What Is a Female Shonen Called?

If you’ve been reading manga or watching anime for a while, you’ve probably heard the term shonen a million times. It’s the label used for stories like Naruto, One Piece, My Hero Academia, or even the chaotic and hilarious Dandadan. These series are full of action, friendship, and personal growth, the kind of stories that get your blood pumping.

But here’s a question that always pops up among fans: What do you call a female shonen? Is there even such a thing as “shonen for girls”? Let’s talk about what these labels really mean, how they came to be, and why the lines between them are blurrier than you might think.

First, What Does “Shonen” Actually Mean?

Before answering the main question, it helps to understand what shonen really is. The word “shonen” (少年) in Japanese literally means “boy” or “young man.” In manga publishing, shonen refers to stories targeted primarily at teenage boys, usually between the ages of 12 and 18.

That doesn’t mean only boys read them — far from it. In fact, shonen manga has some of the most diverse fanbases out there. Think about series like Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, or Dandadan — tons of female readers are huge fans.

The main characteristics of a shonen manga usually include:

A young male protagonist (often starting from humble beginnings)
Themes of friendship, competition, and self-improvement
Action-packed storylines with humor and emotional depth
A focus on adventure, teamwork, and perseverance

Basically, shonen manga is all about growth — both physical and emotional.

So, What Is a Female Shonen Called?

Technically, there isn’t a “female version” of shonen, because the term itself is based on target demographic, not gender of the main character. But if you’re asking about stories aimed at a female audience, then the counterpart is called “shojo” (少女), which literally means “young girl.”

Shojo manga is typically aimed at teenage girls, focusing more on emotional relationships, character development, and personal connections. But don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s all romance — shojo can be action-packed, deep, and just as exciting as any shonen story.

Some examples of iconic shojo manga include:

Fruits Basket
Sailor Moon
Yona of the Dawn
Nana
Cardcaptor Sakura

So, to answer the question simply: a “female shonen” isn’t really a thing — the equivalent demographic term is “shojo.”

But What About Shonen Stories With Female Leads?

Now this is where it gets interesting. Many modern manga blur the lines between genres. There are plenty of shonen manga written for boys that have female protagonists or strong female perspectives.

Take The Promised Neverland, for example. Emma is a female lead, but the manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump — a magazine known for boy-oriented series. Similarly, Dandadan features both male and female leads who share equal narrative weight. Momo Ayase, the main heroine, is smart, brave, and emotionally grounded, making her just as important as Okarun, her male counterpart.

That balance of action, humor, and emotion shows how shonen has evolved. It’s not just about “boys’ stories” anymore — it’s about universal storytelling that resonates with everyone.

Why Fans Get Confused About These Labels

The confusion usually comes from how manga genres are marketed. When people say “female shonen,” they often mean action manga with a female main character or series that appeal to both male and female readers.

But since shonen and shojo are based on audience demographics (not character gender or story type), those labels don’t always fit perfectly.

Here’s an easy way to think about it:

Shonen = published for young boys, but anyone can enjoy it.
Shojo = published for young girls, but anyone can enjoy it.

Both can have romance, action, comedy, or dark themes. The real difference lies in tone and focus. Shonen often highlights external conflict (fights, challenges, goals), while shojo leans more on internal growth and emotional depth — though the two often overlap.

The Rise of Gender-Neutral Storytelling

In recent years, manga culture has started moving beyond those strict boundaries. Many creators and fans don’t care whether something is “shonen” or “shojo” — they just want a great story.

For example, Dandadan perfectly blends action, comedy, romance, and supernatural elements without caring about audience labels. It’s serialized in Shonen Jump+, but it appeals to a massive range of readers regardless of gender.

You can actually read Dandadan manga online at read Dandadan Online, and you’ll immediately see why fans love it so much — it’s the perfect example of how modern manga breaks down genre expectations.

Other Categories You Might Hear About

If you’ve been exploring manga more deeply, you’ve probably come across other terms like seinen and josei. These are also demographic categories, but for older audiences:

Seinen (青年) – Targeted at adult men, often with more mature, complex themes. Examples: Berserk, Tokyo Ghoul:re, Vinland Saga.
Josei (女性) – Targeted at adult women, often dealing with realistic romance, work life, and emotional struggles. Examples: Nana, Paradise Kiss, Honey and Clover.

So if you ever hear someone say “female shonen,” they might actually be referring to shojo or josei, depending on the story’s tone and target audience.

Why These Labels Don’t Define What You Can Enjoy

At the end of the day, these terms are just marketing categories used by publishers. What really matters is whether the story connects with you. There are plenty of readers who love shonen for its excitement and shojo for its emotional storytelling, and vice versa.

A great example is how Dandadan captures both worlds. It’s packed with thrilling supernatural fights, but it also gives you heartfelt, funny, and deeply human moments between its characters. It’s a reminder that great storytelling doesn’t have to fit neatly into one box.

So, what is a female shonen called? Technically, there isn’t a direct female equivalent, the term shojo comes closest, but even that’s just a demographic label.

The truth is, modern manga doesn’t care much about those old boundaries anymore. Whether a story stars a boy, a girl, or an alien-ghost hybrid like in Dandadan, what really matters is the heart behind it, the passion, creativity, and emotional connection it builds with readers.

So next time someone asks about “female shonen,” you can smile and say: It’s not about gender. It’s about great stories — and anyone can enjoy them.