Transformative, captivating, and heart-warming, the magical girl genre has become a cherished staple of anime over the past three decades. With its delightful tropes, unforgettable characters, and legions of fans, it's a genre that continues to enchant. If you're looking to venture beyond classics like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, this list is your guide to the best magical girl anime, featuring new favorites, underrated gems, and contemporary offerings that will fill that magical girl-shaped void in your life.
So, prepare for a journey filled with 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: NetflixStudio: Studio Trigger | Episode Count: 25 | Where to watch: Netflix
Little Witch Academia is a charming magical school story that reimagines the magical girl trope for a post-Harry Potter generation. When Akko enrolls at the fantastical Luna Nova Magical Academy, she can hardly contain her excitement. Her lifelong dream of learning magic is finally within reach, despite her lack of innate magical abilities. Inspired by the famed witch Shiny Chariot, Akko's journey takes a turn when she discovers a magical artifact linked to her idol. This sets her on a mission to reignite the world's love for magic. With its focus on coming of age and witchcraft, this delightful series emphasizes cozy friendships and a unique approach to magic. It's a must-watch anime available on Netflix.
There have been 25 episodes of Little Witch Academia across two seasons, but the future of a Season 3 remains uncertain.
Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol
Image credit: Studio PierrotStudio: Studio Pierrot | Episode Count: 25 | Where to watch: Not available to stream
This 1986 series stands as one of the earliest examples of magical girl anime, making it a must-include on our list. It also embraces one of the best anime and manga tropes: a protagonist who aspires to become a mangaka. Yumi, an aspiring artist, dreams of creating manga, a passion rivaled only by her love for flowers, influenced by her florist parents. Her life changes when she saves a flower and is gifted two magical items—a wand and a locket—that bring her drawings to life. Retro and charming, Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol is an underappreciated gem well worth exploring.
Tokyo Mew Mew
Image credit: Studio PierrotStudio: 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. In this enchanting tale, protagonist Ichigo Momomiya gains her powers from an accident that infuses her with cat DNA. Her transformation into a cat-like form allows her to seek out other affected girls. Together, they confront an alien threat linked to their newfound abilities. This series is wildly entertaining, and its recent reboot has elevated it to even greater heights of awesomeness.
My-HiME
Image credit: SunriseStudio: Sunrise | Episode Count: 26 + 26 DVD-only shorts | Where to watch: Crunchyroll
My-HiME brilliantly merges the magical girl trope with boarding school drama. Mai's entry into the elite and mysterious Fuuka Academy marks a life-altering shift. Initially feeling out of place at the secretive school, Mai soon discovers her purpose there. She, along with others bearing a special symbol, can summon a familiar to combat nightmarish creatures. These "Children" are deeply connected to loved ones, adding significant stakes to the battles.
Pretty Cure
Image credit: Toei AnimationStudio: Toei Animation | Episode Count: 800 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll
For those seeking a magical girl series with multiple seasons, Pretty Cure offers an astounding 800 episodes centered around a consistent premise. Young girls gain magical powers to fight evil forces, embodying the quintessential magical girl narrative. This technicolor, super-cute series has endured thanks to its delightful charm and the inclusion of adorable creatures alongside its magical heroines.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Image credit: ShaftStudio: Shaft | Episode Count: 12 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Hulu
Puella Magi Madoka Magica takes the magical girl genre and infuses it with a deeper, more poignant narrative. The series follows young women who become supernatural witch fighters after agreeing to a contract offered by a cat-like entity. While the premise may seem traditional, the story delves into the harsh realities of being a magical girl, exploring themes of trauma, exploitation, and the deceptive promises that ensnare young people. It's a profound examination of the genre's tropes.
Magic Knight Rayearth
Image credit: Tokyo Movie ShinshaStudio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha | Episode Count: 49 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Prime Video
The artist collective CLAMP, known for many beloved manga and anime, created this ambitious magical girl series that transports its protagonists across dimensions. Friends Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji find themselves in a magical world during a school field trip, where their will can shape reality. This high fantasy epic showcases CLAMP's signature expansive worldbuilding, stunning animation, and intricate relationships. It's a series you can immerse yourself in repeatedly, and it even inspired a series of games in the 90s.
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Image credit: J.C. StaffStudio: 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 chivalric tales, it follows Utena, an orphan who aspires to become a prince after an encounter with one. This decision shapes her life and leads her into a secretive dueling contest at her school, where she becomes entangled with the enigmatic Rose Bride. The series offers a surrealistic take on the genre while exploring its tropes and expectations, making it a meta journey worth experiencing.
Cardcaptor Sakura
Image credit: MadhouseStudio: Madhouse | Episode Count: 70 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Cardcaptor Sakura, another masterpiece from CLAMP, transformed the magical girl genre by blending it with the card collecting trend of the time. The story follows Sakura as she accidentally unleashes the Clow Cards and embarks on a mission to recapture them. With the help of the mysterious creature Cerberus, Sakura navigates her dual life as an elementary school girl and a powerful magic user. This fashion-forward, action-packed series remains a beloved classic.
Sailor Moon
Image credit: Toei AnimationStudio: Toei Animation | Episode Count: 200 + 3 TV Specials | Where to watch: Hulu
Topping our list is Naoko Takeuchi's groundbreaking Sailor Moon, arguably one of the greatest anime of all time. This globally renowned series follows Usagi, a regular schoolgirl who discovers her destiny as Sailor Moon. With its stunning animation, iconic character designs, and legendary transformation sequences, Sailor Moon is the quintessential magical girl anime. The well-developed Sailor Scouts offer diverse characters for viewers to connect with, making this series a timeless and influential masterpiece that every anime fan should experience.
AnswerSee ResultsAnd 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? Take a look at our guide to the best vampire anime as well as our list of the most underrated anime series.
