Manga Like Failed Princesses

In "Bloom into You," Yuu Koito loves romance manga and love songs, dreaming of one day experiencing her own heartfelt romance. But time and again, reality lets her down. When a classmate confesses to her in middle school and she feels nothing in return, Yuu becomes convinced she is simply incapable of falling in love. Later, while heading to the student council room, Yuu witnesses the council president, Touko Nanami, gracefully reject a confession. Impressed by Touko's composure, Yuu seeks her advice. To her shock, Touko then confesses to her, leaving Yuu speechless and with a pounding heart. "Bloom into You" follows the journey of discovering love and growing through experience. Will Yuu finally find the romantic story she has always longed for?

Sumika Murasame is far from cute; her tall, strong build and boyish attitude have earned her the nickname "Violence Murasame." Unfortunately for Sumika, the object of her affection, Ushio Kazama, only has a soft spot for adorable girls. Even though they are best friends, Ushio is completely unaware of Sumika's feelings and keeps talking about her latest crushes. During their first year of high school, Sumika and Ushio befriend Tomoe Hachisuka and Miyako Tamae, who share their interest in girls. The four of them decide to start a club for "girl-loving girls," but they need a fifth member to get official status. Sumika is reluctant but joins, hoping it will help her grow closer to Ushio and face her one-sided love. One-shot included: Volume 6: Kamisama to Dance

Koharu, given a second chance after a close brush with death, is transformed into a modern-day Cupid who must foster romantic bonds between people to ensure her own survival. In this present-day setting, Cupids have traded traditional bows and arrows for high-powered firearms. Koharu eagerly takes on the role of helping others find love, but her unconventional mentors frequently ignore the established rules, transforming simple matchmaking tasks into fierce, tactical battles over relationships.

In "Citrus+", Yuzu Aihara, always cheerful and full of energy, and Mei Aihara, her more reserved and composed girlfriend, work to rebuild their bond after a period apart. Their friends—Harumi Taniguchi, Himeko Momokino, Nene Nomura, and others—stand by them through every challenge. Even Matsuri Mizusawa, usually their rival, now cheers for them. Mei returns after six months away, much to Yuzu’s joy. With their relationship now known, they aim to start fresh and take things step by step. Yet, obstacles remain: Mei’s duties as chairwoman of Aihara Academy and Yuzu’s plans for college. Despite these hurdles, the couple stays determined, relying on their love and support for each other to face whatever lies ahead.

Fumi and Akira used to be close childhood friends, with Akira frequently watching over the sensitive Fumi. Their connection ended when Fumi's family moved away. Years later, after Fumi's family returned, chance brought them back together on their way to school. Their friendship picked up naturally, slipping back into its old, easy rhythm. Not long after, Fumi started a relationship with an older, fashionable student who was connected to Akira's prestigious Fujigaya Girls' Academy.

Office worker Hinako Uno constantly feels societal pressure to find love, pushing her to embody the ideal of a "perfect young woman." Despite her best efforts, Hinako cannot reciprocate romantic feelings, which makes her believe she is flawed and unworthy of love. Her attempts to accept confessions from others repeatedly fail. Asahi Satou, Hinako's senior colleague, unexpectedly becomes the legal guardian of her younger sister after their last relative dies. Asahi dedicates herself entirely to supporting her sister, dismissing romance as irrelevant. One evening, Asahi finds Hinako crying on a park bench and offers her a bag of doughnuts for comfort. This gesture allows both women to drop their defenses and confide in each other about their inner struggles, potentially forging a bond that could change them both.

In "This Monster Wants to Eat Me," the mermaid Shiori emerges from the sea, takes the hand of high school student Hinako, and softly says, "I've come to eat you." Hinako, living alone in a coastal town, possesses a uniquely tempting body that draws nearby monsters. Shiori's purpose is to protect Hinako so they can reach their prime, eventually for the moment when Shiori will devour them completely. As this unavoidable destiny draws near, how will Hinako's heart be changed?

