Who doesn’t like a good romance story? There is nothing more satisfying than watching(or reading about) two characters experiencing different stages of love. The “will they, won’t they” question keeps readers on tenterhooks as they wait for the protagonists to confess their love and get together.
Manga, being a popular form of comics, has its fair share of wholesome romantic stories. Romance is a popular category among Manga readers and you can find a story for every demographic. From innocent high school romance aimed to more mature romantic stories featuring office workers to fluffy BLs, you can find all sorts of stuff if you know where to look.
Now, are you up for some heart-fluttering romance? Want a Manga that will make your heart skip a beat and make you grin from ear to ear? Do you want to read a story where you know they will get together in the end? Do you want to know which is the best romance manga? What are you waiting for then? Read this article to find out about the best romance manga with happy ending.
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Contents
What is Romance Manga Called?
There is no particular term for romance manga though it tends to overlap a lot with shoujo. The latter is a manga genre aimed at tween and teen girls. It usually features the coming-of-age story of a young, often invariably female protagonist.
Romance, especially cute idealized romance, is a big part of such manga. This is where the stereotype of all shoujo manga being romance stories comes from. But this is not necessarily true.
Shoujo is simply a genre with a teen girl demographic that focuses more on drama and emotions rather than action. In other words, all romance is not shoujo. Neither is all shoujo romance.
Similarly, Josei is a manga genre whose main demographic is adult women. Mature narratives that explore romantic, personal and sexual relationships are common here. However, like we earlier said about Shoujo, romance is a major part of Josei but it is not necessary that all Josei Manga will feature romance.
As for who can read romance manga, there are no limitations. There is no rule stating that men cannot read a shoujo romance manga or that girls cannot enjoy a shonen series. What we are sure of is that a good romance story can put anyone in a good mood.
List of Best Romance Manga with Happy Ending
We have tried to include all sorts of romance manga in this list. The only thing common among them is a happy ending.
From short romance manga with happy ending to sad romance manga that surprisingly has a happy ending, we list everything so that you can find something you will like.
Fruits Basket
Japanese Title: Furuutsu Basuketto
Author: Natsuki Takaya
Publisher: Hakusensha
Number of Volumes: 23
Fruits Basket Review
Fruits Basket follows high schooler Tohru Honda who lost her mother in a car accident and then ends up living in a tent in the woods. One day, she stumbles across the home of her popular classmate Yuki Soma. His older brother Shigure welcomes Tohru who soon starts living in the Soma household.
However, the Soma family is hiding a secret that is soon discovered by Tohru. The twelve members of the family are possessed by the spirits of the Chinese zodiac! They transform into their animal form when they are weak, embarrassed, stressed or are hugged by someone of the opposite sex.
As our protagonist Tohru continues to live in this household whose members regularly turn into animals, she soon becomes a positive influence on them with her acceptance and optimism.
Fruits Basket is a classic beloved manga and for a good reason. It has a kind and positive lead who strives to keep smiling even when she is down on her luck. Author Natsuki Takaya masterfully blends the supernatural elements into a story that is at its heart about love, acceptance and growing up.
The characters are complex and the depiction of pain, suffering, affection, empathy and above all humanity will tug at your heartstrings. Fruits Basket can go to some dark and strange places but it also has a plethora of funny moments to balance that out.
To sum it up, it is a romantic manga but is also much more than that. It explores a variety of themes and is about all the facets of life with its ups and downs.
My Love Mix-Up!
Japanese Title: Kieta Hatsukoi
Author: Wataru Hinekure, illustrated by Aruko
Publisher: Shueisha
Number of Volumes: 9
My Love Mix-Up! Review
If you love love triangles, then My Love Mix-Up! Is perfect for you. Debuting in 2019, it has the classic tropes of miscommunication and misunderstanding leading to a love triangle between two boys and a girl.
Aoki has a crush on Hashimoto but learns that she likes Ida instead. A misunderstanding leads Ida to believe that it is Aoki who likes him. So now, Aoki likes Hashimoto who is after Ida who in turn is quite open to the idea of being with Aoki.
It sounds complicated but the manga has a cheerful and humorous vibe that keeps the readers engaged. It is charming and silly and the drama is decidedly low-stakes. The characters are adorable and you will soon find yourself rooting for them to get their happy ending.
So, go grab My Love Mix-Up if you want a sweet and wholesome manga that will make you feel nostalgic for the carefree high school days.
