If there’s one anime genre where girls can shine as strong, capable protagonists, it’s the realm of magical girls. Here, even the youngest heroines can save the world with kindhearted determination and the power of friendship! More mature shows will work with struggles like overcoming grief, fighting against a prescribed fate, or maintaining hope in a hopeless situation.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at our Top 10 Female Leads in Magical Girl Anime, covering over 40 years of anime history and every flavor of subgenre from magical girl classic to surrealist deconstruction. Transform into your frilliest costume and join us!

This article was written for Honey’s Anime, so please read it on their site.