Mangas are the comics of Japan... literally! Japanese comics are read back-to-front, one reason we love them so much. The other is that there's much less stupid crime-fighting happening and so much more school-rivalries, and stuff like that. More stuff we can relate to, really. I mean, who can relate to flying or saving the world?

This is just a mini-page detailing the ones we have found worthy of being put up here. Come to think of it, that's every one I've ever read! Lylah's read a whole bunch more, and I doubt we've read a third of every ENGLISH one, never mind the Japanese ones!

And just a little fun fact before I let you get on with the page; Weekly manga sales in Japan total up to more than the annual sale of comics here in the US. Interesting, eh?

Absolute Boyfriend

Riiko was always turned down by everyone she asked out, but one day, everything changes. When a strange man looses his cellphone in the park, Riiko calls his home phone to return it to him. He is very happy about this, and asks Riiko what she might like. She says "Maybe a boyfriend...", but just kidding, and he says "Whatever you say!".

He sends her a link to this weird website, and she chooses things she'd like in a man. A day later, a... living manikin arrives. Having no creativity, she names him "Night". Will she be able to keep his secret?

Alice 19th

Alice Seno is a shy girl who always seems to be outshined by her older sister Mayura. One day, she has an odd encounter with a mysterious rabbit. She doesn't know it then, but that was going to complicate her life so much more. The rabbit teaches Alice (coaches is a better word) about a set of powerful words called the "Lotis Words". The first one she discovers is the 19th(hence the name, Alice 19th) one, Rangu, or courage.

There are about 8 or 9 books out.

Beauty Pop

An eye-catching story about a girl living in a family of beauticians, who own a beauty salon. The main character, Koshiba Kiri, is an amazing hairstylist who "works a little magic"... on people's hair! It sounds a little corny, but believe me, it's a good book.

A few boys run the "Scissors Project", where they transform an ordinary girl into a ...well, they make her pretty. The leader, (name), is determined to be the best beautician in Japan. However, he forgot about Kiri!

Buso Renkin

High school student Kazuki Moto rescued a girl named Tokiko from a monser known as homunculi. They are monsters disguised as humans in order to get closer to their prey--the humans themselves. Tokiko revives Kazuki after he was (almost) killed by the homunculi. She gives him a Buso Renkin to save his life. It is also the one thing that can defeat those monsters...
.4 books out.

Chobits

A world in the future where everything is robotic to the 1st degree. Man has now created the persocom: Humanoid computer. Kazuki, who has always been wanting one, stumbled across a perfect one in the trash. In the trash???? He doesn't know either, but this robot has many secrets to discover. It could possibly be the legendary robot--chobits!!

Claymore

Imagine you are the prey of a monster.. a monster who eats your guts after they kill you! A monster that is nearly invincible compared to the best of us. Us humans, that is. For centuries, the Yoma have preyed on humans, who have no way to stop them. That is, until the rise of a secret organization of girls, yes, girls, who take the Yoma flesh and blood into their bodies, creating a half-monster, half-human creature. Officially, their organization has no name, but fearful humans have given them this name after the heavy swords they fight with. These "Silver Eyed Slayers" have the bodies of a monster and the minds of a human, using their mind to control their bodies. But eventually, their human minds break and they will become full-fledged Yoma. As long as they side with the humans, they are doomed to fighting their monster impulses or risk killing everyone.

DramaCon

Christie is at her first ever anime con, and is selling her manga in the artist alley. Her boyfriend is the biggest player in the world, and Christie walks off so she doesn't have to watch him flirt right in front of her. All of a sudden, she bumps into this guy named Matt, who she starts to like, and the whole series is based on that long-distance relationship where they only meet at that same convention.

Tremendous, incredible, romantic, funny... it's got it all!

2 books out at this moment.

Fruits Basket

The most popular shojo manga in American! A whole series of 20+ books (only 15 are out so far in English) about the Sohma family. The family bears a curse, causing 12(13, technically, because Kyo is the honorary member) members of the family to turn into the corresponding member of the Chinese Zodiac when they are a) hugged by someone of the opposite gender or b) their body grows weak. A girl named Honda Tohru discovers their secret, and Akito mysteriously allows to her to stay. She, Kyo (cat), and Yuki (rat) are careful not to reveal their secret when they go to school, or anywhere else!

Kamichama Karin

Karin has lost her parents, and now her cat, too. A boy named Kazune tells her that the ring her mom gave to her contains powers, resembling that of a god, and he and his cousin, Himeka, want her to join their team. She moves to a new school, meets new friends, and discovers more about her powers. However, she's not the only one...

5 books out. Romantic/comedy/action.

Ranma 1/2

Saetoma Ranma and his dad, Saotoma Genma, have gone to China for a training "trip". Their training grouds? "Training Ground of Accursed Springs" ... They stage a fight there, and fall into two different springs. Ranma falls into "Spring of Drowned Girl", and his dad falls into "Spring of Drowned Panda" Now every time they're splashed with cold water, they turn into a girl and a panda, respectively. When they're "splashed" with hot water(usually poured on their head with a tea kettle) they turn back... How long can they keep the secret?

I forgot to mention, Ranma has been promised to Akane, the youngest of the three daughters and the most athletic one. She is skilled in karate and the martial arts. She SAYS she doesn't like Ranma, but how does she really feel?

Rurouni Kenshin

Hitokiri Battosai: Greatest swordsman of the Bakamatsu era. Kenshin Himura is about that man, who gave up his sword after killing a thousand men. Then, he disappeared, eventually becoming legend. 15 years later, a lonely Kaoru-dono mistakes him for a murderer of a few people in the town. After he saves her, she discovers that he is the true battosai, but still wants him to stay. Ever since his stay at the Kamiya dojo - a place that teaches fighting without killing - more and more challengers confront him. He also meets many heart-broken enemies from the Bakamatsu. Can he protect his friends without killing?

28 books......one of the greatest series in the world...