In this article, we will see a list of the best animes in the Josei genre, those aimed at a more mature female audience. Josei [女性] can be literally translated as “woman”.
These titles tend to be more mature, generally focused on realistic situations, such as professional life or romance. Josei is the counterpart of Seinen, a demographic group aimed at teenagers and older men.
Table of Contents
Nodame Cantabile
The studious and tense Chiaki is known as the best pianist in his school and dreams of becoming a world-class conductor like his idol, Viera; but his fear of flying (which makes studying abroad impossible) combined with a recent breakup and the dismissal of his piano instructor makes this future seem bleak and unlikely.
After fainting outside his apartment, drunk, Chiaki inadvertently meets a young woman named Nodame who, despite being quite talented at piano, is messy, awkward, and casual. Despite being almost opposites, the two begin to get closer and work together to overcome the obstacles in their careers.
The anime is complete with several seasons and specials, full of comedy and romance, also featuring a lot of the music world and the reality of adult life. A classic josei and a favorite among fans of music animes.
Chihayafuru
Chihaya Ayase is one of the most beautiful and famous girls in school, but she is far from being a conventional girl. Three years ago, in her last year of elementary school, Chihaya and her friend Taichi fell in love with the card game, Karuta, after connecting with a lonely boy named Arata Wataya.
But when the trio graduated from elementary school, each went their separate ways, but shared a common goal: to excel at the game and meet at the national championships. Now, Chihaya is trying to share her passion for the game by creating a competitive Karuta club at school, but when she reunites with Taichi, it seems that she may be the only one with the intention of fulfilling her childhood promise.
The anime has 3 seasons and despite being about a very traditional card game from Japan, the battles and the atmosphere of the anime are quite striking and fun, only the romance takes a bit of a backseat, but the plot of the anime itself is perfect.
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
When a small thug is released from prison, he is determined to change his life by becoming an apprentice to the great Rakugo master Yakumo VIII, inspired by his performance in “Shinigami” during his incarceration.
Surprisingly, the old man agrees to train him and takes his new apprentice to live in his home, giving him the name “Yotaro,” a classic word used in rakugo that means “fool.” Yakumo has much to teach about the art of rakugo.
Strangely, the anime presents both a current and the dark history of Yakumo’s past. In this mix, we have a girl adopted by the Rakugo master who refuses to teach her about this art of storytelling.
Honey and Clover
Yuuta Takemoto, a second-year student at an art college, shares a cheap apartment with two older men – the eccentric Shinobu Morita, who can’t graduate due to his absenteeism, and the sensible Takumi Mayama, who acts as a senior to Takemoto.
Takemoto hadn’t thought much about his future until one beautiful spring day, when he met Hagumi Hanamoto and fell in love at first sight. Incredibly talented in the arts, Hagumi enrolls at Takemoto’s university and soon befriends the popular ceramics student Ayumi Yamada.
Ayumi is already quite familiar with the three apartment mates and secretly harbors deep feelings for one of them. Hachimitsu to Clover is an emotional tale of youth, love, pursuit, and self-discovery among these five friends.
Sakamichi no Apollon
The introverted classical pianist and top student Kaoru Nishimi has just arrived in Kyushu for his first year of high school. Having constantly moved from place to place since childhood, he gives up all hope of fitting in, preparing for another lonely and meaningless year.
That is, until he meets the notorious delinquent Sentarou Kawabuchi. Sentarou’s immeasurable love for jazz music inspires Kaoru to learn more about the genre and, as a result, he slowly begins to open up, making his first friend.
Kaoru starts playing piano at the jazz sessions after school, located in the basement of the record store owned by his classmate Ritsuko Mukae. As he discovers the immense joy of using his musical talents to bring pleasure to himself and others, Kaoru’s summer may grow into one he will remember forever.
Sakamichi no Apollon is an exciting story of friendship, music, and love that follows three unique individuals brought together by their mutual appreciation for jazz.
Complete List of Josei Animes
Below we have a complete list according to Anime Planet ordered by rating, including seasons, OVAs, and Movies. Be careful that for some reason, some of the last ones on the list below seem like hentais disguised as the Josei genre.
