Natsuki Takayuki is the author and illustrator of the Japanese series Fruit Basket. One of the cornerstones of the shojo anime market is this anime. The main emphasis of Fruit Basket is Tohru Honda, the sympathetic and hardworking heroine, and her continuous attempts to help poor Sohmas. Even though the Sohma family has a lot of baggage, she is willing to aid them when no one else is. The main themes of the drama are second chances, family drama, the power of love, and overcoming one’s inner demons.
1. Nisekoi
Nisekoi is a Japanese romance anime series by Naoshi Komi, released in 2014. The story is about two awkward but earnest high schoolers, Chitoge Kirisaki and Raku Ichijo, who get paired under peculiar circumstances. They must make this relationship work, even if their teachers and friends can see it all happening. Chitoge is a half-American and the daughter of an American crime boss, whereas Raku is the son of a yakuza boss. They are like Romeo and Juliet from the gangster world, who at first couldn’t stand each other.
2. Senryu Girl
Senryu Girl is a Japanese romantic school anime released in 2019 by Kodansha. It tells the relationship of a girl, Nanako Yukishiro, who communicates through Senryu written on tanzaku, and an ex-delinquent, Eiji Busujima, who is attempting to write his own Senryu. Even though Nanako is mute, the cute couple doesn't have any problem communicating with each other. Even though the anime seems to lack a compelling drama and some plot twists, it is still quite fun to watch.
3. Vampire Knight
Vampire Knight is another classic shoujo anime that is directed by Kiyoko Sayama. It has twenty-six episodes, and thirteen episodes in each season. Yuki Cross is the school headmaster’s daughter, who gets involved in a thrilling world that is filled with vampires, and her adventures of the night. This anime is a supernatural shoujo, just like Fruits Basket, but not similar.
4. One Week Friends
A comedy anime, One Week Friends, was released in 2014, and is a powerhouse of music, acting, and animation. A high schooler Hase Yuki who is trying to win the friendship of the mysterious Kaori Fujimiya. This is an anime like our popular Fruits Basket, but on a smaller scale. Kaori is suffering from a curse and needs help, and Yuki is always there ready to support her however he can, opposite Fruits Basket.
5. The Ancient Magus’ Bride
Released in 2017, The Ancient Magus’ Bride is a Japanese anime directed by Kazuaki Terasawa. Chise Hatori and Tohru are protagonists whose characters are out of their elements and are forced into a world that is quite confusing with rules that could have dangerous implications. The story explores a variety of European monsters, and also concepts that not even Tohru could have imagined.
6. A Silent Voice
A Silent Voice is a Japanese anime directed by Naoko Yamada. This anime covers elements of coming-of-age and psychological drama, and also deals with themes like bullying, friendship, mental health, suicide, forgiveness, and disability. The story is about a former bully, Shoya Ishida who turns into a social outcast trying to reconnect and befriend the deaf girl, Shoko Nishimiya, the girl who he used to bully years ago.
7. Orange
Orange is a romance sci-fi anime released in 2016. On the first day of sophomore year, Naho Takamiya is off to an uneasy start. After waking up, she receives a quite strange letter that is addressed to her. What is more peculiar is that the letter is from her future self from 10 years ago. This letter warns her to avoid mistakes that she will make involving Kakeru Naruemit, a new transfer student. He is a troubled boy whom she meets and falls in love with.
8. Oshi No Ko
While Fruit Basket does not address the topic of pop idols and the entertainment industry, Oshi No Ko, is a supernatural anime that was released in 2030 by Aka Akaska. It explores themes of young love, self-worth, and overcoming one's own inner demons. A doctor and a recently deceased patient are reborn as twins to a well-known Japanese musical idol, and they navigate the ups and downs of the Japanese entertainment industry as they grow up together.
9. Skip And Loafer
Skip And Loafer is a romantic comedy anime released in 2023. Iwakura Mitsumi is an excellent student who always dreamed of leaving her small town, and she gets the chance to move to Tokyo, a prestigious school where she wants to make a positive change in the world. Even though she is book-smart, she finds herself struggling to make friends and being inexperienced in significant city norms. She meets Shima Sousuke and becomes friends with him.
10. Azumanga Daioh
Azumanga Daioh is a Japanese comedy anime released in 2002, directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori. It has strong, slice-of-life elements of high school in an everyday setting, along with loveable characters for audiences to meet. It is a hilarious, whimsical, and charming look at the lives of an excellent group of high school girls and teachers at a high school. Small bits of their lives are shown as the series progresses, painting a bigger picture as they all share their ups and downs of high school life.
