Manga Like Close Up

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.

Negi Springfield, a ten-year-old wizard who recently graduated from Merdiana Magic Academy in Wales, has two primary objectives: locating his missing father, the legendary Thousand Master, and earning the title of Magister Magi, a wizard whose purpose is to aid the non-magical world. As his final assignment, he is sent to teach English at a Japanese middle school. Upon his arrival, Negi is surprised to discover that he is responsible for a homeroom class of thirty-one girls. One of his students, Asuna Kagurazaka, accidentally discovers his magical identity. With this secret now exposed, Negi must prevent it from spreading further while dealing with various magical threats emerging both inside and outside Mahora Academy, all while continuing his search for his father.

In Tomoeda Elementary School, Sakura Kinomoto, a cheerful and kind-hearted 10-year-old starting her fourth-grade year, discovers a mysterious book called The Clow on her father's bookshelf one day. When she opens it, a small, winged creature named Keroberos emerges, speaking with an Osaka accent. He introduces himself as the Creature of the Seal, the guardian of the powerful Clow Cards inside the book. However, the Clow Cards have already escaped from their confinement. It now becomes Sakura's responsibility to recapture them before they cause chaos throughout Tomoeda. With guidance from her new companion, whom she calls "Kero," and support from her best friend Tomoyo Daidouji, Sakura uses a magical bird-shaped key and her newly awakened powers as the Cardcaptor to protect the town and preserve its peace.

Chikan Otoko is a socially awkward otaku with a perverse side who regularly visits the 2ch forum. One day, while returning from work, he is wrongly detained for stalking. Once the confusion clears, he learns that the girl he calls Miss Understanding has been deeply affected by a real stalker. Wanting to earn her favor, he extends his help. Unexpectedly, he finds himself growing closer to Miss Understanding and her companions: the lively Kansai and the innocent Loli Jugs.

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.

After a five-year relationship ends, 26-year-old Michiyo Ozawa spends the evening drinking with coworkers. When she returns home, she finds the elevator in her apartment building out of order. Looking for an alternative, she goes to a nearby house to use the bathroom and meets Zenji Oyamada. At first glance, he seems ordinary, but Michiyo notices a large pile of boxes in his room. These boxes contain strange items sent by Oyamada's brother, who lives abroad and frequently changes hobbies. Fascinated by the mysterious boxes, Michiyo is invited by Oyamada to open one. As she does, a heartwarming story unfolds about an ordinary couple and their shared experience with the unusual contents of these boxes.

High school teacher Rinko Yoshitaka seems to treat Ryo Arase as she would any other student, frequently scolding him for late work and keeping a professional front. But unknown to everyone else, Yoshitaka and Arase share hidden romantic encounters. Although they find ways to meet in private, Yoshitaka insists their relationship must stay secret until Arase turns 20. Even with this rule hanging over them as a warning, Arase and Yoshitaka find it hard to hold back from each other. They have to practice self-control to keep others from becoming suspicious.

In his fourth year at Momogaoka College of Music, Shinichi Chiaki—the son of a renowned pianist—harbors a secret dream of becoming a conductor like his father. But his fear of flying keeps him trapped in Japan, unable to pursue opportunities abroad in Europe. One night, after collapsing, Chiaki is helped by Megumi "Nodame" Noda, a talented but messy and eccentric pianist. To his dismay, Nodame turns out to be his neighbor, and he finds himself reluctantly working with her. Despite the potential for chaos, Chiaki begins to rediscover his love for music through their encounters. How will this unusual partnership develop?

After taking a year off from school, Hong Sul—a diligent and high-achieving student—unintentionally loses the good graces of her seemingly perfect senior, Yu Jeong. As a result, her life takes a turn for the worse, and she becomes convinced that Yu Jeong is the cause of all her troubles. Yet, when a year passes, why has he suddenly started treating her with such kindness?

