The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All Volume 1 by Sumiko Arai

Fashionable and upbeat high schooler Aya loves listening to rock, but no one else seems to share her interest…until she meets a cool, stylish employee at a CD shop. Dressed in black from head to toe, he has this air of mystery about him, and his taste in music is impeccable. Aya falls hard for him—not knowing her crush is actually her female classmate Mitsuki! For her part, Mitsuki generally keeps to herself and avoids standing out at school. But given that she sits right next to Aya, Mitsuki’s all too aware of the other girl’s feelings, and she’s afraid to reveal the truth. So why does she find herself talking with Aya more and more…?

Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon Volume 1 by Shio Usui

Uno Hinako throws herself into makeup, fashion, and falling in love, hoping that will make her seem “normal” to the other people at her job. But no matter how hard she tries, she’s a self-doubting mess inside, and her attempts at “normal” romance with men just keep failing. When she starts to think she might be alone forever, a new normal presents itself in the form of her relationship with Asahi Sato, a level-headed woman who works at her company. It starts as respect, and then it becomes far more intimate.

The Moon on a Rainy Night, Volume 1 By Kuzushiro 

One rainy night, Saki is rushing to a piano lesson when she crashes into a beautiful, long-haired girl, dropping her sheet music in the process. Saki stutters an apology, but the girl simply hands back her sheet music and leaves without a word. Saki begins her first day of high school the following morning, only to find the stranger from the night before sitting at the desk next to hers. She learns that the girl’s name is Kanon and that she is not quite completely deaf, but very hard of hearing. Though Kanon needs to be close to people to read their lips, she tends to push people away with her icy demeanor. Through one kind gesture, Saki slowly begins breaking down the walls around Kanon, even as she feels something new blossoming within her.

Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord Volume 1 by Yodokawa

Manga editor Asako Suga decides moving into a new home is just the thing she needs to get over a painful breakup with her toxic ex-girlfriend. She finds the perfect place for rent—affordable, spacious, lovely garden included—but there’s one catch. The house comes with a live-in landlord! It’s disappointing enough that Asako can’t have the single life she hoped for, but her cute landlord also seems to be hiding a big secret…Will living together bring them closer, or turn out to be more trouble than it’s worth?

Confessions of a Shy Baker Volume 1 by Masaomi Ito

Toshimitsu Yamamura owns a real estate company and loves baking delicious, healthy snacks in his spare time. When his coworker comes to him one day with the idea of advertising their real estate agency as LGBT-friendly, Toshi realizes this little change could really help people who often face discrimination in his industry. He’s terrified, though, because he worries this move will out him as gay. Joined by his boyfriend Gonta who inspired him to bake in the first place, Toshi navigates a changing world that’s slowly becoming more accepting, faces his fears and discomfort, and bakes some incredibly lovely treats along the way. 

X-Gender Volume 1 by Asuka Miyazaki

Asuka is neither a woman nor a man—they’re X-gender (a non-binary identity)—and they’ve realized they like women! Okay, now what? Adult films are fun to watch, but real sex is less appealing. Would having a penis make that better or worse? Periods already suck, and sex means more fluids from more people! This autobiographical manga follows Asuka’s feelings about their body, their relationships, and the fun (and sometimes terrible) experience of having an awakening in their thirties.

The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter Volume  1 Artist: Kazuki Irodori Author: Yatsuki Wakatsu Artist: Kikka Ohashi

Once upon a time, in the not too distant past, a holy maiden was summoned. Not just any holy maiden-one hailing from modern Japan. But this story is not her story. This is the tale of the humble accountant, Kondou, who accompanied her and his trials and woes as he accounts in a new world… But no tale is complete without a love interest. And who better to play that role than the handsome knight captain Aresh? Will he begin a personal quest to save said bean counter-who toils around the clock-or is Kondou doomed to be married to his work evermore…?!

