Here I am again, looking for help.

This time I want to ask if there is anything I missed on the release pages due to whatever reasons these past 1-2 years. I've gotten quite sensible to bad shoujo so please don't suggest those thousands of generic shoujo updates, I've probably already seen them. But as long as it is good, there is no problem.

This is one last attempt before starting to go through my wish list (because I'd still like something fresh, most of those are quite old). I'd be delighted to see something new, and all my lists (except for my wish list) are public, if you want to check, though that's optional.

Required:* started/updated/finished within the last few years

• romance

Pros:* cute characters

• uniqueness
• character progression
• shounen/seinen/josei

Cons:* sports

• music
• love triangles, harem, reverse-harem
• shoujo, possible but only if it is good
• Chibi Manga, possible but only if it is really good

Excluded:* sexual content - this includes: hentai, smut, mindless ecchi poured into the story for no reason (plot-wise)

• shoujo-ai, shounen-ai, yaoi, yuri
• extreme violence/gore
• incest and that includes any sister complexes, brother complexes or even false ones
• one-shots

edit: romance does NOT have to be the main focus of the story. I'm welcome to any suggestion that contains this as a side dish (no hints that get ignored/ are used very rarely as tool of convenience though).

thanks in advance!

List of all recommendations

in need of romance?
uncommon, sad, sweet

Woah, a request by the expert on romance. I discovered so many good series thanks to your lists and recommendations; so let me try to repay the favour a little:

YOSHIZUKI Kumichi's Coulomb Fille
From the mangaka of Someday's Dreamers. Beautiful depiction of a budding romance between two social outcasts.

Hataraku Maou-sama! by WAGAHARA Satoshi/ HIRAGI Akio
Mainly slice-of-life comedy with supernatural elements. The romance is still quite subtle since the protagonist is a dense demon king in disguise.

NAKAHARA Aya's Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai
Interesting workplace Josei with prospects of romantic development. From the mangaka of Lovely Complex.

Once Again by Feng Xi Shen Lei/ Rainbow Buddy
A very recently scanlated manhwa. It might be nothing new plotwise but the skilfull narration really makes up for any lack of originality.

OOSHIRO Youkou's Sachiare!
Extremely sweet slice of married life.

Mielino Kashiwagi by AKIMOTO Yasushi and TAKAHATA Hideta/ OOTANI Noriko
A set of loosely connected stories centering around a professional break-up team. Somewhat of a mixed bag for me because of the theme.

HIDAKA Shoko's Mizutama Puzzle
Clumsy office lady meets reliable part-time waiter. Promising Josei although only one chapter has been scanlated so far.

Koganeiro by YOKO
Another original Doujinshi by the mangaka of Molester Man which tells a decent slice-of-school-life romance. The ending felt a bit lacking tough.

SAKURA Roku's Flowernoid no Shuufukushi
Short and slightly generic Shounen which felt more like a Shoujo.

This is a temporary list based on the series' publishing year. Tomorrow, I'll browse my lists for more.

[color=#8A795D]"Stories are what death thinks he puts an end to.
He can't understand that they end in him, but they don't end with him."

• Ursula K. Le Guin, Gifts[/color]

To be savoured:

• Blood Alone by TAKANO Masayuki
• Otoyomegatari by MORI Kaoru
• Gangsta. by Kohske
• Seishun Kouryakuhon by AKIZUKI Sorata

Off the top of my head...
Udon no Onna
Story of Someone We Know
Tetsugaku Letra
Ore Monogatari!!
Stand Up! (YAMAKAWA Aiji)
Mahou Tsukai no Yome
Teke Teke Rendezvous

And I can think of a whole bunch that haven't been scanlated much yet but look pretty promising.
Mizutama Puzzle
Shikabane Cherry
Nanoka no Kare
Ibara no Kanmuri
Haru x Kiyo
Kyou mo Uchi de Machi Awase

Cheese in the Trap-- this is so good and unique! Even if it seems confusing at first, keep reading.

