Classic Anime Sailor Moon Fans Will Love (2025)

Sailor Moon is a classic shojo anime and manga that has delighted fans since it first came out. The series follows a Usagi Tsukino as she becomes the magical girl Sailor Moon and fights for all things good and just. The manga was a hit, spawning multiple anime, movies, live action adaptations, and even musicals.

Sailor Moon is a classic beloved by many anime fans, but it's not the only classic that left a mark on viewer's hearts. Several other anime released in the 90s and early 2000s have gone on to be hits near and dear to anime fans. If those fans need a reminder of what to watch next after finishing rewatching Sailor Moon yet again, here are a few other options.

10 Amu Hinamori Wants the Power to Be Herself in Shugo Chara!

Shugo Charas Help Amu Fulfill Her Dreams

Shugo Chara! is a magical shojo manga by Peach-Pit that was later adapted into an anime. The series follows Amu Hinamori, a girl in elementary school who's loved and respected by her classmates. Behind her cool facade, though, all Amu wants is the courage to be her true self. She receives this opportunity when she wakes up to three strange eggs in her bed that hatch into her guardian fairies, called Shugo Charas.

Just like Sailor Moon has her fellow Sailor Scouts to aid her, Amu soon discovers that Seiyo Elementary's Guardians have guardian fairies of their own. They invite Amu into her group to help with their goal: seeking out the corrupted forms of people's dreams so that they can be purified. It seems Amu's quest to find her true self won't be nearly as easy as she hoped it would be.

Shugo Chara!

TV-PG

Comedy

Family

Young girl Amu is blessed with three tiny guardian spirits and gains the power to transform and fight alongside a group of fellow students to free others' hearts from corruption.

Release Date

October 6, 2007

Cast

Kanae Itô , Kana Asumi , Atsushi Abe

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

3

Creator

Hiroshi Ōnogi, Michiru Shimada

Producer

Tomoko Gujima, Aya Yoshino, Nao Yoshida, Shinsaku Hatta, Takahiro Suzuki, Shinichi Nakamura

Production Company

Pony Canyon, Satelight, TV Tokyo

Number of Episodes

127

Network

TV Tokyo

9 Chocolat and Vanilla Have to Win Hearts to Become the Next Queen in Sugar Sugar Rune

Not Even Magic Can Stop This Friendship

Sugar Sugar Rune is a witchy magical girl manga by Moyoco Anno that later received an anime adaptation in the mid-2000s. The story revolves around the battle between best friends Chocolat Meilleure and Vanilla Mieux as they compete to become the next queen of the Magical World.

These two young witches won't have it easy. To win the crown, these two witches need to capture the hearts of boys in the Human World. Whoever has the most hearts at the end of the competition is the winner. They even have the famous witch Rockin' Robin and their two familiars to help guide them on their quest. However, things are never as easy as they seem. It might take more than a little magic to keep these two best friends together after the competition.

8 A Little Duck Tries to Retrieve a Prince's Heart in Princess Tutu

Princess Tutu Brings Fairy Tales to Life

Princess Tutu is an anime created by Ikuko Itoh which had a simultaneous manga release, though the manga only lasted two volumes. This anime is heavily inspired by ballet and classic fairy tales, such as Swan Lake and the Ugly Duckling. One doesn't even need to look far for proof. The main character, Ahriu - called Duck by some fans - is a duck who falls in love with a human prince. She was then given the ability to transform into a human and, later, the magical ballerina Princess Tutu.

However, capturing her prince's heart isn't going to be easy. Prince Mytho's heart is missing, and thus the prince lacks emotions. In hopes of gaining his affections, Ahiru must gather the scattered pieces of Mytho's heart and return them to him. However, not everyone wants Mytho to be restored. Along the way, Ahiru will find allies and enemies in her quest. This story may be destined to end in tragedy, but Ahiru is doing all she can to prevent that. Only time will tell if she can find a way.

Princess Tutu

TV-14

Comedy

Fantasy

Music

A duck turned girl with magical powers must help save a prince from an unfinished fairy tale.

Release Date

August 16, 2002

Cast

Luci Christian , Nanae Katō

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

2

Creator

Ikuko Itoh

7 Snow White Becomes a Magical Girl Warrior in Pretear

This Is the New Legend of Snow White

Pretear is a magical girl reverse harem manga by Junichi Sato that was later adapted into an anime in the early 2000s. Though Himeno Awayuki is meant to be this story's Snow White, she originally finds herself in a situation like that of Cinderella. After her mother's death, her father remarried a woman with two daughters, none of whom seemed to like Himeno. She becomes more and more depressed until she has a chance encounter with the Leafe Knights.

