History of Japanese Animation for Girls

Since the release of Sally the Witch back in 1966, the ‘magical girl’ (maho shojo) has become one of the most popular types of Japanese anime. Featuring different variations of heroines wielding magic powers and often leading double lives, the genre has come a long way over its 60-year history – enough so that the Yokohama Doll Museum is dedicating an entire exhibition to exploring its imagery and social impact.

Recapping the evolution of the ‘magical girl’ over the decades, the show zooms in on aspects such as magic, transformation and heroism while displaying around 100 dolls, toys and other items related to various girls’ anime series. You’ll also be able to admire art such as original illustrations by manga artist Akemi Takada, whose characters have appeared in series including Creamy Mami and Urusei Yatsura.

On your way out, make sure to stop by the gift shop to browse a selection of exclusive Doll Museum and Creamy Mami merchandise.