I read a lot of shoujo/josei manga, but there isn't always a lot to discuss, so here is the first of hopefully many posts explaining a few standout titles.


For reference, I might refer to a "standard shoujo formula." If you've read a few shoujo mangas, you're probably familiar with the premise. Strong willed heroine, meets bishonen and one of two things happens:
1) Heroine is hostile at first towards him at first, then she falls for him.
2) He is above her in social status, she falls for him instantly, he gets interested in her through a set of circumstances (often includes 1).
This is usually followed by a standard set of events, like jealous old girlfriend, the male lead's older sister/mother liking the heroine, squadron of girls attacks heroines for stealing their idol, etc.
The series ends happily, usually with the two of them getting together after some final trial. The once-strong willed heroine is often turned into a puddle of lovestruck goo.
Variations within the model of course exist, but there are a lot of series that fit this framework.


Kaichou wa Maid-sama

Ayuzawa Misaki is the Demon Student Council President of a former all-boys school. Because her father ran off and left her family with a huge debt, she went their because the tuition was cheap. Disgusted with the lax behavior of the boys, she personally made it her mission to defend the girls by becoming the Student Council President and making the school a safer environment for girls to attend. But she would feel guilty making her mother support her, she works part-time at a Maid Cafe. Embarrassed that anyone would discover the stern Student Council President works as a maid, she keeps it a well guarded secret...until Usui, a popular boy at school, finds out.

The series is funny, because Misaki really emphasizes the hatred towards Usui in the early chapters. He's mysteriously skilled in just about everything, and always uses it to his advantage over Misaki. Events occur frequently where Misaki is reminded of her job to the amusement of Usui and the readers. However, the side characters is where the series really shines. From Misaki's moe obsessed female boss, her takes their job way too seriously co-workers, on down through the girls obsessed with Misaki at school and all the nameless idiot boys. Each and everyone of them adds to the humor of the series or making remarks that the audience sees would embarrass Misaki.

It doesn't really deviate from the standard model a lot, but it does it very well in a way that feels fresh. If you enjoyed Special A or Ouran Host Club, you'll probably like this series a lot.

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This series is licensed in the United States, so if you enjoy it, considering picking up the volumes to support the author.






Hapi Mari
(Happy Marriage)

A full-time office lady and a part-time hostess, Takanashi Chiwa works night and day to pay off her father's debt from his failed business. One night at her hostess job, she insults a high-class customer and gets fired. Then the next day, she's called in to see the president of her day job - whom she had never even seen before in the office - only to find out he's the same guy she insulted in the bar, and she is to marry him!

Disclaimer: This title contains smut.

Another comedy, this series has a few similar elements to Kaichou wa Maid-sama above. The two enter an arrangement that neither is too thrilled about, and a lot of the humor comes out from where their personalities clash. There has been some nice development in the six chapters translated where you can see the two of them try to compromise as a couple and enjoy their forced marriage, but it wouldn't be any fun if things went perfectly smoothly.

The art has very nice clean lines, and Chiwa's personality is pretty cute when she's trying to keep their marriage a secret. Another series that has at least so far followed the standard model, but there are hints of maturity in the material, and not just because they have long left school behind.

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Midnight Secretary

Kaya takes her job as a secretary very seriously and has been recently assigned to Kyouhei Touma, a director who is legendary for his arrogance, ruthless business skills, and status as a playboy. Kaya's appearance is very plain, hiding behind false glasses and a severe hairdo, but that is largely to hide her baby face, as she is often mistaken for a girl half her age. She stays late one night, intending to catch the director doing something illegal, and discovers that he is actually a vampire!

Disclaimer: This title contains smut.

This series is quite entertaining as vampire romances go, largely because of Kaya. While most vampire series perfectly fit into the framework of the standard shoujo formula, Midnight Secretary tends to break it in many ways. Kaya, despite being in an inferior position of standing, overwhelms others with her overwhelming secretary skills and tends to stand up to Kyouhei and his superiority at every turn (along with other vampires as well). She is every bit an equal to him, and doesn't hesitate to take the upper hand when she can.

The art is higher quality than the average shoujo/josei series. I highly recommend this series, and it's now complete at 7 volumes.

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