The 10 Most Enchanting Magical Girl Anime of All Time

Transformative, captivating, and heart-warming, the magical girl genre has become a beloved staple of anime over the past three decades. With its delightful tropes, unforgettable characters, and legions of fans, it's a genre that continues to enchant audiences. If you're looking to venture beyond classics like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, this list will guide you to some of the best magical girl anime, introducing you to new favorites, underrated gems, and contemporary offerings that will fill that magical girl-shaped hole in your life.

So, get ready for 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

Little Witch Academia is a charming magical school story that reimagines the magical girl trope for a post-Harry Potter generation. When Akko enrolls at the fantastical Luna Nova Magical Academy, she can hardly believe her luck. Her lifelong dream of learning magic is finally within reach, despite her lack of innate magical abilities. Inspired by the famed witch Shiny Chariot, Akko's journey begins when she discovers a magical artifact linked to her idol. This discovery sets her on a mission to reignite a love for magic in a world that's quickly forgetting its existence. This delightful series blends coming-of-age themes with witchcraft, focusing on cozy friendships and a unique take on magic. It's a must-watch anime series available on Netflix.

There have been 25 episodes of Little Witch Academia across two seasons, but it's unclear if there will be a Season 3.

9. Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol

This 1986 series is one of the earliest examples of magical girl anime, making it a must-include on our list. It also taps into one of the best anime and manga tropes: a protagonist who aspires to become a mangaka. Yumi, an aspiring artist with a passion for flowers inherited from her florist parents, saves a flower from being picked and is rewarded with two magical items: a wand and a locket. These gifts allow her drawings to come to life. Retro and charming, Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol is an underseen gem worth exploring.

8. Tokyo Mew Mew

Adapted from the manga by Reiko Yoshida and Mia Ikumi, Tokyo Mew Mew offers a unique twist on the magical girl genre. Our hero, Ichigo Momomiya, gains her powers from an accident that infuses her with cat DNA. In a transformation reminiscent of werewolves, Ichigo becomes increasingly cat-like and uses her new abilities to connect with other affected girls. Together, they confront a mysterious alien threat linked to their powers. The series is wildly fun, and the new reboot takes it to even greater heights of awesomeness!

7. My-HiME

My-HiME seamlessly blends the magical girl trope with a boarding school drama, creating a captivating narrative. Mai's arrival at the elite and secretive Fuuka Academy marks a significant shift in her life. She initially struggles to fit into the school's mysterious environment, but soon discovers her purpose there. Alongside others marked with a special symbol, Mai can summon a familiar to protect the world from nightmarish creatures. These "Children" are deeply connected to someone the summoner loves, adding intense stakes to the battles.

6. Pretty Cure

If you're looking for a magical girl series with multiple seasons to immerse yourself in, Pretty Cure is the perfect choice. With an astounding 800 episodes, this series revolves around young girls who gain magical powers to fight the forces of evil. It's a classic take on magical girl lore that continues to captivate audiences. This technicolor, super-cute series has endured due to its delightful storytelling and lovable characters. Plus, if you enjoy cute creatures alongside your magical girls, Pretty Cure delivers on that front too.

5. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Puella Magi Madoka Magica takes the magical girl trope and infuses it with a more textually magical—and ultimately heartbreaking—narrative. The series follows a group of young women who become supernatural witch fighters after agreeing to a contract with a seemingly innocent cat-like creature. While the premise may seem traditional, the series delves into the realities of being a magical girl, exploring themes of trauma, exploitation, and the lies young people are told to keep them in line. This makes for a fascinating and thought-provoking examination of the genre.

4. Magic Knight Rayearth

Created by the renowned artist collective CLAMP, Magic Knight Rayearth is an ambitious universe-hopping magical girl series. Who hasn't dreamed of escaping to a magical world instead of attending school? This dream becomes reality for friends Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji, who are transported to another dimension during a school field trip. In this new world, they can control their surroundings with their will. This high fantasy epic showcases CLAMP's strengths in expansive worldbuilding, beautiful animation, and complex relationships, making it a series you can enjoy time and time again. There were even Magic Knight Rayearth games released in the '90s that fans can explore.

3. Revolutionary Girl Utena

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 the chivalry of old, the story follows Utena, an orphan who decides to become a prince after meeting a charming one. This choice shapes her life and leads her to a secretive dueling contest at her school, where she becomes entangled with the enigmatic Rose Bride. This surrealistic take on the genre not only explores its tropes but also challenges expectations, making it a meta journey worth experiencing.

2. Cardcaptor Sakura

A classic from CLAMP, Cardcaptor Sakura was a transformative experience for many viewers. This fashion-forward, action-packed series blends the magical girl genre with the card collecting craze of shows like Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokémon. When Sakura discovers a mysterious book in her basement, she accidentally releases the dangerous Clow Cards. As a normal elementary school girl, she learns she's also a powerful magic user tasked with capturing these cards. Fortunately, she has the help of the cute and enigmatic creature Cerberus, who guards the artifacts.

1. Sailor Moon

Topping our list is Naoko Takeuchi's groundbreaking Sailor Moon, arguably one of the best anime of all time. One of the most globally recognized anime series, it follows Usagi, a typical schoolgirl, who discovers her role as the titular Sailor Moon. The series is celebrated for its gorgeous animation, stunning character designs, and iconic transformation sequences. Each of the Sailor Scouts is well-developed and unique, allowing audiences to connect with their favorites as they revisit the series. Hilarious, heartfelt, and action-packed, Sailor Moon is the most influential and impactful magical girl anime, a must-watch for any anime fan.

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.