Romance, sentimentality, and the hard realities of life as a grownup drive many of these anime. They’re typically neither starry-eyed and naive nor hard-nosed and pessimistic. Josei may be targeted at women in their 30s and 40s, but the appeal of these series is much broader. These stories are for anyone seeking three-dimensional characters tackling problems just as deep.
Updated on January 7, 2023 by Mark Sammut:Josei anime are a rare treat. At most, each year produces a handful of shows directed towards the demographic, and that requires expanding the selection beyond just series based on josei manga. When one of these stories comes out, they are usually not among a season’s most discussed releases, although they tend to find a niche audience. This article has been revisited to include more of the best josei anime, and each show’s streaming information has been also added.
13 The Gokusen
It’s a cliché that every child has potential, and films and anime about teachers trying to draw out the potential in their students is a beloved trope. Gokusen unabashedly plays with that trope, but the show puts a spin on it: the teacher is the granddaughter of a Yakuza leader.
The art style leaves something to be desired, and the character design can fall on the generic side, but this is a great anime despite its weak aesthetics. Perhaps the show’s greatest strength is its protagonist, a woman just as capable of beating the snot out of thugs as teaching a class full of rowdy youths.
12 Only Yesterday
Studio Ghibli, famed makers of My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Princess Mononoke may specialize in cute, whimsical films beloved by children, but the studio is no less capable of creating more mature works of art.
While it isn’t spirit-crushing like Grave of the Fireflies, Only Yesterday is aimed at josei audiences. Watching the protagonist look back on her youth, seeing her childhood exploits through the knowing eyes of adulthood, is an experience quite unlike anything else in the Studio Ghibli catalog, and that’s a shame because it’s brilliant. Sweet but not saccharine, melancholic but not depressing, Only Yesterday is a testament to the power of animation and mature storytelling alike.
11 Pet Shop of Horrors
While josei may be organized and discussed as a genre, it is as much a style as anything, as this anime proves. Unlike some anime which are great but nonetheless generic, this one comes with a twist that its title makes obvious: Petshop of Horrors is horror.
This story of a mysterious petshop contains poignant themes about humanity and the darkness within, and josei fans shouldn’t dismiss it simply because of its macabre trappings. To be sure, the series is dark, and those who don’t care for horror in any form will want to give it a pass. Those that give it a chance, however, will be rewarded with a rich, detailed, and disturbing josei.
10 Ristorante Paradiso
The first thing that distinguishes Ristorante Paradiso is its setting: unlike most anime, which take place either in Japan or a different world altogether, this series is set in Italy.
Ristorante Paradiso takes full advantage of this setting, to the point that Italy becomes as much of a character as the rest of the class. Another massive point in the show’s favor is its art: from top to bottom, the show’s aesthetic is clean, delicate, and beautiful. Yes, the series is about food, but more than that it’s about the life of a restaurateur and what it means to devote oneself to one’s craft.
9 Michiko & Hatchin
Can an anime about an escaped criminal be cute? Thanks to Michiko & Hatchin, viewers know the answer is a resounding “yes.” Directed by Sayo Yamamoto, the visionary behind Lupin the Third, this anime is an unexpectedly heartfelt look at the friendship between an escaped criminal and the young girl whom she kidnaps/rescues from an abusive foster family.
Stylish action adds bursts of excitement to the series, but even were it all to be stripped away, the series would ride high on the wave of its nuanced character development and emotional arcs.Michiko & Hatchin is that good.
8 Princess Jellyfish
Five socially awkward teenagers grow up to be five socially awkward adults, leaning on the unbreakable bond of their friendship to make it through a world that doesn’t appreciate them for who they are.
Princess Jellyfish is about an unemployed otaku, and it’s as cute and charming as one would expect. The characters and their relationships are the stars in this slice-of-life josei. What does being oneself look like when the world isn’t accepting? Can love come to those that don’t fit in? These are the questions Princess Jellyfish asks, and its answers are always worth it.
