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Best Shoujo Romance Anime of All Time — You’re Not Ready for These (Photo Credit –IMDb)

Best shoujo anime aren’t always high-school romances. They often explore multiple genres, offering stories that go beyond the scope of typical teenage love. Anime like Naruto, Jujutsu Kaisen, Dragon Ball Z, and many more have the baton for being the signature anime for the industry; they are what many call ‘shonen’ anime.

However, other genres have good shows. One highly overlooked genre is the ‘shoujo’ genre in anime and manga. It gets ignored often because of its cutesy vibes and girly undertones. Shoujo means ‘girl’ anime and is mainly aimed at teenage girls and young adult women.

Top 10 Anime Shows For Beginners: Demon Slayer, Bleach To My Hero Academia, Here’s A Complete List Of Must-Watch Shows For Every Animation Aficionados ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

Some of you may not be deeply immersed in the world of anime even if the genre piqued your interest. In this article, we aim to introduce you to this vibrant culture and assist you in making an informed choice regarding your first anime series or movie to watch.

The worldwide adoration of anime has skyrocketed thanks to its intricate narratives, exceptional animation, and captivating world-building. It’s a treat for those seeking quick thrills and immersive experiences. If you’re venturing into this genre for the first time, embracing subtitles is just a small, exciting step toward discovering a whole new universe.

We’ve meticulously assembled a selection of top-notch anime, tailor-made for newcomers, ranging from timeless classics to the freshest hits.

Few Shojo manga have garnered the same critical acclaim and devoted fan base as Ai Yazawa's Nana. The manga classic kept fans entranced and hungry for more until it was put on an indefinite hiatus in 2009. Now, after almost two decades of relative silence, Ai Yazawa just gave fans their first ray of hope in 16 years.

According to a post by X user Shae, Yazawa recently spoke for a Q&a with a Nana fanzine. Though Yazawa was coy about her response and gave no definitive timeframe for when Nana's story would continue, she did promise that the series isn't over and that she does intend to finish it one day.

The story of Nana is already in the final stages, so it's pretty much decided. But it's my manga that doesn't necessarily mean that... (laughs). No matter how the story goes, I will do my best to make sure everyone reads it again.

Whether it’s the shonen magic or the actual magic of Isekai worlds, fall 2025’s anime line-up has everything. The summer line-up is ongoing in full swing, but it might be time for fans to prepare their fall watchlist as well. From Spy x Family to Sanda, there’s a lot to look forward to.

While some anime promise great action, others are perfect to unwind after a hectic day. Here’s a list of the top 10 most anticipated fall 2025 anime!

It must be mentioned that the release date for many of these anime hasn’t been announced yet. Stay tuned for the release date and other updates!

10. May I Ask for One Final Thing?

May I Ask for One Final Thing? offers a great mix of action, some comedy, and many surprises. The lady-like Scarlet turns into a violent villainess when her fiancé calls off their engagement. Not just that,...

One of the many things that makes anime shine brighter than most other forms of storytelling is its incredible use of color. But even within this medium, a few take it to the next level. In some series, color isn’t just a background detail; it’s a language of its own, a tool for expressing rich human emotions in unique and powerful ways.

Even on top of their emotionally nuanced storylines, the 5 anime listed below have set a standard for storytelling through this unique technique. From Horimiya, Dandadan, to Anohana, the use of different colors to express various emotions is so vivid that you can almost feel them. Each has unforgettable character moments and tells stories without even needing words. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the recommendations.

1. Horimiya

Horimiya is one of the most highly acclaimed romance anime/manga series of all time. And the reason...

My Dress-Up Darling offers a refreshing take on romance anime by making sure that its characters communicate. Many romance anime thrive on emotional tension, but the lack of communication between characters is frustrating to say the least. Misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and unspoken feelings have become common factors to drive the plots of romance series.

Thankfully, My Dress-Up Darling makes sure that its viewers don’t need to bang their heads against their screens. Both Marin and Gojo talk to each other about everything they feel, and it magically solves most of the problems. Had the same happened in Fruits Basket, the anime might have ended in a few episodes instead of entire seasons.

My Dress-Up Darling Breaks a Stereotypical Mold of Romance Anime

Plenty of romance anime have become dependent on their characters’ failure to express their feelings to further the plot. The lack of communication creates tension, but when...

Yona of the Dawn anime debuted in 2014, yet a decade later, its season 2 remains elusive. The case of Yona of the Dawn perfectly highlights how the anime industry is dictated by profitability. Back when the anime debuted, it captured the hearts of fans with its blend of shoujo romance, beautiful storytelling, and fantasy adventure, yet it might never even receive a second season.

There are several reasons why the anime might never return, and unfortunately, none of them are because of its plot. In fact, Yona of the Dawn boasts a splendid plotline, but its lack of commercial success got it sidelined.

