Valentine's Day Stories For The Single Reader

Valentine's day is for everyone. Or, at least, it happens to everyone.

Are you single? Do you want to be single? Does the thought of Valentines day - cardoid shapes everywhere, magic of various kinds in the air, the droning wingbeat of cupid overhead - fill you with dread?

You aren't alone! Even in the world of manga, there's plenty of like-minded broken hearts to go around.

Below are a few of our stories for the single reader.

Note: This list doesn't count romantic comedies or Shoujo series that have merely prolonged a will they/won't they experience for any number of volumes. That would be cheating.

Minami Nanami Wants to Shine

Everyone wants to shine, and high schooler Minami Nanami is no exception. One day, she reaches a turning point, and her mother introduces her to the modeling industry. There, she discovers a whole new world, but nothing is ever that simple... 

We included Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki on the regular Valentine's day list, so it only seems right to include Mimimi's spinoff, which, from a certain angle, is the story of a girl so spurned, her story can only take place in a universe where she never met Tomozaki.

That's a tough break! I'm sure this solo version of Mimimi will be happy and not face any dramatic hardship while taking on the famously easy to enter world of modeling.

No Matter How I Look at It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!

Tomoko Kuroki naturally assumed she'd be popular when she got to high school... but then cold, hard reality swooped in for the attack! Turns out all the popularity points she's racked up in her video game dating sims are worth squat in real life, and Tomoko's far from prepared to navigate high school! How can she possibly hope to impress her classmates when she can't even talk to them?!

No Matter How I Look at It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular, commonly known as Watamote, starts as the story of a lonely, creepy girl. She's weird, can't talk to anyone without stuttering, has strange hobbies and interests, doesn't take care of herself, and has anemia.

Something very interesting happened over the course of the series. Tomoko started to make some friends. Sure, is she the creepiest part of her friend group? Yeah.

But everyone brings something different to the table. Everyone has something to offer. EVEN YOU!

RaW Hero

A portion of humanity has obtained special abilities, and two groups emerge in conflict. On the side of justice are "heroes." On the side of villainy are "monsters." For Chiaki, however, all that matters is finding work to support his younger brothers. But when a simple train ride to his latest interview takes a perverse turn, his sense of right leads him down an unexpected and uncomfortable path! From the mind of Prison School creator Akira Hiramoto comes a raw new story of a man caught between good and evil, lies and truth-and light and shadow!

This is a story from the same creator as Prison School.

There are some stories that should only be read when you live alone.

The Abandoned Empress

​Aristia la Monique was the child of prophecy, raised to be the companion of the future emperor—until she wasn’t. When the actual child of prophecy appears on the palace grounds, Aristia is immediately cast aside by both fiancé and country and forced to watch as Jieun is handed the love, future, and throne that was supposed to be hers. Her only reward for a lifetime of obedience is death… or rather, a second chance at life! When she unexpectedly wakes up in her ten-year-old body, Aristia resolves to escape the shackles of prophecy no matter the odds. This time, she’ll take fate into her own hands!

Some fans may call the ending choices on the far side of this story a little spicy. I don't know about that, we've only published one volume. So far it's the story of a strong, independent woman who seizes her own fate when given an incredible opportunity to start over!

Perfect for that post-breakup rejuvenation!

Uncle From Another World

​Seventeen years ago, Takafumi’s uncle fell into a coma, but now he’s back like a man risen from his grave. Soon, Takafumi discovers two bizarre things: His uncle treasures video games above all else, and, while comatose, he was actually transported to another world as some heroic guardian! Now, not only does Takafumi have to room with an uncle who is literally magical, he also has to catch the guy up on two decades of history—smartphones, high-speed internet, modern anime tropes…and the traumatic outcome of the ’90s console war!

Ever feel oblivious? Have you looked back and wondered about missed opportunities? Did you acquire magical powers after a decade-long trip to a magical otherworld?

If at least one of the above applies to you, you might enjoy Uncle From Another World - the story of a man who cannot see a quest marker, event flag, or relationship when it's staring him in the face.

Thrill as Takafumi's uncle recalls his unconventional Isekai past as a man shunned by pretty much everyone.

Thank you for reading our blog! Enjoy Valentine's Day! Go for a walk or something.