Romance (1792)

Falling in love and struggling to progress towards—or maintain—a romantic relationship take priority, while other subplots either take backseat or are designed to develop the main love story. The narrative focuses on the thoughts and emotions of the characters, illustrating the connections between them and explaining their reactions to events or conflict. Almost always, the story ends happily and the couple is rewarded for their efforts with lasting love. Romance stories require significant romantic development leading to some kind of conclusion: either to begin the relationship, continue it, or end it. Open-ended romantic endings are only acceptable when the work is an incomplete adaptation of a Romance source. "Teasing" stories which do not narrate significant romantic development but have a conclusion should be tagged Romantic Subplot. A story can be simply Romance. Since they are plot-driven stories showing humans experiencing romantic struggle, most Romance has some Drama inherently. For both tags, the drama should be focused not only on the relationship but also on the side storylines; for example, one character overcoming the death of a loved one or a drug addiction. Comedy requires Romance narratives to be focused on eliciting laughter, not only using comedy for lightheartedness. Slice of Life and Romance are incompatible by definition.

Empty Heart: Itsuwari no Koi DakaraEmpty Heart: False Love
Empty Heart: Itsuwari no Koi DakaraEmpty Heart: False Love
Minase, Masara 2024
Jun's unspoken love for Ryuuta is a secret to everyone... except Ryuuta's little brother, Takumi, who would love to have Jun to himself. Now in high school, Takumi is student, Jun is teacher, and Ryuuta is moving on with his life. Takumi offers himself to Jun as a substitute for his brother, but will it be enough to fill their empty hearts?

(Source: DramaQueen LLC)
2003 to ? | 2 chp | Publishing
Boys Love Romance

Inu Neko Jump!
Inu Neko Jump!
Hattori, Mitsuru 2024
Ever since middle school, Takahiro Ozu was famous in the world of track and field as the "long jump specialist." But after losing his final competition in high school, he hung up his track shoes for good. Now in college, having taken up smoking, he just wants to get a girlfriend and lead a normal student life.

Noriko Watsuki has had a crush on Takahiro since she first saw him jump and wants him to join the college track team so she can get close to him. Yuuki "The Headphone Girl? Hoguchi, a high school student who likes to hang out at the university, claims Takahiro took her virginity 13 years ago when he was in kindergarten. She considers him her property to do with as she pleases. Throw in a full cast of zany and unique characters, sprinkle with fan service, and you have the world of Inu Neko Jump.

(Source: AnimeWaves)
Included one-shot:
Volume 4: Korekara mo Tsuzuku Ongaku (pilot)
Apr 19, 2000 to Dec 29, 2001 | 42 chp | Publishing
Comedy Romance

Crossroad
Crossroad
Mizuki, Shioko 2024
Less than siblings. More than friends.

When her grandmother passes away, high school student Kajitsu Toda suddenly finds two hot stepbrothers and an adorable little stepsister dropped in her lap! Kajitsu and her step-siblings have only one thing in common: they were all abandoned by their parents. Against the odds, they've pulled together to form a family without grown-ups. They don't want charity, they don't want pity—they just want their dignity!

Things are particularly tough for Kajitsu and her step-brother Natsu. As kids, they were as close as any true siblings. Now, reunited for the first time in seven years, they've grown as far apart as two people can be. Can they ever become friends again? And can two high school students living together, even as "siblings" ever escape scandal?

(Source: Go! Comi)
Included one-shot:
Volume 6: Sotsugyou Ryokou Gentei☆Kanojo (Girlfriend Only for Graduation Trip)
Nov 6, 2002 to Nov 5, 2005 | 35 chp | Publishing
Comedy Drama Romance

Brother
Brother
Ougi, Yuzuha 2024
Asuka Momoki, an employee at a major advertising company, has a secret. He's 22 years old, impotent, and still a virgin. The existence of Asuka's younger step-brother Yui has a lot to do with it.

Asuka and Yui were the best of friends until an unfortunate incident one summer's day. Ever since then, Yui has avoided Asuka at all costs, even going so far as to leave Japan and study in America.

