Shoujo Manga is easily the most popular style of manga nowadays, both in Japan and around the world. It’s cute and heartwarming. And it’s almost always perfect for an Anime adaption which naturally leads to generating more sales and fame. So, what makes for great shoujo manga?
Well, it’s often dramatic and romantic, but that isn’t to say every shoujo manga is alike always. Sometimes it can be as complicated or even deeper than other manga genres like action manga like Sakamoto Days. The following is a list of my favorite Shoujo Manga of All time of the current and last few years, both old and new – but it doesn’t really matter as long as the plot, story, and art are great.
Collaboration ( Animeindia.in & Readhoot.com )
1. Fruits Basket
- Volumes: 23
- Chapters: 136
- Status: Publishing
- Published: 18 July 1998 – 20 November 2006
- Genres: Romantic comedy
- Demographic: Shoujo
- Authors: Natsuki Takaya
Fruits Basket is a romance manga series written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya. It was originally serialized in Hana to Yume from Jul 18, 1998, to Nov 20, 2006.
Fruits Basket starts as a normal Shoujo manga series with the added crumple of the Somas around her turning into animals, as she learns more of the Somas’ culture, the series takes a dramatic and interesting dark turn.
At first, this manga might seem like a supernatural comedy but later it quickly turns into something much darker and deeper as it dives into the story of the Sohma family. When it comes down to characters, all are playing off of each other really well and fleshed out properly.
The main characters to note are Yuki, Kyo, Hatori, and Rin. Overall this manga is must read, wish they had put the same effort and creativity into anime as they put in the manga.
2. Ao Haru Ride
- Volumes: 13
- Chapters: 53
- Status: Finished
- Published: 3 Jan 2011 – 13 Feb 2015
- Genres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
- Demographic: Shoujo
- Authors: Io Sakisaka
Ao Haru Ride is the story of a girl named Yoshioka who was in love with a boy named Ko Tanaka. However, he transferred to middle school but her world is turned around once again when she meets him again in high school. There are scenes in this manga that literately will put you into tears, at least in my case I cry like a LITTLE BITCH.
You’ll also see heart-wrenching scenes that may make you think deeply about your own life decisions. The art of this manga is great, no doubt when you compare it to other Shoujo manga. You’ll love every single moment of it, no way I can describe how great this manga is.
3. Hiyokoi
- Volumes: 14
- Chapters: 67
- Status: Finished
- Published: Nov 2009 – Nov 2014
- Genres: Comedy, Romance, Shoujo, Drama
- Demographic: Shoujo
- Authors: Moe Yukimaru
Hiyokoi is a romance manga series written and illustrated by Moe Yukimaru, It was serialized in Shueisha’s monthly shōjo manga from Nov 2009 – Nov 2014.
This manga follows the story of a small and skeptical girl who had an accident that left her hospitalized with severe bone fractures. Even after recovering, she hesitates to go back to school due to her timid nature.
When she finally decides to go to school things take an unexpected turn as she introduces herself to a boy named Yuushin Hirose. The story itself is nothing new but you will find this manga very relaxing and the story is interesting which makes it worth reading it. I guess Hiyokoi is must read the manga if you are a fan of school romance.
4. Banana Fish
- Volumes: 19 Chapters:110
- Status: Finished
- Published: May 1985 – April 1994
- Genres: Drama, thriller
- Demographic: Shoujo
- Authors: Akimi Yoshida
Banana Fish is a thriller manga series written and illustrated by Akimi Yoshida. It was originally serialized in Betsucomi from May 1985 – April 1994.
It’s very hard to say how the pacing, narration, and plot came about in Banana Fish as you begin the manga, the immense intensity is just there even though the characters haven’t been fully introduced.
I would recommend this manga to a certain age to watch, it is heartbreaking and it’s not made for the fainthearted audience.
You will love the characters in it as it’s the strongest point in this series that fan loves. Whether it’s the gang leader Ash or his innocent best friend Eiji, all the characters are well-rounded and very likable.
5. Yona of the Dawn
- Volumes: 38+
- Chapters: 229+
- Status: Publishing
- Published: Aug 5, 2009 to present
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
- Demographic: Shoujo
- Authors: Kusanagi, Mizuho
You have never been so devoted to a manga as this one, not only is the story unique, you will love the way you see the characters develop during the manga.
It follows the story of a weak princess, Yona, and others won’t even bother touching a manga. There’s something unique about the story that makes it a little more interesting than your typical shoujo anime.
She lived a happy life with her loving father. She lived in a place where she was surrounded by servants and protected by smart bodyguards. This manga blends history, mystics, and comedy is truly making it a masterpiece.
6. Kamisama Kiss
- Volumes: 25
- Chapters: 154
- Status: Finished
- Published: Feb 20, 2008 – May 20, 2016
- Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
- Demographic: Shoujo
- Authors: Julietta Suzuki
This manga is perfect for those who want to get into manga. It follows the story of Nanami who is a high schooler that falls in love with a demon, a girl who becomes homeless after her dad left home because of a debt collector but there are lots of things that happened that would make the story more exciting.
The characters of this manga are very well developed and designed to suit the story, they have depth and are very memorable and relatable as you get into it. If you love fantasy with romance elements, then this is a must-read manga for you.
Actually, this manga will really help you to escape reality and enjoy yourself especially if you’re a girl. If you’re a boy then you must be asking Is it worth watching if I am a guy? Well, Yes but you won’t connect that much as girls do. Also check out anime like Kamisama Kiss.
7. A Sign of Affection
- Volumes: 6+
- Chapters: 28+
- Status: Publishing
- Published: July 24, 2019 – present
- Genres: Romance, Drama
- Demographic: Shoujo
- Authors: Suu Morishita
For people who liked the Silent Movie like myself, then this manga is absolutely worth checking out. It follows the story of a deaf girl Yuki whose world has been concealed with silence since birth.
One day she meets the silver-haired, multilingual guy Itsuomi who is a mutual friend of her friend Rin during her commute. A Sign of Affection is a romance manga series written and illustrated by Suu Morishita – It was serialized in Dessert magazine on Jul 24, 2019.
The story is great, I was hooked from the very 1st chapter as the art is beautiful, and pretty good chemistry between the two leads. It is definitely, a must-recommend manga for those who want a new shoujo manga.
8. Love So Life
- Volumes: 17
- Chapters: 108
- Status: Finished
- Published: 2008 – July 18, 2015
- Genres: Comedy, Romance, Drama
- Demographic: Shoujo
- Authors: Kaede Kōchi
Love So Life is the purest, most innocent, and lovely manga you’ll ever read written and illustrated by Kaede Kōchi. I finished this manga in one go as I was addicted to Aoi and Akane (Little kids).
The artist had done a very great job, I mean I have never seen such beautiful art, the babies and the children are drawn so finely and cutely, even at some parts of the chapters made my eyes watery.
It follows the story of the happy days of Shiharu who lives in an orphanage and loves children. If the creator ever plans to create Anime for this manga.
I really hope they follow this manga closely otherwise it would be pointless. There is a saying that goes “The books are better than the movies?” well it will be the same case for this manga series as well.
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