first love

Best Shoujo Manga and Josei Manga about first love.

Image from My Love Story with Yamada kun at Lv999. The heroine leans into the male lead kissing him.

My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999

Name: My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999
Mangaka: Mashiro

Volumes: 10 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Inklore (Paperback) / Mangamo (Digital)
Type: Manga
Genre: Comedy/Slice of Life
Age Group: Teen

Summary:  
Recently dumped, Akane is just about to quit the game she used to play with her boyfriend, when she meets Yamada in the same RPG. Yamada in real life turns out to be somewhat of a legend. The only problem is – he is ONLY interested in the game. As Akane’s feelings grow, will Yamada’s focus stay on the game?

– Mangaupdates

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

Opinion: This series is so cute and honestly a must read for anyone who loves romance media and gaming.

The art is very cute and simple. It really gave me seinen vibes at first but there are still so many cute details that add to the charming shoujo effect.

This is a super cute slice of life. As a gamer I found it really relatable. I also love the male lead gives neurodivergent realness that’s quite different from most male leads. When the leads start dating they are so cute.

Highly recommend this series I think it’s a great entry point for new shoujo readers as well!

Final Rating: 4/5

Extra: There is an anime adaptation which is wear I watched this series first. I thought it was really well done and was faithful to the manga.

Purchase:
Mangamo

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

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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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screenshot from the manga Lets do it Already. The male lead leans over looking at the heroine as he helps her pick something up.

Let’s Do It Already

Name: Let’s Do It Already
Mangaka: Kusaka, Aki

Volumes: 9 (Complete)
Licensed: Viz (4 Volumes: Digital (App) / Paperback)
Type: Manga
Genre: Comedy
Age Group: Everyone

Summary:  
Yuri and Keiichiro have gotten to know each other on their daily commute to their respective high schools. Yuri makes a passionate love confession to Keiichiro, and he feels the same! Yuri rushes in to kiss her new boyfriend, but…!

– Mangaupdates

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

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