Manga Like After School Etude

A haunting melody lingers in Mafuyu Satou's mind, repeating through a guitar with sorrow and longing. His distant demeanor hides the depth of his emotions from those nearby. An unexpected meeting with classmate Ritsuka Uenoyama could become the key for Mafuyu to express his inner voice. Uenoyama plays in a band featuring soft-spoken bassist Haruki Nakayama and rugged drummer Akihiko Kaji. Though lacking a vocalist, the group performs instrumentally. Their prospects for growth brighten when Uenoyama is captivated by Mafuyu's singing ability and invites him to join their ranks. Band life brings challenges where emotions can strengthen or strain relationships. With Uenoyama's encouragement, Mafuyu may find a way to release the feelings trapped within his soul.

High school freshman Touji Seryou faces a unique challenge: he must determine within seven days whether he can develop romantic feelings for someone. At school, he's known for an unusual tradition; anyone who asks him out on Monday becomes his date for the week, but by Sunday, he breaks it off, stating he can't reciprocate their affection. Despite this, many girls still seek his attention, drawn to how he genuinely cares for them during their brief time together. Yuzuru Shino, a striking upperclassman from the archery club, is infamous for his unpleasant demeanor after initial infatuations fade. After learning about Seryou’s custom, Yuzuru coincidentally runs into him at the school entrance and playfully proposes a date. Surprisingly, Seryou accepts the invitation seriously. As their week progresses, viewers are left wondering what this unconventional arrangement will uncover.

In "Classmates," Hikaru Kusakabe embraces a carefree lifestyle centered around music, partying, and smoking. His classmate, Rihito Sajou, is the complete opposite—an exceptional student who consistently ranks first in his class and achieved a perfect score on his high school entrance exam. While preparing for a choir festival, Kusakabe notices Sajou struggling with singing and offers to help him practice. They begin a routine of daily after-school practice sessions. Despite their vastly different lifestyles, the two gradually develop a deep connection and begin to experience romantic feelings for each other. As they navigate their final year of high school and consider their futures, Kusakabe and Sajou must face their evolving emotions and support one another through this transformative time.

In the story, Yoshikazu Miyano, a shy high school student who enjoys boys' love manga, finds himself caught in the middle of a violent school brawl. Unable to act, he is saved by the intervention of the senior student Shuumei Sasaki, who swiftly takes control of the situation. From that moment on, Miyano secretly admires Sasaki. After three months, however, Miyano begins to see Sasaki as increasingly irritating rather than admirable. At school, Sasaki often greets him with playful banter and casual physical interactions. When Sasaki asks for manga recommendations, Miyano shares a boys' love comic from his collection. Surprisingly, Sasaki takes a liking to it and develops a newfound appreciation for the genre, leading to a shared interest between them. Could this common passion hint at a deeper connection?

Okuto Nakamura, a quiet and somewhat gloomy student, finds solace in two things: his pet octopus and his kind-hearted classmate, Aiki Hirose. Since the beginning of school, Nakamura has harbored a deep admiration for Hirose’s cheerful disposition but has struggled to approach her due to his own social difficulties. Despite this, he summons the courage to try communicating with Hirose. However, his initial attempt at interaction ends in an unfortunate mishap, leaving a bizarre impression on the object of his affections. As they are often required to collaborate on various school activities, Nakamura gets multiple opportunities to spend time with Hirose. Can he redeem himself and achieve his dream of forming a close bond with Hirose?

Kouhei Sugihara lives a withdrawn life because of his hearing impairment. His world shifts when the energetic and spirited Taichi Sagawa enters it. Kouhei sees Taichi’s voice as bright as sunlight. Though often misunderstood by others, Taichi finds in Kouhei someone who truly understands his sincere and warmhearted nature. Taichi’s assertive attitude pushes Kouhei to aim for more, drawing him into a lively social circle he has always wanted to be part of. With Taichi’s support, Kouhei meets people eager to connect with him, even if they sometimes have to repeat themselves. As they work through the challenges of bridging their different lives, Taichi and Kouhei form a bond that goes beyond ordinary friendship and overcomes every barrier. "I Hear the Sunspot" is a touching story about loneliness, self-worth, and building connections through shared human experiences.

Yu Yang is a dependable and friendly second-year university student who, at the start of a new semester, is assigned to help guide each incoming freshman around campus. During this task, he meets Li Huan, a new student whose imposing height adds to an already cold and distant personality. Despite Yu Yang's attempts to be helpful, Li Huan often responds with disinterest. Initially annoyed by Li Huan's behavior, Yu Yang slowly comes to understand that this unexpected meeting might change how he sees life and, possibly, his understanding of love.

In "Boy Meets Maria," Taiga Hirasawa dreams of playing the lead role in a heroic film story, though he is unsure who his heroine might be. On his first day of high school, he meets "Maria," a captivating drama club member who enchants everyone with her grace and mystery. Taiga immediately declares his love, only to discover that "Maria" is actually Yuu Arima, one of his fellow male classmates. Despite this revelation, Taiga becomes intrigued by Arima's complex and elusive personality, which hides a painful past. Determined in his pursuit, Taiga sets out to uncover the real person behind the facade of "Arima."

