Okies, folks. I never thought the day would come when I would say this, but I'm looking for romance. I think it's probably because I'll be working 480 hours this summer and I really just want to read something different.

I'm looking for a series (please, no hentai, yaoi, yuri—(i.e., nothing that is explicit solely for the sake of BEING EXPLICIT) or ecchi), preferably (semi-intelligent) shoujo or josei that deals with romance. The romance doesn't have to be the main focus of the series. In fact, I'm usually not a romance girl, so anything's good. However, I'm looking for interesting, well-developed characters. And angst, please. Also, has anyone noticed how most shoujo deal with romance and characters in a thoroughly formulaic and one-dimensional way? I don't want that. I would like to read something interesting and at least sort of realistic. Also, ANGST. I adore it.

BTW: Intelligent stories would be nice but aren't necessary. I could actually do with some realistic-ish mindless romance right now. XD Anything goes.

Do Want:
Stuff like...

Oishii Kankei (Main focus is on characters and ... well ... food. Realistic-ish relationship development.)
Hana no Namae (Angst. Also, very interesting characters.)
Boyfriend (Souryo Fuyumi) (Okay, so it mostly focuses on romance, but the characters make my day.)
Shiro no Eden (So it's shoujo... but it's shaping up to be kind of interesting.)
Dokuhime (Side of romance; focus on people who kill other people by touching them. YES.)
The Embalmer (Romance with people who make dead people look pretty. Angst. *A*)
Issho ni Neyou yo Side of sort-of romance. Focus on quirky, insane characters.
Golden Days Side character romance. Main story EPIC.
Let Dai ... Actually, just the angst. *A* <33
Yumemiru Taiyou Slightly formulaic, but fresh and silly enough to make me love it.
Tora to Ookami ... Interesting premise. Mostly romance, all very cute with fun characters.
ES (Main focus is on the storyline with a side or romance. XD)

Don't Want:
Stuff with...

One-dimensional characters
Uninteresting characters
Characters controlled by or defined by a single personality trait. (Think Charles Dickens.) Unless it's... a very angsty personality trait. /SHOT

Any recommendations would be hugely appreciated!

Last edited by Alaena Night at 2:22 pm, Jun 10 2011

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I can't promise you character development cuz i don't really pay attention to it. I just read what i like and love. Here are some of my favs Lovely Complex,Vampire Knight ,Skip Beat, Kaichou wa maid sama, Dengeki Daisy ,Kimi ni todoke, Perfect Girl Evolution and i have plenty more just let me know if you want more

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My plan was perfect but there was one thing I overlooked, one factor I failed to calculate, he's a dumbass...and there's no accounting for Dumbass....Ness. Agito Wanijima (Air Gear)

I haven't read most of the ones you have posted (but some look quite interesting and I will definately be checking them out). Based on your descriptions though here are what I would recommend:

Hotaru no Hikari and Immortal Rain are two of my favourites that are certainly worth checking out if you like good character development and great storylines. Immortal Rain is almost complete as a series and is actively being scanlated. Hotaru hasn't been updated in over a year, but I hope someone picks it up again. The raws are online and you get the gist of the story ending, but as with all good character stories, pictures don't tell the whole thing. Both are highly recommended anyhow. And Immortal Rain has plenty of angst (and is truely amazing).

On the lighter side of things, I love Kuragehime. On the angstiest side of things I recommend Bokra ga Ita, though the angst is bordering on annoying sometimes. Also angsty and less annoyingly so is Boku no Hatsukoi o Kimi ni Sasagu.

What you could try are:
Cappuccino - the manga deals with adultery. I feel like it shows an accurate representation of relationships. Too bad it's not that long.
Akuma to Love Song - while it is a shoujo, it's actually really interesting. The main protagonist is really strong-minded. There is some character development, and the relationships are quite nicely thought out. The newest arc focuses mainly on romance, but before that it was on how Maria tried to adjust to being the new girl.
Utahime - or basically anything by Aki. Aki-sensei's manga's are always thoroughly developed and quite interesting. In fact, she's one of my most favorite mangaka's of all time. Utahime doesn't have romance as the main focus, in fact, the romance was there only to further enhance the plot. Try it out.
Kieli - some angst here, but it's more episodic than anything. Kind of a big-brother/little-sister type relationship between the two, but I think there's something more.
If you want misunderstood hero that everyone hates, you could try Vampire Juujikai. Another one of my favorites here. There's not much romance, but it does deal with main character trying to find his lost wife.

