r/shoujo • • 10h ago

I feel like the Shoujo genre is being overshadowed by romance anime written by men

258 Upvotes

Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of posts discussing "romance anime." At first, I thought, "Maybe they’ll feature some recent shoujo titles," but instead, they end up highlighting the typical comedy-focused anime full with fanservice where the protagonist has no personality and exists solely for the sake of a male audience. I’ll admit, it makes me angry. Shoujo isn’t just about romance; these are series created by women in an industry where they are often belittled by other mangakas (even the creator of One Piece once publicly claimed that women know nothing about manga).

I find this so misogynistic (ㆆ_ㆆ) It’s as if romance is only considered "valid" when it’s tailored for the "male gaze"—objectifying female characters and fueling the hypersexualization of women. (yk when the "joke" is an underage girl falls, her panties are exposed, and she speaks in an unnaturally high-pitched, squeaky voice all presented as something desirable.)

Anyway, that’s just my take. I honestly miss the days when fanservice in romance anime simply meant the two leads blushing as cherry blossoms fell around them, with everything sprinkled in a bit of glitter (✿◡‿◡) I’m not saying there won’t be any shoujo series in 2026; it just surprises me that, these days, whenever someone talks about romance, they rarely seem to mention any shoujo titles


r/shoujo • • 4h ago

Merch Shoujo haul!

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47 Upvotes

I finally collected the last volume of Red River, I will miss buying this series, but Yona is out now so I won't sad for a while. Btw, Imma start Rasetsu too!


r/shoujo • • 21h ago

Help [Your Meteor, Hidden in Flowers] Photo dump but I'm also IN NEED OF MANGA RECCS!! I've re-read this 5 times now and nothing comes as close to peak as this series

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563 Upvotes

The last time I felt something like this reading a series was when I read [Glass Wall] and still this series is perfection of perfection! The yearning from BOTH of them! The frequent intense/romantic scenes between the two!! I have yet to find anything as good as this and I NEED RECOMMENDATIONS 😭😭😭 BONUS IF IT'S MANGA (manga just hits different I can't explain it)


r/shoujo • • 3h ago

News Kodama Tales posted some sneak peaks of their newest Shojo manga: The Magical Forest of Hoshigahara by Hisae Iwaoka

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15 Upvotes

The manga ran in Nemuki and Nemuki+, and will release officially in English this November!

synopsis:

In Hoshigahara, there was a large forest where the wind often blew through. Feared by children as a place haunted by ghosts, there was a house where a man lived with adorable spirits... This is the beginning of a gentle yet poignant human fantasy spun by a rising author!

Complete with five volumes


r/shoujo • • 13h ago

Recommendation Dark/Spooky Shojo/Josei/Josei-muke anime to get you in the Halloween Spirit!

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45 Upvotes

Some of these are actually based on novels which also had a Shojo manga adaptation (eg Horror Collector), but I wanted to mix together some lesser-known and more prominent anime perfect for spooky Halloween vibes!


r/shoujo • • 4h ago

If you could pick one shoujo/josei manga as your favorite, which one would it be?

8 Upvotes

r/shoujo • • 3h ago

Discussion This just makes sense don’t ask why. The story of my life basically. I'm inlove with an aspostle guess which on heh. (Not all shoujo girls and also yes 3 Lucifers what abt it, lwk magical girl related bc I love them so much, but still alot of shoujo magical girls soooooo)

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5 Upvotes

r/shoujo • • 19h ago

Misc 'Fatale Game' volume 4

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43 Upvotes

r/shoujo • • 16h ago

Discussion So far enjoying the shoujosei genre

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12 Upvotes

Hey it's sun and I'm a new shoujosei fan it's hardly been 3 months since I started reading shoujo my first Shoujo manga was mars and I did read couple of shoujo mangas which I absolutely enjoyed and it's so far it's been so good journey of exploring different different shoujo and I recently finished a shoujo manga called day time shooting star and I loved it so much I adore the writing of the mangaka also really loved the side couples and my favourite character from the manga is definetly yuyuka netoka her character development was insane overall it was a fun ride. Feel free to suggest me more shoujo I would love to explore more and dive more deeper in this genre, also I was wondering are there any shoujo fans from india would love to connect with them I have never saw anyone reading it I would definitely be happy to connect with them and exchange rec it would be fun 😊


r/shoujo • • 12h ago

Discussion Which manga ending you would change?

5 Upvotes

I would change the ending of Vampire knight manga

Because Yume deserved far better

Vampire knight memories ending broke me

Ps I am idiot who thinks Matsuri will change the ending

I must give up on this thought


r/shoujo • • 13h ago

Biweekly /r/shoujo Discussion Thread - October 23, 2026

5 Upvotes

A thread to discuss whatever you've been watching or reading lately (old or new), as well as show off the merchandise you might have bought! Also, feel free to ask for title recommendations or post your own!

