shojo

Shojo is manga and anime aimed mainly at teenage girls, often focused on relationships, feelings and coming of age, though it covers every genre from romance to fantasy to action.

What shojo means

Merriam-Webster defines shojo (also spelled shoujo) as manga or anime intended primarily for girls, and quotes a writer explaining that in Japan shojo manga is simply manga for teen and tween girls, spanning high school romance, fantasy and action. The style often features expressive eyes, flowery backgrounds and a lot of attention to characters’ inner lives.

Like shonen, it’s a demographic label, not a strict genre. Sailor Moon is the classic example English-speaking fans know.

Examples

• “It’s a shojo romance, so expect a lot of blushing and misunderstandings.”
• “Shojo art has the most beautiful eyes.”
• “I thought it was just a love story, but this shojo has a full fantasy war in it.”

Where it came from

It’s Japanese shōjo, “girl,” from shōjo manga, girls’ manga. Merriam-Webster’s earliest English record is from 1994. The adult-women counterpart is called josei.

Related terms

• Shonen: manga for boys.
• Kawaii: cute.
• Ship: rooting for two characters to get together.
• Manhwa: Korean comics.

See more terms like this in our anime slang guide.