Let's start with josei, that means exactly “woman”. In the anime universe, this word defines those shows intended for women in their late teens, or into adulthood. Josei anime usually depict more realist romance, and are more explicit in all respects. But josei shows aren't only about romance; in fact, some josei anime feature male characters very compassionate towards each other, and a lot of bromance, that girls truly love. If it's still unclear the reason why this genre is so popular among women, here we give you two masterpieces erasing any doubt.

Yotaro ended up in jail, and there, he discovered a passion for Rakugo while listening to Yakumo's performances. The moment he stepped out of prison, he started begging Yakumo to become his apprentice. After the initial reluctance, Yakumo accepts Yotaro, and that will become his occasion to revisit a past full of memories of his rival, and friend Sukeroku.

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a wonderful josei anime, which very well portrays the Shouwa era. It revolves around two friends performing Rakugo – a form of Japanese comedic storytelling – and it depicts all the hardships they had to go through. What we said up above about bromance and male characters being very compassionate towards each other here is expressed perfectly. In fact, Yakumo and Sukeroku, the two protagonists, grew up together, and kept helping each other through the years. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu deals with mature themes, even though they are debated lightly; don't forget it's a josei anime, it hits where it hurts, and that's what makes it a wonderful show.

Shinobu, Yuuta, and Takumi are college students sharing an old room without a bath. Ayumi is a girl lacking self-esteem chasing after an unrequited love, and Hagumi is the doll-like new talented student. Their lives will unavoidably intertwine, and when their paths will eventually divide, their bonds will stay.

Hachimitsu to Clover is yet another masterpiece in the josei genre. It wields all what you could expect from this genre. With a solid plot, it depicts actual situations that each of us comes to face during life. Episode by episode, we witness the characters' growth, and how hardships shape their personalities. Hachimitsu to Clover is very touching, it can pull your heartstrings, and even make you shed some tears. Catch it if you can!

Another genre which is super popular among women, is shounen-ai. These shows feature romance, or non-sexual relationships among male characters. Shounen-ai anime are full of cute characters, comedy, lighthearted atmospheres, and sometimes mild boy-on-boy action. This genre debates various themes: a shounen-ai show can be action-packed, can be about sports, or even have sci-fi elements. What every shounen-ai wields, though, is love and sweetness! Featuring homosexual relationships among hotties, it's no wonder how it's overly appreciated by the women.

Ritsu Onodera was Masamune Takano's first love during high school. It's from those years that he still sticks to his memories of Onodera. On the other side, Onodera considers Takano the greatest love delusion of his life. Years after, when life puts the two of them again on the same path, is it fate, or is it just the worst nightmare?

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi is one of the most popular shounen-ai anime out there. With a captivating plot, and funny characters, this show is totally enjoyable. Aside from the main couple made of Onodera and Takano, it features other couples, each of them equally adorable. Onodera is your clumsy boy trying to avoid Takano, and Takano is the one teasing him non-stop. It will take time for Onodera to face his past again, but when he will, the viewers will witness the most tender romance!

After his parents' divorce, Haru Kaido moved from Canada to Japan, and started living with his father and his new family. When he turned 17, though, his mother called him back to Canada, stating that she really needed his help to tame a little beast. Worried, Haru ran back to Canada where he met Ren – an 8-year-old boy – the “little beast” his mother was referring to. Years after, the brotherly love tying Haru and Ren together turns into something else.

Super Lovers is a shounen-ai show featuring two protagonists with a huge age gap. But even though Ren is a teenager, and Haru is already an adult full of responsibilities, their feelings towards each other will overcome every hardship. If the premises may make it look like a shota-con, don't worry: Haru doesn't feel like laying his hands on Ren yet, still the viewers will get to see their relationship getting deeper, and tons of love and affection. Super Lovers is a must-see among all the shounen-ai out there, so give it a shot!

Let's go on with the epitome of the genre preferred by women! Shoujo means young lady, and in the anime universe this label obviously depicts a genre aimed at a young female audience. Shoujo comes with all kinds of sub-genres, like action, drama, slice of life, and so on. It differs from josei because it's usually less heavy on drama, and the romance is idealized, and very far from reality. Shoujo shows are a roller coaster of feels, but there are certain traits that each shoujo wields, such as very good vibes, a lighthearted atmosphere, and the importance of themes like friendship. Another one thing is for sure: a happy ending! It's no wonder women enjoy a very good shoujo anime.

With a gambler father, Nanami Momozono finds herself deprived of a roof above her head, and broke. The situation changes when she meets Mikage, the Land God, who offers Nanami his house, without telling her that she's just become the new Land God. Soon Nanami discovers that Mikage's house is a shrine, and that she has to deal with Tomoe – Mikage's familiar. How will Nanami adapt to the new, incredible situation?

Kamisama Hajimemashita is a shoujo anime overly appreciated by the girls thanks to a non-conventional shoujo heroine. Nanami doesn't get discouraged in spite the situations she comes to face: she is strong-willed, determined, and ready to do her best! Alongside the sparkly Nanami, there's Tomoe, who will save her from trouble. Step by step their relationship will strengthen, and eventually turn to love. In the meanwhile, enjoy their antics: we guarantee tons of gags!

