Strong Heroine

Best Shoujo Manga and Josei Manga featuring a Strong Heroine and Strong Female Lead.

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

Opinion:
This series is so much fun and feels like a really different dynamic than I’m used to. I can see it’s not everyone’s cup of tea though.

The art I think is pretty basic. I will say I love the heroines design and her fashion sense. There are a lot of really well-drawn “doki doki” moments, which is so important because they aren’t allowed to have those moments throughout the whole plot.

The plot is so funny, genuinely belly laughs and over the top in a way that reminds me of Takane and Hana. But unlike that series it’s refreshing to see a couple that is genuinely into each other but have external forces keeping them apart.

I love how passionate the heroine is, very golden retriever coded with her neurodivergent-coded boyfriend. The only draw back I think is most of the sources of conflict in the series is the male lead putting in a lot less effort than the heroine even though he is trying his best in his own way. Most of the plot points end with the heroine crying and the male lead apologizing for the misunderstanding/miscommunication.

If you enjoy a laid-back, light-hearted high school comedy this is a really fun read.

Final Rating: 4/5

Extra: n/a

Purchase:
Kindle
Kobo
Google Play
iBook
VizManga App

Screenshot from Nina the Starry Bride. The heroine is smiling.

Nina the Starry Bride

Name: Nina the Starry Bride
Mangaka: Rikachi

Volumes: 15 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Kodansha (Digital and Print)
Type: Manga
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Age Group: Everyone

Summary:  
Nina had a rough start to life, orphaned and stealing to survive, only to be abducted for her unusual lapis lazuli eyes. But to her surprise, her captor, Prince Azure, ordained that she would live the life of a princess…specifically, that of the recently deceased princess-priestess, Alisha, who had her same eyes. Despite her changing fortune, Nina won’t give up her old life without a fight. Azure might just be the one to finally match her wits, but how much can she trust him? And can she stop the feelings budding in her heart, knowing she must eventually marry another?
–Manga Updates

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

Opinion: I have no doubt in my mind that Nina the Starry Bride will be considered a staple must-read Shoujo for this generation.

The art is very unique to this author. I find the characters have a much more baby face look to them that would usually bother me but I find it quite cute here. Very detailed lots of attention paid to designing this fantasy world, especially through fashion.

I have nothing bad to say about this series. It is so well-paced and even for a complex world it rarely leads to any confusion or frustration. The heroine is strong in her own way and her perseverance is inspiring.

For the romance it is a very heavy love triangle. One of the few times I am stumped as to who she is going to end up with. And even more so my choice for male lead is constantly swaying and strained. The tension is wonderful! (Unless you hate love triangles)

I think anyone who is interested in Shoujo manga must read this. Especially if you also enjoy fantasy or adventure series.

Final Rating: 5/5

Extra: None

Purchase:
Book Walker
iBooks
Kindle
Nook

Screenshot from the manga Getting Closer to You. The male lead holds a tie in his mouth seductively

Getting Closer to You

Name: Getting Closer to You
Mangaka: Kamino Ruri

Volumes: 7 (Complete)
Licensed: Kodansha (7 Volumes: Digital)
Type: Manga
Genre: Comedy/Sports
Age Group: Teen

Summary:  
For Kaho, a man’s muscles are all that matters. She’s sports-agnostic, type-agnostic—all she cares about are that those abs, pecs, biceps and delts look good. She thinks she’s found her perfect Muscle Prince in Natsume-sempai…that is, until he finds out what a muscle-freak she is. But instead of ridiculing her, he instead suggests she becomes manager of the basketball team—the one he just so happens to be on? For a muscle-lover like Kaho, there’s nothing to lose…and everything to gain.
–Manga Updates

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

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The heroine and the male lead each bend down to grab something on the floor while staring at each other. Screenshot from the manga Show it to Me Baby

Kisarazu-kun no xx ga Mitai

Name: Kisarazu-kun no xx ga Mitai (Show It to Me, Baby!)
Mangaka: Keiku Hagiwara

Volumes: 10 volumes (Ongoing)
Licensed: E-Renta
Type: Manga
Genre: Slice of Life/Smut/Drama/Comedy
Age Group: Mature (18+)

Summary:  Finally a manager at age 35, Asahi Maebashi seems to have it all. People think she’s gorgeous, and everyone knows how good she is at her job. Now if only she could have as much confidence in the bedroom… but is it any surprise she has given up on love and marriage after her husband divorced her for her lack of skills in the boudoir? Asahi is determined to be celibate, but now she has a new burning desire… to see a man touch himself while looking at her! As fate would have it, she meets 29-year-old Kouya Kisarazu, a hot, but the slightly narcissistic director, through work. He doesn’t seem inexperienced with women, but after a traumatic past, he is so insecure in that arena, that he has already had enough! He would like a woman to watch him spank his monkey, though!! Realizing this is a win-win situation, the two release their inner freaks and help each other out…

–Manga Updates

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

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Screenshot from Beast Master the manga. The heroine holds the male lead in her arms while smiling

Beast Master

Name: Beast Master
Mangaka: Motomi, Kyousuke

Volumes: 2 (Complete)
Licensed: Viz (2 Volumes: Digital (App) / Paperback)
Type: Manga
Genre: Comedy
Age Group: Teen

Summary:  
Leo Aoi looks like a crazy animal with wild eyes, and he goes berserk whenever he feels threatened and sees blood. That doesn’t stop animal-lover Yuiko Kubozuka from befriending him, however. In fact, Yuiko is the only person Leo will listen to when he has one of his violent fits…

– Mangaupdates

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

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