7 Kids On The Slope
Set in 1966, Kids on the Slope follows three students who connect through a shared passion for music and a few teenage crushes. In many ways, this anime tells a rather traditional coming-of-age story, which is hardly a bad thing. These shows live and die by not only the strength of their characters but also whether their relationships’ highs and lows feel earned. Kids on the Slope is convincing in both regards.
Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, the anime is spectacular on a production level. The animation is warm and beautiful, while the soundtrack lives up to the director’s other works like Cowboy Bebop.
6 Bunny Drop
At the most basic level, Bunny Drop is an anime about what it’s like to raise a child: the funny and uplifting moments as well as the awkward and painful ones. That the girl, Rin, is possibly the illegitimate child of Daikichi’s own grandfather is a complicating factor.
When Daikichi’s family refuses to help the girl and announces their intent to put her up for adoption, Daikichi knows there’s only one thing he can do to make sure the girl is safe. The father-daughter relationship between Daikichi and Rin is tremendously well-executed, and the composition, humor, and direction of every scene make Bunny Drop that much more wonderful.
5 Shouwa Genroku Era Comic Storytelling
Shouwa Genroku Era Comic Storytelling is a story about friendship that revolves around a subject that most western viewers have never heard of. Rakugo is a traditional form of Japanese storyteller in which a single performer tells and enacts a story while never rising from their seat.
If watching someone sit and tell a story sounds dull, Shouwa Genroku Era Comic Storytelling is here to give evidence to the contrary. It’s an anime that celebrates an underrated cultural treasure. Best of all, unlike other anime that only are superficially about art, this series explores the rakugo art form as fully as it can.
4 Honey And Clover
Living in tight quarters with people much different from oneself might not be a pleasure, but at least it’s an experience that fosters personal growth and plenty of comedy.
That’s the slice-of-life premise upon which Honey and Clover is based: five young people attend the same art school, three live in the same apartment building, and love triangles and heartbreak ensue. This series does better than almost any other josei at capturing exactly how convoluted the emotional lives of adults can be. Honey and Clover is a messy, emotionally complicated series, but it remains warm and inviting throughout.
3 Nodame Cantabile
Based on a manga by Tomoko Ninomiya, Nodame Cantabile follows two music prodigies who could not be any more different. Chiaki comes from a prestigious college and aspires to be a conductor, but his aggressive and unlikable demeanor threatens to derail his career. Conversely, Megumi Noda is a free spirit who generally ignores standard practices in favor of feeling the music, and she believes cleaning is not a requirement.
Nodame Cantabile takes these two polar-opposite personalities and smashes them together, creating a hilarious and often sweet dynamic. The best josei anime tend to take a realistic look at relationships, and this series is no exception. While their basic circumstances and goals might not be particularly common, Chiaki and Nodame’s romance develops naturally and faces relatable challenges.
2 Yuri!!! On Ice
Another stellar josei from Lupin the Third director Sayo Yamamoto, Yuri!!! on Ice is about, of all things, competitive ice skating. Rich and seamless animation extracts the maximum amount of heart and intensity from every moment, and given the characters’ passion for their sport, there’s no shortage of drama.
While there’s no shortage of fan service, it’s never allowed to overpower the plot, and the focus remains where it should be: on the rich saga unfolding on and off the ice. One doesn’t have to be a fan of the sport to fall for Yuri!!! on Ice and the cast of lovable oddballs in this underrated anime.
1 Chihayafuru
Chihayafuru is a josei classic, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less terrific than it was in 2013 when the English sub first appeared. The Japanese card game “karuta” is at the center of the action, and the game sequences are somehow as exciting and nerve-wracking as most shonen battles.
Chihaya Ayase’s infectious love of the game is mirrored by that of her friends and competitors.The animation is soft and dreamy, the perfect complement to Chihaya’s style. The plot is simple, but the characterization is so fantastic it doesn’t matter. Chihayafuru is one of josei anime’s best.
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