I liked the aspects of the story in that things didn't always go the protagonist's way. Very slice of life, realistic in that you don't end up with who you want always. I liked the coming of age-feeling and the characters getting a bit older. Would love another manga that explores the slice of life theme with even more aging amongst the characters with interesting personalities. Romance should play a part, but the main focus preferably on growing up and life's lessons. Any recommendations?

Try Soshite, Hare ni Naru
Only few chapters though...

________________
in need of romance?
uncommon, sad, sweet

Maybe Oyasumi Punpun if you don't mind the strange art for the MC and his family. Great read about growing up.

These are more focused on romance than OMK but there's what you want in them too I think :
Paradise Kiss
Koe no Katachi



Last edited by oneeyed at 3:32 am, May 15 2014

A good request, indeed. As a fan of OMK I can understand the desire to read more series like it. Unfortunately I haven't read any that felt very similar in feel.

That said, some do share a couple points with OMK in general and your request specifically. I will second Koe no Katachi (ideally, read the oneshot first and then go on to the series - the series starts a little wobbly but soon overcomes the oneshot itself). School drama with good character development, definitely fits your request. As to the other recommendation, Oyasumi Punpun, it's very good and it certainly fits the parts of growing up and not ending with/how you would wish of your request but it's much darker, much more depressing, with touches of surrealism and the peculiar style of the author that makes it feel very different from OMK. Worth a shot all the same.

As for other suggestions... For good character development and life not going how you wished - Real. Welcome to the NHK! (Novel) has a certain similar feel to OMK, with good character development, characters going through emotional breakdowns and trying to become a better person. I would say I prefer the anime though, even if the novel isn't far behind. Molester Man from the same artist as OMK has certain points in common, even if it is a much more standard romantic comedy.

Try Six Half if you don't mind shoujo. Basically matches most of your criteria.

solanin its about people who are around their twenties, with slice of live and a little bit romance, but it really focus on how people in their twenties see the adult world (not H, but working)

Yesterday o Utatte
Yasashii Sekai no Tsukurikata
Billionaire Girl maybe, but I haven't read it in a while
Moteki
High Score Girl

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm still getting to all of them.

Soshite, Hare ni Naru, didn't try yet. Wary of getting interested in something that doesn't seem to have a lot of updates/unfinished. I get extremely impatient and frustrated!

Damn you for getting me involved in Koe no Katachi. Really great. But it's still in progress...oh the torture.

Oyasumi Punpun ended up being very good, but it really depressed me haha. Did not expect things to turn out like that. I thought it should've went the happier ending road, but whatever. I never did quite get 100% used to the bird thing. Very strange. Great journey though.

Getting to the others. Thanks again everyone for taking the time to suggest things to me.