Best Romance Manga of 2021

Despite being adjacent to one another, Chidori Public High School and the all-girls Kikyo Private Academy seem to exist in two different worlds. While the latter boasts an immaculate reputation and favors students from wealthy backgrounds, the former is a nest for dim-witted delinquents. Everyone at Kikyo harbors a deep hatred for their Chidori neighbors. Sixteen-year-old Rintarou Tsumugi is a student at Chidori whose intimidating face leads people to avoid him. Rintarou pays no mind to this, as he is content with his group of friends. However, there is something he has not told them yet: sometimes, he helps out at his family's cake shop. One day at work, Rintarou sees a customer at a table, but she runs off before he can talk to her. The next day, he receives an apology from the girl, Kaoruko Waguri, who explains that she did not run away because of his appearance and that she believes Rintarou is a kind-hearted person. Although he is not used to Kaoruko's bright personality, Rintarou looks forward to forming a friendship with her. There is just one obstacle that stands in his way: Kaoruko is a Kikyo student!

Taiki Inomata, a third-year student in junior high, attends Eimei Academy, an integrated school with a major sports program. Having joined the high school badminton team, Taiki tries to attend open practice as early as possible. But no matter how early he goes, he always arrives second in the gymnasium. The person one step ahead of him is Chinatsu Kano, a first-year student in senior high and Taiki's crush. Chinatsu is the rising star of the basketball team, and the gap between her and Taiki could not be greater. Although Taiki is a decent badminton player, his popularity is nowhere near Chinatsu's, making it even less likely for his feelings to be reciprocated. However, in a strange twist of fate, she ends up living in Taiki's house! Wanting to become a worthy match for Chinatsu, Taiki pursues the same dream as his crush: to partake in the Nationals. Taiki starts training harder than ever before, all for the sake of building a strong relationship with his new housemate.

In sixth grade, childhood friends Yukiya Asagi and Miku Sakura created a game with the objective to embarrass the other person by taking turns saying "I love you." Four years later, even as they are entering high school, the two are still trying to one-up the other and claim victory. However, as tender feelings begin to bloom in their hearts, the simple phrase has taken on new meaning beyond the rules of their game. With the passing of each day, the urge to become more than childhood friends grows—but both Yukiya and Miku resist making the first move, hesitant about what is in store once the game finally ends.

Next to Miyu Suzuki, a trendy and bubbly high school girl, sits Yuusuke Tani, a quiet and frank boy. Their interactions are brief, limited to Suzuki's unprompted random questions and Tani's succinct answers. Yet, beneath these simple exchanges, feelings of love are quietly blossoming. Suzuki sees Tani for who he is: a straightforward boy who respects everyone equally, completely unconcerned about fitting in. Unlike Tani, she is too hung up on what everyone else thinks, desperate to keep her crush a secret. However, a slight misunderstanding leads to Suzuki confessing her feelings—and to her delight, Tani feels the same. Jittery with excitement, the young couple starts dating, embarking on a wonderful journey of friendship and love.

After spending a majority of his life in an orphanage, aspiring doctor Uryuu Kamihate has finally found a place willing to take him in—the Amagami Shrine. There is only one problem: he is an ardent atheist. Arriving at the shrine, Uryuu discovers that he will not be alone. Living with him are three shrine maidens: the childlike eldest sister Yae; the confrontational middle sister Yuna; and the mischievous youngest sister Asahi, all members of the Amagami household. While Yae and Asahi welcome his company, Yuna refuses to accept his presence and repeatedly clashes with him over their contrasting beliefs. However, Asahi soon unravels the reason behind his lack of faith. Just as things are beginning to settle, Chidori Amagami, grandfather of the three sisters, suddenly reveals the condition for Uryuu's stay: he must marry one of the sisters and inherit the shrine.

When Hayato's grandmother passed, he planned to sell her rundown café on the shore—not realizing that it was also home to five young women who call themselves her family?! Their desperation to keep the café open convinces Hayato to give it a shot...but even their best intentions might not be enough to make it work! And can he even work with these five unruly women? No matter what, he's got his work cut out for him!