Yona of the Dawn’s Insufficient Commercial Success Handicapped It

In today’s world, anime is more of a business than an artistic venture. Yona of the Dawn might be a beloved series for those who watched it, but it couldn’t generate enough revenue to guarantee a second season.

Despite becoming Netflix’s most-watched anime, it’s strange how there’s almost no hype around Sakamoto Days. Being one of the most anticipated adaptations of such a loved manga, you would think the anime must have gotten the best treatment, right?

Quite frankly, it didn’t and still isn’t anywhere near having a decent adaptation, even in Cour 2 of Season 1. Furthermore, Dandadan’s inclusion in this whole scenario is actually making things worse for Sakamoto Days.

These two behemoths of modern Shonen manga had almost an equal amount of hype before getting their anime adaptations. Fans were excited that they’ll be able to compare the two, which is, honestly, always fun to do. But little did we know that the difference in their production values would be this huge.

Sakamoto Days Could Learn a Thing or Two From Dandadan

Dandadan‘s anime adaptation has been a blessing for the new-gen Shonen fans.

The romance genre in anime offers us some of the most nuanced human stories people have ever witnessed. But, out of all, there’s this one particular series that many fans would put easily on top of the rest; and that is none other than Fruits Basket. Tohru’s melancholic journey exploring themes of love, trauma, and acceptance has truly captured everyone’s hearts.

But honestly, when it comes to the romance genre, anime covers a vast range of stories and themes, offering something for everyone. While one can argue that Fruits Basket delivers a narratively more compelling storyline than the rest, you might find some other gems in this article that may even suit your own understanding of love.

1. Skip and Loafer

Tired of the same old tropey romance anime? Then you might want to give Skip and Loafer a chance. Although the premise may sound quite generic at first,...

Sexism in Shonen anime has always been a major problem. It has existed forever, and though it is getting better with time, the genre still employs frustratingly less female character development. Fruits Basket stood as a revolutionary series during the time it aired, mainly because of the blatant sexism that prevailed in the industry in the early 2000s.

Fruits Basket is a shojo series that became extremely popular, even rivaling some Shonen titles. It offered an intricate story with multiple layers, but most of all, it portrayed a female protagonist who wasn’t just a cardboard cutout inserted for her se*ual appeal.

Fruits Basket was a counter to Shonen standards Fruits Basket was the perfect foil to the female misrepresentation in Shonen anime | Credits: Studio Deen

Female characters in Shonen manga/anime have a history of being mistreated. The genre is targeted towards teenage boys, but plenty of people...

A complete and faithful anime adaptation is an unfulfilled dream for many shojo stans, and that also includes fans of Kamisama Kiss. Wait, but it has a season 2, right? While getting a season 2 is an achievement in itself for a shojo series, the sequel, in this case, barely fulfils its purpose. The anime adaptation of Kamisama Kiss leaves out many parts of the manga, and that’s rarely a green flag.

In addition to that, it’s fragmented across the two seasons and Ova episodes. That makes the modern anime trend seem so much better in comparison. If only Kamisama Kiss and many other shojo series could get a similar treatment, things would look much brighter for shojo fans.

All the problems with Kamisama Kiss anime

From the memorable opening theme to Nanami’s shrine dance, Kamisama Kiss is one of the best shojo anime. It’s extremely popular, and...

Live. Die. Repeat. Over a decade ago, we became familiar with that motto when we saw Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible film series) fight for his life, only to start over after he dies multiple times in Edge of Tomorrow. What many people don't know is that the blockbuster hit is based on a light novel by Japanese author Hiroshi Sakurazaka. This year, the story is being adapted again — but this time as an anime movie. Gkids announced today that All You Need Is Kill has been acquired for distribution, and the first screening is already set up. The movie will debut at this year's Annecy International Animation Film Festival this weekend.

All You Need Is Killwill tell the time travel story from a different perspective than the light novel and Edge of Tomorrow. The story takes place in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, and centers around a gigantic alien plant that is...

A report posted by The New York Times, entitled "30 Shows to Watch This Summer," mentions a surprising pick that could very well become the anime of the summer: My Dress-Up Darling. My Dress-Up Darling is finally receiving its long-expected second season this summer, set to come out on July 5 on the Crunchyroll streaming platform.

The shojo genre, which My Dress-Up Darling is a part of, has grown wildly popular in the past few years, with series like Fruits Basket and A Sign of Affection entering the public eye at a greater rate than before. Considering the three-year wait after season one, My Dress-Up Darling season two could not be coming at a better time.

My Dress-Up Darling Season Two is Coming July 5, 2025 The Anime’s Second Season Will Be Available Streaming on Crunchyroll in the Late Summer

The story of My Dress-Up Darling follows an unlikely romance between Marin Kitagawa,...

