Manga Like We Were There

In "Bakuman。", Moritaka Mashiro, a skilled middle school artist, feels uncertain about his future, expecting a dull life ahead. His outlook changes when Akito Takagi, an aspiring writer, finds one of Mashiro's drawings and suggests they team up to create a manga. Mashiro initially hesitates because his late uncle, a mangaka, died from overworking, but he is spurred on by his crush, Miho Azuki, who wants to become a seiyuu. Driven by a goal to craft a manga that could become an anime for Azuki to voice, Mashiro agrees. Azuki, who shares his feelings, promises to marry him once they both achieve their dreams. The story follows Mashiro and Takagi as they tackle the hurdles of getting their work published in Weekly Shounen Jump and striving to gain fame as mangakas. Their path balances between success and the risk of falling short like many other hopeful creators.

Takao Kasuga is a shy middle school student with a passion for reading, particularly Charles Baudelaire's Les Fleurs du Mal. He harbors a crush on his kind-hearted classmate and idol, Nanako Saeki. In contrast, Sawa Nakamura is a rude, indifferent student who shows little interest in school. One evening, Takao realizes he left his book at school and returns to retrieve it. There, he finds Nanako's recently worn gym clothes on the floor and, overcome by a strange impulse, steals them. Overwhelmed by guilt after his act, Takao tries to maintain his normal routine. However, Sawa, who witnessed the theft, has her own plans for him.

In "Nana," Nana Komatsu is a dreamy and aimless high school student obsessed with romance. Although her attempts at love often fall short, she remains optimistic. On her 20th birthday, she heads to Tokyo hoping to rekindle a relationship. In contrast, Nana Osaki is fiery and confident. After joining a band in high school, she discovers a passion for music and develops feelings for a bandmate. When faced with a choice between her love life and her music, she chooses her career, leaving her boyfriend behind. Also on her 20th birthday, she boards a train to Tokyo, determined to make a name for herself as a top singer. Despite their different aspirations, these two women, coincidentally sharing the same name, find themselves sitting next to each other on the train. Eventually, they end up sharing the same apartment. Over time, a strong and unusual bond forms between them as they navigate the complexities of love, music, friendship, and loss.

The difficulties of adulthood and the harsh realities of office work often make people wish they could go back to their younger years and choose differently. This feeling leads 27-year-old Arata Kaizaki to consider an unusual offer. After returning home from his part-time job, Arata is contacted by Ryou Yoake, a representative from the ReLife Research Institute, who presents an experimental program designed to improve his job prospects. The ReLife project plans to change Arata's appearance to that of a 17-year-old, allowing him to experience high school again for one year. After this trial ends, he will receive a job offer, something he has had trouble getting since leaving his previous job. Despite his doubts, Arata agrees to the strange arrangement. But his adult way of thinking and his lack of recent school experience make handling everyday life in high school harder than he expected.

On a normal morning, Naho Takamiya finds a mysterious letter in her mailbox, supposedly written by her future self from ten years later. The note describes events that are about to happen that day. Initially, Naho thinks it’s a joke, but her doubt fades when a new student, Kakeru Naruse, joins her class, just as the letter predicted. Driven by this revelation, Naho examines the letter’s contents more closely, which lists past regrets and urges her to change her actions. It becomes evident that these regrets are closely connected to Kakeru. Knowing that he won’t be part of her life or her group of friends in the future, Naho faces the challenge of altering fate. The story also includes the Haru-iro Astronaut (Spring-Colored Astronaut) series.

Seon Jin endures constant bullying at school because of his reserved personality and weak physique. Yet his greatest terror originates from his own father. To outsiders, Jin's father seems like a prosperous entrepreneur, a committed charity worker, and a caring family man. In truth, he is a psychotic murderer, and Jin is compelled to assist him. They successfully avoid police suspicion. When the father sets his sights on the fresh arrival, Yoon Kyun, Jin faces a decision: remain a silent accessory or oppose his father and gamble everything to rescue her from sharing the destiny of earlier victims.

After losing both parents, Tooru Honda finds herself living in a tent in the woods until the Souma family takes her in. But the Soumas are far from ordinary—they carry a hidden curse: when hugged by someone of the opposite sex, they turn into animals from the Chinese zodiac. Tooru vows to help Kyou and Yuki Souma keep their secret from classmates and from her close friends Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima. As she gets drawn deeper into the mysterious lives of the Soumas, she meets more family members and starts forming bonds with them. Though the curse has brought much pain and hardship to many Soumas, Tooru may be the one who can mend their wounded hearts and bring them peace.

