My Playground Darling excels at so many things. It appeals to all types of manga fans and consistently delivers laughter and love. This modern romance manga has a satisfyingly straightforward plot: Wakana Gojo, a high school student, is learning how to make hina dolls from his grandfather. He has no friends, and his sole interest is Hina dolls. When his sewing machine breaks, he has to borrow one from his school. Marin Kitagawa, the most popular and beautiful girl in his class, has been using the crafts room to try (and fail) to make her own cosplay.

Kitagawa's obsession, which she is proud of, has an impact on Gojo. She notices his talent for tailoring and begs him to make her cosplay costumes. From here, romance blossoms. The way My Dress-Up Darling leans so heavily on awkward comedy is what makes it such a runaway romance manga success. Gojo is the most innocent, sweet, and pure boy you're ever likely to meet in the manga. Kitagawa, on the other hand, is confident, and unhindered, but also naive in her own way. The most wholesome aspect of this romance manga, however, is the way it celebrates hobbies and passions, regardless of gender. Kitagawa loves freely, and she teaches Gojo to do the same.

Author: Shinichi Fukuda

Original run: January 19, 2018 – present
Volumes: 11

Status: Ongoing

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Despite its unusual title, which immediately conjures up images of isekai, Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible is the most wholesome and endearing romantic comedy manga you'll ever read. This is the story of Shiraichi, a boy who is used to going through life without anyone paying much attention to him.

In fact, he's unconcerned about it. One classmate, however, notices him: the titular Kubo. She's charming, attentive, inquisitive, and witty. Kubo wants Shiraichi to be more noticeable, so she challenges him to do things that will draw attention to him. The comedy in this romance manga begins with Kubo teasing Shiraichi about how socially unremarkable he is and convincing him to do things like stand on his chair in the middle of class.

However, it soon becomes clear that Kubo has a crush on the oblivious Shiraishi. She spends more time with him both in and out of school, hoping that he will notice her and enjoy her company (which he does). Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible's mood and tone are all about wholesomeness and sweetness, bolstered by some fantastically animated art, particularly in the facial department. This is a romance manga you don't want to miss out on because it alternates between being hilarious and wholesome.

Author: Nene Yukimori

Original run: October 24, 2019 – March 2, 2023
Volumes: 12

Status: Completed

Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Kubo-Wont-Let-Invisible-Vol/dp/1974729680

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Kaguya-sama: Love is War (known in Japanese as Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Ren'ai Zunsen) is another hugely popular comedy-romance manga (and anime). This is a comedy-romance manga that focuses on comedy, with romance serving as a goal rather than a daily occurrence.

Kaguya-sama follows the daily lives of the titular Kaguya Shinomiya, vice president of the student council, and council president Miyuki Shirogane in the student council office of the elite Shuchiin Academy. Kaguya and Miyuki are equally in love, but they are both far too proud to admit it. Each chapter pits the two against each other in elaborate schemes in a beautiful episodic fashion.

These schemes are either an attempt to force the other person to confess their feelings or a ruse to bring them closer together. The plots become increasingly ridiculous and elaborate as the series progresses, with spanners thrown in by supporting characters Chika Fujiwara and Yu Ishigami. Kaguya-comedy sama's is fantastic, with every joke eliciting a burst of laughter. The romance, on the other hand, is always present, floating in the background. After all, love, lust, and affection fuel every plot and scheme.

Kaguya-take sama's on romance manga is really refreshing, upending old tropes and reframing the will-they-won't-they dynamic by transforming the narrative into a wonderful blend of shonen battle manga and slice-of-life comedy manga. Brilliant and heartwarming.

Author: Aka Akasaka

Original run: May 19, 2015 – November 2, 2022
Volumes: 28

Status: Completed

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Wotakoi is a romance manga with a light and funny twist that exists in the same sweet and comedy-focused sphere as Horimiya and Kaguya-sama. Its Japanese name (Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii) is a clever combination of otaku and the Japanese word for love (koi). Wotakoi is a novel romance manga that is refreshing for two reasons. The first is that its protagonists are adult office workers rather than high school students. The second is that they are both closet nerds posing as ordinary and hardworking employees. Narumi, a fujoshi obsessed with Yaoi manga and anime, joins a new company and, in order to succeed, simply needs to keep her hobby a secret.

However, she quickly meets and falls in love with Hirotaku, a video game-obsessed otaku who works in the same office as her. This central premise provides many laughs and sweet moments, but it also highlights the difficulties of love and romance for otaku, as the title implies. This is explored in a surprising variety of ways, all of which contribute to the series' overall interest.