Choukakou-- this is also very good (and it's actually deep. Definitely a josei, not a shoujo)

Dear, Only You Don't Know

Sugar Apple Fairytale-- okay, this is a shoujo and the heroine is probably about 16, but it is original and it it isn't chibi. (I think the artwork is pretty).

Story of Someone We Know-- a pleasant slice of life

Cheongsaeng Yeonbun-- okay, this is a shoujo and it isn't super deep or anything, but it's different than others (and definitely not as annoying). The MC is an adult.

Blind Marchen-- not much has been released, but it seems like it will be very good. The art is great.

Song of the Cloud--okay, this is about music. It's deep and well written though. It can be a little bit of a downer at points. The romance is subtle so far.

(I apologize that my formatting is ugly, but the "bold" button isn't working for me for some reason)

@Tripitaka:
thanks, nowadays I get that line every time I start a topic lol.

I'll finish all the short ones soon.
I'll mark Mizutama and wait until there's more, the same with Sachiare.
the cover art and summary for Mielino Kashiwagi looks nice, added.
Coulomb Fille I will start even though it doesn't have much releases.
Dame na Watashi includes boss-subordinate relationships which I usually avoid so I won't start this now, but it's something I could start after finishing the rest.
As for maou-sama: liked the anime, but won't start the manga, either the novels or waiting for another season.

Thanks again!

@ImaginaryWishes:
I already read Shikabane Cherry and really like it
udon I give mid to high priority, will read it soon because it is short.
I tried Story of someone before a bit too plain for my taste iirc, does it get even a bit more plot later on?
Letra - shiawase na jikan author and maigo group are an instant pick and highest priority after the short ones. thx!
Ore no monogatari I already marked, waiting until it catches up or finihes.
art and story looks good on stand up. another high priority one due to that
tsukai no yome looks promising as well, seems to be a solid monthly release
teke teke doesn't look like my cup of tea and stiletto heels strengthens that belief
nanoka with chibi manga and few chapters only gets marked...
Ibara looks more promising, marked with higher priority.
kyou mo uchi & Haru x Kiyo get the same treatment.

Thank you, a lot of interesting stuff!

@may2fritz:
no problem I'll add links myself 😉

Cheese in the Trap already on my wish list
Choukakou EG scans, puts this at least up to middle or high priority combined with that rating
Dear, Only You Don't Know! was aware of that one, don't think I'll start this one
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale already reading, but for me it starts getting a tad too girly...
Cheonsaeng Yeonbun marked, but I'll only start after this is finished
Blind Marchen same as above
Song of the Cloud was aware but didn't start, as things that are dropped by webtoon live generally don't ever come back

I'll take a look at choukakou. Thanks!

in need of romance?
uncommon, sad, sweet

I appreciate how thorough you are in your responses and requests, Lorska! 🙂 Also, thank you for linking my suggestions since I am unable to. I would like to add three more things:

1. The Story of Someone We Know does not really pick up; the pace is pretty steady and calm. So if you don't like it...I guess you should drop it or save it for when you want a slow slice of life.

2. You should give Dear, Only You Don't Know a shot, even if it's only a few chapters. (I'm not trying to be obnoxious, I just think you might like it).

3. Most importantly, more recommendations (some with reservation, but I just thought I'd throw them all out there)! 🙂

--Pinocchio
--Karakuri Odetto-- odd, and there isn't really an ending, but the two MC's are unique and I liked it for whatever reason...
--Cousin-- I actually didn't like this, but a lot of people do, so I thought I'd suggest it
--Seigi no Mikata-- this is very funny, but it's been a while since it has been updated
--Chihayafuru-- this is a josei, however it does have a love triangle and an airheaded MC both of which probably won't appeal to you. It's good though.
--Joou no Hana
--Piece
--Pink Lady-- Again, I didn't love this, but a lot of people do
--Shiwhamong
--Library Wars-- very good! 🙂
--Dr. Frost-- good, but the romance is VERY minimal

@Lorska:
Not really. Maybe a little? I'm not sure what constitutes as "more plot", haha. How much have you read? The first arc, I know, is pretty much just fluff and Mina angsting over the cute faux-hawk guy. But the latest, I would say is relatively heavier.

