Romantic Subtext is a narrative which can at first appear to be Romance. These plots feature one or more main couples which seem to have romantic interest in each other, and whose relationship(s) will be central to the main story. However, while the story will set the couple up for heartwarming or embarrassing moments, these encounters will not lead to any significant romantic development, and the characters will not strive to deepen the relationship beyond a certain boundary.
Some early indicators of Romantic Subtext include a missing emotional throughline (lack of personal reflection which allows the characters to understand their feelings and share these with the audience) and a lack of any conflict which will deepen or drive the relationship apart. Almost always, Romantic Subtext is a theme under the Comedy genre and these stories have plots designed to uplift the audience with positive emotion or amusement.
Not to be confused with Romantic Sideplot, where a Romance narrative is side story to another main genre plot (e.g. Action or Adventure). Romance and Romantic Subtext are mutually exclusive by definition. Harem and Reverse Harem may fall into a similar pattern of absent romantic development, but will not be double-tagged.
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
Kiyoshi Koyama, a first-year high school boy, is a very big fan of VTubers. One day, he fell asleep while illustrating a VTuber character after class. His illustration was seen by Nene Otogawa, one of his classmates. She admired his work and wanted to become a VTuber as well. Otogawa requested Koyama to draw a model for her. He initially rejected, but then accepted at last. (Source: MU, edited)
A romantic comedy about a high school boy who can transform into a magical girl and a high school girl who can transform into a super warrior.
Taku Kuraike, a high school student, is depressed after being diagnosed with being on the verge of obesity. At an event he attended to heal his heartbreak, a woman he liked asked him to do something... He starts training at home! (Source: Kadokawa, translated)
Although he refuses to face his own feelings, Issei is slowly but surely falling for Hayame—and doing his best to make her feel the same! Six months after their fateful meeting, Hayame has settled into life at the Kataoka residence, while Issei continues an uphill battle with his mental gymnastics and bumbling plots to get Hayame to notice him! Filled with the sweet nuggets of their daily life and shenanigans, this spinoff of Promise Cinderella will leave you hankering for more! (Source: Shogakukan Asia)
The story of Mimitani, the tallest person in her class, and Makigai, the short boy who sits next to her.
(No synopsis yet.)
A sparrow named Ochun crashed into the atelier of a struggling young painter. To thank him for healing her injuries, she goes back to the atelier to return the favor! This is the beginning of a cute modern fairy tale about the relationship between human and bird, transcending all biological boundaries! (Source: Futabasha, translated)
Yuuta Agematsu is the author of the most popular web novel of the century—and he's only in high school! With such a huge hit under his name, he finds himself the target of affection from people like a beautiful editor, an idol singer, and a popular voice actor! However, Yuuta's main goal is to win over his childhood friend through a heartfelt confession...and things take a very unexpected turn! (Source: Square Enix)
(No synopsis yet.)
Hinako, a 26-year old office worker, is confused by Itsuki's, her neighbor, gender, whom she thought was a boy when they were a child. Hinako spends her daily life surprised by Itsuki's casual gestures. However, it is actually Itsuki's heart who is pounding the most, having unrequited feelings for Hinako. (Source: Kadokawa, translated)
(No synopsis yet.)
An otaku and a yankee that seems to be interested in reading manga?
(No synopsis yet.)
Meet Natsumi Harukawa, a young office lady. During work, she is asocial and constantly looks cranky. However, the truth is that Harukawa-san is simply very hungry, and spends her time after work eating delicious foods. (Source: MU)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
16 year old Azuma Kousuke used to be called a prodigy in high school, but because of Shinobu Nishimori he was reduced to being just another student. But now, everything changes after Azuma discovers Shinobu's secret... (Source: MU)
(No synopsis yet.)
A collection of stories about Hikaru Anjou, a guy who suddenly became a girl.
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
Shimobe started working at a maid cafe. However, he sees Mai, the cafe's top maid, smoking. His heart begins to flutter after seeing the gap between her girly maid self and her hardcore heavy smoker self. This is the beginning of a romantic comedy between a part-timer and a smoking maid!! (Source: Coamix, translated)
(No synopsis yet.)
Uemura is a bit scary, and Morishita is a bit of an airhead. Their feelings always don't reach each other enough. They can feel it, but don't notice it. Their frustrating sense of distance is extremely precious, though. (Source: Ichijinsha, translated)
Hajime Haibara's daily life faded into monochrome as his first love disappeared. Seven years later, he is now a high school student, and a beautiful girl named Misora Rurikawa, who draws erotic manga without being noticed, appears in front of him. I can show you a 'new world,'" she says, taking him to a large-scale doujin event! (Source: Cygames, translated)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
Half a year after moving to Kyoto, high school girl Aoi Mashiro brings her late grandfather's old scrolls to Kura, an antique store nestled in Kyoto's Teramachi-Sanjo shopping arcade, for an appraisal. One thing leads to another, and she winds up working there part-time. The manager's son, Kiyotaka Yagashira—nicknamed the "Holmes of Kyoto"—is uncannily perceptive, and together, they solve strange cases relating to the antiques brought to them by clients. (Source: J-Novel Club)
(No synopsis yet.)