Kaguya-Sama: Love is War
Japanese Title: Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunosen
Author: Aka Akasaka
Publisher: Shueisha
Number of Volumes: 28
Kaguya-Sama: Love is War Review
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is a romantic comedy manga with more emphasis on the comedy than romance. On the surface, it sounds like every other high school romance manga.
The school population swoons after the student council which is led by president Miyuki Shirogane and vice-president Kaguya Shinomiya. These two are even in love with each other but haven’t confessed yet. So, what makes Kaguya-sama different and so popular?
Well, it has all to do with the titular characters Kaguya and Miyuki. Both of them are too proud to confess their feelings as neither wants to be defeated in this battle of love. Cue elaborate and bizarre schemes in each chapter to get the other to confess.
Kaguya-sama’s comedy is on point. Every joke results in a laugh. However, the romance is always there lurking in the background. This manga is cute, absurd and so very entertaining.
It is certainly a new take on the romance manga tropes. The romantic comedy genre works in tandem with its shonen battle style to deliver a heartwarming story.
Orange
Japanese Title: Orange
Author: Ichigo Takano
Publisher: Shueisha, Futabasha
Number of Volumes: 7
Orange Review
Ichigo Takano’s Orange is categorized as a romance manga but it is so much more. This short series packs a lot of heavy themes such as suicide and mental health along with the love story.
It follows a group of friends, particularly the second-year high school student Naho Takamiya who receives a mysterious letter at the beginning of the school year. The sender claims to be her future self and urges her to save the life of a boy named Kakeru Naruse.
Naho and her friends quickly take to Kakeru as she tackles the dilemma of whether to follow the instructions that will save the latter’s life or not.
Orange certainly serves some heartache but that makes the happy ending all the more satisfying. Sure it’s a romance but it is also a beautiful tale about love, friendship, youth, mental health and regret. If bittersweet is your flavor of choice, then Orange is the right course for you.
Ouran High School Host Club
Japanese Title: Ouran Koukou Hosuto Kurabu
Author: Bisco Hatori
Publisher: Hakusensha
Number of Volumes: 18
Ouran High School Host Club Review
If Orange is the hard-hitting tale that puts you through the wringer, then Ouran High School Host Club is the perfect palate cleanser. This hilarious manga features a classic case of mistaken gender identity.
Haruhi Fujioka attends the prestigious Ouran High School on a scholarship. While looking for a quiet place to study, she stumbles upon a host club being run out of the third music room. A turn of events leads Haruhi to first being recruited as the club’s errand boy and later as a full-fledged host herself.
The boys soon discover that who they thought to be a boy is actually a girl but they still want to keep her as a host due to her natural ability to entertain the girls. Haruhi’s escapades and romantic entanglements form the bulk of the story.
Hatori skillfully uses comedy to satirise shoujo manga and its themes and tropes. There is nothing realistic about Ouran High School Host Club and it is the perfect example of cheesy escapist fiction. Some people may find it strange but if you vibe with this type of humor, this reverse harem tale of a female host in a high school will definitely entertain you.
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku
Japanese Title: Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii
Author: Fujita
Publisher: Ichijinsha
Number of Volumes: 11
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku Review
If you want a sweet romance manga with adult characters, then Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku might be exactly what you are looking for. The protagonists are office workers who are trying their best to keep their nerdiness on the down low and pass for ordinary workers.
Narumi is a fujoshi who hides her interest in yaoi manga and anime in order to succeed at her job. However, she soon finds herself for her colleague, handsome and capable Hirotaka who is secretly a game otaku.
As the title suggests, Wotakoi is a story of difficulties in love and romance faced by an otaku. Hirotaka and Narumi are perfect for each other but face their own challenges in making their romance work. Several sweet moments between them make you root for a happy ending for this otaku couple.
Wotakoi, thus, offers a sweet and lighthearted romance between two not-so-ordinary people while balancing stories of work, hobbies and relationships.
The Demon Prince of Momochi House
Japanese Title: Momochi-san no Ayakashi Ouji
Author: Aya Shouoto
Publisher: Kadokawa Shoten
Number of Volumes: 16
The Demon Prince of Momochi House Review
Bored of real-world stories? Then you should check out The Demon Prince of Momochi House- a manga that delivers a supernatural romance inspired by Shinto folklore.
