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AKA Reading manga.

Okay, here's a few series I've finished recently. I need to VENT so PLEASE, if you've read it, PM me or something.

1) Neighborhood Story
Adorable story about a boy and girl who have grown up together. It doesn't take long into the story for them to -finally- start going out. (Finally being in their lifetime, not in the story) Read this BEFORE reading Paradise Kiss. (Both Neighborhood Story (ご近所物語) and Paradise Kiss (パラダイス・キス) can be found using their japanese names at manga-yomi.info)

Parental Disclaimer : There is one scene where it is implied they have sex. It is after they have been going out for a while, and is done tastefully.

2) Paradise Kiss
Bittersweet story about a girl who is pressed into being a model for Paradise Kiss, a fashion label to be. The story focuses on the romance between said model and George, the head designer at Parakiss, at first at least. It branches out into the leading of one's own life and ends with a bitter flavor that leaves a sweet taste behind.

Parental Disclaimer: It is implied heavily and on several occasions that people are having sex. No nudity is shown (at least none that stands out in my mind)

3) Nana (Not finished. I've read up to 78, where the scanlations are right now)
Bittersweet doesn't begin to cover everything in Nana. This story will hold you fast by the end of the second volume. You don't want to put it down, and the only reason I did was because it stopped being available. There are only a few series I will say this for, but, READ IT NOW. You will feel a rollercoaster of emotions. I've been known to go to bed giddy because one night, pissed the next, followed by some depression. You REALLY get into it.

Parental Disclaimer: It is implied heavily and on several occasions that people are having sex. There are a couple pictures that seem to have breast in it, but no details are drawn. Lots of smoking and drinking. Lots. Drug abuse, but it is viewed as a horrible thing.

(I'd like to point out 1-3 are Ai Yazawa, who is amazing, and I recommend reading her completed works immediately)

4) Midori Days - Absolutely adorable story, if a little odd. Midori finds herself living on the 'delinquent' Seiji's right hand. Midori has had a crush on Seiji for a long time and, as the opportunity presents itself, she devotes herself entirely to Seiji. This series held me fast, and I was surprised because I thought the idea was rather dumb at first. But, it was well done, and I really, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Parental Disclaimer - There are several times where you see Midori's breasts. These are few and far between, and generally end as quickly as they begin.

5) Ai Hime -- Ai to Himegoto (Essentially, "Love and Secret" ) - A girl whose parents are often away on business sends her to live with her uncle. However, prior to being sent to live with him, she ended up meeting and kissing him, unkowing they were related. (Albeit, not by blood. Her 'uncle' was adopted into her father's family) They grow closer, and in the end... well, read the story.

Parental Disclaimer - There is one scene in which it is heavily implied they have sex. The pair are shown together and thrusting is implied, however, no 'parts' are shown. After that particular time, there are more scenes in which it is implied to a MUCH lighter degree that they have sex. (i.e. an arousing comment is made and the scene ends)

6) Absolute Boyfriend -- A girl orders a 'boyfriend' online for a three day trial. What she doesn't know is, she has to go out of her way to return him on the third day or it is considered a purchase. Well, this boyfriend ends up costing her 100 million yen. (1 million dollars) He turns out to be a nice guy, if a robot, and they grow closer. But, as they do, her childhood friend confesses his love, and things grow complicated.

Parental Disclaimer - There is a scene where it is heavily implied that the girl and the 'boyfriend' are having sex. It is far into the series.



I recommend every one of these series to anyone who thinks it might be fun. I added the disclaimers as a precaution, but really, I urge you to read them. Ignore the disclaimers. These are all REALLY GOOD ones.