Anyone who’s ever watched anime long enough will encounter a random girl tasked with saving the world with magical powers. At its core, Magical Girl anime depicts seemingly ordinary schoolgirls balancing their daily activities at school and shenanigans with friends with the impending doom of the world as they know it.
However, just because the Magical Girl genre has a few tropes and cliches doesn’t mean each show is the same. Some of the best Mahou Shoujo anime expand these concepts further, subvert expectations, and tell some incredibly gripping stories. While not as popular as some other themes, this genre has produced plenty of greats over the decades, and that trend will hopefully continue indefinitely.
Updated March 9, 2025 by Mark Sammut: Except for Witchy Pretty Cure!! Mirai Days, Winter 2025 mostly opted to skip over the Magical Girl genre, which is a shame as Fall 2024 had two decent shows in Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc. and Acro Trip. As the current lineup has little to offer, two older shows have been added as recommendations for the best Magical Girl anime: Sugar Sugar Rune and Magical Witch Punie-Chan.
23
Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc.
MyAnimeList: 6.97
Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc.
- Release Date
-
October 4, 2024
Fall 2024 debuted two Magical Girl anime, both of which shake things up to mostly decent results. While neither show is incredible, they are both worthy additions to the genre. Acro Trip focuses on a girl who joins an evil organization to provide the local Magical Girl with a challenge that allows her to shine. The latter mostly plays second fiddle to the protagonist and the male villain, but all three characters are quite charming.
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The season’s other series, Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc., is the more memorable of the two, at least concerning its core premise. Rather than going down the “chosen one” route, the anime envisions a world where Magical Girls are another profession, effectively acting as exterminators whenever entities known as Kaii make an experience. After leaving college, Kana is kind of struggling to find the right job; however, that changes when she helps a Magical Girl named Hitomi solve a serious Kaii infestation. Before she knows it, Kana is riding a special broom, wearing cool outfits, and helping people.
Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc. gives the genre the Tiger & Bunny treatment, which is by far its strongest element. The characters are fairly traditional but also likable, particularly Hitomi. Even the action sequences are great. Admittedly, the anime loses steam as it goes along, but the journey is still worthwhile.
22
Magical Witch Punie-Chan
MyAnimeList: 6.92
Magical Witch Punie-Chan
- Release Date
-
March 20, 2006
Here is something a bit different. Magical Witch Punie-Chan is, essentially, a Magical Girl parody that focuses on a Princess who is anything but valiant. In fact, she is prone to violence and, when threatened, will try her best to DESTROY her enemy. Honestly, the show is kind of similar to Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan, where the jokes mostly revolve around undermining the innocent female heroine trope. However, Magical Witch Punie-Chan is nowhere near as grotesque as that show, and it mostly sticks to fierce slapstick without crossing the line into uncomfortable gore.
Magical Witch Punie-Chan is not going to hit the mark with everyone and is also quite difficult to track down in this day and age. Nevertheless, somebody craving a subversive Magical Girl anime that is not particularly dark might wish to check this series out. There is nothing else in the genre quite like it.
21
Magical DoReMi
MyAnimeList: 7.32 (Season 1)
Magical DoReMi
- Release Date
-
February 7, 1999
When anime fans hear Magical Girls, they often think of a trio of superpowered schoolgirls and Magical DoReMi fits that description perfectly. Doremi Harukaze, a third-grader living in the fictional town of Misora, stumbles upon the magic shop named Mahodo. After she discovers that its owner Majo Rika, is a witch frog, the latter makes Doremi her apprentice to help her return to human form.
Doremi finds companions in the form of her best friends who also become witch apprentices. At first, the trio need to pass nine different tests to become full witches and break the curse on Majo Rika. However, the trio eventually faces various threats, including an evil witch apprentice, with the fate of the world at stake.
20
Is This A Zombie?
MyAnimeList: 7.33 (Season 1)
Is This A Zombie?
- Release Date
-
January 11, 2011
For the most part, Magical Boys anime have been left out of this discussion. While they tend to parody Mahou Shoujo stories, they are nevertheless in a separate subgenre, and they usually don’t incorporate girls that much. However, Is This a Zombie? is an exception since a Magical Girl, Haruna, is part of the main cast and central to the narrative. Admittedly, she does not get to take part in the action all that much since her powers are quickly taken over by Ayumu, a male zombie who suddenly finds himself having to take up the responsibilities of a Magical Girl.
On paper, this anime sounds excessive and exhausting, almost like it is trying to do way too many things at once. Although scattershot at times, Is This a Zombie? is pretty darn hilarious and features a strong cast of characters. As long as a viewer does not mind a harem, this unique Magical Girl anime is well worth checking out.
