Best Romance Manga To Read for Escaping Reality

We collected some titles of the best romance manga to read. Stress from personal issues and the gravity of real-world situations can take a toll on mental health. As such, people seek relief that often comes from stories.

Romance has always been a popular genre, primarily for the optimism it offers. Regardless of what anyone is going through, reading a romance webtoon or watching a romantic film would uplift them. Given perpetual demand and popularity of romance novels, it’s always a good time to pick up a new title. Consider one or five from our list to get started!

Note: Some titles in our list of the best romance manga to read may fall into multiple sub-genres. We based our decision on where to include each title according to the primary sub-genre. However, certain elements of another sub-genre could still be apparent. For instance, Cherry Magic falls into the categories of comedy, slice-of-life, and fantasy romance manga. Still, we decided to label it under our rom-com list.

Key takeaways

• Manga enthusiasts looking for the best romance manga to read have many options, given the genre’s multiple subgenres.
• Romance is a popular genre with exciting classic titles and even on-going rom-com manga series to catch up on.
• This list of romance manga includes titles under subgenres like romantic comedy, fantasy romance, and slice-of-life romance.

Table of contents

1. Slice-of-life Romance Manga
2. Best Fantasy Romance Manga
3. Ongoing Rom-com Manga Series
4. Completed Romance Manga
5. CCC: Translating and Localizing the Best Romance Manga To Read

Here are some titles to consider for your next reading if you like reading about drama based on everyday life.

Fans of romantic misadventures set in high school will enjoy this slice-of-life. Kuzumi-kun, Can’t You Read the Room? by Mosco is about a popular student who takes interest in an out-of-touch classmate.

Undoubtedly, a relationship between the envy of the whole school and someone socially unaware is nothing short of comedic. Yen Press published the complete series in English. All eight volumes are available digitally in the publisher’s official website.

Assorted Entanglements by Mikanuji is a romance anthology featuring a variety of women’s love stories. It all begins with the story of one office worker who drowns her loveless life at a local pub. One night, she ends up with a bartender who wants to develop their relationship.

This slice-of-life series is ongoing. Currently, six volumes are available in Japanese. Meanwhile, Yen Press published four of its volumes in English. Paperback and digital editions are available on the publisher’s official website.

This slice-of-life manga features a love triangle between high school students while navigating the uncertainty of the future. Blue Flag by KAITO is a heavily praised title. During its original run from 2017 to 2020, the Next Manga Awards ranked it 3^rd in the web category. In addition, it was a finalist in the graphic novels category of the 2020 Los Angeles Times book prize.

Given its positive critical reception, several manga localization companies picked up Blue Flag. Viz Media and MANGA Plus licensed and published it in English. Meanwhile, Kurokawa has licensed the manga for French release. Furthermore, official German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish versions are available.

Romance in fantasy settings balance out the thrill and romantic excitement. Here are two of the best titles out there.

Nothing beats a timeless fairytale. Beauty and the Beast Girl by Neji is a sweet fantasy romance about a forest monster yearning for connection. When the beast meets a blind human, the two begin an unusual bond. Slowly, the beast girl’s heart warms up and is no longer lonely.

Print and digital editions of this manga are available on Seven Seas Entertainment. Beauty and the Beast Girl only has one volume with 162 pages. Thus, it’s an ideal title for those looking for a quick romance manga to read.

If you’re looking for a classic title, this post-apocalyptic fantasy romance adventure has everything you could ask for. Basara by Tamura Yumi is one of the most popular manga of the ‘90s in Japan for a reason. This story follows a young girl, destined to free her people and avenge her brother.

Basara won the 1992 Shogakukan Manga Award for Shoujo. Its lasting popularity and award-winning story led to multiple adaptations. In particular, there is a 13-episode animated series and several stage plays. All 27 volumes of the manga are available in English through Viz Media.

It’s never too late to catch up on romantic comedies. Join the hype by reading these manga.

Pro-tip: Many ongoing romance manga have cult or even significant followings overseas. However, not all local publishers pick up certain titles. Thus, some supporters translate the Japanese work for use amongst themselves. While fan translations help with accessibility, consider learning about the implications of fan vs professional manga translation.

I Can’t Say No to the Lonely Girl by Kashikaze is among the top-trending dramatic rom-com manga series in Japan. Fans of high-school life stories are surely going to enjoy this story about a romance born out of blackmail.

Currently, only one volume is currently available on the official English publication’s website (Kodansha USA) in print and digital. However, this manga is already complete in the original Japanese language. For fan translations, look up other titles associated with this manga, such as Can’t Defy the Lonely Girl and I Can’t Resist Lonely Girl.

Popularly known as Cherry Magic, this manga has been adapted into a Japanese TV drama and an anime. It also has a film sequel to the television series. Furthermore, this manga inspired a Thai television drama adaptation.

Cherry Magic by Yuu Toyota has originally been running since 2018. As of March 2024, there are 13 volumes in its original Japanese language. Meanwhile, SQUARE ENIX USA began distributing English versions in 2020. For now, 10 volumes are available. At the same time, existing English chapters are on Manga UP!, the official SQUARE ENIX manga website.

Here are three of the best romance manga you can add to your library without waiting for the next release.

This dramatic romance manga explores how love might be better the second time around. Funny and painful, Run Away With Me, Girl by Battan is an ideal reading for fans of adult drama.

Are you a fan of stories about people who just can’t seem to forget a love they once had? Pick up a complete 3-volume paperback set of this series from Kodansha USA Publishing. Digital versions are also available on the same website.

First-time love stories usually feature young protagonists. However, love might come later for others. Our Teachers Are Dating! by Pikachi Ōi captures this sweet romance perfectly. It tells the story of two teachers who fall in love for the first time. Given their lack of experience, fellow faculty and even their students help them develop their relationship.

This romance manga series originally ran from 2018 to 2021. It has four volumes available in English via Seven Seas Entertainment. You can purchase print or digital versions through the official publisher’s page.

My Love Mix-Up! by Wataru Hinekure is a story about mistaken identity that somehow turns out well. It’s a sweet romantic comedy spanning nine volumes, all of which are available in print and digitally.

This manga also has a live action drama adaptation. All 10 episodes are available for streaming on Viki and Netflix. Fans of the manga have praised the TV adaptation for its perfect casting. Consider this title for your next reading or viewing experience. It’s a great reminder of how sometimes, misunderstandings work out in the end.

Romantic passion is a universal phenomenon that produced countless stories throughout history. Romance manga gives insights into how Japan tells love stories. With professional manga typesetting and localization companies like CCC, we proudly bring these stories to global audiences. Thus, non-Japanese speakers experience the same excitement in their native languages. Let’s discuss your next manga project. Contact us.