Romance Manga 101
Where to start with manga when you’re absolutely obsessed with romance novels
By: Leah Thakur
I’d like to share perhaps my most significant canon event: discovering anime as a preteen by staying up far too late watching Cartoon Network.
As a young gal, my heart was stolen by a white-haired, half-dog demon/half-human named Inuyasha (so sorry Sesshōmaru lovers!), and from there a fascination with the art form blossomed. While I watched anime on and off throughout those preteen and teenage years, it wasn’t until adulthood, as I was rediscovering my love for reading, that I also began reading manga. Since 2021, I have been enthralled with this storytelling and art form; so much so that I began a social media presence to talk about it. And now I own over 1,300 manga volumes and more merch than I care to truly explain to you.
What is manga?
Manga is an umbrella term for Japanese comics and graphic novels. They are typically printed in black and white, with a couple exceptions (including one on this list!), and are read from right to left rather than left to right, to stay true to the Japanese written language. These stories are typically serialized in magazines before a few chapters at a time are collected into physical volumes and published. The stories can be as short as single volumes or series well over 30 volumes. While the stories themselves fall into different genres and subgenres, the magazines, such as Dessert, PASH, and Shonen Jump, are also categorized by demographic, simply as a marketing tool. These demographics are broken into: Shonen (boys aged 12-18), Seinen (men aged 18+), Shoujo (girls aged 12-18), and Josei (women aged 18+).
Your Starter Pack:
So let’s get into it! As someone who consumes both novels and manga at similar rates, I get asked often where to start with reading manga. So here are my suggestions by subgenre to help you begin your manga journey!
Workplace Romance:
Wotakoi by Fujita
The nerdy (and super hot) gamer boy and the BL (Boys Love/MM romance) manga-obsessed girl find love in this relationship of convenience that turns into much more with an incredible cast of side characters.
The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl by Miyuki Tonogaya
The descendent of an ice spirit with absolutely adorable snow powers gets a huge crush on his coworker (huge as in he causes accidental blizzards whenever he sees her)…but she’s absolutely oblivious.
High-School Romance:
A Condition Called Love by Megumi Morino
This story is the type to turn an entire genre on its head as Hotaru and Hananoi discover what it really means to fall in love with someone and to be loved back—flaws, baggage, and all.
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity by Saka Mikami
A Romeo and Juliet-inspired romance between a delinquent from the all-boys school and the, perhaps too sweet, girl from the all-girls school across the street.
College Romance:
Choking On Love by Keiko Iwashita
Hibari just wants to go to school, become a graphic designer, and find pride in herself and her work. But that all changes when she meets Gaku, the (insanely hot) guitarist of a local band, who also attends her school, and turns her world upside down.
A Sign of Affection by Suu Morishita
Yuki, a deaf college student, finds love suddenly and unexpectedly in Itsuomi, a boy with wanderlust so grand, the only thing bigger might be his love for Yuki.
Historical Romance:
Yona of the Dawn by Mizuho Kusanagi
A sweeping story of a princess who flees her kingdom after witnessing a gruesome murder with her friend (wink wink) and bodyguard. They embark on an adventure through the kingdom in search of the Dragon Warriors as Yona rises into her own powers.
My Happy Marriage Written by Akumi Agitogi and Illustrated by RIto Kohsaka
Set in Taisho-era Japan, this Cinderella-inspired romance with magic and spirits follows Miyo as she is cast from her family home and forced to marry a man who ends up being more than she could ever imagine.
Romantasy:
Kamisama Kiss by Julietta Suzuki
A classic series about a high-school girl who becomes a god unexpectedly. When she goes to make the shrine her new home, she gets caught up in the (insanely hot and incredibly grumpy) fox spirit who also resides there.
Hi, I’m A Witch, and My Crush Wants Me to Make a Love Potion Written by Eiko Mutsuhana and Illustrated by Kamada
Exactly as the title suggests, local witch and hermit Rose has to make a love potion for her crush, Sir Harij from the palace. But who is the love potion really for?
BL (Boys Love):
Sasaki and Miyano by Shō Harusono
A love story that will make you giggle and kick your feet nonstop! Miyano, obsessed with BL manga himself, is shocked when older student Sasaki is interested in him. But Miyano has to figure out his own sexuality and how to navigate this young love.
What would you do if you were a virgin who turned 30 and gained the power to read people’s minds overnight, only to find out the hottest guy in your office has the biggest crush on you? But you don’t even know if you’re queer (even though you’ve noticed his hotness since the day you met him).
Therapy Game by Meguru Hinohara
One night with a devastatingly gorgeous man ignites a journey in Minato to understand his sexuality and begin a romance with Shizuma that will lead them both to truly understand themselves and what love really is.
GL (Girls Love):
The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t A Guy At All by Sumiko Arai
Nicknamed “the green yuri” for its bright green covers and pages inside, this story follows Aya as she discovers the edgy, rock and roll-loving guy she has a crush on isn’t a guy at all, but the shy girl in her class. This is the story of how they fall in love over music.
I Married My Female Friend by Shio Usui
Two best friends decide to platonically marry each other…until maybe those platonic feelings grow into something more.
Our Teachers Are Dating by Pikachi Ohi
A science teacher and phys ed teacher at the same all-girls school begin dating and their story is both sickly sweet and steamy!
Time to Read!
Manga has brought me so much joy and an incredible community; so I will do anything to get more folks to read it. My hope is that you choose a couple of these stories and find a love and appreciation for them. Remember my DMs are always open to discuss! Whether you happen to pick up a volume physically or use an app to read digitally, I hope you find something that interests you. Happy readin’!