Crunchyroll recently released the results of a survey asking anime fans to vote for their favorite "comfort characters." The results feature a rich variety of anime protagonists and supporting characters from anime titles over the years, with fans voting for action stars, comedy protagonists and even overpowered characters who might not seem so relatable or emotionally comforting at first glance.

Crunchyroll's poll was conducted in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, spanning all 31 days of May. Anime doesn't often directly address the topic of mental health as a primary theme in most stories, but stories often still feature emotionally comforting and inspirational characters who help anime fans feel seen and supported. The poll is also a convenient snapshot for what audiences look for in a lovable protagonist, regardless of an anime's genre or demographic.

The Most Comforting Anime Characters on Crunchyroll, Ranked

Crunchyroll's poll of comfort anime characters is made up entirely of popular,...

Executive Director Takashi Miike (Lumberjack the Monster, Audition) is unleashing the most adorable armageddon yet in animated post-apocalyptic comedy series Nyaight of the Living Cat. Though the new trailer isn’t kitten around with the meowpocalypse.

The new series will officially begin streaming on Crunchyroll starting on July 6, with new episodes streaming every Sunday in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, Cis, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Macau.

The official synopsis:

“Run! The adorable cats are here. In 20Xx, the world is dominated by cats. A virus which turns anyone who touches a cat into a cat has spread into a worldwide nyandemic. Cats rub against people, turning them into cats. Can humanity fight their urge to pet cats to survive in this cat-ridden world?”

The series is an adaptation of the manga written by Hawkman and illustrated by Mecha-Roots.

Netflix unveiled a new trailer for the second part of Sakamoto Days season 1 on May 14, 2025, previewing the opening theme song.

Kroi performed the opening theme song, “Method,” for the second part.

Sakamoto Days Part 2 is scheduled to release on July 14, 2025.

The anime premiered on Netflix on Jan 11, 2025. It is scheduled to release in two parts on the platform, with the first part, consisting of 11 episodes.

Tomokazu Sugita, who is known for portraying Gintoki Sakata, is voicing the titular character Taro Sakamoto.

Other cast members include:

Nobunaga Shimazaki as Shin Asakura Ayane Sakura as Lu Shaotang Nao Toyama as Aoi Sakamoto Hina Kino as Hana Sakamoto Ryota Suzuki as Heisuke Mashimo Miyari Nemoto as Piisuke

Tms Entertainment, the studio behind Detective Conan, Fruits Basket (2019), and Dr. Stone, is handling the animation production for Sakamoto Days anime.

Masaki Watanabe is serving as the director, with Taku Kishimoto in charge of series composition,...

For the third year in a row, Crunchyroll is continuing its Ani-May tradition and celebrating all the biggest shows from the platform throughout the month. The celebration is packed with limited-time retail collaborations, new physical releases of popular anime, and in-person events around the globe, ranging from meet-and-greets to themed experiences, among other treats for the fans. Amid the festivities, a selection of the streamer's hottest titles has been made more accessible than ever for viewers at home for a limited time. Twenty shows, headlined by the first season of the breakout smash Solo Leveling, the critical darling Chainsaw Man, and all episodes of the globally popular Demon Slayer, can be watched now on the platform for free (with ads) until the end of the month.

Crunchyroll has brought together a list of classics and modern favorites to give viewers a solid sample of the kind of anime the service...

Rewatching can be a cathartic experience, and that’s not even an exaggeration. Having the ending as a context opens your mind to foreshadowing and can even enhance the emotions evoked by particular moments. If we make a list of the 5 most rewatchable anime, many fans would put the Big 3 anime in that list without even thinking.

The presence of Bleach, Naruto, and One Piece on such a list is understandable and unavoidable due to the emotional resonance. However, many aspects of these series have not aged well. Whether it’s the female characters, the huge number of episodes, or a lackluster final arc, the Big 3 has many issues.

So here’s a list of the 5 most rewatchable anime you might need to revisit right away.

5. Nana Hachi attends Black Stones’ practice in Nana | Credits: Studio Madhouse

Now, Nana is what you call a controversial pick for such a list.

While the Super Robot Wars video game series puts mecha first and foremost, it's not uncommon to see non-robot series make it into the mix. Previous games have included ships and characters from Cowboy Bebop , Captain Harlock and Devilman . And this summer, we'll be fighting the king of the monsters himself in the upcoming Super Robot Wars Y ! The latest trailer for the upcoming game piles on the announcements, confirming the full run of series represented in the show and showing off some epic gameplay footage. The gameplay portion closes with a terrifying shot of Godzilla Ultima, as seen in Godzilla Singular Point . Super Robot Wars Y Release Date Trailer Related: Super Robot Wars Y Game Prepares for 2025 Launch As seen in this new trailer, the game's full roster consists of: Brave Raideen Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V Aura Battler Dunbine New Story of Aura Battler Dunbine Heavy Metal L-Gaim...

