Summary
Sometimes, love is complicated, especially inromance mangaseries, wherelove trianglesare at the order of the day. But that’s part of the drama that drives the conflict in these stories, and most of the time, end up with one of the heroines (or heroes) prevailing in the end.
Unless, of course,the infamous harem route activates, and then we are engaging in a whole different genre. But this ranked list only highlights the best manga series about love triangles, considering art, storytelling, and character developments. Let’s take a look at them.
8Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
A Legendary Romance Manga That Inspired A Generation Of Artists
The shy and reclusive Sawako is often bullied due to her resemblance to a horror film character, but her kind heart yearns to feel the touch of love. In this heartfelt story of youthful love, school days, and a love triangle that threatens to ruin it all, the characters evolve in a near-magical way.
Karuho Shiina’s pen comes from personal experience and a long life of heartbreak, and it translates into a powerful narrative that has created a cult-worthy series, inspiring a whole generation of romance manga artists to follow in her steps.
7Toradora!
One Of The Best Romantic Comedies Of All Times
Toradora!is a series that blends romance, school drama, and love entanglements so seamlessly, that its plot has become legendary. From the get-go, there’s always a third wheel in every relationship; with the two main characters Aisaka and Ryuujiforming an alliance to beat the oddsand get their happily ever-after with the person they love.
Little did they know, that their unlikely partnership would put in motion a series of events that would involve an elopement, a huge family feud, and several heartbreaking (but memorable) moments.
6Fruits Basket
A Quirky Tale About Animals And Love Triangles
Combining supernatural elements, mystery, love triangles, and comedy,Fruits Basketis a masterfully developed RomCom that has attained lots of recognition both in Japan and internationally. It is filled to the brim with heartwarming moments and love entanglements.
Some compare it to another similar seriesRanma 1/2, but the truth is thatFruits Baskethas its own ‘naiff’ identity that diverts a lot from the classic made by Rumiko Takahashi.
5Blue Spring Ride
A Story About Giving The Heart That What It Desires Most
When Futaba meets her middle school sweetheart after years of being apart, she discovers that he has become bitter, distant, and cynical. Still, she cannot happen to be able to control her heart, and things are complicated even more when a third wheel appears in the scene, one that has a genuine interest in the heroine of this story.
Ao Haru Ride is a thrilling RomCom with high doses of corny and heartfelt moments, ideal for those who enjoya good old-fashioned love-triangle story.
4Ouran High School Host Club
A Lovely Comedy Filled With Misunderstandings
When an elite and impeccable scholarship student “accidentally” joins the Host Club of the most prestigious school in the prefecture, a series of misunderstandings drives him to form a bond with a hectic and quirky group of friends.
Things get even more complicated with the introduction of Haruhi, a girl who tries to pass as a boy, in an all-boys school. It is considered one of the best love-triangle comedies of all shoujo manga series.
3Peach Girl
A Passionate Drama From A School Girl’s Perspective
In this school drama, we witness the struggle of a young girl to fit in a place where a manipulative school queen rules supreme. The tale of how Momo tries to get close to Toji, while trying to avoid a direct confrontation with Sae is both dramatic and thrilling.
This story later develops into one of the most complex and heartbreaking love triangles, and a must-read for every fan of romance shoujo.
2Lovely Complex
A Quirky Love Story With A Wild Spin
A cute tale about the most unlikely and disparaged couple in school: one is a secluded and grumpy short otaku, and the other is a tall and slim school Madonna with a quirky personality.
Lovely Complexis both comedy and drama, in a heartwarming RomCom about unrequited love, accepting oneself, and overcoming public opinion. With the addition of a dramatic love triangle between the main characters and a third wheel (and sometimes even a fourth), this series is a silly yet surprisingly mature School drama.
1School Rumble
A Fantastical School Romance With A High Dose Of Satirical Comedy
Unrequited love, misunderstandings, and the most ridiculous of situations all packed up together in this lovely comedy about school life and the shenanigans of a group of friends in the middle of a notorious (and sometimes infamous) love triangle situation.
With a silly and sometimes satirical narrative, Kobayashi has developed a lovely universe that is both enthralling and wholesome, but also dramatic enough to entertain those seeking the thrill of love triangles.
