Top 10 Best Magical Girl Anime

Magical Girl (also known as majokko or mahou shoujo) is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy anime and manga about young girls who use magic to defeat evil. Since the 1960s, magical girl was born in Japan. Ever since the 1990s, magical girl is known all around the world. Today, there are many plenty of Magical Girl anime.

This is the list of the Best Magical Girl Anime.
The Top Ten
1 Puella Magi Madoka Magica Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a 2011 Japanese anime television series produced by Shaft and Aniplex, directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, written by Gen Urobuchi, music by Yuki Kajiura, opening sang by ClariS, ending by Kalafina (sometimes by the seiyuus) and original characters by Ume Aoki.

By far one of my favorite animes!! It might look innocent and cute, but it's actually really dark and messed up, lol. But it's also super interesting and manages to create a captivating plot within only 12 episodes.

I love this show! This is the show that got my younger brother into anime. We've both watched it at least twice. I saw this on another list on The Top Tens: "Top Ten Worst Magical Girl Shows of All Time." I can't find the list now, but not only was this show on there, it somehow got second place. All I could think was, "Is this a joke?"

2 Sailor Moon Sailor Moon is a Japanese shōjo manga series by Naoko Takeuchi. It was originally serialized in Nakayoshi from 1991 to 1997; the 52 individual chapters were published in 18 tankōbon volumes... read more

Moon is number 1! All the girls in Madoka do is sulk and wait for their looming deaths. The Sailor Guardians all love and support each other. (I like Madoka too, but really, Moon is better.) It should rank above Madoka.

Such a classic - it never gets old or boring. It is an anime I always come back to, with great characters, writing, and humor. I am not a huge fan of the dub, so I watch it in Japanese. In my opinion, it is much better. Well done, Toei!

I like this anime, and I also love their outfits. This is a great anime in my opinion.

3 Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha is a Japanese anime television series directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, with screenplay written by Masaki Tsuzuki, and produced by Seven Arcs.

While it can get confusing because of all the different Nanoha seasons, series, and storylines in place today (it's a bit like Tenchi Muyo in that respect), MGLN is actually an incredible anime. The artwork and magical powers are stunning to watch (not to mention incredibly powerful), and you'll always be eager to get to the next episode. I highly recommend this anime and manga.

The first three seasons were the best.

ViViD was a big disappointment, which reminds me - I have to start ViViD Strike.

4 Cardcaptor Sakura Cardcaptor Sakura, abbreviated as CCS and also known as Cardcaptors, is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by the manga group Clamp.

I love how kind and beautiful she is, and I love CLAMP stories. It's probably my favorite magical girl anime, though there are some concerning relationships. But overall, it's amazing.

Impossibly nice, this girl has probably stolen most viewers' hearts because she's the cutest, most powerful, and most positive protagonist ever. Oh... and her outfits are just amazing! That, along with her abilities to solve problems, is really entertaining.

All the characters in Cardcaptor Sakura are cute, especially Sakura. I would recommend this magical girl anime to anyone who is looking for some magical girl anime.

5 Princess Tutu Princess Tutu is a Japanese magical girl anime series created by Ikuko Itoh in 2002 for animation studio Hal Film Maker. Inspired by ballet and fairy tales, particularly The Ugly Duckling and Swan Lake, the story follows a duck who is transformed into the mythical ballerina Princess Tutu in order to... read more

I keep saying over and over how dark this Magical Girl anime is, but I should note that the dark aspect is not done like Madoka Magica. First, it's considered an anime marketed towards kids, so don't expect over-the-top gruesome stuff. It still manages to be dark without the gritty elements. Second, the lives of the characters are entirely based on a fairy tale that is secretly real, giving them terrible fates that are, for the most part, impossible to escape. Even though it's difficult to escape these fates, they attempt to do so. I can't say that things work out well for everyone in the series - just a warning.

I'm not going to go into more detail because I want people to watch the series and experience it for themselves. Please give Princess Tutu a chance. Get over your fragile masculinity and pride because you are seriously missing out.

6 HeartCatch PreCure! Heartcatch Precure is a Japanese anime series and the seventh series of the Pretty Cure anime franchise by Izumi Todo that premiered on February 7, 2010, replacing Fresh Pretty Cure! on its initial timeslot. The series theme is flowers, which leads to their true definitions of Hanakotoba as of the season's... read more

This show expertly blends the glamour and sparkle that younger kids love with the mature topics and punch-you-in-the-gut feelings that older viewers will enjoy. HPC is brilliant because it's mature in all the right ways. Younger kids will love Tsubomi's shy nature and Erika's spirited personality, while older kids will enjoy Yuri's tragic backstory and Itsuki's quest for self-acceptance.

I adore this anime.

I'm baffled that this isn't in the top ten! It's the second-best anime I've ever watched so far.

7 Revolutionary Girl Utena

This deserves a higher ranking. Commonly referred to as the "Evangelion" of shoujo anime (but that's underselling it, in my opinion), you won't find a more thematically complex, genuinely troubling at times, yet ultimately uplifting Magical Girl anime. The show is also laced with symbolism and is so dense that you can watch it ten times and still find more details to uncover.

Additionally, the artwork is stunning, and the animation, while basic, still holds up considering how old the show is. Seriously, more people need to watch it.

