Manga Monday Picks: Shojo Beat Favorites
If you didn't make it to the February 2019 Manga Monday, don’t worry—here’s what you missed!
At every Manga Monday, which meets on the first Monday of each month at the Mid-Manhattan Library, patrons can share their favorite manga with others, and learn about new series from fellow patrons and the librarian on hand.
This month’s theme was Shojo Beat favorites! Do you love high fantasy adventures featuring daring heroines and handsome heroes? Or supernatural romances starring sly yokai and their tragic loves? Or maybe you like simple slice-of-life stories? No matter, Shojo Beat has them all!
The sister imprint to the publication Shonen Jump, Shojo Beat proudly publishes stories focused on romance, emotion, and drama, generally geared towards a primarily female audience. Shojo Beat titles like Yuu Watase's Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play have become favorites and regular staples of "Best Manga" lists.
With today's post, we take a look back at some of our favorite Shojo Beat series, the ones that made us laugh, cry, and dream about our own happy endings. (If you're interested in more romance-focused manga, check out our Valentine’s Day manga post!)
Completely new to Japanese manga? Then check out our beginner’s guide and make sure to stop by our next Manga Monday meetup. Until then, here is a recommended list of absolute must-read Shojo Beat titles, selected by our staff and patrons. (All summaries adapted from the publisher and/or catalog listings.)
Shojo Beat Manga Staff Picks
Angel Sanctuary ,story and art by Kaori Yuki; translator, JN Productions; English adaptation by Marv Wolfman; touch-up and lettering, James Hudnall
Ages: 15+
Why is Setsuna so mixed up? Despite his attempts to be noble, he'll fight anyone, anytime; he ignores all authority and harbors feelings for his sister that can only be described as "incestuous."
Why is he such a mess? The reason may be found with two demons from the underworld and their enemy, an insane angel who is distributing an insidious computer game call "Angel Sanctuary."
Anonymous Noise, story and art by Ryoko Fukuyama; English translation and adaptation, JN Productions; touch-up art and lettering, Joanna Estep
Ages: 15+
Nino Arisugawa, a girl who loves to sing, experiences her first heart-wrenching goodbye when her beloved childhood friend, Momo, moves away. And after Nino befriends Yuzu, a music composer, she experiences another sad parting! Both boys promised Nino they would find her one day through her singing, so she holds on to that hope and continues to reach out with her voice.
Now in high school, Nino serendipitously reunites with Yuzu, but yearns to see Momo again.
The Demon Prince of Momochi House, story and art by Aya Shouoto
Ages: 13+
On her 16th birthday, orphan Himari Momochi inherits her ancestral estate, which she's never seen. Momochi House exists on the barrier between the human and spiritual realms, and Himari is meant to act as guardian between the two worlds.
But on the day she moves in, she finds three handsome squatters already living in the house, and one seems to have already taken over her role!
Dengeki Daisy story & art by Kyousuke Motomi ; [translation and adaptation, JN Productions ; touch-up art & lettering, Rina Mapa].
After orphan Teru Kurebayashi loses her beloved older brother, she finds solace in the messages she exchanges with Daisy, an enigmatic figure who can only be reached through the cell phone her brother left her. Meanwhile, mysterious Tasuku Kurosaki always seems to be around whenever Teru needs help. Coul Daisy be a lot closer than Teru things?
The Earl & the Fairy, story and art by Ayuko; original concept by Mizue Tani; English translation and adaptation, John Werry; touch-up art & lettering, Joanna Estep
Ages: 14+
Fairy doctor Lydia Carlton is rescued from kidnappers by Edgar Ashenbert, a descendant of the human ruler of the fairy world. She then gets caught up in a dangerous quest to recover the sword of the Blue Knight Earl and help Edgar regain his birthright.
Honey So Sweet, story and art by Amu Meguro; translation, Katherine Schilling
Ages: 13+
Little did Nao Kogure realize back in middle school that, when she left an umbrella and a box of bandages in the rain for injured delinquent Taiga Onise, she would meet him again in high school.
Nao wants nothing to do with the gruff and frightening Taiga… but he suddenly presents her with a huge bouquet of flowers and asks her to date him, with marriage in mind! Is Taiga really so scary, or is he a sweetheart in disguise?
Kimi Ni Todoke = From Me to You, story and art by Karuho Shiina; translation, Tomo Kimura
Ages: 14+
Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine… for a horror movie. With striking similarities to a haunting movie character—jet-black hair, sinister smile, and silent demeanor—she's mistakenly called Sadako by those around her. But behind her scary facade is a very misunderstood teenager.
