4 Mangas for Shoujo Newbs

Akagami no Shirayuki-Hime,
first volume

Do you have a friend who's new to shoujo manga or has shunned the genre because of some really bad titles? Then I will be showing you an extremely short list as a starter point for you guys.  I mean if I gave you my current reading list (about more than 100 mangas) you would be overwhelmed.

I really wished someone had given me a good starting manga. Not that classics such as Hana Kimi  or Fruits Basket are bad but there are some crazy premises that would deter the average person away.

Shoujo Manga Cliches: My Top 7 Favourite Cliches

There are just some cliches that I love, if done well of course.
I've read a lot of mangas under these categories and I don't know why I like it so much.

1. Really, Really sweet guys - You know the ones that make you realise you'll probably never find a guy like that? And make you scream kawaii at the top of your little lungs? Example of really kawaii guys are Suwa from Orange by Takano Ichigo.
   
2. Bromance - My love for bromances is a bit unhealthy. Friendship is really a sweet thing. Friendship between girls is nice. Friendship between guys is too. Friendship between hot, nice guys. DAMN I'm already on the bandwagon. A good one is from Strobe Edge with Ren and Takumi.
   
3. Jealous Lovers - Jealously is the main instigator for guys to take action. Yup, just cos you're hot it doesn't mean she'll stick around. Faster than a Kiss has a lot of those jealous moments.
   
4. Tsunderes - Tsunderes are so typical but they are so sweet. I guess it's just my personal preference. Youko x Boku SS has a Tsundere female who throughout the story, tries to counter her mean tendencies.
   
   
5. Older Male x Younger Female - I feel like these types of relationships cos I like the male who seems dominant have a girl 6 years younger drag him along at her own pace. 7 Jikanme Rhapsody, also a teacher x student relationship.
   
6. Tall Guy x Short Girl - Maybe I like it cos I'm short myself but I like the idea of a guy being tall, like a protecter of the girl. Hilarity is ensured it the short girl is dominant in the relationship. Narabuna Kiken is a oneshot that puts a bit of emphasis on the height.
   
7. Arrogant Guys - Yeah I know they aren't really attactive. But the nice arrogant ones are hilarious to watch. Sir Tiger's Table has a pretty lol-worthy male lead who's dresses funny and is somehow rich as hell.

Takano Sensei is qutting shoujo. WHAT AND WHY?

For those that don't know, Takano Ichigo is the mangaka behind Orange which I may or may not have ranted and raved about. She's relatively new on the scene and Orange is probably her best work, her other mangas are cute but mediocre at best.
Even though it was released in 2011 I can dare say it's probably one of the best manga I have ever read. So when I heard that's she's quitting I was shocked.
According to her now deleted blog, a post said that she was essentially tired of haters and she's been contemplating about quitting. "Nothing will change if only one among so many artists disappears" she says, not but you are a top notch mangaka and you haven't even started.
There are plenty of shit ridden shoujo and you don't see them quitting, (insert joke about Watase Yuu). It's just so disappointing. She does plan to finish it off before she quits, not sure if I'm relieved or sad. It's currently on hiatus and I really hope she does the story justice. Not sure if I should recommend it so much anymore since I personally feel it's really good.

My Top 5 Shoujo Mangas

Hey Guys I'm probably going to do this blogging thing as an on again off again thing so if you really like the crap I post just comment and let me know so I have motivation to post more :D

There's a difference between entertaining mangas and manga that are so kawaii and meaningful that you'd pass this down to your children to read. (ok I'm exaggerating, but you get the idea).

In reality most shoujo mangas are complete and utter shit, sugar coated so it looks presentable and add in a couple of bishies and you're good to go. Shoujo manga are basically to entertain and give girls fantastical views of romance. But these ones have more depth and dimension and contradict the norm. Always read shoujo to it's intended purpose and these are actually trying to tell some kind of story.

So let's start off with a micro reviews of my top list and I probably will make full reviews when they're finished or when I can be bothered.

1. Orange (Takano Ichigo) - I was seriously hesitant to put this as my top since it's so new but god damn is it good. The time-travel would be tragedy is expected to be gripping and intense but it literally feels like walking in a cherry blossom park with petals flying everywhere. Or in other words it's kawaii as hell with a meaningful message behind it. Read this after you go through this list. You will not regret it
   
2. Dear (Fujiwara Cocoa) - This fits with my personal tastes so it can be a bit draggy and disjointed to some as it take multiple perpsectives from the characters. Art is beautiful and story seems pretty unique as it addresses themes of loneliness  friendship and love (all the sappy crap I love).
   
3. Youku Boku SS - Another time travel type of manga and from the same author above. Based on youkai and multiple lives which can be a bit confusing but it's the good kind of confusing. It feels like thinking is something you don't do a lot in shoujo anyways. I feel like the anime doesn't really bring about how whimsical and comedic the simple lives of the characters are and the insecurities of loneliness etc. And heterochromia male lead? I approve.
   
4. Last Game -  The kawaii levels of this manga is over 9000. It's a bit similar to Special A in the whole trying-to-beat-each-other-academically-thing initially but better execution, better art and the leads are sooooooo kawaii. The female lead is strong, a bit apathetic towards the people around her but she's just a socially awkward female trying to figure out her new founded feelings for her long time friend (it's love damn it). And the poor boy has been in love for the same girl for about 10 years so props to him.
   
5. Hana to Akuma - The whole demon x human is such an overdone thing in shoujo but this is done pretty well. Ok so the age difference is about a couple thousand of years but they love each other and it's all that matters. All I have to say is if you like this type of genre without the smut then go read this.