Some may think that certain animes fall into the Josei genre due to their maturity or adult themes addressed, but not all fit into this genre. Therefore, the list may seem small to you.
Responsive Table: Scroll the table sideways with your finger >>
| Anime | Year | Type |
| Descending Stories: Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu | 2017 | TV |
| Bunny Drop | 2011 | TV |
| Chihayafuru 3 | 2019 | TV |
| Chihayafuru 2 | 2013 | TV |
| Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu | 2016 | TV |
| Kids on the Slope | 2012 | TV |
| Nodame Cantabile | 2007 | TV |
| Nodame Cantabile: Finale | 2010 | TV |
| Nodame Cantabile: Paris | 2008 | TV |
| Princess Jellyfish | 2010 | TV |
| Chihayafuru | 2011 | TV |
| Honey and Clover II | 2006 | TV |
| Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu OVA | 2015 | OVA |
| Saiyuki Reload: Burial | 2007 | OVA |
| Osomatsu-san | 2015 | TV |
| Nodame Cantabile OVA 2 | 2010 | OVA |
| Paradise Kiss | 2005 | TV |
| Honey and Clover | 2005 | TV |
| Nodame Cantabile OVA | 2009 | OVA |
| Only Yesterday | 1991 | Movie |
| Saiyuki Reload Gunlock | 2004 | TV |
| Gokusen | 2004 | TV |
| Saiyuki Reload | 2003 | TV |
| Pet Shop of Horrors | 1999 | OVA |
| Polar Bear Cafe | 2012 | TV |
| Servamp Movie: Alice in the Garden | 2018 | Movie |
| Karneval OVA | 2012 | OVA |
| Kaze no You ni | 2016 | Movie |
| Natsuyuki Rendezvous | 2012 | TV |
| Ristorante Paradiso | 2009 | TV |
| Chihayafuru OVA | 2013 | OVA |
| 07-Ghost | 2009 | TV |
| Karneval | 2013 | TV |
| Utakoi | 2012 | TV |
| Hatenkou Yuugi | 2008 | TV |
| Servamp | 2016 | TV |
| Devils and Realist | 2013 | TV |
| A Polar Bear in Love | 2017 | Other |
| Amatsuki | 2008 | TV |
| My Sweet Tyrant | 2018 | TV |
| Higepiyo | 2009 | TV |
| Holiday Love: Fuufukan Ren`ai | 2018 | Other |
| Super Seisyun Brothers | 2013 | TV |
| Trick or Alice | 2016 | OVA |
| A Destructive God Sits Next to Me | 2020 | TV |
| Gestalt | 1997 | OVA |
| Wild Adapter | 2014 | OVA |
| Sin Strange+ | 2014 | TV |
| Yubisaki kara no Honki no Netsujou: Osananajimi wa Shouboushi | 2019 | TV |
| Servamp Movie: Alice in the Garden | 2018 | Movie |
| Karneval OVA | 2012 | OVA |
| Kaze no You ni | 2016 | Movie |
| Natsuyuki Rendezvous | 2012 | TV |
| Ristorante Paradiso | 2009 | TV |
| Chihayafuru OVA | 2013 | OVA |
| 07-Ghost | 2009 | TV |
| Karneval | 2013 | TV |
| Utakoi | 2012 | TV |
| Hatenkou Yuugi | 2008 | TV |
| Servamp | 2016 | TV |
| Devils and Realist | 2013 | TV |
| A Polar Bear in Love | 2017 | Other |
| Amatsuki | 2008 | TV |
| My Sweet Tyrant | 2018 | TV |
| Higepiyo | 2009 | TV |
| Holiday Love: Fuufukan Ren`ai | 2018 | Other |
| Super Seisyun Brothers | 2013 | TV |
| Trick or Alice | 2016 | OVA |
| A Destructive God Sits Next to Me | 2020 | TV |
| Gestalt | 1997 | OVA |
| Wild Adapter | 2014 | OVA |
| Sin Strange+ | 2014 | TV |
| Yubisaki kara no Honki no Netsujou: Osananajimi wa Shouboushi | 2019 | TV |
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