The impending end of a long-term relationship is always sad. . That said, it's a quiet series and it's probably not going to ever get much more dramatic.

Also, about Song of the Long March (Choukakou), just as a note. It's excellent and highly recommended, but the romance is far from being a major plot point. There's some, in the prelude and in little traces throughout the story (might be my imagination). But it would probably be a stretch to even call it a subplot, at least as of yet. But it's still very much worth reading!

And some more recommendations. Maybe you'll like:
49 has been put on scanlating hiatus, but it's one volume long, so.
Ootagawa Junjou Lovers completed, except for the side stories. It's pretty cute, and it's rare to see a shoujo heroine actively going after what she wants.
Shoujo Shounen Gakkyuudan
Nobunaga no Chef
Baby, Kokoro no Mama ni! The baby is the freaking cutest thing ever.
The Pale Horse if just for the art, my goodness.

EDIT: Whoops, may2fritz beat me to it. I got distracted by pretty gifs while writing the reply... xD

@may2fritz:
you can link by puting the manga name in the corresponding tags or just use the auto-compiler with brackets: [manga name]. that last option also fixes spelling to case sensitive, i.e. mxo will be turned into MxO

story of someone only goes to my low priority list then, when I have too much time to spare (lol)
then I'll get back to dear, only you later
I've already seen Pinocchio, Chihayafuru and Dr. Frost and decided not to start this.
Karakuri Odetto medium priority nothing too special at first glance
Cousin same as above but will wait until completion
Seigi no Mikata as above
Joou no Hana looks nice but very slow updates...
Piece I'll start it if it translation continues
Pink Lady looks solid, I'll give it a try
Shiwhamong don't think I'll start that, in addition sura dropped it
Library War looks strange, don't know if I will start this

Thank you yet again.

@ImaginaryWishes:
hmm only tried the first few chapters, wasn't sweet enough to keep me hooked, I'll still consider it as stated above.
I'll just start with the first chapter of choukakou and decide if I read something else or first (or not).
49, asdf has pretty cute stuff, I'll mark this until it get picked up again.
Ootagawa Junjou Lovers looks promising, I'll try it.
Shoujo Shounen Gakkyuudan, urgh 2 chapters, marking and believing in matteiru scans...
Nobunaga no Chef I think I'll skip.
I love childcare stories, so Baby, Kokoro no Mama ni! will be assimilated.
The Pale Horse is something I decide against every time I see it on the releases page (yes still clicking on it each time, I should stop with that)...

Thanks again, more stuff that looks good 🙂

in need of romance?
uncommon, sad, sweet

Fujimi Lovers I HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Edit: It's being translated idk why MU doesn't have it updated.
Gozen 3-ji no Muhouchitai
Studio Salty

Quote from Doormouse

Fujimi Lovers I HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Edit: It's being translated

I don't want to get your hopes down, but

it kind of has a yaoi ending...

Quote from jahu

I don't want to get your hopes down, but

it kind of has a yaoi ending...

WHAT U LIE. I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS ABORT ABORT.

Well, you were one of the first members I came across on this site, and since our tastes overlap, I can't help but think of you as my senior of sorts. Now, on to more recommendations.

3D Kanojo by NANAMI Mao
A high-school otaku's unforeseen first romanctic relationship. Newly scanlated and quite enjoyable.

NISHIKATA Mai's Lip Smoke
A high-school girl works part-time for an erotic-fiction novelist. In spite of its premise, this short series makes for a sensual and oddly amusing read thanks to the quirky characters and their role reversal early on.