I hope some of these helped.

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Fruits Basket.

I recommend Kimi wa Pet.
Elements of it are similar to Hotaru no Hikari (or maybe it's the other way around xDD). Personally I prefer Kimi wa Pet though. It remains to be one of my all time favourite mangas.

hohoho angst *eyes sparkle*
flowers of evil-very very angsty
kare kano-don't let the rushed start mislead you,the last5 or 6 volumes will blow you away
bitter virgin-deals with post-rape issues ,tears are guaranteed
die-a 13 page oneshot about narcissism
Houkago Hokenshitsu
Narration in Seventeen-one of my favourites,its about a girl dealing with unrequited love towards her childhood friend and how she moves on,its absolutely beautiful...strongly recommended
Sad Love Story-the title says it all
Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan-amazing,again tears are guaranteed

Thank you SO MUCH for the recs so far, everyone! I'd appreciate anything else you can think of! ;A;


@ Rogue018: Thank you for the recommendations!

@ fnsully: Thank you so much! I've read Immortal Rain (I've been following that beautiful wonderful series for several years and am actually currently scanlating it as "Roseille") but I will definitely check out Hotaru no Hikari! I downloaded a volume of it a few months ago but it's sitting all lonely and neglected in my hard drive somewhere. I've read BokuKimi (Ahh, and angst is gorgeous. XD) and I started Bokura ga Ita a loooooong time ago, but I'll definitely pick it up and give Kuragehime a look, too. Thank you so, so much!

@ Fareki: Thanks so much! I've read Kieli and Vampire Juujikai and I enjoyed them. I will definitely have to check out the others. Cappuccino looks really interesting, and Utahime looks wonderful, as well. Storm in Heaven usually scanlates excellent manga. *A*

@ Blique: Thanks!

@ Rinola: Thanks! I read that one and enjoyed it a lot. Gah, I really need to make my lists public/actually keep them updated. You are wonderful for taking the time to recommend - I really appreciate it! <3

@ GunslngrGal92: I've been wanting to give KareKano a a try for a while now. I think I will. Thanks for the rec!

@ sarah-eats-cupcakes: I KNOW RIGHT? Angst is amazing. *A* Ah, those look awesome! I've read Houkago Houkenshitsu and Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan and enjoyed them immensely, so I'm extremely excited to read the rest. Thank you so much!


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@Aleana Night your welcome and anytime. Hope you enjoy.

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My plan was perfect but there was one thing I overlooked, one factor I failed to calculate, he's a dumbass...and there's no accounting for Dumbass....Ness. Agito Wanijima (Air Gear)

Yay, anoither angst fan! I love my angst.

If you like Let Dai, you'll probably enjoy Banana Fish - it has angst, action and character development. No romance but an epic plot and awesome characters. It's very realistic as well.

Sanctuary is similar, focused more on deep friendship than romance, but with a good plot and character development(except the female characters, who are portrayed in such a pathetic way it's actually quite offensive.) There is romance as a side-plot though.

Skip Beat - defo has interesting characters and a realstic romance, as in it builds slowly.

I second Fruits basket for angst value and entertaining characters (well except the female lead who was, in my opinion, irritatingly cheerful)

Angel Sanctuary - so the romance builds prior to the manga, but it is between siblings so there's a whole boat full of angst there. Throw in a biblical war and you have an epic, multi-dimensional, action-packed and angsty manga.

Akuma no Ororon - this is short so isn't as epic as some stories, but is angst filled, realistic-ish (well there are angels and demons so we have to make some allowances) and more focused on the characters than the biblical war taking place in the background.

E's - focus is on the plot with romance as a sub-plot, it isn't angst filled but does have it's moments. It also has a good amount of comedy and darker undercurrents.

07-ghost - no romance really (there are hints of it on the horizon, but nothing definite yet), but this has great character development and is full of angst.

Can't think of any more right now (I'm not a romance person) but I will update if I do. Hope this helps.


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Ashita no Ousama
Natsu no Zenjitsu
Yesterday o Utatte
Hitsuji no Uta
Yasashii Watashi
Sekine-kun no Koi
Sangatsu no Lion



What?! There's romance in 07-Ghost? I didn't know there were even any important female characters in it!

Last edited by calstine at 11:56 pm, Jun 11 2011

Coelacanth <- Not exactly fun...rather...depressing...but there's angst?
Kodomo no Omocha


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