In the anime community, there is growing concern among fans of the shoujo group. Whether it's through insightful vlogs or heated discussions on Reddit, the topic of shojo's declining presence in anime today is hard to ignore. For enthusiasts, the scarcity of new shojo is a disappointing reality that is hard to ignore.
However, shojo fans have still had glimmers of hope in recent years. The revival of classics like Sailor Moon and Fruits Basket, along with the announcement of a sequel to the beloved Kimi ni Todoke, has brought a sense of excitement back to the genre.
While some may view relying on past successes as a lack of innovation, there's still something to be said for the enduring appeal of this timeless series.
Anime isn't always kind to its female audience, with shojo often receiving less attention than other shounen genres. Despite possessing qualities worthy of recognition, many shoujo series still struggle to gain attention in a market dominated by shounen anime. It's a disparity that becomes increasingly apparent over time.
Therefore, leveraging classic shojo titles to showcase the genre's strengths while making necessary updates could be a strategic move for manufacturers.
By tapping into the nostalgia attached to these beloved series and modernizing them for today's audiences, there is a chance to reignite interest in shoujo anime and bring it back into the spotlight. where it truly belongs.
Shojo Anime has been overshadowed by Shonen for decades
Shonen titles have long dominated the anime scene, eclipsing the shoujo genre for decades. These shows, aimed at teenage boys, have become synonymous with the genre, with iconic titles like Attack on Titan, Death Note, and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood leading the pack.
In terms of quantity and popularity, shounen is second only to kodomo, serving children under 8 years old.
When comparing shojo's position among the five main target groups, it is clear that it is not even close to shounen. Seinen, aimed at adult males, follows Shonen in terms of production and popularity. Shojo, on the other hand, falls significantly behind.
According to data from MyAnimeList, there are only 484 recorded shoujo series, accounting for less than 5% of all anime produced.
While the anime industry prioritizes entertaining young children, shojo's meager production rate of less than 5% pales in comparison to Shojo's impressive 19% production rate. The gap in popularity between the two demographics is equally notable.
Shonen's crown jewel, Attack on Titan, boasts three times the popularity of shojo's Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama. While shojo series often have deep emotional meaning for fans, it's important to remember that the anime industry is, after all, a business.
According to an article by Anime News Network, the average cost to produce a 13-episode series is around 250 million yen (nearly 2 million US dollars). Given the financial risks involved, it makes sense for manufacturers to invest in the chain with the highest profit potential to avoid losses.
The influence of anime's global expansion has significantly shaped the entertainment landscape, especially in the West. For those who came of age in the 1990s, nostalgia may evoke the series that helped popularize anime in America.
Interestingly, only a handful of these are shoujo, with Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura being the most prominent examples.
During this era, Shonen and Seinen series dominated the American market, while Josei was largely absent. This disparity in representation has contributed to a significant sales gap between shojo and other demographic groups.
Shonen's broader appeal has consistently attracted larger and more diverse audiences than shojo series. One potential strategy to attract more attention to shojo anime is to introduce more diversity in genre, plot structure, and character development.
Unlike Shonen, which boasts a variety of thematic and narrative approaches, shojo has traditionally been more limited in its diversity. However, changing audience preferences and expectations is a gradual process, and shoujo anime is currently in need of a significant boost.
With major shounen titles like My Hero Academia and Bleach hitting pivotal points in their respective storylines this year, the competition for viewership is fierce.
To compete effectively for attention on this crowded surface, it's important for Shojo to capitalize on its strongest assets. This often means revisiting classic titles that still resonate with audiences. These timeless franchises not only boast long-standing fan bases, but also provide valuable contributions to the industry, even after all these years.
Bringing classic Shojo titles to a modern-day audience
Introducing classic shojo anime to a contemporary audience not only represents a cost-effective strategy thanks to its existing fan base, but also has the potential to attract a new generation of anime enthusiasts. Since its founding in the 1960s, the anime community has grown dramatically.
A recent Polygon survey in January 2024 revealed intriguing trends in American anime viewership across generations. While only 12% of Gen 2012).
With the anime community expanding exponentially over the past few decades, reviving classic shojo titles could serve as a gateway for newcomers to the genre, adding to the community of fans. exists and has the potential to expand its audience even further.
