Romance is one of the top-performing genres in the medium, to which millions of fans dedicate themselves, reading about young love, soul mates who become separated by poor timing, or unrequited love that provides a slow burn.
Romance Manga has told thousands of stories and continues to tell thousands more as love gives readers hope and warms their hearts, even when a happy ending isn't always promised. Over the years, there have been pivotal romance manga series released that have climbed to unprecedented heights and achieved incredible milestones. These manga stand at the top as some of the most read and most influential in the world. Here are some of the best Romance Manga of all time.
Chihayafuru
A Discovery Of Passion, Dedication, And Love
In a wholesome blend of ambition and exploration, Chihaya Ayase finds herself outside of her comfort zone after discovering Karuta, a traditional Japanese card game. Fascinated by the sport, she dives headfirst and gets more than what she bargained for after a handsome young man compliments her skill.
Chihayafuru seamlessly blends sports and the slice-of-life genre with an adorable yet complex love story, following Chihaya as she matures and discovers who she wants to be. Chhayafuru is written and drawn by Yuki Suetsugu, with over fifty chapters. The series received high praise, selling over thirty million copies in Japan alone.
Chihayafuru
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2011 - 2020
Cast
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Asami SetoChihaya Ayase -
Mamoru MiyanoTaichi Mashima
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Ai KayanoKanade Oe
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Tôru NaraYusei Nishida
Horimiya
An Emotionally Rich Story With A Strong Couple
Created by Hiroki Adachi, Horimiya is currently one of the most popular romance series and has received astounding praise for its wholesome, but mature-themed story and colorful cast of characters. The story follows the blossoming of a deep love between two classmates who meet outside of school. Hori is much like her appearance: kind, thoughtful, and responsible.
However, Miyamura is a layered young man who appears very plain but has several shocking traits. As their relationship progresses, both Miyamura and Hori break down each other's walls and find the true essence of love.
Horimiya
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2021 - 2021-00-00
Cast
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Haruka TomatsuKyoko Hori
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Koki UchiyamaIzumi Miyamura
WHERE TO WATCH
Maid Sama!
A Comedic Love Story With Colorful Themes
Maid Sama! Is a classic series that remains one of the most successful romance series, even decades after its release. Authored by Hiro Fujiwara, Maid Sama! Features a comedic storyline as opposites attract when the student council president and the popular boy become entangled in a winding plot. Misaki keeps a modest appearance in school, but secretly works at a maid café.
A series of hijinks ensues as Misaki attempts to keep her secret intact and Takumi tries to get closer to her, despite her rejection. Maid Sama! May be a creation from another time whose themes may not appeal to many modern-day anime fans, but the series has a certain charm and delivers timeless entertainment.
Maid Sama!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2010 - 2010-00-00
Cast
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Ayumi FujimuraMisaki Ayuzawa
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Nobuhiko OkamotoTakumi Usui
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Shiibashi KazuyoshiShouichirou Yukimura
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Kana HanazawaSakura Hanazono
WHERE TO WATCH
Playful Kiss
A Classic Slow Burn Love Story
Playful Kiss is an incredibly popular Shojo romance manga that has been adapted into multiple live action dramas and continues to receive monumental praise. Created by the late Kaoru Tada, Playful Kiss was a timeless story that had a profound influence across all of Asia.
The story follows young Kotoko, who gets rejected by her crush, Naoki. However, through an unfortunate circumstance, she begins living with him after her family home is destroyed by an earthquake. Naoki is a cold and distant young man, but through perseverance, Kotoko breaks down his walls and reaches his heart.
Fruits Basket
One Of The Most Popular Romance Manga
Fruits Basket may be the most well-known and sensational series in the world, having captured the hearts of multiple generations with several adaptations, including both episodic and animated films. Fruits Basket was authored by Natsuki Takaya.
The series merges supernatural and romance themes in a fantastical love triangle story about a young girl surrounded by Yokai. The story follows Tohru, who is welcomed into a mysterious family's home, which sparks a storm of romantic feelings with the young men of the house. With over thirty million copies sold, Fruits Basket ranks among the top romance manga and remains an iconic series.
Fruits Basket
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- April 6, 2019
From Me, To You
An Impactful Classic That Still Holds Up
From Me, To You is a beautiful and brilliantly paced love story that delivers a slow-burning romance and a pure and innocent love that will last a lifetime. Sawako Kuronuma is a young high school girl who struggles with social anxiety, unable to converse with people due to pure shyness.
Shota Kazehaya engages with Sawako and becomes the first person to truly acknowledge her, which sparks a romantic interest between the two. From Me to You was created by Karuho Shina, who has received multiple awards for the series, with From Me to You selling close to 40 million copies.
NANA
A Diverse Cast of Complex Characters And Situations
NANA is a highly celebrated series that tackles mature themes and merges music and romance in a gritty drama involving two girls with the same name. Written and illustrated by Ai Yazawa, NANA tells a heart-wrenching story about two young girls in Tokyo who befriend each other and share a bond that grows larger than either of them expected.
The expanding story of Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu swept across the anime community and has become one of the most memorable series in history, selling fifty million copies and receiving the Shogakukan Manga Award.
Nana
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2006 - 2007
- Directors
- Morio Asaka
Cast
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Rebecca Shoichet
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Kelly Sheridan
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Matthew Erickson
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David A. Kaye
WHERE TO WATCH
Boys Over Flowers
One Of The Highest-Rated Series Of All Time
Boys over Flowers is one of the best-selling romance manga of all time, with over sixty million copies sold worldwide and an enormous fan base that celebrates the story. The series has crossed over into live-action and been featured across all of Asia, where it's most popular in Korea, thanks to its live-action drama. Originally created by Yoko Kamio, Boys over Flowers follows Tsukishi Makino, a young girl who gets into a prestigious school alongside the country's wealthiest and brightest students.
While Makino is determined to work hard, she encounters F4, a group of the most popular and handsome boys in the school, and her resolve is put to the test. Boys Over Flowers is responsible for defining the rich boy, poor girl trope and remains one of the most influential manga to this day.
Boys Over Flowers
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2009 - 2009-00-00
Cast
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Kyo Hye-sun
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Lee Min-ho
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Kim Hyun-joong
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Kim Bum
