Josei Anime
Josei is what you get when shoujo characters grow up: more adult relationships, messy careers, and problems you can't solve with a school festival. *Honey and Clover* is a standout, tackling art school burnout, unrequited love, and that drifting feeling in your twenties. The tone shift toward bittersweet realism makes it feel totally different once you've lived a little.
Common Misconception
Josei is just shoujo but with extra drama and cheating.
Underrated Pick
Princess Jellyfish (Kuragehime) -- a hilarious, heartfelt look at otaku women, fashion, and self-acceptance.
Journal with Witch
Shuka
Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
Studio Deen
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
Studio Deen
Chihayafuru 3
Madhouse
Bunny Drop
Production I.G
Kids on the Slope
Tezuka Productions
Nodame Cantabile
J.C.Staff
Nodame Cantabile Finale
J.C.Staff
Princess Jellyfish
Brain's Base
Polar Bear Cafe
Studio Pierrot
Paradise Kiss
Madhouse
Utakoi
TYO Animations
Only Yesterday
Studio Ghibli
Kiniro no Corda: Primo Passo - Hitonatsu no Encore
Yumeta Company
La corda d'oro: primo passo
Yumeta Company
Nina the Starry Bride
Signal.MD
Cocoon: Aru Natsu no Shoujo-tachi yori
Sasayuri
Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ Movie: Maji Love Kingdom
A-1 Pictures
Betrothed to My Sister's Ex
LandQ studios
Otona Joshi no Anime Time
Bones
Saiyuki Gunlock
Studio Pierrot
Natsuyuki Rendezvous
Doga Kobo
Servamp Movie: Alice in the Garden
Platinum Vision
The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior Season 2
OLM
Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ Maji Love 2000%: Shining Star Xmas
A-1 Pictures
Saiyuki Reload Blast
Platinum Vision
Dog Signal
Fugaku
Karneval
Manglobe
Meiji Tokyo Renka
TMS Entertainment
Kiko-chan Smile
Shaft
Devils and Realist
Doga Kobo
Kamigami no Asobi
Brain's Base
Merman in my Tub
Asahi Production
Welcome, Chitose
Gathering
Phantom of the Idol
Studio Gokumi
Code:Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~ Set a thief to catch a thief
M.S.C
Libra of Nil Admirari
Zero-G
Code:Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~
M.S.C
Saiyuuki Reload: Zeroin
LIDENFILMS
A Destructive God Sits Next to Me
EMT Squared
Onna no Sono no Hoshi
Lapin Track
Showing 41 of 96 Josei anime
Popular Josei Manga
36 total
Journal with Witch
56 ch / 11 vol
Chihayafuru
253 ch / 50 vol
Sakamichi no Apollon
45 ch / 9 vol
Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist's Journey
34 ch / 5 vol
Hirano and Kagiura
Nodame Cantabile
150 ch / 25 vol
Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
31 ch / 10 vol
Honey and Clover
71 ch / 10 vol
Paradise Kiss
48 ch / 5 vol
With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child
92 ch / 15 vol
She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat
Pet Shop of Horrors
41 ch / 10 vol
Showing 12 of 24 Josei manga
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Josei anime?
Based on community scores, Ikoku Nikki (rated 8.76/10) is the highest-rated Josei anime. Rankings update as new scores come in.
How many Josei anime are there?
AnimePulse currently tracks 96 Josei anime titles, including TV series, movies, OVAs, and specials.
What's a common misconception about Josei anime?
Josei is just shoujo but with extra drama and cheating.
What's an underrated Josei anime?
Princess Jellyfish (Kuragehime) -- a hilarious, heartfelt look at otaku women, fashion, and self-acceptance.