Many anime fans pride themselves on exploring a range of different genres,yet one category is overlooked far too often. Shonen, seinen, and shojo often take over the screens and receive the most acclaim among fans. However, despite the brilliant shows and films these genres have brought forward,one major category hardly gets the recognition it deserves.
Josei is often tragically forgotten by anime fans, even though the genre stands out for its ability to tackle more mature themes with authenticity. As anime continues to grow in popularity, fans should expand their horizons and begin to give josei the attention it deserves. While it may not be for everyone, there’s no way of knowing until it’s given a shot.
Josei Is A Great Genre That’s Criminally Overlooked in the West
Josei Provides A Deeper And More Complex Approach To Storytelling And Deserves More Attention
Shonen’s target audience is adolescent boys, shojo is targeted toward adolescent girls, seinen’s target audience is aimed at young adult men, and josei’s target audience is young adult women. However, just as everyone can enjoy shonen and shojo,everyone can enjoy joseiand may find that itoffers much more than the other three major categories in anime. Josei is a great genre that offers fans a unique perspective that is vastly different from shonen, shojo, and seinen. In fact, the majority of josei is grounded in realism instead of fantastical or idealized worlds.
Josei often focuses on the lives and experiences of young adult women and tackles themes such as personal growth, career struggles, love and relationships, and navigating the transition into adulthood.The narratives in josei are often raw and fearless, making the story not only authentic but relatable and emotionally heartfelt. Despite all that josei has to offer, it remains underappreciated, especially by many fans in the West, some of whom may not even be aware of its existence.
Part of the issue lies in the way anime is marketed outside of Japan.Shonen and seinen have major seriesthat draw global audiences with action-packed adventures and shojo caters to those who enjoy romance-focused stories, typically with female protagonists.Josei, however, falls into a more niche spacewith an emphasis on character-driven storylines, and its lack of bold action scenes or easily digestible tropes makes it harder to promote overseas. Any popular manga from the josei genre that does get adapted usually becomes live-action dramas that are rarely given translations or anime adaptations.
Josei Is Perfect For Anime & Manga Fans Looking For More Mature Stories
Josei Is For Those Who Want Stories That Contain Deeper And More Meaningful Themes
Josei stands out for its ability to take on more mature themes witha level of depth that is rarely found in other genres. While many shonen and shojo series have explored deeper themes, josei takes it a step further by being grounded in reality. Stories in this genre typically feature protagonists who are navigating the world and confronting the societal expectations placed on them or conventional molds that don’t quite fit who they are. It is the aspect of realism that allows josei to resonate with readers who want to explore stories that echo the realities of navigating adulthood.
Due to that fact, the protagonists in josei are often one of the genre’s greatest strengths. Presenting characters who are flawed and relatable rather than idealized or heroes makes them feel more human and more complex. For anime fans who want to explore beyond the idealistic narratives of shojo or want to explore something different from the action-centered plots of seinen and shonen,josei offers an alternative with meaningful and authentic storytelling.
Manga Can Make Anything Compelling, and One Series Proves it
Despite being about an obscure Japanese card game that most non-Japanese readers have never heard of, Chihayafuru is incredibly compelling.
However, since the genre is criminally overlooked, many tend to undervalue genres that focus on emotional depth and introspection. There are some who may be thinking that josei is “just for women” and in believing so, miss out on narratives that explore universal themes that everyone can relate to. For example, many josei anime don’t solely focus on romantic relationships but instead dive into a wide spectrum of connections, like friendship, familial bonds, and the discovery of self.
Josei doesn’t shy away from embracing the messiness of lifeand portraying relationships as evolving and imperfect rather than being resolved in an orderly fashion. The way josei tackles its narrative is what hooks new fans, as it often resonates with audiences who want stories that take on the gray areas of life. It’s a genre that allows fans to reflect and grow from the experiences offered by the narrative, making many josei anime unforgettable.
There Are Many Masterful Stories Worthy Of Attention From Fans
For those who want to explore the genre,Princess Jellyfishis an excellent starting point. The series follows a socially awkward young woman and her friendship with a confident and empowered crossdresser. The anime challenges societal norms and blends themes of self-acceptance and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone with a cast of memorable characters.Princess Jellyfishtells a lighthearted story that is mixed with depth and heartfelt moments.
Paradise KissandNana, both by Ai Yazawa, are must-reads for newcomers to the genre.Paradise Kissis set against the backdrop of the fashion industry and creates a vibrant and emotional narrative that deals with romance and self-discovery. Yazawa’s other popular work,Nana, stands out for similar themes and is one of the greatest josei you can find,despite not having an ending yet.
Nanais beautiful, heartfelt, unflinchingly raw, and powerful with its unfiltered portrayal of life’s messy realities. The story follows two young women with the same first name and follows their lives and personal relationships in a way that shows personal failings, heartbreak, and relationships that become turbulent. The realities shown inNanaare bittersweet and capture all the best parts that josei has to offer fans who are looking for something new.
Nana
Cast
Nana is a Japanese anime television series based on the manga of the same name by Ai Yazawa. The show follows the lives of two women named Nana who meet on a train to Tokyo and end up living together. While they share the same name, their personalities, ambitions, and backgrounds are vastly different, unfolding a narrative of friendship, love, and the pursuit of their dreams in the bustling city.
Paradise Kiss
Paradise Kiss: A high school student encounters a group of fashion design students with a label named Paradise Kiss, prompting her to question her conventional life. Drawn into their creative world, she discovers new aspirations and reevaluates her future as she becomes their model for an upcoming fashion show.
Princess Jellyfish
Princess Jellyfish is a Japanese film released on June 20, 2025, centered around Tsukimi, a jellyfish-obsessed girl living in a women-only apartment complex. Her life takes an unexpected turn when a beautiful woman, who is actually a man in disguise, becomes involved with the residents.
