After reading a lot of manga for my demographic (shoujo), I'm interested in just generally good manga that any fan of manga would enjoy. That is not to say that the manga isn't focused on a specific topic, but something that anybody could relate to is required. It can be a classic, funny, serious, tragic, dramatic, etc.

The only real requirement is a universally good manga!

A good example of this would be Liar Game.

Edit: Yotsubato! is another good one.

Last edited by Limerent at 3:25 pm, Jan 7 2013

I think "any" is a bit too much... there are the shounen-ecchi-action fanboys as there are the shoujo-cliched-drama fangirls and as well romance manga crazed people like myself.
You seriously should search the forums, there are a bunch of good threads looking for exactly the same, just try seraching "epic" or "best" and the like.

So here are a few romances (non-shoujo) that could fit and you should at least have heard of these ones:
Bonnouji
Orange Marmalade

Melo Holic
Bitter Virgin
Usagi Drop
Densha Otoko
Superior + Superior Cross



as for shoujo you should know these:
Love So Life
Gakuen Babysitters
Last Game
Taiyou no Ie
14-sai no Koi

Hana to Akuma
Immortal Rain

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in need of romance?
uncommon, sad, sweet

Gintama

It's shounen but I really don't see it as shounen. (I'm a shoujo reader too by the way)

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"Shouldn't be alive but the condom broke."

Yotsuba&! - Everyone was a kid once.

That's really open... But there are some mangas out there almost everybody I know loves.
Futatsu no Spica
A Drunken Dream and Other Stories
Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou
Yotsubato!
Boku no Chikyuu wo Mamotte
Fushigi Yuugi
Mushishi
Solanin
Omoide Emanon
Fruits Basket
BLAME!
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
Battle Royale
20th Century Boys

This is actually really difficult because there are always going to be those who don't like a certain manga that's been considered a "classic" or whatnot. So technically there is no "universally good manga", as you put it.

Anyway, having said that, I'm simply going to list the classics, that I haven't heard anyone critique (yet), or at least, not critique heavily.

+Anima
Aqua / Aria
Blood Alone
Bokurano
Claymore
Emma
Full Metal Alchemist
Gunslinger Girl
Hotarubi no Mori e
Otoyomegatari
Piano no Mori
Saiunkoku Monogatari
Shin Angyo Onshi
Vampire Juujikai
Watashi no Ookami-san / Dear

Seconding Mushishi and Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou.

Also, anything by Urasawa Naoki is generally well-liked, and for the historical fans, the Historie, Vinland Saga, and Cesare triad is usually very loved. (And, if you're further interested, I would also recommend Shoukoku no Altair too.)

Lastly, seeing as you enjoyed Liar Game, you'll probably enjoy Kurosagi too.

I actually think this is the only legitimate response. If you don't like Yotsubato you don't like manga.

Battle Angel Alita
Cross Game
Genshiken
Itsumo Misora
Kekkaishi
Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä

these are all generally well liked by most everyone.

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Sarcasm just doesn't work over the internet.

Very good point, but I mean manga not really into a specific genre. There's cliche shounen, ecchi, and cliche shoujo but there are also manga out there that don't really fit into a archetype or are only geared toward a certain demographic. It's kinda hard to explain. > <

I've seen you recommend Bonnouji many times, maybe I should finally check it out xD Many you mentioned are also very shoujo-ey, albeit good.



Just generally liked by lots of different people would be a good way to put it then ^^ A lot of the ones you listed look like they have strong story lines~


Extremely good example! Thank you for reminding me of Yotsubato... I love this manga. Everyone can relate to the cute/funny everyday happenings.~ Unless the cuteness and innocence overwhelm you, but I think most can handle it. xD

How can Liar Game considered to be a universally good manga when it seems drawn by a 5 year old child?
I can pretty much bash about half of the manga here mentioned, but I'm gonna refrain from that. I don't think something like a universally good manga exists because there is too much difference in audience.

Since you "come" from the shoujo demographic, my suggestions is to try some good "also female oriented" seinen/shounen like Otoyomegatari, Gunslinger Girl, Vampire Juujikai, Chrno Crusade, Karin, Hikaru no Go, Ookami to Koushinryou.

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What I like in Trivial Pursuit style. Pick your category:

I chose a few series that I feel are exceptional and thought-provoking.

Eden: It's an Endless World- Hiroki Endo
(themes: apocalypse: what is it to be human?, is the human race worth saving?, what is humanity?)

Death Note - Takeshi Obata
(themes: power- and it's effect on people, morality- does your morality change with your situation?)

Yotsuba&! - Kiyohiko Azuma
(themes: innocence, finding pleasure in small things -- it's just a happy and fun manga)

Usagi Drop - Yumi Unita
(only 1-4. the story arc is completed and the rest of the series is shite)
(themes: family and (platonic) love)

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https://twitter.com/thesweethonesty
http://www.youtube.com/Seetheunconventional
http://seetheunconventional.tumblr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seetheunconventional

Damn... You guys beat me to Vampire Juujikai!

So I'll be thirding Vampire Juujikai

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Is this me in a nutshell?
Pretty much.

This. I hate Liar Game.... How could people handle that annoying idealist protagonist?
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Noblesse Except it's starting, everything is good.

Last edited by strixflash at 7:56 pm, Jan 7 2013

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Meh, I guess everyone has their own preference for art. It's not stellar but I think it gets the job done. Liar Game is definitely not about the characters or even the story... it's using exaggerated characters to convey the main topic, which is pretty much strategy and logic behind every "game" they play. I find it pretty interesting and think that anyone into puzzles or logic problems would enjoy reading.

Adding lots of stuff to my reading list, thank you ♥

I think yotsubato should be the answer, even my sister like it, ha2..
In my opinion, basically manga that can warm your heart, and refresh your mind, isn't manga with great art or complicated and mind-blow story, you just need simple gag manga like yotsubato, kobo-chan, kariage-kun, or even doraemon..

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yaha.....