I'm looking for manga that is suited towards an older audience and has at least a hint of romance.

While circumstances may be over the top, the characters don't live their life like they're in a movie (or a shoujo manga, for that matter). That is, realistic and mature characters.

I'm mainly looking for seinen, josei, and shoujo, although if there are shounen series like this, I'd welcome them as well.

I'm not sure how to describe the overall vibe I'm looking for. When I read series like the examples below, they're calming, touching, clear, simple, and thrilling at the same time. That sounds pretty cheesy, but that's how it is.

And of course, I'll always welcome the hot protagonist (males preferred, but females work too).

Some good examples of what I mean are:

Otoyomegatari: Peeerrrfect.
Emma: Mori Kaoru's work is just amazing.
Ran to Haiiro no Sekai: No, there isn't romance, but the whole subtle sexuality is hot, right? Though I'm seriously disturbed by the whole child in woman thing.
Natsu no Zenjitsu: Too cute.
Bitou Lollipop: A shoujo example.
Futago
Tramps Like Us: Kimi wa Pet is one of my favourite series of all time. All time.
Golden Days
Kaze Hikaru
Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou: Yea, there's no romance, but it's still beautiful.

You might've noticed not all of them are "mature" in the traditional meaning (blood and sex). I merely meant mature in the sense that it's realistic and might take someone who's interested in more than pantyshots and giant swords to appreciate. Not that giant swords and pantyshots aren't awesome.

Thanks

I liked Otoyomegatari and Emma, there are two mangas that I also like which are more cute and childish rather than mature - would you like Akagami no Shirayukihime and Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen?

I like some of ONO Natsume's works. You can try her one shot collection: Tesoro. I also liked Ristorante Paradiso (the anime covers the 1 volume and the additional "prequel" stories in Gente).

Honey and Clover is a little comedic, but it has heart. Just stick with it, and you'll see how the characters are each fleshed out. It's a wonderful coming of age story. Gaah... my all time favorite.

Try the works of MATSUMOTO Tomo, in particular Beauty is the Beast and Kiss.

otoyomegatari i wish it would be updated more often

Yes, Otoyomegatari is just amazing. It's finally updated after 225 days of waiting, I'm so happy :')

I've heard of Ono Natsume but never got to her, now that you mention it I'll check it out! As for Honey and Clover, I read the first few chapters but didn't feel the plot going anywhere. Since it gets better later on, I'll restart it.

I did like Akagami no Shirayukihime and Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen. They were cute.

Anymore? Honestly, I've read so many manga (check out my lists, if you wish) that I'm not even expecting that many new series. If someone mentions something that I haven't read in a while, I'll just reread it. Like how I'm going to start Honey and Clover, Ristorante Paradiso, Akagami no Shirayukihime and Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen right now

5 Centimeters per Second (the anime is also quite beautiful to watch)
Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan (The summary sounds dramatic, but when you read it the portrayal is realistic. It is neither too too soap-opera-like tragic or too good to be true.)
Bonnouji
Torikagosou no Kyou mo Nemutai Juunintachi
Six Half (by the same author of Bitou Lollipop and Futago)
Heptagon
Mars
Kimi ga Uso o Tsuita
Koi (MATSUMOTO Tomo)
Coelacanth

EDIT:
Forgot to mention Ciel. And you welcome, I'm glad you liked them.

Last edited by crumpets_and_tea at 6:24 pm, Apr 7 2012

@ Crumpets_and_tea: Thank you! Your recs were all amazing, especially Mars, I can't believe I forgot about that. The anime version of 5 centimetres per second is absolutely gorgeous. My friend calls it scenery porn X)

For anyone else who's interested as well, I also found a few more of my own:

Sayonara Midori-chan: Pretty bittersweet, it's also adapted into a movie
Some of Shimizu Reiko's works
Piece of Cake
Please Save My Earth: Though this one is bordering dramatic.
Usagi Drop:
Ai-ren
Cipher and Alexandrite
Sakuran: I will always love this.

Greedy reader is greedy for more

3 AM Dangerous Zone. Not many chapters so far, but good.

Cousin. It's pretty realistic. I would suggest you read it first; it's rather absorbing.

Nineteen, Twenty-One might be to your tastes, although it's a web-manhwa instead of manga.

Ashita no Ousama

Cat Street

for shoujo, manhwas from LEE Hyeon-Sook, like Flowers of Evil

Nana

IS - Otoko demo Onna demo Nai Sei

Ah well, you have already read the first two ...

________________
Man is more ape than many of the apes.

Although it's got a supernatural element, I think Blood Alone might fit what you're looking for.

14-sai no Koi it's cute and the characters are surprisingly mature
Kimi to boku but it's more about friendship than romance
Hotman
and with Inio Asano you can't be wrong so Solanin
maybe this one Heart o Uchinomese! here is some drama and a teacher-student thingy but the other characters are relatable and spot on. And the main couple is hilarious
and for shounen ai
Kinou Nani Tabeta?

I think Spice and Wolf, Billionaire Girl and might Dantalian no Shoka would fit
and I second blood alone

Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo should fit, even though it has bit of ecchi and isn't scanlated yet. It's a shounen slice-of-life series similar to Kimi wa Pet.