Shoujo anime is all about emotion, whether it’s love, heartbreak, friendship, or finding your place in the world. With relatable characters, sweeping romance, and a touch of drama (or chaos), these shows capture what it feels like to grow up, fall in love, and figure life out.
If you’re looking for stories that hit you right in the feels, here are 10 of the best shoujo anime shows worth watching (or rewatching). Expect romance, comedy, drama, and lots of emotional payoff.
1. Fruits Basket
A girl, a curse, and a house full of secrets.
When kind-hearted Tohru Honda finds herself living with the mysterious Sohma family, she discovers their strange secret: they’re cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese Zodiac when hugged by the opposite sex. What follows is a touching story about trauma, healing, and the power of kindness.
The character work is deep, Tohru’s quiet resilience helps untangle the pain the Sohmas carry. Kyo, Yuki, and Shigure all have layered emotional arcs, and the bonds they form feel earned and real.
With soft, expressive animation and gorgeous background art, Fruits Basket delivers one of the most emotionally satisfying stories in anime.
Watch it if you want: cathartic tears, lovable misfits, and a romance that grows slowly and beautifully.
2. Ouran High School Host Club
Rich boys. Ridiculous antics. Unexpected depth.
Haruhi Fujioka is a scholarship student at the ultra-elite Ouran Academy. After breaking a vase in the school’s eccentric Host Club, she’s forced to work there, disguised as a boy. What starts as a silly setup quickly turns into a surprisingly heartfelt comedy about class, identity, and friendship.
The chemistry between Haruhi and Tamaki is electric, but the entire cast shines, from the mischievous twins to the silent Mori. It’s hilarious, sweet, and weirdly touching.
Visually, it’s polished and playful, with over-the-top reactions and sparkles galore.
Watch it if you want: gender-bending comedy, lovable chaos, and a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, until it absolutely does.
3. Maid Sama!
Secret identities and slow-burn romance at its finest.
Misaki Ayuzawa rules her formerly all-boys school with an iron fist. But outside school, she’s hiding a big secret, she works at a maid café to support her family. When the school’s most popular guy, Takumi Usui, finds out, things get complicated fast.
Their dynamic is equal parts hilarious and heart-melting, with loads of banter, tension, and emotional growth. Misaki’s tough exterior hides a vulnerable side, and Usui sees right through it.
The art is vibrant and full of energy, capturing both the school chaos and sweet romantic beats.
Watch it if you want: tough-girl-meets-charming-guy dynamics, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and classic shoujo tension.
4. Yona of the Dawn
A princess turned warrior. A journey of survival, strength, and destiny.
Yona’s royal life crumbles overnight after a betrayal that forces her to flee her kingdom. With only her loyal bodyguard Hak at her side, she begins a journey to reclaim her throne, and grows from a sheltered girl into a fierce leader.
There’s romance, yes, but it’s Yona’s personal transformation that steals the show. Her quest to gather the legendary dragon warriors adds an epic, fantasy flair.
The visuals? Stunning. Lush landscapes, expressive characters, and well-animated action scenes make every moment pop.
Watch it if you want: strong female leads, slow-burn adventure, and epic fantasy wrapped in emotional storytelling.
5. Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
Misunderstood girl. Popular guy. Pure-hearted love.
Sawako Kuronuma looks like a horror movie ghost, but she’s actually sweet, shy, and just wants to make friends. Her life starts to change when friendly, outgoing Kazehaya reaches out to her, and what follows is a slow, tender love story full of warmth and awkward charm.
The pacing is patient, but that’s what makes it so special. It’s all about small gestures, learning to open up, and the vulnerability of first love.
Soft pastels and gentle animation give it a dreamlike quality that matches the mood perfectly.
Watch it if you want: wholesome romance, introvert feels, and one of the sweetest couples in anime.
6. Skip Beat!
Revenge never looked so fabulous.
Kyoko Mogami gives up everything for her childhood crush, only to be dumped once he makes it big in showbiz. So she decides to get her own revenge… by becoming a star.
Skip Beat! is a wild ride through the entertainment industry, full of drama, comedy, and unexpected emotional depth. Kyoko is a chaotic queen, and her transformation from brokenhearted to badass is endlessly satisfying.
The animation is stylish and expressive, especially during her over-the-top inner monologues and acting scenes.
Watch it if you want: showbiz drama, fierce female ambition, and one of the best glow-ups in anime.
7. Kamisama Kiss
Romance meets mythology in this magical rom-com.
Nanami Momozono becomes a land god after a strange encounter, inheriting a shrine and a grumpy fox spirit familiar named Tomoe. What follows is a mix of supernatural hijinks, slow-building romance, and light-hearted spiritual adventures.
Nanami’s optimism and Tomoe’s tsundere vibe create a fun and endearing dynamic. The show balances comedy, mythology, and heartfelt moments beautifully.
The visuals are elegant, with traditional Japanese designs and enchanting fantasy elements.
Watch it if you want: fantasy romance, mythical creatures, and a touch of folklore magic.
8. Ao Haru Ride
Second chances and emotional honesty.
Futaba Yoshioka wants to reinvent herself in high school. But when she reconnects with her middle school crush, Kou, she realizes he’s changed, and so has she.
This is a story about growing up, letting go, and learning to be honest about who you are and what you want. It’s messy in a real way, with feelings that don’t always resolve cleanly.
The animation is clean and grounded, with expressive faces and emotional tension that simmers just below the surface.
Watch it if you want: realistic romance, emotional growth, and teenage yearning done right.
9. Nana
Two girls. One name. Very different lives.
Nana is a rare gem, mature, emotional, and deeply human. Punk rocker Nana Osaki and hopeful romantic Nana Komatsu meet by chance and end up living together in Tokyo. Their friendship becomes the emotional core of a story about love, loss, dreams, and growing pains.
The show doesn’t shy away from heavy themes, addiction, betrayal, ambition, and handles them with raw honesty. It’s more adult than most shoujo, but just as emotionally rich.
The art is grounded and stylish, with detailed urban backdrops and expressive character designs.
Watch it if you want: messy relationships, powerful female friendship, and a story that hits hard.
10. Lovely Complex
Love doesn’t care about height.
Risa is tall. Otani is short. They bicker constantly, but behind the jokes is a romantic tension that’s impossible to ignore. Lovely Complex turns its unusual setup into a charming, laugh-out-loud love story.
The comedy is sharp, the chemistry is strong, and the characters are surprisingly deep once you get past the banter.
Bright visuals and expressive animation make the gags land, while the emotional beats sneak up on you.
Watch it if you want: opposites attract, comedic timing perfection, and a feel-good rom-com that doesn’t miss.
Final Thoughts
Shoujo anime series is more than just romance, it’s about connection, transformation, and all the little moments that shape who we are. Whether you want laughs, tears, or something in between, these 10 series are some of the best the genre has to offer.
Got a favorite shoujo series that didn’t make the list? Drop it in the comments. And for more anime picks and reviews, check out Shinime Anime!