Over the past few decades, it’s no surprise that the magical girl genre of anime, also known as mahou shoujo, has taken the world by storm. Between the wonderful cast of characters, the action-packed story, and the wide range of themes each series holds, these animes have a lot to offer to each and every viewer; it may be hard for one to choose which show to watch next, or which one to even start with if you’re a first time viewer. That’s why, in this post, we’ll be looking through the top 3 best ranked magical girl animes so that you can perhaps find a new series that you’ll enjoy.
3. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Starting off with number three, we have Puella Magi Madoka Magica, or simply Madoka Magica. This series is known for being a truly magical and yet tragic story following the story of two young girls, Madoka and Homura. These two, along with various other girls, are offered to have one wish granted to them in exchange for them to become magic girls and fight off witches to protect the world. While the premise makes it seem like a light-hearted tale of heroes, the real tragedy of the show is later revealed, and the realities of what it takes to become a magical girl are put on full display in an excitingly devastating way. Going through themes such as trauma, the exploitation of youth, the loss of friends, and more, this show is an incredibly interesting deconstruction of the mahou shoujo genre and manages to take it in an entirely new direction that can only be described as nothing short of amazing.
2. Cardcaptor Sakura
In second place, we have Cardcaptor Sakura. This wonderfully classic magical girl story follows a young schoolgirl named Sakura Kinomoto, who accidentally releases a bunch of powerful, magical cards into the world, known as the Clow Cards. In the wake of this new predicament, and with the help of her new card-guarding companion Cerberus, Sakura sets out on an exciting, supernatural quest to retrieve the Clow Cards and protect the world. While it may seem simple, this charming little anime is sure to introduce you to a world of otherworldly craziness in a lively new way. It has all the elements of a thrilling magical girl storyline, with some interesting paranormal activity to boot. This series is a perfect way to get immersed in the mahou shoujo genre in a fun and beginner-friendly way.
1. Sailor Moon
And in first place, we have the one and only Sailor Moon. This is arguably one of the most fantastic magical girl animes to ever be made. It’s in this charming tale that we follow the seemingly ordinary Usagi Tsukino, who becomes the magical hero Sailor Moon. Using her powers and the help of her friends, the Sailor Soldiers, Usagi fights to ward off evil and protect the world from extraterrestrial threats, all the while trying to maintain her average schoolgirl life on the side. This is, by far, the most top-rated magical girl anime to date, with it having a wonderfully colorful cast of characters, a fun-filled story, and more. It's hard not to love such a classic hit. This series is the perfect fit for any of your magical girl needs, whether it be you need a new show to get invested in, or you'd simply like a good introduction to the genre as a whole.
