Shojo anime is known for romance, comedy, and coming-of-age stories. The protagonists often have a journey of personal growth, with side characters acting as support cast and stock characters. The best shojo anime has a whole cast of characters that are memorable and unique.
Some shojo side characters are likable enough to steal the show. Whether they’re powerful warriors in their own right, or beloved fan-favorites with strong personalities, they could support their own spin-off. Side characters don’t have as much pressure to be written as relatable as a protagonist may, so there’s more room for creativity and colorful personalities.
10 Saki Hanajima
Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket’s Tohru Honda is one of the more beloved shojo protagonists, but for some, she can be a little bit too perfect and kind. Her best friends Saki and Arisa surprisingly have a few more quirks than Tohru does.
Saki is one of anime’s sweetest creepy girls. She doesn’t worry quite so much as Tohru about confrontation. She has her own psychic abilities alongside the central supernaturally cursed family. Saki has a monotone voice and flowing poltergeist-like hair. Her soft manner, protective nature, and deadpan humor endear her to fans.
9 Hotohori
Fushigi Yugi
Fushigi Yugi’s Hotohori is so beautiful and elegant, he’s often mistaken for a girl. He’s the strong and silent type who has hidden depths of feeling, which will always appeal to fans. The rest of his personality makes it easy to forgive his narcissistic love of his own looks.
Hotohori has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders from a young age as emperor, but that doesn’t stop him from having a very romantic nature, and he used to dream that the priestess of Suzaku would come and be a balm to his loneliness. Though he’s no Tamahome, he is in love with Miaka and makes a close-second ideal pairing for her.
8 Obi
Snow White With The Red Hair
Snow White with the Red Hair explores many types of fairy tale archetypes and Obi falls into the scarred and devoted bodyguard type. He’s easily the most popular character after the protagonists Shirayuki and Prince Zen. Obi is a loner who wouldn’t let anyone close to him if it weren’t for the prince and Shirayuki.
There’s something special about a brawny bodyguard who will shuck his warrior exterior to be warm, kind, and encouraging to the protagonist. Obi has his work cut out for him protecting Shirayuki, but he keeps great humor.
7 Jae-Ha
Yona Of The Dawn
Jae-Ha is the dreamiest dragon warrior in Yona of the Dawn. Though he has feelings for Yona, he becomes best friends with Hak and their banter is top-tier. It makes sense that they would bond as they are both the two most himbo-like characters in the series.
Jae-Ha has a goofy, brotherly personality, and girls fawn over the former pirate. As a supporting character, Jae-Ha is extremely well-rounded and sympathetic. Though he’s particularly handsome and silly, his main best attribute is how much he cares about other people.
6 Yuu Ishigami
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War
All the characters in Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War are silly and given to roundabout antics, but Ishigami is a particularly lovable idiot. He’s gloomy, delightfully thick-headed, and often assumes the worst about any situation, comically resulting in him believing that Kaguya wants to assassinate him.
Ishigami also has a highly relatable method of dealing with his issues: he mutters and goes home early. He also lampoons the sort of loner who prides themselves on not being like “the others,” while he ends up being the most average and relatable character from the series.
5 Yuu Kashima
Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun
Kashima defies gender norms in Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun. Normally, in shojo manga the school prince is a gorgeous, widely admired boy. Kashima is a girl who is considered the school prince, and she embraces the role with alacrity, flirting with girls and calling them “hime” (“princess”).
Kashima and Hori have a tsundere relationship where the roles are reversed, which results in many hilarious gaffs. Kashima adores Hori and wants his attention, while Hori doesn’t know what to make of her. Kashima is a refreshing take on many old shojo tropes, giving them new life and humor.
4 Ryuo Sukuna
Kamisama Kiss
Kamisama Kiss has many yokai side characters but the Dragon Lord Ryuo is the best of them all. He has enough sass and bitterness to rival Tomoe. His only match is his wife, Kamehime, who he dotes on.
Kamehime often disagrees with her husband, and it’s wonderful to see a powerful Dragon Lord trembling and scraping at the sight of his wife. Kamisama Kiss has a dreamy aesthetic; each of the characters are beautiful. Ryuo with his shark-like grin, scar, and lavender hair has a design that’s both vicious and beautiful.
3 Yasushi Takagi
NANA
Yasushi is the paralegal-turned-punk in NANA. He loves Nana but sees the fire between her and Ren and encourages it. That sort of noble nature endears him to fans. Not only is he cool and responsible, but he’s also a devoted friend who came from a similar background to Ren, which makes him incredibly sympathetic.
In a series where everyone experiences so much strife and trauma, steady characters like Yasu are a balm. He is also a great example that punk is a worldview, and not just a style. Though he dresses in a slick suit, he still lives with punk sensibilities.
2 Kunzite
Sailor Moon
Kunzite is the most powerful agent of the Dark Kingdom in Sailor Moon. He is incredibly beautiful, with regal features and long, silvery hair. Though he’s the strongest of Beryl’s minions, he gives a glimpse into the minions’ softer nature.
Kunzite loves Zoisite with his whole heart, comforting him in the ’90s anime and coming to his aid when he’s injured. The Crystal version expounds on this loving nature, showing his backstory as the Knight of Purity and Affection. Fans love how he can be so powerful, affectionate, and stoic all at the same time.
1 Ritsu
Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club is a loving parody of reverse harems and Ritsu is the best kind of shy-but-sweet suitor who hides behind a tough facade. He has the fiery redheaded personality that’s normally reserved for girl characters. Everyone loves a character with a temper who gets flustered easily.
Though he’s not the endgame for Haruhi, he has several sweet (and comical) moments with her. He’s the first to realize she’s a girl and quickly develops feelings for her, feeding speculative rumors about his sexuality.