8 DokiDoki! PreCure

It's the best! But when will they add a season three? I want to know what will happen!

9 Futari wa Pretty Cure
10 Little Witch Academia Little Witch Academia (Japanese: リトルウィッチアカデミア, Ritoru Witchi Akademia) is an anime adaptation of the original eponymous film and its sequel, The Enchanted Parade. It began broadcasting on January 8, 2017, in Japan on TV and on January 9, 2017, on the Netflix streaming site... read more

Such an awesome anime! It's cute, and I like the characters and the story. This anime is basically like a cross between My Hero Academia and Harry Potter. Akko, the irritating yet lovable protagonist, goes to a school for witches but struggles there due to not being born with magic. She spends her days with her best friends, Lotte and Sucy, and tries to become an elite witch, just like her idol, Shiny Chariot.

Another thing I'm a big fan of is the animation. It is kind of simple-looking but also extremely fluid and just amazing. This is one of my favorite anime franchises.

The Contenders
11 Smile PreCure!

One of the first anime I ever watched. I love the character designs.

12 Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya

I guess Illyasviel von Einzbern finally got something in return for that route she never got! The art looks pretty nice, and though I don't really know much about the Fate series, I know enough to recognize just about every character in there, including Bazett Fraga McRemitz and Caren from Fate/hollow ataraxia!

13 Pretty Cure

Not sure why people compare this beauty to Sailor Moon. They were both made by Toei Animation, so get along. Anyway, Precure isn't only about magic. It teaches that kindness is everything and love is what saves everything.

Precure, Splash Star, Yes Precure 5, Gogo, Suite, Smile, MahoTsuaki, DokiDoki, Fresh, Happiness Charge, Heartcatch, KiraKira A La Modè, and the international Cures - it all amazes me. I need it to win. I might die (sarcasm) if Sailor Moon wins.

Pretty Cure is such a relatable series. It has good characters, enjoyable plot lines, funny moments, sad moments, and the ability to make you cry your eyes out. I fully recommend this amazing series.

14 Is This a Zombie?

I love Kore Wa Zombie Desu Ka! Why is this lower than Yuki Yuna and Utena? In my opinion, they should be in the top ten!

15 Magical Girl Raising Project
16 Tokyo Mew Mew Originating in Japan, Tokyo Mew Mew is an anime series that aired in 2002, adapted from a manga by Reiko Yoshida and Mia Ikumi. The story revolves around five girls who gain superpowers to become the "Mew Mews," defenders of Earth against alien invaders. Recognized for its magical girl elements, the... read more

This anime is cute and funny. It doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a fun time.

I really like the art style. It's bright and colorful, with some scenes making great use of lighting effects - it stands out in my opinion. All the characters only have one special attack move, so the fight scenes can seem a bit lame, but it's not really an action-fighting anime.

I voted for this because I think it should be higher up on the list.

LOL, I'm literally listening to the credits while typing this! The credits are the best thing about Tokyo Mew Mew, and I can't stop listening to them!

17 Magical Princess Minky Momo
18 Shugo Chara! Shugo Chara! is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Peach-Pit. The story centers around Amu Hinamori, a student who discovers three magical eggs that hatch into guardian characters. These characters help her transform and realize her true potential. The series combines elements of magical girl... read more

Amuto is an extra creepy ship, and the scene of Tadase in a skirt is unsettling because of how he's treated.

I loved this anime! I ship Ikuto and Amu.

19 Powerpuff Girls Z Powerpuff Girls Z is a Japanese magical girl anime series directed by Megumu Ishiguro, based on the American animated television series The Powerpuff Girls. The anime is co-produced by Cartoon Network Japan and Aniplex and was animated and produced by Toei Animation, featuring character design by Miho... read more

I'm actually surprised to see this ranked as high as it is. PPGZ is an underrated series that sadly never aired in the US (I had to use inconvenient methods to watch it). Although it was far from perfect, I love it just as much as the original. I hope PPGZ gets a reboot similar to the 2016 reboot (but maybe don't make Blossom such an airhead).

I love this one! I think the reason some people don't like it is that it's aimed at younger children, but that doesn't make it bad!

I love to watch Powerpuff Girls Z right before bedtime! I hope you enjoy watching a good story with your family too! Isn't that sweet?

20 Ojamajo Doremi

An anime that makes you care for the filler episodes is a good anime. In this series, the story progression is okay, but the episodes that don't move the story forward are probably your favorite. Imagine slice-of-life with drama and magic. If you like early Disney movies like Bambi, which show a lot of cute stuff and then contrast it with dark moments, this is for you!

For some reason, the merch from this anime is really expensive ($200 for a small plastic wand!?). It's just not higher on the list because 4Kids ruined it.

21 Magic Knight Rayearth The anime adaptation of Magic Knight Rayearth aired first on Japan's Yomiuri TV on October 17, 1994 and ended on November 27, 1995.

An awesome anime with a very good story behind it. It's not a conventional magical girl anime. It gets darker and darker as the series progresses. The battles and character designs are amazing!

22 Kamichama Karin
23 Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch is a shōjo manga and anime series created by Michiko Yokote, with artwork by Pink Hanamori.

The songs are amazing, and so are the animations. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a magical girl anime mixed with idol themes!

24 Nurse Witch Komugi
25 Cutey Honey
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