Shojo manga is one of the most popular categories in manga, spreading tales of romance, friendship adventure, and comedy to its captive audience. Although this style of manga is typically geared towards adolescent and young adult women, that is not to say readers of other genders or age groups can't enjoy the stories.
With there being hundreds of ongoing shojo manga, it can be difficult to decide on what to read, especially since the demographic is quite wide and vast. In the past few years alone, there have been numerous fantastic releases avid manga fans should definitely read for themselves.
7 Colette Decides to Die
As the name of this manga exists, Colette Decides to Die revolves around the titular character Colette, who decides she has had enough of life considering her stressful job as the only doctor in the village. However, Colette doesn't find eternal peace, instead waking up and finding herself in Hades' domain. However, Hades has fallen ill, and Colette finds herself returning to the job she jumped down a well to try and escape.
The irony of the manga's overarching story is hilarious and offers great potential for Colette to develop friendship and love with the other denizens of the Land of the Dead, and perhaps even with Hades himself. Yukimura Alto's skilled writing and adorable art style make Colette Decides to Die an all-around enjoyable experience to read, and it is certainly worth the attention of shojo readers.
6 Living Room Matsunaga-san
Despite its somewhat questionable title, Living Room Matsunaga-San is a fantastic manga following the story of Miko, a student who finds herself living in her Uncle's boarding house along with the other residents that already live there, including the titular Matsunaga-san. He and Miko have a rocky start as she leaves a bad first impression on him, yet and he and her other roommates do their best to soothe Miko's anxiety about living independently.
The premise and story are simple, yet told in a compelling manner with stunning art to further elevate the story. Miko's bonds with the other tenants flourish naturally over the course of the series, and there could even be some romance involved with a certain other character. Readers should pick up this series to see for themselves.
5 Cheeky Brat
Cheeky Brat is not only the name of this shojo manga series, but an apt description for one of the main characters, Sho. He joins the high school basketball team managed by the female lead, Yuki, who has her patience tested immediately by the "cheeky brat" with his unwelcome comments. However, Sho proves he is more than just a brat when he supports Yuki through her times of distress and eventually falls for her.
While this is not a totally new and original premise, Cheeky Brat is still a fantastic read for any shojo fan. The manga paints real emotions in every panel and creates two disparate but equally likable characters that fans can't help but like and root for. Cheeky Brat is definitely a slam dunk of a manga series.
4 Defying Kurosaki-Kun
Shojo fans will know most manga revolve around romance, and while Defying Kurosaki-Kun does, it also offers a slight refreshing difference. The main character Yuu Akabane is caught in an intense love triangle with the devilish Haruto Kurosaki and the princely Takumi Shirakawa. Yuu wants to stay true to her nature and be with the noble Takumi, but can she defy her interest in Kurosaki?
Those curious will have to pick up Defying Kurosaki-Kun for themselves if they want the answer to that question, and those that do will be rewarded with a fun bit of entertainment that will constantly keep them guessing. Ending in 2021 after a good seven-year run, this series will keep avid shojo readers occupied long enough to think about what to read next.
3 D.N.Angel
D.N.Angel is certainly a unique shojo manga, following the story of protagonist Daisuke Niwa who has possibly one of the most peculiar conditions in the medium. When he sees his crush, Daisuke involuntarily transforms into his alter ego called Dark Mousy, and upon seeing his crush's twin, he transforms back into his usual self. As it turns out this condition is hereditary, and there are some family secrets he encounters with his transformation.
Thus, D.N.Angel is a manga with some truly intriguing and supernatural substance. The series goes above and beyond the usual slice of life romance that shojo is mostly known for, opting for a story that is sure to captivate its readers.
2 Hatsukoi Maze
Young love and first loves are always an awkward dynamic, and mangaka Yuzuki Komugi captures this with Hatsukoi Maze. Despite the warnings from friends, hopeful romantic Makoto asks a fellow classman Kokoro to go out with him, to which she agrees despite the two barely knowing anything about each other. It was a spur-of-the-moment rash decision that is common with teenagers, and the two of them will discover the labyrinthian nature of love and must learn to navigate it.
As such, this manga will resonate with readers who are at this point in their life when they are navigating their first love. However, even readers that are past this age can still enjoy Hatsukoi Maze, and may even be hit with nostalgia as they witness the two young lovers and their struggles.
1 Requiem of the Rose King
For manga readers who are also interested in history, Requiem of the Rose King is the series for them. It follows slightly more fictionalized versions of Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 2 and Richard the 3rd, with the latter's eponymous character acting as the main protagonist. Born as an intersex person, Richard finds himself isolated from most of his peers and even despised by his own mother, all while contending with the contentions between the House of York and the House of Lancaster.
Not only does Requiem of the Rose King have a deep plot made all the more interesting with historical figures and court intrigue, but it also features a gorgeous art style that oozes elegance and beauty from every panel. Even those who don't have an interest in this time period will find much to love in this manga's pages.