Best Shojo Manga to Read After Watching Anime

Summary

Many anime adaptations skip crucial plot points, leaving stories feeling incomplete.
Anime like Kimi ni Todoke only cover part of the story, showcasing more in the manga.
Yona of the Dawn’s anime merely scratches the surface of the story, urging viewers to dive into the manga for deeper conflicts.

Watching anime is often the preferred method for many people to immerse themselves in a tale, however, it’s important to acknowledge that not all adaptations accurately represent their original work. Many anime tend to overlook subtle details as well as significant plot points. Some might argue this is done to maintain a swift pace and fit within a season’s schedule, but this aspect of anime can leave much to be desired. Although trimming certain parts of a story isn’t inherently negative, it results in some series, particularly those that excel in character development and gradual progression, feeling somewhat unfinished.

In romance-centric stories, it often happens that crucial, heartfelt moments are hurried through, making the portrayed relationship seem unrealistic or overly glamorized. A common issue with Shoujo anime is their speed, as many of these series tend to end just as things start getting intriguing. It’s clear from these shows that there is much more to the narrative than what was shown.

7. Kimi Ni Todoke

Popular Guy Meets Class Oddball

In a seemingly ordinary shy-girl-meets-popular-boy romance like “Kimi ni Todoke,” there’s a surprising depth that sets it apart. This anime delves into tender young love while subtly addressing heavy topics such as social anxiety and solitude. The story centers around a girl named Sawako, often teasingly referred to as Sadako due to her likeness to the ghost from “The Ring.” Due to her reluctance in social situations, she’s depicted as an endearing, timid girl yearning for companionship. Enter Kazehaya, the appealing, well-liked, and compassionate classmate who enters her life, adding a new dimension to Sawako’s world.

The way their relationship unfolds is a gradual build-up filled with endearingly awkward mix-ups – and it’s exactly this that makes it so engaging. This anime is an entirely heartwarming tale chronicling their development, not just as a pair, but also independently.

Currently, the anime effectively portrays their initial relationship, yet it only scratches the surface of the overall narrative. Despite having three seasons (the most recent one premiered in 2024), it fails to fully explore the complexities of the main couple or the delightful sub-relationships. The manga, however, delves deeper than anticipated, focusing more on Sawako’s personal development and her battles with self-confidence.

6. Fruits Basket (2001)

Comedic Take On A Rather Dark Storyline

Initially, Fruits Basket appears similar to typical shojo stories, yet it delves into profoundly dark themes. The narrative centers around Tohru Honda, a kind but somewhat naive character, who unexpectedly moves in with an attractive group of men belonging to the Sohma family. As the story unfolds, it offers both heartwarming scenes and surprising disclosures concerning the Sohma family’s curse.

2001’s anime version merely introduces the basic plot of the Fruits Basket story, but the manga provides a richer exploration of the complex curses afflicting the Sohma family and deeper insights into Tohru’s personal journey. The original adaptation often falls short in fully developing the characters, leaving their arcs feeling unfinished and one-dimensional, making it seem more like a comedy than the serious narrative it was intended to be.

5. Boys Over Flowers

Enemies-To-Lovers Romance

The classic manga, Boys Over Flowers, is all about a romantic encounter between a wealthy young man and an ordinary girl. It’s not just hyperbole to call it the pinnacle of shojo manga; this series has been brought to life in anime form, and it has inspired numerous live-action adaptations worldwide, each with slightly different titles but essentially the same narrative. The story centers around Tsukushi Makino, a determined yet financially strapped girl who finds herself at an exclusive school filled with affluent snobs. Upon arrival, she faces immediate discrimination and confronts the wealthiest student and his band of pampered tormentors known as F4. Initially, their relationship is marked by hostility, but it gradually evolves into something more complex.

Although the anime version of the story provides its key moments, it omits many crucial growth points in Tsukushi and Tsukasa’s relationship. The tone of the manga may not be as heavy as some other series, but for those seeking a complete experience, transitioning from the anime to the manga is advisable. For an intricate and multi-layered romance, even within a lighter series, the full depth can only be obtained from the original source.

