Day 20

[sara_tanaquil]

Since this is my dominant anime genre (on account of there isn't enough BL anime out there), this is a pretty hard choice. And several obvious candidates (Fushigi Yuugi, Card Captor Sakura...) have already made an appearance or soon will. But, because this is one EVERYONE should watch:

Favorite shoujo anime



If you're a shoujo fan, and haven't seen Kimi ni Todoke, I seriously want to know what is wrong with you. Unless you're waiting for the anime to be licensed in the US, in which case I commend you for your self-control and hope the industry puts us out of our misery soon. The manga is licensed, so surely the anime can't be far behind. I haven't gone as far as buying the raw Japanese DVDs (not that I haven't been tempted), but I will be first in line for an English release.

Runner-up would have to be Marmalade Boy, not so much for its pure excellence (though it is a lot of fun), but because I really don't think anything could ever be more stereotypically shoujo than that. Although Hana Yori Dango certainly also had a way of clearing the guys out of the room every time it aired in anime club.

And hey, why didn't anyone tell me Revolutionary Girl Utena was finally getting a re-release on DVD? (My pre-order is already in!)

(Doing a little more googling reminded me that I forgot to even consider Fruits Basket and Kodomo no Omocha -- honestly, this is an impossible category.)

Comments

[mangaroo.livejournal.com]

Genre expert needed: is anime based on light novels automatically shoujo? Or automatically not-shoujo?

[sara-tanaquil.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't it depend on the content of the light novels in question? I assume there are light novels with shounen content, I just don't read them. Or maybe it depends on the publisher, like manga does.

What light novel did you have in mind? Kyou Kara Maou? I'd call that shoujo based on the content (way too many bishounen and BL in-jokes for the shounen genre). Though some series are hard to classify by design, like Escaflowne.

[mangaroo.livejournal.com]

Darn, you saw right through me. I was hoping to make everyone think I might just be deep enough to choose Juuni "what the heck happened to Gyousou??" Kokki.

If we can all agree it's shoujo, KKM for the win.

[canis-m.livejournal.com]

Definitely depends on the light novels/the publisher. Durarara!! is based on light novels, as is Spice and Wolf...pretty sure both of those are originally aimed at dudes, despite the fujoshi crossover appeal of DRRR. The Twelve Kingdoms novels were first published by a "for girls" line (White Heart, which also does BL) but I think some other fantasy series, like Kemono no Souja, are more or less gender-neutral in terms of target audience. /butting in

[collarnojutsu.livejournal.com]

And hey, why didn't anyone tell me Revolutionary Girl Utena was finally getting a re-release on DVD?

Sorry? hey, did you know! TRSI rescued UTENA! OMG! ;)

My pre-order for set 1 was made the day they announced it open for pre-orders (LOL @ me), but I haven't done set 2 yet. Need to get on that since it comes out in August and my set 1 is already on it's way to me (!). There's a viz sale going now I might throw it on there and be done.

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

If you're a shoujo fan, and haven't seen Kimi ni Todoke, I seriously want to know what is wrong with you.

I bought the first volume of the manga when you and wednesday_10_00 pimped it, but it seemed average to me. Entertaining, but nothing that jumped out as special. Is there anything in particular about the anime that makes it better than the manga?

[sara-tanaquil.livejournal.com]

I'd say the anime is a very faithful rendition of the manga. In one sense, I'd have to agree, it's an average shoujo series -- shy girl wins popular-but-sensitive guy. It's just that the characters are so likeable, and their relationship is so sweet. They're both awkward and shy, but genuinely appreciate each other for the qualities that no one else sees, and they try hard to get past their shyness and communicate. And yeah, it has some of the stereotypical "JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!" plots, but those usually get resolved quickly.

Also, it has some great friendship moments. I love all of the secondary characters (except the few that are annoying plot devices).

You might want to try an episode or two of the anime and see if it captures your interest more? If I remember, the manga got off to a bit of a slow start.

[mangaroo.livejournal.com]

Every manga volume makes me cry. I am some kind of real-world, middle-aged version of Chizu (without the love triangle). I do hope the anime gets licensed...but I think i would also like to see Nodame Cantabile licensed. *hopesanddreams*

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

I have to go with CardCaptor Sakura as my favorite shoujo series.

(I was quite relieved upon finishing Tsubasa to see that it actually has nothing to do with CCS, it just uses AU versions of all the characters.)

[wednesday-10-00.livejournal.com]

I don't know that I could pick one favorite either, so to give a different answer than everyone else, I'll go with Rose of Versailles. The drama! The sparkles! The badly animated swordfights! The crossdressing! The tragic romance! Such an epically great series.

edit: this time I'm just editing out the Random Capitalization of Shame. I trust Sara to keep my secret.