Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! It’s time for The Beat’s 2025 Valentine’s Manga Extravaganza. This year, we have 16 recs from a range of genres, from classic 90s romcoms to brand-new dark and sexy BL. All of them celebrate the power of love. And if you want to see what we recommended last year, here’s the link!
Photo: Kodansha ComicsPerfect World, written and illustrated by Rie Aruga
Translation by Rachel Murakawa, Lettering by Sara Linsley
Published by Kodansha Comics (print and digital)
This beautiful, emotionally wrenching manga focuses on Tsugumi, a young woman who reunites with her high school crush at an enkai (class reunion). But things have changed since she last saw Itsuki–he is now in a wheelchair due to an accident that injured his spine. Life has definitely changed for the both of them, but the feelings they have for each other cannot be denied. Their relationship isn’t perfect–Tsugumi learns about the hardships that come with being disabled, and her support and understanding is tested, while Itsuki must learn to keep his heart open and trust in Tsugumi. This completed manga (12 volumes) is filled with ups and downs that leave you rooting for the couple to survive. They are tested to the breaking point so many times, and that leads to the emotional push-and-pull you feel as you read the manga. There’s plenty of love and heartbreak, of going forward and then stepping back…but in the end you see this couple overcome the odds. I don’t cry very often while reading but this manga had me bawling my eyes out. If you want to test your emotions and belief in the power of love, take a look. –Kristina Elyse Butke
Photo: Seven Seas EntertainmentOur Sweet One-Room Apartment, written and illustrated by Kamoburger
Translation by Angela Liu, lettering by Simone Harrison
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment (print and digital)
Our Sweet One-Room Apartment is a mature Boys’ Love one-shot that follows Kaname and Shima, two college students from Hokkaido who have been living together for a year, and share a VERY healthy intimate relationship. But when Kaname starts obsessing over his urges for Shima, he convinces himself he’s become a sex addict. Determined to fix the “problem,” he starts avoiding physical intimacy, leaving Shima to wonder if their relationship has lost its spark.
A make-or-break trip to Tokyo offers them a chance to clear up their misunderstandings, but things quickly go south. Kaname scrambles for excuses to avoid sleeping with Shima, while Shima is just as determined to close the distance between them. As their miscommunication spirals, Kaname realizes that if he doesn’t open up about his feelings, he could lose Shima for good.
Despite being a one-shot, this story delivers plenty of angst and a satisfying resolution. While I’m usually not a fan of miscommunication as a plot device, it’s realistic, and it works well here. Kaname and Shima’s love for each other is undeniable, and though I’m all about the wholesome moments, this BL manga brings plenty of SQUELCH SQUELCH for those who crave it. (You know who you are!) –Hayame Kawachi
Photo: Manga PlanetWhile Being Seen Off By Campanella by Kyoyama Atsuki
Translation and lettering by R.L. / Amimaru
Published by Manga Planet (previously futekiya, digital only)
Even though it’s been a year since Kanou was dumped, he’s still wallowing. He’s depressed, touch-starved and disoriented, but the wheels of life keep on turning. One particular morning while waiting for the train, he entertains the idea of ending things then and there. He must have looked really hurt, because a high school student suddenly stops him and their little heart-to-heart gives Kanou the energy he needed. That instance doesn’t completely save him but becomes a catalyst for him to open his heart once more, to his boss who’s been exceptionally friendly lately.
The novel Kyoyama Atsuki is taking inspiration from is Kenji Miyazawa’s fantasy novel Night on the Galactic Railroad. However, this Boys’ Love manga is quite grounded and set in modern-day Tokyo. The cover is far from the flashy, extravagant BL covers that have become the norm nowadays, the art style is rough and sketchy. The men you read about in Kyoyama Atsuki’s works are neither extremely charismatic nor Adonis-like. They are messy, complicated and prone to making dumb choices, but that’s exactly why I always come back to re-read their works, especially While Being Seen Off by Campanella. For the delicate touch and talent to bring a captivating, poignant story to life. Don’t let it escape your radar! – Merve Giray
Buy it here.