It is the story of an orphan Himari Momochi who inherits the Momochi family estate on her 16th birthday. Despite warnings about the house being haunted, she decides to move there.
Upon her arrival, she is again warned by Aoi, Yukari and Ise- the illegal occupants of the Momochi estate to leave. Why? Because it turns out the stories were true. Himari’s house straddles the line between the human and spirit world and she was destined to be its guardian.
However, Aoi who entered the estate as a young boy unwittingly ended up becoming its spirit guardian. As Himari begins living in the Momochi estate, she tries to find a way to lift the curse so that Aoi can finally leave and live his life.
Ao Haru Ride/ Blue Spring Ride
Japanese Title: Aoharaido
Author: Io Sakisaka
Publisher: Shueisha
Number of Volumes: 13
Ao Haru Ride Review
Blue Spring Ride, known better as Ao Haru Ride, follows sixteen-year-old Futaba Yoshioka whose first love has returned from Nagasaki after mysteriously disappearing during middle school. However, Kou Mabuchi is no longer the sweet and gentle boy of her memories. The person now in front of her is cold, guarded and pessimistic.
Contrary to most high school romance manga, Ao Haru Ride is a mature story with considerable weight and substance. The characters have a certain depth to them and a personal growth journey that readers can easily relate to.
It is a story about life and how we often build obstacles to our happiness ourselves due to naivete and self-destructive tendencies. A heartfelt romance with a positive message, we cannot recommend this manga enough.
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
Japanese Title: Kimi ni Todoke
Author: Karuho Shiina
Publisher: Shueisha
Number of Volumes: 30
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You Review
15-year-old Swako Kuronuma has been dubbed Sadako due to her resemblance to the character from the movie The Ring. But behind her ominous appearance, Sawako is actually a sweet and unassuming girl.
She has long given up on the idea of making friends but her interactions with her popular classmate Kazehaya Shota change things for her. He helps Sawako come out of her shell and talk to different people and make new friends.
Given
Japanese Title: Givun
Author: Natsuki Kizu
Publisher: Shinshokan
Number of Volumes: 8
Given Review
Natsuki Kizu’s Given follows a group of four students in an amateur rock band and the romantic relationships that form between them.
Unlike what you may expect of a manga tagged as BL, Given does not fetishize the relationships among the characters. It is a raw and honest journey of four young men in a band as they experience love and pain and go through self-discovery.
Given has a captivating plot and complex characters that you can root for. You experience a wide range of emotions as you see the band in their first live performance and the hard work they put in for their first music festival. Music lovers, this manga is totally for you.
Horimiya
Japanese Title: Hori-san to Miyamura-kun
Author: Hiroki Adachi “Hero”, illustrated by Daisuke Hagiwara
Publisher: Square Enix
Number of Volumes: 17
Horimiya Review
Horimiya started out as a webcomic before being adapted into the manga format. It narrates a wholesome romance between two high schoolers- Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura. The former is a bright and popular student while the latter is an average, gloomy and nerdy boy.
But that is not all. Turns out, these two have secret identities! The popular Kyoko turns into a homebody out of school and has to look after her brother. The seemingly nerdy Izumi has a secret life as a heavily tattooed and pierced himbo.
While this may sound like every other romance manga, what makes Horimiya so beloved are its characters, especially the two protagonists. They are splendidly well-developed characters with hopes, aspirations and problems. Hiroki Adachi takes his time to flesh out Kyoko and Izumi’s daily lives which makes the world of Horimiya seem real and lived-in.
These are characters that you eventually come to care about and their blossoming romance is a total delight. Plus, Horimiya has a refreshingly fast pace for a romance that makes it a great read for the days when you just want to wind down with a fluffy read.
Emma
Japanese Title: Ema
Author: Kaoru Mori
Publisher: Enterbrain
Number of Volumes: 10
Emma Review
No, we are not talking about Jane Austen’s book of the same name. This is a romance that takes place in Victorian England- a setting that is rarely explored in manga.
It is an emotional story of a housemaid Emma who falls in love with William Jones a member of the gentry. The obstacles faced by these two people of different social standing in pursuing a relationship form the crux of the story.
Author Kaoru Mori touches upon several topics wealth, power, familial disapproval and rigid societal structures that strive to keep the lovers apart. Emma is a hardworking and likeable woman and the carefree William too undergoes incredible growth thanks to her.