Almost every anime fan wishes for a perfect happy ending for their favorite series, and Fruits Basket’s fans got their wishes fulfilled, as the series had the most perfect happy ending the shojo genre has ever seen. Although the anime series ended way back in 2021, it is still considered one of the greatest shojo anime in the world and is discussed by fans to this day.

The creator of Fruits Basket, Natsuki Takaya, started the manga in 1998 and ended it in 2006. The series received two anime adaptations, and the second one, which started in 2019 by Tms Entertainment, connected a lot better with the story than the first one. It became so popular that Fruits Basket received a compilation film titled Fruits Basket: Prelude, which came out in 2022.

Fruits Basket offers a lot in terms of the story, but the best element of the entire series is definitely its ending.

A common misconception among fans is that anime adaptations are a cakewalk. The reality is far-fetched from our imagination. This is precisely why there is an array of both good renditions and bad renditions.

But today, we’ll discuss the worst animated adaptations of all time, and fans may or may not agree with all the entries. But there’s one thing we know for sure: the manga might not be inherently bad, but several factors determine the anime being “worse”.

From animation to pacing, these are the 10 worst anime adaptations of all time. While some had potential, others are a lost cause, but irrespective of that, you’d not want to recommend these to your friends, and here’s why.

10. Ex Arm

Ex-Arm is a Seinen anime based on Shinya Komi’s manga. It centers around Akira, a high school student with a penchant for exploring electrical devices. He dies in an accident,...

Byakuya is simultaneously one of the most loved and calm characters in Bleach. Where we have characters like Zaraki, who are battle crazy, and Shunsui, who are shrewd, Byakuya stands out for his sternness combined with simplicity. The voice actor who brought his character to life is now playing a role that’s worlds apart from Byakuya Kuchiki.

Ryotaro Okiayu, the voice actor of Byakuya, and many other popular characters, will be playing the role of Nube in the upcoming anime ‘Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube’. During an interview, the voice actor shared his thoughts on this upcoming anime and his role in it. So, here’s how Nube’s role turned out to be both extremely challenging and enjoyable for voice actor Okiayu.

Byakuya Va Ryotaro Okiayu shares his experience with Hell’s Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube

Ryotaro Okiayu is a highly respected veteran voice actor in the anime industry.

The official website for Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair (Kyomaf for short), one of the largest manga and anime events in western Japan, announced today that its next 14th edition is set to be held at three locations in Kyoto on September 20 and 21, 2025. Kyomafu was launched in 2012 with the aim of expanding the content market in the Kansai region, centering on Kyoto, by "supporting the creation of new businesses utilizing manga and anime," "supporting the development of creators and creating employment opportunities," "attracting new tourists, including young people and foreigners," and "improving the brand of Kyoto as a content city by transmitting manga and anime culture overseas." Last year's event, held on September 21-22, 2024, was the largest ever, with approximately 70 companies and organizations exhibiting and 35,466 visitors attending over the two days. Continuing from last year, the main visual featuring Tsukasa Kyono, the official character of Kyoto City's public relations, and Moe Uzumasa,...

Earlier this month, Bilbury Animation Studio's new fantasy-comedy anime, Witch Watch, made its TV debut. During the premiere of its second episode, the series makes a comical reference to Yoshihiro Togashi's Hunter x Hunter series, alongside a slew of other anime and manga references.

Adapted from Kenta Shinohara's titular manga, Witch Watch is a hilarious slice-of-life tale about a high school-aged witch-in-training named Nico. While attending classes with her childhood friend, Morihito Otogi, she occasionally loses control of her powers in absurd ways. In Episode 2, Nico mistakenly causes a classmate's hair to grow extremely long and spiky, prompting her to exclaim, "He's turned into an adult Gon!" -- a reference to Hunter x Hunter's central protagonist. The show doubles down on the joke with another line from the teacher: "Did Gon Freecss enroll in our school?!" before frantically continuing, "That's an illusion, right? And honestly my favorite is Kurapika anyway.

Fruits Basket is a legendary Shoujo anime that everyone has heard of at some point or another. The beautiful story of Tohru Honda and the odd people that she comes to live with is a fan favorite. But even after watching the entire original anime and the remastered one, people are bound to be left with some questions.

And that is exactly why, Fruits Basket: Prelude was created. It not only showed the backgrounds and pasts of some of the characters but also answered some necessary questions regarding the female protagonist.

Fruits Basket: Prelude gave fans the story of Tohru’s parents | Credits: Tms/8Pan

The prelude film

Fruits Basket: Prelude showed Tohru Honda’s parents’ history

Fruits Basket: Prelude is a prequel movie to the Fruits Basket anime. It premiered in 2022 with a brand-new story about Tohru Honda’s parents. Fans had always been curious about Tohru’s parents and...