Photo: Viz MediaMy Love Mix-Up!, written by Wataru Hinekure, illustrated by Aruko
Translation by Jan Cash, lettering by Inori Fukuda Trant
Published by Viz Media (print and digital)
In this hilarious, butterflies-inducing BL romance manga, Aoki has a crush on his seatmate, Hashimoto, who he learns has a crush on someone else in class. When Hashimoto drops the eraser upon which she has written the name of her crush, Ida, Aoki picks up the eraser and is misunderstood by Ida to be the one with a crush, prompting a whirlwind of hijinks and feelings as Aoki and Ida struggle to understand what they are to each other.
This is definitely one of the funniest, most charming BLs I’ve read; Aoki’s expressions as he faces misunderstanding after misunderstanding had me guffawing so many times, and his burgeoning moments of tenderness with Ida made me smile so widely. Ida is also a romantic interest you can really root for, especially in the way he treats Aoki’s feelings with an incredible amount of care and consideration. My Love Mix-Up is complete at nine volumes, and if you pick it up, I guarantee that you’ll be kicking your feet and smiling as you read it! – Sri Prasad
Buy it here.
Photo: Viz MediaFushigi Yûgi, written and illustrated by Yû Watase
Translation by Yuji Oniki, lettering by Andy Ristaino
Published by VIZ Media (print)
Fushigi Yûgi is an 18-volume manga series published by VIZ’s Shojo Beat imprint, with Volume 1 first printed in 2003. It follows the story of Miaka Yûki, an ordinary junior high school student, who finds herself sucked into the world of a book called The Universe of the Four Gods. There, she becomes the priestess of the god Suzaku, and begins her adventure on finding all seven of her celestial warriors. However, not everything goes as planned. Miaka finds that her best friend Yui was also pulled into the world of the book, and she’s become the priestess of Seiryū. Miaka and Yui’s friendship becomes at odds, not just because they’ve landed on opposing sides, but due to a grave misunderstanding. As both priestesses focus on gathering their celestial warriors to have their wish granted by their respective god, they embark on journeys full of friendship, deceit, love, and more. Fushigi Yûgi has long been one of my favorite manga series ever. It’s also probably one of my earliest exposures to something like the reverse harem concept. I get it. Miaka is totally a cutie with a good heart. I’d probably fall in love with her too! There is such a large cast of characters and each of them brings something unique to the table, meaning there’s someone to suit everyone’s tastes. Because I’m basic, I’ve always loved the canon Tamahome/Miaka ship. SPOILER They’re so sweet together and the fact that he finds himself in her world reincarnated as Taka just shows they were meant to be. /END SPOILER I’m seriously such a sucker for true love-type stories, and in my opinion, there was never a truer true love story than Fushigi Yûgi. And, honestly, this series has everything! Angst! Romance! Friendship! You name it, it has it. I laughed, I cried, I cried some more… it’s so good and I think everyone should read it, especially in February, the month of love. –Hayame Kawachi
Buy it here.
Photo: Seven Seas EntertainmentDoughnuts Under a Crescent Moon, written and illustrated by Shio Usui
Translation by Jenny Mckeon, lettering Rina Mapa
Published by Seven Seas Entertainment (print and digital)
Hinako Uno is ostensibly a “normal” young woman interested in fashion, makeup, dating, and discussing romance with her friends—except no matter what she tries, she cannot fall in love. Despite her fears and insecurities, Hinako finds quiet companionship and understanding in her coworker, Asahi Sato. As their relationship deepens, both Hinako and Asahi begin to embrace the fact that romance might be different for them than what society dictates—and that their love for each other is beautiful, deep, and meaningful all the same.
