Kotoko has had a crush on Irie since she met him her freshman year. However, her dreams of romance don’t look to have a very good chance of becoming reality. Irie is the smartest student in her class, while Kotoko is well known for being… well, not all too bright. When her luck takes a turn for the worst and she finds herself homeless and forced to move in with Irie, will being close to him also bring her closer to her dreams, or push her even further away? This series possess a lot of traits that are characteristic of shoujo anime. There’s the ditzy but well-meaning heroine, her uninterested crush who’s totally out of her league, a never-ending supply of drama and misunderstandings. What is notable about this series is that it integrates these characteristics from general shoujo anime, and does this exceptionally well. If you’re a fan of shoujo, this series evokes a feeling of enjoyable nostalgia, which is what put this series on this list for, at number 10.

Kind-hearted Sawako has a hard time making friends in class. Maybe it’s because she’s a bit socially awkward, or maybe it’s her her haircut’s unfortunate similarity to that of a certain well-dwelling ghost from a popular horror movie. At any rate, no one seems to notice how nice she really is. Nobody, but her classmate Kazehaya, one of the most popular boys in her school. A main purpose of shoujo anime is to evoke feelings in the viewer. For this reason, captivating characters and their development and emotional depth are one of the most important components of this genre, and this series certainly achieves that. This series is a positive portrayal of romance, but goes far beyond being just a love story and falling flat as some other series do. It is for that reason that Kimi ni Todoke makes this list, at number 9.

Risa and Otani have everything in common, but can’t seem to agree on anything. Their comedic rivalry is practically famous in their high school. Their friends speculate that they would make a good couple, despite the fact that the majority of their interactions involve teasing each other. Their fierce competition escalates into a contest - who can get a date first? As their friendship grows and develops beyond a comedy duo, Risa also begins to develop feelings for Otani. This is another series with interesting characters that develop over the series. However, it is a notable show because the main characters are refreshingly different, and fall outside of the typical parameters of a shoujo heroine and her love interest. While offering an engaging plot that will keep you guessing at every turn, another feature of many successful shoujo series, Lovely Complex offers a healthy dose of comedy to boot. These qualities brings it up to number 8 on this list.

Mei was hurt so badly by someone she trusted that she made a promise to herself not to ever trust anyone again. Part of this decision means that Mei deliberately doesn’t have any friends.. It’s how she protects herself, and she assures herself she is perfectly content living this way. That is, until she meets a boy named Yamato, who threatens her precious solitude. He’s popular, handsome, charming, and for some reason... won’t leave her alone. The slow but detailed progression of Mei and Yamato’s relationship allows for strong character development, and keeps the viewer very emotionally involved. The plot itself isn’t extremely dramatic or complicated compared to other shows on this list, but if anything that adds to the series. The viewer is left to focus on the characters and their blossoming relationship with no distraction. It is this beautiful captivating simplicity coupled with emotional intensity that puts this series at number 7 on this list.

Momo is on the swim team and that causes her a lot of trouble. It’s not Momo’s fault that she tans easily by the pool or that it’s chlorine bleaches her hair. Her appearance has earned her an undeserved scandalous reputation among her classmates, who tease her mercilessly. To make matters worse, she has a crush on a boy who’s rumored to only like pale girls, a scheming best friend who really isn’t a friend at all, and another boy who wants her for himself. Sabatoge, mayhem, and love triangles ensue. The plot of this series is intelligently written. The writers weave a tapestry of events where as soon as a loose end is tied, another part begins to unravel. It’s fast paced, and engaging, and a personal favorite. The characters are all extremely well developed and charismatic. Perhaps the most striking isn’t the heroine, it’s her rival. I would be hard pressed to say I’ve come across a villain more cunning and diabolical in any anime series I’ve watched, and that’s not an exaggeration. While you’ll love to hate her, she’s crucial to driving the plot of this series. Blink, and you’ll miss something in Peach Girl, number 6 on this list.