Fans of anime romance looking for mature stories geared toward adults rather than teens should look no further than Crunchyroll's current lineup of various romantic anime stories. Many of the romantic anime streaming on Crunchyroll take a more nuanced approach to romance by dropping tired tropes centered around a cast of immature high schoolers. Even in cases where a romance anime stars a high school cast, Fruits Basket and similar anime prove that the core themes and overall presentation of a story featuring teenagers can still appeal to adults.

Crunchyroll's greatest romance anime feature plots that combine depth with emotionality to convey intimate relationships in a mature light. Romance anime like Yakuza Fiance don't have to sacrifice levity to appeal to adult fans, they just have to present their material in the right context. Whether anime fans want to watch dramatic love affairs or simply steamy exchanges, many of...

Fruits Basket is one of the most popular shojo anime series ever. Rightfully so, as the series deals with some of the darkest themes in the guise of following the lives of a bunch of high schoolers and their families. The touch of fantasy in a web of very real human problems only takes things up a notch.

As such, fans expected that Fruits Basket: Prelude would follow along similar lines without, of course, the fantasy aspect of it. While it did just that, the reception among the loyal fanbase was less than stellar. Of course, for very good reasons.

Kiyoko from Fruits Basket: Prelude | Credits: Tms Entertainment

However, there is one aspect where Fruits Basket: Prelude surpasses the main anime. For me, that very aspect makes the movie an enjoyable watch.

Fruits Basket: Prelude surpasses the main anime in one aspect

The Fruits Basket series follows the story of Tohru Honda,...

The following contains spoilers. Proceed with caution.

When it comes to anime adaptations of manga, some changes to the characters' personalities and backgrounds are both necessary and understandable. Sometimes an old story just needs a bit of updating, while some mangaka use the animated adaptation of their work to rewrite a character. But in the case of these anime characters, they might as well be entirely new people since they bear so little resemblance to their manga selves.

These anime characters may look, act and sound like how they were in their source manga, but a lot changed during the translation from print to animation. As bad and controversial as this may sound, these changes were actually pretty compelling. Whether they were heroes or villains or somewhere in between, these manga characters benefited a lot from the animation crew's creative divergences from the original work.

Führer King Bradley Was an...

Things didn’t fare so well for the Sakamoto Days anime. It was all the hype in the beginning, but as the series progressed, it all fizzled out eventually. The characters, plot, and most importantly, that atrocious animation, everything was all over the place.

It’s crazy how one of the finest hitman series was poorly done, and the disappointment is valid. But this also reflected the series’ treatment of one of the most important characters, who was grossly sidelined for the most part. But we’re not done as of yet.

Sakamoto catches a bullet with chopsticks | Credit: Tms Entertainment

The series’ undermining a character’s potential has to be one of the worst things to happen. With the second season’s visuals, most fans are in two minds about the anime. But in the grand scheme of things, we can only hope for the series to do justice...

Wit Studio -- best known for animating Attack on Titan Seasons 1-3 and co-animating Spy x Family -- might have just found its next big hit inan upcoming Netflix anime series. The powerhouse production company's adaptation of Gosho Aoyama's late-'80s manga, titled Yaiba: Samurai Legend, has been officially announced for an April streaming arrival on the platform.

Viewers across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand will soon be able to take in the newest take on the cult classic, as Netflix and Hulu have secured distribution rights for Yaiba: Samurai Legend. Hulu will only stream the series in select areas, but both platforms will receive episodes on the first day following their airing on Japan's Nippon TV.

Wit Studio Brings a '90s-Era Jungle Warrior Anime to Global Streaming

Yaiba: Samurai Legend packs an impressive track record. It's the second time Aoyama's source material...

It was both an emotional and exhilarating moment when Akira Toriyama’s last original work, Dragon Ball Daima was released. With a flurry of fans anticipating to watch the latest installment in the iconic series, their excitement was later turned into disappointment owing to a bold and somewhat controversial decision by the production house, Toei Animation.

Goku and Vegeta from Dragon Ball Daima. [Credit: Toei Animation]

The Japanese animation studio previously decided to delay the English dub of Dragon Ball Daima, and their decision was met with criticism from international audiences who only got to experience the Japanese release first. However, this controversial move has now somehow turned into one of the biggest advantages as it has already built up a lot of buzz for the anime series.

Dragon Ball Daima’s delayed dub has only added to the anticipation levels of fans

The English dubbed version of the latter episodes of the...

Some anime fans like to watch a good anime series at a leisurely pace, such as a few episodes per day, and other fans are fond of binging. Both approaches are valid, but some anime series are not meant to be rushed like that. Anime with simple plots and constant action are fine to binge, such as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Bleach, while other lengthy anime would feel unsatisfying if the fan rushes through them too fast.