Smart, refined, and strikingly gorgeous, half-Russian half-Japanese Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou is considered the idol of her school. With her long silver hair, mesmerizing blue eyes, and exceptionally fair skin, she has captured the hearts of countless male students while being highly admired by all others. Even so, due to her seemingly unapproachable persona, everyone remains wary around the near-flawless girl. One of the few exceptions is Alisa's benchmate Masachika Kuze, a relatively average boy who spends his days watching anime and playing gacha games. Despite his nonchalant demeanor, Masachika is the sole student to receive Alisa's attention. Unable to be fully honest, Alisa is frequently harsh on Masachika and only expresses her affection in Russian. Unbeknownst to her, however, Masachika actually understands the language yet simply pretends otherwise for his own amusement. As the odd pair continues to exchange witty and playful remarks, their relationship gradually grows more romantic and delightful—and Alisa might finally learn to freely convey her true feelings.

A boy was chosen by god to become the world's strongest exorcist and to face deadly demons in battle. Burdened with the fate of humanity, all he really wants to do is quietly bake sweets, when one day a certain girl enters his life... A story of love and hope blooming during a bloody holy war!

Dreams about finding her one true love are all Yuuki Honda has. She has thrown herself into college work but still yearns for a fateful encounter with a man who is just as handsome and charming as her beloved manga characters. Despite her desire to meet new people, she finds herself out of her element in a crowded club. Here she meets Iori Souma, who is drunk, disdainful, and looks down on Yuuki, bluntly saying things too embarrassing to hear. Although he comes off as impolite and rough, Iori quickly proves that first impressions can be deceiving. When he calls Yuuki to apologize, she confesses her romantic aspirations. Instead of the expected scorn, Iori offers to help Yuuki find her future soulmate. While Iori's cool but selfless nature makes him a great friend, Yuuki can no longer ignore just how fast her heart beats when she is by his side.

As the son of the late legendary actress Subaru Ayase, Yuu has had many expectations placed upon him after he transferred to Saika Academy, a highly prestigious school where students can hone their personal talents. However, in contrast to his mother, Yuu is completely talentless. Being seen as completely mediocre, he would have no chance of standing side by side with the three emperors of Saika Academy: the Mikadono sisters, Miwa, Niko, and Kazuki, who are each prodigies in shogi, martial arts, and performing arts, respectively. With Subaru's friend agreeing to take her son in, Yuu aims to fulfill his mother's last wish to him, which is to build a happy family, after never being able to form a proper mother-son relationship due to their difference in talent. As it turns out, his mother's friend is actually the father of the Mikadono sisters! Keeping his mother's wish in mind, Yuu aims to build familial bonds with the siblings. However, due to their extreme focus on their respective specializations, they show little interest in opening themselves up not only to him, but to each other as well. Nonetheless, Yuu strives to continuously support the three prodigies, as his kindness and care restores the bond between the sisters.

Meet Takuya Seo, an otaku who sits behind the popular gals in class, Ijichi and Amane. Since they're people from different "castes," you wouldn't expect them to have much in common. But when their worlds collide over a borrowed eraser, Takuya slips up about his favorite anime, and Amane...is rather quick to correct him. She says she's not a fan, but her familiarity with the series suggests otherwise. Could she be...a fellow geek?!

Na Kang Lim, a high school student who enjoys reading webtoons, experiences a strange event one day when the female lead from his favorite webtoon appears before him. Even more surprising, the same incidents that put her in danger in the webtoon start happening in real life. The problem is, there's no protagonist in the real world to save her! Ultimately, Na Kang Lim takes on the role of the protagonist, looping through time to save her.

The Abysmal Flower tells a tragic tale of romance. The heroine, Sylvia Pedelian, is at the heart of a gory and erotic reverse harem story about her revenge for the disappearance of her brother, Cassis. When a Korean student suddenly awakens in the world of the novel, she realizes she has become the ill-fated Roxana—a villainous daughter of the Agreces, the Pedelians' sworn enemies. As it is her father, Lante, who captures and abuses Cassis, Roxana devises a plan befitting the wickedness of her family name to save Cassis and, consequently, herself. The Agrece castle is an unforgiving realm of betrayal, violence, and bloodshed. Over the years, Roxana has watched her father and half-siblings commit unspeakable atrocities, waiting for the day she can finally meet the shackled and battered Cassis. After Roxana shows rare interest in personally torturing and disciplining a prisoner, she is given the opportunity to secretly nurture the apprehensive Cassis back to health. Witnessing the lengths that Roxana goes to for his sake—at the expense of her own physical and mental wellbeing—Cassis resolves to one day return the favor.