A successful tennis player, Yui no longer needs a big brother, so where does that leave poor Asuka? What happens when brotherly love transforms into something more?
Apr 10, 2004 to Feb 10, 2006 | 10 chp | Publishing
Boys Love Drama Romance

Gerard & Jacques
Gerard & Jacques
Yoshinaga, Fumi 2024
Just before the start of the French Revolution, a commoner named Gerard pays a visit to a high-class brothel, where he sleeps with, and then buys the freedom of Jacques, a young noble sold into prostitution. Jacques looks down on commoners and Gerard has his reasons for hating the nobility, but they're thrown together once again when Jacques ends up being hired as Gerard's new houseboy. Jacques' determination to make his own way in the world, and Gerard's surprising, quirky shows of kindness slowly bring the two together into a romance for the ages!

(Source: Blu Manga)
Feb 2002 to ? | 12 chp | Publishing
Boys Love Comedy Drama Romance

Bokura no UnseiJust My Luck
Bokura no UnseiJust My Luck
Matsumoto, Temari 2024
1-3. Bokura no Unsei (Just My Luck, Our Luck)
4. Koi Suru Kikai (The Mechanism of Love)
5. Seifuku to Anata (The Uniform and You)
6. Uwasa no Futari (The Rumor of Two):
2003 | 6 chp | Publishing
Boys Love Romance

Parfait Tic!
Parfait Tic!
Nanaji, Nagamu 2024
Fuuko is a happy and cheerful girl. One day, two cousins, Daiya and Ichi, move into the apartment upstairs. Cold Ichi and mischievous Daiya gave a very bad first impression. All three are going to the same school as well. How will Fuuko's high school life turn out?
Included one-shot:
Volume 1: Frill
Volume 2: Happy shiteru? (Are you Happy?)
Apr 5, 2000 to Jul 20, 2007 | 153 chp | Publishing
Comedy Romance

No Bra
No Bra
Kawatsu, Kenjirou 2024
Masato is living on his own, but this soon changes. Nomura Yuki, a childhood friend, is coming to live with him. What could be better than having a beautiful girl living under his roof? It sounds great, but he'll soon find out Yuki's secret...
Jan 5, 2002 to Jun 5, 2004 | 32 chp | Publishing
Comedy Romance

Mint na Bokura
Mint na Bokura
Yoshizumi, Wataru 2024
Dressed in a cute uniform with a blazer and pleated skirt, and completed with a hairband to complement her long wavy hair, Noeru Minamino arrives at Morinomiya Boarding School―albeit a month late. However, Maria Minamino, Noeru's twin sister who was accepted prior, is devastated to see this, as Noeru is actually a boy! Due to certain circumstances, he is only able to enroll as a girl.

Noeru's decision to join Maria stems from Maria's interest in the school's basketball coach. As her inseparable twin, he finds this hard to accept and hopes to bring her back home. However, a wrench is thrown into his plans when he starts falling for his mysterious roommate, Miyu Makimura. Matters become even more complicated when he finds himself being courted by the ace of the school's basketball team!

[Written by Animeranku Rewrite]
Jun 1997 to Feb 2000 | 30 chp | Publishing
Comedy Drama Romance

Shoujo NingyouGirl Doll
Shoujo NingyouGirl Doll
Mizushiro, Setona 2024
A girl forces herself not to feel anymore after years of sexual abuse from the master of the house where her father is a chauffeur. But then her father and the master die in a car accident, and she's left to live with the two sons...who both want her.

(Source: ShoujoMagic)
1999 to ? | 4 chp | Publishing
Drama Romance

Ichigo to Chocolate
Ichigo to Chocolate
Kurita, Riku 2024
Ami is a high school girl who loves to chase after expensive brands. By pure chance, Ami has started working for Tatara in order to acquire a handbag she wanted. But to think that Tatara is the most famous porno writer at the time..! Who could have imagined the anxiety that lies within Ami's heart?
(Source: MU)
1999 to ? | chp | Publishing
Drama Romance

Hachimitsu to Clover (Honey and Clover)
Hachimitsu to Clover (Honey and Clover)
Umino, Chika 2024
Takemoto lives in a run down student apartment, where his greatest worry is when he'll next be able to afford to eat meat and whether he'll get to class on time. Although he's away from home and living on his own, Takemoto is far from finished growing up. Along with his crazy cast of friends, Morita, Mayama, Yamada, and Hagumi, Takemoto sets out to discover life and his true self.

