Best Romance Manga Recommendations

Aka Akasaka (Story), Mengo Yokoyari (Art)

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Drama, Romance, Seinen

"Idols lie to give their fans dreams." Goro, an obstetrician in a quiet countryside town, has one true obsession—Ai Hoshino, a charismatic 16-year-old idol and center of the rising group B-Komachi. Adored for her beauty and mysterious charm, Ai has taken the nation by storm. But one day, Ai appears before Goro with a shocking secret—she’s pregnant and seeks his help for a confidential birth. That fateful encounter sends Goro’s life spinning out of control… and the story soon shifts to the dazzling world of show business, where fame glitters and shadows loom large. Ai’s children, Aqua and Ruby, grow up harboring hidden truths and emotional scars. As they step into the harsh world of entertainment, they each chase their place under the spotlight—confronting betrayal, ambition, and heartbreak. Behind the glamour lies a web of lies and truths. And at the heart of it all, a chilling mystery unfolds—a tale of love, fame, and a calculated revenge sparked by a single tragic event. Oshi no Ko is a gripping drama where devotion, deception, and destiny collide in the name of "idol worship."

Misaki Takamatsu

Drama, Ongoing Series, Romance, School, Slice of Life

Skip and Loafer is a heartwarming coming-of-age story featuring Mitsumi Iwakura, an earnest and straightforward girl raised in a rural town in Ishikawa Prefecture. Upon graduating middle school, Mitsumi moves to Tokyo with ambitious dreams, enrolling at the prestigious Tsubame-Nishi High School as the top of her class. However, reality hits hard on the first day when she encounters urban challenges like crowded commuter trains and getting lost on her way to school. Amid this early struggle between expectation and reality, she is helped by Sousuke Shima, a charming and cheerful classmate. While Mitsumi excels academically, she struggles socially with urban norms, often misreading situations or making charmingly awkward mistakes. Yet her sincerity and natural charm gradually endear her to classmates, leading to meaningful friendships with a vibrant group of peers. As time passes, Mitsumi navigates universal teenage experiences—first loves, decisions about the future, and anxiety about growing up—developing steadily into her authentic self. This uplifting school-life comedy warmly portrays a country girl’s determination to thrive in a big city, highlighting irreplaceable friendships and the joy of everyday growth.

Mitsuru Adachi

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Romance, Shonen, Sports

Touch is a coming-of-age baseball manga by Mitsuru Adachi, set at Meisei High School. The story revolves around twin brothers Tatsuya and Kazuya Uesugi, along with their childhood friend Minami Asakura. Kazuya is the golden boy—athletically gifted, academically successful, and well-liked by everyone. In contrast, Tatsuya grows up in his brother's shadow, often seen as lazy or unmotivated. However, deep down, he harbors a quiet passion for both baseball and Minami. Kazuya, determined and diligent, works hard with Minami to achieve their shared dream of reaching the Koshien, Japan’s prestigious high school baseball tournament. He rises as the team’s ace pitcher and symbol of hope. However, a tragic turn of events changes everything, propelling Tatsuya into the spotlight. He must confront his own feelings, potential, and the expectations placed on him. Touch is regarded as a legendary romantic sports manga that helped spark the nationwide boom in high school baseball fandom. With its heartfelt story, subtle emotional drama, and timeless love triangle, it remains a classic in Japanese manga history.

Soichiro Yamamoto

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Romance, School, Shonen

Teasing Master Takagi-san is a heartwarming and humorous school-life romantic comedy set in a middle school. The story centers around Takagi, a clever and playful girl, and Nishikata, the boy who sits next to her. Every day, Takagi expertly teases Nishikata, who vows to get back at her and make her blush instead. But no matter how hard he tries, his plans are always seen through and effortlessly countered. Despite constant defeat, Nishikata never gives up, determined to one day catch Takagi off guard. The series beautifully captures the innocent awkwardness and pure emotions unique to adolescence, highlighting the playful exchanges, subtle glances, and growing feelings between the two. Through their charming and funny "teasing battles," the story depicts a slow but endearing romance that unfolds in their everyday lives. Fans are especially drawn to the moments when Takagi’s teasing reveals her true affection for Nishikata, making this a sweet and relatable tale of young love.

