Romance is a genre that never loses its relevance, stirring up the most heartfelt and striking emotions in the hearts of its audience. From sentimental high school love stories to gripping and unconventional mature dramas, romance manga never failed to appeal to the masses, providing a variety of tropes and genres to target every reader.

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There's no shortage of popular, critically acclaimed love stories to dig into for romantics at heart, covering every subcategory from fantasy to horror. However, some lesser know series unavoidably fall through the cracks and escape the attention of mainstream audiences in such a diverse and multifaceted genre as romance. Despite being brilliant and possessing endless potential, these underground series never caught the eye of the public. These romance manga are the hidden gems of the genre that deserve to have more fans.

10 Red River's Romance Carries On Through History

Red River manga

Mixing historical fiction, alluring romance, suspenseful drama, and high fantasy, Red River takes the readers on a thrilling journey through time, all to create a truly timeless masterpiece. The manga tells the story of Yuri, an ordinary girl who's transported to the Hittite empire in ancient Anatolia to assist in the blood sacrifice of a vicious queen.

Thankfully, a charming stranger, Prince Kail, snatches Yuri out of the queen's clutch and promises to return the girl back to her time. However, the road that awaits them overflows with unexpected challenges, twists, and feelings they're yet to realize.

9 Even If It Was Just Once, I Regret It Explores The Struggles Of Dating In Your Twenties

Even If It Was Just Once, I Regret It

Adult romance is often much less straightforward than the school love stories prominent in manga and anime. Nevertheless, the shoujo-ai comedy manga Even If It Was Just Once, I Regret It takes on the challenge of portraying the tough road of adult romance with all due accuracy.

Chiyo Kozuka is a struggling 24-year-old with no job and no savings in her bank account. In fear of getting kicked out of her apartment, she accepts help from the most unexpected source — her landlady came to her door with an intimate proposition, kickstarting their complicated yet wholesome romance.

8 The Hero Of Go For It, Nakamura! Has To Fight His Own Anxiety For His Love

Go For It, Nakamura!

Most romance manga make falling in love seem easy and natural. Yet, for Okuto Nakamura, a timid and awkward high school boy, social anxiety stands in the way of even speaking a word to his crush Aiki Hirose.

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Go For It, Nakamura! is one of the sweetest and most wholesome BL romance manga, focusing on Nakamura's endearing attempts at getting close to Hirose while battling his apprehension. This short and adorable series is a delight to read that encourages the audience to root for its heroes every step of the way.

7 Oboreru Knife Is A Tragically Realistic Deconstruction Of Romance Tropes

Oboreru Knife manga panel

On paper, Oboreru Knife's premise doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. Natsume Mochizuki is a teen model who moves from Tokyo to the rural Japanese countryside. In the recluse village, she meets Kouichirou Hasegawa, who stirs some unexpected feelings in the girl's heart. Yet, Natsume's love story doesn't progress in the expected conventional manner.

Oboreru Knife is a brutal emotional rollercoaster that digs deep into complex, hurtful relationships of broken people. While not a feel-good read, this manga subverts romance tropes in an unexpectedly poignant and heartbreaking way, making it perfect for diehard drama fans.

6 In The Clear Moonlit Dusk Spins The Notion Of Femininity

In The Clear Moonlit Dusk

In the Clear Moonlit Dusk does a great job playing with tiresome gender norms of romance shoujo, offering a refreshing take on classic archetypes. Despite being a girl, Yoi Takiguchi has been dubbed a prince in her school due to her dreamy masculine appearance.

Over time, Yoi got used to her role, deciding not to change a thing. That is, until the school's other prince, Kohaku Ichimura, becomes interested in her, being the first boy to acknowledge Yoi as a woman. While the careless and self-assured Kohaku acts nothing like royalty, Yoi's heart can't help but flutter at his pursuits.

5 Nothing In The Romance Of Whisper Me A Love Song Goes According To Plan

Of Whisper Me A Love Song

The wonders of teen romance are miraculous and pure, yet, young love is very prone to miscommunications and false expectations. The teen heroine of Whisper Me a Love Song, Himari Kino, confesses her love to Yori Asanagi, the vocalist performing at the freshman opening ceremony.

After a conversation with Himari, Yori falls head over heels for the girl, only to realize that what Himari was in love with was not her but her music. The blooming shoujo-ai romance turns into unrequited feelings, yet Yori refuses to give up on her affection.

4 Keishichou Tokuhanka 007 Mixes Action Detective Tropes With A Heartfelt Romance

Keishichou Tokuhanka 007

Breaking away from the tiresome high school setting and melodramatic scenarios, Keishichou Tokuhanka 007 follows the tense work lives of Special Crime Investigation Department 007, a group of the most skilled and outstanding investigators in the force. After getting paired to work together, detectives Kuze and Fuyuki prove themselves as one of the department's most prolific members.

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Kuze and Fuyuki solve even the most complicated and dangerous cases. Along the way, their work relationship blooms into something more tender. Keishichou Tokuhanka 007 is a refreshing diversion from shoujo tropes, bringing an exciting mystery-action element to the romance genre.

3 Kigurumi Guardians Is A Refreshingly Bizarre Shoujo Adventure

Kigurumi Guardians

Kigurumi Guardians is a perfect read for romance fans who find conventional love story cliches too stale. Coming home from an ordinary day at school, Hakka Sasakura finds a strange being in an animal suit inside her house.

Without any explanation, the mysterious creature reveals to Hakka that they must partner up to defend the world from an alien invasion. This bizarre shoujo series is a breath of fresh air for both comedy and romance, delivering a story that, despite its weird premise, is impossible to put down.

2 Lie Cry Like Cares About Realism In Romance Manga

Lie Cry Like

Most BL manga is constantly accused of being too unrealistic, featuring overblown drama and unrelatable, overly exaggerated characters. Lie Cry Like takes a more laid-back and grounded approach to BL tropes, creating a mesmerizing love story that treats its characters with respect and nuance.

Tani is a passionate makeup artist devoted to his craft despite his family's disapproval. On the job, he meets Towada Nozumi, a popular actor and the embodiment of male beauty. After becoming Towada's personal hair and makeup artist, Tani finds himself slowly falling for the man, enchanted by his looks and personality.

1 Tsubaki-Chou Lonely Planet Proves That Clichés Work For A Reason

Tsubaki-Chou Lonely Planet

Nothing beats the satisfaction of reading a heartwarming and straightforward shoujo romance, and Tsubaki-chou Lonely Planet gives exactly that to its readers. This manga series doesn't reinvent the genre, following a rather cliche relationship between a financially struggling high schooler Fumi Oono and a temperamental writer Akatsuki Kibikino, for whom the girl works as a live-in housekeeper.

Nevertheless, the strength of Tsubaki-chou Lonely Planet lies in its excellent characterization and intricate understanding of what makes romance tick. Following the slow progress of Fumi and Akatsuki's bond is a joy for any romance fan.

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