beta
A classic shoujo manga that made me laugh, cry and genuinely root for the nice but dumb FL. In retrospect, the art is VERY of its time, but it feels totally nostalgic for those who remember reading this as a kid/teen in the 00's-10's. All the characters are very flushed out, and get their own arcs and motivations (as well as growth) :)
Warning: the grooming in MULTIPLE of these relationships is so gross and the manga does not address it well as a serious issue.
One of the classics that I believe truly stands the test of time (up there with Fruits Basket)! It starts with an interesting troupe and ends up being one of the most beautiful love stories I would love to read again for the first time. The way things are revealed and explained is SO satisfying as things click into place. Top tier 'she fell first, but he fell harder' manga.
Classic unbothered FL + (VERY) bothered ML :)) This was the first shoujo anime I watched that started it all so it holds a special place in my heart <3
Will say the manga is 10x better (at least in the end) than the anime tho. And warning: some things are very weird/gross in retrospect (e.g. the twins, honey-senpai)
This goes right in the same category as OHSHC, so nostalgic as a classic shoujo yet lots of problematic behaviour written off as a joke.
A classic school life romance about two childhood rivals (from the FL's perspective anyway) that has the most 2008 shoujo artstyle.
One of the most toxic, dramatic, GROSSEST (iykyk) relationships and plots from the classic shoujo era. The art though is that classic 2010's gothic-shoujo style I miss seeing. All I can say is... (spoiler) Zero deserves so much better.
One of my fave shoujo's from when I was a teen <3 unbothered FL + bothered ML. I normally wouldn't include this in my 'school life romance' list even though it's (mostly) set in college/uni, but the vibes are def shoujo and not josei so it's here
NGL, I think this was more enjoyable for me when I was younger than on a re-read and I remember why I dropped reading it the first time. It's very cute and wholesome, but the love triangle feels like whiplash, bonus points though for having me root equally for both MLs.
Fake dating troupe!! I love how genuine and eager the FL is, but can't say I remember much else :0
I loved this manga growing up! FL is a shut-in obsessed with all things horror who becomes housemates with the 4 most popular boys in school (classic shoujo) who will be given free rent if they are able to turn FL into a 'proper lady'. Definitely more of a comedy than a romance, and the ending is so abrupt you'd assume it was dropped so (spoiler) don't expect a satisfyign romantic ending with this one.
Fruits Basket