Top 10 Magical Girl Anime: Enchanting Picks

Transformative, captivating, and heart-warming, the magical girl genre has captivated anime audiences for over three decades with its delightful tropes, unforgettable characters, and dedicated fanbase. If you're looking to explore beyond classics like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, this definitive list of the best magical girl anime will introduce you to new favorites, underrated gems, and contemporary offerings to fill that magical girl-shaped hole in your life.

So, prepare for a journey filled with witches, cat DNA, magical rods, and more! Here are the 10 most enchanting magical girl anime of all time.

10 Best Magical Girl Anime of All Time

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10. Little Witch Academia

Image credit: Netflix
Studio: Studio Trigger | Episode Count: 25 | Where to watch: Netflix

Little Witch Academia offers a charming magical school story that reimagines the magical girl trope for a post-Harry Potter generation. When Akko enrolls in the fantastical Luna Nova Magical Academy, her dream of learning magic becomes a reality. Despite her admiration for the famed witch Shiny Chariot, Akko struggles with her lack of magical ability—until she discovers a magical artifact linked to her idol. This sets her on a mission to reignite the world's love for magic. This delightful series blends coming of age with witchcraft, emphasizing cozy friendships and a unique approach to magic. Available on Netflix, it's a must-watch for fans of magical girl anime.

There have been 25 episodes of Little Witch Academia across two seasons, but it remains uncertain whether a third season will be produced.

9. Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol

Image credit: Studio Pierrot
Studio: Studio Pierrot | Episode Count: 25 | Where to watch: Not available to stream

This 1986 series is a pioneering example of magical girl anime, which is why it's included on our list. It also features a beloved anime and manga trope: a protagonist aspiring to be a mangaka. Yumi, an aspiring artist, dreams of becoming a manga creator, her passion fueled by her love for flowers—a trait inherited from her florist parents. After saving a flower, Yumi receives two magical gifts—a wand and a locket—that bring her drawings to life. Retro and charming, Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol is an underappreciated gem worth exploring.

8. Tokyo Mew Mew

Image credit: Studio Pierrot
Studio: Studio Pierrot | Episode Count: 52 | Where to watch: Not available to stream

Adapted from the manga by Reiko Yoshida and Mia Ikumi, Tokyo Mew Mew presents a unique take on the magical girl genre. The story follows Ichigo Momomiya, who gains her powers from an accident that infuses her with cat DNA. In a transformation reminiscent of werewolves, Ichigo becomes increasingly cat-like, using her powers to unite with other affected girls and combat a mysterious alien threat linked to their new abilities. The series is wildly entertaining, and its recent reboot has only enhanced its appeal.

7. My-HiME

Image credit: Sunrise
Studio: Sunrise | Episode Count: 26 + 26 DVD-only shorts | Where to watch: Crunchyroll

My-HiME seamlessly blends the magical girl trope with a boarding school drama, creating a compelling narrative. When Mai joins the secretive Fuuka Academy, she feels out of place amidst its mysterious inhabitants. However, she soon discovers her purpose there, realizing she shares a special mark with others at the school, enabling them to summon familiars to protect the world from nightmarish creatures. These familiars, known as "Children," are deeply connected to someone the summoner loves, adding emotional depth to the battles.

6. Pretty Cure

Image credit: Toei Animation
Studio: Toei Animation | Episode Count: 800 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll

If you're seeking a magical girl series with multiple seasons to immerse yourself in, Pretty Cure is the perfect choice, boasting an impressive 800 episodes centered around a consistent premise. Groups of young girls gain magical powers to combat evil forces, embodying the most classic elements of magical girl lore. This technicolor and super-cute series has endured due to its delightful charm and the inclusion of adorable creatures accompanying the magical girls.

5. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Image credit: Shaft
Studio: Shaft | Episode Count: 12 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Hulu

Puella Magi Madoka Magica reimagines the magical girl trope with a darker, more poignant narrative. Young women are offered a contract by a seemingly harmless cat-like being, granting them magical powers to fight witches. This series delves into the harsh realities of being a magical girl, exploring themes of trauma, exploitation, and the manipulation of young people. It's a thought-provoking examination of the genre's core concepts.

4. Magic Knight Rayearth

Image credit: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha | Episode Count: 49 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Prime Video

Created by the renowned artist collective CLAMP, Magic Knight Rayearth is an ambitious universe-hopping magical girl series. Who hasn't dreamt of escaping to a magical world instead of attending school? Friends Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji find themselves transported to a fantastical realm during a school field trip, where they can control their surroundings with their will. This high fantasy epic showcases CLAMP's signature expansive worldbuilding, stunning animation, and intricate relationships, making it a series you can revisit time and again. Fans of the series might also enjoy the Magic Knight Rayearth games released in the 90s.

3. Revolutionary Girl Utena

Image credit: J.C. Staff
Studio: J.C. Staff | Episode Count: 39 | Where to watch: Not available to stream

Revolutionary Girl Utena, created by Chiho Saito and Be-Papas, is one of the most influential and subversive magical girl anime. Romantic, stylish, and inspired by chivalric tales, it follows Utena, an orphan inspired by a Prince to become a prince herself. This decision shapes her life and leads her into a secretive dueling contest at her school, where she becomes entangled with the mysterious Rose Bride. This surrealistic series not only explores its tropes but also challenges the genre's conventions, offering a meta-narrative experience.

2. Cardcaptor Sakura

Image credit: Madhouse
Studio: Madhouse | Episode Count: 70 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Cardcaptor Sakura, another masterpiece from CLAMP, was transformative for a generation of viewers. The series follows Sakura, a fashionable and action-packed protagonist who combines the magical girl genre with the card-collecting craze. After accidentally releasing the Clow Cards from a mysterious book, Sakura discovers her magical abilities and embarks on a quest to capture them, aided by the enigmatic creature Cerberus.

1. Sailor Moon

Image credit: Toei Animation
Studio: Toei Animation | Episode Count: 200 + 3 TV Specials | Where to watch: Hulu

Topping our list is Naoko Takeuchi's groundbreaking Sailor Moon, arguably one of the best anime of all time. This globally renowned series follows Usagi, a typical schoolgirl who transforms into the titular Sailor Moon. With its gorgeous animation, stunning character designs, and iconic transformation sequences, Sailor Moon is the quintessential magical girl anime. The well-developed Sailor Scouts each offer unique personalities, making the series a timeless favorite that's both hilarious and heartfelt.

Looking for more anime to watch online? Take a look at our guide to the best vampire anime as well as our list of the most underrated anime series.