What is Shojo Manga?

Shojo manga is a genre of Japanese comics aimed at young females. Most readers of shojo manga are teenage girls or younger and it is possibly the most successful form of manga worldwide. Typically, a shojo story will involve a young female protagonist who encounters some kind of adolescent romance or adventure. However, the genre is very versatile in that a shojo manga can incorporate science fiction, horror or comedy.

The artwork in shojo manga is often melodramatic and romantic, with beautiful young girls and equally beautiful young men inhabiting the story. Readers may note the sometimes androgynous and dainty features of male love interests in shojo romance. This could easily be attributed to young girls' preferences in boys, as seen with today's non-threateningly good-looking teen heartthrobs. A great emphasis is put on large, expressive eyes in shojo tales.

Shojo is very notable for its unique brand of artwork and narration. A happy female in a shojo manga may be drawn with flowers and bubbles surrounding her face and body. Although expressive symbols are used in most contemporary manga, a manga aimed at boys typically wouldn't be as feminine or romantic. Shojo manga has been very successful in America with teenage and college women, which can largely be attributed to the popularity of shojo anime series like Sailor Moon.

Manga magazines like Shojo Beat and Ribon have successfully compiled their serials into book form and have sold millions of copies worldwide. Many American comic shops have seen an increase in female patronage since shojo manga has been more widely sold in stores. Indeed, many shojo manga titles outsell the most mainstream of American comic book superheroes. Popular shojo manga titles include Crimson Hero, Sailor Moon, Marmalade Boy and Mermaid Melody.