,

This is a list of classic or essential shoujo manga. Only put shoujo series that have been around for a while, have been read by most all shoujo fans, and should be considered classics. Please also only vote for the first volume of a series. Any series deemed unfit to be considered classic will be taken off the list.
1

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4.29 avg rating — 209,632 ratings
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2

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4.38 avg rating — 194,308 ratings
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3

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4.26 avg rating — 63,380 ratings
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4

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4.30 avg rating — 71,051 ratings
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5

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4.33 avg rating — 45,263 ratings
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6

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4.34 avg rating — 25,784 ratings
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7

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4.42 avg rating — 73,668 ratings
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8

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4.09 avg rating — 16,366 ratings
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9

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4.26 avg rating — 31,639 ratings
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10

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4.16 avg rating — 37,072 ratings
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11

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4.06 avg rating — 138,119 ratings
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12

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4.23 avg rating — 16,986 ratings
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13

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4.13 avg rating — 18,560 ratings
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14

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4.08 avg rating — 22,157 ratings
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15

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4.18 avg rating — 18,541 ratings
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16

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4.23 avg rating — 11,371 ratings
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17

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4.11 avg rating — 26,635 ratings
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18

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4.45 avg rating — 45,585 ratings
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19

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4.12 avg rating — 18,814 ratings
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20

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4.07 avg rating — 23,918 ratings
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21

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3.98 avg rating — 13,965 ratings
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22

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4.01 avg rating — 6,798 ratings
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23

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3.95 avg rating — 10,802 ratings
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24

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4.39 avg rating — 74,589 ratings
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25

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4.06 avg rating — 36,531 ratings
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26

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3.99 avg rating — 9,703 ratings
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27

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3.95 avg rating — 14,399 ratings
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28

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3.85 avg rating — 4,044 ratings
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29

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4.08 avg rating — 9,224 ratings
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30

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4.15 avg rating — 18,258 ratings
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31

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3.86 avg rating — 5,991 ratings
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32

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4.13 avg rating — 20,179 ratings
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33

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4.02 avg rating — 37,412 ratings
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34

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4.02 avg rating — 7,650 ratings
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35

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4.16 avg rating — 19,637 ratings
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36

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4.21 avg rating — 740 ratings
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37

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4.22 avg rating — 6,244 ratings
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38

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4.19 avg rating — 15,480 ratings
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39

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4.10 avg rating — 5,222 ratings
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40

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4.11 avg rating — 16,686 ratings
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41

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4.15 avg rating — 3,606 ratings
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42

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3.94 avg rating — 1,113 ratings
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43

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3.98 avg rating — 4,713 ratings
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44

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4.24 avg rating — 17,614 ratings
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45

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3.90 avg rating — 9,937 ratings
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46

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3.95 avg rating — 2,611 ratings
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47

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4.19 avg rating — 5,851 ratings
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48

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3.97 avg rating — 3,882 ratings
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49

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4.08 avg rating — 6,631 ratings
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50

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3.83 avg rating — 7,436 ratings
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51

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4.08 avg rating — 4,887 ratings
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52

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4.14 avg rating — 11,148 ratings
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53

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3.91 avg rating — 11,439 ratings
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54

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3.80 avg rating — 592 ratings
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55

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4.28 avg rating — 13,390 ratings
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56

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3.99 avg rating — 4,341 ratings
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57

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4.03 avg rating — 4,751 ratings
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58

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4.05 avg rating — 3,991 ratings
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59

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4.05 avg rating — 6,812 ratings
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60

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3.96 avg rating — 7,523 ratings
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61

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4.17 avg rating — 19,366 ratings
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62

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4.09 avg rating — 3,052 ratings
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63

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4.20 avg rating — 11,671 ratings
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64

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3.95 avg rating — 5,577 ratings
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65

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3.99 avg rating — 3,886 ratings
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66

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3.90 avg rating — 3,877 ratings
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66

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4.32 avg rating — 72,851 ratings
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68

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4.23 avg rating — 13,111 ratings
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69

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4.16 avg rating — 3,339 ratings
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70

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4.08 avg rating — 904 ratings
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71

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4.24 avg rating — 5,957 ratings
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72

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3.66 avg rating — 1,162 ratings
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73

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4.33 avg rating — 6,722 ratings
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74

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4.04 avg rating — 11,513 ratings
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75

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4.12 avg rating — 5,277 ratings
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76

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3.98 avg rating — 15,584 ratings
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77

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4.07 avg rating — 3,307 ratings
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78

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3.97 avg rating — 1,082 ratings
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79

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3.95 avg rating — 7,649 ratings
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80

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4.22 avg rating — 6,878 ratings
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81

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3.86 avg rating — 408 ratings
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82

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3.90 avg rating — 2,577 ratings
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83

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3.91 avg rating — 701 ratings
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84

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4.16 avg rating — 3,213 ratings
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85

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3.70 avg rating — 1,985 ratings
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86

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3.58 avg rating — 113 ratings
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87

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4.14 avg rating — 4,192 ratings
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88

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3.97 avg rating — 4,264 ratings
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89

