Licensed

Licensed shows licensed and legal English translations of shoujo and josei manga. Some licensed series are available in print while some are only available for digital download.

Ayakeshi Hunters Tained bride the hunter leans down to kiss his fiancee

Ayakeshi Hunter’s Tainted Bride

Name: Ayakeshi Hunter’s Tainted Bride
Author: Yuuma Midori 
Artist: Fujimaru Mamenosuke

Volumes: 6 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Kodansha (Digital and Print)
Type: Manga
Genre: Supernatural/Drama
Age Group: Teen

Summary:  
When Nanao was a child, she was kidnapped by an ayakashi who carved a demonic seal on her body. Her planned marriage to the Waka-sama of the Hakurenji family was stolen from her by her cousin Akemi, and she was forced to wear a monkey mask to hide her demon mark, leading a miserable life. Then, she meets Yako, the young head of the Benitsubaki family. Nanao loses her mask due to a certain incident, and Yako sees her true face, but Yako takes an interest in her beauty and spiritual power.
–Manga Updates

Graphics Rating: 4/5
Plot Rating: 4/5

Opinion: I devoured this series. I bought the first volume and that wasn’t enough. The beginning seems kinda vanilla but it really takes off in the later volumes.

The art is gorgeous. Very detailed yet “mature” looking. Both women and men are drawn very well.

I’m not usually a fan of weak heroines but this heroines main weakness is being too kind and a push over. I still like her. Love the male lead who is doting and loving while still being a bad ass hunter. Reminds me SO much of “My Happy Marriage”.

That said I find there seems to be an overuse of these weirdly obsessed people around the heroine. It plays out once a volume and it’s getting annoying. They even get the yandere art treatment and it was interesting the first time but I think they can do better.

Overall the world is well thought out with complex characters I’m excited to continue this series!

Final Rating: 4/5

Extra: n/a

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Rosen Blood manga screencap. The male lead hugs the heroine from behind as she smiles up at him.

Rosen Blood

Name: Rosen Blood
Mangaka: Ishizue Kachiru

Volumes: 5 (Complete)
Licensed: Viz (5 Volumes: Digital (App) / Paperback)
Type: Manga
Genre: Supernatural/Drama/Mystery
Age Group: Older Teen

Summary:  
After the carriage she had embarked upon crashed, Stella is saved by a tall dark and handsome stranger and brought to the mysterious mansion surrounded by poisonous roses in which he lives with three other gorgeous men. However, with no money left, Stella is forced to work as a maid which will prove dangerous for her because she is yet to find out that all four men are actually vampires!

– Mangaupdates

Graphics Rating: 4/5
Plot Rating: 2/5

Opinion: Another vampire series, sorry I usually space them out but it’s just based on what I’m reading. Heads up, was super disappointed by this series.

The art is unreal I love it so much but very weirdly male gazey. The guys are drawn well though as well. Very detailed and has a gothic vibe.

Where the series falls apart is the plot. It’s a mystery but there still feels like so many loose ends or things resolve quickly in a way that makes no sense. It felt like there wasn’t a consistent plot line all the way through that was GENUINELY engaging. The heroine plays a kind of bimbo role as well I wasn’t fond of.

It’s disappointing since the premise the world created were SO intriguing but it felt like the mangaka couldn’t focus and keep it cohesive.

Final Rating: 2/5

Extra: n/a

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Otaku Vampires Love Bite screencap the male lead glances over hesistantly at the female lead who is smiling contentedly

Otaku Vampires Love Bite

Name: Otaku Vampires Love Bite
Mangaka: Suzuki Julietta

Volumes: 7 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Viz (3 Volumes: Digital (App) / Paperback)
Type: Manga
Genre: Supernatural/Fantasy/Comedy
Age Group: Teen

Summary:  
Modern vampire Hina sets out from Romania to live out her otaku dreams in Japan! Her new neighbor, Kyuta, looks just like her anime crush. Can she convince him to be friends?

– Mangaupdates

Graphics Rating: 4/5
Plot Rating: 4/5

Opinion: Julietta Suzuki does such a great job great fun comedic series with excellent world building. I love the world she has made for Vampires, it’s always great to see a new twist on the supernatural genre.

The art is great. Very bouncy shoujo. I’ll admit her characters tend to look the same especially her leads but she has some cool designs for the side characters.

The plot is just fun about a nerdy otaku vampire woman. She’s just trying to live her best life but under the surface she’s a super powerful vampire. It does seem formulaic a bit in the pacing but I love it, it’s such a comfy read.

I do see this series becoming a classic like Kamisama Kiss. If you enjoyed Kamisama Kiss you’ll love this.

Final Rating: 4/5

Extra: From the mangaka of Kamisama Kiss

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screenshot from the manga "love thats an understatement". The male lead plays with the heroines hair as he leans forward playfully.

Love, That’s an Understatement

Name: Love, That’s an Understatement
Mangaka: Fuji Momo

Volumes: 5 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Kodansha (Digital and Print)
Type: Manga
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Age Group: Teen

Summary:  
Spare eraser? Check. Extra folding umbrella? Check. First aid kit? Check. Cool and collected high school student Risa Amakawa has something in her heavy bag for every situation and the last thing she needs or knows how to ask for is anyone’s help. When she saves a beat-up delinquent in the park one rainy evening, she refuses any sort of repayment.

But it turns out that saving the notorious Zen Ohira buys her the attention of some unsavory characters. As Zen keeps swooping in to help her out of one pickle after another, her feelings about relying on anyone but herself and her feelings toward Zen slowly begin to change. A new romcom from the author of Lovesick Ellie.
–Manga Updates

Graphics Rating: 3/5
Plot Rating: 4/5

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screenshot from the manga kurosaki kun wants me all to himself. A dark haired guy pulls a girl into his arms.

Kurosaki-kun Wants me All to Himself

Name: Kurosaki-kun Wants me All to Himself
Mangaka: Sakurada Reiko
Author: Kanoko

Volumes: 4
Licensed: Mangaplaza
Type: Manga
Genre: Drama/Slice of Life
Age Group: Teen

Summary:
“I want you, Moka…” There’s a popular guy in class, and he can’t stand the way the other girls look at him. The only girl he wants all for himself… is the plain girl sitting in the seat in front of him?! Moka Asano is your average high school girl, and sitting behind her is Izumi Kurosaki. Kurosaki’s the captain of the soccer team, and is so popular that the neighboring schools have fan clubs for him! The girls always crowd around his desk, so Moka can never get a chance to sit down at her desk in the morning… but everything changes when Moka gets the chance to be close to Kurosaki when they see each other in the old school library. Even though Kurosaki hates being around girls, and tends to give everyone these cold stares, he looks at Moka with a bright smile and asks her “do you wanna date for real?” It’s like he’s a completely different person!

–Manga Updates

Graphics Rating: 4/5
Plot Rating: 3/5

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