Risa Amakawa is only in high school, but she is extraordinarily self-sufficient. With the tools inside her seemingly bottomless bag, she is prepared for any freak incident that lady luck chooses to throw her way. So when Risa encounters a delinquent—all battered and bruised—on a rainy afternoon, she takes advantage of the power bestowed upon her by her own sense of caution and uses it to help him. What she does not expect is the victim, Zen Oohira, to take a liking to her. Zen checks all the boxes of a typical delinquent; he has an air of nonchalance about him and even owns a motorcycle. Even so, he is oddly cheerful and sweet, going so far as to give Risa a "help coupon" as thanks for her aid in his time of need. When an unforeseen episode forces Risa to redeem her coupon, she realizes that Zen can be far more charming than he lets on. But is she prepared to sacrifice her meticulousness for a carefree gamble on romance?

Lady Jubelian Eloy Floyen was an unloved yet lovestruck fool, clinging onto her disinterested lover Mikhail Hessen and forever yearning for affection from her indifferent father, Regis. So it came as no surprise that after she was framed for attempted murder, both of the most important men in her life turned their backs on her, leaving her to die. That is how the story goes. When a woman from modern-day Korea finds herself in the body of the pitiable villainess Jubelian, she sets out to change her fate. First thing on the list? Break up with Mikhail and set him free. However, this leaves the spot of her prospective spouse open, so Regis begins looking for another suitor—and the first candidate on his list seems to be the notoriously bloodthirsty crown prince, Maximillian Casein Assiette. For Jubelian, anyone would be better than marrying that sadistic tyrant. Thus, she proposes a contract relationship with her father's student, Max, because no matter what, she does not want to marry that man!

When his father remarries, Yuuta Asamura winds up sharing a roof with a brand-new stepsister, who is also the hottest girl in his grade! But Yuuta and his new sister, Saki Ayase, have no delusions—they both carry trauma from their parents' difficult divorces, and they agree to keep a respectful distance. As it turns out, however, the two have a lot in common, and slowly, cautiously, they grow closer. But is the emotion blooming between them simple admiration, familial love, or something more?

Dying from cancer and unhappy with how she has lived, 37-year-old Kang Jiwon catches her husband of 10 years—Park Minhwan—in bed with her best friend Jeong Sumin. In the ensuing confrontation, Minhwan becomes enraged and injures his wife, unremorseful even in her last moments as he allows her to bleed out. Feeling betrayed from the injustice she has endured for years, Jiwon is somehow reincarnated as her youthful 27-year-old self, a decade before her fateful death at the hand of her husband. With feelings of resentment, vengeance, and rage, Jiwon uses the knowledge of her past life to set straight all the wrongs and misfortunes she suffered as a result of her cheating husband and fake best friend. She will stop at nothing to make their lives as miserable as possible. But between acts of revenge, there is the potential for Jiwon to meet a more worthy lover this time around.

Pereshati Zahardt may be the sole heir to her late father's county, but she can at least rely on her stepmother, stepsister Reina, and loving fiancé Schiff. However, she soon finds herself proven wrong, landing her on her deathbed. Schiff wedded Pereshati at the behest of Reina—his true lover—so they could promptly inherit Pereshati's fortune and title. Defenseless, Pereshati can only watch as her loved ones turn against her. Shockingly, Pereshati somehow wakes up in the past, mere months after her father's passing. Although uncertain whether the betrayal she experienced was real, she takes precautions moving forward in her second chance. She seeks out Grand Duke Therdeo Lapileon, a war hero with a bloody reputation, and proposes a one-year contract marriage that will ward off their respective unwanted suitors. Unfortunately, Pereshati fails to account for the Lapileons' family secret: their blood is toxic to everyone who comes in contact with it. Thus, Therdeo resists her request until they discover that Pereshati is immune to Lapileon blood. Under the temporary protection of her in-laws, Pereshati must find a way to enact her revenge. However, she also hopes that she can mend the broken bonds of her new family.

