Must-Read Romance Manga for Back to School
We’re headed off to college with these
romance manga recs
By Leah Thakur
Edited by Caelin Sullivan
As summer comes to an end, whether we’ll actually find ourselves back in the classroom or not, the air of back-to-school season is often still enticing for most of us. This year, why not indulge yourself by romanticizing your college years and all the exciting things that new chapter of life held with 8 college manga romance recs?
A Sign of Affection by Suu Morishita
My personal favorite manga, A Sign of Affection follows deaf college student Yuki as she falls in love for the first time. After a meet-cute on the train and the realization that they go to the same college, Itsuomi and Yuki’s feelings blossom at first sight. Yuki is just beginning to figure out where she wants her life to go, but Itsuomi already has his wild dreams planned out. While those dreams may take him across the world and require him to learn many languages, he picks up Japanese Sign Language immediately after meeting Yuki. The pair will need to let the power of their love make a future that works for them together.
Instalike — First Love
Choking on Love by Keiko Iwashita
Don’t you just love when two artsy, hot people fall in love? In Choking on Love, you’ll get to experience just that as the self-declared “ordinary” graphic design student Hibari falls in love with Gaku, the guitarist of the up-and-coming band Pantera Negra. When her straightforward dedication and his chaotic spontaneity meet, sparks erupt as the two learn to navigate this relationship and Hibari learns to be confident in herself.
Opposites Attract — Bad Boy/Good Girl
Cinderella Closet by Wakana Yanai
“Plain” Haruka is mesmerized when she meets the gorgeous and stylish Hikaru. However, as the two of them spend more time together, Haruka learns that Hikaru isn’t a woman at all, but a gender fluid man who finds joy in feminine fashion and makeup. As Haruka learns to see Hikaru for all he is and Hikaru learns the same about Haruka, Haruka is able to move past her first big college crush, and fall in love with both herself and Hikaru.
Country Girl/City Partner — Secret Identity — Love Triangle
How I Met My Soulmate by Anashin
Yuuki just wants to find her soulmate. On a night out where her friend is determined to find her for him, Yuuki meets Iori, a gorgeous dental student. Instead of love at first sight, however, he decides to play matchmaker for her. As the two get closer, their feelings begin to grow. Yuuki then runs into her childhood crush and rumors start spreading about Iori and his brother’s ex-girlfriend. How many wrenches can destiny throw in as two people work to find the great love of their lives?
Love Triangle — Miscommunication —Soulmates
A Side Character’s Love Story by Akane Tamura
Have you ever read a story and rooted for two of the side characters to fall in love maybe a little more than the main characters? Well, that’s exactly what you get in A Side Character’s Love Story. Nobuko is a college student working part time at a grocery store alongside Irie, a fellow college student and Nobuko’s crush. Both Nobuko and Irie are sweet and awkward and have never been in a relationship before. This, however, certainly makes it easier for the pair to learn how to fall in love and make a relationship work across school and new careers, especially when everyone around them is cheering them on!
Like Attracts Like — First Love
Pink Heart Jam by Shikke
This is a boys’ love, or achillean romance, that shares the story of Haiga, a bright-eyed freshman ready to take on the college experience. One day on campus, he sees a gorgeous boy strumming a guitar and immediately joins the music club to get to know him. On a night out with his new friends, he’s dared to venture into a male brothel where he discovers the gorgeous guitarist, Kanae, is actually a sex worker there. After they spend the night together, Haiga is convinced he wants more. But, between Kanae’s job, their new client/employee relationship, and Haiga’s understanding of his own sexuality, the pair has a lot to overcome to be together.
Strangers to Lovers—Musicians
Sasaki and Miyano by Sho Harusono
This boys’ love romance follows Miyano, a student obsessed with BL manga himself. An older student, or senpai, Sasaki, comes to his friend’s rescue as he’s being bullied and now the two cannot seem to fall out of the other’s orbit. Miyano shares his love of BL with Sasaki and is shocked when Sasaki eventually tells Miyano that he’s falling for him. Miyano then has to learn how to navigate his own sexuality, the beginnings of a new love, and how to navigate their feelings as Sasaki eventually graduates high school and starts college.
Good Boy/Bad Boy — Coming Out — First Love
So, where can I read all of these amazing stories?
Pack your backpacks, pencil cases, and laptop bags, and choose a story off this required reading list for the start of the semester! While I can’t offer you a pizza party for your summer reading, I can at least help you find these series to start your reading.
You can, of course, purchase most of these stories physically. A Side Character’s Love Story is the only series that’s digital only. Otherwise, many of these can be found through your local library, on the KManga app, the Comics Plus app, or wherever you read ebooks. Happy readin’!
All books are featured in our Bookshop.org list (affiliate link)!