Everyone keeps secrets… Misaki’s secret is so dark it has the potentially to destroy her entire reputation. She works at a maid cafe, and as the student council president, this is a secret she guards fiercely. One day her classmate, and a well-known playboy, Takumi happens to find out about her second life but is willing to keep her secret at a price. If she hangs out with him, he won’t tell anyone. Does Misaki really have a choice? The premise of a shoujo herione being blackmailed by a handsome is not a new innovation to the genre. However, this series is widely regarding as one of the better shoujo anime that have come out in recent years for it’s strong story, art and popularity as a romantic comedy. In addition to providing lots of laughs, there is definitely believable chemistry between the two main characters, which adds to the watch-ability of this series, and these factors bring it up to number 5 on this list.

All twelve year-old Mitsuki wants to do is be a famous singer. She promised her first love that she would reach this dream, but now that seems impossible. In the cruelest twist of fate imaginable she is diagnosed with terminal throat cancer. What’s more, she finds out that she only has a year left to live, and the stakes are raised even igher. With the clock ticking, a desperate Mitsuki finds herself making a deal with a shinigami who promises to help her do the impossible. This series has an art style that is particularly reminiscent of 90’s shoujo manga. Because of this, it’s very aesthetically enjoyable for fans of classic shoujo in general. Many shoujo anime about music boast an OST, but the songs in Full Moon provoke exceptionally powerful emotional impact, adding another level of atmosphere to the series. Most notably, the song “Eternal Snow” is one of the most evocative songs in a shoujo score. This series tells a very sad story that is also quite beautiful which puts it at number 4 on this list.

Tsukushi’s name literally means “weed”. At the prestigious Eitoku Academy where her class, she is certainly made to feel like a dandelion amongst orchids. The truth is, she can’t stand her spoiled, vapid classmates. But her family is so proud of her that she swears she’ll just keep her head down long enough to graduate. That is, until she finds herself accidentally waging an all out war with the F4, the most popular and influential boys in school. This series has one of the most complex and intricate plot of any shoujo anime. All of the characters are interesting, and each one undergoes significant changes as the plot progresses. This series has an extremely complex and fast paced plot, which makes it nearly impossible to stop watching. Even though the plot is dramatic, the circumstances and characters remain not only believable, but relatable. It is an older series, so the art might turn some people off, but you’d be hard pressed to find a better executed high-school drama than Hana Yori Dango, putting it at number 3 on this list.

Miaka and Yui are both average high-school students, until they open an enchanted book and find themselves magically whisked away to an alternate fantasy universe similar to ancient China. In this world, Miaka and Yui are tasked with the responsibility of being priestesses working for opposing forces, and the best friends become rivals engaged in competition to fulfill their destinies and have their wishes granted. The race is on for the two to summon their assigned celestial warriors, but in the this strange world of fantasy, this is no easy task. Fushigi Yuugi is notable for being an early shoujo series that successfully integrates elements of fantasy with romance, something that has become a common combination. This series also features an engaging cast of characters, which are sure to hold the viewers attention if the plot alone doesn’t do the trick. Fans of shoujo that watch this show for the first time will quickly recognize elements inspired by this series in many more recent works. As a pioneering, highly enjoyable shoujo anime that has served as inspiration for so many other series, Fushigi Yuugi comes in at number 2 on this list.

Usagi is a crybaby, does poorly in school, is boy crazy, and is a superhero responsible for saving of humanity. Or at least, that’s what she hears from a talking cat. Luckily, she’s not alone and is soon joined by a group of other girls who are students by day, and super heroes by night to aid her in her fight. And she’ll need the help. The forces of the Negaverse prove to be more than one girl can handle, and the battle’s only just begun. Sailor Moon is arguably the best known magical girl anime to ever have been produced. And for good reason - the characters are as colorful and charismatic as the villains are cunning. The development of Usagi and her friends from average students to full blown heroes is rewarding to watch. There is an emphasis on the importance of friendship, love, and girl power, and many other magical girl shows that followed borrowed from this ethos. As a shoujo fan, if you haven’t seen Sailor Moon yet, it’s practically required viewing, putting this series at number 1 on this list.