Yuuko Kasumi has some experience in the shoujo combined with romance department. Her most famous work so far became an anime called Marimo no Hana in 2012. In Dekiai Robot, we meet Yoshino, a girl who has a father who is a scientist. When Yoshino decides to give a valentine’s chocolates to the guy she likes, Yoshino finds out that her father’s new robot can be a problem.

We have robot protagonists in Karakuri Odette and Dekiai Robot. The two want to find the meaning of being human by interacting with, well, humans. The main difference is the “gender” of the robots. Also, Dekiai Robot is a brief tale in comparison to Karakuri Odette. The style of both manga is different as well, with Dekiai Robot illustrated in a style more like the nineties’ shoujo (think about a lot of screentones and curly details), while Karakuri Odette’s characters have taller and slimmer proportions and the lines are cleaner. Anyway, if you like Valentine’s Day stories or are looking for a quick read (or both), this one might be a good option for you.

Arata Yoshikawa has some experience with shoujo manga. In Sleeping Beauty, we meet Kanna, who is in her first year in high school. This girl is independent, but there is something in her childhood that has been bothering her. One day, Kanna receives a big package that contains Motoi, an android which was built to replace her friend who moved away a long time ago. This Motoi is cool and basically, everything that a girl would wish from a boyfriend, but is everything really as it appears?

It looks like in Japan, androids and schools go well together. At least that is the impression we receive from Odette and Motoi. Both are involved in romances, and their stories have comedy. The main difference is that Motoi was programmed by default to be Kanna’s ideal guy. The style is also different with Sleeping Beauty’s characters shorter in proportion to Odette’s characters, and the first manga using a lot of screen tones and tiny details to amuse the readers. If you always have wondered what it would be like to have a cybernetic boyfriend, don’t miss out Sleeping Beauty!

Umi Ayase is also a mangaka with some experience in the shoujo realm. Her most famous work so far is Haru, which became a movie in 2013. This story starts in a rather depressive note. The boyfriend of the protagonist is dead and she secludes herself in her own home. Therefore, an android with her boyfriend’s looks is sent to look after her, but will Haru be capable of replacing the real person? Would that actually be OK? Yes, we can expect some drama development here...

What is humanity? What makes us human? These questions are at the center of Karakuri Odette and Haru. The illustration style is different, as again, Karakuri Odette has cleaner lines and less shades usage than Haru, which has a rather cute style. Although the later has more drama since the beginning, they both have endearing scenes that touch the soul. We should warn you that you might shed a tear or two, so keep your tissues at hand. If you think androids are more than just machines, this is the manga for you.

Suu Morishita has some experience with shoujo manga about unconventional protagonists, although most of it has been in short stories. Her longest work so far has been Hibi Chouchou. The protagonist is Suiren Shibazeki, a cute girl who is so popular in elementary school that she rarely speaks throughout middle school in order to not catch attention. In high school, she falls for Kouha Kawasumi, a silent karate student. Will this awkward pair be able to match? You will have to read Hibi Chouchou to find out!

Although the art in Hibi Chouchou is more modern and has a dab for the unconventional, it is the most similar to Karakuri Odette so far. Both stories also have a slow pace, which let us understand the characters first. Although we do not have androids in Hibi Chouchou, human relationships are the most important part of the story as well. If you like shy protagonists and love stories, this might be a good option for you.

Yuu Watase is a mangaka who does not need introduction. Creator of several successful manga adapted into anime, OVAs, light novels and other media, we assure you that anything she does will have what we girls want. The best thing is that she is still active! Zettai Kareshi might not be her most recent work, but it is funny and witty. The protagonist is Riiko Izawa, who is tired of her failures in the love department, buys a boyfriend online and receives the android of her dreams. He is simply perfect, as he cooks, cleans and adores her! However, the guy might be pricey if she does not return him in time…

This is one of the most similar manga to Karakuri Odette. We have the same awkwardness in school, androids and how they learn to interact with humans. The illustration style is a bit different, but the storytelling is full with surprises in both manga. If you have ever wondered how life would be if we could get a boyfriend online, look no further than Zettai Kareshi!

Hitoshi Ashinano has been on the manga scene for a long time. Although he is not super famous, he has had his share of glory with the adaptation of Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou to anime in 1998. The author imagines the future of Japan, with much flooding going around, a reduced population and no telecommunications. Therefore, the people have adopted a different and simpler way of life, coexisting with humanoid robots. One of them is called Alpha, the owner of a coffee shop, a scooter and a camera. She travels and makes friends, reflecting in what she experiences.

So, did anyone combine Karakuri Odette with Kino’s Journey? Because the vibes we get from Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou are intensely like both of these manga. The slow pace, the attention to human emotion, and the female protagonist… Everything is carefully crafted to make us reflect about the nature of being alive on this planet. If what you like about Karakuri Odette is reflecting about the meaning of being human, Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou might be the right manga for you.