Best Romance Manga of 2022

The sole thing that gets the middle-aged Sasaki through his soul-sucking job is a cheerful smile from Yamada—the young woman who works at a nearby 24-hour supermarket he frequents. After every tiring day of getting berated by his boss, Sasaki stops by the store to have his spirit healed by his favorite cashier. After a particularly grueling day, Sasaki shows up at the supermarket, only to find that Yamada's shift has already ended. Disappointed, he searches for a place to smoke when a woman from behind the store calls him over to join her. The bold and dangerously playful Tayama is quick to call out Sasaki's peculiar habit of always seeking out her coworker—even going as far as telling Yamada about Sasaki's vested interest in her. Now, in addition to seeing his adored cashier Yamada, Sasaki also visits the store to see if his new smoking partner Tayama is around. But there is more to Tayama's mischievousness than she initially lets on. With every cigarette, an unlikely friendship begins to blossom.

Han Jia, a 32-year-old freelancer currently without a job, is fed up with her current situation, being constantly harassed by her parents over getting married and moving out. One day, an agitated Jia stumbles upon her childhood friend Jin Mincheol, who is in a similar predicament. While catching up with each other, Jia abruptly blurts out that she and Mincheol should get married! To her surprise, he accepts her proposal, and the two start living as a married couple. However, since Jia and Mincheol are both eccentric in their own ways, the newlyweds often disagree, learning new things about each other in the process. As their relationship deepens, the awkwardness begins to fade away, and the couple starts to see that they are maybe meant to be for each other.

Maki Maehara is always on his own at school. He has no friends or hobbies others share, and he doesn't expect the upcoming academic year to be any different, even surrounded by new faces. And six months later, it seems like he was right—until he runs into his popular classmate Umi Asanagi at a video store! Always at the center of attention and called the "second prettiest in class" by the boys, Asanagi's from a totally different world. But it turns out the two have more overlapping interests than just the B-grade movies they came to check out...and Asanagi asks Maehara to be her friend!

Art student Hibari Akanishi struggles to find free time between her part-time job and school. Her schedule becomes even more hectic with her upcoming project: she must make a trendy fashion design to display in front of countless people. However, all her creations end up being stale. While continuing her project at work, her laptop is accidentally soaked and broken by a customer—a flashy guy making a scene. Furious that her hard work is gone, Hibari lashes out at him before she storms out. At the end of her shift, the rude client takes Hibari to his apartment to apologize. The eccentric boy introduces himself as Gaku Sausei, a member of a rock band and fellow art student. He lends her his computer so she can finish her assignment by the deadline. Despite Gaku's free-spirited personality clashing with Hibari's serious nature, his blunt remarks encourage Hibari to experiment with her design in ways she would not have dared to attempt before. As Hibari gets closer to Gaku, her ordinary world is about to be flipped upside down.

It's hard dating someone who won't give you the time of day. Su-ae Shim knows that better than anyone, having dated her indifferent boyfriend, Minu Kang, for years. She sometimes wishes she could be more like her charismatic stepsister, Ra-im, who seems to have it all. But life takes a turn for the weird when Su-ae discovers Jellypop, a sentient flip phone, in her locker. Jellypop has a lot to say about her love life, especially as Su-ae drifts further away from Minu and finds herself running into Minu's friend, Eunhyeok. Add to the mix a growing suspicion that Minu and Ra-im might be more than friends, and Su-ae might need a miracle to navigate the ups and downs of high school romance!

Before she even knew what marriage was, Bianca de Blanchefort had to leave the lavishness of her home forever and become the wife of Count Zachary de Arno. Her love for the extravagance of her beginnings never waned, and while her husband ignored her, she gained a reputation as a greedy, evil wife. After Zachary tragically died on the battlefield, Bianca—without an heir to secure her place in the palace—lost everything and became a beggar. In a twist of fate, Bianca is granted another chance at life. She awakens as an 18-year-old again and swears to shed her arrogance and immaturity this time around. However, Bianca still fears meeting the same unbecoming future and puts up a brave front, even when asking Zachary for an heir. With a husband who refuses to touch her, Bianca is hopeless. As she turns to other means to save herself, she begins to see Zachary in a new light, wondering if his indifference may have been a veil for something deeper.