When an anime is quite lengthy, or at least 24+ episodes long, anime fans may be tempted to binge the whole thing and get to the good stuff as soon as possible, but that's not always the right call. Certain long anime are bad for binging, usually because they have complex plots or because the narrative is meant to have a deliberate pace with room to breathe. A complex plot is easier to follow...

Natsuki Takaya has perfectly worked around the themes of emotional healing and redemption in Fruits Basket. Unsurprisingly, it is the main antagonist, Akito Sohma, who is at the core of these themes after being detested throughout the series. Despite being one of the most interesting and nuanced characters, Akito is hated for her manipulative, violent, and deeply abusive behavior.

Akito from Fruits Basket | Credit: Studio Sunrise

You can go on hating Akito throughout the series because of all the cruel things she has done. Even when her redemption arc starts, fans still find themselves in a ‘why is this happening?’ scenario. So the main question eventually arises: did Akito even deserve that redemption despite being a flawed character in much of the story?

Akito Sohma’s redemption journey in Fruits Basket

One of the biggest turning points in Natsuki Takaya’s story is when it is finally revealed that Akito,...

Fruits Basket is one of the most popular anime series in history. Rightfully so, as the show went above and beyond in breaking down the shoujo genre to its bones.

Shigure Sohma from Fruits Basket | Credits: Studio Tms

Moreover, it created a spectacular series rife with mystery, allegory, and emotions on top. Although it came across as a regular romance series based around high schoolers at first, it wasn’t long before fans found the darker truth behind their projected normalcy.

However, there is another aspect of Fruits Basket that might have gotten shadowed behind the more prominent parts of the series. That is, the symbolism etched into every frame of the show. Especially the blatant way Natsuki Takaya utilized Shigure Sohma to portray that.

Natsuki Takaya utilized Shigure Sohma to portray the beautiful message behind Fruits Basket

Natsuki Takaya built a world full of dynamic relationships through Tohru Honda...

Anime has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity over the past decade, transcending cultural barriers and expanding its influence worldwide. Once considered a niche form of entertainment, anime now has a huge, dedicated audience and generates billions in revenue. While high-quality animation, diverse storytelling, and global streaming platforms have all contributed to this growth, two key demographics have played a crucial role in making anime more mainstream than ever before, and those are female viewers and adult audiences.

According to grandviewresearch.com, industry trends from recent years indicate that these groups have driven revenue to new heights, shaping the type of content being produced and consumed. However, the anime boom is far from over. As content creators adapt to evolving audience preferences, a shift is expected in the coming years. Female viewers and teenage audiences are projected to be the next dominant forces in anime consumption, influencing the future of the medium.

Whoever said remakes aren’t perfectly done needs to take a good look at Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The 2009 series is a reboot of the 2003 anime of the same name, but it is so much better. It lived up to the idea and expectations of a reboot, but there’s one anime that needs to do the same.

Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | Credit: Studio Bones

In particular, this gothic series was all the rage back in the 2000s, and for the right reasons. This is the era of remakes, especially with Fruits Basket, Sailor Moon and others getting their reboots. It only makes sense for this macabre anime to jump on the bandwagon and here’s why.

A 2000s manga that deserves the Fullmetal Alchemist treatment

Hiromu Arakawa is one of the finest mangaka who reshaped the shonen genre through her opus Fullmetal Alchemist. The series is an interesting take on alchemy,...

From Chainsaw Man to Jujutsu Kaisen, Mappa has produced top-notch anime in the Shonen genre. It is one of the finest animation studios in the Japanese industry, hailed for finesse and craftsmanship. But there is an anime that remains a victim of the middle child treatment.

A still from Zenshu’s trailer | Credit: Mappa

To be specific, Zenshu has the cold shoulder when it comes to Winter anime. The series has good animation, plotline, and story, and yet failed to gain popularity. But that doesn’t define it as a failure in any case, especially when it comes to its unique tropes of storytelling.

Mappa’s anime gets the cold shoulder treatment

When we hear the word Mappa the first thing that comes to our mind is excellent animation. There are only a handful of animation studios that live up to the standards and it is one of them. Through Jujutsu Kaisen,...

All the characters in Fruits Basket are extremely well-written. After all, it would be difficult to do justice to the heavy themes portrayed in the show with flimsy characters. One of the strongest characters in this respect was Shigure Sohma, my beloved. What I loved about Shigure was his multi-faceted personality.

From an orchestrator of chaos to a somewhat reliable adult, he was everything. His skewed motives often surfaced in all his interactions, whether it was the innocent ones with Tohru or the passionate ones with Akito. This made Ayame stand out as Shigure only reciprocated whatever Ayame directed at him.

