Manga Like Maria: The Deposed Empress

Chise Hatori has always been able to see supernatural beings, but that ability has never brought her happiness. Abandoned by her parents, she endures a harsh life and eventually decides to sell herself at a slave market in hopes of finding a place to belong. There, she is offered as a rare "Sleigh Beggy," someone with extraordinary magical sensitivity. Her last hope is Elias Ainsworth, a mysterious magician who appears more creature than human. Instead of making her a slave, he chooses to take her in as both his apprentice and his bride. Taken to Elias's home in the English countryside, Chise enters a world where fairies and dragons live alongside humans. But she soon realizes that her new life brings fears as well as wonders. At the center of it all is the unsettling question of whether she has fallen into the hands of something even more dangerous than the hardships she left behind.

In the kingdom of Tanbarun, Shirayuki, a renowned herbalist, catches the unwanted attention of the conceited prince Raji Shenazard because of her striking red hair. Faced with the unpleasant proposition of becoming his concubine, she decides to cut her hair and flees the country under the cover of night. During her escape through the woods, she encounters Zen Wistalia, the prince of the neighboring nation Clarines. After Zen consumes a poisoned apple sent by Raji to lure Shirayuki back, she swiftly employs her expertise in herbs to save him. With Zen and his allies Kiki and Mitsuhide by her side, Shirayuki journeys to Clarines, aspiring to establish herself as a court apothecary. As her sentiments towards Zen deepen beyond simple camaraderie, they both must address the challenges posed by their differing statuses while pursuing their own aspirations. Additional one-shots included: Volume 1: Hachigatsu no Shikisai (Colorful Seasons of August) Volume 2: Bokura wo Tsunaide. (Connect Us) Volume 13: Shizuku no Saki ni (Beyond the Drops) Volume 14: Natsuyasumi 00-nichime (00 Days of Summer Vacation)

Kraft Lawrence, a wandering merchant who travels alone, sees his usual routine of trading and travel change when he finds a naked girl with wolf-like features named Holo sleeping in his cart. Holo says she is a local harvest deity who people revere, but she has become tired of being the God of Good Harvest after giving the village plentiful crops every year while they did not appreciate her. She makes an agreement with Lawrence: if he helps her get away from the villagers, she will assist him with his business. As they go together to different towns, Lawrence finds out both the good things and the hard parts of being with a proud and clever wolf goddess.

In the series Sailor Moon, Usagi Tsukino is a carefree 14-year-old attending Juuban Municipal Junior High School who prefers snacking and gaming over studying, leading to poor grades. She often cries when teased or scolded, seeming destined to be seen as just a lazy and emotional teenager. However, her life changes when she meets a black cat named Luna, who gives her a special brooch. With this, Usagi can transform into Sailor Moon, a guardian of justice. Her mission is to protect Earth from threats, find a lost princess, and search for the mystical Silver Crystal. As she takes on this role, willingly or not, she becomes involved with the mysterious Tuxedo Mask, makes allies, and takes on new responsibilities in this beloved magical girl story.

In a twist of fate, a university student dives into a popular otome game after countless recommendations. After easily clearing the normal mode, she begins to feel sympathy for the game's villainess, Penelope Eckhart, who is an impostor posing as the missing daughter of a duke. Believing she can also conquer the harder mode, she is caught off guard by the increased difficulty and eventually collapses from exhaustion. Upon waking, she finds herself reborn as Penelope in the game's world, where she is hated and hunted by nearly everyone. Now navigating this dangerous environment, Penelope must make strategic choices to avoid certain death. Her path could lead to the affection of a ruthless prince, a secretive mage, a noble from a fallen realm, or even one of her cruel stepbrothers.

In a world where noble bloodlines are defined by jet-black hair, the red-haired Princess Nakaba of Senan is confined to a tower until she is forced into a political marriage with Caesar, the arrogant second prince of Belquat. Her only companion is Loki, a man distinguished by his canine ears, marking him as an ajin—a marginalized race with animal traits. Despite being treated as a possession by her scornful husband and living as a disgraced former princess, Nakaba resolves to endure her fate with stoicism. However, a splash of crimson blood awakens her latent power, the Arcana of Time, granting her the ability to see both her own hidden past and the futures of others. Manipulating destiny comes with a cost; saving a life demands another sacrifice. As tensions escalate across the continent, Nakaba must wield her newfound power to strive for peace and protect those she has come to hold dear.