Tamahiko Shima, the youngest son of the distinguished Shima family, was raised in opulence yet starved of genuine warmth from his aloof relatives. After losing his mother and suffering a severe injury to his dominant arm in a tragic accident, he sank into hopelessness and was cast aside by his father, who deemed him a failure. Banished to a remote rural estate to safeguard the family's reputation, Tamahiko expected to wither away alone—until Yuzuki Tachibana arrived, announcing that his father had sent her to be his wife. Through her devoted care, Yuzuki breathes new purpose into his barren existence, guiding him as he mends the deep emotional scars of his past. Gradually, their lives become entwined, and they share the bittersweet journey of their first love.

Takemoto lives in a small student apartment, always busy with managing his finances and getting to classes on time. Though he lives on his own, he still has a lot to learn about maturity. Along with his unusual friends—Morita, Mayama, Yamada, and Hagumi—he sets out on a path to grasp life and find his true self. Also included in Volume 10 are the extra one-shots: Sora no Kotori and Hoshi no Opera.

Nanase Sakashita is the reliable class representative, while Hana-kun is a student who often skips school. Despite their contrasting natures, an unexpected connection develops when Hana-kun steps in to protect Nanase from a bullying classmate. Nanase then takes it upon herself to encourage him to participate more and attend school regularly, while Hana-kun is equally determined to prove that life has more to offer than just academics. Can they bridge their different paths and form a bond?

At the close of the school year, middle schooler Yuuichi Kanba accidentally witnesses his childhood friend Makio Fujiyama, a towering 181 cm girl, in an embarrassing situation, which causes him to develop romantic feelings for her. Although Fujiyama is seen as unattractive by others, Kanba impulsively asks her out and, to his surprise, she agrees. As they navigate school events, fireworks displays, and other activities, Kanba constantly tries to sneak glances at Fujiyama while keeping their relationship a secret from those around them. This proves challenging due to Fujiyama's imposing presence, which often draws unwanted attention. In "Fujiyama-san wa Shishunki," Yuuichi and Makio experience a series of amusing and lighthearted moments, learning about love and each other along the way.

In "Kodocha: Sana's Stage," young actress Sana Kurata confronts many difficulties at school, especially from her bullying classmate Akito Hayama. However, Sana's lively and upbeat personality drives her to address every issue she faces. Her determined efforts both annoy and captivate Hayama, while his gloomy attitude similarly frustrates and motivates Sana to change his perspective. As these opposing characters start affecting one another, they endure various hardships that slowly overcome their differences and create a stronger bond between them.

In the world of the Great Combat Qi Continent, where strength determines one's standing, Xiao Yan was once a remarkable genius of the Xiao Clan. At the age of eleven, he suddenly lost all his power. Now fifteen, he endures the disdain of those who once admired him and faces the possibility of being cast out from his clan. Adding to his troubles, his fiancée, Nalan Yanran, seeks to break off their engagement. Xiao Yan swears to reclaim his former glory and seize control of his own destiny through raw power. Battle Through the Heavens follows the difficult journey of a fallen prodigy determined to rise to the peak of cultivation, fighting despair with unwavering hope.

23-year-old Aoki Daisuke starts his teaching career at Futatsubashi Elementary School, where he is put in charge of Class 3-1. One of his students, Rin Kokonoe, is a sharp and playful girl who develops a strong infatuation with him and openly announces that she is his girlfriend. Even though it could threaten his position, Rin keeps chasing after her relationship with her teacher, adding more complications to the already tangled interactions among their friends, family, and fellow students.

In "Skill of Lure," Sung-Gi Jang is unfairly branded as a complete pervert by his classmates, who misread his lack of social grace as lecherous behavior. Despite this reputation, Sung-Gi genuinely struggles to navigate interactions with the opposite sex. His misfortunes seem endless until his close friend Jae Hwang, witnessing Sung-Gi’s despair, offers assistance. Unbeknownst to Sung-Gi, Hwang is a skilled pick-up artist. Under Hwang’s tutelage, Sung-Gi begins to learn the fundamentals of conversing and interacting with women. Through numerous attempts and failures, he starts to understand the subtleties necessary for expressing deeper emotions. Realizing how much he can read from subtle cues, Sung-Gi becomes particularly interested in a specific classmate and uses the newly acquired "Skill of Lure" to connect with her.

