Top 10 Best Magical Girl Anime

Magical Girl (also known as majokko or mahou shoujo) is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy anime and manga that features young girls who use magic to fight evil.

The genre originated in Japan in the 1960s. Since the 1990s, Magical Girl anime has gained international popularity and is now recognized around the world.

Today, there are many popular Magical Girl anime series available.

The Top Ten

  1. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

    Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a 2011 Japanese anime television series produced by Shaft and Aniplex. It was directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and written by Gen Urobuchi, with music composed by Yuki Kajiura. The series features an opening theme by ClariS, ending themes by Kalafina and occasionally the voice... read more

    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?"

    Yes, this show is amazing!

    For some reason, on another list on here, Worst Magical Girl Anime of All Time, this got second place. Is it because it's so different from the usual magical girl anime?

  2. Sailor Moon

    Sailor Moon is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Naoko Takeuchi. The series was originally serialized in Nakayoshi magazine from 1991 to 1997. The story was collected into 18 tankōbon volumes containing 52 individual chapters.... 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 a screenplay written by Masaki Tsuzuki and produced by Seven Arcs. The series premiered in Japan in 2004 and is a spin-off from the visual novel Triangle Heart. It has since expanded into a multimedia franchise... read more

    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. The series follows Sakura Kinomoto, a young girl who discovers magical powers after accidentally releasing a set of magical cards. It was first published... read more

    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.

    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.

  5. Princess Tutu

    Princess Tutu is a Japanese magical girl anime series created by Ikuko Itoh in 2002 for the 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... 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 installment of the Pretty Cure anime franchise by Izumi Todo. It premiered on February 7, 2010, replacing Fresh Pretty Cure! in its original time slot. The series is themed around flowers and incorporates the concept of Hanakotoba, the Japanese... 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.

    As the poster below says, better than Evangelion despite the comparison. Utena is a great heroine, Juri is an excellent supporting character with a strong subplot, and Anthy is both tragic and an alternative hero or anti-hero in her own right, whose liberation one roots for. Great series and the feminist anime.

  8. Smile PreCure!

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

  9. DokiDoki! PreCure

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

  10. Futari wa Pretty Cure

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Wonder Egg Priority

  12. ?

    Fancy Lala

    13. The Contenders

  13. 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 series based on the original short film and its sequel, The Enchanted Parade. It began airing in Japan on January 8, 2017, and became available for streaming on Netflix on January 9, 2017.... 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.

    It may not be a typical magical girl anime (no transformation sequences or villain-of-the-week clichés), but it was charming nonetheless. I personally think it counts as a magical girl anime because of these reasons:

    1. Not really a proper reason, but like most magical anime, the main character is a bubbly ray of sunshine whose goal is to become (insert life goal here), like many magical girls, or is interested in something that will lead to their magical destiny.

    2. There is a variety of characters who have their own little quirks to their magic (Lotte talking to spirits and Sucy with potions and poisons, for example).

    3. The story focuses on our main female heroines with magical capabilities.

    4. It may not be in every episode, but these girls do save the day from time to time using their magic.

    5. We watch our main heroine's magic grow throughout the series.

    6. The rivals. Most magical girl anime have some sort of rival, but I think the main rival (Diana Cavendish) is one of the best magical girl rivals I have ever seen.

    7. It just has that real charm that a lot of magical girl anime have.

    There are more reasons, I'm sure, but I'm just gonna finish this quickly. Little Witch Academia is definitely one of the best magical girl anime I have ever seen, and it is also my personal favorite. I highly recommend it to any magical girl anime fan, or just anime fans in general.

  14. 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.

  15. 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!

  16. Tokyo Mew Mew

    Originating in Japan, Tokyo Mew Mew is an anime series that aired in 2002. It was adapted from a manga written by Reiko Yoshida and illustrated by Mia Ikumi. The story follows five girls who gain animal-based powers to become the "Mew Mews," defenders of Earth against alien invaders.... 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. Ojamajo Doremi

    Ojamajo Doremi, known as Magical DoReMi in its English adaptation, is a Japanese magical girl anime series created by Toei Animation. The show originally aired from 1999 to 2003 and included multiple seasons and movies. It follows young girls who become witch apprentices and navigate both magical and... read more

    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.

    Can't understand why Doremi is ranked 15. I think only Sailor Moon and Madoka are better than Ojamajo Doremi. The rest are either on par or below.

  18. 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!

  19. Magical Girl Raising Project

  20. 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 express her inner desires and realize her true potential. The series blends magical... 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.

  21. Wedding Peach

  22. Gakuen Alice

  23. Yes! PreCure 5

    I love this show, and I love the characters. There are only very few episodes I did not like. One of my favorite PreCures. If you are a fan of PreCure or magical girl anime, check it out.

  24. Powerpuff Girls Z

    Powerpuff Girls Z is a Japanese magical girl anime television series directed by Megumu Ishiguro. It is based on the American animated series The Powerpuff Girls. The anime was co-produced by Cartoon Network Japan and Aniplex and animated by Toei Animation. Character designs were created by Miho Shimogasa... 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?

  25. Magical Princess Minky Momo

  26. Sally the Witch

  27. Magical Girl Site

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