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Many readers still think Shoujo anime with a male protagonist does not exist. This perception is untrue. There are many Shoujo anime with a male protagonist, and they are more common than people think. Many are mistaken for Shonen, Josei, or Seinen because of their heavy themes, but these stories are still Shoujo.
Shoujo stories have revolutionized manga and anime as a whole, with the likes of Sailor Moon and Shonen Maid incorporating LGBTQ elements in their works way before Shonen and Seinen hopped on the trend. Their stories have also allowed their male character to rid themselves of the vulnerability found in Shonen and Seinen.
For fans still confused about such stories, here is a list of the 10 best Shoujo anime with a male protagonist.
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Disclaimer: This article reflects the author's opinions.
10 best shoujo anime with a male protagonist
1) Banana Fish
Banana Fish is commonly stereotyped as a Seinen anime/manga due to its dark plot and overwhelming male cast, but it is just a Shoujo anime with a male protagonist. Banana Fish also proves that a story can have depth, even if it is curated for a certain demographic.
The anime's plot follows Ash Lynx, a street gangster, as he uncovers the mystery behind a drug called banana fish. The story has queer elements with a romance between the two main leads that is hinted at but never unfolds. Banana Fish has been heralded as one of the best Shoujo anime, if not the best anime to be made.
2) Rainbow Days
Rainbow Days is another anime that features a largely male cast. It is a slice-of-life manga based in a high school and follows the protagonist, Natsuki, as he vies for Anna's affection.
Rainbow Days is another manga that is often confused for Shonen. However, it was made to appeal to younger women. The story is similar to Sakamichi no Apollon, but it is slower-paced. Despite this, it remains one of the easiest Shoujo anime to watch with a male protagonist.
3) Natsume’s Book of Friends
This is heralded as a masterpiece due to its cinematic frames and remarkable scoring. Even the manga has close to 16 million copies in circulation. Natsume’s Book of Friends is about man’s relationship with the otherworldly. It is commonly confused for Shonen, but it is just a Shoujo anime with a male protagonist.
The story revolves around Takashi Natsume, a young exorcist who inherits a book of friends—a book containing hundreds of spirits his grandmother forced to serve her. Takashi tries his best to free the spirits held by his grandmother and build a friendship with his advisor, Madara. The relationships in this anime are a beauty to behold, which is why it is one of the best Shoujo anime.
4) Laughing under the clouds
This is another fantasy Shoujo anime with a male protagonist. It has historical elements as it is based in Meiji Era Japan. The anime shows a world where swords are banned in Japan, a rule that displaces the power of the Shogunate and stokes the flames of their rebellion against the government.
Laughing Under the Clouds is an anime with many events unfolding simultaneously, but viewers never lose track. The pacing is just right, and the world-building is excellent. Viewers are treated to amazing dialogue and an evergreen story that never gets boring.
5) Gakuen Babysitters
Gakuen Babysitters, a Shoujo anime with a male protagonist, explores the beauty of family and how it is shaped by loss. The story follows two brothers, Ryuuichi and Kotachi, after they lose their parents in a plane crash. A bad-tempered old lady takes the brothers in and gives them a room in exchange for Ryuichi working as a babysitter.
This Shoujo anime shows the brother’s interaction with the children and how the loss brings them closer. It also shows that family goes beyond blood. Gakuen Babysitters is a Shoujo anime with a male protagonist that every otaku must see.
6) My Love Story
My Love Story has uncanny similarities with Angel Densetsu. They both have sweet characters misjudged by their physical appearance — Seiichirō in Angel Densetsu with the look of a devil and Takeo in My Love Story with the look of a bully. My Love Story is a Shoujo anime with a male protagonist and is a fan's favorite.
In Takeo’s case, the appearance of a bully is far from reality. He is one of the sweetest and most gentle anime characters, standing against injustice whenever he sees it. He falls in love with Rinko, and she later falls in love with him. My Love Story is a stereotypical Shoujo anime with a male protagonist, but what makes it shine is its focus on the male lead.
7) NG Life
NG Life is similar to the A24 film Past Lives, but it explores the past in ways the film couldn’t dream of. The story shows Keidai Sekai, a normal high school student who remembers his past life as the gladiator, Sirex. In his previous life, he declared his love for Serena but never had the chance to live with her.
In his current life as Keidai, he eventually meets his previous love, Serena, but here’s the twist: she has been reincarnated as a boy. This discovery leaves Keidai confused as he wrestles with the idea of reconnecting with his love or forging a new relationship. NG Life asks serious questions about love: is love undying, or is it something that lasts for a moment?
NG Life is not among the best Shonen mangas, but it has gained cult status due to its intricate storyline and homoerotic themes. The characters are also empathetic and easy to support.
8) Adekan
Adekan breaks every stereotype. It is a Shoujo manga with a male protagonist, and it is a dark fantasy. Adekan tells the story of an unlikely alliance between an Umbrella maker, Shiro, and a cop, Kojiro. The two go on missions together and solve crimes.
The story appears simple on the surface, but it is more complex when examined closely. The fantasy elements emerge as readers progress, and they slowly realize that one of the protagonists has a supernatural background.
Adekan has been running since 2007 and is regarded as one of the best Shoujo mangas. The power system is also one of the best in manga and anime.
9) Tokyo Babylon
Tokyo Babylon is a Shoujo anime with a male protagonist, and it is considered a classic. It follows two characters, Subaru and Seishiro, as they live lives that oppose each other, with Subaru being an Onmyoji (sorcerer) and Seishiro being an assassin who uses sorcery.
What makes Tokyo Babylon so high-stakes is the love these characters have for each other. Viewers understand that their relationship will likely end in tragedy, but they can’t help but pray that something fruitful will blossom.
Tokyo Babylon is hailed for its LGBTQ themes as it was one of the first anime to show a queer relationship. It is also famous for its rich characters, which is why it is one of the finest Shojo anime with a male protagonist.
10) Machida Kun no Sekai
Machida Kun no Sekai is a coming-of-age manga that bears heavy similarities to Hirayasumi, but where it differs from Hirayasumi is that it’s Shoujo. The shoujo manga follows a teenage Hajime Machida as he learns to love himself.
Self-love is the theme of this manga, and readers see how loved the protagonist is but how he cannot understand why people feel for him. The manga shows his daily interactions with his friends and strangers and their effects on his life.
Conclusion
Shoujo anime is wrongly stereotyped as a Barbie-esque story with bright colors. This stereotype comes from the popular animes that rocked the Shoujo demographic. Sailor Moon, The Rose of Versailles, Revolutionary Girl Utena, and Ouran High School Host Club contributed to this stereotype. They also gave an impression of stories that focused on romance.
Shoujo anime is not just romance. It is action, fantasy, crime, and drama. There are Shoujo anime with a male protagonist and some with both male and female protagonists. Whatever story you are looking for, there is a Shoujo manga with it.
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