Shojo Manga (Fiction)

Shojo manga is manga (Japanese comics) targeted towards females between the ages of 10 and 18. However, with the exception of very young readers, it can appeal to readers of all ages. While often focused on romance, shojo manga encompasses many other genres, such as historical fiction or fantasy. Whether you have read any manga before or are just starting out, the following are a few highlights of the many worthy options. Keep in mind that most manga are series, some with a large number of volumes and that most include suggested age ratings on the cover. Make sure check these age ratings, as some titles listed may not be appropriate for younger readers.

Shojo manga tends to have strong female characters that readers can empathize with. This is no more so true than in Sand Chronicles, a series following the life of Ann Uekusa, whose mother committed suicide when she was young. Ann struggles to keep a handle on her emotions and her relationships with others. The art and writing of this series is strong, and it is wonderful to be able to see Ann grow up into a believable woman facing problems that many of us also face.

Coming of age stories are a common theme in shojo manga. If Sand Chronicles sounds intriguing, try checking out Kimi Ni Todoke (From Me to You), featuring Sawako, a young woman who is plagued by insecurities and is misunderstood by classmates. The series follows her growing romance with a male classmate. Also of interest is Emma. Less a coming of age tale, the title character is a maid in Victorian England who begins a star-crossed romance with the wealthy heir of an estate. The art is beautiful and the characters believable.

Comedy is a common component of shojo manga and features prominently in Ouran High School Host Club and Skip Beat! Ouran is a satire in which a girl breaks a vase, is mistaken for a boy, and ends up working in a host club to repay her debt. The series is laugh out loud funny. Skip Beat! takes the comedy even further. Kyoko is wronged by her childhood love, a successful pop idol, and vows to take revenge by becoming a bigger star. Her journey to stardom is crazy, as Kyoko, quite an angry individual, is forced to take on a number of insane endeavors that aggravate her temper.

Finally, shojo manga is no stranger to horror and vampires. Chibi Vampire, a good choice for comedy lovers, features Karin, the anti-vampire. Instead of sucking blood, she produces it. This is rather a problem for her, as the rest of her family are traditional vampires. Chibi Vampire is a fun, romantic series. Those looking for more horror might try After School Nightmare. This series is for older readers only. Masahiro, secretly half boy and half girl, is plunged into the world of nightmares when s/he is enrolled in a new class where, in order to graduate, one has to make it out of the brutal dreamworld with a key. This is a very dark manga but it features a strong, innovative plot.