As an ace person, I cannot describe just how seen I felt by this manga. It’s rare to have aromantic and asexual characters depicted in media—to have both our protagonist and her love interest be aroace was staggeringly meaningful. This manga is full of poignant insights about heteronormative standards of romance and the toll they can take on those who understand love differently. Hinako and Asahi are both real, messy characters that wrestle with that reality, and the slow, delicate build of their relationship is absolutely lovely to witness. I found myself smiling and breathless with happiness as I read their journey to finding each other. Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon is a hopeful reminder that even if one’s relationship to romance doesn’t quite match what society expects, there is still so much joy and love to be found. It is complete at four volumes and is an absolute must-read. – Sri Prasad
Buy it here.
Photo: SuBLimeTherapy Game, written and illustrated by Meguru Hinohara
Translation by Adrienne Beck, lettering by Eve Grandt
Published by SuBLime (print and digital)
While Therapy Game is a spin-off of Secret XXX, no prior knowledge is necessary to enjoy this sexy, messy BL manga. Straight man Shizuma deals with a sudden break-up by getting completely sloshed and spending the night with a man named Minato. Shizuma doesn’t know if they had sex or not, and Minato is offended that Shizuma doesn’t remember anything about their fling. Minato vows to full-on seduce Shizuma, win his heart, and then unceremoniously dump him. But as BL often goes, feelings grow and change, and get in the way of even the best-laid plans.
I have all of Hinohara’s works published in English. Her stories evoke a variety of feelings, from humor to love to tragedy. Plus, I have to shout out her art style. It is absolutely gorgeous and the characters are so expressive. Be aware that Hinohara’s work in English is uncensored and explicit, but even that is rendered beautifully. While Secret XXX is cute, Therapy Game is a darker and more mature story with some recurring characters. This series for mature audiences, complete at two volumes, runs the gamut of emotions and draws you in right away. It’s certainly a keeper for me, and I’m glad Hinohara is continuing this story with a sequel, Therapy Game Restart. –Kristina Elyse Butke
Photo: KodanshaHow I Met My Soulmate written and illustrated by Anashin
Translation by Sawa Matsueda Savage, lettering by Lys Blakeslee
Published by Kodansha (print and digital)
College sophomore Yuuki is a romantic at heart, always wishing to meet her destined someone. But she’s been unlucky in love. Ever since she moved to Tokyo, she’s felt that her soulmate must be somewhere in the enormous city, but it hasn’t happened yet. One night, one of her supportive friends offers to take her out to the club for the first time. Yuuki feels awkward and doesn’t take to the scene. And even worse, a young man she meets with blonde hair and an imposing presence gives her a bad impression, and the night is a bust. Later Yuuki runs into the man again–his name is Iori, and his hair is dyed back to black, and he’s apologetic for his behavior at the club. A friendship develops between Yuuki and Iori, where Yuuki reveals her desire to meet her soulmate. Iori agrees to help Yuuki find him…but what if he’s right under her nose?
I find the relationship between Yuuki and Iori refreshing, and it’s really nice to have a romance manga set in college with older characters.This is an adorable series. It’s ongoing with only four volumes out, so I’m anxiously awaiting the next one. If you’re searching for something sweet, give this one a try.–Kristina Elyse Butke
Photo: Seven SeasGirl Friends, written and illustrated by Milk Morinaga
Translation by Anastasia Moreno, lettering by Jennifer Skarupa
Published by Seven Seas (print and digital)
This absolutely classic yuri manga has been forgotten with the passage of time on today’s fast-moving internet, but not by me! Girl Friends is a rare longform yuri that follows the slowly developing relationship between plain and studious Mariko and her glamorous new friend Akko, from high school through to college and living together as adults. Originally published in Japan in 2006, it does feel like it’s from a different era than the yuri manga of today (both aesthetically and in some of the plot developments) but the bond between the two main girls is just as sweet as it was when it was first published, and Mariko’s feelings and insecurities are still relatable to anyone who’s ever had a crush on their best friend. As the first yuri manga I ever read back in middle school, Girl Friends will always have a special place in my heart. I hope it finds a special place in yours. — Masha Zhdanova
Buy it here.