49 by TOUDA Yoshimi
Bitterweet, yet hopeful tale about a girl who receives her classmate's confession only after he's already died. Don't let the description fool you; it isn't the usual sort of supernatural tragedy. The story's main focus doesn't lie so much on the confession but rather on the process of mourning and moving on.

Vivid Cherry and Hal (AYASE Umi)
I wasn't sure about the first suggestion because there are only two short chapters so far but it might turn out nicely. The second one is a short tale about losing your beloved with a twist towards the ending. So avoid reading the series' entry as much as possible.

There are more manga on my lists but these are the recent Shoujo that I can definitely recommend. Are you only interested in new publications or would you be fine with older titles, too?

[color=#8A795D]"Stories are what death thinks he puts an end to.
He can't understand that they end in him, but they don't end with him."

• Ursula K. Le Guin, Gifts[/color]

To be savoured:

• Blood Alone by TAKANO Masayuki
• Otoyomegatari by MORI Kaoru
• Gangsta. by Kohske
• Seishun Kouryakuhon by AKIZUKI Sorata

@Doormouse:
gozen 3-ji got me interested, semms to be finished soon so I'll wait until it is completed.
not sure about studio salty, marked for now

Thanks, I'll take a look when those have more releases!

@jahu&Doormouse:
and there goes Fujimi Lovers...

I'm very sorry to see hopes crushed 🙁

@Tripitaka:
woah, now I feel old 😀
well, not that I'd call me young anyway

3d kanojo get's a yes
lip smoke I have seen as recommendation ages ago and decided not to start, will stick with that due to various reasons
49 was recommended before and I'll mark it
I'll mark vivid cherry as well until it gets picked up and hal I will read soon be it just because of the matteiru/asdf combo

Thank you for those! I guess I'll stick to newer stuff though, because I got a bunch of older recommendations with my older requests. After reading a lot of shoujo that turned out bad after a while I got more picky with those stories and older art styles. And seeing how much amazing stuff is released now I think the future lies in the future not the past lol. (talking about stuff like Hajiotsu., Itoshi no Karin, Magdala de Nemure, Billionaire Girl, Hadi Girl)

in need of romance?
uncommon, sad, sweet

I can recommend you some untranslated ones if you want, but they are well... untranslated (different from the ones below).

Of all the ones that I was waiting to get translated only Baby, Kokoro no Mama ni! seems to be getting a translation. It's a very non-standard shoujo with a male lead (the author wrote nothing but yaoi before, but this one appears to be straight).

The translation of Tokyo Innocent is slowly approaching it's end. In theory it's a harem series, but it's very unusual. It has more similarities to shoujo manga than to a typical harem and the relationship between the male lead and female lead gets quite a bit of development.

Engaged to the Unidentified has no translation, but the anime finished recently and I think you might like it.

@jahu:
well I couldn't do much with untranslated stuff, because my nonexistent japanese reading expertise won't help me^^
I'll follow the baby kokoro, as you are already the second one to name this
If tokyo innocent is approaching the end I'll wait that time to read it in one go, marked
I watched mikakunin de shinkokei since the start and it was a cute little series

Thanks, I'll take a look at the first ones.

about those I've tried so far:
Koganeiro was cute, the way too open ending was abrupt, but oh well...
Flowernoid no Shuufukushi I have to admit it was cute and funny, but also stupid and predictable, mangaka succeeded as artist but failed as writer...
Hal (AYASE Umi) was good, a bit confusing, and the flow wasn't perfect, still one of the better ones
Baby, Kokoro no Mama ni! well that was absurdly adorable!
Udon no Onna a great example that you don't need exceptional art! very sweet! Now I'm hungry...
Mahou Tsukai no Yome that was epic... really thanks for his one, not much romance but VERY well made, I'll be following this from now on!
Stand Up! (YAMAKAWA Aiji) soooo cute, I like it very much! would be a waste to read everything in one go, so I'll continue tomorrow :3
...(I'll add the rest of the short ones later)

in need of romance?
uncommon, sad, sweet