Romance isn’t just the butterflies in your stomach and finding someone to cuddle with, it’s also a timeless genre in the manga world anticipated by millions of readers. You’d think that, at some point, romantic stories would be identical to each other—applying the same old cliché plot every time. But fans are just too driven by love, always eating the genre up without fail. Hopefully, this puts into perspective just how big romance mangas are in the fictional world!
However, what makes romance mangas an unbeatable genre is its sheer flexibility. It can be blended with other genres such as fantasy, horror, action, sports, and even food, because who doesn’t want a romantic relationship with food? And although these genres are all perfect candidates as romance manga’s partners, one that has done nothing but impress is the ever-interesting genre of drama!
The combination of drama and romance has given readers fantastic stories filled with a rollercoaster of emotions alongside beautiful character developments. Even some romantic dramas are famous for making readers shed a tear or two, so you better watch them with a box of tissues! If you’re ready, here’s a curated list of romance manga filled with drama for you to bawl your eyes, gasp, clutch your pearls, and fall in love with!
10. She Has Become a Distant Existence
If one of your closest friends became an idol, would you still have the chance to hang out with them? This is the story of She Has Become a Distant Existence—a manga that revolves around Minato and his childhood friend Renka who has ascended to fame and is essentially a celebrity. Despite her newfound status and busy schedule, their friendship endured… but not without a couple of roadblocks.
She Has Become a Distant Existence is an interesting romance manga that ticks all the boxes. Its unique story and art style will make you want to laugh, blush, smile uncontrollably, and scream “Just say it to him!” from the top of your lungs. One Reddit user said, “I love it when they colored in the eyes. Such a simple yet satisfying reading experience.“
9. Becoming Her Lover For the Sake of Love
Becoming Her Lover For the Sake of Love is a high-school romance manga that revolves around Asako Ichijou, the esteemed student council president of a renowned girls’ high school. However, she unexpectedly meets Nagi Tenma, the worst of heartbreakers, as he catches Asako red-handed with a shoujo manga in school. The only way to avoid trouble can be summarized in Nagi’s three words: “Become my lover.”
From the genius of Shio Usui, the creator of two well-received mangas in Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon and I Married My Female Friend, comes another romance manga you have to check out. Considering the past success of their other mangas, this new one deserves all the attention it can get. One Redditor has already started and said: “Nothing special so far plotwise but the main couple is likeable and has good chemistry so far. And in the end it’s not about the destination but the yuri couples we shipped along the way.”
8. An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride
An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride is a demon’s step-by-step guide on loving…except he doesn’t know the first step. Zagan, the protagonist of the manga, is a sorcerer of the highest degree and his research is his whole life. After his friend convinces him to go to an auction, he falls in love with Nephy, a gorgeous elf, who he buys without any second thoughts. The only thing is that Zagan has been a sorcerer his whole life and has basically lived under a rock without knowing how to interact with people. And now he has to take care of the woman of his dreams? Uh-oh!
There’s just something about budding romances between characters who have real issues. On one hand, Zagan’s communication skills are nowhere to be found. On the other, Nephy suffers from terrible self-worth issues. Both are messed up, but both are trying to navigate their way through life…together. One Redditor said, “I’ve only read the first two volumes so far, but it’s really enjoyable. Has a little bit of everything without going over the top. Character development is there, mystery, some action, fluffy romance, etc.“
7. Call of the Night
When the night calls, do you answer? Yamori Ko certainly does. Suffering from insomnia, the protagonist of Call of the Night sneaks out one night and discovers a tranquil city free from the usual hustle and bustle. Standing next to a vending machine, he meets Nazuna, a girl who says she can cure his insomnia at her place—only to suck his blood and reveal her vampiric ways.
When Yamori doesn’t turn into a vampire as the stories say, she explains that they can only create other vampires if their victims fall in love with them. Yamori has no experience of love or what it means, so how will this be possible in the first place?
Romance and vampires, a deadly combo under Kotoyama, the author of the manga series. He loves stories of eccentric girls who can turn a boy’s life inside out like one of his other mangas, Dagashi Kashi.
Call of the Night stays true to that theme, and Josh Piedra of The Outerhaven has even expressed their love for the manga saying: “It’s also not a typical “boy falls in love with girl” story, either. It’s a story about self-discovery and second-guessing the things you want out of life. It takes impulsive decision-making and teaches you to always think things through before acting. The old adage of “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side” applies here but rather than trying to shy you away from going to the other side, the show spends its time weighing the pros and cons in an effort to convince you why you SHOULD go to that other side.“
6. My Star (Oishi no Ko)
Oishi no Ko is about a man named Goro Amemiya, a gynecologist in a small rural town. He’s also a huge fan of idol Ai Hoshino, who he suddenly meets in his hospital…expecting twins. After dying suddenly, Goro finds himself in a position he never expected to be in! The man gets reborn as one of his favorite idol’s twins. With a fresh start and a new name on the palm of his hand, how will Goro (now named Aquamarine) deal with this situation?