Hwang Yura has always dreamed of becoming a star. Unfortunately, luck does not seem to be on her side, as she has yet to land a major role despite making her debut seven years ago. Still, Yura continues to put her best foot forward and receives a role in a movie destined for success. Much to her dismay, she is once again cast in a minor role. Once on set, Yura runs into two familiar faces—her narcissistic ex-boyfriend Kim Jeong-u and famous actor Kang Seunghyeon. While Yura promises herself to keep her head in the game despite Jeong-u's egotistical presence, the handsome Seunghyeon takes an interest in her due to the circumstances of their previous encounters. Through the strenuous filming, the unknown actress and the lead star form a unique relationship. All the while, Yura tackles the relentless challenges of the entertainment industry on her journey to stardom.

Idol group F/ACE has recently risen in popularity all thanks to Tamon Fukuhara—its handsome, wild, and talented leader. Seventeen-year-old Utage Kinoshita is one of the vocal fans who greatly admires F/ACE. As her life revolves around worshiping Tamon, Utage works at a housecleaning company to earn money and continue supporting him. When her coworker gets sick, Utage is assigned to a new client with the same name as Tamon. She believes it is merely a coincidence—until she comes face to face with the real celebrity! Her surprise only grows when she discovers that, unlike the extroverted superstar known to the public, Tamon is actually a gloomy guy with no friends or self-confidence. Given that Utage's adoration for Tamon knows no bounds, she vows to keep his secret and stay by his side—but dealing with Tamon's contrasting behaviors in and out of work might be the toughest job out there.

From her miserable previous life as Yoon Seolwoo in Korea, 26-year-old Rosentine Arzen carried over the frightening ability to see ghosts. Her otherworldly power alienated her from her family and peers, and she struggled with every breath. After her rebirth, Rosentine hid her gift like a curse. Now a noble lady, Rosentine is blessed with caring parents and an adorable younger sister, and she would never endanger the people who endlessly shower her with unconditional love. Although Rosentine conceals her sixth sense from living humans, her secret was once discovered by the spirit of a young man named Ranon. He taught her how to control the ghosts—and thanks to that, she learns of a current assassination plot against Prince Charteris Kartazen. Rosentine might have only briefly met the prince before, but she cannot let him die—lest the political schemes destroy the country—if she has the means to prevent it. Disguising herself as a poor sorceress, Rosentine convinces Charteris to allow her to investigate and save his life. However, not even ghosts are omniscient, and to protect her family, Rosentine must uncover the empire's greatest conspiracy.

College student Tokiwa gets invited to a mixer by his female classmate Suo. But when he arrives with his friends, they’re greeted by three dazzlingly handsome men?!

Plain, boring, and friendless Kazuhiko Nukumizu has witnessed something completely baffling: popular girl Anna Yanami was friend-zoned by her childhood friend and crush! In fact, all the popular girls around him are getting similarly rejected by the boys they like. Without realizing it, Kazuhiko becomes entangled in the relationship drama where all the leading heroines are losing out on love! Can he keep their spirits up and help them find happiness?

Yakou, a gentle human woman, works at a detective agency. Tounome is a smart and gentle invisible man. The invisible man's ability is perfect for detective work. However, the blind Yakou can still figure out where Tounome is, even if he disappears. Before they know it, the two become attracted to each other...?

Ji-o's luck runs out when she gets injured before the tryouts for the national taekwondo team. In the middle of facing what seems to be the biggest crisis of her life, she meets Gyeol, a mysterious boy who changes her life forever. He's the definition of a bad boy with a good heart, and she finds herself unable to resist his charms. However, she might be playing with fire as he's someone who's involved with the wrong crowd. Is falling for Gyeol worth the risk?