Despite being neighbors, Chidori Public High School and the exclusive all-girls institution Kikyo Private Academy seem worlds apart. Kikyo boasts an impeccable image and caters mainly to affluent students, whereas Chidori is often viewed as a refuge for underachieving troublemakers. The students of Kikyo harbor a strong disdain for those from Chidori. Rintarou Tsumugi, a sixteen-year-old Chidori student, possesses a stern demeanor that tends to alienate others. Yet, he remains content with his tight-knit circle of friends. However, there’s a secret he keeps from them—he occasionally helps out at his family’s bakery. During one of his shifts, Rintarou notices a customer who suddenly departs without a word. The following day, the same girl, Kaoruko Waguri, returns to apologize, clarifying that she left not due to his appearance but to make amends for her abrupt departure. She also assures him of her belief in his genuine kindness. Despite the initial clash in personalities, Rintarou finds himself looking forward to developing a friendship with Kaoruko. The challenge lies in the fact that Kaoruko is a student at rival Kikyo Academy.

In the prestigious Ouran High School, a haven for the children of the wealthy and influential, the Host Club stands as the most popular club on campus. Inside their lavish clubroom, six charming, disinterested young men spend their time entertaining equally attractive, bored young women. Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student from a modest background, has no interest in the Host Club until she accidentally breaks an expensive vase in their room. Mistaken for a boy, Haruhi is forced by Kyouya Ootori to join the club to pay off her debt. Tamaki Suou, the club's flamboyant king, eagerly takes her under his wing to teach her the ways of hosting. However, life in the Host Club is never ordinary. Even routine events turn into over-the-top affairs thanks to the mischievous Hitachiin twins, Hikaru and Kaoru, the stoic Takashi Morinozuka, and the gentle Mitsukuni "Hunny" Haninozuka. As the Host Club embarks on a series of wild adventures, Haruhi must adapt to the dazzling, exaggerated world of the hosts. The final volume includes an extra chapter detailing their trip to Spain.

In "Watashitachino Shiawase na Jikan," Juri Mutou and Yuu both share a wish to end their own lives. Juri, whose mother was a celebrated pianist who retired after giving birth, has attempted suicide three times and holds deep anger toward her mother because of a painful event from her childhood. Yuu, a death row inmate convicted of killing three people, keeps trying to kill himself while in prison. His only link to the outside world comes from letters written by Monica, Juri's aunt and a nun, who gives him comfort. At first, Yuu dislikes Monica's letters, seeing them as pity rather than real support. But when he decides to meet Monica in person to ask her to stop writing, he unexpectedly meets Juri, and this encounter changes both of their futures.

After losing her brother Souichirou, Teru Kurebayashi finds comfort in the messages she exchanges with Daisy through a cell phone he left behind. Though she has never met Daisy in person, she relies on the uplifting words from this unknown figure. At school, Teru is constantly tormented by the gruff janitor Tasuku Kurosaki, who forces her to work for him after she accidentally breaks a window. While Kurosaki appears to be a lazy troublemaker who enjoys causing her distress, his true nature may be more complex than it first seems. Additional one-shot: Volume 16: Hetakuso Cupid (The Hopeless Cupid)

Kazuki Hoshino values his ordinary daily life above all else. His school days are filled with easygoing moments spent with friends—until the transfer student Aine Aya arrives and shatters that peace. The moment this cold, beautiful girl appears in his classroom, she speaks to him in baffling terms: "I've come to destroy you. This is my 13,118th transfer. After going through so many, I started getting bored, so this time I'll add some fun by making a formal declaration." With these enigmatic words, Kazuki's cherished everyday life descends into chaos and dread—Aya's sudden arrival hints at hidden secrets behind his seemingly ordinary friends, including the mysterious devices known as "boxes."

Elfen Lied follows Lucy, a Diclonius—a human with small horns and invisible telekinetic hands—who is subjected to harsh government experiments. When she finds an opportunity to escape, Lucy, scarred by her past torment, retaliates violently against those who held her captive. As she flees, a serious head wound splits her personality: one part becomes a docile, minimally verbal child. In this fragmented state, Lucy comes across Kouta and his cousin Yuka, two college students who, oblivious to her dangerous background, care for her while she is injured. Their act of compassion pulls them into a web of government secrecy and intrigue. Included one-shots: Volume 1: MOL Volume 2: Digitopolis Volume 3: Memoria Volume 5: Elfen Lied

High school student Mao Motomiya feels lost after her mother leaves and her father remarries. One night, while eating convenience store food at a shrine, her childhood friend Hiro Nakamura finds her. He invites her to eat out, and during their emotional conversation, he suggests she move in with him. Since their parents died, Hiro has lived apart from his siblings, and he sees Mao's relocation as a way to start bringing his family back together in their once-lively home. When Mao hesitantly agrees, she finds herself surprisingly at ease with Hiro and his family. Now, Mao must fix her strained relationship with her father, help Hiro's older brother pursue his dreams, and deal with her growing feelings for Hiro.