(Source: VIZ Media)
Included one-shots:
Volume 10: Sora no Kotori, Hoshi no Opera
Apr 24, 2000 to Jul 28, 2006 | 71 chp | Publishing
Award Winning Comedy Drama Romance Slice of Life

Touch
Touch
Adachi, Mitsuru 2024
Touch is a shounen story about two twin brothers, a pretty girl next door, and that good old pastime of baseball. The manga was written by one of the most well known manga-ka out there, Adachi Mitsuru in the early 80's (1981-1986). He's a wonderful writer who tends to write stories that are related to baseball and Koshien, the stadium where the All High School Baseball Tournament is held.

(Source: MangaProject)
Aug 5, 1981 to Nov 12, 1986 | 257 chp | Publishing
Award Winning Comedy Drama Romance Sports

H2
H2
Adachi, Mitsuru 2024
Hiro has two loves: baseball and porn. But due to an elbow injury he gives up baseball choosing a school with no baseball team. His childhood friend Hikari attends a different school with baseball ace Hideo and the two wish Hiro had not given up baseball. Hiro joins the soccer team but meets Haruka, a very clumsy girl, who is manager of the unofficial baseball club. When the soccer team challenges the baseball club to a game, with hopes of humiliating them, the baseball club nearly loses until Hiro, disgusted by the soccer team`s arrogance, switches to the baseball club.

(Source: MU)
1992 to 1999 | 338 chp | Publishing
Comedy Drama Romance Sports

Miyuki
Miyuki
Adachi, Mitsuru 2024
Wakamatsu Masato lives with his step-sister, Miyuki, whom he does not have blood relationship with. Their father is always working overseas and left the two of them living by themselves in Tokyo. Miyuki is cute, nice, sensitive and very popular among guys around Masato. Masato has a girlfriend at school whose name is Kajima Miyuki, who is pretty and gentle, the ideal dream of every high school boy. It took years for Masato and his sister to realize whom they love and care the most.

(Source: The Ultimate Manga Guide)
1980 to 1984 | 95 chp | Publishing
Award Winning Comedy Drama Romance

Bond(z)
Bond(z)
Kawai, Touko 2024
1. Bónd(z)
2. Situation
3. Fairy Garden
4. Sakura
Dec 10, 2003 | 4 chp | Publishing
Boys Love Drama Romance

Walkin' Butterfly
Walkin' Butterfly
Tamaki, Chihiro 2024
Michiko's height is matched only by her complex about it. While delivering pizzas at a fashion show she is mistaken for a model. Mihara, the show's designer, confronts her and tells her that she can't walk the catwalk. From that moment on, Michiko is determined to find her place in the world as a model. Can she find the inner strength to undergo a spectacular transformation? Is Michiko up to the challenge? Just try her.

(Source: Amazon)
2003 to 2007 | 18 chp | Publishing
Comedy Romance

P.B.B.: Play Boy BluesPlay Boy Blues
P.B.B.: Play Boy BluesPlay Boy Blues
Kano, Shiuko 2024
At Japan's most popular Host Club comes naturally for Junsuke Aki. In fact, he is the club's top performer (and earner!) and is easily the most popular Host with the female clientele. However, his lover, a former Host named Shinobu Hishiya, has forsaken the wild club lifestyle in favor of his new job as a construction worker. Together, they share wild days and passionate nights, making love whenever, wherever, and however they want. But when jealousy and male pride rear their ugly heads, their blissful, sexy relationship may not be able to handle the strain.

