I'm looking for a long series, lets say 8 or more volumes, preferably something completely scanlated or at least active As far as plot... I don't really have anything specific in mind. I'd just like to stay away from anything episodic or repetitive. I don't like action manga, love action animes but I prefer character development to ass kicking (even if that ass kicking is character development...) Some form of romance would be good, weather it's in the background (like ES) or the whole plot (Love Catalogue, Cipher). Instead of rambling on here I'll make a list XD

+ 8+ volumes, preferably completely available or actively scanlated
+ no action or episodic tiles
+ romance of some form (please none of those "Maybe I'm not good enough for him" heroines)
+ mystery (can be anything from characters withholding secret pasts to actual mysteries needing to be solved, just something to keep me wondering)

I think that's it!

Ashita no Ousama - it's a little shorter than you requested but still fits the rest of your resuirements
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e and Koukou Debut are good but I doubt you don't know them
you can also try Power!!, Saruyama! and W Juliet
hope I helped ;] have fun reading!

How about Tantei Gakuen Q? I dunno about the romance part, though. There are hints, but no more than that.
Spiral: Bonds of Reasoning has everything you're looking for; but be warned- the romance is really mild.
Vampire Juujikai is quite mysterious and 9 volumes long. The romance is not an 'active' part of the story, but it's there.

@iriaa9 Thanks but I read those Ashita no Ousama was especially good. It's funny though, now that I think on it it seemed longer than it was.

@catstine also Thanks, those I haven't read so I'll be sure to check those out.

More suggestions are welcome.

Historie---more to do with strategy than action. a little bit of action though

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First thing that comes to mind would be Superior. (9 Volumes and ongoing sequel)
It says action in the genre tags but there's only little fighting going on.
(I know theres no real mystery in this series but you'll keep wondering how things'll work out in the end.)
Also you might wanna try Mars. (15 Volumes, complete)
When I read it for the second (or third) time I found it dragged a bit, but I remember reading it the first time in one go.
I'm still unsure about your fourth point (if it's something to keep you wondering about what happens next, isn't that kind of a requirement for a good read?)
Might look for some more manga out of my reading list if you liked those two.

You might also wanna try:
Marmalade Boy (not too long though)
Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou (didn't finish it yet though)
The Bride of the Water God (didn't finish it yet, it's a bit cliché but I don't consider it repetetive as of yet)
Nazo no Kanojo X (there's no secret past thing in here but some mysterious aspects)
Id (didn't finish it yet, but I definately recommend it if you're looking for a mysterious past that'll keep you wondering)

Last edited by 0sirt at 4:55 am, Mar 23 2010

I've read Mars but I'll check out Superior. To clarify my fourth point I simply mean that the entire plot isn't laid out, like in Mars for example we're left to wonder what happened to Kira and the details of Rei and his brother, things are hinted at but you have to keep reading to piece together the whole puzzle, As opposed to a linear progression that starts at point A and goes straight through to point Z if that makes sense. It doesn't necessarily have to be 'mystery' in the classic sense, but I'd like something where details are withheld in an effort to continuously draw you in.

ETA: if it's something to keep you wondering about what happens next, isn't that kind of a requirement for a good read?

I missed this the first time I read your comment Take Ashita no Ousama we watch the lead character grow into her role as a screenplay writer, and while we don't know how things are going to work out for her everything about the story is a straight forward progression. I suppose what I mean is a sort of secretive past... but without the cliche XD. An example that just came to mind is Fruits Basket or Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles.

Last edited by dyingatmidnight at 6:42 pm, Mar 22 2010

Beck, it's very long but definitely not dragging. It is really epic I have to say but romance is only a side story, it's more about the characters accomplishing their dreams. It is probably my favorite shounen.
Ps: it is one of those shounen titles that appeals to both boys and girls.

I read pluto recently, not much romance in it though.
eden has romance action and mystery(a bit?)

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Feed your head.

20th Century Boys - it's in "Action" category, but there's definitely more mystery (a lot of mysteries) than action here. Lots of interesting characters. Quite long (22 volumes + 2 volumes sequel), but definitely not dragged out.
I'm currently reading it, and so far it's the best manga I've ever read. Of course, I strongly reccomend it
There's not much romance, though.

Kodomo no Omocha is probably a good choice. And also Kare Kano.

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I read so much mangas, I'm too lazy to watch anime!

Manga I'm loving ATM: Heart no Kuni no Alice

Basara - an epic adventure/romance shoujo, definitely worth checking out
7 Seeds - by the same author as the previous work, might look a bit episodic since there's arcs where the mangaka moves from one group to another, but they all connect
Crimson Hero - sports/romance, 17 volumes and still ongoing
Saver - while this does lean toward the action/fantasy side, romance is still a big chunk of it
Destination Heaven Chronicles - might appear a bit episodic at first but launches into the main plot pretty quickly