JOSEI YOU WANNA READ SHOJO? (A Shojo Manga Experience)

I was inspired by the mangatuber Colleen’s Manga Recs to create this endcap. As a bookseller and manga collector, I always like to leave an impression with a customer, especially when recommending something new. I like to advise people to “read to learn about your tastes”, meaning you shouldn’t ignore/bash a series or genre until you’ve learn to understand what it’s all about. 

Included are some snippets of thoughts I have to say about the titles I selected for this endcap. This originally was a thread from Twitter, but felt inclined to post on my blog as well 🤙🏻 Twitter is a fun way for me to be engaged with other collectors and fans, so feel free to follow me there @kev_from_wrk and say hi! Anyway here’s what i have for y’all:

Rose of Versailles - A political/historical manga that tugs at the ideas and difficulties of loyalty, gender, identity and family roles. A classic among shojo series and praised by many on my Twitter thread 🙌🏻

Princess Knight - The birth of a princess causes her father to hide her true identity to his kingdom. The reason? To protect the throne from a wicked tyrant. Considered one of the earliest shojo works by prolific mangaka Osamu Tezuka.

No Longer Heroine - A recent purchase of mine! High schooler Hatori believes she’s the star of her own show and in love with her so childhood friend! But when he begins dating someone that isn’t his usual type, her world begins to shatter as she realizes she might not be the lead. I personally like flawed protagonists, and this manga was very entertaining and relatable at times 👍🏻

Ouran High School Host Club - A shojo classic 🙌🏻 Haruhi enrolls into Ouran and unfortunately falls into debt with its Host Club. But when the boys find out Haruhi is actually a girl, a swirl of hi-jinx ensues! Personally love the anime for this one 🤙🏻

Love In Focus - Mako moves to a renown boarding school after a tragic family accident. There she two students who change her perspective on life. Available in three single volumes and in an omnibus format 🙌🏻

Sailor Moon - Usagi is tasked to protecting the Earth as Sailor Moon alongside other Guardians! A classic shojo manga that needs needs to be included in every shojo showcase! (Sailor Mars is my favorite btw)

Lovesick Ellie - High schooler Erika moonlights as Lovesick Ellie and pines over her crush online. He’s the ideal guy, but not who you think he is. So when she accidentally eavesdrops on him, discovers his nature, and is found out online, these two begin an unlikely relationship.

See You Tomorrow At the Food Court - A recent release from Yen Press. Two girls from opposite backgrounds meet in the food court and bond over the struggles of life and high school. This is on my reading list and am looking forward to checking it out 🤙🏻

Those Not So Sweet Boys - Midori is a high school scholarship student who is caught having a part time job. To keep his silence, she is tasked with helping three “troubled” youths by her school’s chairman. I see this title in passing and i wanna skim through when i get a chance. 

Takane & Hana - In order to save face for her family, Hana agrees to an arranged marriage to a mean rich man. Despite not liking each other, Hana is surprised to see that her new husband is continuing their relationship, and even having feelings for her!

My Little Monster - Shizuku is stuck giving notes to the class delinquent. After spending time together, she notices that there’s more underneath his rough exterior. Another title that I see in passing and am interested in skimming through 👍🏻

Wotakoi - My favorite Josei title 🙌🏻 Narumi and Hirotaka are childhood friends who end up working in the same office. He (gamer otaku) and she (fujoshi) start a relationship and are swept in an office romance. Included in the story are their friends, family, and tons of nerdy references and name drops 👍🏻 I definitely recommend either reading or watching this series!

Fruits Basket & Fruits Baskets Another - A classic shojo series by Natsuki Takaya 👍🏻 A former manager used to gush over this series and recommended it to everyone browsing the manga section. My initial reaction to the series was TOTALLY DIFFERENT than what the series is truly about. 

My Love Mix Up - A complicated love triangle ensues between three high school students as one tries to recognize/identify the feelings for the other. An entertaining shojo with a comedic twist!

Ima Koi - Satomi is bummed out that she’s been too shy to confess her feelings to someone. So when the first person she decides to blurt this out to says yes, she has no idea what to do!I discovered this series as i was building this endcap, and i’m considering checking it out!

Kiss Him Not Me! - Kae’s a firm believer of a prince meeting his prince. So when her favorite character died, it causes her to lose weight and gain some attention. However it doesn’t stop her from creating her ideal boy/boy pair! Def wanna check this out too just because it sounds like it’d be very funny!

Love Me Love Me Not - A multiple perspective series about 4 high schoolers and their views on love. I’ve seen customers leave with this series before, but I never got around to checking it out. If anyone has any thoughts on this, please let me know!

Maid-sama - Misaki is a hard working student who managed to become the first female Student Council President. Despite being known for her strict behavior, it surprises popular boy Takumi to see her working at a maid cafe! I personally love the anime for this series 🤙🏻

Josee, the Tiger & the Fish - another recent Yen Press release! Tsuneo longs to be by the sea. He needs cash, and part time work as a caretaker for a wheelchair-bound girl seems like it could do the trick. However these two begin to see that there’s more to life than the ocean waves. This also has a movie adaptation!!

Perfect World - Tsugumi is reunited with her high school crush at a work event. To her surprise, she see that he is now in a wheelchair. Follow her as she begins to reshape her views on herself, the world, and her love for Itsuki. Another one on the buy list 🙌🏻

And finally Kamisama Kiss - Nanami is a high schooler who is stuck repaying her father’s debt. Fortunately she was given a home/shrine to live in! However it’s rundown and inhabited by ghosts! Tomoe, a fox spirit, develops a contract with her and serves as her familiar. Another highly appraised title by the wonderful people on Twitter 👍🏻

I'm leaving these cards i spent hours making here as a little something extra 🙃 i’m super proud of my pun! took me an hour to come up with this gem 😂 and i can’t draw well but the bottom card came out exactly how i wanted ☺️ 

THAT TOOK ME FOREVER TO WRITE! If you’ve made it this far, thanks so much for reading 🤙🏻 i’d love to hear any and all thoughts about the endcap! doing the research, finding and ordering titles, reorganizing the manga section, everything really was a learning experience for me. I'm new to the Shojo/Josei genre, but I love trying to create a diverse manga section for my store and customers  so I'm willing to learn 🙌🏻 hope you’ve enjoyed and i’ll be back this weekend with a new blog 💀

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