Yen Press is excited to present our 2019 Romance Staff Picks! We thought it would be fun to share some of our employees’ favorite series, couples, and ships, and in turn, ask the fans the same questions! Sound like fun? Let’s get started!
What is your favorite Yen Press romance series?
Tiina, Assistant Editor, nominated Victorian romance Emma.
“Maids?? Victorian Setting?? A love forbidden by social class? Sign me up.”
Selected as one of YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens in 2008, Kaoru Mori’s Emma, a modern manga classic, brings Victorian England to life in painstaking detail.
Calling upon his former governess, William Jones, gentleman, is startled when his knock is answered by an uncommonly beautiful servant, the soft-spoken Emma. But London society is a web of strict codes and divisions…
Junior Designer, Ann, adores Kiss and White Lily For My Dearest Girl.
“The stories are so entertaining and sweet and I like the fact that it shows many different couples (and all of them between girls)! The art is also totally gorgeous.”
In Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl, two talented girls who could not be more different in their work ethic navigate their place in the world, in their families, and in their friendships–and maybe even find love along the way. . .The series is ongoing with Volume 8 releasing on March 19!
In middle school, Ayaka Shiramine was the perfect student: hard-working, with excellent grades and a great personality to match, but one thing she didn’t account for is her new classmate, the lazy yet genuine genius Yurine Kurosawa.
Sara, Yen Press Editorial Assistant, chose Fruits Basket!
“While there is the element of romance, there’s more to the plot than that–a family secret, to name one. I also love the element of Japanese folklore that is tied in with the story and the characters”
A perennial favorite of fans and librarians alike, Natsuki Takaya’s beloved bestselling Fruits Basket series is now complete in gorgeous deluxe English-language omnibus editions with beautiful full-color illustrations that are not to be missed! Get ready for the new upcoming anime season, directed by Takaya-sensei herself, airing in April!
After a family tragedy turns her life upside down, plucky high schooler Tohru Honda takes matters into her own hands and moves out…into a tent! Unfortunately for her, she pitches her new home on private land belonging to the mysterious Sohma clan, and it isn’t long before the owners discover her secret. But, as Tohru quickly finds out when the family offers to take her in, the Sohmas have a secret of their own–when touched by the opposite sex, they turn into the animals of the Chinese Zodiac!
Who is your favorite Yen Press couple?
Tiina really loves her Kaoru Mori characters, and selected Emma & William from EMMA.
“They love each other so much that they hold out despite familial disapproval and societal standards. Truly a “love will overcome” story. The wedding scene is beautiful and I cry every time.”
Designer, Andy, picks Jorge & Jazmin from CRUSH!
“They are cute together and respect one another. They make a great team!”
Rachel, Yen On Editorial Assistant, gushes ‘Taki & Mitsuha’ from your name.
“They’ve both gone through a unique experience (swapping bodies, saving a town from destruction) and as a result forged a special, unshakable bond.”
Favorite Yen Press ship?
IT Support Manager, Gabe, nominates Aiz & Bell from Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
“They’re perfect for each other :’)”
Sara, Yen Press Editorial Assistant, loves Seo & Wakamatsu from Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun!
“Their dynamics are hilarious. Seo is an independent, strong-willed maelstrom who doesn’t seem to realize how much trouble she brings with her. Meanwhile, Wakamatsu basically keeps trying to get Seo to stop terrorizing him but takes actions that could easily be misconstrued as advances on her, and gets jealous when she’s almost goes to the amusement park with someone who isn’t him. Someone help these clueless children.”
Associate Editor, Carl, handpicks Hori & Kashima from Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun.
“They’re like a comfortable old married couple, complementing each other perfectly, except they don’t realize it themselves”
Which character would you like to spend Valentine’s Day with?
Ann confesses ‘Sebastian’ from Black Butler!
“Because I could just relax and put my feet up while he makes some delicious desserts LOL”
Rachel asks for ‘Dazai’ from Bungo Stray Dogs…
But of course “if Kunikida would let him.”
And last but not least, Sara invites ‘Fujimon’ from Aoharu x Machinegun.
“Hmm, I think I might answer Takatora Fujimoto, AKA “Fujimon,” from Aoharu x Machinegun. Not so much in a romantic sense, but I feel like he would make a really bomb spread of food and desserts–that is, if he’s not too busy gushing about how much he loves Midori-san.”
Whether you are celebrating holiday, snuggling up under a book, or watching your favorite anime, the Yen family would love to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day! Please let us know if you enjoyed our romance staff picks and would like to see more BTS or staff picks for the future on any of our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)~! Happy reading <3
