Hi, so I've recently ran out of mangas to read. I'm in the mood for simple, slice of life, breezy, sweet (or bittersweet) school life (doesn't really have to be) shoujo romances. I can't really explain well but the tone that I am looking for I mostly found in the works of these mangakas: Yuuki Obata, Ikuemi Ryou, Sahara Mizu (Nanairo Sekai! The Glasses Thief!), Matsumoto Tomo, and yeah. So it could be angsty, or it could be pretty carefree but it can't be supremely over-the-top-too-crazy-it-doesn't-make-sense-anymore (although maybe you guys would think that the mangakas I mentioned earlier create stories that are exactly like that, I don't know?).

I wouldn't want to read fantasy or anything tragic. If there's comedy then that's good but it can't be too gag-y (like for example I love Ouran but right now I can't stand reading it, it's too funny and the manga is just so busy!). A simple love story that tugs at your heart strings and makes your heart go doki doki. Length isn't an issue. It would be completely awesome if it's already completed but it really doesn't matter if it isn't (as long as there are a good number of chapters/volumes out).

So yeah, something like Love Catalog or Kimi no Todoke or Lovely Complex or Cat Street would be great too. Art has to be pretty simple, something that would relax the eyes and not make it too hard to focus because of abuse of screen tone or something. I'm asking for too much, yes? I'm being too picky. Ahh. Well. So yeah something sweet. I have my lists on public so that could help? But I haven't updated it for a long time and right now some mangas need to get their ratings changed, heh.

Sorry, english isn't my first language so ask me if there's anything that you did not understand. I'm kinda scared that no one would reply to this now.

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I also go by amatsu.

Beauty is the beast
I really loved this one. O:

Honey and Clover!! ♥♥♥
It's actually josei. The first few episodes (or chapters if you choose to read the manga instead) serve as introductions, so you might be thinking: What exactly is the plot? But it is so touching and real... Definitely recommended for those who are facing that transition into adult-hood (college, etc...)

Kuragehime
Another josei but with a shoujo-esque feel. The manga scanlations are starting to catch up with where the anime stops/breaks off...

Fruits Basket is a very touching manga... angsty and funny when needed. You'll need a tissue box around the last third of the story...

Shuukatsu!! - Kimi ni Naitei is a favorite of mine. Simple, breezy... I like the sempai a whole lot!! Yuru Koi (by the same mangaka) is a sweet one too (like: awwww... such a soft romance).

Ai Hime - Ai to Himegoto is very soft...
24 Colors was a very interesting take on romance between dedicated art students...

Although these don't fit the school life romances... I think you may enjoy one-shots by NAKAMURA Asumiko like I am a Piano and Perfect World (NAKAMURA Asumiko). Her story's tone has a similar feel to that of YUMEKA Sumomo (aka SAHARA Mizu).

I also liked ANDO Yuki's scanlated one-shots... Akai Michi and Matryoshka were enjoyable.

Oh! I also enjoy reading Shiawase Kissa Sanchoume... it's a light-hearted one.

Last edited by hobbitelf518 at 6:32 pm, Apr 6 2011

Thanks ForteAtrox! I've already read BitB (I loved it!) though. I should read her other mangas. I don't know what I'm doing not reading them when it seems like the others are scanlated already.

Oh that's a great list hobbitelf518! I know I started on Honey and Clover sometime before but never really finished it, I've heard great reviews and I like the manga's style so I'm definitely going to get back on it. I've read some of the other works you listed (Shuukatsu!! - Kimi ni Naitei, Yuru Koi, Furuba, Matryoshka) and I'm definitely checking out the others that I haven't.

Anyway, I actually don't mind josei or seinen, so long as there's sweet pure love involved (or something). I shouldn't have typed just shoujo.

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I also go by amatsu.

My Matsumoto Tomo's favorite is Kiss but the ending is kind of rushed.

Yeah... definitely needs more descriptions of what you are exactly looking for or less, you'll get some random manga that you can't even finish the first chapter, dear

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Help! I'm looking for... manga with dangerous guys http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=39874&pa ge=1#post594033

Thanks Cliff! I'll check that out.

