If you’re looking to start collecting shoujo manga but aren’t sure where to start, I’m here to share my recommendations! In this post I’m going to talk about 10 shoujo manga series that I think everyone should have in their collection. If I were to restart my collection, these are what I would search for first!
Basically, shoujo manga are Japanese comics targeted towards a younger female audience. Shoujo does not mean romance. While the romance genre is very popular in shoujo manga, it is just one of many genres that can be found in the demographic.
Criteria for my recommendations
- All included manga will have official English prints.
- There will be some newer, ongoing series, and some older, completed series.
- There will be a mix of lengths: some series will only be five volumes, while others will be up to 30.
- There will be a mix of genres—this is not a “shoujo romance manga recommendations” list, but a “shoujo manga recommendations” list.
The manga
I compiled a wide variety of genres and subgenres in this list. If your favourite series isn’t here, please let me know in the comments!
Colette Decides to Die
Genre: Fantasy romance, slice of life.
Author: Alto Yukimura. X, Instagram.
Volumes: Complete at 21 singles in Japanese, currently ongoing in English in omnibus format.
My rationale: Colette Decides to Die is a series that discusses the importance of always trying your best, even if you’re unsuccessful in the end. There are also heavy themes of found family and the importance of being kind to everyone, even the people who will only be in your life for a short time.
You can grab volume one here:
The Failure at God School
Genre: Fantasy, mystery, school life.
Authors: Modomu Akagawara (X), and Hyūganatsu (X).
Volumes: Ongoing in Japanese with 13 volumes, ongoing in English with three volumes.
My rationale: Not all shoujo is romance! The Failure at God School is the perfect example of this. This series follows a young woman on a journey to discover herself, and to uncover the mysteries surrounding her brother. While there are themes of the importance of friendship, romance has no affect on the series.
You can grab volume one here:
Kamisama Kiss
Genre: Fantasy romance, high school life.
Author: Julietta Suzuki. X, Instagram.
Volumes: Complete at 25 volumes in both English and Japanese.
My rationale: While the romance in Kamisama Kiss does play an integral role in the plot, it’s not the only factor affecting the story—though as it’s so magical, I would still be recommending it if that were the case. Not just romantic love, familial love is also a big theme in this story.
This series follows a young woman as she grows into herself, all while befriending magical beings.
You can grab volume one here:
Fruits Basket
Genre: Fantasy romance, slice of life, mystery.
Author: Natsuki Takaya. X
Volumes: Complete at 23 volumes in English and Japanese.
My rationale: Fruits Basket has the kindest, most understanding protagonist I’ve come across in manga. This series focuses on the importance of giving people the benefit of the doubt, and forgiving and forgetting. While it can get a little dark and sad at times, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.
You can grab volume one here:
Love, That’s an Understatement
Genre: High school romance, delinquent romance.
Author: Fujimomo. X, Instagram.
Volumes: Ongoing in Japanese with eight volumes, and two physical and seven digital in English.
My rationale: While the premise to Love, That’s an Understatement may sound rather basic, Fujimomo found a way to make it incredibly magical. Though the two protagonists come from different worlds and have different interests, they are able to fit in together perfectly. The romance in this series is very cute and fluffy, which is one of its biggest strengths.
You can grab volume one here:
Natsume’s Book of Friends
Genre: Fantasy, slice of life.
Author: Yuki Midorikawa. X.
Volumes: Ongoing in Japanese and English with 32 volumes currently published.
My rationale: Just because a series is targeted towards younger women, that doesn’t mean the protagonist can’t be a young man! Natsume’s Book of Friends is an “iyashi-kei” series—reading it will soothe your soul. This is a series that focuses on kindness and empathy—even to those who you may not think deserve it.
You can grab volume one here:
Glasses With a Chance of Delinquent
Genre: High school romance, delinquent romance, comedy.
Volumes: Ongoing in Japanese with 10 volumes, and in English with five volumes.
My rationale: Glasses With a Chance of Delinquent is an incredibly lighthearted, comedy romance. It follows the romance between a former delinquent, and a girl who is scared of delinquents. This is an incredibly cute, funny series. The stakes are never all that high, making it a fun, stress-free read.
You can grab volume one here:
Rosen Blood
Genre: Dark fantasy, gothic romance, vampires.
Author: Kachiru Ishizue. X, Instagram.
Volumes: Complete in English and Japanese at five volumes.
My rationale: Rosen Blood is one of the most beautiful series in my collection. Not just the art but the character design, the outfits, the buildings… everything is incredibly gothic and beautiful. The plot is appropriately dark and mysterious, following four vampires and the human girl they kidnap. I most recommend this series to those who put high importance on art quality in their manga.
You can grab volume one here:
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
Genre: High school romance, slice of life.
Author: Karuho Shiina
Volumes: Complete in English and Japanese at 30 volumes.
My rationale: Kimi ni Todoke is the ultimate high school romance series. It has themes of staying true to yourself and the importance of being kind to others.
We follow a young girl as she begins making friends in high school, and develops feelings for one of her classmates. While it may sound like a more simple story, you need to read it to see the magic.
You can grab volume one here:
Firefly Wedding
Genre: Drama, fantasy, historical.
Author: Oreco Tachibana. x.
Volumes: Complete in Japanese with 11 volumes, ongoing in English with six volumes.
My rationale: fans of dramatic romance stories should absolutely give Firefly Wedding a try. This series goes to some rather dark places—kidnappings, attempted murders, etc. It is far from your standard romance series.
Both the male lead and female lead are incredibly strong, and a little crazy, in their own ways. If you’re interested in following a woman go through an incredible journey all through her own perseverance, I highly recommend trying Firefly Wedding out.
You can grab volume one here:
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