Photo: Yen PressA Bride’s Story written and illustrated by Kaoru Mori
Translation by William Flanagan, lettering by Abigail Blackman
Published by Yen Press (print and digital)
Kaoru Mori’s manga masterpiece A Bride’s Story is less a traditional manga romance than a manga about everything. Set in Central Asia, the series hops back and forth between many different characters: the hunter Amir and her young husband, her stone-faced neighbor Pariya, wealthy wife Anis and others.
The advantage of this approach is that Mori has the freedom to illustrate many different kinds of love. Does the fact that Amir’s husband is just twelve years old at the start not do it for you? Then you might enjoy Pariya’s hilarious interactions with her betrothed Umar. Not one for couples? Amir’s discovery of polyamory and what she herself wants from a relationship is a highlight of the comic.
That’s aside from the fact that Mori’s illustrations of clothing, carpets and fabric in this series are some of the best I’ve ever seen. A Bride’s Story would be one of my favorite comics for just that alone. Mori’s characters, though, are what push the comic over the top. As much as she loves drawing characters in costumes, she’s always just as engaged with people as she is with their outfits. – Adam Wescott
Buy it here.
Photo: Vertical ComicsMysterious Girlfriend X written and illustrated by Riichi Ueshiba
Translation by Rebecca Cottrill
Published by Vertical Comics (print)
Two things can be true at once: 1. Riichi Ueshiba is a manga genius. 2. I would never recommend Ueshiba’s comics to anybody unless they knew what they were in for. His comics are imaginative and yet deeply fetishistic, as if a classic 80s romantic comedy manga was remixed and retold by aliens one thousand light years away. Thankfully his most accessible work is available in English, and thus easy for me to recommend: Mysterious Girlfriend X!
This is a comic about drool. Akira Tsubaki is an ordinary high school student. Mikoto Urabe is a new girl in his class. One day Akira tastes Mikoto’s drool on a whim (I know, go with it) and discovers that by doing so he experiences her emotions. The two of them start dating each other from that point forward.
Yeah, I know what you’re saying. “Wait, this is really just a series about drool? Who would want to read a comic like that?!” Well, ask yourself: aren’t you tired of romances where the leads take forever to kiss and admit that they like each other? Mysterious Girlfriend X is the rare high school romance where the hero and heroine are together from the start. They talk honestly about their feelings, learn new things and navigate the rough waters of adolescence together. While it lacks the psychological depth of 90s shojo classics like Mars, there’s a frankness to Ueshiba’s work that keeps me coming back. – Adam Wescott
Buy it here.
Photo: Seven SeasBloom into You written and illustrated by Nio Nakatani
Translation by Jenny McKeon, lettering by CK Russell
Published by Seven Seas (print and digital)
Some yuri comics focus on the central characters at the expense of the supporting cast and the setting they inhabit. It’s understandable, since they often run for just a few volumes and have a limited amount of space. Bloom into You isn’t like that though. It runs for eight volumes and follows a romance that progresses in fits and starts. In the meantime, Nakatani builds out a community of memorable characters: local gay adults, ace classmates, aspiring writers and not just a working student government but a theater troupe too. One side character, romantic rival Sayaka, made such an impression that she earned her own light novel set after the climax of the manga.
There are things that frustrate me about Bloom into You. Ace characters are rare in manga and I’ve seen folks annoyed that the heroine Yuu’s reticence towards romance is swept aside as the story progresses. Nio Nakatani’s art is also quite simple compared to other yuri artists like Battan. Those looking for pure romance might find that Bloom into You is weighed down by too much other stuff. As somebody who prefers romance the most when it’s counterbalanced by other subjects, though, I appreciate how the series is just as much a multi-faceted coming of age story as it is a yuri comic. – Adam Wescott
Buy it here.