Takashi Natsume is an orphan who lived a very sad childhood: he jumped from one relative to the other, because he was considered too strange. In fact, he can see the spirits, an ability he inherited by his long gone grandmother Reiko. When he finds the Book of Friends left by Reiko, Natsume's life changes for good. After meeting Madara – alias Nyanko-sensei – the two begin a journey bound to give the spirits whose name appear on the Book of Friends, their name back.

We said that shoujo anime are not all about romance, and Natsume Yuujinchou is the perfect example. Because of his childhood, Natsume got used to being alone, but suddenly his life will be full of friends, human or spirits. As a boy knowing loneliness more than anyone else, he'll do his best to help the spirits. He'll come to know the joy of friendship, and for the first time the warm feeling of having a family, and a place where to belong. Natsume Yuujinchou is a touching anime, a real masterpiece of the shoujo genre. You're bound to love it!

Seinen anime can be considered as the male equivalent of the josei: anime intended for male in their late teens, or into adulthood. It differs from shounen for its themes, which usually are darker, more mature, and for its protagonists, who are usually older. Seinen anime can debate a lot of different themes, and have various sub-genres. Right because of the big range of topics, and the in-depth analysis of the characters, some seinen anime are particularly appreciated by the female audience. Some examples may be Bungo Stray Dogs, with male protagonists and a sprinkle of bromance; Piano no Mori, which portrays the strong friendship of two boys as they grow up; Kuzu no Honkai, which depicts love triangles and unrequited feelings. Keep reading to discover our picks!

“Mushi” are the most basic form of life: they are everywhere, but they can't be seen by everyone. Ginko is a Mushi-shi, and not only he can see the spirits, but he also travels from place to place in order to study them. His goal is to help people unknowingly affected by Mushi, and his journey will teach him a lot about spirits, human beings, and even himself.

Mushishi is a rare gem, a wonderful masterpiece of the seinen genre. This show is very introspective: through Ginko's journey, we'll come to face different delicate themes, such as loneliness, fear, loss. Mushishi is a slow-paced show, which offers food for thought; it has a very solid plot, and it's inspiring, but also heartbreaking. Trust us, Mushishi went a bit unnoticed, but it absolutely deserves consideration: catch it up!

Rei Kiriyama is a 17-year-old boy, and already a pro Shogi player. When he lost his family due to a tragic accident, he first moved in with an adoptive family, but since things didn't really work out with his foster siblings, he decided to move to Tokyo alone. Even if he is a professional Shogi player, Rei is still a teenager without a family, therefore he is forced to face things that adults should do, all on his own. The tables turn when he meets his neighbors, the Kuwamoto sisters, who, exactly like Rei, have a difficult past to cope with...

By the premise, you can clearly understand why this show was so appreciated by the female audience. 3-gatsu no Lion is a real roller coaster of feels: it can be lighthearted at times, what with Rei getting flustered, dealing with the Kuwamotos; then, it can turn to heart-breaking, when the past keeps knocking on Rei's doors, and you realize how lonely he is. 3-gatsu no Lion is a drama show, which debates very sensitive issues, but it's also a must-see of the genre.

In the anime universe, the word “spokon” defines sports anime. Spokon is the acronym of “sport”, and “kondo”, which means “spirit”, or “kon”, which means “obsession”. As to why this genre is on a list of anime genre for women, well, is there a woman out there who doesn't enjoy watching boys showing off their perfect bodies? We're half-joking, of course, as spokon anime are full of adrenaline, and enjoyed by anyone. Some spokon anime, though, have some subtle hints of bromance, or even BL sometimes: those are the spokon anime aimed at a female audience. The anime we chose are those you would expect.

Haruka Nanase loves water, and swimming freestyle. During elementary school, he and his friends of the swim club – Rin, Nagisa, and Makoto – won a relay race, but then some circumstances separated them. Years after, Haru, Makoto and Nagisa attend the Iwatobi High, while Rin attends the Samezuka. Led by Nagisa's determination, Haru and the others form the Iwatobi Swim Club, with a new entry – Rei. This will lead Haru and Rin once again on the same path, but as rivals...

Free! is a sports show overly appreciated by the female audience. Firstly, because there are high school hotties always in swimsuit, showing their perfect bodies off; secondly, because Free! hides – not very much – hints of BL between certain characters. Well, it's almost impossible to not notice how Makoto acts around Haru, or how Nagisa clings to Rei, but still. Aside from all this, however, Free! is full of funny moments, adrenaline-packed scenes, and very good vibes! This kind of spokon show is truly loved by the fandom, so watch it if you can.

Yuuri Katsuki is a figure skater who wants to give up skating after the defeat at the Grand Prix Finale. Going back home in Japan, he gets filmed by chance while performing Victor Nikiforov's routine, and the video immediately goes viral, reaching Victor himself. Impressed by the potential he recognizes in Yuuri, Victor decides to become Yuuri's mentor, and appears before his eyes. As a huge fan of Victor, Yuuri can't believe his eyes... and accepts right away!

Yuri!!! on Ice is a very peculiar sports anime. It's full of very well-built guys in leotards skating on ice, and this could be the first reason for women love it. What is fascinating about this anime, though, is that Victor really courts Yuuri throughout the entire show, with a little surprise towards the end! Even if it's not labeled as a shounen-ai, this spokon anime blatantly portrays a homosexual relationship, for the joy of the fujoshis, and multishippers out there. Of course, the show doesn't focus solely on that aspect, but it's what makes Yuri!!! on Ice the perfect spokon anime for women.