Mere moments before her death, Korean architecture student Yoon Dohee has an epiphany: those around her regard her as nothing more than a pushover and someone utterly undeserving of respect. A chance to turn her life around comes in the most unexpected form when she is reborn as Deborah Seymour, a brazen and scornful villainess from a dark reverse harem novel. When one of the male leads acquired a rare pink diamond for the heroine, Mia Binoche, Deborah's envy sparked an abusive campaign that eventually landed her in an isolated monastery. For this incarnation of Deborah, being a villainess from such a prominent and wealthy family is living the dream. People expect nothing from her, and she gets to relax and be pampered to her heart's content. She is personally disinterested in the diamond, so she simply has to avoid crossing paths with Mia and her love interests. But if Deborah, as a noble lady, refuses to marry, she will meet the same pitiful ending regardless. To secure her independence, Deborah needs money and help—and a mysterious hooded information broker may prove to be her lifeline.

After "outboxer009" wakes up in the body of Yuder Bayel from Legend of Heroes 2, he soon discovers that his rival "sandstorm" has also entered the game world as Cordelia Chace. These top-two-ranked old pros come to realize that navigating this game world is much harder than just pointing and clicking. With the apocalyptic conclusion of the game looming before them, they'll have to combine his quick wit, her foul mouth, and both their gamer mindsets to make a new, less cataclysmic ending.

Nobody understands why the brilliant six-year-old Inés Valeztena de Perez picked Cárcel Escalante de Esposa as her fiancé. Considering her family's high status, she could have easily married the crown prince and led an outstanding life as the empress. Cárcel grew up believing that Inés loved him deeply, despite her eerily emotionless demeanor and understated style. But, put in a difficult position against his will, he harbored no affection for such a dull person and instead turned to countless other women behind her back. Cárcel's whole reality crumbles when Inés catches him in the act—because she does not care whatsoever. She intends to turn a blind eye to his infidelity even after tying the knot, which leaves Cárcel in complete disbelief. Inés' indifference ignites a perverse desire inside Cárcel, and he abruptly loses interest in everyone else. However, there is a reason behind each of Inés' actions, and it all started when she took her own life for the very first time.

Sora Akizuki, a second-year high school boy, confesses his feelings to Miya Fuwa, but she rejects him because she "likes someone else." The person she likes is... Asahi Suzukaze, the head of the mysterious "Clinical Trial Club." Sora joins the club, only to find out that Asahi also has someone she likes. He is a boy who once saved Asahi, who was seriously ill, by helping her get through a "clinical trial," so she calls him "the prince of clinical trials." But it turns out that boy is Sora, who was a mischievous elementary school kid at the time...? This is a high-tension "clinical trial" romantic comedy with a complex intersection of love interests!

While Kim Jaeha and Yun Se-i were childhood friends, they started to drift apart as they grew older. Due to strict parents who set extreme restrictions, the two have formed a secret alliance where they act like best friends in front of their parents, but become total strangers when out of their sight. Nonetheless, Jaeha secretly harbors feelings for Se-i. Soon, Jaeha and Se-i face difficulties when Se-i's mother asks them to perform a song together as a couple at her second wedding. The pair hesitantly decides to humor the request, only to end up in more complicated situations. However, all of these troubles are advantageous to Jaeha as he tries to make Se-i reciprocate his feelings.

After falling asleep while reading her favorite novel, a woman awakens as Hestia, a background character with no family but an immense fortune. Basking in her newfound riches, she makes it her lifelong mission to observe the protagonists—Diana, Helios, and Caelus—from the sidelines as the plot unfolds. Hestia especially loves and cheers for Caelus, the complex second lead. However, events take a dark turn when Caelus resorts to unethical methods to defeat the villains, which causes a rift between him and the main couple. A year after Helios and Diana's wedding, Hestia resides in a run-down cabin in the forest, having depleted her wealth. By chance, she meets Caelus; abandoned by his best friend and the woman he loves, he is now a husk of his former self. As Caelus dies by suicide mere moments later, Hestia desperately curses those who wronged him and wishes to avenge him. Her prayers are answered, and she travels back in time before Caelus' life crumbles. Without a second to waste, Hestia initiates a plan that will ensure everlasting happiness for her beloved Caelus.

