Desire Climax Manga screenshot. The male lead leans into the female lead grinning as she hesitates.

Desire Climax

Name: Desire Climax
MangakaTachibana Oreco

Volumes: 7 (Complete – Scanlations)
Type: Manga
Genre: Drama/Smut
Age Group: Mature

Summary:
Omori Mio is 17 years old. To help out her desperately poor family, she takes on a part-time job. Then, one night, a boy snatches a kiss from her and offers her money, saying, “I’ll buy you.” Who is the boy who stole Mio’s first kiss…!?

Manga Updates

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

Opinion: This is just a ridiculous, angtsy soap opera series with lots of non-con smut. If you don’t like red flags you will loath this series. As one of the first scanlated series I ever read it has a special place in my heart.

I love the art. I have probably read everything I can find from this mangaka because her art is so unique and LUCIOUS. It’s honestly too bad all her heroines are vapid.

This series is like Hot Gimmick but if Hot Gimmick was actually just smut. I don’t wanna spoil everything but every single soap opera trope is in this series and there are only 7 volumes. The drama is thick.

Also the Male Lead is constantly stripping and groping the heroine non-con style.

Personally, I think it’s great. If you wanna read a mature series filled with red flags have at it!

Final Rating: 3/5

Extra: n/a

Read Online:
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Happy Hustle High manga screenshot. The heroine leans on the male lead while smiling.

Happy Hustle High

Name: Happy Hustle High
MangakaTakada, Rie

Volumes: 5 (Complete)
Licensed: Viz (5 Volumes: Digital (App) / Paperback (OOP)
Type: Manga
Genre: Comedy
Age Group: Teen

Summary:  
What happens when an all-girls’ high school reigning tomboy finds out her school is about to be filled with boys!?

Hanabi Oozora is a rambunctious sixteen-year-old tomboy who comes to the rescue of her less assertive friends–sometimes in exchange for food. So what does she do when, all of a sudden, her all-girls’ school is about to be integrated with an all-boys’ school?!

She meets and falls in love–naturally–with one of the three most popular and handsome boys in the Student Council, Yasuaki Garaku! Unfortunately, Yasuaki doesn’t care for girls… and when the girls’ Student Council clashes head-on with the boys’ Student Council, Hanabi steps in to become a member – hoping she’ll change Yasuaki’s mind!

– Mangaupdates

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

Opinion:
This series has a major nostalgia factor for me as it was in the list of my first series I collected as a young teen. Maybe my judgement is clouded by nostalgia but I still think it’s a hilarious and fun comedy.

The art is very unique to Rie Takada. Big shoujo eyes and smouldering angular male leads. I like it but it’s definitely dated to the time it was drawn.

I love the heroine who is this tough tomboy who speaks her mind. I always related to her as a teen and I think she’s lots of fun. She’s definitely more interesting than most heroines.

Overall the story is very straightforward and filled with common shoujo tropes. I mostly recommend this if you’re looking for a shorter romantic comedy series.

Final Rating: 4/5

Extra: N/A

Purchase:
Kindle
Kobo
Google Play
iBook
VizManga App

Killing Line by Satoshi Morie, the male lead carries the heroine in his arms as she leans into him nervously

Killing Line

Name: Killing Line
MangakaSatoshi Morie

Volumes: 3 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Kodansha (1 Volumes: Digital)
Type: Manga
Genre: Josei/Smut
Age Group: Mature

Summary:  
Abandoned on her 18th birthday by her absent single father, Mako struggles to make ends meet. When her friend offers to introduce her to a sugar daddy for a casual dinner and some conversation, it all seems straightforward and simple. Little does Mako know, someone else has their sights set on her date—a ruthless assassin on a mission to take out his target and leave no witnesses… Before she realizes it, Mako’s late-night liaison turns into a deadly encounter with a contract killer, and now, she’ll need to think fast, be resourceful, and turn on the charm to survive. Can she melt the heart of a cold-blooded hit man or will this potential beau get the best of her?
Manga Updates

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

Opinion: I need to start that I am absolutely obsessed with this series and I’ve only read two volumes. I need more and I do wonder if this will eventually be a 5/5 series for me.

I love the art, I recognized it right away. Hakuji is definitely one of my most recommended psychological series. A lot of shading and harsher lines. The mangaka definitely has her own style that’s less flowery than most Josei series.

To start the heroine is hilarious and it’s unfortunate but her plight to be polite to strange men in order to survive is a common experience. The circumstances are dire and severe but the mangaka does such a great job creating such a bizarre and comedic atmosphere. Easily the funniest series I’ve read in years.

I love the male lead as a doting himbo lover who is a cold assassin. He is a little dumb and romantic but the juxtaposition as a cold killer is new and refreshing.

Sneaking peaks at volume two it’s great that the high-stakes antics continue.

If you want a hysterical action series with a bunch of red flags you will be absolutely delighted.

Final Rating: 4/5

Extra: From the Author of Hakuji

Purchase:
Kindle
Google Play

The heroine leans in to kiss the male leads face in the manga choking on love

Choking on Love

Name: Choking on Love (Museru Kurai no Ai wo Ageru)
MangakaIwashita, Keiko

Volumes: 5 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Seven Seas Entertainment (Digital (App) / Paperback – Feb 2025)
Type: Manga
Genre: Slice of Life/Drama
Age Group: Teen

Summary:  
Hibari, a single-minded art student with dreams of becoming a graphic designer, feels insecure about being “ordinary” compared to her peers. Gaku, a free-spirited guitarist from the same university, turns her world upside down after a chaotic encounter at a ramen shop. Hibari wants nothing more than to escape the disorder Gaku brings to her perfectly planned life. But as he slowly breaks down her walls, Hibari starts to realize that a little chaos might be just what she needs.

– Mangaupdates

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

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Beauty is a Tramp the heroine and the male lead are kissing.

That Beauty is a Tramp

Name: That Beauty is a Tramp
MangakaOsaka, Hal

Volumes: 5 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Kodansha (3 Volumes: Digital)
Type: Manga
Genre: Drama/Slice of Life/Gender Bender
Age Group: Older Teen

Summary:  
Nagi, who has always dreamed of a sweet romance, is troubled by her dislike of men. However, she meets a beautiful, androgynous, male model, Aran, who asks her to help him with his modeling work. Nagi’s heart is pounding at MAX capacity at his urging and promise that “I’ll teach you every thing you need to know”! When she realizes that she doesn’t mind being touched by him because of his transcendent beauty, Nagi asks this beautiful and pushy man to give her lessons about love in exchange! Love lessons for a limited time between a beautiful, egoistical male model and a boyish and competitive girl!
Manga Updates

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

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