Hachi Nishika

Drama, Ongoing Series, Romance, Seinen, historical

In the spring of 1936 (Showa 11), 20-year-old Natsumi Sekiya is suddenly informed by her father that her marriage has been arranged. She accepts an engagement with Takimasa Ebata, a lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Navy. However, on her wedding day, Takimasa is absent due to naval training, and Natsumi ends up having her wedding ceremony with just a photograph of him. When Takimasa finally returns after his military exercises, their first meeting is awkward. Despite feeling unsure about her quiet, reserved husband, Natsumi earnestly strives to support him as a wife. Neither experienced in household chores nor familiar with married life, the couple gradually grows closer, navigating their awkwardness and building trust. Due to Takimasa’s frequent long-term deployments at sea, Natsumi feels lonely but communicates her feelings through letters, strengthening their bond with every reunion. Amid occasional misunderstandings, jealousy, and interactions with family and friends, the two steadily mature as a couple. Set against the backdrop of pre-war Japan, this gentle, warm-hearted story portrays the pure and slightly frustrating romance of a newlywed couple, capturing their everyday life as softly as the ocean breeze.

Mizuki Kawashita

Comedy, Completed Series, Ecchi, Harem, Romance

Strawberry 100% is a romantic comedy manga centered around Junpei Manaka, a junior high school third-year student who dreams of becoming a film director. The story begins dramatically when Junpei encounters a mysterious, beautiful girl wearing strawberry-patterned panties on the school rooftop after class. Instantly captivated by her, he uses a notebook she left behind as a clue to search for her identity. Soon, however, Junpei finds himself surrounded by multiple charming girls, creating complicated romantic entanglements. Initially believing the rooftop girl to be Tsukasa Nishino, the school's most popular girl, Junpei confesses and they begin dating. In reality, the girl he met on the rooftop is Aya Toujou, the owner of the notebook and someone who genuinely understands and supports his filmmaking dreams. Adding further complexity to Junpei’s high school life are other vibrant characters, including the energetic and assertive Satsuki Kitaoji and the uniquely charming Yui Minamito. Their interactions and budding romances paint Junpei’s youth in vivid colors.

Negi Haruba

Completed Series, Harem, Romance, Shonen

The Quintessential Quintuplets is a romantic comedy manga centering around Fuutarou Uesugi, a top-performing yet financially struggling high school student. One day, he receives an offer for a highly-paid tutoring job. However, his students turn out to be his classmates—five beautiful identical quintuplets: Ichika, Nino, Miku, Yotsuba, and Itsuki Nakano. The quintuplets are all extremely poor students on the verge of failing, and initially, they are resistant and problematic. Yet, through sincere effort, Fuutarou gradually wins their trust. The story begins on Fuutarou's wedding day, creating an intriguing mystery: "Which of the quintuplets will he marry?" The narrative unfolds through flashbacks of their high school days, carefully illustrating each quintuplet's unique personality, individual struggles, family bonds, and deepening emotional connections with Fuutarou. Eventually, all five sisters develop romantic feelings for him, sparking a heartwarming yet dramatic romantic rivalry.

Soichiro Yamamoto (Original), Mifumi Inaba (Art)

Comedy, Romance, Shonen, Slice of Life

Karakai Jozu no (Moto) Takagi-san is a spin-off that picks up after the events of Karakai Jozu no Takagi-san, following the beloved characters Takagi and Nishikata into their married life. Now a married couple with a young daughter named Chi, the story depicts their cheerful and affectionate daily life as a family. Set several years after the original series, Takagi—now a mother—is still as skilled at teasing as ever. She continues to lovingly outwit her husband Nishikata, who is now a middle school P.E. teacher. Their relationship remains as sweet and full of humor as it was in their school days, filled with blushing reactions and playful banter. Their daughter Chi has inherited both her mother’s charm and a bit of her mischievous streak. Much of the story revolves around the heartwarming and often hilarious “teasing battles” among the family, as well as everyday moments that showcase their deep familial bonds. The series beautifully illustrates how the innocent teasing from their youth has naturally evolved into a warm family dynamic, where little joys and the ordinary become something special. As a slice-of-life family comedy, Karakai Jozu no (Moto) Takagi-san resonates with readers through its depiction of enduring love, gentle parenting, and the joys of family life.

Kenichi Okuyama

Drama, Ongoing Series, Romance, Shonen, Slice of Life

One Night Morning is an omnibus-style romance manga that focuses on the fleeting, emotionally charged moments that unfold the morning after a one-night encounter between a man and a woman. Each chapter tells a standalone story featuring different characters, capturing the subtle emotional shifts, awkward silences, and sometimes unspoken hopes that linger in the quiet hours after the night has passed. The relationships between the characters vary—ex-lovers, coworkers, total strangers, or people caught somewhere between friends and lovers. While each story starts at the end of a night together, it is the morning after that takes center stage: the brief window where decisions are made, truths are felt, and lives may subtly shift. Some characters find courage, others feel longing or regret, but all share a few meaningful hours that may change their paths forever. Whether it's the awkwardness of unfamiliarity or the bittersweet nostalgia of something almost rekindled, the manga delicately portrays these "special mornings" with emotional depth and a cinematic stillness. It’s a quiet yet powerful exploration of intimacy, vulnerability, and the small miracles that happen after the night fades and a new day begins. This adult-oriented human drama captures the realism of modern relationships—highlighting how ordinary people wrestle with love, loneliness, and connection in just a few precious morning moments.

