The High Quality Mahou Shoujo List
Anime
A comprehensive list of my favorite Mahou Shoujo anime from its golden age in the 1990s to the genre's unfortunate fizzling out in the early 2010s.
Even though the genre can be traced all the way to the 1960s, it's hard to argue that those old works reach the necessary thematic or quality tresholds for inclusion as historical analysis isn't the sole focus of this list. Furthermore, I'm not particularly fond of various popular works such as Cardcaptor Sakura. Mahou Shoujo lists with all the usual suspects can be found elsewhere. A much wider net is being cast here.
As the landscape of anime changed, many elements of Mahou Shoujo bled into other genres. This, coupled with creative exhaustion within, lead to what can only be described as the death of the Mahou Shoujo in early 2010s. Latter Mahou Shoujo found itself forced to fit into one of two molds; Either a long-running, but creatively bankrupt franchise for small kids (eg. Jewlpets) or an "edgy" subversion with military elements and lots of suffering (eg. Magical Girl Raising Project). In general, neither succeeded at producing classics.
By the tail end of 2010s there were some attempts at reviving the classical formula, but these haven't yielded any notable critical nor popular success. As far as things appear now, the genre isn't coming back anytime soon, if ever.
Listed anime have been carefully considered and are a healthy mix of both popular and critical darlings and overlooked shows. Despite its high quality as a show, there will be no Madoka Magica on this list due to the part it played in the death of Mahou Shoujo. The ordering is somewhat arbitrary, driven by my own fondness.
Even though the genre can be traced all the way to the 1960s, it's hard to argue that those old works reach the necessary thematic or quality tresholds for inclusion as historical analysis isn't the sole focus of this list. Furthermore, I'm not particularly fond of various popular works such as Cardcaptor Sakura. Mahou Shoujo lists with all the usual suspects can be found elsewhere. A much wider net is being cast here.
As the landscape of anime changed, many elements of Mahou Shoujo bled into other genres. This, coupled with creative exhaustion within, lead to what can only be described as the death of the Mahou Shoujo in early 2010s. Latter Mahou Shoujo found itself forced to fit into one of two molds; Either a long-running, but creatively bankrupt franchise for small kids (eg. Jewlpets) or an "edgy" subversion with military elements and lots of suffering (eg. Magical Girl Raising Project). In general, neither succeeded at producing classics.
By the tail end of 2010s there were some attempts at reviving the classical formula, but these haven't yielded any notable critical nor popular success. As far as things appear now, the genre isn't coming back anytime soon, if ever.
Listed anime have been carefully considered and are a healthy mix of both popular and critical darlings and overlooked shows. Despite its high quality as a show, there will be no Madoka Magica on this list due to the part it played in the death of Mahou Shoujo. The ordering is somewhat arbitrary, driven by my own fondness.
TV, 1997,
39 eps
Me:-
Author:10
Revolutionary Girl Utena is a story about interpersonal relationships and growing up, but also a cerebral alegory for the struggle with one's internal identity. Not afraid to push boundaries, the show regularly takes opportunity to pursue dark subject matters.
The direction is extremely playful and rich with meaning to the most minute detail. Except for the elegant art nouveau elements, nothing about the show aesthetically screams Mahou Shoujo. Yet, even thought it's the least Mahou Shoujo-looking show, Revolutionary Girl Utena is the genre's shiniest star.
The direction is extremely playful and rich with meaning to the most minute detail. Except for the elegant art nouveau elements, nothing about the show aesthetically screams Mahou Shoujo. Yet, even thought it's the least Mahou Shoujo-looking show, Revolutionary Girl Utena is the genre's shiniest star.
TV, 2004,
40 eps
Me:-
Author:9
An overlooked gem, Magical Girl Squad Alice is an adventure set in the backdrop of a magical world war. It manages to tell its story by contrasting the easy-going and always moving squad with rigid and almost hopeless power dynamics in the background.
Featuring extremely fast paced storytelling and unique editing techniques, the show somehow excels at layering both extremely upbeat and melancholic atmosphere at the same time. It's a unique and somewhat thoughtful adventure like no other.
