I'm looking for a unique storyline, which is also largely character driven. Humour is largely appreciated. I enjoy largely exaggerated characters but also like moments of self-reflection, which I thought Fruits Basket was particularly strong in. I also like manga that really make you think about human nature, like Death Note.

So far my favourite mangas are Ouran High School Host Club, Fruits Basket and Soul Eater and yet when I've looked up related mangas they feel too repetitive and the story lines too recycled. I liked Hana Kimi and am enjoying Dengeki Daisy, but not nearly as much as the others.

I don't mind romance but I generally would prefer for it to be secondary to the story. Couldn't stand Vampire Knight and I'm not too crazy about Chobits...

Angel sanctuary
Basara
Majin tantei nougami neuro
vampire game

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I´m NOT an alien!

most of your examples were romance/shoujo... "really" character driven stories often involve more mature intended audiences...

my favourites are

Historie
Monster
Vinland Saga
Sanctuary
Old Boy
Basilisk

some lighter ones you may rather look at...

Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer
GTO
Genshiken

and some just plain fun ones with great casts
Yotsubato!
School Rumble
Hayate no Gotoku!
Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei
Kodomo no Omocha
Nodame Cantabile

who could forget the timeless classics
Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä
Planetes

and finally, the masterpiece but... simply impossible to read in English...
The Ravages of Time

Last edited by canucks at 12:24 am, Jun 25 2010

NANA - or any other work by Ai Yazawa. While there's a fair amount of melodrama and romance in her work, I think it's fair to say that her NANA is very character driven. Both titular characters have big personalities and the plot is centered around their ambitions, hopes, and dreams.

EMMA

I second the recommendation for Nodame Cantabile. The series isn't really my cup of tea, but the series does have a large following.

Skip Beat!

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