Anatomy of a Shoujo Manga

Shōjo, shojo or shoujo (少女) is a Japanese word originally derived from a Chinese expression written with the same characters.The Chinese characters (少 and 女) literally mean young/little and woman respectively. In Japanese, these kanji refer specifically to a young woman approximately 7–18 years old. Shōjo can often be translated with the English word girl.

Shoujo Manga's target market are female audience. Story focuses on strong human and romantic relationships and emotions.

Honestly when I was a bit younger, I am a big fan of shoujo and it never fails to make my heart skip a beat.
And as a long time reader of shoujo manga, there are lots of similarities in one manga to another.

Here are list of the common character, event, etc in a shoujo manga (I'm still a fan):

1. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL ENCOUNTER

= Main protagonist (usually a girl) late in the first day of school and hurriedly running down the streets. Then bumps into a stranger,got irritated and turned out to be her classmate (worst=seatmate)


2. TWO OF THE MOST POPULAR BOYS IN SCHOOL
=Two most popular hearthrob have interest in a simple/wallflower girl.
=The personality of the two are totally opposite: one is calm, stoic, intelligent and the other is loud and a troublemaker


3. FOR THE LOVE OF CHOCOLATE

=Protagonist and other female characters are busy making chocolates for Valentine's Day
=It is also a time for love confession after school or during breaktime, usually happens in the rooftop or school's backyard.
=And also during White Day (a month after valentines, March 14) it's the boys' time to give back.

4.SHOE LOCKER
=It is a common scenario in manga because Japanese have indoor shoes, shoe locker are also the channel of giving love notes for confession.


5. SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS/ EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
=If it is in beach resort/ seaside, fanservices or ward robe malfunctions happen, and don't forget drowning of the main protagonist and compete rescuing her (2 boys).
=In the mountains, main protagonist happens to lost the group ,fall into a pit or cliff, broke her ankle, and can't move (looks like it's time to rescue her first, to win her heart).


6. THICKHEADED, CLUELESS AND CLUMSY FEMALE PROTAGONIST

=Maybe, Japanese find it cute for a girl who doesn't know how to cook (has trouble making bento for the 2 guys), clumsily trips off even when there's nothing blocks her way,
and most importantly, she doesn't have an idea that the 2 guys like her (all except her, even if it's obvious).


7. THE TRANSFER STUDENT
=Always attracted to female protagonist, and forms jealousy and love triangle.


8. MUTUAL SECRET

=The main protagonist have secret and the boy figures it out then ended up begging not to reveal her secret in exchange of something.




9. PRYING SOLVES PROBLEM
=Though it is rude to indulge yourself in someone's problem, main protagonist tends to pry and ironically solves it. It is also making them closer and establish trust.


10. FAMILY PROBLEMS
= Main protagonist doesn't have complete family. Either mother or father is deceased, grand parents/ close relatives took care of them.