Top 10 Magical Girl Anime: All-Time Favorites

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 no wonder that magical girl anime continues to enchant viewers. If you're looking to explore beyond the classics like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, this list offers a definitive ranking of the best magical girl anime, introducing you to new favorites, underrated gems, and contemporary offerings to 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

Image credit: NetflixStudio: Studio Trigger | Episode Count: 25 | Where to watch: Netflix

Little Witch Academia is an enchanting 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, she can hardly contain her excitement. 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 takes a thrilling turn when she discovers a magical artifact linked to her idol. This discovery propels her on a mission to reignite the world's love for magic, which is slowly fading away. This delightful series beautifully blends coming-of-age themes with witchcraft, emphasizing cozy friendships and a unique approach to magic. It's a must-watch anime series available on Netflix.

There have been 25 episodes of Little Witch Academia across two seasons, but the future of a Season 3 remains uncertain.

9. Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol

Image credit: Studio PierrotStudio: Studio Pierrot | Episode Count: 25 | Where to watch: Not available to stream

This 1986 series is a pioneering example 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 aspiring to become a mangaka. Yumi, an aspiring artist, dreams of creating manga, her passion rivaled only by her love for flowers, influenced by her florist parents. Her life changes when she saves a flower and is rewarded with two magical gifts—a wand and a locket—that bring her drawings to life. Retro and charming, Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol is an underappreciated gem that deserves a closer look.

8. Tokyo Mew Mew

Image credit: Studio PierrotStudio: 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 twist on the magical girl genre. In this adorable tale, Ichigo Momomiya gains her powers from an accident that infuses her with cat DNA. Her transformation into a cat-like form is reminiscent of a werewolf, and she uses these newfound abilities to locate other girls affected by the same incident. Together, they confront an alien threat linked to their powers. The series is wildly entertaining, and its recent reboot elevates it to new heights of awesomeness.

7. My-HiME

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

My-HiME seamlessly blends the magical girl trope with boarding school drama, creating a captivating narrative. Mai's life changes dramatically when she enrolls in the secretive Fuuka Academy. Initially feeling out of place, she soon discovers her purpose there and others like her, marked with a special symbol that allows them to summon a familiar to protect the world from nightmarish creatures. These "Children" are deeply connected to someone they love, adding intense stakes to their battles.

6. Pretty Cure

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

If you're looking for a magical girl series with multiple seasons to immerse yourself in, Pretty Cure is the perfect choice. With an impressive 800 episodes, it follows the classic premise of young girls gaining magical powers to combat evil forces. This technicolor, super-cute series has endured for a reason—it's absolutely delightful. Plus, it features adorable creatures alongside its magical girls, adding to its charm.

5. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

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

Puella Magi Madoka Magica takes the magical girl trope and infuses it with a darker, more emotionally charged narrative. The series follows a group of young women who become supernatural witch fighters after agreeing to a contract offered by a mysterious cat-like creature. While the setup may seem traditional, the story delves into the harsh realities of being a magical girl, exploring themes of trauma, exploitation, and the lies told to young people. This series offers a profound examination of the genre's tropes.

4. Magic Knight Rayearth

Image credit: Tokyo Movie ShinshaStudio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha | Episode Count: 49 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Prime Video

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? Friends Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji find themselves transported to such a world during a school field trip, where they can control their surroundings with their will. This high fantasy epic showcases CLAMP's signature expansive worldbuilding, stunning animation, and complex relationships, making it a series you can revisit time and again. There were even Magic Knight Rayearth games released in the '90s that you can explore.

3. Revolutionary Girl Utena

Image credit: J.C. StaffStudio: 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. Romantic, stylish, and inspired by chivalric tales, it follows Utena, an orphan who decides to become a prince after meeting a charming one. This decision shapes her life and leads her into a secretive dueling contest at her school, where she becomes entangled with the mysterious Rose Bride. This surrealistic series not only tells a compelling story but also explores and challenges the genre's tropes, making it a meta masterpiece.

2. Cardcaptor Sakura

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

A stone-cold classic from CLAMP, Cardcaptor Sakura was a transformative experience for many viewers. The series follows Sakura, who combines the magical girl genre with the card-collecting craze of shows like Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokémon. After accidentally unleashing the Clow Cards from a mysterious book in her basement, Sakura discovers her magical abilities and sets out to capture the cards, aided by the enigmatic creature Cerberus. This fashion-forward, action-packed series remains a beloved favorite.

1. Sailor Moon

Image credit: Toei AnimationStudio: 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. As one of the most globally renowned anime series, it follows Usagi, a normal schoolgirl who discovers her role as the titular Sailor Moon. With its gorgeous animation, stunning character designs, and iconic transformation sequences, Sailor Moon is the quintessential magical girl anime. Each Sailor Scout is uniquely developed, allowing viewers to connect with their favorite characters. This series is hilarious, heartfelt, and action-packed, making it a must-watch for anime fans.

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? Take a look at our guide to the best vampire anime as well as our list of the most underrated anime series.