Girl On Top

17 years ago
Posts: 29
Not looking for hentai, despite the post's title! Uh. I just want to read a romantic manga in which the female character is the dominant partner in most situations, or is in charge both in and out of bed. ("Bed" isn't really necessary; even a sweet, chaste school romance is fine, as long as the girl's obviously the one calling the shots.) Basically, I'm sick of reading about wilting maidens, tearful victims and damsels in distress... I want to read about a strong woman or girl who knows what she wants and takes the lead.
Too often, even "strong" female characters are suddenly turned into swooning fools the moment a desirable male appears on the scene - but seriously, can't a woman be allowed to stay strong? There's no rule saying that she can't be devoted and loving and strong. In fact, many of the real women I know, as friends and family members, are very strong indeed - however, that strength does not detract from their femininity. In fact, it only adds to their appeal and to their beauty. I'd like to read a manga that appreciates that aspect of womanhood, you know?
This might seem to be a moot point when it comes to lesbian romances, but even yuri recommendations are fine, as long as one or both of the girls is in charge.
I just want to see girls on top, okay? 😉
Recommend away!
P.S. Please note that this does not mean that I want a male character who is a total wimp or a defeatist dweeb! Any partnership in which one of the partners is severely disadvantaged only bores me. I just want to read about one of those couples - you know, where the guy's pretty normal or even aggressive in other situations, but the girl just happens to be the dominant partner in the context of their relationship. It's not a sign of the guy being weak, or anything... Just the girl being more determined, assertive or mature. Ha.
P.P.S. Some may claim that I've already garnered suitable recommendations from the Power Couples thread, but this request is subtly (or not-so-subtly) different, in that it places the power mostly in the woman's hands. Not abusive or dysfunctional power, because you know I don't like that, but still...!
Read manga with the following themes...
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17 years ago
Posts: 2172
well this topic sure makes ppl interested in it...
well the only think i can think of right now vampire game and saver

17 years ago
Posts: 1705
Day of Revolution, great manga. 😀
And maybe even Click (not too sure since I haven't read very far...)?
(Yes, I know I'm kinda cheating. But in DoR, "she" is definitely the more dominant person...)
Btw, might I suggest checking out threads with suggestions of strong cold icy heroines? They are usually more mature than their male counterpart...

17 years ago
Posts: 29
Thank you both! I'll check those out! I actually have "Saver," but I simply forgot to get around to reading it... Thanks for reminding me.
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17 years ago
Posts: 1574
Quote from CatzCradle
Day of Revolution, great manga. 😀
And maybe even Click (not too sure since I haven't read very far...)?(Yes, I know I'm kinda cheating. But in DoR, "she" is definitely the more dominant person...)
Btw, might I suggest checking out threads with suggestions of strong cold icy heroines? They are usually more mature than their male counterpart...
day of revolution, is a little different but still has a powerful female(?) lead
one of my favorites
17 years ago
Posts: 245
Um, I'm not exactly sure if my titles are going to be appropriate or not, but I'll give it a shot anyway.
Hot Blooded Woman and Tokyo Crazy Paradise definitely have strong female leads, and the men are cunning and intelligent, even though they're submissive to the girls (they're not exactly sweet school romances but have drama and actions, dunno if you're okay with that). Also, Hana Yori Dango has similar characters.
Other than those "classics" the only good one (IMHO, obviously) that comes to mind is Stroke Material (that even has the bed... and the girl is TOO COOL!!)
Hope I was of some help!

17 years ago
Posts: 1705
1/2 Prince <== sorta...
Devil and Her Love Song <== sorta...
Nanaco Robin <== I 've only 1 chapter, but the heroine is really strong...

17 years ago
Posts: 195
The Prince's Cactus so far, she's been on top.
The Kidnapping of Minja Jo's Boyfriend if you haven't read this already.
Seduction More Beautiful Than Love very good. Again, so far she's in control.
I know more manga with strong female leads, but it is hard to determine whether they are the pants yet because there hasn't been much romantic development

17 years ago
Posts: 29
Thanks again, everyone! I'm particularly grateful for the manhwa recommendations; I don't know why it is, but manhwa seems to have a greater ratio of dominant or just plain strong female characters. Does anyone else think so? Could it be a cultural difference between Korea and Japan, or am I just reading too much into this?
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17 years ago
Posts: 195
I agree with you. I find that Manwa has a different variety of plots unlike manga which seems to follow cliches. Probably because it sells.
Off-topic:
I think this thread might explain it somewhat, Atlanta.
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17 years ago
Posts: 29
Thank you dearly, Dr. Love! That link has proved to be very enlightening; I suppose that I'll have to agree with the views of those who say that manhwa just happens to have the cream of the crop scanlated... Otherwise, I'd be dissing manga, and I love it too much to do that.
Also, I find your icon disconcertingly sexy, to the point where I actually have to focus on what you're saying, but... Never mind. I have to remind myself not to equate avatars to users. Because if I did, I'd be a... plant.
Huh.
I think I need a new avatar.
P.S. Who is the character in your avatar, anyway? Not that I'm going to make the moves on her (it is a her, right?), don't worry; I would if I were also a manga character, but I'm not, unfortunately.
P.P.S. I'm usually more sane than this. Must be time for my routine caffeine injection...
Read manga with the following themes...
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Power Couples
Pure Subtext
She is the embodiment of sexiness. 😮
Her name's Maya Natsume from the Tenjou Tenge series. One of the reasons worth picking it up, and not only because of her sex appeal. I basically cropped a piece of the original picture which was kind of risqué. The ropes you see there are from some kind of bondage equipment... 🤨
There are several other characters in the manga who are equally interesting as her, but if you're familiar with "Oh!Great"'s works, then you know that he isn't that apt in writing a comprehensible plot. It's do-able though, and the art makes it all worth it.
In terms to this thread, the relationship of Maya and her ex-boyfriend does qualify to what you're looking for... kinda. 🤣
Well, at least in the beginning...
Another suggestion would be the Yuri manga Maka-Maka.
It's about two girls and their relationship with eachother.
It doesn't really have a plot, but the characters really have depth to them.
It's as if you're reading about real people.
And the long-haired girl is usually the
more assertive one out of the two.
And then there's C-Blossom - Case 729 which is a Shoujo about a girl experiencing some difficulties in her life. She's one strong character though, unlike the stereotypical Shoujo lead.
Too bad not much has been scanlated though...
It seems that whenever I think about "C-Blossom", I directly think of Shinobi Life as well. Strongly suggested, with a strong heroine wearing the pants - that is not to say that the main lead is a push-over.
I might as well suggest Girlfriend too. Not all stories apply to your request, but I'm sure some fit the required criteria. Plus, it's an excellent manga on its own, handling several controversial topics/issues. The characters feel real.
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17 years ago
Posts: 60
Quote from aneste
well this topic sure makes ppl interested in it...
well the only think i can think of right now vampire game and saver
Those two are reallly good. My current top favorite manga is Saver.
http://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?perpage=50&genre=Yuri&orderby=rating
tee hee hee
Anyway,
Kodomo no Jikan
Shin Angyo Onshi has a lot of strong women ( I love recommending this, everyone should read it), however what you are looking for in this thread wont come until quite deep into this manga. Though I still encourage you to read it!
Kashimashi
Mirai Nikki
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu though I recommend the novel or anime for this one
NHK ni Youkoso!
As usual I'm filling your thread with shonen/seinen :3