These knights have been searching for someone who can accept them and become the magical girl warrior Pretear that they need, as only Pretear can save the world from Fenrir. She's reluctant at first, but over time accepts that only she can take on the role of Pretear if she wants to save the world.

Pretear: The New Legend of Snow White

TV-PG

Romance

Adventure

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

"Pretear" is about a 16 year old girl named Himeno who soon finds out she can become Pretear with the help of the Leafe Knights because of the power that lies within her.

Release Date

April 4, 2001

Cast

Luci Christian , Monica Rial , Jason Douglas , Takehito Koyasu

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1 Season

Creator

Kenichi Kanemaki

Production Company

Hal Film Maker, Kadokawa Shoten Publishing Co.

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll , Amazon Prime Video

6 Ichigo Becomes a Heroic Cat Girl to Defeat Aliens in Tokyo Mew Mew

Aliens and Animal Girls - What a Catastrophe!

Tokyo Mew Mew is a manga written by Reiko Yoshida and illustrated by Mia Ikumi. It later received an anime adaptation in the early 2000s, which was brought to the West under the name Mew Mew Power. The anime later received a remake called Tokyo Mew Mew New. The magical girl anime follows Ichigo Momomiya who becomes a magical girl when her DNA is infused with that of the endangered Iriomote cat.

With her newfound powers, Ichigo will have to transform into Mew Ichigo to defeat Chimera Animas, alien parasites that turn innocent animals into monsters. Along the way, Ichigo finds four other girls to help her on her quest. These girls were also infused with the DNA of endangered animals and help Ichigo stop the aliens. There's just one problem: it's hard to save the world when you're falling in love.

5 Even Mermaids Can Be Magical Girls in Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch

The Little Mermaid Became a Magical Girl Anime

Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch is a manga created by Michiko Yokote and illustrated by Pink Hanamori. The original manga lasted for 7 volumes, while the anime adaptation lasted for 91 episodes. A new manga that serves as a sequel was later started in 2021, titled Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Aqua. It is currently ongoing.

Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch follows the mermaid princess, Lucia Nanami, who sets out to find a human boy, named Kaito Domoto, that she fell in love with years ago. He doesn't recognize Lucia in her human form, but she can't tell him who she really is or else she risks the fate of the original little mermaid in her fairy tale. As much as she'd like to show Kaito who she truly is, Lucia has more pressing issues: water demons have invaded the seas and are causing trouble. With the help of two other mermaid princesses, these singing mermaid idols do what it takes to protect the waters they call home.

4 Nagisa and Honoka Fight Against the Dark Zone as Cure Black and Cure White in Futari wa Pretty Cure

It All Began With Cure Black and Cure White

Futari was Pretty Cure is the first anime to start the Pretty Cure franchise, created by Izumi Todo. This magical girl anime spanned several anime series, manga, video games, movies, and more - but it all started with Futari wa Pretty Cure and its main heroines, Cure Black and Cure White.

In Futari wa Pretty Cure, Nagisa Misumi and Honoka Yukishiro have their ordinary lives turned upside down when they encounter two beings from the Garden of Light, called Mepple and Mipple. These two transform Nagisa and Honoka into magical girls called the emissaries of light, turning them into Cure Black and Cure White. Together, these two girls have to find the Prism Stones to restore the Garden of Light and take down the villainous Dark Zone. Things only get more fantastical and fun from there.

Pretty Cure

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Two young girls, Nagisa and Honoka, find mysterious "fairies" that grant the girls the ability to transform into the legendary warriors known as Pretty Cure and combat the forces of darkness.

Release Date

February 1, 2004

Cast

Tomokazu Seki , Hiroki Takahashi , Issei Futamata , Akiko Yajima

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

2

Creator

Izumi Tôdô

Production Company

ABC Animation, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Asatsu-DK

Number of Episodes

51

3 Three Eighth-Graders Have to Save the Prinecss in Magic Knight Rayearth

This Isekai Is a CLAMP Classic

Magic Knight Rayearth is a manga series by CLAMP that was later adapted into an anime in the 1990s. In this CLAMP classic, three eighth-grade girls - Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji - have their lives turned upside down during a field trip to Tokyo Tower. Though these girls are from three separate schools, they're transported to another world in order to save Princess Emeraude from her captors.

Guided by a rabbit-like creature called Mokona, who appears in later CLAMP titles, the girls awaken magical powers and giant robots in order to complete their quest. Rescuing Princess Emeraude from the foul high priest Zagato won't be easy but, together, these girls can do anything they put their minds to. Of course, that's just the first part of the series. Things only get more intense from there.