In a world where most people are born with an "Iris"—a special ability often expressed through visual cues, ranging from lie detection to predicting danger—high school student Tooru Mizushima stands out as an "Iris Zero," lacking this unique power. This rarity makes him a target for bullying, leading him to maintain a quiet and inconspicuous lifestyle. His world turns upside down when Koyuki Sasamori, a popular and outgoing schoolgirl, enters his life. Koyuki possesses an Iris that enables her to identify the ideal person for any task, and she believes Tooru is the perfect match to assist her in selecting the next student council president. Initially reluctant due to his preference for solitude, Tooru is eventually persuaded by Koyuki’s relentless and optimistic approach. As he becomes entangled in various social circles and uses his sharp analytical skills to unravel mysteries, Tooru's once solitary life as an Iris Zero starts to transform.

At twelve years old, Mitsuki Kouyama is diagnosed with a rare form of throat cancer, sarcoma. Faced with the option to remove her vocal cords and potentially cure the disease, she refuses, driven by her dream to become a pop singer and honor a promise made to her childhood sweetheart, Eichi Sakurai, who moved to America. As her condition deteriorates, Mitsuki accepts her grim prognosis. One day, while escaping from her grandmother's house—where music is forbidden—to attend an audition, Mitsuki encounters two shinigami, Takuto Kira and Meroko Yui. Recognizing that she can see them, they inform her that she has only a year left to live. Moved by her circumstances, Takuto offers Mitsuki a way to pursue her dreams by transforming her into a healthy sixteen-year-old. With renewed hope, she successfully joins Seed Records and debuts under the stage name Full Moon, determined to fulfill her musical aspirations before her time runs out. Included one-shot: Volume 2: Full Moon wo Sagashite

In "Ran and the Gray World," Ran Uruma, a young aspiring sorceress, grows frustrated while hunting for her treasured pair of shoes. Though still an elementary school student, these shoes transform her into an adult form. While Ran possesses immense magical potential, she has difficulty controlling it. Her brother Jin, a beast sorcerer, keeps the shoes hidden until she finishes her household chores. Ran's mother, Shizuka, ranks among the most powerful sorceresses alive and lives far from home to protect the city. Their father, Zen, leads both their family and the entire sorcerer community, but his duties keep him away often, leaving Jin in charge of the household. Managing Ran's mischief proves difficult, as one person cannot always keep up with her tricks. When left unsupervised, Ran freely experiments with her magic, embarking on many exciting adventures.

In the vibrant 1920s of America, a time of peace and hope following the Great War, a sinister force threatens to disrupt this tranquility. Sister Rosette Christopher, an exorcist for the Magdala Order, is tasked with battling the demons that emerge and cause chaos. Alongside her is Chrno, and together they frequently find themselves creating more havoc than the demons they aim to vanquish. During a specific mission, they encounter a young girl named Azmaria, known for her enchanting voice, who is in danger from her own stepfather. As Rosette and Chrno strive to protect her, deeper insights into their connection come to light, revealing there is more to their partnership than initially apparent.

Catarina Claes, the eight-year-old daughter of a duke, hits her head one day and recovers memories from a past life. She comes to a horrifying realization—she is now in a world resembling an otome game she once played, and she occupies the role of the main villain. In every possible conclusion, whether exile or death, she is met with a terrible end. Using her knowledge of how the game unfolds, Catarina must do whatever it takes to change her fate. Whether she cultivates her skills as a farmer or befriends every character that comes her way, nothing is ever too much for her to handle. As the years go on, everything seems to be going as planned. However, Catarina realizes she made a mistake in her previous life—she never actually finished the game before death. A new, secret route may prove to be her undoing.

