Ah February! The month of love, where hearts are full, and the air is filled with all things sweet and romantic. And when it comes to romance manga, February is where the real magic happens. It's the month when we experience those unforgettable moments: the first shy confessions, the nervous heartbeats, and the sweet, heart-fluttering exchanges between characters that make us swoon. These are the moments where manga characters finally speak up, admit their feelings, and show us just how love begins to bloom in the most touching and often surprising ways.
This month, I’ve brought you three Romance manga that perfectly capture these moments: from the first confessions to the sparks flying between characters. So, grab some homemade chocolate (or your favourite treat), and let’s dive into the stories that make our hearts race and our smiles wide.
Are you a 90's Otaku?
My Lovesick Life As A '90s Otaku is a charming and nostalgic rom-com that takes us back to the 90s. I have a soft spot for manga from Kiss magazine, and this one is no exception. The story follows Megumi, a 42-year-old divorced mother, who is reminded of her own teenage years through her daughter’s love for anime. Flashbacks take us to Megumi’s 16-year-old self, who hides her otaku interests to avoid bullying at school. In 1995, being an otaku meant being an outcast, and Megumi tries to fit in by keeping her passion a secret.
The plot shifts between Megumi’s past and present as she crosses paths with the tough but kind Masamune Kaji, a class president who reminds her of a favourite manga character. As she develops feelings for him, she’s forced to hide her true otaku self. The manga blends humour, romance, and 90s nostalgia, making it a fun and heartfelt read for those looking for a light yet meaningful story.
My Lovesick Life As A 90's Otaku
Do you have a perfume fetish?
Now, let’s talk about Sweat and Soap. A manga that may seem unusual at first, but trust me, it’s full of charm. At Liliadrop, a high-class women’s cosmetics company, Asako Yaeshima works hard to mask her excessive perspiration. In an attempt to deal with her situation, Asako creates a unique morning routine using various Liliadrop soaps and deodorants to mask her body odor. However, Koutarou Natori, a genius fragrance developer at the company with an exceptional sense of smell, quickly catches on.
What follows is a surprisingly sweet story where Koutarou insists on sniffing Asako every day for a week to develop new fragrances inspired by her. Although the premise might initially seem strange, I found myself pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. The dynamic between Asako and Natori is relaxed and refreshing, and despite the unusual "smell fetish," their relationship develops in a way that feels natural and heart-warming, without unnecessary drama. It’s quirky, sweet, and ultimately quite endearing.
Is Love a condition?
A Condition Called Love is a slow-burn shojo romance that unfolds beautifully over time. Hotaru doesn’t really care much for love and doesn’t see any reason to change that anytime soon. However, when she sees her classmate Hananoi-kun sitting alone in the snow after a public breakup, all she can think of is sharing her umbrella with him. The next day, Hananoi shows up in her classroom and asks her to start a relationship with him. Hotaru initially rejects him, but soon realizes that he’s more persistent than she thought.
At first, Hananoi comes across as a walking red flag, but as the story progresses and we get to understand him more, his growth alongside Hotaru becomes a highlight. This manga offers a heartfelt development as both characters learn, grow, and navigate their feelings. If you're looking for a shojo romance where the characters evolve over time, A Condition Called Love is definitely one to check out.
NEW MANGA!!!!!!!
The king of new arrivals without a doubt is the Vagabond Definitive Edition from VIZ. I can promise you, it’s a real beauty for your shelf! And while it’s not technically a romance manga, it perfectly fits the love theme of this newsletter, as you'll fall in love with both the edition and the captivating story.
What sets Vagabond apart is its detailed visual design, slow yet impactful character development, and its exploration of existential themes. The narrative depth and artistic quality make it stand out among other adaptations of the legend of Miyamoto Musashi.
In my opinion, Vagabond is for anyone who appreciates historical depth, philosophical themes, and a masterfully crafted narrative. And for those who don’t mind the fact that the manga is unfinished — and may never be completed.
Now, back to romance: Tamon's B-Side is reaching its fifth volume, but there are also some hot new shojo series to check out. Fall In Love, You False Angels has already charmed many romance fans even before its official announcement, and Choking on Love brings another highly anticipated shojo manga to the shelves.
If you're more of a shonen-romance fan, then Blue Box is for you. It blends coming-of-age, sports, and romance in a way that will keep you hooked. For those who love quirky romance stories, Marriage Toxin is a must-read. It’s a fun, unusual tale about a hitman searching for love.
My personal highlight, however, is Akane Banashi Volume 9. I can’t wait to continue following Akane’s story!
And for those who love to pre-order, we’ve got some exciting titles coming your way! Ajin: Demihuman Complete 3 is available for pre-order, with a release date of April 8, 2025. It’s currently at a sale price of €18.96 (regular price €24.95). Also, don’t miss The Climber GN Vol. 01, another highly anticipated release available for pre-order now.
By the way, did you see?
If a manga has less than 3 volumes in stock, you'll now be able to see it right above the "Add to cart" button. Why is that? To make sure you do not miss a single manga!
Thank you so much for joining me this month! I hope you’ve found some exciting new reads and maybe even discovered your next fav-manga.
Until next time, happy reading and take care! ❤️
Kerstin
