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The magical girl genre has been one of the most popular anime categories for decades and has also produced some of the most endearing and beloved series in the medium. Here are the best magical girl anime everyone needs to watch at some point.
Best Magical Girl Anime for a Classic Experience: Sailor Moon Crystal
Sailor Moon Crystal is the remake of the original 1990s series but with a modern touch and a better adherence to the manga. It has everything one could ask for from the genre, such as empowered girls, tons of whimsical magic, romance, comedy, and action. It has a classic feel, even for a modern series, and represents a great introductory point to the genre.
Best Anime for Characters: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
This popular series from Shaft subverts the viewer’s expectations at every turn. It has such a striking art style and a more reflective take, which focuses on the fascinating and troubled cast of magical girls. If you want a series that will surprise you with its characters, this is the one to watch.
Best Anime for Action: Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura feels like a pretty traditional magical girl anime with its teen magical heroine and lighthearted moments. However, it has incredible action due to its welcome mix of magical girl, Yu-Gi-Oh with its cards, and Pokemon with the monsters Sakura collects. Each episode feels like a thrilling ride as Sakura tries to collect a new card to fight with.
Best Anime for Story: Magical Girl Raising Project
If you are in for pure story, Magical Girl Raising Project is a series you should check out. It is also one of the most shocking and darkest magical girl anime of all time. It starts out pretty cutesy with its main character, Snow White, gaining powers.
But don’t let the adorable characters trick you, as this quickly divulges into a magical girl battle royale. After all, the unforgettable twists and turns as the girls eliminate each other are sinister and engrossing simultaneously.
All four of these series are available to stream on Crunchyroll.
