This article intends to shed light on how to define a relationship manga, what it entails, and good stories and real plots that have done justice to the term.
You may have come across the phrase or word “romance manga” or similar phrases and so it may not fully be a new subject since it could perhaps be one of your many guilty pleasures.
Define a Relationship Manga (What it Means)
Let’s split the words for a start, what is manga or what does it really mean? Manga according to Wikipedia are comics or graphic novels with origins in Japan, which refer usually to cartooning and comics.
Outside the borders of Japan, manga typically refers to comics that are originally published in the country, some of these comics share the same plot but are tweaked in a way that keeps them enjoyable to the audience.
With this in view, relationship manga can be referred to as comic plot devices laced with romance anime in which the characters featured are very strongly attracted to each other romantically but do not directly confess their feelings in spite of all odds until the last chapter or episodes.
This article will help you define a relationship manga, list six (6) of the best relationship manga storylines where the characters defy the usual scenes of a typical romance manga and hence date throughout.
1. Ojojojo
Ojojojo is a novel that defines a relationship manga that is peculiar in many ways, it is written and illustrated by Cool-kyou Shinja. The storyline reveals two outcasts by the names Haru Jigokumeguri and Kawayanagi Tsurezure who gradually with fate spinning love in their direction start out as friends with each other.
Both enjoy each other’s company and slowly learn a thing or two about one another, this blossoms into something more as they both begin to fall in love with one another.
2. Inu X Boku SS
Inu x Boku SS is a novel written and illustrated by Cocoa Fujiwara. A total suspense-filled romance story, one where the characters could only confess their feelings for one another and seems to be stuck there.
Though, Ririchiyo and Soushi begin dating after the “prologue” of this relationship manga.
Since both are Atavists, which implies that their ancestors are youkai. With Ririchiyo being the descendant of a strong demon, and Soushi equally a descendant of a nine-tailed fox it makes their love story particularly difficult ensuing in a relationship manga.
3. Dream-Colored Pâtissière
Dream-Colored Pâtissière is a cooking manga, storyline with the main protagonist Ichigo Amano who happens to fall in love with Makoto Kashino a leading character too.
Ichigo, who is a sweets lover, does her best to learn how to become a pâtissière with the help of Sweets Spirits, and as intense as the romance gets, they date after they graduate. This plot owes credit to Natsumi Matsumoto who wrote and illustrated the book.
4. Daily Butterfly
Daily Butterfly is a plot written and illustrated by Sou Morishita. Suiren Shibazeki is a high-handed prideful damsel that is exceptionally gorgeous but also found unapproachable because of her impeccable beauty, which makes her silent.
Kouha Kawasumi is a brave young man who takes the bull by the horn and dares to be exceptional and makes a move on the dreaded damsel and treats her differently from the other boys. These courageous acts alone, win the heart of Suiren who begins to fall in love with Kouha, and both begin to have a relationship.
5. Absolute Boyfriend
Absolute Boyfriend, is a relationship manga series written and illustrated by Yuu Watase, which due to its popularity had received a Japanese, Taiwanese, and South Korean drama adaption.
The plot throws light on a high school girl named Riiko Izawa who orders a cybernetic man with the setting to be her lover who she christens Night Tenjou, and he becomes her boyfriend.
This technically betrays if he is human or robot, as, all through the manga, they are considered to be dating, which brings a lot of curiosity and heartstrings.
6. Boarding School Juliet
Boarding School Juliet is a classic high school story of Romeo and Juliet. It is a shounen manga written and illustrated by Yousuke Kaneda and recently ended last year on September 4, 2019.
Romio Inuzuka, is the leader of the Black Dogs, he is romantically attracted to Juliet Persia, the leader of the White Cats, and confesses his love for her.
She doesn’t thinks she feels the same but later realizes she is in love with him too, and they begin to date. But, the catch is: they have to keep their relationship secret from their dorm mates to live up to their two school roles.
