Welcome to this weekly guide entirely dedicated to Japan. Today, we retrace our adolescence with the best Shōjo Anime
We all watched cartoons in the afternoon, after homework, enjoying a delicious snack on the sofa. Between Marvel superheroes and Alfea’s witches, a timeless love story emerged, one that makes everyone’s heart beat faster … even years later.
In the wake of our specials dedicated to anime, and their comparison with manga, we decided to deepen the question, making the discussion around anime more nostalgic, and useful. Today, therefore, I will tell you about best 5 shōjo anime, those timeless classics that are indelible in our memories.
Best Shōjo Anime: Top 5 (Part 1)
First, let’s clarify a fundamental concept right away: what we mean by Shōjo Anime. The Japanese term shōjo (often transliterated also shoujo), indicates a category of manga and anime aimed primarily at a female audience, starting from school age up to the age of majority. Erroneously, it is believed that a shōjo is any manga or anime that deals with sentimental themes. The misunderstanding is generated by the fact that a shōjo is not a shōjo for its contents, which can be of any type, but for the audience to which it is addressed, that is the young female one, who is usually attentive to sentimental issues.
But let’s see in detail the ranking of 5 best Shōjo Anime.
5 – Rossana, the children’s toy | Best Shōjo Anime
Rossana SmithSana to friends, is an 11-year-old girl who lives in Tokyo with her mother and is the star of the television show Evviva L’Allegria. Rossana’s biggest concern is Heric, a classmate at the head of a gang of bullies who makes lessons impossible. With the help of Robby, his manager and driver, Sana is determined to regain control of the class from her new archenemy; but only later will he discover the difficult family situation of the latter. Over time, however, Sana and Heric will forge a strong friendship, becoming inseparable, despite the fact that Sana’s personality puts a strain on the boy’s feelings.
Rossana it’s one of those truly unforgettable stories, every girl’s companion in the early 2000s. Fresh, fun and very romantic, his life will take us into a world unknown to us: that of Japanese show business. But between dance rehearsals and acting, there is no shortage of heart-pounding moments; let’s face it: we’ve all been in love with Heric.
4 – Small heart problems (Marmalade Boy) | Best Shōjo Anime
Miki is a girl in her second year of high school, apparently living a normal life. However, she is shocked by the news of her parents’ sudden divorce. During a dinner, Miki meets her parents’ new partners and also their son Yū Matsuura, about his own age. Initially, there is no good blood between the two, but the situation will improve when the two will know how to team up to face the difficulties, eventually falling in love.
Small heart problems it resists in memories for generations, marking the romance of many teenagers for years. Beyond the story, which presents the typical clichés of the genre, it is the simplicity of the protagonists that leads the viewer into this great love affair. Too bad, however, that the censorship in Italy he gave us an unclear version; the solution? Run to retrieve the manga.
3 – Sailor Moon | Best Shōjo Anime
Usagi Tsukino she is a normal fourteen year old, little inclined to study and sports, a little careless and crybaby. His life changes when, one day, he saves a black kitten from a group of kids. That same evening, the cat introduces herself to her as she enters the bedroom window and tells her to call herself Luna. This gives Tsukino a brooch, an object that gives her the power to transform into Sailor Moon, the warrior of love and justice, dressed in a sailor suit and protected by the moon. Her task, explains the cat, will be to defend the inhabitants of the Earth from the continuous attacks of the Dark Kingdom, as well as to find her companions to track down the mysterious Princess of the Moon.
If you are looking into the world of Japanese animation for the first time, I would say that Sailor Moon is the right starting point. In addition to giving birth to a very famous and super profitable franchise, the story of Bunny (aka Sailor Moon) is simple when extremely well done: mystery, romance, girl power to the nth degree; all seasoned with comic gags and hilarious sketches. In short, if you missed this little gem of animation, immediately run to retrieve it.
2 – Card Captor Sakura | Migliori Shōjo Anime
Sakura Kinomoto, a lively 10-year-old girl (14 in the Italian version of the anime), finds a book with the name in her father’s library The Clow. After breaking the seal of this, a funny talking pet appears called Kerberus, who proclaims himself Guardian of the Seal (ie the one who must protect the book and the cards contained within). But with the seal broken, the Clow Cards have been released, and now it’s up to Sakura to capture them.
The main theme in Card Captor Sakura it is without a doubt friendship. Sakura is a very sweet girl, who strongly believes in love. In fact, she is always ready to help everyone, including those who initially present themselves as her rival. Halfway between magic and teenage romance, Sakura takes you into a world made of possibility, welcome and fun.
1 – His and Her Situations | Best Shōjo Anime
Yukino Miyazawa she is a first-year high school student, envied by all for her beauty, distinguished demeanor and excellent academic results. However, it is not what it seems. In fact, behind Yukino’s impeccable public behavior hides a spoiled, lazy and stubborn girl, with a spasmodic desire to always feel appreciated, praised and the center of attention. His secret, however, is discovered by Soichiro Arima. Arima is an equally handsome, intelligent and popular guy, who accidentally discovers Yukino’s true personality and starts blackmailing her. But he too hides what he really is. Animated by the deep desire not to disappoint his adoptive parents, he shows himself as he is not. The two, first as friends, then as something more, consolidated their love for each other, promising to abandon the mask they were wearing.
With the Situations of him and her love, in the profound meaning of the term, is inserted in the school context and seasoned with flashes of psychological reflections. This last aspect makes it a product different from its peers. Yukino e Arima they approach each other, forming a relationship made up of eloquent silences, great mutual esteem but also secrets that will gradually be revealed as they mature.
In conclusion
In this first part of the Best Shōjo Anime we wanted to introduce you to the genre, giving you useful information to enter the world of Japanese animation for the first time. See you next week for a new appointment, meanwhile keep following us on this page so as not to miss the news on movies and TV series!