Top 10 Magical Girl Anime: All-Time Favorites

Transformative, captivating, and heart-warming, the magical girl genre has solidified its place in anime culture over the past three decades. With iconic tropes, unforgettable characters, and a dedicated fanbase, it's a genre that continues to enchant audiences. If you're looking to explore beyond classics like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, this list is your guide to the best magical girl anime, featuring new favorites, hidden gems, and modern classics that will fill that magical girl-shaped void in your heart.

Get ready for a world of 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 is 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 lifelong dream of learning magic comes true. Despite her admiration for the famed witch Shiny Chariot, Akko herself isn't magical. That changes when she discovers a magical artifact linked to her idol, setting her on a mission to reignite the world's love for magic. This delightful series blends coming of age with witchcraft, focusing on cozy friendships and a fresh take on magic. It's a must-watch on Netflix.

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

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 one of the earliest magical girl anime, making it a must-include on our list. It also taps into the beloved trope of a protagonist aspiring to become a mangaka. Yumi, an aspiring artist with a passion for flowers inherited from her florist parents, gains magical gifts—a wand and a locket—after saving a flower. These allow her drawings to come to life. Retro and charming, Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol is an underappreciated gem worth seeking out.

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 offers a unique spin on the magical girl genre. Our hero, Ichigo Momomiya, gains powers after an accident that infuses her with cat DNA, leading to a werewolf-like transformation. She unites with other affected girls to combat an alien threat linked to their new abilities. This wild and fun series has been elevated even further with its recent reboot.

7. My-HiME

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

My-HiME blends the magical girl trope with boarding school drama to create a compelling narrative. Mai's life changes dramatically when she joins the secretive Fuuka Academy. She soon discovers her purpose there and her connection to others who can summon familiars to battle nightmarish creatures. These "Children" are deeply linked to loved ones, adding intense stakes to the conflicts.

6. Pretty Cure

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

If you're looking for a magical girl series with multiple seasons to dive into, Pretty Cure is perfect. With 800 episodes across various seasons, it follows young girls who gain magical powers to fight evil. This classic series maintains its charm and delight, offering a technicolor, super-cute experience. It's a beloved series for a reason and includes plenty of adorable creatures to boot.

5. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

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

Puella Magi Madoka Magica takes the magical girl genre to a darker, more profound level. It transforms young women into supernatural witch fighters after they agree to a contract with a mysterious cat-like creature. While the premise may seem traditional, the series delves into themes of trauma, exploitation, and the manipulation of young people, offering a thought-provoking take on the magical girl trope.

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 CLAMP collective, Magic Knight Rayearth is an ambitious magical girl series set in a high fantasy world. Friends Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji are transported to this magical realm during a school trip, where they learn to control their environment with their will. This series showcases CLAMP's strengths in expansive worldbuilding, stunning animation, and complex relationships. It's a series you can revisit time and again, and fans might also enjoy the Magic Knight Rayearth games from 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. This stylish and romantic series follows Utena, an orphan inspired by a prince to become one herself. This decision leads her into a secretive dueling contest at her school, where she becomes entangled with the mysterious Rose Bride. The series offers a surrealistic and meta exploration of the genre's tropes and expectations.

2. Cardcaptor Sakura

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

Cardcaptor Sakura, another masterpiece from CLAMP, is a transformative series that blends magical girl elements with the card collecting craze of the time. Sakura's journey begins when she unleashes the Clow Cards from a mysterious book in her basement. With the help of the enigmatic creature Cerberus, she embarks on a mission to recapture these powerful artifacts. This fashion-forward, action-packed series remains a beloved classic.

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, an ordinary schoolgirl, as she discovers her role as Sailor Moon. With its stunning animation, iconic character designs, and unforgettable transformation sequences, it remains the quintessential magical girl anime. Each Sailor Scout is uniquely developed, allowing audiences to connect with their favorites throughout this hilarious, heartfelt, and action-packed series. Sailor Moon's influence and impact are unparalleled, making it essential viewing for anime enthusiasts.

And those are our picks for the best magical girl anime! They're all enchanting, but did your favorite make the cut? Let us know in the comments.

Looking for more anime to watch online? Check out our guide to the best vampire anime as well as our list of the most underrated anime series.