Emma is an emotional roller coaster that will appeal to fans of writers like Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte. The meticulous creation of Victorian England in the manga will certainly delight history buffs.
Lovely Complex
Japanese Title: Rabu*Kon
Author: Aya Nakahara
Publisher: Shueisha
Number of Volumes: 17
Lovely Complex Review
If you were disappointed by Netflix’s Tall Girl, then look no further than Lovely Complex. This romance between a tall girl and a short boy who are treated as a comedic duo by their classmates will bring a smile to your face and fill your heart with optimism.
At 172 cm, Risa Koizumi is way taller than the average Japanese girl. On the other end of the spectrum is Atsushi Otani who at 156 cm is much shorter than the average Japanese male. When Risa learns of Atsushi’s crush on her friend, she teams up with him as she also likes the latter’s friend.
However, their plan backfires as their crushes end up falling for each other. Among all this, Risa and Atsushi become close friends as they discover that they have more in common than they are willing to admit. You should read this manga for some laugh-out-loud moments, the leads’ chemistry and their unusual love story.
Love Me, Love Me Not
Japanese Title: Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare
Author: Io Sakisaka
Publisher: Shueisha
Number of Volumes: 12
Love Me, Love Me Not Review
Io Sakisaka is known best for Ao Haru Ride though her newer works like Love Me, Love Me Not are no less in quality. Here, we have two protagonists Yuna Ichihara and Akari Yamamoto. They meet while saying bidding adieu to their best friends who moved away and later learn that they live in the same apartment building.
While the girls have many things in common, they couldn’t be more different when it comes to love. Yuna is a dreamy romantic who believes in waiting for her true love. Akari, meanwhile, is a realist and doesn’t shy away from flirting or expressing her feelings.
While narrating the story of these two friends, Sakisaka takes care to point out that neither is wrong and each has her own way of exploring love and relationships. They are both the protagonists and one is not better than the other.
As much as Love Me, Love Me Not is about love and romance, it is also a celebration of female friendship. Yuna and Akari’s relationship is as important as their relationship with their respective love interests.
This manga has grounded and believable characters and relatable problems and drama which separate it from other similar works in the genre. Sakisaka’s warm narrative combined with her soft and bubbly art style make Love Me, Love Me Not a comforting and nostalgic story about youth and young love.
Boys Over Flowers
Japanese Title: Hana yori Dango
Author: Yoko Kamio
Publisher: Shueisha
Number of Volumes: 37
Boys Over Flowers Review
Even Yoko Kamio wouldn’t have imagined what a cultural phenomenon her reverse harem romance story would become upon publication. This manga has been adapted into an anime, a live-action feature film and television adaptions in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, China and Thailand.
The story of Tsukushi Makino, a middle class girl who studies in the elite Eitoku Academy and crosses paths with the F4, a gang of four boys who are heirs to Japan’s wealthiest families captured the imagination and attention of a whole generation.
Tsukushi, who is initially bullied by the F4, soon finds herself the object of interest of Tsukasa Domyoji the son of the wealthiest and most powerful family in Japan.
Thus begins the push and pull between these two people from different social classes. Tsukasa tries to pursue Tsukushi who is more inclined towards Tsukasa’s friend the sensitive and gentlemanly Rui Hanazawa.
While Boys Over Flowers is entertaining, we recommend it cautiously. The manga came out in 1992 and many parts of it including aspects of the main romance have not aged well. The casual treatment of the bullying issue, Tsukasa’s anger issues and his predilection for violence may not sit well with modern readers.
However, Boys Over Flowers does have a certain appeal if you can get past these issues. The story albeit ridiculous is addicting and has all the romance genre tropes you can imagine. The protagonists have insane chemistry and get a happy ending that is nothing less than satisfying.
Our Recommendation On Which is the Best Romance Manga with a Happy Ending
Fruits Basket, the first recommendation in our list, is the best romance manga with a happy ending according to us. Beyond that, best is subjective and depends on the style of the manga you prefer. Readers who want something fluffy and lighthearted would appreciate My Love Mix-Up, Kaguya-Sama: Love is War and Horimiya.
Readers who prefer to have more realism and don’t mind heavy subjects in their romance manga would like stuff like Orange, Ao Haru Ride, Emma and Love Me, Love Me Not. Ultimately, the biggest criterion is that the reader should enjoy the story. That is what makes a romance manga with a happy ending the best romance manga with a happy ending.
