5 Best Romance Manga
Romance manga offers a unique charm that draws readers into heartwarming, emotional, and sometimes humorous tales of love and relationships. From quiet, introspective moments to grand confessions, these stories explore every angle of romance, making fans fall in love with the characters and their journeys.
Whether you’re into sweet high school crushes, workplace romances, or the complexities of first love, romance manga has something special for everyone. Here are five of the best romance manga, each bringing a unique style and storyline, ranked from number 5 to 1.
5. Horimiya
In Horimiya, we meet Kyouko Hori, a popular and outgoing high school girl, and Izumi Miyamura, a quiet, seemingly aloof classmate with a hidden rebellious side. Hori hides her family responsibilities, while Miyamura keeps his punk look and tattoos a secret from his classmates.
A chance meeting outside school lets them see each other’s hidden selves, leading to an unexpected friendship that gradually blossoms into romance. The story captures their contrasting personalities and insecurities, weaving a heartwarming tale of love where true acceptance is key.
4. Ao Haru Ride
Ao Haru Ride follows Futaba Yoshioka, a girl who had feelings for Kou Mabuchi back in middle school but never confessed before he moved away. Now in high school, Futaba has reinvented herself to fit in with her new friends. When Kou returns, he’s changed—quieter, more cynical, and distant.
As they reconnect, Futaba begins to break through Kou’s hardened exterior, reigniting old feelings and new challenges. Ao Haru Ride beautifully captures the nostalgia and complexity of young love, making it both realistic and heart-touching.
3. My Little Monster
My Little Monster centers on Shizuku Mizutani, an academic-focused student with little interest in anything else, and Haru Yoshida, a wild and unpredictable classmate who’s quick to anger. When Shizuku is tasked with delivering notes to Haru, she unexpectedly befriends him, discovering his hidden kind side.
Haru quickly develops strong feelings for her, though Shizuku is hesitant. The manga humorously explores their mismatched personalities and unlikely romance, with Shizuku’s calmness balancing Haru’s chaotic nature in an endearing story of growth and acceptance.
2. Kimi ni Todoke
In Kimi ni Todoke, Sawako Kuronuma, often mistaken for a horror movie character due to her eerie appearance, longs to connect with her classmates. She admires Shouta Kazehaya, a popular and friendly boy who doesn’t see her as scary.
Kazehaya’s kindness encourages Sawako to come out of her shell, and their growing friendship slowly transforms into something more. The manga explores Sawako’s personal growth and her heartwarming journey as she learns to express herself, making it a beloved romance about overcoming isolation and finding love.
1. Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket tells the story of Tohru Honda, a kind-hearted girl who, after losing her mother, ends up living with the mysterious Sohma family. She soon discovers that they’re cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac when hugged by the opposite gender.
As Tohru forms bonds with the Sohmas, especially Yuki and Kyo, her caring nature begins to heal the family’s hidden traumas. This captivating story balances romance, humor, and deep-rooted family secrets, making Fruits Basket a timeless tale of love, acceptance, and resilience.