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.

Following the destruction of Yi "Shioon" Shi-Woon's ki-center at the hands of Goomoonryong, which leaves him unable to practice martial arts, Shioon decides to leave the Murim world behind and focus on a normal life at school while spending time with his mother. However, the Murim world does not let him go so easily. Recognized as Goomoonryong's only true disciple and granted the Phoenix Medallion of the Sunwoo Clan by Lady Sosul, Shioon becomes the clan's provisional leader, drawing constant attention. New enemies continue to challenge him, especially the Soldiers Under Command, who aim to remove him in order to further their own plans. The key question remains: how can Shioon defend himself without his ki-center?

In "Skip Beat!," 16-year-old Kyouko Mogami moves to Tokyo alongside her childhood friend and crush, Shoutarou "Shou" Fuwa, to help him achieve his goal of becoming a famous idol. When she discovers that Shou sees her only as a servant, Kyouko decides to enter the entertainment world herself and outdo him. Her path hits a snag when a talent agency rejects her application. However, the agency's president offers her another chance by placing her in the newly formed "Love Me" division. Kyouko then begins her determined quest for fame, honing her acting skills and building connections with new companions.

In BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad, Yukio "Koyuki" Tanaka lives a listless existence, casually listening to J-pop during his middle school years. His life shifts when he meets the mysterious guitarist Ryuusuke "Ray" Minami, who exposes Koyuki to Western rock music and sparks an intense drive to learn the guitar. As Koyuki chases this new ambition through various obstacles, he juggles his musical pursuits with school, work, and personal connections. The story follows Koyuki and Ray as they face the struggles of seeking a professional music career, working toward their shared goal of forming the ultimate band.

Kousei Arima was pushed relentlessly by his mother from early childhood, turning into a piano prodigy hailed as the "Human Metronome" for his flawless performances. His world collapsed when his mother died suddenly, leaving him unable to hear the sound of his own playing and forcing him to abandon the stage. Two years later, Kousei drifts through a colorless life, leaning on his friends Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryouta Watari to stay connected to music even though he can no longer perform. His routine shatters when he meets Kaori Miyazono, a violinist who plays freely without following the written score. Through their growing bond, Kousei slowly rediscovers the joy of music, as their intertwined story explores friendship, love, and the weight of a single lie.

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)

A persistent rumor goes around that a magician lives in a tent inside an abandoned amusement park, and some say his performances are genuine. Before every show, he asks the audience, "Do you believe in magic?" Yoon Ah-ee longs for magic but is stuck with a harsh reality. Living in severe poverty, she spends her time studying, working, and taking care of her younger sister while her parents are away. Her faith in magic has faded, much like her cynical classmate Na Il-Deung, who was raised to believe only a solid education matters. Ah-ee’s life changes dramatically when she stumbles upon the abandoned amusement park and meets the magician. "Annarasumanara" delves into a deep journey of self-discovery, mixing philosophy, emotion, and reflection on the true meaning of personal growth.

In the quiet town of Hiroshima, Haruto Kirishima enjoys a peaceful life until Yuzuki Eba, a mysterious girl from the city, suddenly moves in with him. Yuzuki, with her lively and unpredictable spirit, has left behind her bustling life in Tokyo to return to the tranquil countryside she remembers fondly from her youth, thrusting herself into Haruto’s world uninvited. Initially burdened by this unexpected living situation, Haruto finds himself navigating high school life with this clumsy, freeloading companion. However, as their relationship evolves, Haruto struggles between his growing feelings for Yuzuki and his secret crush on his classmate, Nanami Kanzaki. Despite the simplicity of rural living, Haruto faces complexities akin to those found in the dense cityscape. Through the lens of time’s unpredictable nature, "Kimi no Iru Machi" illustrates how a single day can unexpectedly unite strangers or just as quickly pull them apart. Included one-shot: Volume 6 - Yuna

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 Love★Com, Risa Koizumi, who stands at an imposing 172 cm, learns that her frequent rival, the much shorter Atsushi Ootani at 156 cm, has feelings for her friend. Driven by her own interest in his friend, Risa decides to team up with Ootani. But their plan backfires when the two people they like start dating each other. Refusing to give up, they promise to help one another find new romance, even as they keep bickering. Though they deny it, Risa and Ootani share many similarities: both are self-conscious about their unusual heights, struggle with schoolwork, enjoy the same foods, and act immaturely. Their playful squabbles make them popular with their classmates, who see them as a comedy pair. Could the love they are searching for be closer than they think? The series also includes one-shots in Volume 12, titled "Hoshi ni Nattemo Aishiteru," and Volume 16, "Bokura no Ibasho."