What is this genre all about? Shoujo Ai means girls love, and thus explores what happens when two girls (or women) fall in love. This is not to be mistaken for Yuri which is (or, at least, how this term is often used by the western audience) used in adult works. This is not; that means there is no graphical sex.
The male version is Shounen Ai.
We present you the list of Shoujo Ai anime you should watch right now.
Try our anime quiz: Anime Characters Guessing Quiz/Game
Top 20 Shoujo Ai anime you should watch right now. [2024 List]
- 20. Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou.
- 19. Shokei Shoujo no Virgin Road
- 18. Sasayaku You ni Koi wo Utau
- 17. Yagate Kimi ni Naru
- 16. Citrus
- 15. Seiyuu Radio no Uraomote
- 14. Adachi to Shimamura
- 13. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 1: Hajimari no Monogatari
- 12. Maria†Holic
- 11. Happy Sugar Life
- 10. Oniisama e...
- 9. Mnemosyne: Mnemosyne no Musume-tachi
- 8. Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo
- 7. Yuru Yuri
- 6. Watashi ni Tenshi ga Maiorita!
- 5. Sakura Trick
- 4. Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid Specials
- 3. Aoi Hana
- 2. Fushigi no Kuni no Miyuki-chan
- 1. Tatakae!! Iczer-1
20. Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou.
The story of a reincarnated gamer pursuing her villainous lady love at a fantasy girls’ academy!
Ordinary office worker Oohashi Rei has just woken up in the body of the protagonist of her favorite girls’ otome game, Revolution. To her delight, the first person to greet her is her favorite character, Claire Francois–who just so happens to be the main antagonist of the story. Now, Rei is determined to do what the game never allowed: romance Claire instead of one of the male leads. But how will her villainous lady love react to that?!
I'm in Love with the Villainess has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 私の推しは悪役令嬢。, WataOshi, ทำไงดีเกมนี้นางร้ายน่ารัก, Me Enamoré de la Villana
19. Shokei Shoujo no Virgin Road
The Lost Ones are wanderers who come here from a distant world known as "Japan." No one knows how or why they leave their homes. The only thing that is certain is that they bring disaster and calamity. The duty of exterminating them without remorse falls to Menou, a young Executioner. When she meets Akari, it seems like just another job...until she discovers it's impossible to kill this girl! And when Menou begins to search for a way to defeat this immortality, Akari is more than happy to tag along! So begins a journey that will change Menou forever...
The Executioner and Her Way of Life has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 処刑少女の生きる道〈バージンロード〉, Shokei Shoujo no Ikiru Michi, Virgin Road, The life of an executioned girl - and yet, she lives.
18. Sasayaku You ni Koi wo Utau
Bubbly, energetic first-year high school student Himari falls head over heels for her senpai Yori after hearing her band perform on the first day of school. Himari tells Yori she just loves her, and to Himari's surprise, Yori says she loves Himari back! But when Himari realizes that she and her senpai are feeling two different kinds of love, she begins to ask herself what "love" really means...
Whisper Me A Love Song has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: ささやくように恋を唄う, Whispering You A Love Song, SasaKoi, Cicha piosenka o miłości
17. Yagate Kimi ni Naru
Yuu has always dreamt of receiving a love confession but feels nothing when a boy gives her one. Confused, she starts her first year of high school and meets the beautiful student council president, Nanami, who makes her heart skip a beat.
Bloom Into You has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: やがて君になる, Eventually, I Will Become You
16. Citrus
Yuzu, a high school gyaru who hasn't experienced her first love yet, transfers to an all-girls school after her mother remarries. She's beyond upset that she can't land a boyfriend at her new school. Then, on her first day, she meets the beautiful black-haired student council president Mei in the worst way possible. What's more, she later finds out that Mei is her new step-sister, and they'll be living under the same roof! And so the love affair between two polar opposite high school girls who find themselves drawn to one another begins!
Citrus has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: citrus, Citrus
15. Seiyuu Radio no Uraomote
Yuuhi Yuugure and Yasumi Utatane, two high school voice actresses who just happened to attend the same school and coincidentally got placed into the same class, are the two hosts of a radio weekly program. As fellow classmates and voice actresses, they show all the listeners their great friendship! At least, on the surface. In reality, the quiet girl Chika and the gyaru Yumiko are complete opposites. And they absolutely cannot stand each other. Off air, chaos and insults erupt. On air, they're the best of friends. Just where will this tumultuous relationship lead them?
The Two Sides of Voice Actor Radio is currently airing and will have 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 声優ラジオのウラオモテ, Seiyuu Radio no Uraomote
14. Adachi to Shimamura
The second floor of the gym―this was where we always met. It was class time, but of course, there weren't any classes going on in a place like this.This was where Shimamura and I became friends. We hung out here―talking about TV shows and cooking, playing some ping pong... This is where we fostered our friendship.Keeping my head propped against the wall, I let out a small sigh.What was this feeling? Yesterday, I'd dreamt of me and Shimamura kissing.Not that I'm like that. I'm sure Shimamura isn’t either. It’s not even something worth repeating myself about, but really, it’s not like that.It's just that when she hears the word "friend," I want her to think of me first. That's all.