Upon finishing university, Kumiko "Yankumi" Yamaguchi lands a job teaching math at a high school for boys only. She becomes the homeroom teacher for the famously difficult Class 3-D, and the students try to ruin her teaching career. Her stubbornness and forceful approach slowly win their respect. The school does not know that Yankumi is also the successor to the influential Kuroda Ikka yakuza clan in Tokyo.

Uru, a tiny girl often mistaken for an elementary school student, boasts surprising strength and chooses to live independently after her mother's remarriage. She finds employment at a quaint café with two distinctive coworkers: Shindou, who appears rough around the edges but has a gentle heart and a passion for baking cakes and pies, and Ichirou, a strikingly handsome man who immediately succumbs to sleep upon feeling hunger and won't awaken until someone feeds him. What adventures await this unusual trio? Included one-shots: Volume 2: Suitei Seinen Shoujo Volume 4: Hana to Ageha, Natsu. Volume 7: Number One DX

Following a long and arduous journey, the Hero finally reaches the Dark Lady's castle, only to be met with an unexpected plea for cooperation. The Hero explains that the ongoing conflict between demons and humans has resulted in countless deaths and widespread suffering. The Demon Queen, however, counters this by arguing that the war has actually served to unify human society, citing evidence of increased population, productivity, economic growth, and overall societal well-being. She further claims that ending the war could trigger a civil war, leading to even greater chaos and loss of life. Convinced that lasting peace can only be achieved through an alliance with the Dark Lady, the Hero decides to support her goals. Included one-shot: Volume 12: Level Hero!

After Sakura Kinomoto successfully captures and transforms the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards, she believes her days as a Cardcaptor are finished. However, on her way to her first day at Tomoeda Middle School, she is happily surprised to find Shaoran Li, who announces his permanent move to Tomoeda and will be attending the same school. Despite this happiness, Sakura has a peculiar dream that night, where she is encircled by translucent cards and meets a cloaked enigma. Waking up, she discovers her Sakura Cards have indeed turned clear—her dream has come true. With recurring visions, a new staff, and encounters with unknown cards, Sakura must resume her role as Cardcaptor, alongside her guardians and friends, embarking on a fresh adventure.

Doraemon, a robotic cat from the future, travels back to the 20th century with the goal of helping Nobi Nobita, a boy who has trouble with schoolwork, sports, and making friends. Nobita frequently loses at simple games like rock-paper-scissors and feels unsure of himself in many ways. Even with his tough assignment, Doraemon comes equipped with a wide range of imaginative and funny gadgets. Still, Doraemon is not always the most dependable assistant, which gets both of them into all sorts of problems. Together, they create one of the most special and heartwarming friendships ever seen in manga.

Having spent her entire life in confinement, sixteen-year-old Emma finally makes it to the capital city of Hawk Eye. Upon her arrival, every male in the city, including the king, becomes instantly captivated by her, putting her at risk of forced marriage. A young and exceptionally talented sorcerer named Shion comes to her rescue. Despite having encountered each other previously, Emma has no recollection of Shion. Shion discloses that Emma is cursed with the Echidna, a dark magic that emerges every five centuries, manifesting in a girl whose heart is filled with overwhelming dark energy capable of world destruction. With such power, one could conquer the globe, and Shion cautions Emma that she will be pursued by those seeking to seize her heart. However, there exists a ritual to free her from the Echidna's curse, which requires a challenging and lengthy journey. The initial step of this ritual involves Emma and Shion getting married. Included one-shot: Volume 8: Karakuri Link

In Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo, Sorata Kanda, a genial high school student at Suimei High, is ousted from the standard dormitories due to his act of kindness towards a stray cat. This setback leads him to reside in the notorious Sakura Hall, home to a collection of unique and gifted art prodigies. Overwhelmed by his growing responsibility for the stray cats and feeling overshadowed by the brilliance of his new neighbors, Sorata sets out to find homes for the felines and ultimately leave Sakura Hall behind. Upon settling in, Sorata's life becomes even more complex when he is tasked with looking after Mashiro Shiina, a transferred student aspiring to be a manga artist. Despite her international fame as an artist, Mashiro lacks basic life skills and requires constant care. With support from the other Sakura Hall inhabitants, Sorata and Mashiro grow closer, facing societal pressures, discovering their self-worth, and pursuing their genuine life goals together.