Author: Fujita

Original run: April 17, 2014 – July 16, 2021
Volumes11

Status: Completed

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Although it was originally published in Monthly Shonen Magazine, Noragami (Stray God) is still a popular romance manga, albeit with a few more fantasy and isekai elements. Noragami follows Hiyori Iki, a middle schooler who meets an unfortunate fate involving a bus. Hiyori is in the unique position of being aware of and able to interact with two other worlds, known as the Near Shore and Far Shore, as a result of the accident.

Yato, the titular Stray God, is a kami without a shrine. Yato wishes to establish himself as a god, while Hiyori wishes to have her human body repaired. As a result, they embark on a long and fantastical journey together. Noragami checks many boxes. It appeals to fans of fantasy and isekai manga while also appealing to shounen and shoujo fans. Because of this, it's an all-around crowd-pleaser and a great romance manga.

Author: Adachitoka

Original runDecember 6, 2010 – present
Volumes26 + 2 extra

Status: Ongoing

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The Demon Prince of Momochi House (Momochi-san Chi no Ayakashi Ouji) is a Japanese Shinto folklore-inspired supernatural romance manga. Himari Momochi, an orphan with no name, is the protagonist of the story. She inherits the Momochi family estate on her 16th birthday, despite being warned that it is said to be haunted. Himari, on the other hand, has no choice but to go there.

When she arrives, the stories are confirmed. The Momochi house existed on the border between the human and spirit worlds. Aoi, a young man who entered the mansion as a boy and unwittingly became its spirit guardian, has already moved in. His human identity has been largely erased, and he now takes the form of a Nue yokai (but sexy).

Aoi's role as Momochi house guardian was originally intended for Himari, and it is more of a curse than a gift. Himari agrees to live in the mansion with Aoi and to find a way to break the curse, allowing Aoi to leave the mansion and return to his old life.

Author: Aya Shouoto

Original run: July 24, 2013 – August 24, 2019
Volumes: 16

Status: Completed

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Consider this one a bit of a gamble. Anyone who has read A Girl on the Shore may not consider it a romance manga, which is partially correct. It's a little more complicated than that. However, if you enjoy stories that are rocky, troubled, lustful, and angry, you'll enjoy this manga.

Inio Asano, best known for his philosophical coming-of-age series Goodnight Punpun, has written this manga in a single volume. A Girl on the Shore (Umibe no Onnanoko) is set in a nowhere seaside town and follows Koume and Isobe's angry, lust-and-hate-fueled romance. These are two bored and horny teenagers looking for entertainment and fulfillment. While this is not a sweet and warm romance manga, it is a very real-life story for many teenagers around the world. Koume and Isobe are angry and resentful teenagers who relieve each other's tensions through intense and taboo sexual encounters.

As the manga progresses, their story becomes more complicated, with the lines between lust and love becoming increasingly blurred. This is a difficult manga to read. It is filled with raw, explicit depictions of sex, and the characters are very angry, very unlikeable, but also very human and vulnerable. A Girl on the Shore is either a romance manga or not (depending on who you ask), but it is unquestionably a masterpiece.

Author: Inio Asano

Original run: July 7, 2009 – January 7, 2013
Volumes: 2

Status: Completed

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Skip and Loafer is a burgeoning romance manga with charm pouring from every pore. The protagonist has a wide-eyed sweetness as well as a goofiness, which is highlighted by her unusual appearance. Iwakura is drawn differently than the other characters on the roster, with a more minimalist and blank expression reminiscent of Mob Psycho 100. It's endearing that even her face makes you laugh (but not in a cruel or mocking way). Then there's the emphasis on friendship rather than romance.

Shima, the other protagonist, is a charming himbo who every girl adores, and he has chosen to befriend Iwakura on her first day of school. After growing up in the country, this is her first day in Tokyo. A lot goes wrong, and Shima is there to help (though he's not very good at it). This is a romance manga that combines the slice-of-life and rom-com genres to create something funny, warm, and entertaining. The excellent English translation carries the comedy and charm of the original into every line and page, and a growing cast of characters keeps us engaged chapter after chapter.

Author: Misaki Takamatsu
Original run: August 25, 2018 – present
Volumes: 8
Status: Ongoing
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What people commonly refer to as a "love triangle" is actually one person attempting to choose between two others. If you're looking for a true love triangle, you should read My Love Mix-Up!. This silly and charming romance manga about high school kids crushing on each other is proud of its silliness and charm. Aoki and Ida are two boys, and Hashimoto is a girl. Aoki likes Hashimoto, but he quickly realizes that she is more interested in Ida. Ida comes to believe that Aoki, not Hashimoto, likes him due to a clumsy misunderstanding. He's never had a crush on anyone before, but he's open to the possibility that he's gay.

