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For the longest time, Shojo as a genre has faced flak from the audience. Compared to Shonen, many readers and viewers have looked it down upon. It is a gross misconception that the genre caters simply to young women and girls.
This demographic, however, is changing for the better. For the past decade, the anime industry has given us some of the finest stories written by both men and women. But that isn’t the end, especially with the latest developments and updates.
A Sign of AffectionandMy Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999getting a second season is a piece of delightful news for most fans. This holds especially true for their riveting premise that reshaped the landscape of storytelling.
In retrospect, it leaves room for hope for several fans awaiting a second season forYona of the Dawn. The series had a huge impact on the genre as a whole through its representation of gender. To this date, it redefined female protagonists through its portrayal of bravado.
Shojo Anime is changing the landscape of storytelling
A well-written Shojo manga by male authors is a rarity in itself.Princess Knightstandsas an exemplaryexample for its gender-bender themes. It is one of the finest series written by the esteemed mangaka Osamu Tezuka.
From friendship to dreams, many mangakas revolutionized the genre through their storytelling. A perfect example of this isThe Apothecary DiariesandA Sign of Affection. Both series have different approaches to romance and relationships. But there’s more to it.
WhileA Sign of Affectionviews intimacy from the disability perspective,Apothecary Diariesdecentralizes romance. It does so by enabling the female agency through Maomao’s character. The central focus is shifted to her zeal and pursuits as a witty and wise character.
Though it borders on the plain Jane metaphor, it isfar-fetched from stereotypes. On the other hand, the approach to relationships and intimacy is heart-rending inA Sign of Affection. With the series getting their second season, fans couldn’t help but express their delight.
The Apothecary Diaries Holds an Upper Hand Over Other Shojo Anime Because of This Reason That Has Nothing to Do with Romance
On X most fans couldn’t help butexpresstheir joy regarding the anime updates.
apparently we’re getting 2 new anime sequels… don’t get my hopes up… don’t get my hopes up…pic.twitter.com/GmCcSgOcKj
(+2) Shoujo Anime Sequels!! 🥰
too late. my hopes are higher than shaggy on a wednesday night and is now my only will and reason to keep breathing air. YONA IM WAITING FOR YOUR RETURN SWEETIE !!pic.twitter.com/3ZKAjxfw6r
YOTD PLSPSLSPLSPSLSPLSLSLSSKFBJSJDIWpic.twitter.com/AJhdfu3UOh
Im failing at not getting my hopes up 😭pic.twitter.com/jCrrerVvOi
While the responses may seem dramatic, fans’ emotions are valid considering the awaited seasons. This also fits perfectly withAkatsuki No Yona’sbrilliance as a well-written series that redefined gender roles in most aspects.
Yona of the Dawnexemplifies bravado by toppling gender roles
Yona of the Dawnis a trailblazing series in the shojo genre with its resplendent visuals. Animated by Studio Pierrot, the series is a complete visual treat for fans dabbling in the shoujo genre. Mizuho Kusanagi went the extra mile in fleshing out her characters.
From Yona’s fierce and boisterous personality to Hak’s tender yet soft masculinity, the mangaka’s story is a gender bender. It is a defiance of the stereotypical characterization through its representation of courage and bravado.
From witnessing her father’s murder to taking up archery, Yona’s progression is nothing short of iconic. The more we witness her brave through the struggles, the more we cheer for her. She reinvents femininity through her resolve and determination.
Contrary to the toxic representation of courage as inherently violent, Yona’s forbearing yet daunting nature sets it apart from other series. As a warrior and a princess, her feats are remarkable. While the series outlines romance, it shifts the central focus to Yona’sgrowth and development.
Shojo Fans Cannot Skip ‘Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku’ With High-School Romances Getting Way Too Repetitive
By and by, it is only fair for the fans to get their well-deserved second season. On the whole,Yona of the Dawn, Apothecary Diaries,andA Sign of Affectionare complete game-changers for the shojo genre.
Yona of the Dawnis available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
Himanshi Jeswani
Anime Writer
Articles Published :993
Himanshi Jeswani is an anime writer at Fandomwire, with her work spanning over 900 articles. Her articles cover shojo, shonen, seinen, and all things beyond. Her interests, however, aren’t limited to simply anime. She has a penchant for exploring different genres of manga, be it horror, yanki, music, and food. She brings out her specialization and expertise in the performing arts through her articles. As a writer, she strives to bridge the gap between the viewers and the medium itself. To her, anime is a revolutionary medium that is capable of creating communities and stories after all.