Ten years have passed since Momo "Maki" Makimura's first romance with Midori Oonishi came to an end, but Maki has never been able to move past her feelings for Midori, who broke off their relationship by saying they were "too old" to keep dating. When fate brings them together again, Midori invites Maki to her home, where Maki discovers that Midori is both engaged to someone else and expecting a child. Though Maki wants to offer her congratulations, she notices something feels off. As Midori talks more about her fiancé, Maki picks up on several troubling signs. That night, Maki urges Midori to run away with her instead. Kakeochi Girl explores Maki's efforts to help Midori while navigating their lingering feelings for each other.

Hurrying to her piano lesson, Saki collides with a mysterious figure on the street. After she regains her composure, the stranger picks up her scattered sheet music, hands her a band-aid, and wordlessly walks away. Captivated by this enigmatic and striking individual, Saki discovers the next day that they are a classmate at her new high school. That person is Kanon, a student with a hearing impairment who refuses all special help or accommodations from teachers and fellow students. Over the course of the school year, Saki gradually forges a bond with Kanon and begins to pierce her reserved shell.

In "Goodbye, My Rose Garden," Hanako Kujou travels from Japan to England with aspirations of becoming a writer. After being turned down by the publishing house of her favorite author, she finds herself with nowhere to go until she meets Alice Douglas, an aristocrat who offers her a position as a maid. Determined and proud in her new role as Alice’s personal attendant, Hanako navigates the differences in their social standing while gradually developing a close bond with Alice. One day, Alice proposes fulfilling Hanako’s greatest wish on one condition: Hanako must take Alice’s life. Perplexed by Alice’s readiness to die, Hanako uncovers hidden depths and secrets within the seemingly flawless aristocrat.

In the midst of poverty, Shim Chong resorts to stealing to provide for her blind father. Across town, the future wife of a local minister enjoys a life of comfort and privilege as long as she adheres to societal expectations. Their paths cross unexpectedly, revealing stark contrasts between their circumstances. Despite their different upbringings, both yearn to escape their current realities and embrace destiny's end. Inspired by a traditional Korean folktale, Her Tale of Shim Chong explores the journeys of two young women as they navigate a society that undervalues their worth, ultimately learning self-acceptance.

During her elementary school years, Sayaka Saeki took great pride in being the ideal student—excelling in academics, taking part in club activities, and always presenting herself with perfect decorum, confident that her life was unfolding exactly as intended. That certainty was shattered when a teammate from the swimming club confessed her feelings to Sayaka, forcing her to realize that emotions could upend even the most orderly and rational existence. Entering middle school, Sayaka chose to cooperate with her classmates instead of competing with them, and she grew close to an older student named Chie Yuzuki. As their friendship deepened, Yuzuki eventually confessed her love to Sayaka. Hoping to understand the nature of love, Sayaka returned those feelings, but despite neglecting her studies for the relationship, it ultimately ended, leaving her wounded and bitter. Resolved never to let her emotions control her life again, Sayaka swore to reclaim her independence once she started high school. But when she meets class president Touko Nanami, she finds herself forced to confront the conflict between staying true to who she is and preserving her logical, detached approach to life.

Shinobu Indou, who comes from a family with financial difficulties, is overjoyed when she gains admission into a prestigious all-girls military academy. While walking across the campus, she accidentally runs into two senior students, Fujino Kagami and Koto Ooba. Kagami criticizes Indou’s messy appearance and asks why she decided to attend the school. In contrast, Ooba greets her kindly and leads her to a nearby bathhouse. After bathing, Ooba is amazed by Indou’s beauty, which had been hidden before. On her first day of classes, Indou draws a lot of attention, especially from Kagami, who is in charge of overseeing her squad. Even though Kagami acts strict at first, she unexpectedly welcomes Indou to the school with a gentle kiss on the forehead when they are alone, leaving Indou shocked. As Indou begins to adjust to her new life at the academy, she becomes confused by Kagami’s sudden change in behavior.

Bibi, a passionate high school student, is deeply infatuated with Peter, widely regarded as the most handsome boy at her school. One day, while observing Peter conversing with another girl, Bibi invites that girl to a sleepover with concealed intentions. The evening, however, becomes unexpectedly delightful, fostering an unforeseen friendship between Bibi and Amy—a quiet and amiable girl. Amy agrees to help Bibi in her pursuit of winning Peter's affection, and as they craft various romantic plans, Amy begins to become increasingly important to Bibi.

