Feeling a bit worn out from the Shoujo anime sparkles and CGDCT antics? Time to switch gears to Josei anime. Here, the glitter settles, and what’s left is the reality of life, love that’s anything but straightforward, and characters who are as complex as they come.
Josei, which translates to “womanhood” in Japanese, targets a demographic of late teens to adult women, but we’re not trying to gatekeep here—it’s for anyone who’s over predictable plots and one-dimensional characters. So if you’re ready for an anime upgrade, scroll down for the 15 best Josei picks.
1. Nodame Cantabile
3 seasons | 45 episodes
Watch on: Prime Video
Chiaki is a genius conductor so uptight he squeaks, and Noda is a chaotic pianist who lives in a pigsty. They meet, chaos ensues, and some one-sided sparks fly. A Josei love story for anyone who’s ever thought, “I could never date someone like that,” and then, well, did.
SEE ALSO: Best Romance Anime On Netflix To Fall In Love With
2. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
2 seasons | 25 episodes
Watch on: Crunchyroll
Yotarou’s out of jail and into the deep end with Yakumo, a master storyteller whose past could out-drama any soap opera. Love, betrayal, and regrets—a generational saga about the art of rakugo that’s perfect if you fancy yourself a bit of a culture vulture with a taste for tragic backstories.
3. Kids on the Slope
1 season | 12 episodes
Watch on: Crunchyroll
The story of shy guy Kaoru, tough softie Sentaro, and cool girl Ritsuko that just nails those teen years when everything in life is an epic, colossal deal. Tune in if your life lacks spontaneous jazz sessions and you enjoy watching people screw up their love lives rhythmically.
4. Chihayafuru
3 seasons | 74 episodes
Watch on: Crunchyroll
Chihaya is gunning to be the queen of Karuta and not letting anything stop her—not even her own messy love life. Josei anime for the underdogs, the overachievers, and everyone who loves a good comeback story. Or for those who’ve been third-wheeled so hard, it hurts.
5. Princess Jellyfish
1 season | 11 episodes
Watch on: Crunchyroll
Tsukimi and her otaku girl gang are living the anti-social dream, but when the stylish cross-dresser Kuranosuke enters their lives, it’s a culture clash of epic proportions. Ideal for anyone who’s ever felt out of place in the cool crowd but secretly knows they’re fabulous.
6. Honey and Clover
3 seasons | 32 episodes
Watch on: Crunchyroll
The ultimate art school melodrama where everyone is broke, artistically tortured, and hopelessly in love. Watching Hagu and the crew trying to adult hurts so good, especially if you’ve ever been penniless or lovesick—so, basically, if you’ve ever been in your 20s.
7. Bunny Drop
1 season | 15 episodes
Watch on: Crunchyroll
Daikichi, a thirty-year-old man, ends up adopting his tiny relative, and suddenly it’s not just about him anymore. A heart-melting, occasionally gut-wrenching Josei anime for anyone who’s ever looked at a screaming child and thought, “How hard can it really be?”
8. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku
1 season | 11 episodes
Watch on: Prime Video
Love in the office is hard enough without being a giant nerd about it. Wotakoi takes otaku love to adorable new heights with a couple that’s as awkward as they are made for each other. If you’ve ever loved something a bit too much, Narumi and Hirotaka are your people.
9. NANA
1 season | 47 episodes
Watch on: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Nana Komatsu and Nana Osaki couldn’t be more different if they tried, but their shared apartment becomes ground zero for drama, punk rock, and the kind of connections that redefine our 20s. Essential viewing if your friendships are as complicated as your love life.
SEE ALSO: Sad Anime That Turned Us Into Sobbing Wrecks
10. Michiko & Hatchin
1 season | 22 episodes
Watch on: Crunchyroll
Michiko is a badass on the run, Hatchin is the kid she claims is her daughter, and together they’re tearing through totally-not-South America looking for freedom, or at least less crap than they left behind. Press play if you like your female leads fierce and your action non-stop.
11. Paradise Kiss
1 season | 12 episodes
Watch on: N/A
Yukari was just another over-stressed student until a group of fashion designers decided she’s their next muse. A whirlwind of self-discovery, romance, and haute couture. Come for the glow-up, stay for the heartbreaks, and real talk about what it means to chase your dreams.
12. Ristorante Paradiso
1 season | 11 episodes
Watch on: Crunchyroll
What’s better than an Italian restaurant? One staffed entirely by silver foxes wearing spectacles. A slice-of-life with a side of complex family ties and grown-up love stories. Anyone who likes their anime characters a bit older and their settings European chic, this is your stop.
13. Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits
1 season | 26 episodes
Watch on: Crunchyroll
Aoi inherits her grandpa’s debt to a demon and decides to pay it off by running an inn in the spirit world. Part ghost story, part culinary adventure, and all kinds of charming. If you like your yokai friendly and your anime food drool-worthy, here’s your go-to Josei.
SEE ALSO: Best Yokai Anime With Ghosts and Spirits
14. Raven of the Inner Palace
1 season | 13 episodes
Watch on: Crunchyroll
Shouxue, a mysterious woman with the power to communicate with the dead serves the emperor in secrecy. It’s mysterious, it’s majestic, and it’s marvelously melodramatic—highly recommend for fans of historical dramas with a ghostly twist.
SEE ALSO: Must-Watch Mystery Anime That’ll Keep You Guessing
15. Gokusen
1 season | 13 episodes
Watch on: N/A
Kumiko’s a teacher by day, yakuza heiress by night, dealing with delinquents who have no idea who they’re messing with. It’s as badass as it is hilarious, proving school can indeed be fun when your teacher can kick anyone’s ass. Jump in to see how tough love really works.
SEE ALSO: Comedy Anime Will Make You LOL for Days
That wraps up our top Josei anime picks! Got favorites or hot takes? Drop a comment, hit that share button, and check back for more anime recommendations.
