I’ve fallen for sugary sweet romance! And couples who genuinely care about their relationship. It’s refreshing to see this happen in shojo manga. The list of romantic manga also includes some action-fantasy stories that caught my attention last year.
All of them are ongoing series, but different from your usual romantic manga. These are not will-they-won’t-they stories. The endgame is not about falling in love or becoming a couple or getting married. These feature a different flavor of romance and that makes them stronger for it.
5. Blooming Love by Daichi Kawada
A college-age romance featuring a couple of artists. In Blooming Love, we have one who aspires to attend art school, and the other crafts traditional Japanese drums, intending to take over their family business. Shintara and Kyoko are in a first-time real relationship and figuring out how it all works.
The romance is sweet and fulfilling, even if it plays up a few cliffhangers, like when they have to stay overnight together (gasp) at a traditional Japanese inn. Both pretend to be chill about it but are terribly nervous on the inside. You think something dramatic would happen, but the end result is even better. Nothing happens! We just see two people who click, enjoying their time together. They discover how much they like each other with each date and each milestone in their relationship, from the first date to their first New Year together.
4. You and I are Polar Opposites by Kocha Agasawa
This one is something special. Although You and I are Polar Opposites is a high school romance it features a loveable cast of characters who you might think wouldn’t suit each other. Do opposites attract? Or is this just about listening and learning about each other as they grow as a couple?
There is a girl with crippling anxiety, but she has a beautiful love story in this manga. The boy she likes is a little oblivious, but he notices her, waits for her, and listens to her. He finds her small actions and attention adorable.
However, the main couple is more of a classic opposites-attract, featuring Suzhiki, a girl who is loud and energetic and Tani who is the boy she falls for. He is quiet and contemplative. When she overexpresses and he underexpresses, how will they learn to know each other?
And if two couples weren’t t enough in one story, then there is a boy who overthinks every little moment. He keeps spending time with a carefree girl. Will their time together make them grow? Will they fall in love? You get to experience all of these wonderful, different relationships in this romantic manga.
3. Magical Girl Tsubame by Mapollo 3
Don’t let this cutesy manga fool you. Magical Girl Tsubame is a magical girl story with dark edges. Tsubame is devoted to her best friends Koko and Rui, even to the point she would not save the world, but would rather save her friends! She is not your typical magical girl, but she fights the monstrous Notions anyway. The mystery of this world revolves around the notions. Who are they? Where do the magical girls come from? Are they created in a laboratory? The girls’ emotions, fears, and flaws drive the story into some heartbreaking moments.
Koko has disappeared, but Tsubame and Rui have joined forces to fight the Notions and protect those they care about. The story subtitle shouts “I will not save the world”, but of course, she is kinda saving the world.
I have no clue where the story is going as the author throws curves at us and hints about the larger world, revealing it moment by moment.
This is a story that will put friendship and love to the test. It is not a traditional romance, as it begins with a trio of friends. This story is worth your time! Plus the art! The magical girls have hearts in their eyes (and some of the notions have had their hearts broken! What can this mean?)
2. A Sign of Affection by Suu Morishita
This is not a story about opposites. A Sign of Affection is a love story about being complimentary. They complement each other. She is deaf and navigates a different world than him and everyone else. He is a traveler, who constantly seeks new places and excels at learning new languages.
So, when they meet each other, their worlds change for the better. He discovers a new world right under his now and soon learns some sign language so they can talk. It’s such a small gesture, but so meaningful. Especially since her parents struggle with sign language. This is another college-age couple and it’s very sweet how they get to know each other better, in small heartfelt romantic moments. The anime just started airing, so if you prefer to watch this lovely, fluffy shojo anime, then you have that option.
- Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu
Not only a high-school romance, Dandadan features ghostly monsters and epic alien battles. At the heart are the two main characters Okarun and Momo, who are slowly, slowly crushing on each other. This is a slow story of learning about each other and coming to realize how you’ll fight a giant monster to save someone dear to you.
The storytelling of Dandadan is fantastic all around, and the art blows your mind as you realize it is drawn weekly! You quickly become involved in this bizarre world with new weirdness around every corner. Familiar ghost stories and alien encounters are made more powerful as the characters come to life on the page. They are shown in all their messy heartbreaking and uplifting glory, from the girl who is under a curse, or the alien who arrives unable to speak our language. You must check this out!
Momo and Okarun.
The awkward couple.
They’re just a couple of kids.
But I love the heck out of them!
Most of these manga are available for free right now if you’re using the MangaPlus app, or the MangaPlus Shueisha website linked here. Viz Media is releasing the Dandadan manga in print and I hope they consider the others. A Sign of Affection is from Kodansha Comics, and they have a free preview on their website.
And there you have it, my top 5 romantic manga stories with lovely couples to fall in love with. I hope they’ll warm your heart, wow you with action scenes, and give you some lovely slow-burn affection to enjoy. Laugh or cry, these are my favorites.
Best of all, now, I’ve given you a reason to come enjoy Dandadan Mondays with the rest of us. And if these stories don’t work, maybe try these romantic webtoons, or maybe there’s a magical girl out there to save you from heartbreak too!