Essential Insights
- One-shot romance manga offer a delightful and concise alternative to lengthy narratives, making romantic tales easily digestible.
- Brief gems like “A Story About Spending a Little More Time With an Eccentric Girl”can culminate in merely 5 pages.
- “Henshin Ganbou!”introduces an adorable and straightforward love story, ideal for those healing from a breakup.
“Love knows no boundaries, transcending dimensions of time and space,”or more fittingly, it crosses all mediums. While cinema provides lavish and immersive romantic experiences, other formats are also stepping up. Being single hardly matters when readers and viewers can indulge in whimsical romantic moments between characters—it’s a delightful win for all.
Nevertheless, romance films and literature might not always be the easiest or most popular choices for those seeking love stories. Anime and manga have remained strong contenders in this genre. The real innovation emerges from one-shot romance manga, revered for their brief narratives and genuine sweetness, leaving readers filled with joy and warmth. Absent of unnecessary plot twists and convoluted storylines, these tales present straightforward romance with satisfying conclusions.
Updated on October 15, 2024, by Fatima Naeem: The allure of one-shot manga is primarily due to their simplicity. Not everyone has the luxury of time—or the emotional energy—to engage with extended plots that meander over numerous volumes. This is especially true for romance, a genre designed to foster feelings of cheer and comfort. One-shots provide an ideal escape, allowing readers to bypass tedious subplots and dive directly into heartfelt romance.
11 A Story About Spending a Little More Time With an Eccentric Girl
MyAnimeList Score: N/A
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Creator(s) |
Help This |
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Genres |
Slice-of-life |
One-shots function like a quick snack—easily consumed without the risk of overindulgence. However, A Story About Spending a Little More Time With an Eccentric Girl takes conciseness to the maximum, wrapping up in just 5 delightful pages.
The narrative unfolds with a girl encountering a boy struggling with his mental health due to mistreatment from classmates. This push-over is relentlessly pressured, but the situation starts to shift when she insists he accompany her on playful escapades around town, ultimately aiding his recovery.
10 Akuma to Tsuki no Yoru
MyAnimeList Score: 6.84/10
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Creator(s) |
Saijo Ayano |
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Other Genres |
Supernatural |
Akuma to Tsuki no Yoru, a 2009 one-shot romance manga, cleverly utilizes nearly every late teen love cliché, effectively crafting a compelling story.
Kamiya Kyouko, a lonely high schooler, faces heartbreak when rejected by her crush, Ishii-kun. This rejection leads to ridicule from her peers, isolating her further. Her situation takes an unexpected twist when she discovers a boy unconscious by the roadside. Acting on impulse, she decides to help him, but he soon identifies himself as Lucifer, the prince of the Underworld, and mysteriously, her future husband?!
9 I Still Haven’t Experienced A Kiss
MyAnimeList Score: 7.05/10
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Creator(s) |
Soragaki Raid |
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Genres |
Comedy |
Slow-burning romances can be hit or miss; however, I Still Haven’t Experienced a Kiss presents a delightful quick read.
The story centers around a popular high-school girl who projects an image of confidence and flirtation, complete with devoted admirers. The reality is starkly different—Fukase has never had a kiss and is determined to keep her inexperience hidden until a basketball player uncovers her secret, jeopardizing her carefully crafted facade.
8. Kimi to Aruku
MyAnimeList Score: 7.21/10
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Creator(s) |
Junko |
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Genres |
Shounen-ai |
As adult Yaoi and BL manga gain traction, finding shorter, romance-focused stories amidst the more explicit content can be challenging. Kimi to Aruku, released in 2012, excels in this regard.
The narrative follows two childhood friends, Ken and Yuu, who exhibit contrasting personalities yet maintain a close friendship. Ken, a serious soccer star, attracts followers effortlessly, while Yuu is the cheerful, artistic type. As their relationship evolves, Yuu questions if Ken is hiding something significant from him.
