako's aunt, owner of a huge mansion where four beautiful high school students live (for free), demands that the boys transform her niece into the "perfect lady," and in exchange, they will be able to continue living there for free. They have a deadline, and if they can't fulfill the agreement, they will have to pay a lump sum or vacate the place.
Yamato Nadeshiko is an immensely entertaining work about facing your fears, starting over, and ultimately, falling in love. Sunako is unique, funny, and fearful, and her evolution is very enjoyable to follow throughout the anime. However, here, we end up noticing a great character development, not only of the main character, but also of all the other boys, who end up transforming and even becoming attached to the girl, wanting to help her. In short, Yamato Nadeshiko is a delightful, entertaining work that gradually captivates us.
Full moon wo sagashite
It all starts when Hazuki falls in love with Aoi (leader of the band Route L), the relationship is not approved by Hazuki's mother, which causes the couple to run away and get married in secret.
The couple has a daughter named Mitsuki, but after an accident Hazuki and Aoi end up dying.
Mitsuki moves to an orphanage and meets Eichi, a boy 6 years older, they become great friends and end up falling in love.
A few years later, Eichi is adopted by a couple living in the US, but before saying goodbye, they make a promise that when they meet again, they will be closer to their dreams. Eichi wanted to be an astronomer, and Mitsuki, a singer.
Mitsuki ends up leaving the orphanage because of her fragile health and goes to live with her grandmother, a lady with strict habits who blames music for all the problems in her life.
Two years have passed, Mitsuki is now 12 years old and her health is worse, the family doctor, Keiichi Wakaouji, diagnoses that she has throat cancer and that she would need an operation, which would make her dream of becoming a singer very distant and consequently she would have to break the promise she made with Eichi.
Just when you think nothing could get worse, Meroko and Takuto appear, two shinigami tasked with watching over her for a year until the day they would take her soul. However, Takuto takes pity on the girl and decides to help her become a singer. To do so, he transforms her into a 16-year-old girl. From that moment on, Mitsuki/Takuto/Meroko's adventures begin, preventing anyone from discovering that the young 16-year-old singer Full Moon is actually the fragile 12-year-old Mitsuki.
Full Moon is simply a sad yet beautiful story. Mitsuki's determination to achieve her dream at any cost is inspiring, and her love for Eichi is admirable. I consider it one of the most meaningful and beautiful works I've ever seen, because the way Mitsuki deals with the inevitability of things is truly impressive, and I honestly believe it's something many people should see.
Magic Knights of Rayearth
In this work, we learn the story of three young people – Hikaru, Umi and Fuu – who, while on an excursion to the Tokyo Tower, are transported to a completely new and magical world, Cefiro.
The girls were summoned to this fantastical place by Princess Emeraude, who is called the Pillar of Cefiro. In this place, being the Pillar means that the person will determine the fate of that world through their prayers and feelings, bringing peace or chaos.
Emeraude is kidnapped by Zagato, a powerful wizard who wants to destroy Cefiro and is the Princess's former right-hand man. Therefore, Emeraude summons the three girls, who are destined to become the legendary Magic Knights, those who will save Cefiro from destruction.
From then on, the girls undergo training and learning with several different people, such as Guru Clef and the blacksmith Presea (or Priscila).
Here we have a work full of twists and turns, new worlds, immensely well-developed characters, and plenty of personality. Magic Knights is one of those stories that stays with us for life, teaching us that the love we carry in our hearts can move mountains, that the courage to fight is within each of us, and that all we need to win is ourselves.
I hope you have fun and see you next time!!!!