4. Kamisama Kiss

Supernatural Romance Revolving Around Gods And Myths

Kamisama Kiss stands out as the shojo series that significantly influenced anime communities predominantly interested in shounen, by setting a trend. It’s a delightful blend of romance, humor, and the supernatural, centered around a girl named Nanami Momozono. After losing her home, she unexpectedly assumes the role of the land god of a shrine. This new position leaves her with a sarcastic and good-looking fox familiar called Tomoe, who is initially quite mean-spirited but irresistibly attractive. Despite his attempts to maintain a grumpy demeanor, he finds himself helplessly smitten by Nanami, creating an incredibly endearing dynamic between them.

The anime effectively establishes the romantic dynamics between its main characters, yet it barely scratches the surface of their emotional depth. Furthermore, the storyline is spread out and challenging to follow consistently. Therefore, a recommended approach would be to delve into the manga following the completion of the two primary seasons. Subsequently, viewers can explore OVAs for additional insights about the entire narrative.

3. Maid Sama!

High School Romance With Two Over-Achieving Main Characters

Maid Sama! is another popular anime in the ‘classic shojo’ genre, which gained significant attention from global audiences. The story centers around Misaki Ayazawa, a tenacious student who serves as the school president of a former all-boys institution. Due to her role, she finds herself constantly working to prove her worth. Enter Usui Takumi, a popular yet enigmatic student at the school. He uncovers a secret about Misaki that, if revealed, could tarnish her reputation as president. Their relationship unfolds as they engage in a dance of give and take until one of them starts to harbor feelings.

Although the anime effectively portrays the early phases of their relationship, it omits crucial aspects from the comic book version. Essentially, the anime adaptation feels like a series of humorous sketches without any substantial depth to the storyline. However, the manga provides a stark contrast by delving into each character’s background, offering insights as to why they behave as they do – especially Usui.

2. Yona Of The Dawn

Follows A Princess As She Grows To Be A Deserving Leader

Experiencing “Yona of the Dawn” is like diving deep into a rich tapestry that demands your full attention. This captivating series masterfully weaves together themes of romance, adventure, personal growth, and political intrigue. The narrative centers around Yona, a princess who lives in seclusion and luxury until her world is shattered by a coup led by her own cousin. This tragic event opens her eyes to the harsh realities beyond her sheltered life, prompting her to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and survival. As she navigates through this new, unforgiving world, Yona evolves from an innocent princess into a resilient leader fit to guide others.

The narrative of this series might initially seem quite intense, and it’s clear that the animation can’t fully convey the full weightiness of the story. Despite its visual beauty, it barely scratches the surface of Yona’s journey. The story concludes right when more complex conflicts, character advancements, and significant romantic events begin to unfold. In contrast, the manga delves deeper into every aspect, particularly the critical world-building that involves Yona’s developing bond with her bodyguard.

1. Skip Beat!

Revenge Story That Turns Into A Tale About Personal Growth And Success

Skip Beat! stands out in the shojo genre as one of the longest-running manga series ever published, having been released since 2002 and continuing to captivate readers today. To describe it as a slow-burning story might even be an understatement due to its enduring popularity. The narrative centers around Kyoko Mogami, a sweet girl who has dedicated her life to her childhood friend Sho Fuwa, even moving to Tokyo to support him – a decision she soon regrets when she learns he had been taking advantage of her affections all along. As the story unfolds, Kyoko’s quest for revenge evolves into a journey of healing and self-discovery.

In simpler terms, the anime adaptation focuses primarily on the initial phases of Kyoko’s development, but it takes quite some time for the manga to fully explore her emotional and romantic complexities. Later in the story, the manga delves much deeper into Kyoko’s character, revealing more depth and skill than just portraying her as an excessive, annoying teenager. Therefore, it’s worth investing your time to experience this development.

2025-03-03 13:35