Magic Knight Rayearth

TV-PG

Fantasy

Adventure

Mecha

Magical Girl

Shoujo

Lucy, Anias and Marina, three girls from different schools are transported to the world of Zephyr as well as their mission to become Magical Warriors to rescue the captured Princess Esmeralda.

Release Date

October 17, 1994

Cast

Yuri Shiratori , Megumi Ogata , Jûrôta Kosugi , Satomi Kôrogi , Yuka Imai , Miki Itō , Yukimasa Kishino , Chinami Nishimura , Jun'ichi Kanemaru , Atsuko Takahata , Aya Hisakawa , Kikuko Inoue , Kiyoyuki Yanada , Kôhei Miyauchi , Takkô Ishimori , Hekiru Shiina , Hiroko Kasahara , Konami Yoshida , Hideyuki Tanaka , Akio Otsuka , Tessyo Genda , Emi Shinohara , Minami Takayama , Nozomu Sasaki , Takumi Yamazaki , Yuko Nagashima , Yuri Amano , Ryôtarô Okiayu

Main Genre

Fantasy

Seasons

Characters By

Creator

Production Company

Character(s)

Primera , Mokona , Eagle Vision , Emeraude , Lantis , Zagato , Sang Yung , Mira , Nova , Lafarga , Lady Aska , Zazu Torque , Debonair , Tarta , Tatra , Geo Metro , Chang Ang , Hikaru Shidou , Fuu Hououji , Umi Ryuuzaki , Rayearth , Windam , Celes , Presea , Ascot , Clef , Ferio , Caldina , Alcyone , Inouva

2 Sakura Kinomoto Retrieves Magical Cards in Cardcaptor Sakura

Sakura Must Retrieve the Magical Clow Cards Before the World Falls to Ruin

Cardcaptor Sakura is another CLAMP classic, though this one falls into the magical girl genre instead of isekai. The manga began in the mid 90s, was followed by an anime series, and eventually received a sequel series called Card Captor Sakura: Clear Card in the mid 2010s which was also adapted into an anime.

The original series follows 10-year-old Sakura Kinomoto after she accidentally releases the magical Clow Cards from a book in her basement. The guardian of the cards, nicknamed Kero, tasks Sakura with reclaiming the escaped cards before they can cause any trouble. Luckily, Sakura isn't alone. Her big brother Touya may act like he doesn't know what's going on, but he's keeping an eye on her. Her cousin Tomoyo also provides her with moral support and cute costumes, capturing her heroic exploits. However, Sakura learns she isn't the only one trying to get her hands on the Clow Cards when a boy from Hong Kong, Syaoran Li, makes his appearance. This young magical girl will have to try her best to complete the job she was tasked with.

Cardcaptor Sakura

TV-Y7-FV

Sakura stumbled upon the book of Clow Cards in a library. Accidentally setting the magical cards loose, it's now up to Sakura to catch them all with her best friend Tomoyo, and Kerberos, the guardian of the cards.

Release Date

April 7, 1998

Main Genre

Fantasy

Main Cast

Sakura Tange, Matt Hill, Andrea Kwan and Junko Iwao,

1 Utena Tenjou Vows to Become a Prince in Revolutionary Girl Utena

Utena Duels to Win the Hand of the Rose Bride

Revolutionary Girl Utena is an anime and manga that deconstructs common tropes in magical girl anime. This magical girl romance hoped to ride on the success of Sailor Moon, before becoming a classic of its own. Fans of Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus's romance might especially enjoy this series and its characters.

Revolutionary Girl Utena follows its namesake, Utena Tenjou, who vowed to grow up to become a prince. Years later, she attends Ohtori Academy and participates in a sword-wielding tournament. The victor is said to receive the hand of the Rose Bride if they win. The Rose Bride, also known as Anthy Himemiya, is said to be able to revolutionize the world. Utena wins and becomes Anthy's fiancee, but is now tasked with keeping Anthy safe from anyone who would hope to use the power of the Rose Bride for selfish reasons. From there, Utena does all she can to keep Anthy safe while discovering the depths of her powers and the wide world they live in.

Revolutionary Girl Utena

TV-14

Drama

A tomboyish schoolgirl finds herself forced into repeated duels for another girl who has a role in a world revolution.

Release Date

April 2, 1997

Creator(s)

Yoji Enokido , Shin'ya Hasegawa , Kunihiko Ikuhara

Cast

Rachel Lillis , Sharon Becker , Amanda Goodman , Crispin Freeman , James Carter Cathcart , Roxanne Beck Raye

Main Genre

Action

Seasons

1

Creator

Kunihiko Ikuhara, Chiho Saitô

Production Company

TV Tokyo, Yomiko Advertising

Writers

Yoji Enokido

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

Franchise(s)

Revolutionary Girl Utena

Directors

Kunihiko Ikuhara