The heroine looks up at the male lead with worry in her eyes, He is surprised. This is a screenshot from Tonari no Stella

Gazing at the Star Next Door (Tonari no Stella)

Name: Gazing at the Star Next Door (Tonari no Stella)
Mangaka: Ammitsu

Volumes: 7 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Kodansha (Digital and Print)
Type: Manga
Genre: Comedy/Slice of Life
Age Group: Teen

Summary:  
Chiaki is a pretty normal teenage girl. Since they were kids, she’s had a thing for her best friend Subaru. Who’s fast becoming the hottest young actor in Japan! With Subaru threatening to slip away, Chiaki has a decision to make: Will she finally take her shot, or give Subaru up to his adoring public?
–Manga Updates

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

Opinion: I wouldn’t say this series is ground breaking. If you like the tropes related to childhood friends and a celebrity element it’s following the typical formula. That said this mangaka creates magical tension and longing that’s rare and wonderful.

The art is great but the artist draws the heroine very plain. It’s part of the plot but it stands out a bit (to me). The celebrity male lead looks amazing. The art is more realistic than sparkly if that makes sense? I love the look.

For plot like I mentioned it’s all been done before but it’s done REALLY well here. There is a magical and addictive quality to the story that pulls at your heart strings. I’m glad I’m collecting this series in print.

Final Rating: 4/5

Extra: n/a

Purchase:
Book Walker
iBooks
Kindle
Kobo
Google Play
Nook

screenshot from Veil by Kotteri. The heroine leans on the male lead as he light a cigarette.

Veil

Name: Veil
Mangaka: Kotteri

Volumes: 6 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Udon Entertainment (Print)
Type: Manga
Genre: Vingette, Slice of Life
Age Group: Everyone

Summary:  
Like a classic film, he and she encountered each other by chance. He was an on-duty police officer in the city. She was a runaway heiress. When he learned that she is looking for work, he decided to welcome her as the police station’s telephone operator. This was the beginning of the everyday lives of he and she and the delicate distance between them.
–Manga Updates

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

Opinion: Absolute masterpiece and a must have for any print manga collection.

I’m a big fan of slice of life and Veil is a wonderful collection of vignettes. The art is stunning, even without the short stories it’s worth buying just as an art book. It feels vintage in colour and design.

The stories are so intimate while so short and sweet. We learn more about the two main characters bit by bit. I’ve read the mangaka says the leads aren’t romantically linked but the chemistry between the two is undeniable.

That said you should know since these are vignettes each chapter is maximum 5 pages long. Most of them around 3-4 pages. I was caught off guard at first but it adds to the charm, and leaves me desperately longing for more.

This is a great buy if you prioritize good art, enjoy slice of life, or just want to read something different.

Final Rating: 5/5

Extra: n/a

Purchase: No digital options and Udon Entertainment is not known for consistency and finishing series. So we all wait with bated breath.

Screencap of Fall in Love you False Angels. The male lead glances at the heroine as she grins mischievously.

Fall in Love you False Angels

Name: Fall in Love you False Angels
Mangaka: Coco, Uzuki

Volumes: 4 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Kodansha (Digital and Print)
Type: Manga
Genre: Comedy
Age Group: Teen

Summary:  
Otogi Katsura has had a reputation for being a beautiful girl at school since she entered the school. She is also named president of the class committee, but the vice president, Ichi (Ninomae), is also reputed to be a pretty boy. Unlike her public face, Otogi Katsura is an outspoken character and a martial artist in her own right. She is attracted to the perfect Ichi, who is also perfect on the inside, but she wonders if he also has a dark side.
–Manga Updates

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

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The Villainess and the Demon Knight screenshot the heroine leans in and kisses the male lead on the cheek

Villainess and the Demon Knight

Name: The Villainess and the Demon Knight
Author: Nekoda
Artist: Seikan

Volumes: 4 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Seven Seas Entertainment (Digital / Paperback)
Type: Manga
Genre: Comedy/Fantasy/Josei
Age Group: Mature (18+ H)

Summary:  
The Marquis’ daughter, Cecilia, had suddenly realised the fact that she had reincarnated into an Otome game as the villainous daughter! However, it was already too late for her to avoid condemnation. After breaking off her marriage engagement, she was framed by the heroine and had fallen, forcing her to become a prostitute. Her first customer was the heroine’s childhood friend, the Deputy Leader of the Imperial Guards, Lucas Herbst, who was so strong that he could even be considered a cheater in life. Frightened, Cecilia was embraced relentlessly only to awake in the residence of the Duke of Herbst the next morning. Moreover, a mark of the vow was engraved on her lower abdomen, marking her as Lucas’s fiancéeー?!

– Mangaupdates

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

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The male lead smiles broadly at the heroine in a Star brighter than the sun manga

A Star Brighter than the Sun

Name: A Star Brighter than the Sun
Mangaka: Kazune Kawahara

Volumes: 11 (Ongoing)
Licensed: Viz (2 Volumes: Digital (App) / Paperback)
Type: Manga
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy
Age Group: Teen

Summary:  
Sae and Koki have been friends since childhood. One fateful day at the end of middle school, she has a revelation: Koki has grown up! Now they’re in high school, and she has another revelation: she has feelings for Koki! But Sae isn’t the only girl who does… The question is, who does Koki have feelings for?!

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

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