I can’t help but follow a shoujo storyline and get extremely dumbfounded at a character’s actions. Although I understand that if it weren’t for these questionable choices, we may not have a story to digest in the first place.
Whenever I’m reading or watching a shoujo series, I find myself pausing out of frustration and comparing their decisions to what I would have done. And while everyone has their flaws, I think this is a “fun” exercise. It makes you critically think about how your actions have consequences and how they affect you and others.
Here are some of my favorite shoujo anime and manga, some of the biggest mistakes that changed the trajectory of their journeys, and what I would’ve done if I were in their shoes. These are purely my opinions, and I trust you’ll reflect carefully and rationalize your actions if you’re ever in similar situations.
This article may contain spoilers for Peach Girl, Kitchen Princess, Sand Chronicles, Nana, and Yona of the Dawn | TW: Pedophilia, incest, abuse, rape, death, trafficking
Peach Girl
Stop giving Sae attention. Please. I beg.
Definitely one of the most frustrating shoujo manga I have ever read; I had to put this first on the list. I think this article would be too long if I mentioned every detail that enraged me.
But the overall consensus is not to give your enemy the attention they crave.
Sae was despicably jealous of Momo, so she had to ruin every bit of happiness that came her way. So much for a so-called “best friend…”
From manipulating Momo’s boyfriend to practicing kissing her to prepare for kissing Momo, to essentially trafficking her to get “raped” on her birthday and blackmailing her and Toji to break up – there’s just nothing redeemable about Sae. Her devious acts of hell are why the couple kept breaking up (and somehow getting back together). It was toxic.
I know in your adolescent years you’re more naive than experienced, but I guess for Toji it isn’t common sense to trust your girlfriend over her devious “bestie” that she has previously warned you about.
(Momo’s such a strong girl. I really don’t know how she does it.)
Kitchen Princess
Don’t wait for the “perfect timing.” Sometimes it’s now or never.
Najika dreams of two things: becoming a professional pastry chef so people can happily eat her desserts, and finding her “flan prince.”
Her crush, Sora, who would inevitably fall fond of Najika, died while picking ingredients to help her win a competition. He promised Najika he would tell her how he felt once she won. Before passing away at the hospital, Sora was able to speak with Najika one last time. He confessed that he isn’t the flan prince she was looking for.
Najika could only get one question in before Sora flatlined. She was overwhelmed with emotion; her mind was racing, and she had so many unanswered questions.
I remember lying in bed, reading this chapter and reflecting deeply on life: you really do live only once. Sometimes, you only get one chance at an opportunity: whether that’s a dream, a confession, or an apology, before it’s too late. Is there really such a thing as “perfect timing?”
Sand Chronicles
Communicate with your partner…maybe even overcommunicate, if possible.
Long-distance relationships aren’t easy to navigate. But what’s the key to every relationship? Probably communication.
No matter how difficult a conversation is with your partner, I don’t believe in keeping things in. It could eat you alive, which you don’t deserve to go through. And your partner deserves to know the truth.
Fuji takes advantage of Ann and steals a kiss from her, knowing she was still with Daigo. It was not Ann’s fault, and certainly this was a complicated situation. That is why she felt compelled to keep that secret to herself instead of opening up to him, so as not to cause any misunderstanding.
If I were Ann, knowing Daigo is both my lover and childhood best friend with whom I developed a deep, loving relationship, I trust that my partner would understand the predicament I was in. I would tell Daigo immediately, but the guilt ate away at Ann, even when it was not her fault. I wished she didn’t have to go through that alone. (And I never looked at Fuji the same way again.)
Nana
Check on your loved ones (and report the pedophiles!)
I’ve seen many couples keep going, even when things get unbearably toxic. Unfortunately for many, it’s hard to get out of those situations. You may feel helpless and easily manipulated because you love someone so much that you’re blinded to what’s even happening. It’s not an easy task in any way, shape, or form to break away.
For Hachi, we can see she stayed with Takumi for “security” reasons. This is extremely sad because he emotionally abused and raped her. It also takes a lot of courage to open up about what you’re going through behind closed doors.
I can’t provide professional advice, especially on such a difficult and sensitive topic, and I don’t have the authority to. But it’s important to check on your loved ones and make sure they’re okay.
I think one of the most important things a genuine human being can do is protect children. Shin was robbed of his childhood, and it was devastating to read and watch the things he had to do just to get by. It’s imperative that you educate yourself on child protection laws in your country, so as to know what to do should you ever encounter someone in a similar situation.
Yona of the Dawn
Don’t fall in love with your cousin.
I feel as if this is self-explanatory but some people need a reminder (Yona).
Yes, her father (the king) died, but it’s because of Yona’s deep affection and infatuation with her cousin, Soo-Won (the king’s nephew), who killed him, that becomes the bane of her existence and the reason for her growth.
The pretty, privileged princess is now a fugitive learning to navigate hardships.
Figuratively speaking, the man she loved turns her world upside down by piercing the very organ that keeps her alive, committing the ultimate betrayal–heartbreak. This situation sparks her determination to restore justice to the kingdom she grew up in.
Also, Hak exists. There’s no reason to crush on your cousin when your handsome, charming guy best friend is protecting you with his life!
Hypothetically, if Yona wasn’t in love with Soo-Won, who still would have killed her father, I feel like she would immediately seek revenge instead of going through the major stages of grief that come with the murder of your parent by the person you love.
