MangaLove, a series sharing thread: December 2023
Choose one series
that you love
that you think deserves more love
Tell us what it is, and why.
Additional Details
Why MangaLove?
Finding new series is hard! The medium continues to become more mainstream and accessible, but that hasn't changed the fact that there's a lot of stuff to consume and few ways to find something you may like.
MangaLove offers an opportunity to sift through series loved by others, including those who might have divergent tastes from you. Think of this as an opportunity to venture outside of your comfort zone, with a series that you know someone else adores, from a small pool of thoughtful hand-selected options.
Is this just for Manga? Can I share Anime, or Manhwa, or...
Feel free to share any Anime, Manga, Manhwa, or Manhua that you love!
What do I post?
Any series that you love and that you feel deserves more appreciation. There are no restrictions on genre, year, or anything else, and nothing is “too popular” or “too niche”. If you think it needs more love — for whatever reason — then it’s welcome in MangaLove.
Please make sure to include:
- The series name
- The author
- A short description of the premise
- What you love about the series. It could be the story, the art, but it could also be your associations with it -- maybe the series reminds you of someone you love, or the period in your life when you first consume it.
Also, commenting on others' recommendations is encouraged! If you love something that someone else shared, let them know!
Do I have to watch/read to what everyone else posts?
Nope. You don't have to consume anything you don't want to. This is about creating a menu of options that people can explore as they wish.
Can I post more than one series in a month?
Nope. Limit one! This helps us be more selective about what we choose, as well as preventing the threads from getting flooded with too many contributions to keep track of.
Despite never finishing it, I have fond memories of Please Save My Earth by Saki Hiwatari.
According to Wikipedia, it was released in 21 volumes between 1986-1994. I remember seeing the anime which was released 1994 (but I saw it much later than that). Apparently the anime covered the first 8 manga volumes; that's probably how far I got in the manga.
Going off my memory: The story is about a girl who has dreams about living on the moon. She finds out some people around her share the same dreams. In the dreams, they're scientists on the moon who are researching a way to protect Earth from some looming disaster. The dreams become more and more real, until the characters have trouble separating their alternate identities.
There are some interesting dramatic parts I recall, like a boy who dreams he's a woman scientist. As his identities merge and clash, he finds he has growing romantic feelings toward another boy, who is the woman scientist's lover in the dream world. He struggles over whether he is gay or if it's the dreams influencing him.
The main character has similar struggles with a taboo relationship.
My memory is really fuzzy, but I think there were also some very beautiful and emotional scenes where all the main characters reflect on the earth and their reasons for protecting it, and sacrifices they made in order to do so.
According to Wikipedia, the story gets "more dark and adult-themed" after that. Now I'm curious.
Feel free to leave any feedback you have for the format or any other meta-commentary in this comment thread.
"Cross Game" by Mitsuru Adachi is a manga that ran between 2004 and 2008, with an anime series in 2009, and it's a wonderful, sad, and hearwarming read. If you can appreciate a slice-of-life series with a sports theme that captures the essence of innocent love and the bonds shared tragedy can create, you'll be hooked. No fast-paced action or outlandish settings here. What sets it apart is how it keeps things real in its approach to budding love — no exaggerated drama, just genuine connections that feel relatable.
What made it stand out to me was the raw feelings it could evoke seemingly out of nowhere. Cross Game is at its most basic a story about baseball, but it's not just about the game. It's about growing up with the characters and exploring your own emotions and reactions to sometimes challenging or unimaginable situations as well as facing life's ups and downs, together. For those who appreciate substance in their manga without getting too fancy, this is your next choice. It's a laid-back yet meaningful read, perfect for those who want a story with heart and authenticity. Give it a go. Just be sure to have a box of tissues handy!
Good recommendation. I don't even like baseball and this is my favorite "actual" sports manga ever (actual as in not about board games or something like that).
As a former scanlator, I should probably participate in these. Expect some old stuff!
I've always been into adventure and historical tales. I like to see characters in the context of a larger, interesting world, doing things, meeting people, possibly involved in conflict, yes, but I'll be a little turned off if their entire world or society seems designed for conflict for the sake of conflict (typical of many shounen manga).
A manwha I remember with great fondness is Ares by Ryu Keum Cheol. It tells the story of... Ares, a young man who becomes a mercenary in not-quite-classical times. The art style is cool and I liked the interactions between Ares and his friends.