Manga is a popular form of Japanese comic books and graphic novels that have gained a following around the world. School romance manga is a genre that is particularly popular among young adults, featuring stories of love, friendship, and drama set in high schools. These mangas often explore the complexities of adolescent relationships and the struggles that come with growing up. Here is the top 20 school romance manga that you should check out.
Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya
Fruits Basket is a beloved manga series that follows the story of Tohru Honda, a high school student who discovers that the members of the Soma family are cursed and turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac when hugged by someone of the opposite sex. This romantic comedy manga is heartwarming and charming, with a touch of fantasy that adds a unique twist to the story.
Ouran High School Host Club by Bisco Hatori
Ouran High School Host Club is a manga series that follows the story of Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at a prestigious high school who accidentally breaks an expensive vase belonging to the school’s host club. To pay off her debt, Haruhi becomes a member of the host club, where she meets a group of handsome and charming boys who are all vying for her attention. This manga is a hilarious romantic comedy with a cast of memorable characters.
Kimi ni Todoke by Karuho Shiina
Kimi ni Todoke is a sweet and heartwarming manga series that tells the story of Sawako Kuronuma, a girl who is feared and misunderstood by her classmates because she resembled the horror movie character Sadako. However, everything changes when she meets Shota Kazehaya, the popular and friendly boy in her class who takes an interest in her. This manga explores the joys and struggles of young love and the importance of acceptance and friendship.
Toradora! by Yuyuko Takemiya
Toradora! is a romantic comedy manga series that follows the story of Ryuji Takasu, a high school student who has a reputation for being a delinquent because of his intimidating appearance. When he accidentally bumps into Taiga Aisaka, a tiny but fierce girl who is known as the “Palmtop Tiger,” their lives become intertwined as they help each other with their crushes. This manga is a hilarious and heartwarming story about the complexities of love and relationships.
Maid-sama! by Hiro Fujiwara
Maid-sama! is a manga series that tells the story of Misaki Ayuzawa, the student council president at a previously all-boys school who has a secret job as a maid at a maid café. When her classmate, the popular and handsome Takumi Usui, discovers her secret, they become entangled in a complicated relationship that is full of romantic tension. This manga is a delightful romantic comedy that explores the challenges of balancing school and works with romance.
Ao Haru Ride by Io Sakisaka
Ao Haru Ride is a romantic drama manga series that follows the story of Futaba Yoshioka, a high school girl who is reunited with her childhood crush, Kou Mabuchi, after several years apart. However, things are not as simple as they seem, as both Futaba and Kou have changed in many ways since they last saw each other. This manga is a beautiful and emotional exploration of the complexities of first love and the challenges of growing up.
Kaichou wa Maid-sama! by Hiro Fujiwara
Kaichou wa Maid-sama! is a romantic comedy manga series that tells the story of Misaki Ayuzawa, the first female student council president at a previously all-boys school who is determined to make her school a better place for girls. However, her tough exterior hides a secret – she works at a maid café to support her family. When the school’s most popular boy, Usui Takumi, discovers her secret, their relationship becomes complicated as they navigate their feelings for each other. This manga is full of comedic moments and explores themes of gender roles and class differences.
Orange by Ichigo Takano
Orange is a romantic drama manga series that follows the story of Naho Takamiya, a high school student who receives a letter from her future self warning her about the regrets she will have in the future. The letter is from her 26-year-old self and urges her to change the past to prevent these regrets from happening. This manga is a poignant and emotional exploration of the importance of friendships and the choices we make in life.
Horimiya by HERO and Daisuke Hagiwara
Horimiya is a romantic comedy manga series that follows the story of two high school students, Hori and Miyamura, who seem to have nothing in common but end up discovering each other’s secrets. Hori is a popular and outgoing student, while Miyamura is a quiet and reserved boy who wears glasses and hides his tattoos. As they spend more time together, their relationship deepens, and they discover unexpected similarities between themselves. This manga is full of heartwarming moments and explores themes of identity and acceptance.