In "Your Throne," Lady Medea Solon, a cunning and ruthless noble, aims to secure her position as princess of the Vasilios Empire through marriage to Crown Prince Eros Orna Vasilios. Her elaborate scheme collapses when the prince decides to marry the naive Psyche Callista instead. Fueled by this setback, Medea swears to remove Psyche from the picture, no matter the cost, to ascend to the throne. However, events take an unexpected turn during the Temple's Annual Prayer. Medea challenges Psyche over her lack of awareness regarding her own power. Suddenly, Medea plunges into a deep fountain and cannot escape, believing a god is behind this occurrence. She pleads with the divine to make her the ruler of the empire. Her wish is granted in an unforeseen manner: the gods switch their bodies, setting off a series of revelations beyond Medea’s initial expectations.

In the Eastern Nation, Empress Navier Ellie Trovi is the model of nobility, admired for her grace and composure. Though she and her husband, Emperor Sovieshu, lack romantic intimacy, their bond is built on years of trust and friendship. Seeking to strengthen their connection, Sovieshu brings in Rashta, a former slave, as a concubine, igniting events that could shatter their world. Months later, on a pivotal day, Sovieshu stuns everyone by announcing his intent to divorce Navier and give the throne to Rashta. However, Navier refuses to yield and boldly declares her plan to marry Heinrey, a man whose noble bearing astounds the court. The question lingers: who is Heinrey, and what drove Navier to this daring choice? As the Eastern Nation is torn apart by conspiracy and deceit, love becomes the force that threatens to destroy it.

1. Hotel: Since A.D. 2079 2. Present 3. Subete wa Maguro no Tame datta (It Was All for the Tuna) 4. Stephanos 5. Diadem

Willem Kmetsch wakes from cryogenic sleep as the final survivor of the Emnetwiht, a human race that vanished five hundred years ago due to the Beasts. He now lives on one of the last remaining floating islands, where the remnants of civilization survive. Unlike the other inhabitants, who possess animal-like features such as horns, fangs, wings, or scales, Willem has none—making him a "markless." During his travels, Willem meets another markless individual named Ctholly Nota Seniorious, though this encounter goes unnoticed at first. Later, when he takes on a military assignment, he encounters Ctholly again and learns that the cheerful young Leprechauns under his command are vital to the ongoing war against the Beasts. These girls have known only a life of combat and are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to defeat their enemies. Determined to give them a chance at a normal life, Willem takes on a paternal role toward the girls. As he did during his own time at war, he must now face the pain of watching these children head into battle.

In the aftermath of a catastrophic event at the close of the 21st century, Japan has been reduced to a barren wasteland, halting all further progress of civilization. The current regime is ruled by an emperor and his four sons, who impose a harsh tyranny over the people. It is believed that only a "Child of Destiny" will possess the power to liberate Japan from the imperial family's oppression. Sarasa is the twin sister of Tatara, who is destined to become this Child of Destiny. Though she lives in her brother's shadow, she devotes herself to supporting him. Tragedy strikes when the Red King, the emperor's youngest son, attacks her village, resulting in Tatara's brutal death. To protect her fellow villagers, Sarasa assumes her brother's identity as the Child of Destiny and vows to seek vengeance against the Red King. This drastic change takes a toll on Sarasa's health, prompting her to visit a hot spring for recovery. During her stay, she meets Shuri, a captivating yet mysterious youth. Shuri is drawn to Sarasa because of how differently she treats him compared to others, while Sarasa finds herself increasingly preoccupied with thoughts of him. This unexpected encounter sets the stage for a destiny intertwined with warfare, resentment, and affection.

In "Red River," Yuri, an ordinary modern-day teenager, is abruptly transported to the ancient Hittite empire in Anatolia. There, she becomes the target of a ruthless queen who plans to use her as a sacrificial pawn to eliminate all other heirs and secure the throne for her own son. Fortunately, Prince Kail rescues Yuri at the last moment. He vows to help her return home, but their efforts are repeatedly hindered by the queen's relentless schemes against them, as well as the growing romance between Yuri and Kail. Additional content includes the one-shot titled "Volume 28: Orontes Renka."