Photo: VizHow do We Relationship? written and illustrated by Tamifull
Translation by Abby Lehrke, lettering by Joanna Estep
Published by VIZ (print and digital)
This is a long ongoing manga about the ups and downs of a relationship, less of a traditional love story and more of a realistic look at what lesbian relationships can be like. Miwa and Saeko start dating almost as soon as they meet in college and find out they both like women, so the bulk of the manga focuses on how their relationship evolves as the two of them grow and mature into adulthood. They break up, they date other people, they get back together, they evolve. Tamifull’s art is uniquely round and appealing, with smooth, confident linework and stark black shadows, their character work cute but not overly youthful. The most satisfying thing about following How Do We Relationship?’s biweekly chapters on the VIZ app is watching how everything Miwa and Saeko experience changes how they are with each other. It’s so grounded, some chapters almost feel like watching a home movie, or looking back at my own college days. There’s no will-they-won’t-they stasis here, no wacky plot devices, just two people slowly learning how to be people, together. And on top of all that, it’s funny. — Masha Zhdanova
Buy it here.
Photo: KodanshaAn Older Guy’s VR First Love, written and illustrated by Violence Tomoko
Translation by David Musto
Published by Kodansha (print and digital)
As a forty-year-old temp worker, Naoki’s life cannot be defined by another word than “dull”. He doesn’t form any close relationships in real life, as life has never been kind to him. Even in the world of VR, he keeps to himself, spending time without socializing with other users. He’s determined to quietly spend the last days in a part of the map that’ll be shut down, a newbie avatar named Honami clings to her. Spending these last moments in a decaying world together with a lively character like Honami may not be as lousy as Naoki has expected it to be.
Considering the medium’s track record, an older guy presenting as a high school girl in VR and falling in love with a female avatar who only ever wears extremely revealing clothes might sound like a recipe for disaster—but hear me out. Prepare your tissues, because An Older Guy’s VR First Love is a heartbreaking but eventually warm and touching story. “Romance” is the only label that could encompass the nature of the feelings that exist in this series as it’s not easy to simmer them down to simpler terms. Violence Tomoko touches upon topics like gender, identity and the ways we perform them, loneliness, and human connection in the span of a volume, albeit gently. The art style is not as refined and may not be to some readers’ taste, but I personally find it charming. This will probably be the only time I’ll ask you not to judge a book by its cover! – Merve Giray
Buy it here.
Photo: Yen PressThe Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All Vol.1 Written and illustrated by Sumiko Arai
Translation by Ajani Oloye, lettering by Brandon Bovia
Published by Yen Press (print and digital)
One girl, emo, tomboy, works in a second-hand CD shop that specializes in 90s American alternative music. One girl, kind of a prep, also into stuff like Nirvana, Beck, and Gorillaz instead of having an idol bias like everyone else in school; the only thing she likes more is the guy who works at the CD shop. The real twist isn’t that who you think is a he is actually a she, it’s that she’s the she who sits right next to you in class every day. This series got me with the crush coming from a nerdy shared interest that no one else around them understands, and it kept me with the superhero comic concern of wanting to smash but having a secret identity to maintain. It’s funny and charming, sweet and awkward, earnest and full of longing. The Green Yuri started on social media- its a rapid-fired series of four-page vignettes rather than traditional length chapters, hyper episodic. And in color! Well, a color. The first volume is out now, with volume two coming right after Valentine’s Day. –Arpad Okay
Buy it here.
Photo: Viz MediaMaison Ikkoku Written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi
Translated by Matt Treyvaud Lettered by Inori Fukuda Trant
Published by Viz Media (print and digital)
As with poetry, I can’t pretend to be especially well versed when it comes to manga. But I’m familiar with the classics, and I know when something clicks for me. Maison Ikkoku happens to tick both boxes. Rumiko Takahashi’s slice-of-life romantic comedy set (and originally published!) in 1980s Tokyo stars hapless college student Godai and Kyoko who manages the rundown apartment building they both live in. Across ten deluxe volumes, the book deals with love across both wealth and age gaps as well as the very winding paths healing can take. With her effortless cartooning, Takahashi brings together the silly and the soft for a gorgeous, cozy read. –Adam Karenina Sherif
Did we include your favorite romantic manga? Be sure to let The Beat know, either in the comment section or over at The Beat’s page on Bluesky.
English (US) · 