Shoujo has many conventions we see day in and day out across all stories. Of course that's what makes them Shoujo but sometimes it also makes them predictable. For this post I'm listing the ones I believe to be the most common.
Enjoy!
For these lists I have only put on manga/anime that are least a season long or are not oneshots and have more than ten chapters. There is also a limit to the amount of pictures I can put in one post and so have two example pictures and then a small list following.
1.
The Love Rival
Whether it’s a love triangle or not
there just always happens to be a love rival. A character we might love or hate
as they cause a bit of turbulence. More often than not they have a superiority
complex over the main character (or are at least is superior in terms of looks,
smarts and wealth ~ our heroine shall win with her personality though). Also
more often than not they are sneaky, playing pranks or trying to gain affection
by sly means.
The love rival doesn’t even have to be
in battle with the main character, they are in rival with the partner just as
much.
2.
Girl Envy
I’ve had this type of experience once
but it was nowhere as intense as it is in shoujo. By god is it really like
that? Surprisingly (actually not) it’s uncommon with the males. There are
warnings, circling, murmurings, shoes in trash, bitching in toilets, pushing
and even water. It’s very rare that the male cast will be this aggressive.
Girls get their claws out so easily (rawr) but it’s also because they’re
usually all fawning over the one male because he’s the so-called prince or
whatever.
This is just plain bullying, sometimes
it offers comedy in a shoujo but seriously, don’t do it.
3.
Tsundere Moment
Many times at least one of the main
characters has a ‘hard’ or ‘cool’ side; one of the necessities for a tsundere.
A cold character, an ‘ice queen’ or a smooth boy. And then they blush a little…
and omIGOD ITS SO CUTE.
4.
Cute Jealousy
This can also be a tsundere moment but
bit it’s more specific as to the actions; and despite being cute it can
sometimes come off as menacing.
5.
Strong for the one You Love
So a lot of shoujo lovers can go youkai
(if they are not already) when they feel their partner has been mistreated. And
it’s lovely. Especially when it’s the usual brute force and threat. Although
quiet scenes are also quite nice.
6.
The Almost Kiss
That part we love and hate. It often
leaves me gritting our teeth and glaring like Mikasa when something bad happens
to Eren. Seriously. I love it and yet it makes me want TO RIP MY LAPTOP APART.
Ahem, it’s sometimes frustrating.
[sorry there is currently no photo for #7, there were a few issues including an argument with my computer and iPad. Some examples would include Ouran High Host Club, Takane to Hana and Kamisama Hajimemashita]
7.
The Beauty
There is often, more than not, some sort
of transformation or beautification within shoujo. It offers a moment for one
to blush and sometimes even induces possessiveness. Of course it doesn't mean that they are ugly but sometimes theres just that little moment that stuns the other parties.
8.
Sexual Innuendo
It may be shoujo but that doesn’t mean
its G rated. I can’t really think of a shoujo that hadn’t got a sexual comment…
yeah, no.
9.
The Kiss
Well… duh.
10.
The Confession
Whether rejected or not, there is a love
confession. Some of them differ but they all have the same principles.
Of course they aren’t the only things
that often happen in Shoujo but they’re kind of my top 10. A little list of
other things that often happen:
The
nosy/outgoing/friendly mother:
Izatura Na Kiss, Horimiya, Mikakunin De Shinkoukei
Acceptance
of the love rival/becomes friends:
Fruits Basket, Hirunaka No Ryuusei, Kimi Ni Todoke, Suki Tte Ie Na Yo, Mikakunin
De Shinkoukei, Ookami-Heika No Hanayome
They start out as a bitter enemy but
somehow they draw a line and seem to get along. There may be a few mean lines
or a few punches thrown but in the end it’s a budding friendship and it stops
us from wanting the other character to die… or maybe that’s just me.
Comedy: all of them. Really. Like, a list is not needed.
Comedy seems to be quite an important
part in Shoujo, well in any manga really. It’s common and it helps exaggerate
moments and provide a laugh.
Dangerous
moments: Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji,
Dengeki Daisy, Orange Marmalade, A Thousand Year Ninetails, Oresama Teacher,
Remei No Arcana, Akatsuki No Yona, Nanohana No Kare, Vampire Knight
I guess these moments are important for
one or the other to show off their saviour skills. Shoujo is not a danger free
zone (especially when we talk about mental safety. Some of those dirty jokes
are more Josei… and Ecchi...). From getting smacked across the face, hit in the
back of the head, confronted by guy/s that are complete perverts or being in
the ‘push outta the way and gets hit themselves’ situation; they’re all there.
Friend’s
jealousy/disapproval: Hiyokoi, Pochamani
This doesn’t necessarily mean that the
friend is jealous of just the romance but can also be when they are afraid that
their friend is going to be taken away and they are going to be left alone or
that they don’t think the other party is good enough.
Displeasure
with cup size: Faster Than a Kiss, Gakuen
Alice, ½ Prince
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