All Anime and Manga Genres: A Complete Guide

Animes and manga have won millions of fans around the world. His stories cover different themes and narrative styles, being organized into genres that help define the target audience and the essence of the plots. In this article, we explore the top five genres and their most popular subgenres.

All Genres Of Anime And Manga A Complete Guide

Top Five Genres of Anime and Manga

1. Shonen (Action and adventure for young boys)

Shonen, translated as “young boy”, is a genre aimed at a teenage male audience. The stories usually feature determined protagonists, exciting action scenes and messages of overcoming. Examples include: Dragon Ball, Jujutsu Kaise, Naruto, One Piece, Demon Slayer , My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Attack on Titan , among many others.

Shonen subgenres:
  • Battle Shonen: Stories focused on combat, such as Bleach and Hunter x Hunter .
  • Sports: Anime that explore competitions, such as Haikyuu !! and Kuroko in Basket .
  • Adventure Shonen: Explore journeys and challenges, like Fairy Tail and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure .
Satoro Gojo
Photo: Weekly Shōnen Jump

2. Shojo (Young Girl Romance and Drama)

Shojo is a genre aimed at teenage female audiences. Narratives emphasize relationships, emotions, and personal growth. Classics like Sailor Moon , Fruits Basket and Cardcaptor Sakura are great examples.

Shojo subgenres:
  • Mahou Shojo (Magic Girls): Mixes fantasy with heroines, such as Sakura Cardcaptors and Madoka Magica .
  • High school romance: Teenage plots like Kimi ni Todoke and Ao Haru Ride .
  • Dramatic: explores intense emotions, such as Nana and Shoujo Kakumei Utena .
Sailor Moon
Photo: Disclosure/Prime

3. Seinen (Mature and complex narratives for adults)

Seinen is aimed at an adult male audience, bringing deeper and more violent themes. The stories are marked by psychological plots and existential dilemmas. Examples include Berserk , Tokyo Ghoul and Vinland Saga .

Seinen subgenres:
  • Psychological: Intense plots, such as Monster and Death Note .
  • Cyberpunk: Futuristic and philosophical environments, such as Ghost in the Shell and Psycho-Pass .
  • Suspense and mystery: Engaging plots, such as Erased and Paranoia Agent .
Seinen Death Note
Photo: Disclosure/Netflix

4. Josei (Realistic and sentimental stories for adult women)

Josei approaches adult life in a realistic way, highlighting romance, career and everyday challenges. Famous examples are Paradise Kiss , Nodame Cantabile and Honey and Clover .

Josei subgenres:
  • Slice of Life: Everyday stories such as Usagi Drop and Hataraki Man .
  • Emotional dramas: Intense plots like Chihayafuru and Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu .
  • Mature Romance: Adult relationships, such as Nana and Kuragehime .
Honey And Clover
Photo: Disclosure/Prime

5. Kodomo (Children's anime and manga for all ages)

Kodomo is a genre aimed at children, with educational stories and captivating characters. Pokémon , Doraemon and Anpanman are iconic examples.

Kodomo subgenres:
  • Children's adventure: Light stories, like Digimon and Beyblade .
  • Educational Fantasy: Teaches moral values, such as Hamtaro and Chi's Sweet Home .
Hamtaro
Photo: Ritsuko Kawai

Subgenres that integrate the umbrella terms

In addition to the main genres, anime and manga have several subgenres that expand their narrative possibilities. Check out some of the most popular:

Isekai (Parallel worlds and fantasy)

The protagonists are transported to another world, usually with special powers. Examples include Sword Art Online , Re:Zero and No Game No Life .

Mecha (Giant robots and technological battles) : Focuses on futuristic machines and combat, such as Neon Genesis Evangelion , Gundam and Code Geass .

Horror (Horror and psychological thriller) : Stories that explore fear, such as Another , Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Elfen Lied .

Comedy (Funny and nonsense situations) : Exaggerated humor and amusing everyday life are hallmarks of the genre. Examples include Gintama , Konosuba and Nichijou .

Slice of Life (Daily life and reflections on life) : Focuses on the characters' routine, bringing light and exciting stories, such as March Comes in Like a Lion and Barakamon .

Yaoi and Yuri (LGBTQIA+ Relationships)

  • Yaoi (Boys' Love): Relationships between men, such as Given and Sekaiichi Hatsukoi .
  • Yuri (Girls' Love): Love stories between women, like Citrus and Bloom Into You .

manga genres offer a vast universe of stories, catering to all tastes and ages. So, from the thrilling adventures of shonen to the mature dramas of josei, each category has its own unique charm. To explore further, it's worth diving into the subgenres and discovering fascinating new narratives.