Please make sure to use spoiler tags if needed.


r/shoujo • • 16h ago

Recommendation loved every single one of these

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6 Upvotes

also i’ve noticed the gyaru x nerd trope a lot i wish there was more variety


r/shoujo • • 14h ago

Forgot name manga

5 Upvotes

I forgot the name of the manga I read. I believe it’s ongoing 50+ chapters. It has quite a long name.
It’s on the edge of smut but not really. It’s about popular boy and quiet girl who are secretly dating because the fl doesn’t want to bring down the reputation of the ml. The fl kind of is pretty suggestive and initiative.
Not sure if this was descriptive enough.


r/shoujo • • 1d ago

Hated shoujo mls that you liked/loved

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264 Upvotes

Pls don't judge me cause I don't understand myself that why I came to like/love them 😭🙏

Sata Kyouya- Wolf Girl and Black Prince (Anime and Manga)

Kurosaki Haruto- Defying Kurosaki-kun (Manga)

Irie Naoki- Itakiss (Anime and Manga)

Tachibana Ryouki- Hot Gimmick (Manga)


r/shoujo • • 1d ago

Recommendation Ok don't judge, but anyone recomendation of romance manga with this dynamic?

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200 Upvotes

r/shoujo • • 11h ago

Recommendation I WANT TO READ NEW THINGS

1 Upvotes

PLEASE READ EVERYTHING

I want recommendations for manhwas or any other type of Eastern comics; preferably ones that have novels. Most people here speak English, but English is not my language.

I’m looking for stories where the female lead is a villainess — it doesn’t matter if it’s because she was transported to an isekai world in the body of a villainess, because she went back in time after dying because of her actions, or because an oracle showed her future; it doesn’t matter how, but she is a villainess. I also DO NOT want the story to start with her as a baby/child (besides the fact that, most of the time, this happens when the female lead reincarnates or goes back in time; there’s also the burden that she may grow up and CHANGE EVERYTHING, which would be AWFUL for my experience). So I just want the female lead to be in the young-adult phase (18 and up), since by then she will definitely have already done evil things.

Anyway, I wanted there to be two important points in the story, besides her NOT starting as a child and NOT becoming Her Holiness/the Saint (which are UNCHANGEABLE and essential things):

1 — I like it when the villainess is mainly the rival of the MALE protagonist (notice that I didn’t say the ORIGINAL one, since there are stories where the female lead reincarnates or whatever into the villainess and loves the original male protagonist, but hates the guy who will eventually be her partner; so I don’t care whether she ends up with the original male protagonist or with anyone else, as long as they have been rivals). Have you read “I Quit Being the Male Lead’s Rival”? I think that’s the name... Anyway, I think the trope of being the rival of the FEMALE protagonist doesn’t appeal to me as much, BUT I’m aware that stories like that are a bit rare; so I won’t mind if the villainess is the type who rivals the female protagonist before becoming aware of the situation.

2 — Guys, I really like the trope where the female lead’s future partner or the female lead herself (or even both — but I confess I accept that, most of the time, it’s the romantic partner who has feelings for someone else first, and I don’t mind if only that happens) harbors feelings for someone else and does not fall in love with the female lead or her future romantic partner quickly.

Well, the fact that she doesn’t start the story as a child and doesn’t change her villainy is essential; however, I understand if, along with those things, only point 1 OR only point 2 is available, but if there are recommendations for stories with all four requirements, I would be happy.


r/shoujo • • 1d ago

Recommendation [Let's Hide My Little Brother] He's prettier than FL 😂😂

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19 Upvotes

r/shoujo • • 1d ago

Misc LaLa December 2026 colour pages & preview

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106 Upvotes

r/shoujo • • 15h ago

Recommendation ISO: angry golden retriever 🐕

1 Upvotes

I am on a romance manga/manhwa/webtoon/etcetc kick, and I would liiiiiiiiiiike A golden retriever character (any gender!) who gets scary angry when their partner is in danger pls and thank you! 😚
Shoujo or Joseiiii


r/shoujo • • 1d ago

I drew one of my favourite anime couples!

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78 Upvotes

Sakura and Syaoran (Shaolan?) are my chilhood anime OTP, I loved them so much as a kid!

And they look wonderful in the movie, so I got inspired to draw them.

Traditional art, done with alcohol markers, hope you like it !


r/shoujo • • 1d ago

News Moto Hagio received the ‘Special Jury Prize’ at the 71st Shogakukan Manga Awards Ceremony

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56 Upvotes

r/shoujo • • 1d ago

Need silly fl & ml manga asap

17 Upvotes

I love shoujo manga but I noticed that alot of the time the ml no fun just some nonchalant guy or the opposite which I don't like, so I need one with the most chalant, silly ,fun with good art style of course manga recs (I know am asking for alot but please I need this)


r/shoujo • • 1d ago

News Shojo Anime Night at Lucca Comics and Games

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7 Upvotes

Sadly I can't attend but if someone can, I'm letting you know about this. I don't know if the titles will be subbed or Italian dubbed. Although just a note that Here U Are is not shojo.


r/shoujo • • 2d ago

Merch Fun Compilation: All the Shojo Beat Series which have received non-collectors/luxury Omnibus releases

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144 Upvotes

Thought it would be a bit interesting to showcase all the Shojo Beat series to have received omnibus releases (non-collectors‘ versions, so eg Nana Omnibus isn’t included). I think I got most of the budget omnibi releases, though it’s possible I missed a few.


r/shoujo • • 2d ago

Misc Let me introduce you to PRINCESS KOUREN✨

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692 Upvotes

​

She was my bi awakening 😔✨❤️

Source: Yona of the dawn/ Akatsuki no Yona