Popular Male Lead Shoujo - Your Gimmick

Kamisama Kiss

September 6, 2021

Name: Kamisama Kiss
Mangaka: Julietta Suzuki

Volumes: 25 (complete)
Licensed: Viz (25 Volumes: Digital/Paperback) – (Complete)
Type: Manga
Genre: Supernatural/Adventure/Comedy
Age Group: Teen

Summary:
Momozono Nanami’s dad, a man with a penchant for gambling, disappeared after accumulating a huge amount of debt. Thus, she was chased out of her house by the debt collectors. When she met a timid guy being chased by a dog, he told her that he’d give her his house. She believed his persuasive talk, but when she went to his house… it turned out to be a shrine. Moreover, a guy with fox ears appeared, which made Nanami even more confused. What will become of homeless and confused Nanami?

–Manga Updates

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

Opinion: Swear on my life I was reluctant to start this series, especially when it first took off because it looked a little childish. Then during lockdown I was compelled to purchase the entire series (in this manga economy – I know). I had to buy two volumes digitally but I’m so glad I bit the bullet and just read the entire series before collecting each volume.

The art is really straightforward and unique to the author. I love how she draws all of the ayakashi and the fashion is really cool.

The heroine is really fun without being annoying. She is very optimistic but also realistic. She is a really great “strong heroine”, she isn’t perfect but keeps on going with a smile.

The only reason this didn’t get a 5/5 on the plot was due to some weird pacing issues from time to time. While the romance was absolutely perfectly timed the entire series, the adventures were a bit janky. There was an overarching plot that was brought in and forgotten from time to time. Lots of filler, meeting new friends, etc.

That said the world is really well fleshed out as a fantasy. I really enjoyed learning about her friends and the ayakashi even though I don’t usually enjoy side plot.

I really loved this series and I think it’s a great starting point for anyone looking to get into Shoujo. It’s also great if you’re an old-timer like me ;)

Final Rating: 4/5

Extra: There’s an anime :)

Purchase:
Comixology
Kindle
Nook
Google Play
iBook

Marmalade Boy

July 30, 2021July 25, 2021

Name: Marmalade Boy
Mangaka: Yoshizumi, Wataru

Volumes: 8 (Complete)
Licensed: Tokyopop (8V Print)-(Out of Print)
Type: Manga
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Age Group: Teen

Summary:
All Miki Koishikawa wanted was an ordinary family and that’s exactly what she had until her parents decided to move in with another couple (as in switching spouses!) and turned Miki’s world upside down. Now she lives in a house with four parents and her totally cute stepbrother, Yuu. It’s bad enough being brought into her parents’ strange soap opera, but Miki will star in a soap of her own as she deals with friends having affairs, trying to survive in school and ending up torn between her long-time crush, Ginta, and her new stepbrother!
–Manga Updates

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

Bring It On (Blooming)

July 18, 2021July 9, 2021

Name: Bring It On (Blooming)
Mangaka: Baek Hye-Kyung

Volumes: 5 (Complete)
Licensed: Yen Press (Out-of-Print & No Digital Options)
Type: Manwha
Genre: Comedy
Age Group: Teen

Summary:
Tomboy Mi-Ha is an extremely active and competitive girl who never likes to lose to anyone. She’s such a tomboy that all boys are scared of her, and that’s exactly what her brother wanted and trained her to be. It took him six long years to train her into a pseudo-military-style girl to protect her from anyone else. Bishonen Sung-Suh is a new transfer student who’s got the looks, the determination, and attitude to sweep her off the feet. Could this male beauty be able to tame the beast? Will Miha’s brother let them be together and happily ever after? If you want it you’ve got to Bring It On!

– MangaUpdates

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

With the Sheikh in His Harem

July 3, 2021June 18, 2021

Name: With the Sheikh in His Harem
Mangaka: Miasa, Rin

Volumes: 8 (Complete)
Licensed: Kodansha (2 Volumes: Digital)
Type: Manga
Genre: Comedy
Age Group: Teen

Summary:
Sanagi loves nothing more than money—not even love. After all, it’s what keeps her small family going. But when a chance encounter with a stranger leads her to push away his offer of riches, she wonders if she’s gone crazy…and starts to believe she really has when he reveals that he’s a Sheikh, and proposes to her! She rejects him, but soon finds out that a marriage with him might be the only way to keep her family safe…!
–Manga Updates

Graphics Rating: 3/5
Plot Rating: 2/5

Ao Haru Ride

July 3, 2021June 4, 2021

Name: Ao Haru Ride
Mangaka: Sakisaka, Io

Volumes: 13 (Complete)
Licensed: Viz (13 Volumes: Digital/Physical) – (Complete)
Type: Manga
Genre: Slice of Life
Age Group: Teen

Summary:
Yoshioka Futaba has a few reasons why she wants to “reset” her image and life as a new high-school student. Because she’s cute and had a demure personality she was ostracized by her female friends in junior high, and because of a series of misunderstandings and mishaps, she couldn’t get her feeling across to the one boy she has always liked, Tanaka Kou.

Now in high school, she is determined to be as unladylike as possible so that her friends won’t be jealous of her. While living her life this way contentedly, she meets Tanaka-kun again, but he now goes under the name of Mabuchi Kou. He tells her that he felt the same way as she did when they were younger, but that they cannot go back. Will Futaba be able to continue her love that never even started from three years ago?
–Manga Updates

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