Vivi is a... wererabbit?! As a creature that's supposed to transform into a human, Vivi is a failure, demonized as cursed and sent off to her doom. Luckily, her demise is cut short as Ahin of the Black Leopard Clan saves her. But with every threat and command this temperamental heir tosses at Vivi, she's questioning her safety (and sanity). Surrounded by carnivores and their strong pheromones, she'll try to survive the chaos while stuck in her rabbit form. Will she figure out how to transform and tap into the power within her cute, furry self?

Subaru Takahashi recalls the six months after his wife, Chika, was diagnosed with cancer.

Yukari Maki is an earnest high school girl. Recently, she has been interested in Yuusuke Kusaka, a classmate who is called a juvenile delinquent and is the exact opposite of her. In unfamiliar surroundings, Yukari sees Yuusuke enter a music studio called "Studio Cabana" one day. There, he sings a "love" song, something which seems to clash with how most see him.

Aoi Tsujimura wouldn't consider herself a main character by any means. Meek and insecure, she's constantly alone, unlike her athletic older brother, Itsuki, or her mother, a famous shoujo mangaka. Aoi doesn't need to be the heroine, though—all she wants is a true friend. But Itsuki disagrees, and when he brings home Aoi's effortlessly cool classmate Sena Mizusawa, the two concoct a plan to teach Aoi all about love, using shoujo manga as their guide. Can this drab side character become an unparalleled female lead by falling for the perfect guy?

Nana loves shoujo manga and enjoys fictional romance more than real-life love, as she gets flustered easily with any slight interaction with the opposite sex. At least she's aware of her "naive" nature, until her classmate, a delinquent named Sutaka, confessed his love to her out of the blue...! Since then, his straightforward displays of affection have kept her heart pounding non-stop...!

His colleagues at work see him as handsome, cool, and distant...but the moment he's back home, this frosty-looking salaryman shows his true colors as a doting father and husband. Playing silly games with his young daughter, showering kisses on his beloved wife–what a gap between his appearance and behavior! This sweet, full-color manga about a wholesome family is sure to warm your heart.

I, Maehara Maki, someone who couldn't make any acquaintances or friends in high school, finally had someone to hang out with outside of school. A girl. Her name was Asanagi-san. The boys in my class called her "the class' second cutest girl" behind her back. On Fridays, she would refuse her best friend, Amami, "the cutest girl in class" invitation just to hang out in my house with me. Together, we played games, watched some movies, read some manga while eating junk foods like pizza and hamburgers, and chugging cola without a care in the world. To others, we may seem sloppy, but it was a precious, secret time together for Asanagi-san and myself.

Nene Arisugawa loves to eat food as much as Rintarou Kamioka loves to cook. After Nene has a disastrous day at work, the two next-door neighbors happen to strike up a conversation. When Rintarou learns that Nene mostly survives on a diet of protein shakes, cup ramen, and sports drinks, the concerned culinary student declares that he will cook all of her meals so that she can get proper nutrition. Thanks to their arrangement, the two soon become more involved with each other, but Nene is uncertain why Rintarou is always apprehensive around her. Moreover, there is a mysterious door in his apartment he does not want Nene to open. Just what exactly is Rintarou hiding?

Guk Yeonsu and Choi Wung are like oil and water—they simply do not mix. While Yeonsu's humble origins motivate her to tolerate no distractions from her studies, Wung was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and favors his peace of mind over any genuine effort. When they are paired up as subjects of a documentary that chronicles a month in the lives of two students—one at the top of the academic ranks and the other at the bottom—the filmmakers face challenges from the beginning. Wung embodies everything that Yeonsu loathes, and a middle ground seems unreachable. However, as they engage reluctantly for the cameras, they discover warm sides of one another that may bridge the bitter distance between them.

Victimized by her little sister's trick, Hwa-yeong heads to the imperial palace to participate in the crown princess selection process. Now she'll have to put up with... six months of palace stay?! No way! As a last resort, Hwa-yeong tries to do everything wrong to get disqualified and sent home early but instead finds herself in the royals' favor. What's worse, coincidence keeps bringing Shin-yeong, the Crown Prince, in her way, and now things are becoming more intense and personal for both of them. "You wish to get kicked out now? I'll do everything in my power to see the opposite happen!" Will Hwa-yeong see her way through these obstacles and return home before six months?