In "Loveless," sixth-grader Aoyagi Ritsuka struggles with a difficult existence, marked by a mysterious memory loss from two years ago and the emergence of a second personality. His mother often berates and even strikes him, demanding to know what happened to the "real" Ritsuka. His only ally and protector, his older brother Seimei, was recently killed. A man named Soubi appears, claiming to be Seimei's friend, and tells Ritsuka that his true name is "Loveless." Soubi explains that Seimei appointed him to protect Ritsuka. Soon, Ritsuka is drawn into a hidden world where duels take place between a "Fighter Unit" and a "Sacrifice," using intricate, poetic incantations. As Ritsuka struggles with self-acceptance, he also seeks the truth behind his brother's murder and the motives behind it.

Shun Hashimoto and Mio Chibana begin their journey to Tokyo after starting their relationship. The lively city stands in stark contrast to the calm seaside town where their connection first developed. Even with the city's energy, managing a same-sex relationship in a society that often looks down on non-traditional couples proves difficult. Their trip takes them to Shun's old home, the place he left behind after revealing his sexuality. Familiar sights like the same dog and the well-known rooftop bring back memories, but an unexpected meeting with a loud younger brother adds a new twist. Although Shun's mother greets them warmly, his father keeps a cold distance. As they reconnect with old friends and adjust to their new surroundings, Shun and Mio face the difficult task of coming to terms with their pasts.

High school students Chiharu Saeki and Wataru Toda share a close friendship despite their differing positions in the social hierarchy. As the most popular boy in their grade, Saeki frequently turns down confessions from girls by claiming he already has a crush on someone. Both are passionate about movies and often go to the cinema together, taking turns selecting which films to watch. After one of their movie outings, Saeki confesses his feelings to Wataru, explaining that he doesn't expect anything in return. Instead, he proposes that they spend the summer visiting the real-world locations where their favorite films were shot. Though Wataru initially seems unfazed by the confession, he starts to question his own feelings as their bond deepens through this shared journey.

In a surprising turn of events on a rooftop, a confession takes place between two boys, but the situation is more complicated than it seems. Souta Aoki, known for his kind nature, harbors feelings for Mio Hashimoto, who he finds charming and warm. However, his world is turned upside down when Mio lends him an eraser inscribed with the name "Ida," belonging to another classmate. Upon seeing his own name, Kousuke Ida assumes that Aoki has romantic feelings for him. Aoki then finds himself caught in a web of confusion, trying to clear up the misunderstanding without exposing the fact that Mio actually has a crush on Ida. The lines between true and feigned affection become blurred in this intense love triangle centered around their first crushes.

While visiting his mother over the summer, Haru meets Ren, a boy who has just been adopted into the family. Haru's first objective is to "civilize" Ren before the season ends. But as Haru spends more time with Ren, their bond grows stronger, and Ren begins to come out of his shell. Will they be able to build a true "family" relationship by the time summer is over?

In the prosperous kingdom of his time, Xie Lian was famed for his beauty, strength, and virtue. Through relentless effort and noble acts, he attained godhood. Yet even those who ascend may tumble—Xie Lian was cast down from heaven multiple times, returning to the mortal realm. Centuries after his human life, Xie Lian rises to divinity for the third time. Now a humble scavenger, he must carry out tasks in the human world to settle debts and maintain his celestial status. Guided by both old friends and former foes, and accompanied by a mysterious young man with whom he feels an instant bond, Xie Lian must face the terrors of his past to lift the curse that plagues his present existence.

Beneath Hikaru Kusakabe's calm exterior lies a deep affection for Rihito Sajou, a feeling that only needs a gentle gesture to spark. Sajou, known for his diligence and quiet nature, struggles to reconcile his strong feelings for Kusakabe, often lost in thought and doubt, while Kusakabe is bold and direct, holding back nothing in expressing physical intimacy. When Kusakabe shares his dream of becoming a professional musician, Sajou devotes himself fully to preparing for university entrance exams. Their diverging paths cast an unspoken shadow over their relationship: as graduation approaches, the future of their romance grows uncertain. Still, their love provides warmth to each other in the harsh winter and brings hope that one day they will find the answer to a shared yet undefined future.

In 19th-century London, young nobleman Cain navigates the shadowy corridors of high society into which he was born. Following his father's sudden death, he becomes Earl and takes on the responsibilities of the Hargreaves family, which is steeped in dark lore. With his loyal servant Riff and his ten-year-old half-sister Mary Weather, Cain investigates the eerie series of crimes that seem to pursue him relentlessly. Includes the one-shot: Volume 5: Nichiyoubi no Solomon Grundy.