19
Fate/kaleid Liner Prisma Illya
MyAnimeList: 7.48 (Season 3)
Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya
- Release Date
-
July 13, 2013
Fate transcends medium, producing visual novels, action games, manga, light novels, and (obviously) anime. Fate/Zero and Fate/stay night are the most popular series in this universe, but they are far from the only worthwhile Fate anime. For example, Fate/kaleid Liner Prisma Illya has been nothing short of a massive success, with the manga spawning an anime adaptation with four seasons and two movies, and there is still more to come. At its peak, this series represents Fate at its best, delivering fantastic action, decent humor, and conflicts largely driven by conflicting ideologies.
The thing is, Fate/kaleid Liner Prisma Illya is arguably the hardest anime in the series to wholeheartedly recommend, mainly due to the fanservice in the first two seasons. Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 2wei! is particularly annoying in this area, and these moments can detract considerably from the overall package. That said, the positives shine bright enough to warrant giving this series a mention, even if it is primarily for die-hard Fate fans rather than people into Magical Girls.
18
Yuki Yuna Is A Hero
MyAnimeList: 7.36
Yuki Yuna Is A Hero
- Release Date
-
October 17, 2014
Producing three main seasons, Yuki Yuna is a Hero has proven to have quite a bit of staying power. The Magical Girl series tends to be compared to Puella Magi Madoka Magica, albeit Yuki Yuna is a less bleak show overall. Set in a world with deities, a school’s Hero Club members are charged with protecting the world from monsters.
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Yuki Yuna‘s characters are its strongest point as the anime dedicates a great deal of time to exploring the girls’ lives outside their heroic duties. It develops them as people, making it quite easy to relate to or at least like these characters.
17
Shana Of The Burning Eyes
MyAnimeList: 7.44 (Season 1)
Shakugan no Shana
- Release Date
-
2005 – 2012
- Network
-
MBS, Tokyo MX, tvk
- Directors
-
Shigeru Ueda
Most commonly known as Shakugan no Shana, this anime envisions a realm that exists alongside Earth, one defined by an endless war between people who seek personal gain at the expense of balance and those who try to stop them. One day, Yuuji is saved by a mystery girl he calls Shana, and the former is informed that he is no longer alive. Joining Shana in her fight to preserve both worlds, the two steadily form a relationship.
Shakugan no Shana has a weak opening arc, but the anime picks up considerable steam as it goes along. The Magical Girl anime focuses heavily on Shana and Yuuji’s romance, so much so that it serves as the story’s heart.
16
Shugo Chara!
MyAnimeList: 7.40 (Season 1)
Shugo Chara!
- Release Date
-
October 6, 2007
Amu Hinamori of Shugo Chara! is recognizable for her iconic pink hair and punk-ish attitude. What her classmates think is a “cool and spicy” look hides her rather introverted self. When she wishes to gain the confidence needed to fulfill her popular exterior, she finds three eggs that hatch as three Guardian Characters — Ran, Miki, and Su. As a Guardian, Amu can beseech the help of Ran, Miki, and Su to help her discover her true self.
As the anime evolves, Amu also encounters other Guardians, each with their own Guardian Characters and abilities. And while Shugo Chara! has its own blend of unique action, its greatest strength lies in its story about self-discovery.
15
Sugar Sugar Rune
MyAnimeList: 7.50
Sugar Sugar Rune
- Release Date
-
July 2, 2005
Since around the ’90s, mahou shoujo anime have generally stuck to a standard aesthetic and structure, with some variants on it. Consequently, Sugar Sugar Rune is at odds with genre-setters like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, to the point that it almost seems to belong to another theme. For example, the main “magical girls” are anime witches, and they very much lean into that look and vibe. Vanilla is, admittedly, a bit more of a conventional mid-2000s shojo protagonist, but Chocolat is far more loud and abrasive than the usual MC. They both have awesome fashion senses as well.
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While not necessarily groundbreaking, the story is a nice departure from all the “world-saving” premises that have come to dominate the genre. Chocolat and Vanilla are sent to Earth to collect hearts, with the winner becoming the queen of the Magical World. They set up shop at a school, and quickly set out to ensnare the guys, all the while dealing with threats (and magical boys) that force them to work together. Sugar Sugar Rune is a blast and a refreshing take on Magical Girls.
14
My-HiME
MyAnimeList: 7.40
My-HiME
- Release Date
-
October 1, 2004
What if there existed a school that teaches girls how to become Magical Girls? My-HiME explores this concept in detail. The story centers are HiMEs, or girls with the ability to materialize photons, that reside in Fuka Academy for a secret purpose. Protagonist Mai Tokiha soon discovers she’s a HiME and bonds with a Child, a mecha with spiritual properties. Mai, alongside 11 others, are tasked to save the world from Orphans, creatures with abilities similar to the HiME’s children.