Kotori Inokuma

Comedy, Completed Series, Drama, Romance, Seinen

Yuka Akagi is a 37-year-old temp worker who's always been relatively attractive and never had trouble finding men—but somehow, she's still single. Thinking casually, "Maybe it's time I got married," she dives headfirst into the ruthless battlefield known as modern dating. Yuka tries everything: singles parties, dating apps, matchmaking services—but quickly discovers the path to marriage is tougher than expected. Her high expectations for looks and salary become obstacles, and her tendency to look down on others often backfires spectacularly. After a series of failed attempts, Yuka meets Aoshima, a coworker and veteran of the dating scene with eight years of battle scars. A quirky friendship blooms, alongside encounters with distinctive characters like the earnest yet unassuming Uchida and her former flame, Takashi. Funny, honest, and painfully relatable, Konkatsu Battlefield 37 captures the trials, laughs, and heartbreaks of navigating romance in your late thirties—offering humor, empathy, and encouragement to anyone who's ever braved the front lines of dating.

Gosho Aoyama

Anime Adaptation, Mystery, Ongoing Series, Romance, Shonen

Detective Conan follows the story of Shinichi Kudo, a brilliant high school detective who witnesses a secret deal involving a mysterious organization known as the "Black Organization." Captured and forced to ingest a poison, his body shrinks, transforming him into a child. To hide his identity, Shinichi adopts the alias "Conan Edogawa" and lives with his childhood friend Ran Mori and her father, detective Kogoro Mori, all while solving complex criminal cases using his extraordinary deduction skills. As Conan seeks a way to return to his original body and uncover the true nature of the Black Organization, he faces numerous dangerous plots with help from allies and informants. The storyline skillfully intertwines everyday crime-solving, intense confrontations with the organization, and Conan’s bittersweet relationship with Ran. With characters who know Conan’s true identity and others like Ai Haibara, who also escaped the organization's grip, Detective Conan delivers suspense, deep human drama, and intricate mysteries in a long-running detective series beloved around the world.

Naoshi Komi

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, Shonen

Nisekoi is a romantic comedy manga centered around Raku Ichijou, the heir to a prominent Yakuza family, and Chitoge Kirisaki, the daughter of a rival gangster group. To prevent a war between their families, the two pretend to be dating, creating a fake romantic relationship. Although each already has their own genuine romantic interests, they must keep this fact hidden from everyone around them while maintaining their charade throughout their school life. The story revolves around a mysterious childhood promise involving a "lock and key," prompting Raku to seek the true identity of the girl he promised himself to. As Chitoge, his childhood friend Kosaki Onodera, and other heroines become entangled in his life, complex romantic developments, friendships, and family bonds unfold.

Kouji Seo

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, School, Shonen

Suzuka is a classic youth romance story that blends love comedy with track and field, created by Kouji Seo. The story follows Yamato Akitsuki, a teenager from Hiroshima who moves to Tokyo alone in search of a more exciting life as he enters high school. He begins his new chapter living in Asahiyu, a women-only dorm and public bathhouse run by his aunt. One day, while visiting his new high school, Yamato is captivated at first sight by a beautiful and aloof girl named Suzuka Asahina, who is practicing pole vaulting as part of the school’s track and field team. In a twist of fate, Suzuka ends up living in the room next to Yamato at Asahiyu, and the two start attending the same high school. Although they often clash due to their personalities, their relationship gradually deepens through shared experiences and misunderstandings. The story skillfully portrays the emotional ups and downs of two awkward and emotionally inexpressive teens, highlighting themes of first love, personal growth, and the bittersweet moments of adolescence. With moments of heart-pounding romance, youthful sparkle, and the sometimes harsh reality of life, Suzuka delivers a heartfelt, tear-jerking, and laughter-filled love story over the course of 18 volumes.

