Let's look at a slightly unconventional bit of old-school shojo, one that's better known for its animated adaptations than the original source.
UNICO, by Osamu Tezuka. First published in 1976 and first published in North America in 2012.
PLOT:
In the days of the old Greek gods, there was a lovely little unicorn named Unico. He was the beloved pet of the princess Psyche, whose beauty and gentle nature has caused Cupid himself to fall for her. Enraged by this betrayal but unable to lash out at Psyche directly, she decides to hurt Psyche by taking away Unico. Venus commands the west wind to steal him away, erase his memories, and take him as far away in time and space as possible so that he cannot make friends. Yet everywhere Unico goes, he finds others in need of his power and his friendship in order to find their own happiness.
