Manga Like Ex-Love Review

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.

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

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.

Futaba Okeya is a 14-year-old boy who can see ghosts and always keeps a prominent birthmark on his left cheek hidden under a bandage. One day, a new student named Kouko Ishigami joins his class, marked by a scar on her forehead and followed by the spirit of a tall, friendly man. Futaba feels an instant attraction to Kouko, thinking it might be love at first sight. After a disturbing dream about her, he wakes up crying and senses a deep familiarity, which drives him to try to befriend her. However, a series of events leads Futaba to reveal his birthmark to Kouko, causing her to declare him her eternal enemy. Enraged, Kouko explains that they are connected through reincarnation, and the birthmark is a curse she placed on him in a past life to identify and ultimately defeat him. Kouko then summons a flaming circular device called the "spirit circle" and attacks Futaba, sending him tumbling down a staircase into the memories of one of his former lives. The story of Spirit Circle follows Futaba as he journeys through his various past lives, gradually uncovering the truth behind his conflict with Kouko.

Jin Kanzaki is a seemingly ordinary homeless boy who possesses extraordinary strength, which he uses to assist others, much to his grandfather's delight. However, Jin insists on charging 10,000 yen for every act of kindness, much to his grandfather's annoyance. Jin's peaceful life takes a drastic turn when he encounters a Player, a dangerous entity linked to a series of inexplicable murders. As Jin navigates this new perilous situation through sheer force, a group of mysterious men also searches for someone with a ring-like mark on their hand. In their quest, deeper secrets about the world unravel, hinting that Jin may be central to solving the enigma.

In Bakemonogatari, Koyomi Araragi is no stranger to the supernatural. During his third year of high school spring break, he unexpectedly becomes a vampire after an encounter with Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade. Submerged in a realm of anomalies, Araragi finds himself aiding classmate Hitomi Senjougahara when he notices something peculiar after catching her falling down the school stairs. He learns that a mythical crab has been stealing her weight. Though she warns him off with harsh words, Araragi manages to convince her to accept his help. To address this bizarre problem, they seek out Meme Oshino, the mysterious wanderer who previously helped Araragi overcome his vampiric condition. This narrative explores the hidden monsters within each individual, raising questions about how deeply they are concealed within those Araragi meets.

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

Karin Maaka is a vampire, but unlike her family, she is active during the day and sleeps at night. She conceals her true nature in her small town to maintain a normal life. When new student Kenta Usui arrives and sees Karin biting someone, misunderstandings arise as he tries to confront her about the incident. Karin begins to avoid him, and Kenta becomes determined to clear up the confusion. Yet, every time he approaches her, Karin suddenly gets a nosebleed. This nosebleed stems from Karin's unique condition—instead of drinking human blood, she periodically produces an excess of blood inside herself, which causes these episodes if not addressed. Furthermore, her blood reacts strangely around Kenta. Now that the truth is out, can Kenta keep Karin's secret safe?

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 library, Sakuta Azusagawa encounters a bizarre sight: Mai Sakurajima, a former celebrity and fellow student at Minegahara High, is wearing a bunny costume. While her outfit startles him, Sakuta is even more taken aback to realize he is the only one who can see Mai. Recalling a past incident, Sakuta offers to help Mai uncover why she has become invisible to others. Despite initial challenges, the two grow closer, learning to value each other's company and developing mutual affection. This deepening bond strengthens their resolve to solve Mai's problem. Their investigation leads Sakuta to connect Mai's condition to an urban legend called Adolescence Syndrome—strange occurrences during youth often dismissed as delusions. As they struggle to make progress, Mai's situation worsens, with her invisibility becoming just one of many issues. Can Sakuta and Mai unravel the mystery of Adolescence Syndrome before Mai vanishes completely?

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.

In Durarara!!, Mikado Ryuugamine, a young boy yearning for mystery and adventure, finds his dull countryside existence lacking excitement. Following encouragement from a childhood companion, he relocates to Ikebukuro, a vibrant part of Tokyo. However, the innocent teenager is about to encounter much more than he bargained for. Ikebukuro is teeming with unusual characters: a towering bartender, an information broker who revels in chaos, and a secretive doctor with odd fixations. The most enigmatic among them is the legendary "Black Rider" — a ghostly rider of a black motorcycle, devoid of a head. On his very first night, Mikado encounters this urban legend, igniting a series of perilous and captivating incidents that intertwine with numerous lives throughout the city.

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."

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.

