In a nutshell, josei is the mature version of the shojo genre and the counterpart of the seinen genre. It appeals to more mature fans who seek more realistic and authentic content. From Nana to Paradise Kiss, here are the best josei manga for adult fans.
You’re My Pet
Sumire Iwaya has had a successful career as a journalist, but her personal life is a huge mess.
Following her messy breakup, Sumire also experienced workplace harassment, making her life more complicated than ever.
One night, Sumire stumbles upon a strange box where an unconscious man named Takeshi Goda lies.
Since then, Sumire refers to Takeshi as her pet, who will accompany her in life.
Despite having a complicated setup, Sumire and Takeshi began to rely on each other, forming an unbreakable bond in the process.
You’re My Pet offers a unique story of love, perfect for those who want to see or read something different in their free time.
Everyone Is Getting Married
No matter how successful a person is, people will always have something to say. That’s what Asuka Takanashi learned after her family pressured her to get married and start a family in her mid-20s.
Despite being a successful news anchor, Asuka’s family wants her to settle down. However, Asuka wants to remain independent and further her career more than anything else.
That is about to change, though, as Asuka encounters her equal, Ryu Nanami, a handsome and successful businessman who shares the same sentiments.
Together, Ryu and Asuka start an unusual relationship while balancing their ambitions and interests.
Everyone Is Getting Married shows what modern relationships are and the struggles to find happiness and fulfillment in a judgmental society.
In Clothes Called Fat
In Clothes Called Fat, also known as Kuruizaki no Hana, is a Japanese manga series that explores themes of societal expectations, body image, self-acceptance, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is a realistic and relatable manga series that depicts the story of Noko Hanazawa, a young woman who struggles with her weight.
She has poor self-esteem due to societal pressure and her insecurities, which make her the target of discrimination and mistreatment, especially in her workplace.
She tried different methods to lose weight, but nothing seemed to work.
As the plot unfolds, readers will be able to see Noko deal with the psychological and mental impacts of conforming to society’s beauty standards.
The Embalmer
This list would not be complete without The Embalmer, a manga series written and illustrated by Mitsukazu Mihara.
The Embalmer follows Shinjyurou Mamiya, a skilled embalmer who has the unique ability to communicate with the dead, making him one-of-a-kind.
Mamiya can not only hear the voices of the dead, but he can also understand their final wishes.
Despite this, Mamiya has a lot of personal struggles as well. He doesn’t have anyone and he’s often misunderstood, which is why he would rather isolate himself with the dead than with live humans.
The Embalmer is known for its hauntingly beautiful artwork, character design, and themes of grief, death, and the human condition, making it an exciting read for adult fans.
Spicy Pink
Spicy Pink boasts an exciting story of romance, drama, and humor, in addition to its expressive and charming characters that will make you commit in an instant.
It delves into themes of love, friendship, self-discovery, and the complexities of human relationships.
The main character is Honoka Sawada, a police officer who holds a huge crush on her coworker, the handsome and charismatic detective, Shinobu Imai.
As the plot unfolds, Honoka finds herself in the middle of awkward and humorous situations just to express her love for Shinobu.
Truly, romantic dilemmas are real.
Meshi Numa
If you’re into gourmet manga or anime series, then Meshi Numa is one of the best recommendations for you.
It is written and illustrated by Amidamuku, the same mangaka behind Messiah’s Hammer, Rhapsody in Red, and the BL manga, I Need to Suck Blood Tonight.
Since Meshi Numa is a gourmet manga, it is recommended to eat before starting the series, or else your stomach will growl as soon as you turn the first page.
Meshi Numa revolves around a dull and timid office worker who has the best expressions whenever he’s eating delicious dishes with a large serving of rice.
Paradise Kiss
Paradise Kiss explores themes such as self-discovery, pursuit of one’s passion, self-identity, and acceptance, to name a few.
It is renowned for its unique but stylish artwork and character designs, realistic portrayal of the fashion industry, and youth culture.
The story centers around Yukari “Caroline” Hayasaka, a high school student who gets involved with a group of eccentric fashion students collectively known as Paradise Kiss.
Led by George Koizumi, Paradise Kiss recruits Yukari as their model for an upcoming fashion show.
Yukari accepts George’s proposal and she soon finds herself in the complicated world of fashion and romance.
Nodame Cantabile
Nodame Cantabile, just like Gokusen and Nana, is an iconic anime and manga series beloved by fans.
It is written and illustrated by Tomoko Ninomiya, the same mangaka behind Tensai Family Company and 87 Clockers.
The series has been celebrated throughout the years for its realistic portrayal of classical music, endearing characters, romance, and humor.
The story follows two aspiring classical musicians, Shinichi Chiaki and Megumi “Nodame” Noda, on their ups and downs through the competitive world of music.
While Shinichi Chiaki has a plan to study abroad to further his musical career, Megumi Noda lacks direction in life despite having a natural talent for music.
Gokusen
Gokusen is a timeless Japanese manga that has been adapted into a television drama, a live-action television film, and even an anime series. It is a successful franchise, so reading the manga will be worth your time.
The series follows Kumiko Yamaguchi, a young woman who becomes a high school teacher despite being the granddaughter of a yakuza boss.
More than anything else, Kumiko wants to reform her students through unconventional means influenced by her yakuza upbringing.
Gokusen is a blend of slice-of-life and comedy and it is known for its heartwarming and humorous moments that will leave an impression on anyone who sees or reads it.
Nana
Nana is one of the most widely acclaimed manga series of all time. It is written and illustrated by Ai Yazawa, the same mangaka who created Paradise Kiss and Neighborhood Story.
It explores themes such as romance, friendship, ambition, and the complexities of adulthood, which makes it incredibly relatable to readers.
In Nana, two young women of contrasting personalities and backgrounds meet on a train to Tokyo. They have the same name, but they are complete opposites.
While Nana Komatsu is unmotivated and naïve, Nana Osaki is proud and feisty. Eventually, they became friends and decided to live together.
As the plot unfolds, readers will be drawn to the emotional journey of the characters as they grapple with betrayal, pursuit of happiness, failure, heartbreak, and more.
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