Living alone, Ooyama is a meek high schooler whose peaceful existence has recently been disturbed. One day, his classmate Riko Akutsu abruptly invited herself over and marked Ooyama's bedroom as her designated post-school hangout. Indulging in his manga stash, snacks and drinks, the troublesome delinquent enjoys lounging in his bed for leisurely naps. Ooyama finds himself unable to persuade Akutsu to depart, as she continues to frequent his home every single day with her provocative presence causing a stir within him. However, as time passes, their unordinary relationship evolves from mischievous taunting to a familiarity with each other that neither could have predicted.
Beneath a dog signboard-adorned building in the shopping district near the office street, you can find "Youshoku no Nekoya" - a cafeteria with a feline illustration on its entrance. This longstanding western cuisine establishment has been serving nearby salarymen a diverse range of menus for over half a century and is beloved by the locals as their go-to dining spot. However, "Nekoya" has a hidden aspect. On Saturdays, the cafeteria shuts its doors to the public and hosts enigmatic guests who appear at the sound of a chime. These visitors come from far-off lands, seeking out exotic and mysterious delicacies. Unbeknownst to them, these dishes are the same humble fares enjoyed by the salarymen. Nevertheless, to these exclusive guests, it is an unparalleled culinary adventure. In their quest for perfection, this cafeteria is renowned as the "alternate-world restaurant." And now, the chime sounds, signaling the arrival of the weekend's guests.
At the invitation of Risa Shiromine, Kaede Honjou logs into the virtual reality MMORPG New World Online as her character, Maple. Despite her lack of gaming experience, she invests all her status points into defense. As a result, Maple is sluggish, incapable of using magic, and constantly targeted by rabbits. However, her high vitality points grant her the "Absolute Defense" skill and a counter ability that can eliminate enemies with a single blow. Thus, Maple becomes a "mobile fortress" player with a unique poison ability that can neutralize attacks and overcome obstacles. Undeterred by her unorthodox approach, she embarks on an adventure.
Similar to the outside world, adults can only enjoy moments of peace when the little ones are asleep and darkness falls. In the workshop, aspiring witches spend their daytime perfecting their spell-weaving and conflict-resolution skills, filling the air with their enthusiastic sounds. Yet, Qifrey and Olruggio eagerly await the nighttime when they can bask in the tranquility of the kitchen, whip up delicious meals, savor every bite and chat with one another.
The focal point of A Bride's Story is an exquisite young lady named Amir, living in the 19th century Asia, who is sent to wed a man named Karluk in a neighboring village. Initially shocked to find out that her betrothed is eight years her junior, Amir grows fond of Karluk and his family. Their tribe originates from a region beyond the mountains, following cultures, feasting on food, and donning attire that contrast significantly with Karluk's part of the world. Nonetheless, as the couple share their daily lives, they gain insight into each other's respective customs, learning to respect and care for one another. A Bride's Story has received critical acclaim, bagging the Prix Intergénérations title at the 2012 Angoulême International Comics Festival and winning the 7th Manga Taishou award in 2014.
Although there are rumors circulating that Akane Nishimura has the ability to inflict curses on those she touches, she is actually just a melancholic elementary school girl. Her classmates frequently torment her, causing her to feel neglected and without companionship while at school. Fortunately, when a new student named Taiyou Takada becomes fascinated with Akane's rumored power, he reaches out to her in an attempt to be her friend. Taiyou's inadvertent self-assurance causes Akane to feel a sudden rush of excitement and transforms her previously uneventful life into one filled with cheer.
Despite being perceived as attractive, composed, and aloof by his coworkers, this seemingly unapproachable salaryman reveals his affectionate nature as a devoted father and husband once he returns home. He engages in playful activities with his daughter and showers his beloved wife with kisses, highlighting the stark contrast between his facade and his actions. This heartwarming manga in vivid color celebrates the endearing qualities of a loving family.
Madge's grandmother, living in a witches' village nestled in the forest, instilled in her granddaughter the art of magic from a young age. Despite possessing exceptional abilities, Madge yearned for the glamorous life of the city – a world where the most renowned and talented witches resided. In time, Madge left the comforts of the woods to seek out her desires in the bustling metropolis. Yet, her unconventional approach to magic rubbed against the conservatism of modern poetry, resulting in a low C-class witch classification - the least honorable rank within the Witches Association. With a stubborn determination to improve her skills, Madge mingled with Lilica, a fellow C-class witch who lived in a modest six-tatami mat apartment next door. Together, Madge and Lilica tackled a variety of missions, such as taming wild creatures and mending enchanted gadgets, in order to ascend the ranks of the witching world. Their unwavering companionship proved to be their greatest asset when faced with adversities of all kinds.
During their sixth-grade year, Yukiya Asagi and Miku Sakura, best friends since childhood, devised a game aimed at embarrassing the other person by uttering the phrase "I love you" in turn. Even four years later, as they enter high school, the competition continues as they strive to outdo each other and emerge victorious. However, as they begin to develop deep emotions for each other, the seemingly simple phrase takes on a more profound significance that surpasses the boundaries of their game. Each day, their urge to move beyond mere friendship intensifies, yet both are reticent to make the first move, uncertain of what lies ahead once the contest finally ends.
Sue, an aged feline, had hoped to pass her final days in tranquility. Nevertheless, her designs were shattered by the arrival of the frolicsome ebony male cat, Tai-chan. Sue had never consented to be a caretaker for cats, and this unanticipated shift caught her off guard.
As I woke up, I found myself in a strange realm with a young lady I didn't recognize. It seemed like I had been transported to another world, and I felt a rush of excitement at the prospect of all the exhilarating adventures I might have. But unfortunately, my excitement was short-lived as I soon discovered that I couldn't speak a word. To my surprise, my summoner was an adorable demon lord, as far as I could tell. In this love comedy that's based on communication difficulties in another land, we had to rely on gestures to make sense of each other's words.
Nami has an incredible magical ability, but her lack of coordination causes her to struggle with managing her powers. However, her bigger challenge is managing her own feelings. When Nami crashes into Ryotaro Tominaga's bike, her curiosity about her first love intensifies while Ryotaro continues to treat her with disrespect. Nami's kind heart and good intentions are overshadowed by her fear of making crucial decisions, especially as she approaches the end of high school. Set in a world of magic, this story is filled with emotional turmoil, misunderstandings, unreciprocated love, hatred, and passion as Nami and her friends seek to discover where they truly belong.