Too shy to fit in, all Sawako wants is to make some friends. But when the most popular boy in class befriends her, she's about to make some enemies too!
Library Wars: Love & War story and art by Kiiro Yumi ; original concept by Hiro Arikawa ; [English translation & adaptation, Kinami Watabe].
In the near future, the federal government creates a committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. The libraries vow to protect their collections, and with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves---the Library Forces! Iku Kasahara has dreamed of joining the Library Defense Force ever since one of its soldiers stepped in to protect her favorite book from being confiscated in a bookstore when she was younger. But now that she's finally a recruit, she's finding her dream job to be a bit of a nightmare. Especially since her hard-hearted drill instructor seems to have it in for her!
Nana, story and art by Ai Yazawa; English adaptation, Allison Wolfe; translation, Koji Goto
Ages: 18+
Nana Komatsu is a young woman who's endured an unending string of boyfriend problems. Moving to Tokyo, she's hoping to take control of her life and put all those messy misadventures behind her. She's looking for love and hoping to find it in the big city.
Nana Osaki, on the other hand, is cool, confident, and focused. She swaggers into town and proceeds to kick down the doors to Tokyo's underground punk scene. She's got a dream and won't give up until she becomes Japan's No. 1 rock'n'roll superstar.
This is the story of two 20-year-old women who share the same name. Although they come from completely different backgrounds, they somehow meet and become best friends. The world of Nana is a world exploding with sex, music, fashion, gossip ,and all-night parties.
QQ Sweeper, story and art by Kyousuke Motomi; English adaptation, Bryant Turnage; translation, JN Productions; touch-up art and lettering, Eric Erbes
Ages: 14+
One day, Kyutaro Horikita, the tall, dark, and handsome cleaning expert of Kurokado High, comes across a sleeping maiden named Fumi Nishioka at school… unfortunately, their meeting is anything but a fairy-tale encounter!
It turns out Kyutaro is a "Sweeper" who cleans away negative energy from people's hearts—and Fumi is about to become his apprentice! In the old building at their school, a mysterious room has a door that beckons Fumi, even though she shouldn't be able to see it! Kyutaro goes in after her—will he be able to save her before she's devoured by otherworldly creatures?
Vampire Knight,story and art by Matsuri Hino; translation and English adaptation, Tomo Kimura; touch-up art and lettering, Mark McMurray; graphic design, Amy Martin; editor, Nancy Thistlethwaite
Ages: 15+
Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the day class and the night class. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the guardians of the school, protecting the day class from the Academy's dark secret: the night class is full of vampires!
Shojo Beat Manga Patron Picks
Otomen, story & art by Aya Kanno.
Ages: 14+
Asuka Masamune is a guy who loves girly things—sewing, knitting, making cute stuffed animals, and reading shojo comics. But in a world where boys are expected to act manly, Asuka must hide his beloved hobbies and play the part of a masculine jock instead.
Ryo Miyakozuka, on the other hand, is a girl who can't sew or bake a cake to save her life. Asuka finds himself drawn to Ryo, but she likes only the manliest of men! Can Asuka ever show his true self to anyone, much less to the girl that he's falling for?
Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 1, story and art by Bisco Hatori; English adaptation, Gary Leach; translation, Kenichiro Yagi
Ages: 13+
In this screwball romantic comedy, a poor girl at a rich kids' school ends up working for the school's swankiest club—and gets mistaken for a boy!
Must-Read Shojo Beat Manga
La Corda d'Oro, story and art by Yuki Kure; English translation and adaptation, Mai Ihara; touch-up art and lettering, Gia Cam Luc
Ages: 13+
Kahoko is a normal student in the General Education department with absolutely no musical skill. All that changes when she catches a glimpse of an elusive fairy who lives on campus. The fairy grants Kahoko a magic violin and, before she knows it, Kahoko is nominated to participate in the school's music competition with five very attractive boys.
Will she win love and fame, or will bitter rivalry rule the day?
Yona of the Dawn, story and art by Mizuho Kusanagi; English adaptation, Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane; translation JN Productions
Ages: 13+
Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess of her kingdom. Doted on by her father, the king, and protected by her faithful guard Hak, she cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, Soo-won. But everything changes for Yona on her 16th birthday, when she witnesses her father's murder!
Yona reels from the shock of witnessing a loved one's murder and having to fight for her life. With Hak's help, she flees the palace and struggles to survive while evading her enemy's forces. But where will this displaced princess go when all the paths before her are uncertain?