Last updated on April 8th, 2024 at 03:51 pm
10 Romance-Comedy Mangas you need to read
If you’re looking for a manga that will have you in tears of laughter, then look no further. I’ve compiled a list of 10 great romance-comedy mangas I have read this year! The list includes genres of Mystery, Drama, Slice of Life, Shoujo and School Life.
In this blog explore each manga’s strengths and unique qualities, and discuss what makes them hilarious. It’s worth noting that individual preferences can vary, so what one person finds funny, another may not, and your enjoyment of these mangas may depend on your personal taste in comedy.
Mangas that made the list (skip to a manga via the title).
- The Apothecary Diaries
- Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
- Lovesick Ellie
- Futarijime Romantic
- You’re my Cutie (Kawaii Nante Kiitenai)
- Kaichou wa Maid-sama
- Hikaeme ni Itte mo, Kore wa Ai (To Say The Least, This is Love)
- Getting Closer to You (Natsume-senpai ni Semarareru Hibi)
- Seishun no Hekireki (A Sudden Incident In My Youth)
- Loving Yamada at LV999 (My Lv999 Love for Yamada-kun).
Disclaimer: The release date and status are based on the English-online released versions. When listing the manga titles, the more well known name features first and then the English or Japanese version within the brackets.
This blog contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through those links.
Tier ranking all 52 shoujo mangas I read last year
Watch me tier rank the mangas featured in this blog, and every shoujo manga I read in 2023. Continue reading this blog here.
1. The Apothecary Diaries
Genre: Seinen, Drama, Historical, Medical, Mystery, Romance, Slice of Life.
Status: Released 2017 – ongoing.
Latest: Volume 12. | Buy on: Amazon.
View next manga rec ⬇️
Set in ancient China’s imperial court, this manga follows Maomao, a 17-year-old with practical herbal medicine skills kidnapped into palace servitude. Her talents come to light when she uses her wit to break a curse affecting the imperial heirs, leading to her rise within the palace hierarchy, all while yearning for a life beyond its confines.
The Apothecary Diaries is a hidden gem among the seinen demographic. It stars a strong female lead, memorable side characters, and a story that isn’t bogged down by unnecessary and boring romance.
Maomao’s sarcastic straightforward personality will have you laughing every chapter whilst she solves medical puzzles, with her interactions with Jinshi (a powerful eunuch) adding an extra layer of intrigue and humour.
2. Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
Genre: Shoujo, Comedy, Drama, Romance, School Life, Slice of Life.
Status: Released 2005 – 2017.
Latest: Volume 30. | Buy on: Amazon.
View next manga rec ⬇️
This manga follows 15-year-old Sawako Kuronuma, often mistaken for The Ring horror character Sadako Yamamura due to her appearance. Despite her amiable disposition and diligent work ethic, her unusual appearance and lack of emotional expression keep others at bay. Her desire for companionship and admiration for Shouta Kazehaya, the popular boy in her class, drives her to emulate him to improve her social skills.
Kimi ni Todoke is a comedic manga that infuses humour into character growth and relationships, providing romance with laugh-out-loud moments. Karuho Shiina’s expressive art adds to the humour, depicting Sawako and Shouta’s romance alongside three other engaging main characters (Yane Yano, Chizuru Yoshida, and Ryu Sanada).
Fueled by misunderstandings, character interactions lead to heartwarming and amusing moments, making character development a consistent source of humour throughout the series.
3. Lovesick Ellie
Genre: Shoujo, Comedy, Romance, School Life.
Status: Released 2015 – 2020.
Latest: Volume 12. | Buy on: Amazon.
View next manga rec ⬇️
This manga follows Eriko Ichimura, an unnoticed student, who is plain in appearance and only used by classmates for their responsibilities. On Twitter, she’s known as “Lovesick Ellie” with vivid fantasies.
Her crush, Akira Oomi, the most attractive boy in school, appears perfect but is revealed to be unpleasant when Eriko overhears a conversation. Akira discovers her Twitter posts and offers to help her fulfil her fantasies in exchange for her silence about his true nature.
This series is hilarious, with funny artwork, and situations that will have you cracking up. Eriko has literally made me cry with laughter (actual tears – Vol 3, Ch 9). It often presents awkward, humorous situations, with Eiroko facing challenges with her fantasies and maintaining her online image, creating comedic scenarios.
4. Futarijime Romantic
Genre: Shoujo, Comedy, Romance, School Life, Slice of Life.
Status: Released 2023 – ongoing.
Latest: Volume 2. | View next manga rec ⬇️
This manga follows Kumamori, who has always been in pursuit of an ideal romance. When she changes classes for her second year of high school, she is unexpectedly reunited with “Tajima,” the partner of her first kiss (or is it?). Unfortunately, he is dry and stoic when it comes to romantic gestures. A realistic but cute and romantic opposites-attract love story!
Futarijime Romantic is a new manga released this year, but I can already tell this is going to be one of my favourites. Kumamori’s persistence and the awkwardness of Tajima Ryoujei add heartwarming comedy, along with cute teasing and moments that will have you kicking and squealing!
5. You're my Cutie (Kawaii Nante Kiitenai)
Genre: Romance, Shoujo, Slice of Life, Comedy, School Life.
Status: Released 2020 – ongoing.
Latest: Volume 6. | View next manga rec ⬇️
This manga follows Madoka, shoujo manga enthusiast, who becomes intrigued when a handsome younger co-worker joins her father’s restaurant. However, he’s initially rude and disinterested in her, but when she defends him from persistent fans, a connection begins to form between them.