A Silent Voice by Yoshitoki Oima
A Silent Voice is a manga series that tells the story of Shoya Ishida, a boy who bullied a deaf girl named Shoko Nishimiya when they were in elementary school. Years later, Shoya is haunted by his past actions and decides to make amends by befriending Shoko. This manga is a powerful exploration of bullying and the importance of empathy and forgiveness.
Love So Life by Kaede Kouchi
Love So Life is a romantic comedy manga series that follows the story of Shiharu Nakamura, a high school student who works as a babysitter for twin children named Akane and Aoi. When their uncle, Seiji Matsunaga, becomes their guardian, Shiharu’s life becomes entangled with his as they navigate their feelings for each other. This manga is full of adorable moments and explores the importance of family and love.
High School Debut by Kazune Kawahara
High School Debut is a romantic comedy manga series that follows the story of Haruna Nagashima, a high school student who is determined to find a boyfriend so she can experience her first love. When she enlists the help of Yoh Komiyama, a popular and handsome boy who agrees to be her coach, their relationship becomes complicated as they navigate their feelings for each other. This manga is full of comedic moments and explores the challenges of finding oneself in high school.
Kimi no Na Wa by Makoto Shinkai
Kimi no Na Wa is a romantic drama manga series that tells the story of two high school students, Taki and Mitsuha, who switch bodies intermittently. As they navigate each other’s lives, they begin to develop feelings for each other, but their relationship is complicated by the fact that they have never met in person. This manga is a beautiful exploration of love and fate.
Kamisama Kiss by Julietta Suzuki
Kamisama Kiss is a romantic comedy manga series that follows the story of Nanami Momozono, a high school student who becomes the land god of a local shrine after her father abandons it. She enlists the help of a fox spirit named Tomoe, who becomes her familiar guide as she navigates her new role. This manga is full of supernatural elements and explores themes of self-discovery and love.
My Love Story!! by Kazune Kawahara
My Love Story!! is a romantic comedy manga series that follows the story of Takeo Goda, a high school student who is used to being rejected by girls due to his intimidating appearance. When he rescues Rinko Yamato, a shy and cute girl, from a harasser, he falls in love with her and embarks on a relationship full of heartwarming moments. This manga is a refreshing take on the genre, with a unique protagonist and a focus on platonic and familial love as well.
Say I Love You by Kanae Hazuki
Say I Love You is a romantic drama manga series that tells the story of Mei Tachibana, a high school student who has never had a friend or a boyfriend due to being bullied in the past. When she meets Yamato Kurosawa, a popular and outgoing boy, he shows her kindness and acceptance, and they start a relationship full of ups and downs. This manga is a beautiful exploration of the importance of self-love and the healing power of relationships.
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun by Robico
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun is a romantic comedy manga series that tells the story of Shizuku Mizutani, a high school student who is focused on her studies and has no interest in socializing. When she meets Haru Yoshida, a troublemaker who is her complete opposite, their relationship becomes complicated as they navigate their feelings for each other. This manga is full of comedic moments and explores the importance of balance and connection in life.
Maid Sama! by Hiro Fujiwara
Maid Sama! is a romantic comedy manga series that follows the story of Misaki Ayuzawa, a high school student who is the president of the student council and works at a maid café to support her family. When the most popular boy in school, Usui Takumi, discovers her secret, their relationship becomes complicated as they navigate their feelings for each other. This manga is full of comedic moments and explores themes of gender roles and class differences.
In conclusion, school romance manga offers a variety of stories that appeal to different tastes and interests. From heartwarming tales of first love to dramatic explorations of social issues, these manga series offer a glimpse into the lives of high school students and the universal themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Whether you are a fan of romantic comedies, emotional dramas, or supernatural stories, there is a school romance manga out there for you to enjoy.