Adachi and Shimamura has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 安達としまむら, Adashima
13. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 1: Hajimari no Monogatari
In the city of Mitakihara, a girl named Madoka Kaname, along with her friend, Sayaka Miki, encounter a creature named Kyubey and are saved from witches by a magical girl named Mami Tomoe. Kyubey offers Madoka and Sayaka the chance to have any one wish granted in exchange for becoming a magical girl and fighting witches, whilst Homura Akemi, another magical girl who recently transferred into Madoka's class, is strongly against Madoka becoming one. Before Madoka can make a decision, however, Mami is killed by a witch, leaving Madoka too afraid to become a magical girl. Sayaka, however, decides to become a magical girl herself in order to heal the hand of her childhood friend, Kyosuke Kamijou. As Sayaka soon comes into conflict with another magical girl named Kyouko Sakura, they, along with Madoka, learn the shocking truth that their soul gems, the source of their magical powers, literally contain their souls.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ 始まりの物語, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magika Movie 1, Magical Girl Madoka Magica Movie 1
12. Maria†Holic
In search of true love, Kanako Miyamae transfers to Ame no Kisaki Catholic school, inspired by how her parents fell in love with each other there. There is just one difference, though: because men make Kanako break into hives, she has actually come to the all-girls school to find a partner of the same sex.
When she meets the beautiful Mariya Shidou, Kanako believes she has found that special someone; however, there's more to Mariya than meets the eye—it turns out that Kanako's first love is actually a cross-dressing boy. Mariya threatens to expose Kanako's impure intentions unless she keeps his real gender a secret, and to make things worse, he also replaces her original roommate so that he can now keep a close eye on her.Maria†Holic follows Kanako as she looks for love in all the wrong places and searches for the girl of her dreams—that is, if she can survive being Mariya's roommate!
Maria†Holic has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: まりあ†ほりっく, Maria+Holic, MariaHolic
11. Happy Sugar Life
This is a shivering pure love psycho horror story of a girl named Satou Matsuzaka, who has someone she likes. She experiences a sweet feeling when she sleeps with her, and thought it must be love. Everything will be forgiven as long as she protects this feeling, even if she tricks, commits crimes, steals, or even kills, she thought.
Happy Sugar Life has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: ハッピーシュガーライフ, White Sugar Garden, Black Salt Cage
10. Oniisama e...
When starting at a new school, Nanako is thrust into the world of female rivalry and love. She is chosen into the Sorority, giving her an enviable position according to all the girls left out. However, since Nanako is not from a wealthy family, most girls find it unfair that she was chosen. Nanako is left to protect herself from wicked rumors and mean plots to make her leave the school. Along with her best friend since preschool, and new friends made along the way, she uncovers the past of some of the more popular girls in school and on her journey through high school she learns of love, loss and her own family's secrets...
Dear Brother has finished airing and it has 39 Episodes. It is also Known as: おにいさまへ…, Brother, Dear Brother, To My Brother..., Caro Fratello, Très cher frère
9. Mnemosyne: Mnemosyne no Musume-tachi
For normal people, getting stabbed to death would constitute the end of the road. For Rin Asogi, it's a mere inconvenience. Rin is immortal, a nice perk to have when you're a private detective constantly finding yourself in dangerous situations.
Rin has eaten a "time fruit": a fruit from the guardian tree Yggdrasil, which, when consumed by a woman, makes her unable to die. Rin's immortality doesn't stop others from trying to kill her, of course; over her long lifetime she has been shot at, cut up, maimed, tortured, and suffered countless other violent deaths.
This time, it's different. The year 1990 sparks the beginning of a series of events in Rin's life that sends her spiraling toward her fate. Someone is hunting down immortal women like Rin, and Rin's life may be in actual danger.
Mnemosyne no Musume-tachi spans 65 years in Rin's life, during which she watches those around her get old while she herself remains unchanged. Higher forces are after her, and Rin must use every means at her disposal—or her next death may just be her last.
And it all begins when she goes searching for a lost cat, but finds the amnesiac Koki Maeno instead...
Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne has finished airing and it has 6 Episodes. It is also Known as: Mnemosyne－ムネモシュネの娘たち－, Mnemosyne: Daughters of Mnemosyne
8. Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo
The royal life of Princess Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi was as idyllic as the life of a sixteen-year-old princess could be. Beautiful, talented, athletic, loved by her people, and soon to be baptized in honor of her ascension to the throne of the Misurugi Empire, Angelise had everything. Even her kingdom was in a blissful age of peace and prosperity thanks to the utilization of an extremely advanced technology materialization force known as "mana."
