Top 10 Shoujo-Ai Manhwa [Best Recommendations]

As probably all of you already know, “shoujo-ai” is a Japanese word made by the fusion of two words: “shoujo” which means girl, and “ai”, which means love. Anime, manga, or other works labeled as shoujo-ai usually depict non-explicit lesbian relationships. Shoujo-ai works usually focus on the romantic, and emotional part of the relationship, when it isn't Platonic altogether. However, this genre is a bit underrated, yet its popularity is beginning to grow, what with a very enthusiastic fandom. Even Korea is making itself visible with new amazing shoujo-ai manhwa that conquered the audience, and that's why we created this ranking: stick with us until the end to discover 10 of the best shoujo-ai manhwa out there!


10. My Joy

  • Mangaka: Pito
  • Genres: Drama, Romance, School life, Shoujo-ai
  • Volumes: 26 chapters
  • Published: Aug 2016 – Jun 2019

Let's start this ranking out with My Joy, the webtoon created by Pito and published on Lezhin! This cute romance revolves around Namsu, Hye-Yeon, and Joy. Namsu is the popular school's track star, while Hye-Yeon and Joy are childhood friends meeting once again after a long time separated. Time changed them, and Namsu entering the picture may alter the balance of their relationship...

My Joy is the shoujo-ai manhwa that confirmed Pito as one of the best GL artists! This high school romance portrays a love triangle among girls who are just discovering more about their feelings, and sexuality. Join them to discover a cute romance made of lighthearted atmospheres, and good feelings!


9. Maison de Maid

  • Mangaka: Monnyang, Tarang
  • Genres: Comedy, Historical, Shoujo-ai
  • Volumes: 43 chapters
  • Published: Feb 2017 – Apr 2017

United Kingdom, 1850. June begins working as a maid in a mansion located deep inside the woods. Her life as a maid is complicated, though, as she is clumsy, and completely unsuited to be a maid. The other maids keep getting angry at her, but the young madam forgives June's every mistake. At the same time, June admires madam's looks and attitude. Will love blossom?

Maison de Maid is a very good shoujo-ai comedy, revolving around June and her sparkly personality. Even being clumsy, she manages to get in good with her madam, who shows a real interest toward June. Chapter after chapter, their relationship deepens, becoming something else eventually. Join June and her antics, and enjoy the romance!


8. Dallae

  • Mangaka: Choonae
  • Genres: Supernatural, Shoujo-ai
  • Volumes: 24 chapters
  • Published: Dic 2017 – Jul 2018

Bo-eun is a girl full of regrets: during high school she really admired Saeyeon – a beautiful girl and Bo-eun's classmate – but she never managed to muster her courage to speak to her. Now an adult, Bo-eun has a new roommate who goes back and forth from her window: it's a cat, Dallae (Korean for azalea). From the moment Dallae showed up, Bo-eun started having dreams about Saeyeon, but are the two things related somehow?

Here we are with a supernatural, shoujo-ai manhwa, made of pencil strokes, pastel colors, and a furry friend. Bo-eun remained full of regrets, but years later, she finally gets the chance to befriend Saeyeon, and realize what she truly feels for her. But then, what about Dallae? This shoujo-ai manhwa is full of mystery, and each character hides a secret from the other. Discover their story picking Dallae up!


7. The Chain of Youth

  • Mangaka: Dead Sea
  • Genres: Drama, Romance, School life, Shoujo-ai
  • Volumes: 30 chapters
  • Published: Dec 2016 – Oct 2017

Yoona is the most popular girl of the school: cute, with big eyes, and blonde hair, she is admired and adored by everyone. Jia is your average high school girl, and she has a crush on Yoona, exactly like almost all her classmates. Yet, it's difficult to tell who Yoona is, and what she really feels... and that's what Jia intends to discover!

The Chain of Youth is a shoujo-ai manhwa with darker tones, as chapter after chapter we discover how Jia's admiration and feelings toward Yoona get repeatedly played by Yoona herself, who shows her true colors. This shoujo-ai manhwa makes you cheer for Jia, while one step after the other she gets confused by Yoona's behavior, and at the same time, makes you wonder who Yoona really is. Pick it up if you feel like enjoying a less fluffy romance, it won't fail you!


6. Girl in the Birdcage

  • Mangaka: koer
  • Genres: Drama, Romance, School life, Shoujo-ai
  • Volumes: 49 chapters
  • Published: Apr 2018 – ongoing

Yeonkwang Arts High School is a place in which students are divided between those who are talented, and those who are mediocre. While the talented ones have a lot of privileges, and full benefits of the Gifted and Talented program, such as opportunities to attend art contests, funding, and so on, the mediocre ones aren't. Those without a real talent can only hope to join that program someday. Chung-eun is a talented student, and when she falls in love with Yumi, a non-talented student, trouble arise...

Even if talented, Chung-eun's life is not exactly easy. Bullied, and with low self-esteem, Chung-eun falls in love at first sight with the girl who saved her when she was in danger: Yumi. Girl in the Birdcage really draws the readers' attention, making them wonder if the feelings developing between the two girls are pure, or just one-sided on Chung-eun's part. This shoujo-ai manhwa is totally captivating, and we really hope you'll give it a try.



