It is not uncommon for anime to be adapted from other source materials, with the most common source material often being the original manga. Naturally, the shoujo genre is no exception to this trend, as several iconic shoujo anime have been adapted from their just-as-iconic manga series.
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But what fans have also noticed is that when compared to the anime, the original manga fleshes out numerous aspects of the story and even includes moments that are often left out of the anime. Even the most well-known shoujo anime can beovershadowed by their manga counterparts, which are must-reads for fans of these enthralling series.
6Ouran High School Host Club Provides A Satisfying Conclusion
A show that is as ridiculous as it is entertaining,Ouran High School Host Clubis an excellent series for both shoujo and reverse harem fans. The story revolves around Haruhi Fujioka,a tomboyish young ladywho joins the titular host club after breaking their vase.
While the anime’s finale was quite dramatic in its own right, the manga continues long after the characters graduate high school. Needless to say, the manga features events that are left out of the anime, such as Tamaki’s brief reunion with his mother, the Host Club’s plans for university, and Haruhi and Tamaki finally realizing their love for each other.
5Yona Of The Dawn Picks Up Where The Anime Left Off
Much likeOuran High School Host Club,Yona of the Dawnis a must-see for anime fans everywhere. Fromits slew of powerful charactersto its lovable main heroine, this series is a perfect blend of romance and action, making it palatable for more than just shoujo fans.
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The anime adaptation does not seem to stray from the original manga, but it reaches its conclusion once Yona’s group encounters the Yellow Dragon Zeno. The manga adaptation, however, continues after Zeno is found, resulting in several manga-exclusive plots such as the group’s return to Kouka Kingdom and the war between the Kouka and Xing kingdoms.
4Kimi ni Todoke Shows How Young Love Becomes Deep Affection
Although the series is unoriginal regarding its premise, there is no denying thatKimi ni Todoketruly is one of the sweetest shoujo series of all time. Sawako Kuronuma and Shota Kazehaya have proven themselves to bevery adorable as a couple, which is also apparent in both the anime and live-action adaptations of the series.
Both the anime and manga initially take place in Kitahoro High School, with Sawako and Shota’s relationship developing over the course of the series. However, while the anime has the pair become a couple near the end of the second season, the manga further expands upon their relationship and presents real-world obstacles that Sawako and Shota must overcome to keep their relationship afloat.
3The Rose Of Versailles Has A Different Main Protagonist
Arguablyone of the more underrated shoujo animeout there,The Rose of Versaillesis an excellent historical series that is not afraid to delve into the touchy themes of sexuality and gender. As a testament to its success, numerous adaptations, both animated and live-action, have been spawned in the series' wake, with decent success.
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Although most fans ofThe Rose of Versaillesmay view the androgynous character Oscar as the main protagonist, this is the case only in the anime. In the manga, Oscar remains a pivotal character, but much of the focus is set on the much more classically feminine Marie Antoinette; naturally, the manga’s plot completely differs from the anime.
2Kaichou wa Maid-sama Gets Serious For Its Main Characters
Similar toKimi ni Todoke,Kaichou waMaid-samarevolves around Misaki Ayuzawa and Takumi Usui as they go from bickering classmates to love interests. However, unlikeKimi ni Todoke, this series isfar more comedic in nature, with more serious moments being quite uncommon.
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Like with other entries on this list, the original manga fleshes out the relationship between Misaki and Usui, continuing where the anime left off. From Misaki’s long-awaited confession to Usui to Usui’s sudden transfer to a different high school, these moments are surefire proof that theMaid-samaseries is quite capable of taking itself seriously.
1Fruits Basket Is Both An Artistic And Storytelling Masterpiece
At this point, nearly everyone knows the story of Tohru Honda and her positive influence on the trauma-ridden Sohma family. But prior to the 2019 reboot ofFruits Basket, the only other anime adaptation of the series took place in 2001, in which the events of the first six manga volumes were covered. However, it is safe to say that many fans nowadays find the art style of the previous adaptation to be rather outdated.
The manga has aSailor Moon-esque art style at the beginning, but it gradually starts to become more polished and well-rounded as the series progresses. The newest anime adaptation ofFruits Basketboasts an updated art style as well, but for the full artistic evolution andcontent and character details not present in the newest adaptation, such as Kyoko and Katsuya’s backstory, fans need to look no further than the originalFruits Basketmanga.