(Source: Be Beautiful)
2003 to Apr 28, 2016 | 27 chp | Publishing
Boys Love Romance

Nine Puzzle
Nine Puzzle
Sakai, Mayu 2024
Mika is a regular girl who just goes day to day without any concrete dreams for her future. Until one day, when she sees her classmate Kaede playing pool in a billiards lounge. Kaede is a boy who hides many secrets...whose personality seems to change when he plays billiards. Entranced by the smile Kaede wears when he plays, Mika soon finds herself immersed in the game...!
(Source: ShoujoMagic)
Included one-shots:
Volume 1: Platinum
Volume 2: Ichigo Namida; Wakasama no Jijou
Apr 2, 2002 to Sep 3, 2002 | 11 chp | Publishing
Drama Romance

Bokura ga Ita (We Were There)
Bokura ga Ita (We Were There)
Obata, Yuuki 2024
All 15-year-old Nanami "Nana" Takahashi wants in high school is to make as many friends as possible. However, her inability to follow along with the general gossip of the school, coupled with her failing to remember people's names, gets in the way of her ambitious goals.

One day, Nana has the displeasure of meeting the popular Motoharu Yano—whom allegedly two-thirds of the girls at school have fallen head-over-heels for. Irritated by Yano's mischievous antics and carefree attitude, Nana declares her hatred for him. But unbeknownst to her, Yano hides a somber burden under his charismatic demeanor: his ex-girlfriend died in a tragic car accident the past summer, and he has since not come to terms with his new reality. To make matters worse, the accident has distorted not only Yano's perception of the world but also his ability to trust those around him.

As Nana gets closer to the boy, she only finds herself pushed further away. But with her feelings toward Yano beginning to shift, Nana is determined to reach out and help him—or is the problem simply impossible for both of them to handle?

[Written by Animeranku Rewrite]
Apr 13, 2002 to Feb 13, 2012 | 70 chp | Publishing
Award Winning Drama Romance

Koukyoushihen Eureka seveNEureka Seven: Psalms of Planets
Koukyoushihen Eureka seveNEureka Seven: Psalms of Planets
Kondou, KazumaKataoka, Jinsei 2024
Renton Thurston is a young 14-year-old who is tired of his monotonous life. The only thing that makes him happy is when he "lifts," an extreme form of aerial hoverboarding. His feelings of frustration come from his life of toil in his Grandfather's garage and being the son of an enigmatic yet legendary "hero." One day, a large LFO (Light Finding Operation) craft called Nirvash falls from the sky and a beautiful young girl named Eureka emerges and asks for repairs. When a smitten Renton literally falls over himself to help her, the two begin a journey that will change both of their destinies.
Jan 26, 2005 to Nov 25, 2006 | 23 chp | Publishing
Action Adventure Drama Romance Sci-Fi

Kiniro no CordaLa Corda d'Oro
Kiniro no CordaLa Corda d'Oro
Kure, Yuki 2024
Every few years, the prestigious Seiso Academy holds a prominent musical competition, and only the very best students at the Academy are allowed to participate. Though all are eligible to apply, only students from the music department actually make it to the competition...until now.

(Source: VIZ Media)
Mar 5, 2004 to Mar 24, 2011 | 75 chp | Publishing
Comedy Drama Romance

Sweet Blood
Sweet Blood
Mamahara, Ellie 2024
Possessing extraordinary detective skills and even helping out at the police department can't be normal, and anyone who knows Uryuu Nanao knows that she's different from the rest. It is this distinctiveness that draws both Karasuma Nozomi and Sakuragawa Nozomi to her despite Nanao's attempts to distance herself from them both. However, a series of murders take place and Nanao is forced to enlist their help in order to unravel the truth behind her father's murder. Just who is the real mastermind behind the ongoing murders and why are they targeting Nanao? And what is the secret left behind by Nanao's father?
(Source: Storm in Heaven)
1999 to ? | 8 chp | Publishing
Mystery Romance Supernatural

Tokyo Boys & Girls
Tokyo Boys & Girls
Aihara, Miki 2024
Kosaka Mimori prays to God to help her get into her dream school, Meidai Attached High School, and wear their ultra cute uniform. She also wants to become cute and find a handsome boyfriend. She's accepted, and excited! But life is not so easy; she makes a friend who is in love with school player, Kuniyasu Kazukita, who's interested in Mimori. And more problems are on the way: a boy from elementary school wants revenge on Mimori for something!
Jul 5, 2005 to Jul 4, 2006 | 18 chp | Publishing
Romance