Top 10 Shoujo Manga I am Currently Collecting!

I have a manga love, and that is Shoujo manga!

I wanted to take a moment to talk about some of my favorite shoujo series that I am currently collecting!  I've only been reading manga for about 3 years now, and so I still have a lot that I want to collect.  These are some of my favorites that I always look forward to the next release.  These are also not in any particular order, because I cannot choose between them!  I love them all equally!

1. Yona of the Dawn (current with the US publish)

16 year old Yona sets off on a fantastic journey to try to get her kingdom back after her father is brutally murdered before her eyes by someone that she trusts dearly. With the help of some gorgeous men who carry the souls of dragons that she gathers along the way, this beautiful coming of age story is full of political strategy, adorable antics, and an adorable squirrel. Did I mention the gorgeous guys?  Because they are REALLY HOT!! (I'm rooting for Hak or Sin-ah to win her heart.)

2. Requiem of the Rose King (Current with the US publish)

This manga is brilliant to me. Requiem of the Rose King takes 2 Shakespeare tragedies, and weaves them together masterfully!  Richard III and Henry VI are wonderful on their own, but the way that Aya Kanno gives new life to these stories is nothing short of brilliant. Each volume blows my mind even more!  With this story centered around the War of the Roses in history, there are some out there who may feel that Kanno has taken too many liberties.  I honestly disagree. I find this series compelling, and I can't wait for the next volume.

3. Snow White with the Red Hair (Current with US publish)

Being a long time fan of the anime, (I've watched it at least 5 times, and it has 2 seasons!) I am so excited to be adding this favorite story of mine to the collection, as well as getting new content soon!  Shirayuki is one of those characters that is equally relate-able, and you root for them to live their best life. I'm so excited for more of her journey with Zen, Obi, and the gang.

4. Ao Haru Ride (Current with US publish)

Though some of the volumes of this series have left me frustrated, I am thoroughly invested in Futaba exploring a romantic relationship with Kou.  Currently though, Kou is being a total butthead, and I want to know why he is making certain decisions at the cost of hurting Futaba. The side characters in the series definitely help our characters along. They help them fill in the gaps of what is going on, so that they can try to figure things out. I'm invested and excited each time a volume comes out. 

5. Daytime Shooting Star (Current with US publish)

This series came in and stole my attention very quickly!  Viz Media kindly sent me Vol 1, and I was hooked! Our female protagonist is truly unlike most shoujo heroines. She is sassy, she talks back to everyone, and truly defies expectations at every turn.  In the first volume, we see her slap one of her classmates for the horrible way she is treating our girl. It was in that moment, that I truly fell in love with her, and with the series. (Romance wise, I am not rooting for the age gap in this one.  I want her to pick the blushing Tsundere instead!)

6. Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts (Current with US publish)

This series has so many things going for it that I love, that it couldn't be left off this list at all! A human girl has been raised her entire life to be a sacrifice to the King of Beasts of the neighboring beast kingdom. Due to some circumstances that are a major plot point to the story, (so I won't mention them here,) she is spared by the king, and is now going to be his BRIDE!!! The other beasts throughout the kingdom are not on board with this decision, so she is put through a set of trials to prove she is the right one to be standing by his side. It makes me cry on a regular basis, and I will never get enough of their journey!

7. My Pink is Overflowing (Current with US digital publish)

My smutty soul shows with this choice.  In this story we follow a young woman who very openly has a certain kink... a guy in a button up white shirt. (This kink is shown to the point of nosebleeds as well!  It's hilariously written!) Her manager at work seems to fit this very much, and they begin to pursue a romantic relationship. It is sweet, funny, and smutty all in one. I adore it, but can understand why this one isn't for everyone. (Parents should make sure that their teens can handle the kind of content in the series before letting them dive in is all I am saying. This one would be for the older age range on shoujo. I would never personally let my own 12-15 year old read it.)

8. Our Precious Conversations (Current on US digital publish)

This adorable series from the same mangaka that brought us My Little Monster is one that I am itching for a physical publish on. The short chapter format works well for this series. Our female lead very publicly confesses her feelings for this boy at the train station, and he responds by saying she was rude for forcing her feelings on him when they hadn't ever talked before that moment.  This series is about them getting to know one another, and how he begins to find he has feelings for her. Since he has rejected her, this is going to get interesting very quick. 

9. Living Room Matsunaga-San (Current on US digital publish, and excited for the physical publish coming in 2020!)

One of my favorite age-gap romances comes in strong with this one. When high schooler Meeko moves into a boarding house to finish school, she ends up growing close to the manager of her uncle's boarding house, Matsunaga. She finds herself looking forward to the time that they spend together. As he discovers he is beginning to have feelings for her, he tries to build some distance between them. These two have amazingly sweet chemistry, and I look forward to when they can work in a relationship together. 

10. Shortcake Cake (Current with US publish)

Another series where I am getting frustrated with some of the character decisions, I am loving this boarding house shoujo. (I think this is a trend right now, but I am here for it!) Ten is another one of those shoujo heroines that stand out to me. Sadly, the boys around her are making some pretty stupid decisions and she is forced in the middle of it. I am hopeful for Ten and that she can handle what is headed her way.  I am thoroughly invested in what is going to happen in the next volume. (Chiaki needs to be put in time out after vol 5! He crossed a line that is not ok with me.)

Well, I hope you enjoyed this list. I love all of these for different reasons, and hope you will give some of them a try if you haven't! 

~Shae~