Shoujo Ai to Make You Cry

The Ends of a Dream

Status: completed (2 volumes) ┃ MAL

A story of regret. Filled with so many instances of longing for something different, something better. We follow the story of Kiyoko Itou and Mitsu Sonoda in reverse chronological order. Starting with them as elderly women during the Heisei period, to the Showa era at the precipice of their adolescence. The decision to tell the story this way means that you, as a reader, know how this story will end. And yet, you continue anyway to see where every “wrong” decision was made, every turning point, and just how deep the relationship between Kiyoko and Mitsu runs. It’s as if you're accompanying them as they reminisce about their past— both the good and the bad.

The Summer You Were There

Status: completed (6 volumes) ┃ MAL

Due to a series of events, depressed teen Shizuku Hoshikawa and the cheery Kaori Asaka agree to fake date during the duration of the summer. As Shizuku overcomes her past and gets closer to Kaori, she also learns about the bitter circumstances of Kaori’s life. The relationship between these two is mired by support and care for one another. At times this manga is cute and fluffy, but at other times it’s incredibly heartfelt and emotionally poignant. It’s also a bit similar to ‘A Silent Voice’ since they both deal with the themes of learning to forgive yourself and regaining confidence.

Goodbye, my Rose Garden

Status: completed (3 volumes) ┃ MAL

A blooming love between a maid and her mistress during the early 20th century. The odds are stacked against these two. If you like metaphors, historial settings, and ‘forbidden love’ then I’d definitely recommend this. The author is great at making dramatic scenes with gorgeous paneling and lovely prose. As an example, “Her hand was freezing, it quivered in my grasp. But I could not let go. Her hand was like the spider’s thread, my one tenuous way out of hell.”

Composing Spring in This Room Where Cherry Blossoms Bloom

Status: completed (2 volumes) ┃ MAL

“This here is for you, to die once again. And for me, to live once again.” Haruki Kawaragi is stuck in a depressive state after the death of her girlfriend,Sakura Karin, five years ago. In a moment of anguish, Haruki desperately wishes for a miracle to see Sakura again. It’s then that she stumbles upon Sakura’s unfinished diary. And even more shockingly, Sakura appears before her as a ghost (or maybe something else entirely). Based on the synopsis alone, you can probably tell that loss, grief, and learning to move on are integral themes. But what I enjoyed most was the gentle quality of the story. The relationship between Sakura and Haruki is so very soft and loving. This manga was both a tragedy and a celebration of their relationship, of all the love they held.

My Wish is to Fall in Love Until You Die

Status: ongoing ┃ MAL

This is just one of my favorites in general tbh. The set-up is basically that orphaned girls are trained in magic at this academy to become soldiers for war. There’s no flashy battles here though, instead the story angles itself onto the tragedy and grief resulting from this war. They are technically child soldiers after all, forced to fight in a war that started way before they were even born. Even during the cute and wholesome moments, the backdrop of the war can’t be escaped. In spite of this situation, the two main leads find genuine happiness by the other’s side. An inseparable bond is formed between them, built on their efforts to support and protect each other.