Sailor Moon is, without a doubt, one of the icons not only of majokko and shojo anime but of the entire medium.
Its lo-fi vibes, breathtaking aesthetics, and revolutionary plot have earned it a place in global pop culture, probably forever.
That’s why it wasn’t easy to create this list, but we still tried to gather the best anime like Sailor Moon, to experience the same amazing vibes.
Table of Contents
12. Little Witch Academia
Little Witch Academia is a not bad anime to watch after Sailor Moon as it’s a majokko anime different from the usual, with slice-of-life and coming-of-age themes similar of those in Sailor Moon.
It may not be the best recommendation on this list, but it certainly won’t leave you disappointed either.
The plot tells the story of the protagonist surnamed Akko, a young girl who as a child witnesses the witch Shiny Chariot’s magic show.
From that moment on decides to follow in her footsteps by enrolling in the Luna Nova Academy for Little Witches. But not everything will be as easy and fun as hoped.
11. Fushigi Yuugi
Fushigi Yuugi unlike Sailor Moon is an isekai, but despite this they still have many similarities, and we think you’ll enjoy it.
This is because both series feature a clumsy female protagonist who becomes involved in a fight against evil and is aided by a group of warriors to achieve their goal.
Miaka Yuuki and her friend Yui Hongo stumble upon a mysterious book at the national library which transports them to a fantasy world set in ancient China.
Upon their arrival, they encounter the emperor, Hotohori, who believes Miaka is the foretold priestess of the kingdom’s protector god, Suzaku.
She’s tasked with finding the seven Celestial Warriors to summon Suzaku and have all her wishes granted.
10. Pretear
Pretear is another majokko anime that’s different from the other series in its genre that you’ll adore if you’ve watched Sailor Moon.
Both anime feature transformations, romance, and especially the same incipit, with a normal girl getting involved in a fight against evil.
The story follows the protagonist, Himeno Awayuki, a 16-year-old girl who is struggling to lead a normal life after losing her mother. Meanwhile, the Princess of Disasters, Saihi, is sending seeds of evil to Earth to drain the life energy of all living creatures.
To save the world, the Riphe Knights, seven warriors of elemental powers, search for the Pretear, a princess with magical powers who is the only one capable of stopping the threat. And to their surprise, the Pretear turns out to be Himeno.
9. Princess Tutu
Clumsy female mcs who can transform, romance, fighting against evil, and the trope of missing memories.
Does that sound familiar? Because these are the main themes you can find in both Sailor Moon and Princess Tutu, another anime to discover for fans of Sailor Moon.
Ahiru is a duckling transformed into a human girl by the mysterious writer Drosselmeyer, tasked with recovering the lost fragments of a handsome prince’s heart.
Thanks to her powers Ahiru can transform into the beautiful ballerina Princess Tutu, with the power to heal the hearts of others with her beautiful dance.
8. Shugo Chara!
Shugo Chara! is a popular majokko series that surely won’t disappoint fans of Sailor Moon.
Both series feature colorful transformations, cute moments, and a similar love story based on the duality between the characters’ normal lives and their superhero identities, like Usagi and Tuxedo Mask.
The main character Amu is a strong and popular elementary school girl who would like to make new friends. But she can’t due to her inability to bring out her true character.
One night she expresses a prayer to be more honest with herself and others, and in the morning finds 3 eggs in her bed.
These contain mysterious little beings that can change Amu’s character through magic and can make her become feisty, thoughtful, or sweet and messy.
7. Revolutionary Girl Utena
Revolutionary Girl Utena is, like Sailor Moon, one of the staples of shojo anime with a strong female protagonist with the addition of magic and romance in the themes and genres of the plot. Both also have a stylish and colorful aesthetic that you’ll love.
But at the same time we must specify that Utena is not a majokko, which is a key element of Sailor Moon. For this reason we can’t rank it too high, but it still remains one of the best choices in this list.
This iconic ’90s romance anime tells the story of Utena Tenjou, a 15-year-old girl who refuses to be confined by society’s expectations of femininity.
But when Utena discovers that her Rose Ring, given to her by a prince who saved her as a child, holds great power, her life takes a fantastical turn.
She enters a world of magic and duels, fighting to save Anthy Himemiya, the Rose Bride, from a group of Duelists battling for her ownership.