Masaichi Mazono, an otaku boy, and Toiro Kurumi, the most beautiful girl in school, are childhood friends. Toiro, who was always in Masaichi's room, was supposed to be like family to him. But one day, Toiro, who was constantly getting annoyed by her romantic troubles, asks Masaichi to play the role of her boyfriend. They thought it would be simple to pretend to be a couple because they'd been together for so long, but their ideal childhood friend can't possibly end up as a false lover... "E-eh no, holding hands is embarrassing." A childhood friend who is more than a lover embarks on a more adventurous lover's life than she could have dreamed! (Source: Hobby Japan, translated)
Side stories published after the Shinigami Bocchan to Kuro Maid manga officially concluded. Later included in the Shinigami Bocchan to Kuro Maid Koushiki Fanbook.
A collection of one-shots released as part of the "Oneesan to xx Shitai♡" project.
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
"I've decided for you to be my bride!" I left the company I worked for to finally open a restaurant in the countryside. But even though I tried my best, things didn't go so well. Until one night, a cat that I saved while I was out for a walk suddenly turned into a handsome man?! What's more—he proposed to me? But he's a cat?! This new, heart racing lifestyle begins! (Source: Flex Comix, translated)
The straightforward and kind Sora Mishima, is an ordinary high school girl who wants a boyfriend. One day, she had an erotic dream. She then went to school and met the new transfer student, Akane Kandachi. Even though he looks rather bleak and dark but for some reason, all his classmates were fascinated by him...? Or perhaps, half-fascinated?! (Source: Shueisha, translated)
A brother's younger sister struggles to maintain eye contact with him, except...
Special chapter celebrating the release of the final volume of the series.
A story about a certain manga club where the senior student helps her junior elevate his drawing skills.
A deaf elementary school girl, Shouko Nishimiya, upon transferring, meets a boy named Shouya Ishida in her new class. Shouya, who is not deaf, leads the class in bullying Shouko, because she is deaf. As the bullying continues, the class starts to bully Shouya for bullying Shoko. After graduating from elementary school, Shouko and Shouya do not speak to each other... until later, when Shouya, tormented over his past, decides he must see Shouko once more. Shouya wants to make amends for what he did in elementary school and be Shouko's friend. (Source: ANN)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
An irregular love comedy between an eager-to-strip beauty, and a guy with a frightening face who also likes to read. (Source: Kadokawa, translated)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
A super-sheltered girl, Rei Shiranui, has a lot of things she doesn’t know! She asks her questions to her senpai, who is also a library committee member. But sometimes, her questions are hard to answer...!? (Source: Houbunsha, translated)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
A deaf elementary school girl, Shouko Nishimiya, upon transferring, meets a boy named Shouya Ishida in her new class. Shouya, who is not deaf, leads the class in bullying Shouko, because she is deaf. As the bullying continues, the class starts to bully Shouya for bullying Shoko. After graduating from elementary school, Shouko and Shouya do not speak to each other... until later, when Shouya, tormented over his past, decides he must see Shouko once more. Shouya wants to make amends for what he did in elementary school and be Shouko's friend. (Source: ANN)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
An anthology about younger sisters.
(No synopsis yet.)
I'm in charge of training the part-timers of a game store. I was surprised to find out that the super cute newcomer, Nagisa, is the top ranked gamer "NAGi!" As I train her, the distance between us gradually shrinks, and our hearts won't stop beating...!? (Source: Hifumi Shobo, translated)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
Kou is a handsome high school boy who normally can't stand girls, until he falls head over heels for Cleo, a genuine modern-day mural-girl who walks like an Egyptian! A blast from the past 5000 years in the making, it's the Egypti-est romantic comedy around! (Source: Shogakukan, translated)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
A collection of romantic stories revolving around otaku culture.
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
Soushi Sakura is said to be the most handsome and brilliant student in the school. Yuria Saionji is a mysterious beautiful girl who is known as the reincarnation of an angel. They are beautiful and popular, but on the inside they are actually unpopular idiots with terrible communication skills. One day, they meet in a place where they can’t see each other, and without recognizing each other, they grow closer in this gag comedy of misunderstandings. (Source: Shousetsuka ni Narou, translated)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
(No synopsis yet.)
Taiyou Ookawa is a systems engineer who looks scary and unapproachable on the outside, but is actually just a clumsy, good-natured guy. He has a a long-time crush on his high school classmate, Nagisa Ikeya, who is obsessed in collecting goods from her favorite anime and manga. Nagisa thinks that there's no reason for Taiyou to fall in love with such a hardcore otaku like her. Taiyou, on the other hand, couldn't confess his feelings to her because he's so afraid that she'll hate him. What will their story of fangirling and unrequited love result to? (Source: Houbunsha, translated)