7. The Dream of Oujisama
MyAnimeList Score: 7.25/10
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Creator(s) |
Yukimura Yuni |
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Genres |
Fantasy |
Oujisama no Yume Utsutsu or The Prince’s Waking Dream provides a unique spin on the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, told from a prince’s perspective. Released back in 2006, it remains a cherished entry.
The story follows Sayla, a misunderstood witch, and her trusty crow familiar, Tajiru, as they brave the royal castle to wake the slumbering Prince Lulnavul. A royal decree promises the prince’s hand in marriage to anyone who can awaken him, but Sayla’s intentions lie in reclaiming the royal sapphire to save her banished homeland, not in matrimony.
6 The Gates of Judgement
MyAnimeList Score: 7.29/10
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Creator(s) |
Sakura |
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Other Genres |
Fantasy |
Sabaki No Mon, a poignant 2011 one-shot romance, explores profound themes of mortality and morality within its whimsical art style.
The tale centers on Lance, a demon punished by God, who, yearning for redemption, must guard the gates of heaven and hell. His mission, however, calls for deception to lead souls astray. Things take a turn when his true love appears, forcing him to make a heart-wrenching choice between her future and his longing for redemption.
5. Henshin Ganbou!
MyAnimeList Score: 7.30/10
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Creator(s) |
NISIO ISIN (Story), Miyokawa Masaru (Art) |
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Genres |
Sports |
Henshin Ganbou! serves as a delightful balm for heartaches. This succinct, charming one-shot avoids complex plots and focuses on a tender love story between two teens, culminating in their gradual yet undeniable romance. Published in 2014, the story follows Sunaki, a bookish high school student overshadowed by his peers, who endures a stinging rejection from the school’s queen bee after confessing his feelings.
4. No Conflict in the World
MyAnimeList Score: 7.49/10
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Creator(s) |
Atsushi Uchiyama |
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Other Genres |
drama, fear |
Brace yourself for tears with Kowareta Bokura no Senryaku Renai, a one-shot from 2022 that shifts from a lighthearted premise to a deeper, more psychological storyline.
Furuya is a high schooler whose mundane life takes an unexpected turn when the most popular girl kisses him publicly and claims their relationship over the intercom. This outrageous announcement propels their unexpected romance into the spotlight, drawing the unlikely pair closer amidst the chaos.
3 That’s It
MyAnimeList Score: 7.57/10
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Creator(s) |
Miura Kouji |
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Other Genres |
Sports |
Ao no Hako, or Blue Box, is a one-shot that transformed into a full-length manga, providing a delightful sweetness that envelops its readers. This narrative revolves around Inomata Taiki, a spirited sports enthusiast who develops feelings for Kano Chinatsu from the girls’ basketball team, initially sparked by her dedication to her craft during early morning practices.
Taiki, typically hot-headed, finds himself flustered when it comes time to express his affections, showcasing a relatable side to the otherwise energetic character.
2 Kon No Ki Konoha
MyAnimeList Score: 7.79/10
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Creator(s) |
Yumeka Sumomo |
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Other Genres |
Fantasy, Tragedy |
If Kowareta Bokura no Senryaku Renai tugged at your heartstrings, prepare for Kon no Ki Konoha, a 2007 one-shot that takes emotional storytelling to the next level.
The plot centers on Akino, who fondly recalls a childhood excursion with her father and the spirit of a blue tree named Konoha, her first love. Now a high school student, she strives to convey her true feelings to Konoha, blending nostalgia with poignant longing.
1. Tokidoki
MyAnimeList Score: 8.02/10
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Creator(s) |
Komi Naoshi |
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Other Genres |
Drama |
While Kon no Ki Konoha reigns supreme in emotional impact, Tokidoki from 2016 may exceed the boundaries of heartache with its profound narrative.
Hato Iijima becomes enchanted by the new, shy transfer student Hatsu Takagi. As their friendship deepens, Iijima learns about her rare heart condition that threatens her life. He vows to make her days unforgettable, adding a bittersweet layer to their relationship as they grapple with the looming sadness of her fate.
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