Shojo anime is a widespreadanimedemographic that covers several different genres. More often than not though, shojo tend to focus on drama and romance rather than a hero and their journey. In fact, a lot of shojo takes place in high school, but as an adult, you may feel a little too old for innocent young love.
Thankfully, not all shojo anime are created equally! Here, we are going to take a look at some of the best shojo anime that you can still enjoy as an adult. The drama in most of these anime doesn’t revolve around coming to terms with what love feels like, which can be overdone at times.
8Fruits Basket
First, we have the iconic Fruits Basket. This may start off as a simple and lighthearted anime, but as it progresses, the show becomes increasingly more heartfelt and emotional. Sure, the main characters are in high school, but that’s really not the focus here.
There is also awide range of charactersof varying ages, and the anime offers a look into their lives as well. Overall, Fruits Basket is a great watch, regardless of your age. The 2019 version of Fruits Basket covers the entire story, so you won’t be missing anything!
7Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club is one of the most well-known anime out there, and it only has one season. This show follows Haruhi, who recently enrolled at a Ouran Academy. After accidentally knocking over a vase, she is now indebted to the host club.
This show takes all the shojo and reverse-harem tropes and turns them upside down. Each episode is absolutely hilarious and although the members of the host club are a bit over-the-top, they are all charming in their own way.
6Nana
Nana seems like it should be a josei anime, and technically it’s both. These demographics aren’t set in stone, so they really come down to where the original manga was published. Still, Nana holds up a great watch that falls in between shojo and josei.
This show follows the journey of Nana O. and Nana K. who both move to Tokyo and eventually take up residence together in an apartment. The journey is tumultuous and filled with drama, but it’s well worth the watch if you want a show that realisticallyportrays life and romance.
5A Sign Of Affection
A Sign Of Affection is a relatively new anime compared to many of the others on our list. Rather than taking place in a high school, A Sign Of Affection follows Yuki Itose, who recently started college. Yuki also happens to be deaf, and communicates primarily in sign language and notes.
While attending her university, Yuki meets Itsuomi Nagi, who is unlike anyone she has ever met. The two quickly develop a friendship and throughout the course of the show, you can witness their love bloom. Overall, it’s quite touching, and a great portrayal of deafness in anime.
4Lovely Complex
If you want the ultimate rom-com, then Lovely Complex has got you covered. This anime follows a comedic duo that consists of a tall girl and a short boy. In the anime, height differences seem like a lot, but the girl is actually five foot eight, and the boy is five foot one.
The two are often paired off due to their comedic conversations, and though a mishap in trying to get with their own love interests, the two become friends. This is a shojo though, so you can expect some feelings to bloom between the two.
3A Silent Voice
A Silent Voice isan anime moviethat also deals with a deaf female lead, much like A Sign of Affection. Rather than being surrounded by people who love and care for her, Shoko Nishimiya was bullied by Shoya Ishida in elementary school to the point where she had to transfer.
The two meet again but not all is fine between the two. A Silent Voice isn’t a romance; it’s a redemption story about a boy who bullied others and eventually falls into a depression. Overall, it’s a good watch for any anime fan.
2ItaKiss
ItaKiss covers a wide range of time, starting in high school and extending far beyond. The premise starts off like a typical shojo; Kotoko wants to be in the same class as her love interest, but things aren’t going according to plan for her.
That it, until her home is destroyed and she says with him! ItaKiss is definitely a bit of a guilty pleasure, but it’s great if you are looking for a show that follows a relationship well beyond marriage.
1Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Last but not least, we have Kaguya-sama: Love Is War. Sure, this takes place in a high school and focuses on two characters who refuse to confess first, but it’s so much more. First and foremost, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War isabsolutely hilarious.
The show is fast-paced with great narration, as well as side characters that are just as good as the main couple. Each episode will leave a smile on your face, and thankfully, there are three full seasons and a movie for you to watch.