5. White Angels Have No Wings

  • Mangaka: Gado
  • Genres: Psychological, Romance, School life, Shoujo-ai
  • Volumes: 77 chapters
  • Published: Oct 2016 – Feb 2018

Ayeon is attending a Catholic high school, where apparently everything goes by just fine. Yet, she lives a torment, as she gets bullied on a daily basis. One day, Yeonhwa – an albino girl – rescues Ayeon, stepping in against the bullies. Ayeon can't believe that someone stood up for her, and she is very grateful to Yeonhwa. Yet, the albino girl probably has a hidden agenda...

White Angels Have No Wings is a psychological, shoujo-ai manhwa, debating delicate themes. Each character is very difficult to understand all the way, yet once you begin reading, it's impossible to take your eyes off this manhwa. If you like a twisted story, full of misunderstandings, unrequited feelings, and trouble, give it a shot: you'll devour this shoujo-ai manhwa!


4. Lily Love

  • Mangaka: Ratana Satis
  • Genres: Adult, Drama, Romance, School life, Slice of life, Shoujo-ai
  • Volumes: 32 chapters
  • Published: Nov 2016 – May 2017

Donut and Mew meet by coincidence, but that coincidence gradually turns to friendship, and then to something deeper. Even though very different from each other, the two of them begin a relationship made of love and mutual trust, while they try to protect what they have regardless of who they are, or their gender, or position. But trouble is around the corner, and maybe something could affect the happiness that Donut and Mew are trying to build...

Lily Love is a shoujo-ai manhwa that depicts a lesbian relationship realistically It touches many issues, such as coming out to the family, acceptance, rejection, and what's more, it highlights the importance of consent in a relationship. Lily Love is a rare gem in the shoujo-ai universe, you all are bound to like it.


3. The Love Doctor

  • Mangaka: Chamsae, Bansook
  • Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Slice of life, Shoujo-ai
  • Volumes: 85 chapters
  • Published: Jun 2016 – Dec 2017

Jung Erae is a college student who doesn't know anything about love, or relationships, to the point that she doesn't notice when men hit on her. After getting fired from her part-time job, Erae decides to contact the so-called “love doctor”, Cha Yoon, in order to understand what's wrong with her. As she spends time with Cha Yoon, Erae starts developing certain feelings, and eventually understands that her problem didn't lie with her not getting when she was courted by men...

The Love Doctor is a shoujo-ai manhwa portraying a college girl clueless about love, and dating. Erae is scared, but she gradually gets to understand why she couldn't date men, and why she kept pushing them away. Cha Yoon, the other main character, is the so-called love doctor, not devoid of personal problems, as well. But will love really blossom between our two heroines? Pick The Love Doctor up to discover it!


2. The Third Party

  • Mangaka: Enjelicious
  • Genres: Adult, Drama, Romance, Shoujo-ai
  • Volumes: 63 chapters
  • Published: Jan 2017 – Apr 2018

Gu Jeong Hui is the heiress of the GBS broadcasting center. She is rich, and beautiful, and the wife of Kang Sang Hun – a news reporter. Their marriage is political, and it was decided by Jeong's father; in fact, when Jeong joins the GBS broadcasting center, and meets the producer director Moon Hae Jin, she immediately falls for her. The two of them will become closer, and closer, but Kang Sang Hun is still Jeong's husband, and things get complicated...

The Third Party is a mature shoujo-ai manhwa, that keeps the readers' eyes stuck on the screen. Jeong and Moon Hae Jin are undeniably attracted to each other, and their feelings keep growing; yet, Jeong is married, so her husband keeps having a role in her life. But what will happen when Moon Hae Jin discovers the truth that Jeong is trying so hard to hide? The Third Party portrays a love triangle among people completely different from one another, with different goals, and desires. Give it a shot to see how the knots will be untangled!


1. Blooming Sequence

  • Mangaka: Lee Eul
  • Genres: Romance, School life, Slice of life, Shoujo-ai
  • Volumes: 77 chapters
  • Published: Oct 2017 – Feb 2019

Here we are with our first position! Blooming Sequence revolves around Seowoo, who is the president of the film club at her college. One day, while standing under the rain, a girl with orange hair stumbles into her arms, and then she starts dancing and singing in the rain. That encounter will be the beginning of a feeling that will bloom when that same orange-haired girl joins the film club.

Blooming Sequence totally deserved our first position, as this is a rare gem in the shoujo-ai universe. This is a realistic, slow-paced romance about two girls meeting accidentally, and then getting to know each other step by step. In Blooming Sequence everything feels so natural, and happens gradually, just at the right time. A cute romance full of good vibes, nice feelings, lighthearted atmosphere, and a sprinkle of comedy. You all should give Blooming Sequence a try, as in our opinion it wields all what you would expect from a shoujo-ai manhwa. A must- read!


Final Thoughts

And so our ranking of 10 shoujo-ai manhwa came to an end! How did you like it? We really hope you'll find it useful somehow, because just like we said up above, this genre is still a bit underrated, and as of today, it's very difficult to find shoujo-ai works which are plot-driven, and focus on the emotional part of a lesbian relationship, more than the physical one. We want to know what you think, and what shoujo-ai manhwa/manga you have read so far, so please, don't forget to let us know in the comments below. See you next time!

043 Top 10 Shoujo-Ai Manhwa [Best Recommendations]

Writer

Author: Mari Mari

An italian girl currently living the Japanese Dream. I'm an anime and manga enthusiast (I mean... very enthusiast. XD), and my other hobbies are writing, reading, playing volleyball, listening to good music and thinking about pointless things.

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