Featuring extremely fast paced storytelling and unique editing techniques, the show somehow excels at layering both extremely upbeat and melancholic atmosphere at the same time. It's a unique and somewhat thoughtful adventure like no other.
TV, 2002,
38 eps
Me:-
Author:9
Princess Tutu is the most classy Mahou Shoujo anime. Basically a reimagining of the Swan Lake balet featuring Tchaikovsky's music, its Belle Époque roots are clearly visible. Interestingly, Princess Tutu features no fights as such. Instead, the eponymous princess and her friends dances their enemies into submission, as if on a dramatic balet stage.
Although written for children, Princess Tutu is able to emotionally grip even an adult.
Although written for children, Princess Tutu is able to emotionally grip even an adult.
TV, 2005,
51 eps
Me:-
Author:9
Sugar Sugar Rune fits in a special sweet spot, juggling generic Mahou Shoujo tropes with various unexpected influences. The art style is cute and girly, but also goth. The girls fight for human hearts, but actually rarely battle. Due to many of its small subversions, the show is able to put on a feeling of freshness onto its Mahou Shoujo identity, all the while staying familiar. Featuring strong slice of life elements throughout, Sugar Sugar Rune ends up being one of the most comfortable shows in the genre.
Movie, 2013,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:10
Little Witch Academia is a story about witches hell bent on loud, intense, action-heavy, magical adventuring. Inspired by western magical tropes and stories, its Mahou Shoujo classification may only be a formality. Yet, it masterfully reinvents classic art nouveau elements common to the Mahou Shoujo into a fresh artstyle that surpases most of the genre. Together with its core themes focusing on the magic inherent to a girl's heart, it hits the most important Mahou Shoujo beats.
More rowdy and adventure heavy than most, Little Witch Academia nonetheless makes a compelling case for itself as a great and exciting magical girl movie. Together with its sequel and the TV series, it offers many magical hours of fun.
More rowdy and adventure heavy than most, Little Witch Academia nonetheless makes a compelling case for itself as a great and exciting magical girl movie. Together with its sequel and the TV series, it offers many magical hours of fun.
TV, 1998,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Magical Stage Fancy Lala follows the eponymous girl after two magical creatures imbue her pen with the power to draw herself into a magical idol. These new powers soon bring responsibilities, influencing her regular life thereon.
A classic growing up tale set in the nineties, Magical Stage Fancy Lala can claim to have cracked the formula and finished its run as one of the best Mahou Shoujo series grounded on this side of reality.
A classic growing up tale set in the nineties, Magical Stage Fancy Lala can claim to have cracked the formula and finished its run as one of the best Mahou Shoujo series grounded on this side of reality.
TV, 1992,
46 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The grandmother of the Mahou Shoujo genre as we know it, Sailor Moon's impact can't be overstated. From formalizing the Mahou Shoujo aesthetics and tropes to starting the career of Kunihiko Ikuhara of Revolutionary Girl Utena fame, it's the most important franchise to ever mark the genre. There's no point in listing its positives and negatives; Sailor Moon simply has to be watched.
TV, 2004,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Back in the day, Lyrical Nanoha used to be considered the definitive "darker and edgier" Mahou Shoujo series. Fortunately, it still holds up to this day. After a deceptively generic start, the series and its sequels slowly unravel, offering melodramatic and serious stories without forgetting their classic Mahou Shoujo roots. Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha is darker and edgier is done correctly.
OVA, 1996,
6 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Magic User's Club is a story about a school club stopping a benevolent alien invasion. Complete with broom riding lessons, techno-fetishism, a beach episode and a boy-witch, this light-hearted OVA oozes the old retro-style. If you're a fan of old anime or enjoy impressive art and animation, you'll have fun with this silly magical girl story. Just steer clear of the later TV series.
TV, 2015,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:6
Produced by Gainax of all studios, years after the decline of the genre, Wish Upon the Pleiades is probably the last good Mahou Shoujo series. The show is a standard and somewhat uninspired Mahou Shoujo afair uplifted by its creative visuals and easygoing atmosphere. It's a good fit for those interested in outer space or those who simply want to see more standard Mahou Shoujo.