The story definitely takes a lot of unexpected twists and turns—just like what you’d expect from an Aka Akasaka (Kaguya-sama) manga. It’s intricate with drama on the side, sprinkled with just enough humor to hook you in for more. Here’s what one article said about Oishi no Ko: “There’s no read quite like it as its supernatural premise gives way to a grim view of show business and human relationships and a thriller mystery we’ll only get to see better in future volumes.“
5. After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway
After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway (phew), or Higehiro, begins with Yoshida. The 26-year-old salaryman has had the longest crush on his boss who eventually rejects his feelings towards her. To cope with the sadness, Yoshida goes out to drink, but on his way home, he meets Sayu, a high school student, under a street lamp. She asks to stay in with Yoshida, offering herself in return. Despite rejecting her advances, Yoshida does take her into his home out of compassion. What he didn’t expect was Sayu bringing just what he needed in life: fun and comfort.
Aren’t we all just big fans of romantic comedies? While the story might have readers prematurely press the big red button, the manga is surprisingly lovely and wholesome. It could’ve so easily been disagreeable, but Shimesaba has done a great job focusing on the story’s fun aspects. “One aspect that I love about this manga is the way in which the protagonists give that feeling of being grateful with life but they know that it will not always be good, it is a very realistic and well managed aspect that I have not seen in other anime / manga,” one thread user on MAL commented.
4. An Arranged Marriage Leads to Otaku Love
Maybe arranged marriages DO work out? A love shared between one otaku to another, An Arranged Marriage Leads to Otaku Love revolves around the story of Tsuyuri and Koichi. At first, their marriage was said to be one built around necessity, not love.
But this doesn’t bother Tsuruyi, the wife of the couple, at all, as she sees this as an opportunity to bring out the most of her otaku-ness. Not long enough, she stumbles upon Koichi, the husband of the couple, in a concert wearing something only otakus would appreciate. This newly-wed life sure is something to look forward to!
After the release of its very first chapter, An Arranged Marriage Leads to Otaku Love has since been one of the most awaited romantic mangas of the past years. From the genius of The Villain Daughter Wants to Make a Maiden Game Even if She Reincarnates in Another World! Why am I Involved in Hiding my Hobby?, Murasaki Yukari has once again delivered a must-read for all romance freaks. Here’s what one Reddit thread user said: “Oh no, another arranged marriage series… Oh no, it’s really funny and refreshing…“
3. My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999
My Love Story with Yamadu-kun at Lv999 is the story of Akane Kinoshita, a heartbroken college student who just found out about her boyfriend’s unfaithfulness. Directing all her energy into gaming instead, she comes across Akito Yamada in real life, a fellow player and guildmate. His mysterious personality has caught Akane’s eye, and this brings love back to the table. Whether in the virtual or the real world, this new duo will surely bring a warm, fuzzy feeling to your insides!
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 is the manga to read if a hole in your heart needs filling. It’s a thrilling story that pairs itself with stimulating narration—already two factors that got it to the pinnacle of romance mangas.
This award-winning manga by Mashiro has caught fans in an inescapable headlock, and you will be too. Shying away from the usual reviews, here’s one about the male lead: “my obsession with this series is so unhealthy. yamada is literally my ideal man. he’s so f*cking cute how he cant pick up on social cues and don’t give women validation UGHGHHGHH just wish they would’ve made him more shy in the spicy scenes (in the manga) because that’s more on character.“
2. Endo and Kobayashi’s Live Commentary on the Villainess
Endo and Kobayashi’s Live Commentary on the Villainess is a different kind of romance manga you’d want to add to your arsenal. Lisolette is an obscene otome villainess in a game called MagiKoi…until she writes about her struggles and feelings for Prince Siegward in her diary. On one fateful day, she gets possessed by a witch, eventually leading to her end in the game.
Enter Aoto Endo and Shihono Kobayashi, players of MagiKoi, who are broadcasting club members in the real world. They think Lisolette is just misunderstood and doesn’t deserve what’s happening to her. And when Prince Siegward hears their voices and mistakenly interprets them as godly entities, everything in the world of MagiKoi changes, including Lisolette’s tragic fate.
If you want something inventive that steers away from isekai tropes, then Endo and Kobayashi’s Live Commentary on the Villainess might be the right manga for you. It’s a fun romantic drama that has entertained fans since the beginning. One thread user commented this about the manga: “The development was kind of slow but it was thorough, nothing overlapping and not leaving anyone out from both worlds, I definitely enjoyed the story. It’s quite fascinating to see the romance between both of the main pairs.“
1. 365 Days to the Wedding
Is this right? Have two genuine introverts sworn in love? 365 Days to the Wedding is about Takuya and Rika who work for the same travel agency. But that isn’t the only thing they have in common—they’re anti-social.
An announcement from the company that one lucky employee will be able to go to the agency’s branch in Siberia suddenly comes out, and the only way people exempt from the opportunity are married couples and those with families. In a move to desperately save their introverted lives, Takuya and Rika plan to get married for 365 days—will this scheme be successful or will one of them fall in love with the other?
Not all manga characters are eccentric, from royal families, or transported from another universe—some are your typical, everyday people. 365 Days to the Wedding is a down-to-earth read with flawed characters.
Tamiki Wakaki, the author, is known for Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai, so a slow-paced manga is a welcome surprise for manga readers. Here’s what one Redditor said about the manga: “I think it’s fantastic. I don’t understand why people are complaining so hard, they don’t appreciate slow burns where two people are genuinely introverts meeting each other and trying to form a relationship. If you expect them to kiss in 12 chapters, then read another manga but this isn’t a manga where development will feel cheap.“