Shōjo manga

Shōjo (少女) is manga (Japanese comics) made for young girls, normally ages 7-19. One of the most popular shōjo manga series is Sailor Moon. Many shōjo manga are about things like love, friendship, and romance, but some are more serious and action-based. Most shōjo characters are female, and around middle-school or high-school age.

History

Shōjo was first made in Japan for young female readers, as shōnen is for young male readers. They started to appear in the early 1900s. Most shōjo made during this time focused on humor and life in the home. However, after World War II, manga artists began writing more fast-paced, intense stories. This brought upon the magical girl genre, which helped make manga as a whole popular around the world.

Shōjo in the West

In the 90s and early 2000s, the western world began to see more manga and anime, including shōjo. With publishers like VIZ and Dark Horse Comics coming out with English versions of manga during this time, western readers had more access to Japanese comics than ever. Before then, many manga were Japan-exclusive.

Ages groups

Shōjo is usually put into age groups. These are the ages it is recommended for. The main groupings are:

• All ages (ages five and up)
• Teen (ages 13 and up)
• Older teen / Adult (ages 17 and up)

List of popular shōjo manga

• Angel Sanctuary
• Sailor Moon
• Shugo Chara
• Kirarin Revolution
• Cardcaptor Sakura
• Chibi Devi
• Tokyo Mew Mew
• Ouran High School Host Club
• Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
• Ao Haru Ride
• Kamisama Hajimemashita
• Sukitte Ii na yo
• Oresama Teacher
• Kimi ni Todoke
• Fruits Basket
• Lovely Complex
• Gakuen Alice

Shōjo Manga Media

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  Actress Hideko Takamine, portraying an archetypal shōjo wearing a sailor fuku in the 1939 film Hana Tsumi Nikki

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  Cover of the first issue of Shōjo-kai, 1902

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  An ambassador for the city of Takarazuka dressed as the titular character from Princess Knight in 2012

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  Moto Hagio, a major figure associated with the Year 24 Group, in 2008

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  Cover of the September 1926 issue of Shōjo Gahō, with art by the lyrical painter Kashō Takabatake

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  Shōjo war fiction emerged in tandem with the militarization of Japan in the 1930s, while an emphasis on cross-dressing came from the popularity of the cross-dressing actresses of the Takarazuka Revue (actress Sueko Takigawa pictured).