Best GL Manga for Romance Comic Lovers
Explore these eight heartwarming GL manga that will captivate you with their beautiful and nuanced depiction of love and romance.
GL (Girls' Love) manga, often called yuri, presents readers with moving stories focused on heartwarming relationships between women. These works explore themes of self-discovery, love, and identity, making them both relatable and impactful. This curated list introduces some of the best GL manga, showcasing the genre's diversity and emotional depth. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to GL manga, these titles offer captivating narratives, beautiful artwork, and nuanced depictions of love.
Bloom Into You by Nio Nakatani
Image: Seven Seas Entertainment
Nio Nakatani’s Bloom Into You is a standout in the GL manga genre, exploring love, identity, and self-discovery with a thoughtful and layered approach. The story follows Yuu Koito, a high school student unfamiliar with romantic feelings, as she navigates a complex relationship with the charismatic student council president, Touko Nanami.
What sets Bloom Into You apart is its exploration of asexuality and the spectrum of romantic attraction. Nakatani allows Yuu’s self-discovery to unfold naturally, challenging conventional ideas of love. Nakatani’s artwork adds depth, with expressive character designs and symbolic details that enhance the characters' emotional journeys.
Citrus by Saburouta
Image: Seven Seas Entertainment
Saburouta’s Citrus offers a more dramatic take on GL, blending romance with family dynamics. The story revolves around step-sisters Yuzu Aihara, an outgoing gyaru, and Mei Aihara, the reserved student council president.
While Citrus leans into the typical yuri tropes, it explores family relationships and personal identity alongside romance in very meaningful and heartwarming ways. Saburouta’s art style, with its bold lines and expressive eyes, captures the intensity of the characters’ emotions. Balancing tender moments with high-stakes drama, Citrus also delves into themes like consent and societal pressures, giving the story depth beyond a simple romance.
Kase-san and Morning Glories by Hiromi Takashima
Image: Seven Seas Entertainment
Hiromi Takashima’s Kase-san and Morning Glories offers a sweet, gentle look at high school romance, following the shy, plant-loving Yamada and the athletic Kase-san.
This manga stands out for focusing on the everyday moments of a budding relationship. Takashima’s watercolor-like art style complements the tender atmosphere, drawing readers into the warmth of the story. By following Yamada and Kase-san beyond their high school years, the series realistically portrays the challenges and joys of a long-term relationship, touching on themes like coming out and long-distance love.
Our Teachers are Dating! by Pikachi Ohi
Image: Seven Seas Entertainment
Pikachi Ohi’s Our Teachers Are Dating! brings a delightful change to GL manga by focusing on an adult relationship between two high school teachers, Hayama-sensei and Terano-sensei, as they balance their personal and professional lives.
Ohi’s cute art style and comedic timing make this an enjoyable, low-stakes read. Yet, beneath its lighthearted exterior, the manga addresses workplace discrimination and the challenges of being in a same-sex relationship. The series portrays a healthy, supportive relationship, with open communication and mutual respect. The diverse supporting cast also adds depth, showcasing various perspectives on relationships and identity.
Girl Friends by Milk Morinaga
Image: Seven Seas Entertainment
Milk Morinaga’s Girl Friends is a classic GL manga, beloved for its realistic portrayal of friendship blossoming into romance. The story follows Mariko Kumakura and Akiko Oohashi as they navigate high school life and their growing feelings for each other.
Morinaga’s clean, expressive art brings the characters’ emotions to life, creating a relatable depiction of first love. Girl Friends excels with its patient storytelling, allowing the relationship to develop naturally while exploring self-acceptance and the fear of societal judgment.
Sweet Blue Flowers (Aoi Hana) by Takako Shimura
Image: Viz Media
Takako Shimura’s Sweet Blue Flowers is a nuanced exploration of young love and self-discovery. The story follows childhood friends Fumi Manjoume and Akira Okudaira as they reconnect in high school.
Shimura’s delicate art style beautifully captures the story’s gentle tone, using subtle facial expressions to convey complex emotions. Sweet Blue Flowers stands out among GL manga for its realistic portrayal of relationships, addressing unrequited feelings and the challenges of moving on. The manga also includes a diverse cast, broadening its exploration of unique LGBTQ+ experiences.
Kindred Spirits on the Roof by Hachi Ito
Image: Seven Seas Entertainment
Hachi Ito’s Kindred Spirits on the Roof introduces a supernatural twist to the high school GL manga genre. Set in an all-girls school, it follows multiple romantic storylines, guided by the spirits of two former students who regret never confessing their love.
Ito’s expressive art captures the youthful energy of the characters, while the supernatural aspect adds humor and creativity. The manga’s diverse cast explores various types of relationships and attractions, providing an inclusive representation of the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
After Hours by Yuhta Nishio
Image: Viz Media
Yuhta Nishio’s After Hours moves beyond high school to portray adult relationships within Tokyo’s vibrant nightlife. The story follows Emi, a woman in her late twenties, as she explores her passion for DJing and her feelings for the experienced DJ, Kei.
Nishio’s stylish art captures the energy of Tokyo’s club scene, and his skillful paneling mirrors the rhythm of music, immersing readers in the setting. After Hours is notable for its focus on self-discovery later in life, exploring adult relationships, and the courage to change paths, making it a refreshing take on romance manga.
GL manga offers a range of stories that delve into love, identity, and growth through the lens of relationships between women. From the tender romance of Bloom Into You to the adult exploration in After Hours, the genre presents diverse experiences and emotions.
These eight titles represent some of the best GL manga available, each with its unique perspective. As GL manga continues to gain popularity, new and innovative stories are likely to emerge. For readers looking to dive into the genre, these works provide a compelling starting point with rich narratives, complex characters, and artwork that resonates far beyond the page.