Don't believe a word she says. Infamous jailbreaker Rosen Walker is finally being transferred to the Isle of Monte, the most notorious maximum security prison in the world. Her guard? None other than the beloved war hero of the empire himself—Ian Connor. Now he must unravel the truth. Is Rosen really a murderer? Or is there more to the story?

A romance between the Yakitori shop owner Akira, and the bunny girl, Houka. How can he get close to her when he can't leave the grill of his small shop?

Growing up in a dreary suburb, Sakuma has little to brighten his humdrum days aside from his best friend. The bright, talented, and attractive Ushio seems to have everything Sakuma lacks, and his academics and athletic prowess make him popular with the girls at school. Past trauma—and an understandable inferiority complex—slowly drive the two apart, and by the time they enter high school, they hardly even speak anymore. Thus, Sakuma finds himself alone. Against all odds, he eventually gains a friend in Natsuki, the sweetest girl in class. The two hit it off gushing about their favorite novels, and he falls head over heels for her. But that very same night, he stumbles upon an unexpected sight while walking through a familiar park: his old friend Ushio, dressed in a full-blown schoolgirl's uniform and sobbing uncontrollably.

Sang Zhi has a secret crush: her brother's college friend Duan Jiaxu. She does everything she can to hide her feelings only to discover he's already noticed. Will she finally find her happy ending when she grows up?

On the morning of his first day of high school, Iori Sakuma encountered a silver-haired, blue-eyed girl and a cat. The girl was bewildered by the approaching cat. "Do... Don't come over here, cat!" The girl noticed Iori's bewilderment at her unexpected outburst and left quickly. That was how he met Kaede Ryohara. Iori and Kaede ended up in the same class. As he watched Kaede, he noticed that she rarely showed any emotion. But when Iori happened to see Kaede smile, he felt his heart skip a beat... The curtain opens on a sweet but frustrating love story that will make a girl with few emotions smile. (Source: Dengeki Bunko, translated)

"Lady Bumpkin"—that is what most of high society called Agnes Evantail, eldest daughter of the venerable House of Evantail. Ridiculed for her outdated makeup and antiquated clothing, she has been a pariah among her peers for as long as she can remember. After yet another failed attempt at becoming engaged, her parents make her attend the princess's engagement celebration in hopes of finding a fiancé there. Agnes begrudgingly goes to the party, where she encounters perfect Nazelbart Florescruz, the princess's fiancé, and the only person to ever show her kindness. When the princess schemes against him and he's branded a villain, it's Agnes's turn to offer him a helping hand. The two are then bound together in the most unlikely turn of events—how will their story unfold? (Source: J-Novel Club)

From [Chibi Manga](https://www.mangaupdates.com/groups.html?id=1829571901): It’s been two years since I got married to a handsome shoemaker, Akitaro. He is a gentle husband who only presents one shoe to the world on our wedding anniversary. It is not a secret that I’m “happy” to be loved by him and having everyone envious of that. But I’m afraid of spending the night with him. Because it’s possible to feel the desperate loneliness of the “night”… **Original:** [Betsucomi Flower](https://csbs.shogakukan.co.jp/book?comic_id=62833), [Flower Comics](https://flowercomics.jp/title/285) | [Cmoa](https://www.cmoa.jp/title/263573/), [Comico](https://www.comico.jp/magazine_comic/159800), [Mechacomic](https://mechacomic.jp/books/171058), [Piccoma](https://piccoma.com/web/product/131746?etype=episode), [Renta!](https://renta.papy.co.jp/renta/sc/frm/item/321891/)

Is it weird if you've never kissed anyone in high school? (Source: Dengeki Bunko, translated)

Yae was born into a good family, but was treated like a servant. One day, in the town by chance, she met the scion of the conglomerate, Yorihisa. Yae, who is cold and beautiful, is sometimes attracted to him, and Yorihisa suddenly requests a marriage. It was Yae who received it with pleasure, but Yorihisa, in fact… Taisho romance. Original Web Serialization