Shoujo, although the word alone does mean young girl, is also used to refer to a certain genre of comics and animation in Japan. Shoujo tends to focus more on relationships, plot and human emotions, rather than action as shown in shounen (young boy) works.
When did shoujo first come into being?
The first anime series came in 1966. It was called Little Witch Sunny, inspired by a popular American sitcom of the time, Bewitched, after mangaka (comic artist) Mitsuteru Yokoyama drew the story. Other shows followed in the decades to come, and one of the most well known outside of Japan is none other than Sailor Moon. Because of this show, many more fans were born and gave shoujo a bigger hold in the world of anime and manga.
What are some common elements?
Transformations Many shoujo feature "magical girls" or girls who can transform into a magical form of themselves. In doing so they gain special powers and items that they can use against an enemy, or perhaps just for their own benefit.
Pet/Mascot Many shoujo have these in some shape or form. They can be an inanimate item come to life, or perhaps a being from another planet. Or they can just be a cute little animal that doesn't talk, but hangs around the magical girl. For the most part they are around to guide and help her, offer support or just lend an ear when she's feeling down.
Romance/Relationships Since girls tend to be of elementary or middle school age in shoujo, naturally crushes are developed on boys their age or older. It may not be established right away, but it comes into play eventually. Romance brings emotion, drama, and a more "realistic" air to the anime/manga. It is part of what gives it its charm.
Spunk For some reason or another, girls in shoujo tend to be perky, energetic, or are at least spunky. I guess lazy girls never get the adventures? They also tend to be popular or known by a lot of people (and there is a difference).
Cliff Jumper/Faller? I've noticed this in at least two shoujo, so it's bound to be in others. Our main character ends up falling down a steep cliff or equivalent. She could've been chasing something, she could've not known where she was walking, it could be many different things, but with the same result - an injury, or she ends up trapped, or both. The (or one of) possible love interest comes down to rescue her at some point if he didn't fall with her. They discuss various things, and somehow, they bond. This changes their relationship, if only a little, and things take a turn, big or small.
Kids Raising Kids The circumstances may vary; from appearing out of a TV screen to flying in from another planet, be they their own child from the future or simply needing love and care from a much older person. It's not always a picture perfect family, and sometimes they don't "parent" very willingly and find it a pain. Often one of the males in the story end up being the future father of said child, or as a result of working together with the child, they end up developing feelings.
Real quickly, here are summaries of just a few of the many shoujo series you'll find out there. I chose the lesser known variety (^_^)
Dream Crayon Kingdom/Crayon Kingdom of Dreams
Princess Silver lives with her parents in a kingdom where the subjects consist of animals, foods, and crayons. Sound weird? Just wait. One day a prince (Prince Cloud) comes, and Silver is smitten with him, thinking him ideal. He is all but what she dreamed of however, and ends up turning her parents to stone. The series focuses on Silver traveling the land, looking for someone to turn her parents to normal.
Hime-chan no Ribbon
Himeko is a tomboy who longs to be like a her sister; more feminine, good at cooking and cleaning, the kind of girl guys go for. And one guy in particular. One night a visitor comes to her window, a girl who looks strikingly like Himeko. Her name is Erika, and she comes from the Magic World. In the Magic World, everyone has a lookalike on earth. Erika is there because she is a Princess, and must earn her right to the throne by inventing something useful and using her "twin" as a test dummy for a whole year. This invention is a magic ribbon that allows the user to transform into any non-fictional, living person on earth. While reluctant at first, Himeko soon discovers she can transform into her sister, and enthusiastically agrees to help. To guide her during this year, Erika brings Pokota, Himeko's treasured stuffed lion, to life. But Himeko is a spontanious person who seldom thinks things through before she acts, getting her into all kinds of situations. Will she last? If someone finds out about Erika and the ribbon, her memory will be wiped clean and will forget all about what happened! Will Erika lose her throne? And what of Daichi, the school's resident bad boy who loves to tease her and cause problems?