College student Rikiya Higuchi, who is attracted to men but has never been in a relationship, signs up on a gay dating site hoping to find genuine connection. When the first person to message him invites him to meet, Rikiya eagerly agrees, only to find himself trapped and about to be assaulted. In his panic, he calls out for help, and unexpectedly summons Endo Guar Adroone, a haughty high-class demon accompanied by his bird butler. Endo frees Rikiya from his restraints and informs him that he is now his contractor, able to fulfill any wish. Rather than asking for someone to fall in love with him, Rikiya just wants to return home, hoping both he and the demon can return to their respective worlds. However, Endo is running away from an arranged marriage, which means Rikiya might have to deal with the arrogant demon for longer than he anticipated.

Eight hundred years ago, Xie Lian was a highly esteemed Crown Prince of flawless lineage, a favored choice of Heaven with limitless promise. Even after attaining godhood and amassing tens of thousands of worshippers, his destiny turned cruel. Time and again, he was stripped of his power and cast down to the lowest depths. Centuries later, Xie Lian ascends once more, though this time he has no followers or incense offerings. One day, after returning from scavenging, he brings a peculiar young man back to his home. This individual is Hua Cheng, the terrifying Ghost King whose very name sends chills down everyone's spines.

In "Prince of Recipes," Sakai, a second-year culinary student, aspires to run a small restaurant and connect with people through his cooking, just as his grandfather once did. Burdened by demanding school hours and a three-hour daily commute, he nears exhaustion. His predicament appears hopeless until a classmate informs him of an unforeseen opportunity to share a nearby apartment, setting the stage for the story of four unlikely roommates.

In "Vassalord," Charley, a cyborg vampire, executes the Vatican's secret missions under the direction of Johnny Rayflo, a dissolute vampire. Their relationship is defined by both strife and cooperation, resulting in a blend of comedy, violence, and blasphemous deeds. Battling his unquenchable thirst for blood, Charley confronts a young vampire princess, a dubious faction of the Unitarian Church, and even his own master. The release additionally features the self-contained story "Volume 2: Zoul Half."

In "Our Dining Table," Yutaka Hozumi struggles with eating in public because people say his presence ruins the mood and alters the taste of food. One day while eating alone, a young boy approaches him, and Yutaka shares his onigiri. Soon after, the boy's older brother arrives, introducing Yutaka to Tane and Minoru Ueda, who have a significant age gap. During their next meeting, the brothers express interest in learning how to make Yutaka's unique rice balls, with Tane insisting they were the best he had ever tasted. Reluctantly agreeing, swayed by Tane's cuteness and Minoru's intimidating presence, Yutaka teaches them how to cook. Over time, these cooking sessions turn into shared meals, strengthening the bonds between Yutaka and the siblings. However, Tane and Minoru's close relationship triggers painful memories for Yutaka, revealing hidden emotions beneath their seemingly simple gatherings.

During their high school spring semester, Yuiji Hasegawa begins to suspect that his quiet classmate, Yamato Yoshinaga, has romantic feelings for his straight best friend, Kyousuke Hongou. While in a shared study group, Yuiji catches Yamato holding Kyousuke's hand as Kyousuke sleeps, and Yamato shows clear embarrassment upon being discovered. Though initially hesitant due to Yamato's homosexuality, Yuiji decides to keep the incident secret, leading to the start of their friendship. Despite their differing experiences with love, the two seem to grow closer as they work toward understanding each other better. However, the unspoken possibility remains that their relationship might develop beyond just friendship.

Kenshirou Midou is a popular student who keeps his love for cosmetics a secret, known only to his sisters and his childhood friend, Hiura Mihate. Hiura is the sole person Kenshirou confides in about his interest in makeup. Driven by his enthusiasm, Kenshirou convinces Hiura to let him apply makeup, which results in a surprising transformation. The previously plain and lanky Hiura becomes an attractive young girl, leaving Kenshirou amazed and curious. Unbeknownst to Kenshirou, Hiura has long harbored romantic feelings for him, often watching from a distance without expecting them to be returned. Despite the shocking change, Hiura sees this as an opportunity to become more involved in Kenshirou's unique hobby. As they grow closer through shared experiences, their bond deepens into an inseparable connection.

In a grim city where criminal organizations hold more power than the legitimate government, Yukio "Yuki" Kousei and his best friend Tetsushi "Tetsu" sell counterfeit drugs to survive. When Yuki's younger sibling falls gravely ill and needs hospital treatment, they decide to rob the safe at the Seidoukai headquarters, a feared yakuza group, aiming to steal a large amount of untraceable cash. Though the robbery goes wrong, Yuki catches the attention of the syndicate's young leader, Kazutaka Hyodo. Hyodo offers to cover Yuki's brother's medical expenses and overlook the break-in, but on one condition: Yuki must visit Hyodo's office every week without fail. With his brother's health at stake, Yuki accepts the terms immediately. As he complies with this arrangement, tensions escalate between the Seidoukai and a rising gang eager to seize control.