Okay, I'll try to be more specific. I want to read a love story that is simple, maybe something that has unrequited love, both characters has to be well rounded and there can't be too much drama and our-love-can't-be scenarios involved. It has to have that feel of Japan (this is my view ofc), I don't know how to explain it, it just reminds me of konbinis, small communities with houses close to each other and the shops are just outside the houses (I don't know what I'm talking about), high school hallways, summer festivals, yukatas, etc. Dialog has to be simple, I would want to read something too text heavy and so full of small texts and stuff that you can't really read. So I'm not really setting limits but it would be great if the heroine is a sweet kind girl, she could be smart, she could be stupid, but she can't be shallow, she has to be real and relatable. No super sparkly eyes please. I have a thing for nice, collected, calm heroes. The manga could focus on the development of the relationship and the characters. So yeah, slow moving romances are okay. Well rounded supporting characters are a plus. I'm still being vague, am I?

So how about this too, something like Suki Kirai Suki where the characters both like each other and both are not together yet because of misunderstandings brought by their personalities. Like the girl really likes the boy but because the boy is kind of an ass and can't really express himself the girl never had the right time to confess because she thinks he doesn't like her. And also the girl is too nice so sometimes her stupid naivete causes misunderstanding for them too, like giving the toy the boy gave you to somebody else that likes the boy. What a stupid story but that really tugs my heart, simple kids that just can't do it right but of course in the end the misunderstandings are no more.

Also something like Love Catalog, where the relationship is a first for at least one of the characters. First love and all that, something like Hatsukare.

Or something like Cousin or I love her or Oishii Kankei unrequited love for someone older/mature or someone that is out of your league. The protagonist could end up with her/his unrequited love or maybe someone else.

Yup, I am horrible. I should have made a thread for each scenario at least. Well all I'm saying is I would want a light (meaning no one important dies, no castles, no magic, no illnesses) romance where characters grow up and stuff. I'm probably contradicting myself somewhere in my posts but I hope someone still helps me. What am I talking about all I'm looking for I guess is slice of life, light, quality romances.

Here are some of those mangas that fit some of what I want right now (at the top of my head):

My Hero
Koukou Debut
Sumire Wa Blue
[m]Ashita Ousama[/m]
Kimi Wa Pet
other works by Ikuemi Ryou and [a]Yuuki Obata[/a] (except Bokura Ga Ita, too sad)


Last edited by kebi at 10:19 pm, Apr 6 2011

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I also go by amatsu.

Maybe Eensy Weensy Monster? It's really cute and there are some cute misunderstandings, but no over-bearing drama and the jealous classmates are dealt in a very unique way...

Aishiteruze Baby
Baby Love
Bokura wa Itsumo
Chihayafuru
Junai Labyrinth
Love Berrish
Love So Life
Mimi wo Sumaseba and its sequel, Mimi wo Sumaseba: Shiawase na Jikan
Mind Game
Naisho no Princess
Seishun Kouryaku-bon
Shiroi Mado no Mukougawa
Stardust Wink
Tomodachi no Hanashi
Venus wa Kataomoi
Zig*Zag

If you don't mind one-shots, try these authors:
Aruko
Ashihara Hinako
Midorikawa Yuki
Nishi Keiko
Shimaki Ako
Tanikawa Fumiko
Tsukuba Sakura
Yamamoto Nobuyo

Some of them write other genres as well, which may not be what you're after, so start with the ones tagged "slice of life" or "school life."

Also check out Salad Days; it's a collection of one-shots, some of which are related.

Thanks kureha! I've read most of the mangas in your list except and I love some of the authors you've listed. Ashira Hinako! Yes! Her works are the type that I'm looking for (aww man I'm being vague again). Anyway, thanks for the list!

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I also go by amatsu.

Sweet slice of life shoujo? I really liked Koko ni Iru Yo!, Bus Hashiru and Kokoro ni Hana wo But you've probably read these three before XP

Edit: And don't worry about english not being your first language. Trust me, your english is understandable. Majority of the people here are always willing to help

Last edited by jameh at 6:46 am, Apr 7 2011

I think you're looking for something kind of light-hearted and soft, right?

Shiawase Kissa 3-choume - the romance is REALLY slow (actually, one of the male characters is very aware of his feelings, but he understands that the main female lead is dense and innocent) but there are plenty of adorable moments that make up for it.

Sora Log - and anything by this author, really. All her works are so fluffy and romantic!

Shitsuji-sama no Okiniiri - Very cute! The male lead is very sweet and caring

Strobe Edge - Just recently completed, and the female lead is the cutest thing ever!

