1. Fruits Basket
© Natsuki Takaya / TokyoPop
Author & Artist: Natsuki Takaya
Publisher: TokyoPop
Visit TokyoPop's Fruits Basket page
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Through a series of wacky circumstances, schoolgirl Tohru Honda takes up residence at the swank residence of the very wealthy, but very cursed Sohma family. Their magical burden? They turn into Chinese zodiac animals whenever they're hugged by a member of the opposite sex. Fruits Basket starts off as a goofy romantic comedy, then develops into an emotional roller coaster that mixes humor, fantasy, profoundly emotional romance and family drama for an addictive mix that has made it the best-selling shojo manga title in America.
2. Hot Gimmick
Publisher: Viz Media Shojo
Poor Hatsumi. After being caught buying a home pregnancy kit for her younger sister, she's forced into a master-slave relationship with Ryouki, the wealthy and arrogant son of her father's boss. In Hot Gimmick, creator Miki Aihara weaves a complex web of secret loves and deep grudges across two generations living in a corporate housing complex.
3. Kare Kano (His & Her Circumstances)
Writer / Artist: Masami TsudaPublisher: TokyoPop
Hyper-competitive honor student Yukino is determined to be at the top of her class in everything; a goal that's threatened by the equally studious and charming Soichiro. While at first she plots to topple him from his place at the top of the class curve, Yukino later discovers that she's fallen in love with her rival. A sweet high school romance with a twist: Events are retold from Yukino's and Soichiro's sometimes divergent points of view.
4. Peach Girl
Writer / Artist: Miwa UedaPublisher: TokyoPop
Does having a tan automatically make you a pariah? Momo, a tanned, light-haired high school girl has to deal with being unfairly judged by her peers based on her appearance, and being back-stabbed by her so-called friend Sae. This high school soap opera features lovely artwork and dramatic plot twists that will keep you turning the page for more.
5. Emma
© Kaoru Mori / Enterbrain, Inc.
Author & Artist: Kaoru Mori
Publisher: CMX Manga
Visit CMX Manga's Emma page
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Set in Victorian England, Emma is a historical manga centered around the intertwined lives of a maid and a wealthy aristocrat. The strict hierarchical rules of English society forbid their relationship, but they can't stop this star-crossed couple from falling in love. Meticulously-researched for historical accuracy, Mori sets the mood beautifully and tastefully. There are lovely wordless moments, stolen glances and subtle smiles that reveal her characters inner lives more effectively than any narration or dialogue ever could.
6. Fushigi Yugi
Writer / Artist: Yuu WatasePublisher: Viz Media Shojo
Modern middle school pals Miaka and Yui stumble upon a mysterious book at the library that wisks them back in time to feudal China. They become rival priestesses leading two groups of magical warriors in quest to control the kingdom. Epic romance and graphic life-and-death plot twists are mixed with moments of slapstick humor for a story that is heartfelt and utterly addictive.
7. Paradise Kiss
Writer/Artist: Ai YazawaPublisher: TokyoPop
Set in the glamorous world of fashion, Paradise Kiss is a stylish story about transformation and reinventing your life through friendship and love. Finding little satisfaction in her studies, high school student Yukari meets four flamboyant and free-spirited art school students who introduce her to a fun and creative lifestyle that she's never known. Yazawa's hip Cinderella tale is a favorite with fashion-conscious shojo manga fans.
8. Full Moon o Sagashite
© Arina Tanemura
Publisher: Shojo Beat / VIZ Media
12-year old Mitsuki dreams of becoming a famous pop singer, but her frail health prevents her from pursuing her goal. In Full Moon o Sagashite (Searching for the Full Moon), Mitsuki meets two not-so-grim reapers who help her to magically transform into a 16-year old singing sensation, but the road to the top of the charts isn't an easy one. A fun and dramatic maho shojo (magical girl) story from Arina Tanemura.
9. Vampire Knight
© Matsuri Hino
Publisher: Shojo Beat / VIZ Media
Vampire Knight mixes up two classic shojo manga themes: high school romance and gothic / vampire drama. Gorgeous artwork, drop-dead hunky guys with more than a hint of sexual tension make this a favorite for readers who love romance with a dark side.
10. Please Save My Earth
Artist / Writer: Saki HiwatariPublisher: Viz Media Shojo
Quiet and sensitive high school student Alice Sakaguchi discovers that she, along with her classmates and young neighbor Rin were once alien scientists who died from a mysterious plague while stationed on the Moon. With their past memories reawakened, the now-reincarnated souls must deal with their emotions and the consequences of their past loves, losses and betrayals.
