Summary
- The 80s era birthed timeless romance manga like Maison Ikkoku, still relevant and inspiring today.
- Boyfriend showcases a delicate love story between Masaki and Kanako, overcoming personal struggles.
- Rough captures the journey of rivals turned lovers, navigating sports, family drama, and romance.
With so many manga coming out year after year, it can be hard to remember some manga that made its debut in the previous years. But there are some exceptions, especially from the 80s. Some readers might get a feeling of nostalgia when they remember the 80s era because it may come with memories of love, laughter, and tears. This era gave life to some romance manga that readers have grown to love. These 80s romance manga are still relevant even in these present times.
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One timeless gem of the 80s is Maison Ikkoku. This manga acts as a source of inspiration for other works of art, like Love Hina. There are other classic manga, like Maison Ikkoku from the 80s that are still relevant and act as a source of inspiration for other authors to draw elements from.
7 Boyfriend
Relatable Love Story
- Genre(s): Award Winning, Drama, Romance
- Chapters: N/A
- Author: Souryo, Fuyumi (Story & Art)
This award-winning manga tells the delicate love story between Masaki and Kanako. Masaki is a delinquent, and everyone, including his father, has given up on him. Masaki let his unruly behavior derail him from having a bright and successful basketball career.
After being kicked out of his previous school, Masaki finds himself at Kanako’s school, where an encounter with Kanako will change his life for the better. Kanako has her issues, as she is a young girl with a heart condition, but it does not stop her from forming a relationship with Masaki. This heart condition has unfortunately interfered with her school life and has caused her to miss two years of school work.
6 Kimagure Orange Road
Love Triangle
- Genre(s): Drama, Romance, Slice of Life, Supernatural
- Chapters: 156
- Author: Matsumoto, Izumi (Story & Art)
Kimagure Orange Twist is a classical romance manga with a supernatural twist. The main character, Kyosuke, has a variety of supernatural powers that force him and his family to move countless times until they finally settle on their seventh move.
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In this new town, Kyosuke meets and falls for Madoka, a fellow student at his new school. It was love at first sight for him, but because of her feared reputation, he is unable to make a move. Unknowingly, Madoka also has feelings for him, but Kyosuke is now dating her best friend, Hikaru, and she does not want to come in between them. Kyosuke now finds himself in a love triangle because two of his friends have feelings for him, and he cannot decide who he truly wants to be with.
5 Video Girl Ai
Unrequited Love
- Genre(s): Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Ecchi
- Chapters: 131
- Author: Aoyama, Gosho (Story & Art)
Heartbreak can be mild or serious, depending on the situation that occurs. Youta’s heartbreak was so bad that he needed something to distract him from the painful feeling in his chest. His crush has feelings for his best friend, and he finds out that she went to confess her feelings for his best friend, and this shatters Youta.
On his way home, he encounters a mysterious video game store, and in desperate need of a distraction, he decides to buy a game. Unknowingly to him, the games in this shop allow the girls in the games to come to life to cheer up the user. Through this video game, Youta meets a video girl, Ai Amano. Ai’s presence in Youta’s life causes him to get over his crush and experience love again as he falls for Ai.
4 Magic Kaito
Blend Of Different Genres
- Genre(s): Adventure, Comedy, Romance
- Chapters: N/A
- Author: Aoyama, Gosho (Story & Art)
Kaito finds out eight years after his dad’s death that his dad was a phantom thief known as Kaito Kid and that his death was not an accident but a murder. When Kaito is not busy trying to find and take revenge on his father’s killers, he is an average teenager trying to win the heart of his crush.
Kaito fills his father’s shoes as Kaito Kid, and the major threat he faces happens to be his crush’s father. Aoko’s father is a police officer looking to put an end to Kaito Kid and his activities. Aoko, just like her father, hates Kaito Kid, but she is unaware that Kaito holds this identity. In the midst of all these, there is a brewing romance between Aoko and Kaito, as they both have feelings for each other.
3 Rough
Rivals And Then Lovers
- Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sport
- Chapters: 119
- Author: Adachi, Mitsuru (Story & Art)
Growing from enemies to lovers is such a fascinating plot, and Rough perfectly captures this growth. The main protagonists, Keisuke and Ami, are generational rivals who, regardless of their family’s differences, are able to fall for each other.
They are unaware of their families' unsettled beef, but as they get closer because of their common interest in swimming, they soon face challenges in their sports, in their families, and in their relationship with each other. This manga captivates the minds of readers as it takes them into this world of sports, romantic feelings, and family drama.
2 Maison Ikkoku
Perfectly Captures The Imperfections Of Love
- Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Chapters: 162
- Author: Takahashi, Rumiko (Story & Art)
Love is not a bed of roses, and Maison Ikkoko is a timeless romance manga that captures it perfectly. There are so many twists and turns, but Yusaku Godoi and Kyoko Otonashi do not let these obstacles come between them and their love. Godoi meets and falls in love with Kyoko, but their love story is not a straight one. Kyoko is not able to fully get over her late husband, and Godoi respects this and starts by being her friend, offering her comfort and empathy.
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Kyoko, who is very attractive, catches the attention of a rich man, Mitaka. This new addition threatens to push Godoi out of the picture, but his love for Kyoko is relentless. So many misunderstandings arise, straining the love Kyoko and Godoi have for each other, but they are able to scale through every one of them. In the end, it all turns out well for them as they finally seal their love and get their happy ending.
1 Touch
Grief And Love
- Genre(s): Award Winning, Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sports
- Chapters: 257
- Author: Adachi, Mitsuru (Story & Art)
This award-winning manga tells the touching story of Tatsuya and Kazuya, twin brothers who find themselves attracted to their female childhood best friend, Minami. Tatsuya has always allowed his younger brother, Kazuya, to enjoy being in the spotlight and never use his talents and abilities to outshine him. However, this selfless act does not favor him with his crush, Minami.
Kazuya, who is always in the spotlight as a baseball player, shines with Minami, as she also loves baseball and dreams of being a champion. They become a couple until an accident takes the life of Kazuya, pushing Minami and Tatsuya into grief and each other’s arms.
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Readers in the mood for a little office romance may want to check out the following manga.