As the title suggests, an action anime centers on plots where the main character must defeat an opponent, usually by force. This takes many forms, from outright brawling to subtle manipulation. Most anime falls into this category, from pseudohistorical "Samurai Champloo" to the jazzy, noire-style "Cowboy Bebop." Many action animes incorporate robots. This type of anime belongs to a subcategory of action called mecha, and is often considered a genre all its own. The "Transformers," "Gundam" and "Evangelion" franchises are well-known examples in Western countries.
The science fiction and horror genre is a backdrop for stories involving supernatural circumstances or characters. It can also be a disguised commentary about contemporary issues in society, as with "Paranoia Agent." Sometimes the science fiction genre intertwines with action, such as fighting aliens in "Gantz" or using a death god to kill rivals in "Death Note."
Shojo anime is aimed at girls between the ages of 10 and 18, while josei anime is aimed at women college age and up. Romance and drama usually take precedence over action or gore. The magical girl anime is a subcategory of this genre in Japan, featuring school-age girls who use their powers to save the world. Another shojo subcategory called boys' love or yaoi features men, who are often the entire cast of characters, in homosexual romances. Although it highlights men, the stories are aimed at women and the plots are often laden with angst.
A slice-of-life anime focuses on the drama found in everyday situations and family life. Many of these shows take place at school or a university, even though the target audience may not be school-age children. "Honey and Clover" follows the love triangle between three art students, and was based on a manga aimed at women in their 20s. Occasionally a slice-of-life anime will transform over a few episodes into a different genre, or meld with another genre.