Top 10 Romance Manga of 2022
1. The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All
Fashionable and upbeat high schooler Aya falls head over heels for an employee at a local CD shop. He's got an air of mystery about him, great style, and an impeccable music taste. Little does she know—this supposedly male employee is actually her female classmate Mitsuki! Mitsuki generally keeps to herself, but since her seat is right next to Aya's, she can't help but be extremely aware of the other's crush. Revealing the truth is out of the question for Mitsuki—but perhaps getting closer to Aya wouldn't be so bad...
(Source: Yen Press)
2. Naneun Amy-reul Saranghae
"Is this how it feels to have a friend?"
Bibi is obsessed with Peter, the prince of the school. When she spots Amy next to him, she starts to feel jealous. She invites Amy to her house to warn her, but instead takes a liking to the girl. They agree to be friends on the condition that Amy has to help Bibi confess.
(Source: Peanutoon, translated)
Note: The chapter count includes 10 extra chapters.
3. Home Office Romance
Nokoru is finally afforded the chance to telework at home due to the pandemic lockdown. Rediscovering old passions and new hobbies, Nokoru is allured by his next-door neighbor, Natsu.
From the creator of Sweat and Soap, this standalone volume showcases two adults building a relationship when most human-to-human interaction was halted, even if it feels like a tall tale to find romance at home.
(Source: Kodansha USA)
4. Maybe Meant to Be
Jia Han, a 32-year-old freelancer with no work, is tired of her parents nagging her to get married and finally move out. When she runs into her childhood friend, Mincheol Jin, who is also feeling the same pressure from his parents, she blurts out that they should just get married to solve both of their problems. Little did she know he’d accept her suggestion, and she suddenly finds herself thrust into marriage. A story of an unexpected romance that’ll have you scrolling for more!
(Source: WEBTOONS)
5. The Perks of Being a Villainess
Do-Hee lived as a pushover, died miserably, and was reborn in a novel as a notorious villainess. But it turns out that her new life is not without its perks, as Deborah Seymour is also the richest villain alive. Now, all that's left for her to do is lay low and enjoy her carefree lifestyle... if not for the fact that Deborah is fated to be sent to a monastery! Will this ex-doormat find a way to avoid yet another tragic ending, or will the challenges of being a villainess be too much for her?
(Source: Tapas, edited)
6. The Perks of Being an S-Class Heroine
On the outside, Ailette Rodeline is an adorable child prodigy. Cooking, brewing tea, alchemy; you name it, she can do it. But this little girl has a big secret: Ailette is a transmigrator! After dying prematurely in her past life, she becomes a character whose world is destined for destruction. With all odds stacked against her, Ailette must figure out how to survive before her life is ripped from her again. Fortunately for her, she finds her salvation in… an insurance package?
(Source: Tapas)
7. Our Secret Alliance
From childhood friends to lovers! Se-I Yun and Jae-Ha Kim are model high school students who form an alliance to escape the prying eyes of their strict parents. They used to be childhood friends until something caused them to drift apart. Will this fake alliance be able to bring them back together?
(Source: WEBTOONS, edited)
8. Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You
At age forty-five, office worker Sasaki has had enough of the corporate grind. His only solace is smoking-and the friendly smile of supermarket cashier Yamada. When Sasaki can't find Yamada after a particularly trying day, a striking woman invites him to smoke with her. The despondent man thinks he's made a new smoking buddy in the cool, teasing Tayama, but Sasaki doesn't realize he already knows her!
(Source: Square Enix)
Note: On June 23, 2022 it was announced that the manga got licensed by Square Enix. It started being published in the magazine Big Gangan on August 25, 2022.
Winner of the Next Manga Award 2022 in the Web Manga Category.
9. Operation: True Love
It’s hard dating someone who won’t give you the time of day. Su-Ae Sim knows that better than anyone, having dated her indifferent boyfriend, Min-U Kang, for years. She sometimes wishes she could be more like her charismatic stepsister, Ra-Im, who seems to have it all. But life takes a turn for the weird when Su-Ae discovers Jellypop, a sentient flip phone, in her locker. Jellypop has a lot to say about her love life, especially as Su-Ee drifts further away from Min-U and finds herself running into Min-U’s friend, Eun-Hyeok. Add to the mix a growing suspicion that Min-U and Ra-Im might be more than friends, and Su-ae might need a miracle to navigate the ups and downs of high school romance!
(Source: WEBTOONS, edited)
10. Ending Maker
After "outboxer009" wakes up in the body of Jude Bayer from Legend of Heroes 2, he soon discovers that his rival "sandstorm" has also entered the game world as Cordelia Chace. These top-two-ranked old pros come to realize that navigating this game world is much harder than just pointing and clicking. With the apocalyptic conclusion of the game looming before them, they'll have to combine his quick wit, her foul mouth, and both their gamer mindsets to make a new, less cataclysmic ending.
(Source: Tapas, edited)