Ayame and Shigure in Fruits Basket anime | Credits: Studio Tms

It was lovely to see them being silly together, especially with the context of their shared history. I have never seen a better bromance in anime than what these boys shared with each other.

Everything fails in front of...

This article contains mentions of sexual abuse, stalking, and other problematic trends between romantic couples. It also mentions pregnancy and birth complications, as well as child death. Reader discretion is advised.

Some shojo anime can be an acquired taste, but even some of the most popular titles could turn skeptics away. Anime fans who know the genre appreciate these popular shojo anime for what they are. Open-minded people who are curious about anime may still enjoy these titles, but they all have problematic things that might scare away a new viewer.

Immense trauma, toxic relationships, and age-gap romances are often part of shojo anime. Yet, non-anime fans would probably switch the anime off. Even if the writing and characters are great, specific plotlines and situations could still turn potential fans off from enjoying even the most beloved shojo titles.

Kiss Him, Not Me Perpetuates Body-Shaming Stream Kiss Him, Not Me on Crunchyroll

Kiss Him,...

Fruits Basket is unlike the popular Shoujo anime/manga of its time. Fans love the series because of how it portrays the complexities of love and humans. It makes people have hope in each other and that despite failures, there will always be a next chance.

The series was ahead of its time, with plenty of characters that dress differently to their gender stereotypes. At first, Fruits Basket welcomes this change, but soon, more problems crop up.

Ritsu threatened gender norms in Fruits Basket Ritsu is comfortable in feminine clothing in Fruits Basket | Credits: Tms Entertainment

One of the most queer-coded characters in Fruits Basket is Ritsu. He is the Monkey of the zodiac signs as well as the oldest among the cursed Sohmas. However, his character is marked with low self-esteem. He is timid, and countless insecurities never leave his side.

At some point during his childhood, Ritsu began dressing like a girl.

Every anime has at least one shocking cliffhanger that changes the course of its plot, and it isn't a happy cliffhanger for the characters involved. Many cliffhangers feature heartbreaking moments, shocking revelations or stunning events that leave the characters forever changed from then on.

These cliffhangers often mark the turning point for the anime and leave a lasting impact on viewers, since it's the point of no return for the characters. Whether it's a character's death or a torturous event that the main character goes through, these cliffhangers drastically shift the anime's initial tone.

Ai Hoshino’s Death Changes This Idol Anime Into Something Darker Season 1, Episode 1: “Mother and Children”

Right from the very beginning, with Oshi no Ko's brilliant colors and bright lights that perfectly match Ai Hoshino's aesthetic. The last thing viewers expect is for her to die in the very first episode. For most of the episode,...

Eric Vale is widely known for his role as Future Trunks in Dragon Ball Z. However, the voice actor has many interesting performances cherished by anime fans everywhere. Besides playing the future son of the Saiyan prince, Eric Vale portrays notable shonen anime heavy hitters, like Sanji Vinsmoke. Many fans consider Sanji's scenes the best in the One Piece English Dub.

Although Eric Vale usually covers action-oriented characters, he has voiced several notable exceptions. His role as Yuki Sohma from Fruits Basketshows the range of the popular actor's abilities. He expertly delivers some of the most gut-wrenching lines from the entire anime. Overall, Future Trunks is just one of Eric Vale's many popular voice-acting roles in a shonen anime's English dub.

Tokyo Ghoul's Nishiki Is Eric Vale's Most Underrated Performance Streaming on Crunchyroll

Nishiki Nishio isn't many people's favorite character from Tokyo Ghoul, but he is extremely underrated.

The 2020s have seen several manga and anime franchises become huge properties, with the increase in anime's popularity being a rising tide for the medium as a whole. One of these success stories was Komi Can't Communicate, with the immense sales of the manga resulting in a hit anime. Said manga has now come to an end, and this means big things for the adaptation.

The Komi Can't Communicateanime only adapted a small part of the award-winning manga, leaving a lot still on the table. It didn't help that the manga was still running, creating the risk of catching up with the source material too quickly. With that no longer the case, there are multiple episodes and perhaps even seasons in the future for the slice of life anime.

Komi Can't Communicate's Journey from Manga to Anime Adaptation The Popular Manga Has Finally Concluded Image via Weekly Shonen Sunday...

Shojo anime is a beloved genre known for its emotional depth and character-driven stories of love, life, and self-discovery. It has produced many iconic titles that have shaped the medium in unique ways. However, despite their influence, some of the greatest shojo anime hits haven’t aged well.

With shojo anime’s recent resurgence, the genre has evolved to match modern sensibilities. As a result, many classic series now feel outdated in comparison. Older visuals may not hold up, and certain tropes have fallen out of favor with today’s audiences. While these titles are still enjoyable, even longtime fans can’t help but notice their flaws, proving that even the best shojo anime series aren’t as perfect as they once seemed.