I Cannot Reach You Volume 1 by Mika

No matter how much time we spend together, I’ll never become special to you. Childhood best friends. Two halves of a whole. The cool, smart one who’s good at almost everything, and his average, dorky friend who struggles to do anything right­-Yamato and Kakeru. Always by the other’s side, but not together in the way they truly want to be. No matter how hard they try, their hearts cannot reach each other…

The Red Thread, Vol. 1 by Lazysheep, Hibiko Haruyama (Artist)

“I’ve dreamed about them ever since I was a child…” Pharm is a skittish but friendly young man who is excited to start his new life as a college student. He’ll make friends, join a club… and maybe figure out why he’s always sensed that there’s a certain someone he’s fated to meet. The moment he locks eyes with Dean, the captain of the swimming club, he’s attracted to him in a way he’s never experienced before. Is this who he’s been looking for all this time? Does Dean feel the same way about him? Perhaps the answers lie in past lives they have yet to remember…

Semantic Error Volume 1 by Artist: Angy, Original author: J. Soori

Computer science major Sangwoo Choo values reason, routine, and rules above all, so when the rest of his teammates fail to contribute to the group presentation, he doesn’t hesitate to cut everyone’s names from the project entirely—including design major Jaeyoung Jang, which ruins his plans to graduate and study abroad. Jaeyoung is more than happy to return the favor and strives to be the biggest thorn in Sangwoo’s side—but as they spend more time together, a strange attraction begins to develop between them… Will Sangwoo be able to debug this semantic error from his life?

Cherry Blossoms After Winter: Volume 1 by Bamwoo

Seo Haebom was seven years old when his parents died in an accident. With nowhere else to go, he moves in with the family of his childhood friend Jo Taesung, who suddenly grows cold and distant, destroying their friendship.

Now it’s their senior year of high school and, after years of barely speaking to each other, Haebom and Taesung are in the same class for the first time. Haebom struggles to make friends and is plagued by bullying, but after the handsome and popular Taesung fends off his most persistent bully, everything changes—they sit together at lunch and begin to act like friends again. Haebom is unsure what to make of the shift, but this could be his last chance to mend their relationship.

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (The Comic / Manhua) Volume 1 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, Illustrated by Luo Di Cheng Qiu

Feared and hated for his sinister abilities, Wei Wuxian–the grandmaster of demonic cultivation–was driven to his death when the most powerful clans united to destroy him.

Thirteen years later, Wei Wuxian is reborn. Summoned by a young man who sacrificed his soul in a forbidden ritual, Wei Wuxian is now bound to seek vengeance on the stranger’s behalf or risk the destruction of his own soul. But when an evil entity emerges, a familiar face from Wei Wuxian’s past suddenly appears amidst the chaos–Lan Wangji, a powerful cultivator who will help shine a light on the dark truths that surround them. 

Dinghai Fusheng Records (The Comic / Manhua) Volume 1 By Fei Tian Ye Xiang Illustrated by Qian Er Bai

It has been three hundred years since magic disappeared from the Divine Land. Chen Xing is the last Great Exorcist—a young man with a tenuous grip on magic whose life is destined to end on his twentieth birthday. As whispers about the return of the demonic entity known as Mara echo across the land, Chen Xing is burdened with a daunting task: to seek out his fated counterpart, the Protector Martial God, and together, to save the world.

Enter Xiang Shu, a condemned man with a haunted past. Accused of unspeakable atrocities, Xiang Shu is an enigma—handsome, skilled, and facing execution for crimes he claims he didn’t commit. As their destinies intertwine, Chen Xing and Xiang Shu embark together on a journey where the salvation of everything they know hangs in the balance.

Catch These Hands! Volume 1 by Murata

Back in the day, Takebe was a tough-as-nails delinquent who could throw hands with anyone. But right when she finally decides to leave her old ways behind, Takebe has a surprise reunion with her old rival, the “Bloody Cardigan” Soramori. After all these years, she still wants a piece of Takebe-but not in the way anyone expected! Her proposal: If Soramori can beat Takebe in a fight, they have to start dating?!

The Rose of Versailles Volume 1 by Riyoko Ikeda

Oscar François de Jarjeyes is a young noblewoman raised as a son by her father. As commander of Marie Antoinette’s palace guard, Oscar is brought face-to-face with the luxury of King Louis XVI’s court at Versailles. Joined by her servant André, Oscar is privy to the intrigue and deceit of France’s last great royal regime.

Candy: Shou Harusono Art Collection by Shou Harusono

Sugar and spice and everything nice—enjoy this delightfully delectable and sugary sweet amalgamation of gorgeous illustrations, rough sketches, exclusive bonus manga, and even an interview with the series creator of Sasaki and Miyano and Hirano and Kagiura!