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4.05 avg rating — 1,090 ratings
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90

by
3.88 avg rating — 3,597 ratings
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91

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4.36 avg rating — 3,012 ratings
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92

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3.76 avg rating — 1,120 ratings
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93

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3,268 ratings
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94

by
3.64 avg rating — 221 ratings
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94

by
4.05 avg rating — 232 ratings
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96

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4.40 avg rating — 21,507 ratings
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97

by
3.76 avg rating — 432 ratings
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98

by
3.99 avg rating — 1,552 ratings
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99

by
3.78 avg rating — 2,760 ratings
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100

by
4.12 avg rating — 1,933 ratings
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154 books · 144 voters · list created December 4th, 2012 by deleted user.
Tags: classic, manga, shoujo
45 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


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More voters…


Comments Showing 1-18 of 18 (18 new)

dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by cacinta (new)

cacinta I thought Nana was josei?


message 2: by [deleted user] (new)

It was published in Shoujo Beat magazine and is being serialized by them, but it does seem a little more josei.


message 3: by Holly (new)

Holly Letson I was asked by a friend to vote on this list. I really don't like that the listmaker has the right to decide what is considered a classic, and will probably delete most of what I added if it doesn't suit their taste.

I feel that this could be a great list to introduce people to this genre.

Also, I feel kinda weird for voting for almost everything listed. But, this collection is made of win.


message 4: by D.M. (new)

D.M. Dutcher Love Hina and Pita-ten are shonen, not shoujo. Both debuted in shonen magazines. Other than that, great list.


message 5: by [deleted user] (new)

I'm thinking that if a series only has one vote after so many weeks, not many people would consider a classic so it doesn't belong. There are series on this list that I haven't read but I know can be considered a classic because a lot of people have read and loved them.

I will also be taking anything that isn't shoujo out, even though it can be considered classic manga. If anyone sees any series that don't fit, please let me know.

Also, feel free to challenge my decision. If you think a series does or doesn't belong, let me know why, and I'll consider rethinking my decision.


message 6: by [deleted user] (new)

As far as Sailor Moon is concerned, there are many different covers. There's the original Japanese cover, the cover of the first American release, and the rerelease cover. Those are the most common. I am going to use the rerelease cover. Please vote for that one, rather than adding a different cover.


message 7: by [deleted user] (new)

Sorry for the triple post, but I deleted two of the SM covers and also Love Hina and Pita Ten. Can anybody tell me if Demon Love Spell is truly shoujo? It seems a little too mature to me to be shoujo.


message 8: by Holly (new)

Holly Letson @Wednesday: The reason I added both the TokyoPop Sailor Moon ( Sailor Moon, Vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi ) and the Kodansha PGSM ( Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 1 (Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Renewal Editions, #1) by Naoko Takeuchi ) is because they are different translations of the series. Since the Kodansha version sticks more to the original, I respect your decision to choose it.

Also, mature mangas can be shoujo as well. Keep in mind that I would not add hentai to your list, unless the title had said to, so it is not an adult manga. You really should read it. I enjoyed it.


message 9: by [deleted user] (new)

I wasn't sure whether it was too mature. Nana has some mature themes, but can still be considered shoujo. Just wanted to make sure, since I have never read Demon Love Spell.


message 10: by Holly (new)

Holly Letson Wednesday wrote: "I wasn't sure whether it was too mature. Nana has some mature themes, but can still be considered shoujo. Just wanted to make sure, since I have never read Demon Love Spell."
I think most of Mayu Shinjo's mangas are to the mature side. She kinda likes to push the boundaries.


message 11: by Marina (new)

Marina Although I do love Tramps Like Us, it's a josei, not a shoujo.


message 12: by Kristen (new)

Kristen If you like shoujo manga, you should take a look at Shoujo Manga Book Club! It's a group where you can discuss your favorite manga, meet new people, vote in tournaments, play games and more!


message 13: by Rhina (new)

Rhina Luu Half of th mangas on this list shouldnt even be here. Horimiya is a shounen (even if it seems like a shoujo). Misunderstanding girl and angry guy is a nice read but it is nowhere an essential. Classic like Basara or Tokyo Crazy Paradise should be here since they have been read by many manga readers and also represent other part of the shoujo genre.i know this list is essential, so I wont even suggest putting classic like Glass Mask, but this list really need a good check up.
And for the record I have read all of these mangas and like them fairly well so when I said half of these shouldnt be here, it wasnt out of hate.


lil' Lily [ filled with DETERMINATION ] If you liked the books on this list, join this group!
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Where we read shouju manga and many others!


message 15: by Mary (new)

Mary Where is From Far Away by Kyoko Hikawa?


message 16: by Josh (new)

Josh Tanelon Gosh, thank you for the awesome list. This is so cool. :)


message 17: by Magpie (last edited Mar 05, 2018 10:57AM) (new)

Magpie removed Chibi Vampire, as it's a shounen, Tramps like us, since it's a josei and maison ikkoku, which is a seinen


message 18: by Carol (new)

Carol Correia Inuyasha is not a shoujo. it's a shounen. Yes, it does has romance, but that does not equal shoujo. (but i do find inuyasha essential)


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