Furthermore, there is currently an emphasis on feminist ideals within the anime industry, advocating for the creation of more nuanced and empowering female characters across various genres and demographics.
As creators try to stay away from harmful tropes, reboots or continuations of classic shojo series can breathe new life into these series.
Many beloved classics, such as Ouran High School Host Club and Vampire Knight, have been criticized for perpetuating toxic themes and relationships, reducing their appeal.
By revisiting these classics with a critical eye that weeds out problematic tropes, both new and old generations can enjoy these timeless stories without feeling disappointed. accompanying hope.
Additionally, advances in modern animation techniques enhance the viewing experience, replacing outdated visuals that may have hindered enjoyment in the past. Overall, bringing classic shojo anime into contemporary anime brings a lot of benefits.
Furthermore, on a deeper level, there is great potential for the shojo world to gain even more benefits from these efforts.
Correcting long-standing injustices: A rewrite is years overdue
Correcting long-standing mistakes in anime adaptations has been a gradual but crucial process, with some shoujo series finally receiving the attention they deserve. While the 2014 remake of Sailor Moon, Sailor Moon Crystal failed to generate much excitement, the subsequent remake of Fruits Basket made a significant impact.
The 2019 version of Fruits Basket surprised viewers by delving into dark psychological themes such as family dynamics, abuse, and trauma, proving that shojo stories can go beyond simple romance. simple in high school.
These emotionally resonant stories have the ability to leave a lasting impression on audiences of all ages and genders. It's a shame that the original 2001 adaptation barely highlights Natsuki Takaya's complex storytelling, underestimating the anime industry and its fans.
In contrast to the meticulous adaptations of series like Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece in the early 2000s, Fruits Basket's complex plot and character arcs were unfairly condensed into the original anime version of It.
Thankfully, the remake overcomes these shortcomings, allowing anime enthusiasts to fully appreciate the depth of the original. However, there are still many shoujo manga that have yet to receive the same treatment.
Fans eagerly anticipated remakes of series such as Skip Beat, Gakuen Alice, His and Her Circumstances and Fushigi Yuji, which suffered from problems such as poor animation and deviations from the plot. origin, unsatisfactory conclusion or a combination thereof.
Beyond demographic differences, any franchise benefits from well-made remakes. For example, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood remains the pinnacle of success and popularity in the anime world.
While shounen enthusiasts may also lament the shortcomings of series like Soul Eater, it's clear that such production discrepancies are more common in shojo series.
By revisiting and improving on these classics, the film industry can right the mistakes of the past and provide audiences with the quality adaptations they deserve. In some cases, classics are just waiting for a worthy sequel to continue their legacy.
Expanding the series with additional installments: The right strategy for select titles
Continuing the beloved series with additional installments could be a suitable approach for certain titles, mirroring the success seen with the 2019 release of Fruits Basket. A good example is the ongoing season of Kimi ni Todoke, a shoujo series that ends abruptly despite having more narrative potential to explore.
While many Shonen and Seinen titles have multiple seasons, many shojo series still do not get this treatment. In the case of Fruits Basket, the simple addition of a second season would not be enough due to its significant differences from the original manga.
However, the first and second seasons of Kimi ni Todoke faithfully adapt key elements from the manga, making a remake unnecessary despite the passage of more than a decade.
Similarly, other shoujo anime such as Yona of the Dawn and Nana could benefit from a sequel instead of a remake, although both manga series faced production challenges.
Despite its flaws and outdated animation, Ouran High School Host Club is another shoujo series that could get away with a remake while still having a lot of manga material left unexplored by the anime adaptation.
In essence, anime producers don't need to incur the huge costs associated with a full remake when choosing a sequel is a viable alternative in itself.
The industry's perennial shortage of shojo anime has long been a concern, with shounen titles typically receiving more interest from both producers and fans.
To quickly rekindle interest in shojo series, focusing on the most popular classics is paramount. These timeless animated films boast proven success and a loyal fan base.
With the growing anime community and the positive growth of the industry, remakes and sequels of these classic series offer a promising opportunity to rejuvenate the shoujo demographic.