Admit it, anime fans need to stop ignoring an underrated genre

Many anime fans take pride in exploring a variety of different genres, however, one category is overlooked all too often. Shonen, seinen and shojo often take over the screens and receive more praise among fans. However, despite the brilliant shows and films these genres have brought, an important category rarely gets the recognition it deserves.

Josei is often tragically forgotten by anime fansalthough the genre stands out for its ability to approach more mature themes with authenticity. As the anime's popularity continues to grow, fans should expand their horizons and start giving Josei the attention he deserves. While it may not be for everyone, there is no way to know until it is given a chance.

Josei is a great genre that is criminally forgotten in the West

Josei offers a deeper, more complex approach to storytelling and deserves more attention

Shonen's target audience is teenage boys, shojo is aimed at teenage girls, seinen's target audience is young adult men, and Josei's target audience is young adult women. However, just as everyone can like shonen and shojo, everyone can like josei and may find that offers much more than the other three main anime categories. Josei is a great genre that offers fans a unique perspective, very different from shonen, shojo, and seinen. In fact, most Josei are based on realism rather than fantastical or idealized worlds.

Josei often focuses on the lives and experiences of young adult women and addresses topics such as personal growth, professional struggles, love and relationships, and navigating the transition to adulthood. The narratives in Josei are often raw and fearlessmaking the story not only authentic, but relatable and emotionally sincere. Despite everything Josei has to offer, he remains underrated, especially by many fans in the West, some of whom may not even know of his existence.

Part of the problem is the way anime is marketed outside of Japan. Shonen and seinen have important series that attract global audiences with action-packed adventures, and shojo caters to those who like stories focused on romance, usually with female protagonists. Josei, however, falls into a more niche space with an emphasis on character-driven stories, and its lack of bold action scenes or easily digestible tropes makes it more difficult to promote overseas. Any popular manga in the josei genre that are adapted usually become live-action dramas that rarely receive translations or anime adaptations.

Josei is perfect for anime and manga fans looking for more mature stories

Josei is for those who want stories that contain deeper, more meaningful themes

Josei stands out for his ability to take on more mature themes with a level of depth that is rarely found in other genres. While many shonen and shojo series have explored deeper themes, Josei takes it a step further by grounding itself in reality. Stories in this genre typically feature protagonists who navigate the world and confront societal expectations that are imposed on them or conventional molds that do not exactly fit who they are. It's the aspect of realism that allows Josei to resonate with readers who want to explore stories that echo the realities of adult life.

For this reason, Josei's protagonists are usually one of the genre's greatest strengths. Presenting characters who are flawed and relatable, rather than idealized or heroic, makes them feel more human and complex. For anime fans who want to explore beyond the idealistic narratives of shojo or want to explore something different from the action-centric plots of seinen and shonen, josei offers an alternative with meaningful and authentic storytelling.

However, because the genre is criminally overlooked, many tend to underestimate genres that focus on emotional depth and introspection. There are those who may be thinking that Josei is “only for women” and, in believing this, they miss out on narratives that explore universal themes that everyone can relate to. For example, many josei anime don't just focus on romantic relationships, but delve into a wide spectrum of connections, such as friendship, family bonds, and discovering oneself.

Josei isn't afraid to embrace life's messiness and portraying relationships as evolving and imperfect rather than being resolved in an orderly manner. The way Josei approaches his storytelling is what attracts new fans, as it often resonates with audiences who want stories that address the gray areas of life. It is a genre that allows fans to reflect and grow from the experiences offered by the narrative, making many josei anime unforgettable.

The best Josei you should read to get started

There are many masterful stories that deserve fans' attention

For those who want to explore the genre, Princess Medusa is an excellent starting point. The series follows a socially awkward young woman and her friendship with a confident and powerful crossdresser. The anime challenges social norms and mixes themes of self-acceptance and stepping out of your comfort zone with a cast of memorable characters. Princess Medusa tells a happy story that mixes with deep and emotional moments.

Kiss from Paradise and Nanaboth by Ai Yazawa, are mandatory readings for newcomers to the genre. Kiss from Paradise is set against the backdrop of the fashion industry and creates a vibrant and emotional narrative that is about romance and self-discovery. Another popular work by Yazawa, Nanastands out for similar themes and is one of the greatest josei you can find, despite not yet having an ending.

Nana is beautiful, heartfelt, unflinchingly raw, and powerful with its unfiltered portrayal of life's messy realities. The story follows two young women with the same name and follows their personal lives and relationships in a way that shows personal failures, heartbreaks, and relationships that become turbulent. The realities shown in Nana are bittersweet and capture all the best parts that Josei has to offer fans looking for something new.