1950s
The first story manga for girls
Osamu Tezuka's Princess Knight begins in 1953 in Shōjo Club. Nakayoshi follows in 1954 and Ribon in 1955. Most creators are still men.
Read the history
Independent guide / Girls' manga
Shoujo manga
What shoujo manga is, how it grew from girls' magazines into a worldwide habit, which series became classics and where a new reader can begin. Move the cursor to leave a trail of sparkles and click to make them burst.
Page one
A label for readers, a whole world of stories
Shoujo is the Japanese word for a young girl, and in manga it names stories made for girls and published in magazines aimed at them. Romance is the best known thread, but the same pages have carried historical drama, science fiction, fantasy, horror, comedy and stories about the stage.
This guide keeps to facts that are easy to check: creators, magazines and years. Start with what shoujo manga is, compare it with other labels in shoujo vs shonen, or go straight to the best shoujo manga for beginners.
Five panels
Read the history the way manga is read
Manga reads from right to left, so the strip starts on the right and the story slides toward you as you scroll.
1960s
Women take the pens
More women artists join the magazines. Margaret starts in 1963, and Ribon runs early magical girl tales such as Himitsu no Akko-chan.
See the 1960s
1970s
The Year 24 Group
Riyoko Ikeda, Moto Hagio and Keiko Takemiya widen the field. The Rose of Versailles runs from 1972, and Hana to Yume and LaLa open.
Meet the classics
1990s
Sailor Moon and a world audience
Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, Marmalade Boy and Fruits Basket make shoujo a global habit.
Look at the art
2000s
Shelves in translation
English-language publishers build shoujo lines, and Viz Media launches Shojo Beat in 2005.
Read about magazines
Six covers
A starter shelf, turned over
Each tile shows a series with its creator, magazine and years. Hover, focus or tap a tile to turn it over and see how it feels to read.
Fruits Basket
Natsuki Takaya
Hana to Yume, 1998 to 2006
Warm, funny and sad. A family bound by a zodiac curse, finished in 23 volumes.
Start hereOuran High School Host Club
Bisco Hatori
LaLa, 2002 to 2010
Bright comedy about a scholarship student among rich classmates, finished in 18 volumes.
See the listKimi ni Todoke
Karuho Shiina
Bessatsu Margaret, 2005 to 2017
Gentle and patient. A shy girl makes friends and finds love, finished in 30 volumes.
See the listCardcaptor Sakura
CLAMP
Nakayoshi, 1996 to 2000
Soft magical adventure with a calm, kind tone about gathering a set of cards.
Classic listSailor Moon
Naoko Takeuchi
Nakayoshi, 1991 to 1997
Big, romantic team story of schoolgirl guardians that took shoujo around the world.
Classic listThe Rose of Versailles
Riyoko Ikeda
Margaret, 1972 to 1973
Historical drama set before the French Revolution, centred on a woman raised as a soldier.
Classic list
Sound you can see
Feelings drawn as sparkles and sounds
Shoujo artists let flowers, light and lettered sound effects speak for a character. Kirakira is the Japanese sound word for sparkling, and dokidoki is the sound of a racing heart. Read how the look works in the shoujo manga art style guide.
The reading list
Seven guides to read in any order
- What is shoujo manga?The label, the readers and the genres inside it
- Shoujo vs shonen vs joseiThe four demographic labels, side by side
- History of shoujo mangaFrom girls' magazines to the Year 24 Group and beyond
- Classic shoujo mangaTen series that shaped the field, with magazine and years
- Best shoujo manga for beginnersWhere to start, by mood, and how to read right to left
- Shoujo manga art styleEyes, flowers, sparkles and panels that break their frames
- Shoujo manga magazinesNakayoshi, Ribon, Margaret, Hana to Yume, LaLa and Shojo Beat
Quick answers
Questions new readers ask
- What is shoujo manga?
- Manga made for a readership of girls and published in magazines aimed at them. It is a label for the audience, not one genre. See what is shoujo manga.
- What is the difference between shoujo and shonen?
- Shonen is aimed at boys and shoujo at girls, and the label follows the magazine. Shonen tends towards action and rivalry, shoujo towards feelings and relationships, but there are many exceptions. Read shoujo vs shonen.
- What is the oldest shoujo manga?
- Magazines for girls date from 1902, and Osamu Tezuka's Princess Knight, begun in 1953, is often named as an early story manga for girls. The history guide places it in context.
- Where can I read shoujo manga?
- In licensed print and digital editions from publishers that translate manga, and in library loans. The beginner guide also explains how to read right to left.
- What are some classic shoujo manga?
- The Rose of Versailles, Candy Candy, Sailor Moon, Marmalade Boy and Fruits Basket are often named. The classic list gives creators, magazines and years.