Sixteen-year-old Nanako Misonoo is an optimistic girl looking forward to starting her first year at Seiran Academy, an elite all-girls school, where she plans to share this new chapter with her best friend, Tomoko Arikura. However, her hopes for a carefree school life are dashed when she is unexpectedly selected for the exclusive Sorority club. Despite lacking wealth or connections, Nanako becomes the target of gossip and bullying due to suspicions she cheated her way into the club. Compounding her troubles, she becomes entangled with the school's most celebrated trio, the "Magnificent Three": Rei Asaka, a gifted but troubled pianist; Kaoru Orihara, a competitive and tomboyish student; and Fukiko Ichinomiya, the respected Sorority president. In response to these challenges, Nanako begins writing letters to her former teacher, Takehiko Henmi, whom she affectionately calls "brother," documenting her struggles and search for peace amid the chaos at Seiran Academy. Included one-shot: Volume 3: Early Spring Trembling

After two decades apart, Takara is reunited with Ema, a former middle school classmate whom she once came close to kissing. Takara is astonished by how the once timid and reserved Ema has transformed into a striking, enigmatic woman. Even though Ema is married, Takara finds herself drawn to the unique feeling of Ema's gentle, soothing touch... In all her past relationships with men, Takara has never felt jealousy or regret. Possessiveness isn't something she normally exhibits. But Ema's return stirs unfamiliar emotions within her. Seeing the way Ema interacts affectionately with her husband awakens a new yearning in Takara. Could these overwhelming sensations be the emotion she has been missing all along?

Eri is my childhood friend, someone I've always shared a close bond with. Someday, my emotions for her will deepen beyond mere friendship, yet I'll never confess. My wish is to remain by her side always.

Ruby attends a prestigious European boarding school where life seems to be going smoothly until she learns she cannot return home for the Christmas holiday. Instead, she must remain on campus with only Steph, a distant and stunningly beautiful student, as her sole companion. As Ruby attempts to get to know Steph, she finds herself growing increasingly drawn to her. Yet she wonders whether she can ever truly reach beyond Steph's guarded demeanor.

Kiyoko Itou and Mitsu Sonoda have always found solace in one another. A chance meeting in the past transformed their shared anxieties about the future into a desire to remain together, even though a relationship between women was considered unacceptable at the time. Under the weight of societal expectations, Kiyoko found it difficult to fully dedicate herself to their bond. Nevertheless, they vowed never to forsake each other and to patiently await the right moment to be together again. The enduring strength of their connection will be put to the test by the many challenges life throws their way, with time revealing its true measure.

Yumi Fukuzawa begins her first year at Lillian Academy, a Catholic all-girls school where older students traditionally take younger students as their "little sisters," known as soeurs. At first, Yumi goes unnoticed. But after a chance encounter, Sachiko unexpectedly asks Yumi to become her soeur, bringing Yumi into the circle of the Yamayurikai and their respective soeurs.

In "Hana Monogatari," the story follows Hanayo, an elderly woman who has just lost her husband of many years. After attending a Buddhist memorial service for him, she goes out alone in town for the first time in ages. On her walk, she happens upon a cosmetics shop and encounters Yoshiko Doujima, a captivating woman whom Hanayo instantly falls for. Since Hanayo stopped wearing makeup because her late husband disapproved, she feels a fresh sense of happiness as she puts it on again with Yoshiko's assistance.

In her final year of high school, Kokoro learns that her father intends to arrange her marriage immediately after graduation, making her feel as if her life has ended. Resolved to embrace her love for other girls, she decides to create an exceptional sketchbook documenting lesbian romance as a permanent legacy. Through watching the young women in her town, Kokoro gains a deeper understanding of their aspirations, challenges, and the unpredictable nature of love.

Middle school student Kon Chigawa has never left the small island where she was born, nor does she anticipate ever doing so. She lives with constant loneliness, and love is a completely alien concept to her. That all changes when she meets the city girl Furuka on a cliff—and ends up reviving her after they both plunge into the ocean! Once they regain consciousness, the two find themselves before a cave rumored to be the lair of a terrifying monster. Unbeknownst to them, their accidental encounter will trigger a chain of bizarre events on this enigmatic island.

The story centers on a group of young women at Lillian Catholic Girls' School in Tokyo, Japan. It often explores the deep connections and daily experiences of the Yamayurikai, the school's student council.