If you like romcoms with a female senpai and a clueless younger guy, You’re My Cutie is a great pick. It successfully blends humour, character dynamics, and amusing situations while maintaining a strong romantic storyline, offering an enjoyable read for fans of both genres.
6. Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
Genre: Shoujo, Comedy, Drama, Romance.
Status: Released 2005 – 2013.
Latest: Volume 18. | Buy on: Search manga volumes on Amazon.
View next manga rec ⬇️
This manga follows Misaki Ayuzawa, who attends Seika High School which used to be an all-boys school, but has since turned co-ed. However, Misaki harbours an embarrassing secret—she has to work at a maid café to support her family.
If anybody from her school were to find out, her reputation would be utterly destroyed. And after Takumi Usui—the most popular boy at school—discovers her secret, that might just happen.
Kaichou wa Maid-sama! is a beloved romantic comedy manga that follows the evolving relationship between Misaki and Takumi as they spend more time together and discover each other’s secrets. The classic “opposites attract” trope, playful banter, and inclusion of misunderstandings and romantic tension make it a great comedy! It’s a good balance of laughs and romance.
7. Hikaeme ni Itte mo, Kore wa Ai (To Say The Least, This is Love)
Genre: Shoujo, Comedy, Delinquents, Romance, School Life.
Status: Released 2021 – ongoing.
Latest: Volume 4. | View next manga rec ⬇️
From Lovesick Alley, this manga follows Risa, a serious student who’s always prepared, saves an injured troublemaker on her way home from cram school. Now the delinquent Zen is following her around! How will she cope with this new development?
The smart and straightforward female lead, alongside the kind delinquent with a lovable gang, makes To Say The Least, This is Love a delightful blend of romance and comedy as the two groups intertwine and work together.
8. Getting Closer to You (Natsume-senpai ni Semarareru Hibi)
Genre: Shoujo, Comedy, Romance, School Life, Basketball/sports.
Status: Released 2020 – ongoing
Latest: Volume 5. | View next manga rec ⬇️
This manga centres on Kaho, who values a man’s muscles above all else. She believes she’s found her perfect “Muscle Prince” in Natsume-sempai until he discovers her obsession. Instead of mocking her, he invites her to become the basketball team’s manager, leading Kaho to a new opportunity. Written by the author of “Four Kisses, in Secret,” this manga offers a unique twist on romance and sports.
Getting Closer to You has an unconventional and humorous premise, with amusing character dynamics leading to the development of relationships. It offers a fresh and entertaining take on the romantic comedy genre. Kaho’s journey as a basketball team manager and her interactions with the team create great comedic value.
9. Seishun no Hekireki (A Sudden Incident In My Youth)
Genre: Shoujo, Comedy, Genderswap, Romance, School Life.
Status: Released 2021 – Ongoing.
Latest: Volume 2. | View next manga rec ⬇️
“If I’m not attracted to the things that most girls are attracted to… Is there something wrong with me?” This manga follows Amane Shizuku, who has been worried about a possible sexual frigidity. She can fall in love with men, she’s even dated some of them, but when things were about to go to the next level, her heart didn’t throb at all. Due to this matter, she was about to give up on love, but when she meets the popular Kouki, her world changes… literally!!
Seishun no Hekireki, by Nao Iwamoto, has a dedicated fan base due to its blend of everyday high school life with extraordinary and absurd scenarios. Its artwork compliments the humour with expressive character designs and a variety of comedic styles. This combination of humour, character development, and a distinctive premise makes it an enjoyable read for comedy fans.
10. Loving Yamada at LV999 (My Lv999 Love for Yamada-kun)
Genre: Shoujo, Comedy, Romance, Slide of Life, Video Games.
Status: Released 2019 – ongoing.
Latest: Volume 7.
Buy on: Amazon.
This manga follows Akane after her boyfriend dumps her for another girl. To make matters worse, he met the other girl in Forest of Savior, the online RPG they both enjoyed playing. Distraught, Akane logs back in one last time and that’s when she meets Yamada. The thing is, Yamada is only interested in the game. When they coincidentally meet in real life, will sparks fly? Or, will Akane just murder Yamada out of frustration?
Loving Yamada at LV999 is a beloved manga with quirky characters, especially Akane with her exaggerated facial expressions and Yamada’s transformation from awkward to somewhat confident.
The interactions between all the characters are well-developed, offering humour through their relationships, misunderstandings, and romantic entanglements. The manga’s expressive artwork and humour make it a great read, blending romance and comedy seamlessly.
What common themes and elements feature in these manga series
- Romantic Relationships: All of these manga series revolve around romantic relationships, whether they are budding romances, established couples, or unrequited love.
- Slice of Life: Many of these manga depict everyday life situations and the ups and downs of ordinary characters, making them relatable to readers.
- School life & College life: Many of these manga are set in school environments, allowing readers to relate to the characters’ experiences and challenges.
- Drama and Comedy: While they primarily focus on romance, many of these manga incorporate elements of drama, comedy, or both, providing a well-rounded reading experience.
- Emotional Depth: The stories in these mangas explore deep emotions, personal growth, and the complexities of love, making them engaging and heartwarming.
Closing thoughts
So, with these 10 romance-comedy manga series in your reading list, get ready to embark on a journey filled with laughter, heartwarming moments, and delightful characters.
These stories will remind you that love and laughter go hand in hand, and whether you’re exploring the mysteries of young love, relatable school life scenarios, or the heartwarming tales of everyday relationships, these manga have something for every fan of the genre. So, grab a cosy spot and dive into these stories. Happy reading!
If you enjoyed these recommendations read our other blog listing 12 great Shoujo Romance manga series to read in 2023.
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*ML = Male Lead, FL = Female Lead