As a result, he develops a strong attachment to Aoki, whom he still believes has a crush on him. So now Aoki is crushing Hashimoto, who is crushing Ida, who is now crushing Aoki. That's a classic love triangle. Twists and turns occur frequently as this fun dynamic progresses, and you get to enjoy these sweet archetypical characters (especially the adorable Himbo Aoki).

The wholesome nature of this romance manga means that the stakes are low while the humor is high. My Love Mix-Up! is the romance manga for you if you prefer your love stories to be sweet and charming rather than heartbreaking, soap opera-esque drama.

Author: Wataru Hinekure
Original run: June 13, 2019 – June 13, 2022
Volumes: 9
Status: Completed
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/My-Love-Mix-Up%2521-9-book-series/dp/B09HRXKSWC Buy now

While Orange is a romance manga (and it most certainly is), it is also much more. Consider this a spoiler alert: Orange deals with some heavy topics, such as mental health and suicide. Orange crosses many genres, including romance, slice-of-life, and even the supernatural. It's also a short manga that comes in two oversized volumes that you can devour in a weekend. Orange is thus a satisfyingly complete and focused manga experience.

Orange follows a group of friends, the main character of whom is high schooler Naho Takamiya. Naho receives a letter from someone claiming to be her future self at the start of a new school year. Future Naho expresses her deepest regret for failing to save the life of a young boy named Kakeru Naruse.

The letter arrived on this particular day because it coincides with Kakeru's return to Matsumoto from his previous life in Tokyo. Kakeru quickly integrates into Naho's circle of friends, becoming the group's sixth member. The letter Naho received contains a detailed list of instructions on how to save Kakeru's life. Every day, Naho must decide whether or not to trust and follow these instructions. Meanwhile, Naho is married to Hiroto in the future, and you are occasionally transported into their lives as they reminisce about their high school days ten years ago, and about their now-deceased friend Kakeru.

Author: Ichigo Takano

Original run: March 13, 2012 – April 12, 2022
Volumes: 7

Status: Completed

Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/orange-manga/s?k=orange+manga

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Horimiya is a charming and wholesome romance manga that was originally written and drawn by Hiroki Adachi (Hero) before being adapted and redrawn by Daisuke Hagiwara. Horimiya is also the subject of a hugely popular romance anime adaptation, which has proven to be a truly outstanding adaptation of the original manga source material. The Horimiya manga follows the blossoming romance of high school students Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura.

She is a well-liked honor student with a secret home life full of responsibility and raising her adorable little brother. He's an introverted, almost imperceptible, middle-of-the-road student with a secret private life as a tattooed and pierced himbo. Horimiya is one of the most well-known romance manga series ever created. The fact that its two protagonists are so well developed has contributed to its phenomenal success. Their personal dramas, issues, dreams, and daily lives are fleshed out and given full attention.

Add romance to the mix, and you've got two characters who not only care about each other but whose romance is a joy to watch unfold. In contrast to the majority of romance manga, their romance moves forward at a refreshingly quick and smooth pace. Horimiya is a comedy-romance manga, but the comedy serves to keep the story light rather than make the reader laugh out loud. Come for the romance, but stay for the laughs.

Author: Hero
Original run: February 2007 – December 22, 2011
Volumes: 10
Status: Completed
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While Io Sakisaka's most well-known manga is Ao Haru Ride, her newer work, Love Me, Love Me Not, is refreshingly different among shojo romance manga. Love Me, Love Me Not stands out for its use of her iconic bubbly, soft, and (at this point) retro style, but with more believable and grounded problems and personalities. Yuna and Akari are the main characters. When they meet, they have both said goodbye to a best friend who has moved away and are about to start high school together.

Yuna is a romantic with her head in the clouds who believes in waiting for her perfect true love. Akari, on the other hand, "meets love head-on." She exudes confidence and a zest for life. The shy, quiet romantic versus the flirtatious and inquisitive realist The creator of this romance manga has stated unequivocally that neither is right or wrong, which is why they share the spotlight as protagonists.

Yuna also has a childhood friend, Inui, whom Akari thinks would be ideal for Yuna. Akari is dumped by her long-distance boyfriend early on, and rumors of her flirtatious nature begin to circulate. The drama in this show is genuine, relatable, and at times difficult.

However, the fact that it is drawn in a cute and muted '90s style adds a comforting warmth to this romance manga, as does Yuna's sweet, if childish, romanticism. But this is a shojo manga about female friendships as much as it is about love and romance. The relationship between Yuna and Akari is the most important and interesting in the manga. They grow and learn from each other, which is what makes this manga stand out in a sea of cookie-cutter romance stories.

Author: Io Sakisaka
Original run: June 13, 2015 – May 13, 2019
Volumes: 12
Status: Completed
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Me-Not-Vol/dp/1974713091 Buy now