Hikari's your typical freshmen in high school who's been recently daydreaming about Mari's, her shy best friend, love story. She decides to ship Mari with Ootani-kun, their classmate, after finding out about his crush on Mari when his friend, Asagiri-kun, tried getting the two to talk. The main character is Mari, the leading man is Ootani, and Hikari is the typical best friend in the story. Not bad... right? A youthful story between four kids going through unrequited love.

A close and dangerous cohabitation with the cult leader's son has begun! Chungah was swindled by her uncle who she trusted and her parents disappeared, saying they were chasing their missing uncle, and Chungah suddenly lives alone in an empty house. But it wasn't just Chungah's family that was scammed! The biggest cult in the autonomous district, "Millennium Adventist," was also deceived by her uncle. And Yohan, the son of the cult leader, came to Chung-ah's house. He's dragging his luggage in...! God, is this cohabitation gonna be okay?

Hina Arukado is a modern vampire who drinks blood from bags instead of humans. But she's also a complete shut-in who hasn't left the house in 30 years. In an effort to reach her, Hina's worried dad does something that changes her life—he gives her the complete box set of the Vampire Cross anime series! Hina is instantly obsessed with everything about the show, especially the character Mao. But it's hard to fan as hard as she wants from her bedroom in Romania, so now Hina is out of the house and off to Japan to live her otaku dream! Japan is otaku heaven for Hina, and she's so busy collecting as much merch as her new apartment can hold that she almost doesn't feel bad about missing out on the special menus at Vampire Cross cafes. If only she had a human friend who could eat all the themed food for her! But connecting with humans isn't easy until Hina literally bumps into her neighbor Kyuta, a prickly boy who looks just like Mao. Having her best friend live next door will be so convenient! If she can just convince him to actually be friends...

All the dark, offensive rumors about Serena Serenity ring true; her body is too thin and frail, her behavior is insolent, and she feels suffocated in her marriage. Despite this, Serena loses little sleep over the truth. As the sole heir to the elite Serenity Hotel, Serena married influential businessman Eiser Leinz Grayan to salvage her family's sinking legacy. But their union is merely her grandmother's wish, for Serena never wanted to marry a stranger she does not love. Serena develops a childish and stubborn personality, feeling betrayed by her grandmother and repulsed by her husband. As a final act of rebellion, Serena brings in Frederick Bloom—a gorgeous and obedient man who fulfills her every desire—and shamelessly flaunts him among the aristocrats. Although Serena deeply values the hotel and hopes to drive out Eiser, she is clueless when it comes to business. However, a sudden change in Eiser's attitude forces her to grow up, trapping her in a difficult position between her gentle lover and her uncompromising husband.

A love story between a human and a skeleton.

Oriana, a seventeen-year-old magic student, suddenly dies alongside her boyfriend, Vincent. However, she returns from death in the body of her seven-year-old self with the memories of her past life intact—except for the knowledge of what killed her. She fantasizes for years about reuniting with her beloved, but when they finally meet, Vincent doesn’t remember her! Can she make Vincent fall in love with her again and avoid the death that started this mysterious time loop?

Ever since Shuryna "Shushu" West started dreaming of her past life, she resolved to change her fate. In the dark romance novel she had read as Han Yeahn, Shushu was a side character, approached by the obsessive love interests only so they could get closer to the heroine, Hestia "Hess" Flauid. To save her family from bankruptcy and avoid an arranged marriage, when it is time to enroll at the academy at the age of 13, Shushu chooses the most profitable but unusual profession for a girl—swordsmanship. As a side hustle, Shushu works under the pseudonym "Schneeballen" as a crafty mage. Her many interests lead her to cross paths with the male leads, but no matter how much they follow her—undoubtedly to have her play Cupid—Shushu is determined not to play matchmaker and focus on her own happiness instead.

