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Falling in Love with Manga

By Sammie Rahimi, Contributing writer | February 5, 2019

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Sammie Rahimi from Houston Public Library recommends manga series in time for Valentine's Day.

Hello fellow singles, why bother with experiencing the pitfalls and angst of love this Valentine’s Day when you can just read about it?! One of my all-time favorite manga series is Kimi ni Todoke (From Me to You) by Karuho Shiina. If you like romance, coming-of-age, slice of life “feels,” comedy, and cute character designs, this series is for you! I find myself, on occasion, rereading this series with the same level of joy and emotion as when I initially read the manga.

Unbeknownst to but a few, behind her scary façade is a very misunderstood teenager, the heroin Sawako Kuronuma is shy and pure of heart, and just wants to make friends. But when Kazehaya, the most popular boy in class, befriends her, she's sure to make more than just that - she's about to make some enemies too! Sawako Kuronuma is my spirit animal. She is introverted, sweet, funny, unintentionally intimidating and a complete underdog. Ah - such is my life! So, this Valentine’s Day, don’t break up, take a break with this manga series.

Looking for similarly fun manga to enjoy on Valentine’s Day or any other time? Check out these manga at your local Houston Public Library:

Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun (My Little Monster) by Robico
The main character Shizuku Mizutani is the type of person who only cares for her own grades. One day, she’s bribed by the teacher to deliver lesson notes to Yoshida Haru, a delinquent from school who stopped attending class after getting into a fight. Haru immediately treats her as his friend. Shizuku finds herself in his company almost all the time, sparking an unexpected relationship.

Bokura ga Ita (We Were There) by Yuki Obata
Nanami Takahashi a first-year high school student who wants to gain new friends quickly meets Motoharu Yano, an extremely popular boy at school. Nanami dislikes Yano at first, but soon realizes that she is falling for him.

Toradora! by Yuyuko Takemiya
Ryuji Takasu learns that he is in the same class with Yusaku Kitamaru, his bestfriend, and Minori Kushieda, his longtime crush. Ryuji bumps into the school’s most dangerous student, Taiga Aisaka. Taiga snaps at Ryuji, but they soon become close as they try to help each other find the love of their lives.

Happy Valentine’s Day and happy reading!

See more on manga here.