Transformative, captivating, and heart-warming, the magical girl genre has solidified its place in anime culture over the past three decades. It boasts delightful tropes, unforgettable characters, and a dedicated fanbase. If you're looking to explore beyond the iconic series like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, this list will guide you through the best magical girl anime available, introducing you to new favorites, hidden gems, and contemporary series that will fill that magical girl-shaped void in your life.
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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10. Little Witch Academia
Image credit: NetflixStudio: Studio Trigger | Episode Count: 25 | Where to watch: Netflix
Little Witch Academia is an adorable magical school story that reimagines the magical girl trope for the post-Harry Potter generation. When Akko enrolls in the fantastical Luna Nova Magical Academy, she can hardly contain her excitement. Despite her lifelong dream of learning magic and her admiration for the famed witch Shiny Chariot, Akko herself lacks magical abilities. However, her fortunes change when she discovers a magical artifact linked to her idol. This discovery sets Akko on a mission to reignite a love for magic in a world that's rapidly forgetting its existence. This delightful series blends coming of age with witchcraft, emphasizing cozy friendships and a fresh take on magic. It's a must-watch anime series available on Netflix.
There have been 25 episodes of Little Witch Academia across two seasons, but it's uncertain if there will be a Season 3.
9. 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, securing its place on our list. It also features a beloved anime and manga trope: a protagonist aspiring to become a mangaka. Yumi, an aspiring artist, dreams of creating manga, her passion rivaled only by her love for flowers, inspired by her florist parents. When she saves a flower from being plucked, she is rewarded with 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 worth exploring.
8. 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. The story follows Ichigo Momomiya, who gains her powers from an accident that infuses her with cat DNA. In a transformation reminiscent of a werewolf, Ichigo becomes increasingly cat-like and uses her newfound abilities to locate other girls affected by the same incident. Together, they confront a mysterious alien threat linked to their powers. This series is delightfully fun, and the new reboot enhances its appeal even further.
7. 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 life takes a dramatic turn when she enrolls at the elite and secretive Fuuka Academy. Initially feeling out of place, Mai soon discovers her purpose at the school and others like her, marked with a special symbol that allows them to summon a familiar to protect the world from nightmarish creatures. These familiars, known as "Children," are deeply connected to someone the summoner loves, adding intense stakes to the battles.
6. Pretty Cure
Image credit: Toei AnimationStudio: Toei Animation | Episode Count: 800 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll
If you're looking for a magical girl series to dive into with multiple seasons, Pretty Cure is perfect, boasting an impressive 800 episodes centered around the same premise. A group of young girls gain magical powers to fight evil forces, embodying the quintessential magical girl narrative. This vibrant and super-cute series has endured because of its delightful charm. Plus, it features adorable creatures alongside its magical girls.
5. 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 trope and infuses it with a darker, more emotionally resonant narrative. The series transforms its young protagonists into supernatural witch fighters after they agree to a contract offered by a mysterious cat-like creature, granting them magical powers. While the setup 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 keep young people compliant. This series offers a profound examination of the genre.
4. Magic Knight Rayearth
Image credit: Tokyo Movie ShinshaStudio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha | Episode Count: 49 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Prime Video
Created by the artist collective CLAMP, known for numerous beloved manga and anime, Magic Knight Rayearth is a universe-hopping magical girl series that fulfills the fantasy of escaping to a magical world. Friends Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji find themselves transported to another dimension during a school field trip, where they can control their new world with their will. This high fantasy epic showcases CLAMP's strengths in expansive worldbuilding, stunning animation, and intricate relationships. It's a series you can immerse yourself in repeatedly. Additionally, there were Magic Knight Rayearth games released in the '90s for fans to enjoy.
3. Revolutionary Girl Utena
Image credit: J.C. StaffStudio: J.C. Staff | Episode Count: 39 | Where to watch: Not available to stream
Revolutionary Girl Utena, created by Chiho Saito and Be-Papas, is one of the most influential and subversive magical girl anime. Romantic, stylish, and inspired by medieval chivalry, the story follows Utena, an orphan who, after meeting a charming prince, decides to become a prince herself. This decision shapes her life and leads her to a secretive dueling contest at her school, where she becomes entangled with the mysterious Rose Bride. This surrealistic series not only tells a compelling story but also deconstructs the genre's tropes and expectations, making it a meta masterpiece.
2. Cardcaptor Sakura
Image credit: MadhouseStudio: Madhouse | Episode Count: 70 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Cardcaptor Sakura, another classic from CLAMP, transformed the magical girl genre for a generation of viewers. The series follows Sakura as she discovers a mysterious book in her basement, accidentally releasing the dangerous Clow Cards. As a normal elementary school girl, Sakura learns she's also a powerful magic user tasked with capturing these cards. Thankfully, she's assisted by the enigmatic creature Cerberus, who guards the artifacts. With its fashion-forward style and action-packed narrative, this series blends magical girl elements with the card-collecting craze.
1. 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 series of all time. A global phenomenon, this series follows Usagi, an ordinary schoolgirl who discovers her destiny as Sailor Moon. With its gorgeous animation, stunning character designs, and iconic transformation sequences, Sailor Moon is the quintessential magical girl anime. Each Sailor Scout is uniquely developed, allowing viewers to connect with different characters over time. This series is hilarious, heartfelt, and action-packed, making it the most influential and impactful on our list and a must-watch for anime enthusiasts.
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.
