Top 10 Magical Girl Anime: Enchanting Picks

Transformative, captivating, and heart-warming, the magical girl genre has been a beloved staple of anime for over three decades. It's known for its delightful tropes, unforgettable characters, and a dedicated fanbase. If you're looking to explore beyond the iconic classics like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, this list is your ultimate guide to the best magical girl anime. It's designed not only to rank the top series but also to introduce you to new favorites, hidden gems, and modern takes that will fill that magical girl-shaped void in your life.

So, prepare for a journey filled with 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 audience. When Akko enrolls at the fantastical Luna Nova Magical Academy, she's ecstatic. Despite her lifelong dream to learn magic and her admiration for the renowned witch Shiny Chariot, Akko herself lacks magical talent. Everything changes when she uncovers a magical artifact linked to her idol, propelling her on a quest to rekindle the world's love for magic. This series beautifully blends coming of age with witchcraft, focusing on cozy friendships and a unique magical perspective. It's a must-watch anime series available on Netflix.

There have been 25 episodes of Little Witch Academia across two seasons, but there's no confirmation yet on a Season 3.

9. Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol

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

As one of the earliest magical girl anime from 1986, Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol deserved a spot on our list. It also taps into a beloved anime and manga trope: the protagonist aspiring to become a mangaka. Yumi's passion for art is rivaled only by her love for flowers, inherited from her florist parents. Her life changes when she saves a flower, earning two magical gifts—a wand and a locket—that bring her drawings to life. This retro and charming series is an underappreciated gem well worth exploring.

8. Tokyo Mew Mew

Image credit: Studio Pierrot
Studio: Studio Pierrot | Episode Count: 52 | Where to watch: Not available to stream

Adapted from Reiko Yoshida and Mia Ikumi's manga, Tokyo Mew Mew offers a unique spin on the magical girl genre. The story follows Ichigo Momomiya, who gains her powers after an accident infuses her with cat DNA. Her transformation into a cat-like being leads her to find other girls affected similarly. Together, they confront an alien threat tied to their newfound abilities. The series is wildly entertaining, and the new reboot enhances its appeal even further!

7. My-HiME

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

My-HiME seamlessly blends the magical girl trope with a boarding school drama. Mai's life changes dramatically when she enrolls at the mysterious Fuuka Academy. Amidst the school's secrecy, she discovers her purpose and others like her, marked with a special symbol that allows them to summon familiars to battle nightmarish creatures. These "Children" are deeply connected to loved ones, adding emotional depth 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 immerse yourself in, Pretty Cure is perfect. With an incredible 800 episodes, it follows groups of young girls who gain magical powers to combat evil forces. It's a classic take on magical girl lore that continues to captivate audiences with its technicolor charm and delightful creatures.

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 trope and infuses it with a darker, more profound narrative. Young women are offered a contract by a cat-like being, granting them magical powers to fight witches. However, the series delves into the harsh realities of being a magical girl, exploring themes of trauma, exploitation, and the manipulation of youth.

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 artist collective CLAMP, Magic Knight Rayearth is an ambitious magical girl series that transports friends Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji to a magical world during a school field trip. This high fantasy epic showcases CLAMP's signature expansive worldbuilding, stunning animation, and intricate relationships. It's a series you can revisit time and again, and there were even Magic Knight Rayearth games released in 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. Inspired by chivalric romance, it follows Utena, an orphan who aspires to become a prince after meeting a charming one. Her journey leads her to a secretive dueling contest at her school, where she becomes entangled with the enigmatic Rose Bride. This series offers a surrealistic and meta exploration of the genre's tropes.

2. Cardcaptor Sakura

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

Cardcaptor Sakura, another masterpiece from CLAMP, revolutionized the magical girl genre by blending it with the card collecting craze. When Sakura accidentally unleashes the Clow Cards from a mysterious book, she discovers her magical abilities and embarks on a quest to recapture them, aided by the charming creature Cerberus.

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. The story of Usagi, a regular schoolgirl who becomes the titular Sailor Moon, is a classic for its stunning animation, iconic character designs, and unforgettable transformation sequences. Each Sailor Scout is uniquely developed, allowing fans to connect with their favorites. Sailor Moon's influence and impact make it a must-watch for any anime enthusiast.

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.