Seiji Sawamura is a 17-year-old whose reputation as a fierce fighter and his notorious "Devil's Right Hand" have made him widely misunderstood. Though he has a genuinely kind nature and wants to end his 17-year run of being alone, his intimidating image keeps potential romantic partners away. Everything changes when Seiji wakes up one morning to find a girl named Midori in place of his right hand, and it turns out she has been secretly admiring him since middle school.

At the turn of the century, a mysterious phantom thief called Kaitou Jeanne, rumored to be an agent of God, gains notoriety for stealing paintings throughout the city. In reality, Kaitou Jeanne is Maron Kusakabe, a 16-year-old student at Momokuri Academy and a talented rhythmic gymnast. Her dual identity remains hidden, even from her best friend, Miyako Toudaiji, who is leading the police in the hunt for Jeanne. The paintings Maron steal contain demons sent by the demon lord, whose plan is to diminish God’s power by possessing human hearts through these cursed artworks. Guided by the angel Finn Fish, Maron, reborn as the reincarnation of Jeanne d'Arc, assumes her alter ego to locate and seal the malevolent spirits concealed within the stolen paintings. Juggling this critical mission with her solitary high school life is already challenging, but things become more complicated with the emergence of a new phantom thief, Kaitou Sinbad.

In "After School Nightmare," Mashiro Ichijou is a popular and handsome high school student who has always lived as male. But internally, Mashiro resents his partially female body, a secret he keeps hidden while struggling with his own insecurities. One day, a nurse he has never seen before directs Mashiro to a strange infirmary that has appeared in the school's basement. Unbeknownst to him, entering this mysterious room marks the start of an irreversible change. As Mashiro searches for his true identity, he wrestles with inner turmoil and keeps his secret from his classmates. Gradually, the harsh truths of a deceptive and nightmarish world are exposed, where darkness taints even the brightest moments.

At Mai Taniyama's school, there is an old, abandoned building rumored to be cursed. Every time attempts are made to tear it down, a series of unexplained deaths occur, halting the demolition. Determined to prove the building is truly haunted, Mai and her classmates try to summon a ghost by telling stories. Though no spirits appear, they instead meet Kazuya Shibuya, a new 17-year-old student. While her friends are drawn to his good looks and polite demeanor, Mai remains skeptical. After an incident, Mai learns that Kazuya leads Shibuya Psychic Research, a team hired by the school principal to investigate the alleged supernatural phenomena in the building. Because of her involvement, Mai is forced to temporarily assist Kazuya to avoid paying for the damage. Alongside other paranormal investigators—Houshou Takigawa, a former Buddhist monk; Ayako Matsusaki, a self-proclaimed Shinto priestess; renowned medium Masako Hara; and Catholic priest John Brown—Mai and Kazuya work to uncover the building's mystery before anyone else gets hurt.

In "Millennium Snow," Chiyuki Matsuoka's name, meaning "thousand snow," reflects her parents' hope that she will always witness the year's first snowfall. Yet this wish seems unlikely due to her heart condition, which raises the risk of seizures and shortens her life. The doctor who delivered her predicted she might not even reach 15 years old. At 17, Chiyuki meets Touya Kanou, an unusual vampire who claims to hate drinking blood and refuses to take a human partner to prolong his immortality. By turning 18, Touya could live for a thousand years if he drank blood from a partner, allowing both to share that longevity. Despite knowing this, Chiyuki volunteers to become Touya's partner, but he pushes her away in disgust, inadvertently triggering a seizure that reveals her frail health. After this incident, Touya becomes gentler with her but still refuses her blood. Chiyuki begins to suspect there may be deeper reasons for his rejection. Will she have enough time left to uncover the truth? One-shot included: Volume 1: Isshunkan no Romance (A Romance of One Moment)

Youta Moteuchi, a high school student nicknamed "Dateless" due to his string of failed romantic attempts, is devastated when his crush Moemi confesses her love for his best friend Takashi. Seeking solace, Youta visits a video rental shop and unknowingly stumbles upon something magical: the charming girl from the videotape he rents steps out of the screen and offers to help him navigate his troubled love life. Included one-shot: Volume 15: Video Girl (pilot)

In "A Good Day to Be a Dog," Han Hana, a schoolteacher, carries a family curse that transforms her into a dog each night after she kisses someone. The only way to break the curse is to kiss the same person again while in her canine form. To avoid this, Hana has never kissed anyone in her life. But one drunken night, she kisses her seemingly hostile colleague, Jin Seon, triggering the curse and turning her into a small, white dog every evening. Breaking the curse appears simple—just a kiss—but the problem is that Seon has a deep, intense fear of dogs.