Must-Read Josei Manga: 5 Gems to Enjoy Today
Josei manga provides a rich reading experience for those who seek stories that resonate with the complicated adult life. It often offers a wide range of themes, from music and fashion to romance and personal growth. If you’re going to start diving into Josei manga, these 5 titles are an excellent choice to start. We will give you our top 5 josei manga you need to read right now!
Must-Read Josei Manga: 5 Gems to Enjoy Today
#1 Namidaame to Serenade
Namidaame to Serenade (Image: GC)
Author: Haruka Kawachi
Chapters: 24
Status: Ongoing
Genre: Historical, Time Travel
One day, the spirited high school student Katagiri Hina experiences a sudden time shift, finding herself transported to the year 1907. There she encounters an extremely melancholic man named Hongo Takaaki. Who is this enigmatic Hongo-sama? As destiny works itself, how will their love story evolve? Across the boundaries of time, two souls come together in an unexpected fate. You should definitely give this a try if you’re into some drama, good romance, and great storylines!
#2 Nodame Cantabile
Nodame Cantabile (Image: GC)
Author: Tomoko Ninomiya
Chapters: 150
Status: Completed
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Drama, Musical, Award Winning
Another hidden gem Josei manga is Nodame Cantabile. The story follows the relationship between Shinichi Chiaki and Megumi “Nodame” Noda. Chiaki is a perfectionist and he is a son of a famous pianist. He is studying at Momogaoka College of Music, wishing to achieve his secret dream of being a conductor. However, as much as he wants to return to Europe, his phobia of flying traps him in Japan where he now lives.
One night, he passes out and ends up being taken in by Megumi “Nodame” Noda. Nodame is an extremely talented pianist, but unfortunately, she is also slobbish and eccentric. What’s even worse is that turns out Nodame is Chiaki’s neighbor and he ends up forced to work with her. Though it sounds impossible, Chiaki is drawn to this girl who makes him remember the love for music he once held.
Nodame Cantabile is adapted to three TV shows: a popular live-action drama in 2006, a sequel special in January 2008, and a three-season anime series starting in 2007. In 2014, it also got a South Korean version called Cantabile Tomorrow.
#3 Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai
Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai (Image: GC)
Author: Aya Nakahara
Chapters: 43
Status: Completed
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Number three on our top 5 josei manga you need to read right now is Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai. It focuses on 29-year-old Michiko Shibata, who recently lost her job and is now struggling financially, surviving mostly on cabbages. Unfortunately, she has also been unsuccessful in her job interviews. She’s been spending a lot on expensive gifts for her younger “boyfriend,” hoping he’ll marry her and provide for her. However, she discovers that her boyfriend has been deceiving her, using her for money.
At her lowest point, Shibata unexpectedly meets Ayumu Kurosawa, her former strict boss whom she resents. Feeling responsible for her job loss, Kurosawa decides to help Shibata and becomes her employer once again.
Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai was adapted into a Japanese live-action drama TV series that aired on TBS from January 12 to March 15, 2016.
#4 Perfect World
Perfect World (Image: GC)
Author: Rie Aruga
Chapters: 59
Status: Completed
Genre: Drama, Romance, Award Winning
During a business meeting, 26-year-old Tsugumi Kawana is surprised to reunite with her former high school friend and first love, Itsuki Ayukawa. She is happy that Ayukawa has achieved his dream of becoming an architect, while she has a stable job in interior design. As they talk about the past, Tsugumi is shocked to discover that Ayukawa has become disabled due to an accident and now relies on a wheelchair.
Tsugumi is aware that dating a person with a disability is complicated, and she doesn’t want to jeopardize her friendship with Ayukawa, who refuses to have a romantic relationship. However, as they spend more time together and she learns about his condition, Tsugumi realizes her feelings for him may still exist.
Perfect World won the 43th Kodansha Manga Award in the shoujo category in 2019 and also was adapted into a movie and Japanese TV drama in 2018 and 2019.
#5 Kakukaku Shikajika
Kakukaku Shikajika (Image: GC)
Author: Akiko Higashimura
Chapters: 34
Status: Completed
Genre: Slice of Life, Award Winning
The last one on our list of top 5 josei manga you need to read is Kakukaku Shikajika. It follows the story of Akiko Hayashi, who has big dreams of becoming a successful manga artist, having her favorite actor play in the adaptation, and marrying him. However, she lacks the motivation and skills to achieve these goals. When she joins an art class taught by a tough teacher named Kenzou Hidaka, she hopes for an easy way to improve her art. To her surprise, Sensei is strict and has no interest in manga.
But as Akiko accepts Sensei’s challenging schedule, she realizes his genuine care for his students and forms a strong bond with him. With his guidance, she learns what it takes to be a successful mangaka and discovers the essence of adulthood.
Kakukaku Shikajika is actually an autobiography detailing the life of Akiko Higashimura, an author. It is being picked for Top 20 Manga for Female Readers in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, and in 2015. This manga also won the 8th Manga Taisho Award and the 19th Japan Media Arts Festival Awards Grand Prize. Definitely worth reading!
So that’s all of the top 5 josei manga you need to read right now! They offer engaging stories and beautifully crafted characters that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
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