One day, Charlotte Bennett comes to study abroad in Akihito Aoyagi's class. All of his classmates are attracted to Charlotte's innocent, elegant behavior and cute appearance, but Akihito calmly feels that she lives in a different world and takes a step back. However, when he helps Charlotte's younger sister, Emma, who was lost, Akihito's daily life changes drastically. After finding out that the Bennett sisters live in the next room of the apartment building, and also that Emma has grown fond of Akihito, the Bennett sisters come to visit his room every day. The three of them play dominoes, sit around the dinner table, and go out together. As they spend time together, Akihito and Charlotte grow closer, despite their clumsiness―a sweet and enticing love comedy next door begins!

Due to her lack of magical powers, the count's daughter Sufia has been trapped in her house from a young age. Upon her father's remarriage, she sees her new stepmother and stepsister. From this comes a revelation: she has been reincarnated in an otome game. According to the storyline, Sufia will suffer under the thumb of her stepsister, Lily... But with her positivity and composure, Sufia is unmoved! Furthermore, in order to save her favorite character, Evuard, who is bound to fall into evil, Sufia begins manipulating her sister from behind the scenes. Sufia succeeds in preventing his downfall. After using her knowledge of the game, Sufia acquires the title of "saint" and enrolls in the magic academy! No matter what, she resolves to save the other characters as well! Thereupon, perplexed by Sufia's actions, Evuard begins showing an interest in her...? This is the story of an overwhelmingly positive heroine seizing her own happiness! (Source: Overlap, translated)

**“I’ll never love you.”** Unused to humans, Abigail panics when her new husband declares that he’ll never love her on the first night of their political marriage. Does that mean she’s not allowed to eat?! A new twist on the food-based romance tale, starring an earl’s daughter who was the Monster King in her previous life! After years of neglect by her old family, Abigail will charm her sincere military husband and his household one bite at a time and find her happy ending! (Source: Cross Infinite World)

Sophelia Lotus is the epitome of nobility and grace, tirelessly pouring herself into her royal duties as fiancée to the crown prince. In her short fifteen years of life, she had learned, above all else, to endure. Unfortunately, however, her fiancée wasn’t quite so noble—a fact Sophelia learns firsthand when she catches him half-naked with her very own sister! Running to Sophelia’s aid is none other than Livionis, a knight of the kingdom who has long been secretly in love with her. Captivating the forlorn Sophelia at first sight, Livionis invites her to flee the kingdom and run away with him. Making up her mind in an instant, Sophelia takes Livionis’s hand and leaves behind the only life she’d ever known. Concealing her past and taking on a new identity as “Sophie,” she tumbles headfirst into a riveting romance with Livionis. Venturing into the unknown wilderness of an uncertain future, just where will this young duo find themselves as new love rings? *Source: J-Novel Club, Vol. 1*

Tsutomu is a boy with excellent grades, but his secret hobby is fishing for sexy photos on social networking sites. One day, he happens to help out Marika, the prettiest girl in class, and he notices the similarities between her and RIKA, his favorite girl on social. He tries to mention it to her casually and confirms...... that they really are the same person! "The two of us are the only two people in the world who know this secret? Just the two of us." The two will keep it a secret because of their mutual interest, but as they get to know each other, they realize that they have perfect chemistry with each other. Because they are both horny and dirty-minded.......? A pure love-comedy that is daring online but wholesome in person is about to begin! (Source: HJ Bunko, translated)

Nocturne erotic novels' popular boy-meets-gal novel has been adapted to manga by Noelle Namakura! My ideal girlfriend is a "nerd-friendly, tanned, blonde, busty gal", I declared. My first girlfriend is Yuzuka Satomiya, who ticks all the right boxes and belongs to a different social class! Yuzuka, who I assumed would never be nice to me, turns out to be pure-hearted and charming; and I find myself falling for her more and more! She also really loves me so, so much! "Gals are kind to us nerds after all!" (Source: La France COMICS)

Satsuki is a hard-working designer. She finishes all her jobs on-time so that she can pursue her hobby of doujin artist. Satsuki keeps her hobby a secret at work, until an idol-otaku suddenly proposes to her at an event(......) , and the man turns out to be her colleague, Takimoto-san. At work, he is an able businessman known for his cool efficiency, but in private he is a full-blown otaku. (Source: ComicWalker, translated)