However, everything Angelise has come to know soon crashes to the ground around her after she is revealed to be a "norma," a member of society resistant to the effects of mana and unable to use it herself. Just like the rest of the norma, Angelise is arrested and removed from society. Now she's being forced to work as a soldier based out of the prison camp, Arzenal, and fly a transforming robotic vehicle called a "Paramail."
To survive, Angelise will have to adapt to several different aspects of her new life in Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo, coping with prison society, relationships with other "norma" women, and piloting her Paramail against giant beasts known as DRAGONs. Will revenge be a great enough motive to encourage her to overcome these challenges? Or will the hate for those that betrayed her tear her apart in the process?
Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons has finished airing and it has 25 Episodes. It is also Known as: クロスアンジュ 天使と竜の輪舞〈ロンド〉, Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo
7. Yuru Yuri
After a year in grade school without her childhood friends, first year student Akari Akaza is finally reunited with second years Yui Funami and Kyouko Toshinou at their all-girls' middle school. During the duo's first year, Yui and Kyouko formed the "Amusement Club" which occupies the now nonexistent Tea Club's room. Shortly after Akari joins, one of her fellow classmates, Chinatsu Yoshikawa, pays the trio a visit under the impression that they are the Tea Club; it is only once the three girls explain that the Tea Club has been disbanded that they can convince Chinatsu to join the Amusement Club—a group with no purpose other than to provide entertainment for its members.
Based on the slice-of-life manga by Namori, Yuru Yuri is an eccentric comedy about a group of girls who spend their spare time drinking tea and fawning over each other, all while completely failing to even notice the supposed main character Akari amongst them.
YuruYuri: Happy Go Lily has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: ゆるゆり, YRYR
6. Watashi ni Tenshi ga Maiorita!
Miyako is a shy college student who is also an otaku. One day she happens to meet some angelic grade school kids! When Miyako sees her little sister's new friend Hana-chan, Miyako's heart won't stop racing! Miyako tries to get along with them but struggles... A sketch comedy all about trying to get along with the super cute girl is about to begin!
WATATEN!: an Angel Flew Down to Me has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 私に天使が舞い降りた！, Watashi ni Tenshi ga Maiorita!
5. Sakura Trick
Love is in the air when the story of Sakura Trick begins. Haruka Takayama and Yuu Sonoda were best friends in middle school, and are now attending Misato West High School together. They are assigned to the same class in their first year, but are given seats on opposite sides of the room! If that wasn't enough, it is announced at the entrance ceremony that the school will be closed in three years. This doesn't bother either of them, as they still plan on having lots of fun together during their high school years.
Haruka gets jealous of Yuu making new friends though, so the two decide to deepen their bond. "Let's do something we'd never do with other girls," Yuu says, and they share a kiss in a vacant classroom after school one day. After that one kiss leads to many kisses, the two begin to realize that the relationship they share has changed completely. But what will happen to their relationship once a disapproving older sister begins to suspect that something is going on between the two?
Sakura Trick has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 桜Trick, Sakura Trick
4. Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid Specials
Mini OVA episodes bundled with the Blu-ray and DVD releases of Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid.
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid Specials has finished airing and it has 6 Episodes. It is also Known as: ヴァルキリードライヴ マーメイド ミニOVA, Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid Specials
3. Aoi Hana
Fumi and Akira were close childhood friends until Fumi had to move away. Ten years after losing touch with each other, the two girls meet again as high school freshmen. The two struggle to reconnect after so much has changed, and both deal with the trials and tribulations of high school — sometimes independently and sometimes with each other’s help.
Sweet Blue Flowers has finished airing and it has 11 Episodes. It is also Known as: 青い花, Aoihana , , Blue Flower
2. Fushigi no Kuni no Miyuki-chan
Miyuki, a cute girl, is in over her head. When late for school, she is suddenly transported to another world (Alice In Wonderland style), except that all the inhabitants of the other world are female...and they all seem to be in love with Miyuki. And the world behind her mirror is even weirder.
Miyuki-chan in Wonderland has finished airing and it has 2 Episodes. It is also Known as: 不思議の国の美幸ちゃん, Miyuki-chan In Mirrorland
1. Tatakae!! Iczer-1
Nagisa is a schoolgirl with schoolgirl tendencies, waking up late, rushing off to school and meeting up with friends upon the way. One morning Nagisa comes across a woman dressed in a strange uniform who seems to stare at her, unnerving Nagisa. Later that day, whilst staring out the window, Nagisa becomes aware of a ball bouncing by itself which flings itself towards her window seat, shattering the glass yet not harming her... Turning back to the front she finds a gaping mouth bristling with teeth inches from her face and no-one else about. She screams and the world returns to normal with her standing and the centre of curiosity of her class... why did she scream?
Fight!! Iczer-1 has finished airing and it has 3 Episodes. It is also Known as: 戦え!! イクサー1, Iczer-One, Fight! Iczer-One