Kouji Seo

Comedy, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, Seinen

The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses is a romantic comedy set in Familia, an old seaside café left behind by the protagonist's late grandmother. The story follows Hayato Kasukabe, a brilliant student who passed the entrance exam to the University of Tokyo. After a falling out with his grandmother, he returns to his hometown for the first time in three years—only to learn of her passing. His original plan is to tear down the café and turn the property into a parking lot. However, to his surprise, five beautiful and eccentric young women are already living there, claiming to be his grandmother’s “family.” Each of these girls carries personal baggage or painful memories and was taken in by the grandmother, who gave them a home and purpose at Familia. At first, Hayato constantly clashes with them, but as he learns more about their stories and the kindness of his late grandmother, he decides to reopen and rebuild the café. From running the business and dealing with rival cafés to navigating romantic entanglements among the five heroines, Hayato and the girls develop a deep, almost familial bond as they face daily chaos and heartfelt moments together. Blending cheeky humor, pop culture parodies, romantic tension, and touching themes of found family, The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses is a vibrant, feel-good story filled with laughs, charm, and just the right amount of spice.

Yūki Kanamaru

Anime Adaptation, Ecchi, Ongoing Series, Romance, School

More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers is a romantic comedy manga about the growth and romance of a boy and girl forced to live as a “married couple” through a high school class called Marriage Practical Training. Jirō Yakuin, an introverted high school student, is paired with Akari Watanabe, a flashy, extroverted gyaru, for their school’s long-standing tradition of “Marriage Practical Training” at Seishun Academy. Jirō had hoped to be paired with his first crush, Shiori Sakurazaka, while Akari has feelings for the handsome Minami Tenjin. Both of them aim to swap partners using the school’s rule that allows top-performing pairs to switch. To achieve this, they decide to put on a convincing act as a married couple. At first, their relationship is purely cooperative, based on mutual benefit. But as they complete tasks and share daily life, they begin to see each other’s true selves and slowly open up. Akari is bright and assertive, while Jirō is reserved and introverted—their personalities and interests couldn’t be more different. Yet, despite still wanting to be with their original crushes, the time they spend acting as a married couple leads to personal growth, complex emotions, friendship, and eventually mutual trust. Through school assignments, events, part-time jobs during summer break, and special occasions like Christmas, the two gradually come to realize their true feelings for each other. It’s a story full of the bittersweetness and tension of youth, where love blossoms in the most unexpected circumstances.

Taishi Mori

Drama, Ongoing Series, Romance, Shonen

Asoko de Hataraku Musubu-san is a pure-hearted office romantic comedy set in Shonan Rubber Industries Co., Ltd., a company that manufactures condoms. The protagonist, Gorō Sagami, is a timid yet earnest young sales representative. The woman he secretly admires is Yui “Musubu” Kondō, a science-minded researcher in the development department. Musubu-san devotes herself wholeheartedly to researching and developing condoms, taking great pride in her work, yet she has zero experience in romance. Sagami, too, is shy and reserved, so their relationship progresses at an excruciatingly slow pace—“just 0.01mm at a time.” Through his work, Sagami tries to get closer to her, but given the nature of the company’s product, he often finds himself flustered, battling awkward thoughts, or even being asked for his honest opinions on the product’s feel. Though their mutual attraction is obvious to everyone around them, their pure feelings often lead to clumsy misunderstandings. Business trips and workplace incidents gradually bring them closer, as they carefully nurture their budding romance. The manga also offers a unique peek into the world of product development and the condom industry. Blending workplace romance with the unusual profession of “condom research,” the story warmly depicts everyday life and charming romantic moments. Musubu-san’s innocence and sincerity, paired with Sagami’s earnest kindness, make this an ideal read for fans of wholesome love stories.

Shinpei Funatsu

Comedy, Completed Series, Drama, Romance, School, Seinen

Todai Revengers follows Michitake Itei, a graduate from the prestigious University of Tokyo ("Toudai") who, despite his elite education, lives a dull, part-time-worker lifestyle. After learning that Yuuki Hayase—his former classmate and unrequited love—has married a man from rival university Keio, Michitake is so devastated he dies in an accident. After his death, Michitake encounters an angel named Yariel and wins the "Life Do-Over Satisfaction Plan," allowing him to time-leap seven years into the past, right after starting his life at Toudai. Determined to rewrite his university years and save Yuuki, Michitake embraces his second chance. Back at Toudai, he encounters quirky classmates and becomes entangled with the mysterious club known as the "Toudai Manji Gang." Using his passion and pride for his university, Michitake navigates through various comedic scenarios, relatable college dilemmas, exam-based humor, and youthful challenges. Packed with laughter and parodying the original manga Tokyo Revengers, this manga is a relatable and humorous take on getting a second chance at youth and university life.