Ask John: Is My Hime Shounen or Shoujo?

Question:
Is My-Hime and its spinoff My-Otome Shonen or Shojo?

Answer:
The Japanese word “shonen” refers to “boy” and “shoujo” refers to “girl,” so it’s natural to assume that most anime can be easily classified into one category or the other. However, this simple categorization actually isn’t quite that simple because the terms “shonen” and “shoujo,” when used as anime and manga genres, have very specific characteristics. As a result, not every anime can be, or should be classified as either “shonen” or “shoujo.” And the exceptions are not just limited to titles with a seeming cross-gender appeal.

When used as a genre classification for anime or manga, “shonen” refers to action oriented stories primarily aimed at preadolescent and young teen boys. Shonen anime and manga frequently include action and adventure or fighting, and humor or comedy, and often focus on themes including responsibility, friendship, teamwork, courage, and honesty. Typical examples of shonen titles include Dragon Ball, Bleach, Naruto, Eyeshield 21, and Slam Dunk. Death Note is also a shonen title despite not including sports or fantasy action because it’s still focused on the themes associated with shonen manga.

“Shoujo,” meaning “young girl,” most accurately refers to the audience for particular types of material because the “shoujo” genre doesn’t have singular identifying characteristics. Shoujo manga and anime includes both melodramatic, introspective drama or romance, and fantasy wish fulfillment for preadolescent and young teen girls. Titles like Special A, Itazura na Kiss, Marmalade Boy, and Vampire Knight represent the introspective romance aspects of shoujo. Magical girl anime like Sailor Moon and Pretty Cure provide role models and wish fulfillment for young girls. Comedy series including “Kodocha,” “Baby & Me,” and Akazukin Cha-Cha constitute shoujo because they’re designed to appeal to young girls.

Countless anime targeted at teens, young adults, and mainstream audiences don’t adhere to the defining characteristics of either “shonen” or “shoujo” and may not fall into other broad genre classifications, either. Titles like My Hime/Otome, Gundam, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Keroro Gunso, Slayers, Evangelion, Ah! My Goddess, and Lucky Star are neither “shonen” nor “shoujo.” These type of series can be classified by fiction genre – drama, romance, science fiction, action, comedy, fantasy – but don’t necessarily fall into classifications based on audience demographic.