The narrative spans thirteen years, focusing on Hana, a nineteen-year-old university student, who begins a fairy-tale relationship with a man who is also a wolf. After they marry, Hana gives birth to two half-wolf children: Yuki, her first daughter, born during a heavy snow, and Ame, her younger son, born on a rainy day. To hide the children's true nature, the family lives quietly in a secluded part of the city. When the wolf father suddenly dies, tragedy forces Hana to relocate the family to a far-off rural town, leaving their urban life behind.

In "Shinobi Life," Beni, a spirited and defiant young woman, remains unconcerned about her own destiny as long as it brings shame to her arrogant father. One day, she encounters Kagetora, a ninja who falls from the sky and swears absolute loyalty to her as her guardian. Having time-traveled from a distant past, Kagetora is committed to protecting Princess Beni. Yet, he does not realize that this Beni is not the true princess. The narrative examines if true love and dedication can persist across centuries in the tumultuous modern era.

Throughout history, from ancient times to the era of space colonization, one legend remains constant—the tale of the immortal Phoenix. This legendary bird's blood is believed to bestow either eternal life or profound wisdom, and it watches over human civilizations to ensure the continuity of sentient life throughout the cosmos. Despite the Phoenix's guardianship, humanity continues to be governed by its emotional spectrum—joy and despair, rage and affection—emotions that are integral to human experience. Certain persistent beliefs and aspirations also disrupt the delicate equilibrium of the world’s natural order. Destiny, with its ever-changing elements, takes various forms and often exhibits a peculiar sense of humor.

During a trip to the National Library, middle schoolers Miaka Yuuki and Yui Hongo get drawn into "The Universe of The Four Gods," an old Chinese book. Miaka becomes the chosen priestess of Suzaku and needs to collect her celestial warriors to call forth the god and get three wishes. At the same time, Yui is forced to be Seiryuu's priestess by the enemy country that follows Seiryuu. Once close friends, they are now pitted against each other, caught up in a drawn-out fight to summon their gods and make their wishes come true.

In the wake of Marquess Johannes von Neuschwanstein's marriage to the young Shuli, the circumstances surrounding their union remain largely unknown. After his death, Shuli takes on the title of marchioness and must manage a prominent household connected to the empire's royal lineage, while also becoming a stepmother to four resistant children. Over the course of seven years, Shuli devotes herself to raising the children and protecting the family's assets, hoping that once her son Jeremy becomes the family head, she can pursue a more independent life. But a disaster occurs during Jeremy's wedding, resulting in a catastrophic event. When she awakens, Shuli finds herself transported back in time, arriving just hours before Johannes' funeral. Though uncertain about this second chance, she resolves to forge stronger bonds with the children and seek personal fulfillment in this new opportunity.

Miyo Saimori was born into a loveless, arranged marriage, destined for an unhappy life. After her mother passed away, her father welcomed his new lover and her daughter, Kaya, into their home. This left Miyo in a subservient role within her own household. To make matters worse, Kaya inherited the family’s psychic powers, whereas Miyo remained powerless—a clear sign of her lack of worth. Years of mistreatment taught Miyo to endure silently, suppress her suffering, and comply with every command. It thus seems fitting that she is betrothed to Kiyoka Kudou, a military captain notorious for his harshness and for having scared off all his previous fiancées. Believing her life will go from one form of suffering to another, Miyo prepares for a miserable union. However, much to her astonishment, her new spouse turns out to be unexpectedly gentle. Instead of the misery she expected, Miyo finds herself embarking on a journey toward a joyful and enduring marriage filled with happiness.

In the story "Superior," the Demon Queen Sheila has already killed more than half of all humans with brutal effectiveness. As her reign of terror shows no sign of ending, the surviving humans choose a hero named Exa to defeat her and her monstrous forces. However, Exa's intentions do not match humanity's; he values the lives of both humans and monsters equally. On his journey, the idealistic Exa saves a monster girl from a dragon, unaware that this creature is actually the Demon Queen herself. Intrigued by a human who shows kindness to enemies, Sheila adopts the persona of a shy and lovesick monster, joining Exa on his quest while secretly planning to betray him. Despite repeated exposure to Exa's beliefs, Sheila remains firm in her plans, though she often hesitates to act on them, suggesting that her fabricated feelings may be becoming genuine.