The Japanese publisher, Kodansha recently declared the four total nominees for the shoujo category for its 45th annual Manga Awards. The winner will be announced on May 13.
Defying Kurosaki-kun
Created by Makino
Serialized in Bessatsu Friend (Kodansha)
Yu Akabane is an average, plain girl but she has worked hard to reinvent herself for high school. She has her sights set on her idol, the “White Prince”of her school, Shirakawa-kun. When Akabane moves into the school dorm where Shirakawa boards, she thinks she’s found her lucky break.
But unluckily for her, “Black Devil” Kurosaki, is always with Shirakawa and his evil glare doesn’t let anyone come close to Shirakawa. When Akabane defies Kurosaki, he’s all too eager to punish her. What sort of drama will ensue?
A Condition Called Love
Created by Megumi Morino
Serialized in Dessert (Kodansha)
A 16-year-old high school first-year, Hotaru has always been ambivalent about love. She prefers instead to have a fun life with her family and friends. Love is hardly on her mind so when she sees schoolmate Hananoi grieving after a messy, public breakup, she doesn’t hesitate to share her umbrella.
But when he confesses to her in the middle of her classroom the following day, she knows that her life will soon be changing in major ways.
Honey Lemon Soda
Created by Mayu Morita
Serialized in Ribon (Shueisha)
The story focuses on the life of shy fifteen-year old Uka Ishimori, who has no good memories of her middle school years. Now that she’s finally in high school, Ishimori tries to reinvent herself but it’s not going too smoothly.
This is when she meets her classmate Kai, who has lemon-colored hair and seems as refreshing as lemon soda. He helps her when she’s bullied and she gradually starts to be inspired by him to change and learn to properly express herself.
A Sign of Affection
Created by Suu Morishita
Serialized in Dessert (Kodansha)
Yuki is your average college student, whose life is filled with friends, social media, and the newest sales. But a chance encounter with Itsuomi, a friend of a friend who is also a fellow student, drastically changes her life and broadens her perspective.
Although Itsuomi can speak three languages, sign language isn’t one of them. How will the two learn to communicate the budding romance between them?
