Top 10 Magical Girl Anime: Enchanting Picks
Transformative. Captivating. Heart-warming. The magical girl genre has become a staple of anime over the past three decades, with its own delightful tropes, unforgettable anime characters, and legions of fans. If you're looking to explore beyond the classics like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, this list offers a definitive ranking of the best magical girl anime. It's designed to introduce you to new favorites, underrated gems, and contemporary offerings to fill that magical girl-shaped hole in your life.
Get ready for witches, cat DNA, magical rods, and more! Here are the 10 most enchanting magical girl anime of all time.
10 Best Magical Girl Anime of All Time
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Little Witch Academia
Image credit: Netflix
Studio: Studio Trigger | Episode Count: 25 | Where to watch: Netflix
Little Witch Academia is an enchanting magical school story that reimagines the magical girl trope for a post-Harry Potter generation. When Akko enrolls in the fantastical Luna Nova Magical Academy, she can hardly believe it. Her lifelong dream of learning magic is within reach, despite not being naturally magical herself. Her admiration for the famed witch Shiny Chariot propels her journey, which takes a thrilling turn when she discovers a magical artifact linked to her idol. Akko embarks on a mission to reignite the world's love for magic. This delightful series blends coming-of-age themes with witchcraft, emphasizing cozy friendships and a fresh take on magic. It's a must-watch anime series available on Netflix.
There have been 25 episodes of Little Witch Academia across two seasons, but it remains uncertain if there will be a Season 3.
Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol
Image credit: Studio Pierrot
Studio: Studio Pierrot | Episode Count: 25 | Where to watch: Not available to stream
This 1986 series is a pioneering example of magical girl anime, making it a worthy addition to our list. It also features one of the best anime and manga tropes: a protagonist who aspires to become a mangaka. Yumi, an aspiring artist with a passion for flowers inherited from her florist parents, receives magical gifts—a wand and a locket—after saving a flower. These gifts allow her drawings to come to life. Retro and charming, Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol is an underseen gem worth exploring.
Tokyo Mew Mew
Image credit: Studio Pierrot
Studio: Studio Pierrot | Episode Count: 52 | Where to watch: Not available to stream
Adapted from the manga by Reiko Yoshida and Mia Ikumi, Tokyo Mew Mew offers a unique twist on the magical girl genre. Our protagonist, Ichigo Momomiya, gains her powers from an accident that infuses her with cat DNA. Her werewolf-esque transformation into a cat-like being empowers her to find other affected girls and confront an alien threat linked to their new abilities. The series is wildly entertaining, and its reboot elevates it to new heights of awesomeness!
My-HiME
Image credit: Sunrise
Studio: Sunrise | Episode Count: 26 + 26 DVD-only shorts | Where to watch: Crunchyroll
My-HiME seamlessly blends the magical girl trope with boarding school drama. Mai's life takes a dramatic turn when she enrolls in the secretive Fuuka Academy. She soon discovers her purpose there and the presence of others like her, marked with a special symbol that enables them to summon familiars to combat nightmarish creatures. These "Children" are deeply connected to loved ones, adding intense stakes to their battles.
Pretty Cure
Image credit: Toei Animation
Studio: Toei Animation | Episode Count: 800 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll
If you're looking for a magical girl series to immerse yourself in for multiple seasons, Pretty Cure is the perfect choice. With an impressive 800 episodes, this series follows young girls who gain magical powers to fight evil forces. It's a classic take on the magical girl genre that remains delightful through its longevity. The technicolor and super-cute aesthetic, along with adorable creatures, make Pretty Cure a beloved series.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Image credit: Shaft
Studio: Shaft | Episode Count: 12 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Hulu
Puella Magi Madoka Magica reimagines the magical girl trope with a darker, more profound narrative. Young women become supernatural witch fighters after agreeing to a contract offered by a seemingly benign cat-like being. This series delves into the harsh realities of being a magical girl, exploring themes of trauma, exploitation, and the lies told to maintain control. It's a gripping and thought-provoking take on the genre.
Magic Knight Rayearth
Image credit: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha | Episode Count: 49 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Prime Video
Created by the acclaimed artist collective CLAMP, Magic Knight Rayearth is an ambitious universe-hopping magical girl series. Friends Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji find themselves transported to a magical world during a school field trip, where they can control their surroundings with their will. This high fantasy epic showcases CLAMP's strengths in expansive worldbuilding, beautiful animation, and complex relationships. It's a series you can revisit time and again, and there were even Magic Knight Rayearth games released in the '90s.
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Image credit: J.C. Staff
Studio: J.C. Staff | Episode Count: 39 | Where to watch: Not available to stream
Revolutionary Girl Utena stands out as one of the most influential and subversive magical girl anime. Inspired by chivalry, it follows Utena, an orphan who aspires to become a prince after meeting a charming one. This choice shapes her life and leads her into a secretive dueling contest at her school, where she becomes entangled with the mysterious Rose Bride. This surrealistic series also explores and subverts the genre's tropes, making it a meta and engaging watch.
Cardcaptor Sakura
Image credit: Madhouse
Studio: Madhouse | Episode Count: 70 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Cardcaptor Sakura, another classic from CLAMP, combines the magical girl genre with the card collecting craze of its time. When Sakura accidentally unleashes the Clow Cards from a mysterious book, she discovers her magical abilities and sets out to capture them, aided by the enigmatic creature Cerberus. This fashion-forward, action-packed series was a transformative experience for many viewers.
Sailor Moon
Image credit: Toei Animation
Studio: Toei Animation | Episode Count: 200 + 3 TV Specials | Where to watch: Hulu
Naoko Takeuchi's Sailor Moon is a groundbreaking series and arguably one of the best anime of all time. The story of Usagi, a normal schoolgirl who becomes the titular Sailor Moon, is a classic for good reason. With stunning animation, iconic character designs, and memorable transformation sequences, it's the quintessential magical girl anime. The well-developed Sailor Scouts allow fans to connect with each character, making the series both hilarious and heartfelt. Sailor Moon's influence and impact make it a must-watch for any anime enthusiast.
And those are our picks for the best magical girl anime! They're all enchanting, but did your favorite make the cut? Let us know in the comments.
Looking for more anime to watch online? Check out our guide to the best vampire anime as well as our list of the most underrated anime series.
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