My-HiME has a lot to do with the complex personalities of each character. As other HiMEs manifest around Mai, their various goals affect their desire to protect their world. In the end, Mai and the others become entangled in a fate tied to their very nature as HiMEs.
13
Pretear: The New Legend of Snow White
MyAnimeList: 7.16
Pretear: The New Legend of Snow White
- Release Date
-
April 4, 2001
A contender for the most underrated Magical Girl anime, Prétear: The New Legend of Snow White should be checked out by anyone remotely interested in the theme, especially if they are craving a fairly unique female lead. The story is quite interesting and differentiates itself by revolving around a transformation that involves the main girl, Himeno, fusing with guys who identify as knights.
After her father marries into a wealthy family, Himeno finds herself isolated as she lives with a stepmother and siblings who do not seem to care for her. She is not treated well at school either, with her “rough” personality attracting negative attention from her peers. However, her life takes a drastic (and initially unwelcome) turn when she meets Hayate and is informed about her role as a Pretear.
While incorporating some reverse harem elements, Pretear shines as a romance-driven Magical Girl story with a likable protagonist, clever writing, and good visuals for the era.
12
The Demon Girl Next Door
MyAnimeList: 7.85 (Season 2)
The Demon Girl Next Door
- Release Date
-
July 12, 2019
Now, here is a charming little comedy. Magical Girl anime are hardly strangers to humor, and some of the genre’s greatest shows can be hilarious; however, comedy is usually secondary and sporadic. The Demon Girl Next Door takes things in a different direction by just being a straight-up laughfest, having a similar comedic style to Cute Girls Doing Cute Things series such as Gabriel Dropout. The anime revolves around the unorthodox friendship between two high school girls who are meant to be mortal enemies due to one being a demon and the other a Magical Girl. Yuuko (the demon girl) and Momo (the Magical Girl) are delightful, both as individuals and as frenemies who are mostly forced to engage in an antagonistic relationship.
Season 1 does a stellar job of establishing the leads and the larger world, all the while delivering wholesome and clever jokes that are just pure fluff (a descriptor that extends to the whole series). Somehow, the sequel managed to be even better, mainly due to focusing more on the supporting characters, all of whom are fantastic. In a genre oversaturated with cuteness, The Demon Girl Next Door might just represent its peak.
11
The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies
MyAnimeList: 7.57
The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies
- Release Date
-
2024 – 2024
- Network
-
AT-X
- Directors
-
Takayuki Yamamoto
An adaptation of Cocoa Fujiwara’s final manga before her tragic passing, The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies is a cute and whole romance that delivers exactly what its title advertises. After being essentially tricked into becoming a Magical Girl, Mimori spends her nights fighting against the forces of evil that are trying to take over the world, all led by the villainous Mira. However, the latter pretty much instantly falls in love with his archenemy, and the two’s meetings start to resemble dates rather than battles to the death.
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The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies is just pleasant, no more and no less. While not carrying the load completely on their own, Mimori and Mira are the only characters who matter, which is fine for a one-hour series consisting of 10-minute episodes. Their interactions tend to follow a strict formula that mostly involves Mira being overwhelmed by Mimori’s cuteness, while the latter occasionally says something that suggests her life is quite difficult. If someone is specifically craving a rom-com, this series is one of the very best magical girl anime.
10
Searching For The Full Moon
MyAnimeList: 7.93
Searching for the Full Moon
- Release Date
-
April 6, 2002
Searching For The Full Moon is a rather unique take on the Magical Girl genre. The series does not focus on action nor does it have the protagonist constantly going up against supernatural threats; however, a magical event is the story’s driving force, and it does come with a transformation. The anime stars Mitsuki Koyama, a 12-year-old who wants to become a singer. Sadly, her sarcoma makes her dream impossible. To make things worse, two Shinigami tell Mitsuki she has only a year left to live.
Seeing her wishes, the two Shinigami strike a deal with her. If she agrees to die peacefully after a year, she can become a 16-year-old to partake in the auditions to become an idol. In turn, Mitsuki begins wowing her audiences as the mysterious Fullmoon. This is only the beginning of a rather sad and heart-wrenching tale that is sure to keep fans watching until the end.
9
Magic Knight Rayearth
MyAnimeList: 7.49 (Season 2)
Magic Knight Rayearth begins as ordinary as other Magical Girl anime would. Three friends in eighth grade — Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu — get embroidered in the affairs of Cephiro, an alternate world influenced by one’s will. The creature Mokona asks for their help in saving Princess Emeraude, the Pillar and guardian of Cephiro, from the evil Zagato.