Related10 Horrible Shojo Anime Love Triangles That Almost Killed the Series

Some shojo anime love triangles, like in Fruits Basket and Sailor Moon, stall the main romance...

One of my earliest anime memories is seeing Sailor Moon in the 90s and being enamored by the fact that Usagi Tsukino led a full team of girls while fighting monsters on a daily basis. From there I’d be introduced to more iconic anime girls and women at a young age. From Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell to Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop , anime is no stranger to strong women full of interesting layers. Then, something happened. As I grew up I found myself appreciating softer characters the likes of Tohru Honda from Fruits Basket ( back in 2001 ), and even Orihime from Bleach struck a chord with me as someone who also lost her older brother at a young age. Related: The Shojo Renaissance From Fruits Basket to A Sign of Affection Because of them, I started to realize that strength didn’t just mean being able to...

The shojo anime genre has been around for decades and has provided fans with some of the best series. Fan favorites like Fruits Basket and Yona of the Dawn have led many viewers to try other shojo properties as well. Newer fans typically go for more recent anime, but some old gems are just as good (if not better) than a lot of the current shojo anime series.

The best older shojo anime give audiences a feeling of nostalgia, from more fantastical plotlines to an “exaggerated realism” animation style. They also portray a wider breadth of surprisingly empowering female characters for the time of their creation. Shojo anime nowadays are great, but these lost diamonds should not be kept in the dark, either.

Related10 Most Underrated Classic Shojo Anime, Ranked

From the ‘60s to the 2000s, these underrated shojo anime classics shaped the genre but remain overlooked gems that every fan should revisit.

Daenerys Targaryen shocked fans across the world with her descent into complete and utter madness during the final season of Game of Thrones, burning King’s Landing to ashes. Although there is much debate about the direction that such a beloved character went, her insanity was iconic as much as it was infamous.

There are many anime queens who could rival the madness of the last Targaryen monarch, as female characters who have gone completely off the rails are a dime a dozen in anime. However, few can exceed the cruelty and craziness it takes to reap destruction on a city full of innocent civilians after they’ve already surrendered.

Related10 Reasons Why Code Geass and Game of Thrones are the Same Show

Code Geass and its cast shares far too many uncanny similarities with the hit tv-show Game of Thrones. Lelouch & Daenerys are practically the same.

Daenerys Loved Dragons...

When it comes to the topic of "masterpiece" anime, the answer to what anime fits into this category truly depends on who is asked. For example, fans of the shonen anime genre might say that action-packed anime such as Demon Slayer or Attack on Titan are worthy of the masterpiece title. Meanwhile, fans of the romance genre often consider Fruits Basket or Clannad to be the best anime they have ever seen.

On Netflix, a good number of different anime are constantly being added for fans of various genres. Some of these anime are brand-new and even exclusive to the platform, while others are classics that Netflix users are now able to watch again. No matter when some of these anime first debuted, several anime on Netflix are considered life-changing masterpieces.

Related30 Best Swordsmen In Anime, Ranked

From Guts and Ichigo to Kirito and Ryuko, the best anime swordsmen are...

Shojo anime are some of the most emotional out there, featuring stories full of depth and heavy topics that most other anime series wouldn’t dare touch. They often cover more personal struggles that hit close to home for many viewers, making them far more relatable. Despite their soft, feminine aesthetic and overall lighthearted tone, many shojo anime are shockingly dark and downright depressing. As a result, many shojo romances are also very heartbreaking.

Shojo relationships often go through struggles most anime couples never experience, facing many of life’s harshest realities. Sadly, not all shojo couples make it through these hardships, resulting in many tragic love stories that have devastated fans. But while these shojo romances are some of the saddest in the demographic, they’ve also gone down in history as some of the most beautiful.

Related10 Most Tragic Female Protagonists in Shojo Anime, Ranked

Shojo anime hold...

The upcoming anime adaptation of The Catcher in the Ballpark! has revealed lots of cast additions over the last few weeks. Today, though, we're getting a different sort of announcement: an opening theme, coming to us from seven-member music and vocal group Genic. The group, a follow-up to Avex's 12-member a-genic Project, previously performed the ending theme for the final season of the new Fruits Basket adaptation. Their opening theme for The Catcher in the Ballpark! will be titled "Hurray!!" Related: The Catcher in the Ballpark! Anime Premieres in April 2025 Junichi Kitamura ( Fluffy Paradise ) directs The Catcher in the Ballpark! anime at studio Emt Squared, with series composition by Shigeru Murakoshi ( I Parry Everything ), character designs by Fumio Iida and music by Monaca ( Shangri-La Frontier ). The series is based on the manga by Tatsuro Suga. The anime's official website describes the story (translated): "Am I your type, Onii-san...