Hello.
I am looking for manga, manhua, manhwa, even novel suggestions where a male and female character establish such a good dynamic with each other that they are a couple in everything but name; they don't need a confession, kiss, marriage end, etc. to show that the two are together. I would prefer no constant emphasis on romantic interactions between the two, but if it occurs here and there, it's no big deal as long as it doesn't become the main focus.
Examples:

I prefer seinen, but all other demographics are fine. Can be ongoing or complete. No yaoi/BL or yuri/GL please. I tried doing tag searches with the subtle romance and romantic subplot categories, but found most series ultimately had a large focus on romance.
Thanks in advance for recommendations.

Last edited by Masae at 6:38 pm, Mar 1 2023

shin and noi from dorohedoro

Looking at your lists, you've already completed it, but I feel this is the case in Eyeshield 21. Listing in case anyone wants to read it.

Raise wa tanin ga Ii fits your description of good dynamics

technically they are a couple so i guess that goes against what you’re looking for but it’s an arranged marriage of some sorts. My explanation probably doesn’t do the series any justice HAHAHAHAHHA

Thanks for the suggestions. I've had Dorohedoro on my backlist for a while, so I'll read it as soon as I can! I'll try Raise wa Tanin ga Ii regardless.

More suggestions are appreciated.

Bumping for suggestions.

Another bump for suggestions please.

sweet home
It's not a manga but a webtoon whose main focus is horror and drama. Romance pops out every now and then for the male and female lead but its subtle. I think its a good read got me hooked and ended up finishing it in a day lol


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I was going to suggest Yugami-kun ni wa Tomodachi ga Inai ! 😅 but turns out you already read it lol

Skip to Loafer is a might fit your request. As of yet the romance levels have been low but they seem to get on well.



Last edited by Kagama at 1:21 am, Jan 21 2021

Stop being homophobic and read Banana Fish. Just make sure you're in the mood to go through your entire range of emotions. It's an extremely well-written story that deals with very heavy topics. The main character, Ash Lynx, will forever be ingrained in your memory.

Okay, I LOVE subtle romance. Unfortunately, it is hard to find 🙁 Here's just a few suggestions

Ballroom e Youkoso Maybe? The Sengoku-Hongou pair acts like a bickering old couple
Akagami no Shirayukihime Haven't really read or watched this yet, but apparently the romance is there though its not the main focus
Retired Heroes I love the main couple because they're married and adults, so its kinda subtle
Beelzebub "Married" but not really. Oga and Hilda live together and raise a kid together but they are far from romantic.
Mitsukubi Condor I like the two main leads and there's some hints of romance. The manga got axed, sadly.
Needless Main male and female leads were literally "made" for each other (they're names are Adam and Eve lmao). Admittedly, there's some uhhh problematic themes in manga, but I just really love the main two leads together.

Really, all the subtle romances are found in seinen, shounen and sports genres imo. Why do I keep reading shoujo manga lol

I second Akagami no Shirayuki Hime - am reading the manga and saw the anime and while it is indeed a romance manga and it is kinda the main thing...it is so in a very subtle and non intrusive manner.
Them being a couple is not the main focus, they are still their own persons with their own goals and dreams.
I'd say give it a try. It feels rather refreshing.

Hmmm...maybe:
Shinrei Tantei Yakumo
Noragami
Full Metal Panic!
fits as well...

Honestly such subtle relationships are rare or just a small part of the main cast,do wish there were more.


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Enjoy life as much as you can and do whatever you want, because it may be only one.

Thanks for the suggestions. I was surprised with Akagami no Shirayukihime, even if it may eventually become more romantic in the future whenever it's near its end. It may be shoujo but the focus is not on the romance.
Bumping to see if more can be found.

I might be cursed for thinking this way. You know, because the age gap. But I believe Watashi no Shounen (TAKANO Hitomi) still has romantic hints until the last second.

Thank you! It was an excellent read! I read the relationship as not being romantic, but I still liked it a lot.