–Honorable Mentions–

(While not all of these titles are not specifically LGBTQ+, they are chosen for their quality in storytelling and diverse topics of choice.)

Scribbles by Kaoru Mori 

In this stunning series, Kaoru Mori—author of award-winning series A Bride’s Story and Emma—shares works from her personal collection of sketches and concept drawings. From familiar characters and settings to illustrations drawn from Mori’s own interests, Scribbles is a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes and into the sketch books of one of Japan’s most beloved creators.

Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou: Deluxe Edition 1 by Hitoshi Ashinano

In a future Japan, long after an environmental catastrophe, Alpha the android runs a small café in a seaside town. As she wonders if her absent owner will ever return, she stands witness to the twilight of humanity with coffee, a slice of watermelon, and the sound of her moon guitar. Alpha and her fellow residents enjoy the melancholy beauty of life.

The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl by Miyuki Tonogaya

Himuro is a modern-day ice god, an ordinary office worker who just so happens to be the descendant of a snow spirit. He’s also besotted with his coworker Fuyutsuki, who’s a little unusual herself. At first glance, the pair both seem to be calm, cool, and collected. But beneath Himuro’s icy good looks rages a passionate blizzard of love! On the other hand, his coworker’s cool facade belies nothing about any feelings she might have for Himuro in return⁠—because she’s too oblivious to realize anything! What’s a snowman in love to do?

The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyuuga

Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. Though she yearns for life outside its perfumed halls, she isn’t long for a life of drudgery! Using her wits to break a “curse” afflicting the imperial heirs, Maomao attracts the attentions of the handsome eunuch Jinshi and is promoted to attendant food taster. But Jinshi has other plans for the erstwhile apothecary, and soon Maomao is back to brewing potions and…solving mysteries?!

Mr. Villain’s Day Off by Yuu Morikawa

The mysterious and dastardly man known only as the General within the evil organization plotting to take over the world is one of the top targets of Earth’s defensive unit, the Rangers. But on his precious days off, he’s more likely to be at the local zoo staring at his beloved pandas or trying out new ice cream flavors! Will his secret hobbies be jeopardized forever when his natural enemy—a Ranger hero out to save the Earth—catches him in the act?

A Man And His Cat Volume 1 by Umi Sakurai

In the pet shop he calls home, a chubby, homely cat whiles away the hours listening to coos of delight from potential pet parents…but he knows it’s not him they’re fussing over. Even as his price drops with each passing day, no one spares the kitty a glance. Having all but given up on life, the feline dejectedly awaits his first birthday, when he’ll officially be past his sell-by date. So when an older gentleman comes into the shop and wants to take him home, the kitten himself is most shocked of all! Will the man and the cat find what they’re looking for…in each other?

Witch Hat Atelier Volume 1 by Kamome Shirahama

In a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a girl with a simple dream: She wants to be a witch. But everybody knows magicians are born, not made, and Coco was not born with a gift for magic. Resigned to her un-magical life, Coco is about to give up on her dream to become a witch…until the day she meets Qifrey, a mysterious, traveling magician. After secretly seeing Qifrey perform magic in a way she’s never seen before, Coco soon learns what everybody “knows” might not be the truth, and discovers that her magical dream may not be as far away as it may seem…

Delicious in Dungeon Volume 1 by Ryoko Kui

When young adventurer Laios and his company are attacked and soundly thrashed by a dragon deep in a dungeon, the party loses all its money and provisions…and a member! They’re eager to go back and save her, but there is just one problem: If they set out with no food or coin to speak of, they’re sure to starve on the way! But Laios comes up with a brilliant idea: “Let’s eat the monsters!” Slimes, basilisks, and even dragons…none are safe from the appetites of these dungeon-crawling gourmands!

Hikaru in the Light Volume 1 by Mai Matsuda (To watch out for)

Middle-school student Hikaru Ogino is known as the songbird of her family’s bathhouse in Tokyo. Her beautiful singing echoes from room to room as she cleans up after school, but she dreams of holding a microphone, not a mop! When her best friend, Ran — a former girl group idol — invites her to try out for a pop star survival camp together, it’s the chance of a lifetime to put her talents to the test. Can Hikaru outshine the competition and make her stage debut, or will she fall flat?