As Utena’s determination to prove herself as a prince leads her to take on the Duelists, she and Anthy’s relationship evolves from close friends to chosen family and eventually to a romance that will tug at your heartstrings.
6. Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne
Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne is a majokko anime clearly inspired by Sailor Moon, so you should give it a watch.
Both feature a blonde protagonist who is a normal girl until she gains the power to transform, which changes her life completely.
Another shared theme is the romance with a boy who also aids her in her missions, much like Usagi and Tuxedo Mask.
The protagonist, Maron Kusakabe, may seem like a cheerful and sunny 16-year-old girl, but she is actually the reincarnation of Joan of Arc.
By night, she transforms into the phantom thief Kaito Jeanne, aided by the half-angel Fin Fish. Together, they work to steal paintings containing dangerous demons and seal them away for good.
5. Tokyo Mew Mew
Tokyo Mew Mew is another majokko anime that takes great inspiration from Sailor Moon, so it can’t be missing from your watchlist.
Like Sailor Moon, it has a story based on a group of high school girls who become heroines by transforming to defeat evil, with the addition of romance elements and colorful, pink vibes that you’ll love.
Ichigo is a girl who, after much anticipation, finally manages to get a date with the most handsome boy in her school.
But it’s during this date that she is chosen to become a cat-warrior with the purpose of protecting the Earth, along with her four companions!
4. Magic Knight Rayearth
Magic Knight Rayearth is another iconic majokko anime from the ’90s like Sailor Moon, and it’s clear that these two series have influenced each other.
Both have perfect vintage vibes and are based on girls transforming to defeat evil, so it’s quite a safe shot.
Magic Knight Rayearth is also, in our opinion, one of the majokko anime that a true fan should know, as it goes beyond by adding unconventional themes for the genre to the mix, such as mecha, isekai, and even more.
The story follows the journey of three girls, Hikaru, Umi, and Fu, who are transported to the fantasy world of Cefiro during a school trip to Tokyo Tower.
The world is in peril and they are tasked with saving it as Magic Knights, using their newfound magical powers.
The girls form a magical guild and fight against the evil High Priest Zagato to rescue Princess Emeraude, the key to victory.
3. Pretty Cure
Pretty Cure is another majokko series animated by Toei Animation like Sailor Moon, and indeed the similarities are almost uncanny.
Both are based on girls who transform to defeat evil with the same plot devices, like the villain of the week, and they have similar colorful and fashion vibes.
We also specify that the one we recommend is only the first season of one of the longest-running majokko anime ever (20 current seasons, with the 21st coming out soon), and we recommend watching them all if you enjoy it.
The protagonists are Nagisa Misumi, cheerful and a sports ace, and Honoka Yukishiro, shy and excellent in her studies.
The two have never spoken to each other until the fateful encounter with Mepple and Mipple, two fairies who reveal to the girls that they are warriors tasked with protecting the world from the evil King Jaaku.
2. Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura is a magical girl anime that we simply believe can’t be missing from your collection if you are a fan of Sailor Moon.
Like Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura focuses on magical girls, romance, and comedy with 2 incredibly similar plots, as in Sailor Moon the goal is to find the crystals to save the world, while in Cardcaptor Sakura it’s the lost cards.
It’s indeed quite clear that Cardcaptor Sakura also took enormous inspiration from Sailor Moon.
The story follows Sakura, a young girl who accidentally releases a book of magical cards, which grants her magical powers.
As she sets out to retrieve the lost cards, she discovers new magical abilities and forms close bonds with those around her.
1. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
The top spot couldn’t go to anyone other than Puella Magi Madoka Magica, one of the majokko anime that like Sailor Moon has indelibly influenced this genre.
This is an anime that as always we recommend watching and not only if you’re a fan of Sailor Moon, because it’s one of the most interesting anime ever created.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a 2011 anime produced by Shaft and Aniplex and a masterpiece that brought freshness into the classic Majokko.
That’s because even though the first scenes make it look like a normal fantasy anime, you will soon realize that’s only appearance.
The slice-of-life setting and the cute characters won’t last long, and soon the story will take a dark and drama-filled turn.
Madoka will understand that she isn’t living in a fairy tale and that terrible sacrifices are necessary to fight the terrible Witches.
