There are several genres within manga and anime (such as sci-fi, adventure, romance, comedy, etc.), and series are often made and marketed towards specific target audiences.
- Kodomo Series: These are aimed at young children and are characterized by their cute and simple stories. Examples include Doraemon, Hamtaro, and Pokémon.
- Shōnen Series: Targeted towards boys, shōnen series typically feature a lot of superpowers and battles. Examples include Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Demon Slayer.
- Shōjo Series: Geared towards girls, shōjo series focus more on relationships and magical elements. Examples include Fruits Basket, Ouran High School Host Club, and Sailor Moon.
- Seinen Series: Aimed at young men, seinen series often deal with similar themes as shōnen series, but their plots are more “mature.” Examples include Gundam, Dorohedoro, and Berserk.
- Josei Series: Targeted at young women, josei series are more mature and realistic compared to shōjo manga aimed at young girls. Examples include Honey and Clover, Paradise Kiss, and Nana.
These “target audiences” may not necessarily reflect the actual readership of the series. Rather, they describe the content of the series and also the publishing platform. When a reader picks up a shōnen manga, for example, they expect a certain type of content that is different from what they might expect from a shōjo manga.