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Through Mokona’s help, the trio gains access to unique element-based magic to awaken the Rune-Gods which are mecha they pilot to pursue their path to saving Cephiro and the world. Rayearth’s blending of elements from the Magical Girl, isekai, and mecha genres helps it stand out from the pack as one of the greats, and there are no other shows that offer a similar blend. More importantly, all three leads are strong characters in their own right, and they grow quite a bit throughout the story.
8
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
MyAnimeList: 7.95 (Season 2)
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
- Release Date
-
October 1, 2004
- Network
-
Teletama
- Directors
-
Keizo Kusakawa
When elementary schoolgirl Nanoha Takamichi rescues an injured ferret, she’s soon thrust into a world of mystery and magic. This ferret reveals himself to be Yuno Scrya, an archaeologist-mage from the parallel universe of Midchilda. Yuno seeks Nanoha’s help in retrieving 21 Jewel Seeds that can turn their hosts into monsters upon contact.
While Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha shares some similar elements with Cardcaptor Sakura, the former’s story evolves into something else entirely. What begins as a cheerful premise soon evolves into a more complicated story with plot twists and darker elements. The first season can be a bit rough to get through, but Nanoha improves with each new cour.
7
Pretty Cure (Franchise)
MyAnimeList: 7.10 (Futari wa Pretty Cure); 7.86 (HeartCatch Precure)
Pretty Cure
- Release Date
-
February 1, 2004
Pretty Cure is kind of a weird franchise. With over 20 seasons and 1000 episodes, PreCure is undoubtedly a cornerstone of the Magical Girl genre, if not downright its most decorated property; however, it has never quite garnered the same international appeal as Sailor Moon, Madoka Magica, or Cardcaptor Sakura. The series has a reputation for being a kids’ show, a statement that, while not untrue, sells it short. Also, newcomers might feel hesitant to jump into a new season due to the franchise’s longevity, even though each entry does its own thing and can be appreciated in isolation.
With generally solid action, likable characters, and decent animation, Pretty Cure is reliable and comforting. Not every property must push the envelope, and there is a lot to be said for a franchise that can constantly deliver predictable but enjoyable entertainment. If someone is not sure where to start, they can just jump into the latest series (Wonderful PreCure!) or start with the original season (simply entitled Pretty Cure). Alternatively, they can pick one of the best entries like HeartCatch, Tropical-Rouge! or Hugtto!
6
Symphogear
MyAnimeList: 8.19 (Season 5)
Symphogear
- Release Date
-
January 6, 2012
A sci-fi shonen series revolving around idols who use the power of song to defeat aliens, Symphogear starts fairly messy but steadily finds its footing as an unapologetically over-the-top and fun action fest. Technically, the show’s heroines are idols, but they are basically Magical Girls that sing. Producing five seasons, the franchise improves with each new cour, culminating in the genuinely fantastic Symphogear XV.
Showing its battle shonen origins, Symphogear pulls out all the stops for its fight sequences, which are consistently great. Even though the characters and storytelling take a while to become truly engaging, they are never dull and, more importantly, become fantastic once the anime hits its momentum during season 2. Symphogear requires some patience, but it warrants the commitment.
5
Princess Tutu
MyAnimeList: 8.14
Princess Tutu
- Release Date
-
2002 – 2003
- Network
-
Kids Station
- Directors
-
Yasushi Muroya, Yukio Nishimoto, Harume Kosaka
An early 2000s classic, Princess Tutu is a well-written fairy tale with a twist. The anime follows Ahiru, a duck who transforms into a girl that can become the magical Princess Tutu. Ahiru’s reason for being is to save a prince, a journey that’s far more complicated than it sounds.
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Princess Tutu is a one-of-a-kind show that combines surreal imagery, complex themes of identity and free will, and unique choreography centered around ballet. While the show’s animation leaves something to be desired at times, Princess Tutu‘s fantastic story and characters more than make up for any shortcomings.
4
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
MyAnimeList: 7.74 (Season 1)
Anyone who imagines a Magical Girl and thinks of a superpowered girl in a sailor uniform should perhaps credit this trope to Sailor Moon. In this series, schoolgirl Usagi Tsukino becomes Sailor Moon, while her friends become Sailor Soldiers associated with other planets. Usagi and the Sailor Soldiers fight various intergalactic threats as they protect the coveted Silver Crystal.
Perhaps the most popular Magical Girl anime ever, Sailor Moon pretty much defined a ton of tropes associated with the genre. Aside from cute uniforms, Sailor Moon started the trend toward awesome transformation sequences too. Nowadays, the original seasons can be slightly difficult to fully appreciate as they are unsurprisingly dated, although they are still filled with likable characters, decent humor, and compelling melodrama. The show’s core romance is iconic but also polarizing. Newcomers who want something a touch more modern should check out Sailor Moon Crystal, which is borderline underrated.