Otomen Otomen talks about typical Japanese men, women but in gender reverse context. Meaning the guy is like the perfect Nadeshiko while the woman is like a great samurai. This is easy to read too and the guy is adorable

update:
woopsie... didn't remember lovely complex is already mentioned.

add
Hiyokoi
Orange Chocolate festivals, school, traditional dance
Chizumi & Fujiomi if you don't midn that it's kinda old. Also try anything by that author. Miriam is really good too but the setting isn't in Japan
Alexandrite is a light read too see one of my favorite ladies here. It sets in the U.S. but the story is really fun
NG x baby

if you like Kare Kano or have read it and would like something similar,
try Omake no Kobayashi kun

Last edited by cliff at 6:41 pm, Apr 7 2011

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Help! I'm looking for... manga with dangerous guys http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=39874&pa ge=1#post594033

Kebi mentioned it in the first post.

Let's see...I think I have a sense what you're looking for now.
Fukuyadou Honpo- you said you'd like a feeling of Japan so I had to suggest this.
Narration in Seventeen- not too romantic but it's a relatable unrequited love story.
To Be...- cute and sweet
Saruyama! - another cute one.
Aiiro Shinwa- it fits your misunderstanding scenario .
Gold Rush 21- One of my favorite shoujo slice of life manga.
Momonchi - Not shoujo or romance (perhaps only the slightest hint) but I think it has the right atmosphere you want.



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[Url=http://goo.gl/WMSVJ] k'><u>Looking for... shoujo with a canned peach confession.</u></a><!--url_type_2_end--><BR><!--url_type_2--><a href='<!--Auto_parse_begin--><a target='_blank' rel='nofollow' href='http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc-soundsipa.htm''><u>http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc-soundsipa.htm'</u></a><!--Auto_parse_end--> target='_blank'><u>Don't English Me I'm Panic</u></a><!--url_type_2_end--><BR><!--url_type_4.5--><a href='<!--Auto_parse_begin--><a target='_blank' rel='nofollow' href='http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=3839'><u>Guess'><u>http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=3839'><u>Guess</u></a><!--Auto_parse_end--> the Manga/Anime Name</u></a><!--url_type_4_end--><BR>'Shojo manga has no boundaries, and never did!’ -Shimizu Reiko, Himitsu - Top Secret fanbook interview

Dengeki Daisy and High School Debut are two of my favorite mangas in this category.

Dengeki Daisy is about this high-schooler whose beloved brother dies and leaves her heartbroken, However, before he dies he gives her the number of someone she can text when she needs to talk (this person is called Daisy). Daisy always knows just what to say and is very great and loving.

Fast forward to the present. By some twist of fate, the high school girl ends up working for her slightly sadistic school janitor (the guy's in his mid-twenties) who teases and makes fun of her to no end. Of course, he ends up being Daisy (not a spoiler - you find that out in the first chapter) and it's great watching him play the part of two very different personalities.

High School Debut is great because even though it's premise is some girl who wants a guy to help her get a boyfriend by making her pretty and feminine, it actually ends up being a very be-yourself type manga. Both the girl and the guy are very strong characters, and it's fun watching them fall in love.

I just love the main characters in both of this stories, and the romances, especially in Dengeki Daisy, are really touching as well as fun.

You could also try Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama or Parfait Tic

I've already gotten a lot of suggestions so thanks guys! I'll be sure check all of them out.

@jameh thanks!
@monkeyxbanana yep! I love soft mangas. Thanks!
@cliff I'll be checking out the ones you've suggested.
@waftingwish great list! Thank you.
@unusuallove thank you!

If this means anything, I've already read these:

Bus Hashiru - Loved it! I love anything by the author.
Sora Log - tried it a few days ago but it just wasn't it for me. I don't know, I keep seeing full pages of just the guy's face and he's too pretty and eh. I really like the art though, and the girl. She's interesting. Also her brother has a sister complex no? He's too icky close.
Otomen - ahh! I love this one. I should reread this.
Saruyama - really cute! I should read it again.
Dengeki Daisy - ah! I love this one too. It's been quite a while and I'm not actually updated with the latest chapters, I should check it out again. It's amazing how the mangaka is a guy, right?
High School Debut - I loved it! I love Aozora Yell and Sensei!. I love Kawahara Kazune.
Kaichou Wa Maid Sama - It's been a while since I've read it. I know I liked it the first time.
Parfait Tic - you know a lot of people didn't like this one (length, Fuuko's "indecisevenes") but I actually really love this manga.
Bus Hashiru - Loved it! I love anything by the author.


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I also go by amatsu.