10 Best Josei Anime That You Need Know Update 04/2024

best josei anime

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Josei anime releases from two decades ago that are oriented toward mature female audiences.

An audience demographic in Japan known as ‘Josei’ refers to older women or teenagers. Women in their final year of high school or college are the intended audience for shoujo, while shoujo is directed at young girls.

Teachers and office employees may be shown in the stories, which have a more grounded view of romance. Some josei, on the other hand, is geared specifically for female viewers and may be an action or even a comedy. It was a great decade for josei anime in the 2000s. Josei anime from the 2000s, ranked.

1. Let’s Go Straight Ahead! (2003)

Let's Go Straight Ahead! (2003)

To get the most out of Let’s Go Straight Ahead!, it’s better to put your mind on autopilot.

However, this does not mean that it is a horrible show. An adorable talking crossbreed dog named Mametaro lives with Ikuko Wakatsuki and her purebred dog Kishu Hanako.

He is only audible to a select few. It’s all about Mametaro, his owner, his girlfriend, and a dog he can’t stand in this story, which is recounted from his perspective and illustrates his escapades throughout town.

2. The Gokusen (2004)

Many foreigners, as well as Japanese, like writing stories about the yakuza. The Gokusen combines elements of both martial arts and comedic storytelling to create a unique experience.

Kumiko Yamaguchi, a 23-year-old teacher at an all-male high school, is the yakuza boss’s granddaughter. However, Kumiko is a wonderful person at heart and sincerely cares about the success of her kids.

3. Saiyuki (2000)

Saiyuki (2000)

It’s not uncommon for Asian stories to be turned into anime, movies, or live-action shows, and Saiyuki is no exception. In the story, four lads, all members of the Three Aspects of Buddha, work together to stop the resurrection of Gyumaoh the ox-demon king.

It’s essential to block out some time to watch the entire series, which includes 50 episodes and a movie.

4. Ristorante Paradiso (2009)

The lives of the personnel at Rome’s Casetta dell’Orso restaurant are the focus of Ristorante Paradiso, which is often abbreviated as “Rispara.” Nicoletta, the protagonist, is a female trainee and the only female member of the staff. To keep others from following him, Santo Claudio Paradiso puts a wedding ring on his finger.

5. Michiko & Hatchin (2008)

Michiko & Hatchin (2008)

It’s a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde tale, but without the romance. Michiko & Hatchin A fugitive criminal named Michiko is on the run from police officials who want to recapture her or maybe put an end to her life. In the end, Hatchin and Michiko, an orphan who has been abused by her foster parents’ child, resolve to go away together.

6. Nana (2006)

Two women with the same name become friends, but what happens next? As it turns out, they both have terrible love lives and could benefit from improving their ability to discern attractive men. As the culmination of Josei’s mature relationship, Nana was a huge hit in the early 2000s.

Although the plot has been on hold due to the author’s ill health, fans can only watch the anime again and wait for the last episode to be released.

 7. 07 Ghost (2009)

07-Ghost

The manga 07 Ghost, which won the double first prize at the Zero-Sum Comics Grand-Prix and was adored by both readers and editors, gets certified gold.

Teito Klein, an amnesiac boy with a desire for vengeance after his homeland was destroyed, is the protagonist of this fantasy world series. The 07 Ghosts and Teito are also frequent foes in the series.

8. Honey And Clover (2005)

H&C, or Honey and Clover, is a manga and anime series centered on love triangles and other romantic comedies. The series is also a coming-of-age story because the characters are growing up. In this story, we see how a group of art students who all live in the same building come together and form a tight community.

Others grow into romance while others stay pals. It features a number of love triangles and unrequited love, as well as more mature subjects such as finding a job and graduating from university.

9. Paradise Kiss (2005)

Paradise Kiss

The creator and illustrator of Paradise Kiss were also responsible for the mature josei series Nana, which aired around the same time in the early 2000s. For a time, Paradise Kiss was the second-choice option for Nana fans. Other countries with a strong fashion scene, such as Italy, were huge fans.

Yukari Hayasaka is discovered as a potential ParaKiss model and the story begins. There’s also Yukari’s infamous romance with Jouji Koizumi.

10. Nodame Cantabile (2007)

Nodame Cantabile is a story about two young classical musicians who are both pursuing their careers and their love lives. At Momogoaka College of Music, Shinichi Chiaki is a perfectionist and the top student; Megumi Noda, also known as Nodame, is a talented student who prefers to play by ear rather than by looking at the score.