Josei manga are targeted towards the demographic of adult women aged ~18-40, although like other manga demographics they have some crossover readership from the adult categories. Josei manga first started after the gekiga movement in the 1960s introduced the idea of telling more mature, adult stories in manga. It first appeared in a manga anthology magazine in 1968 titled Josei Seven. The influence of the Year 24 Group led to the further development of shojo manga, and in turn josei manga as well. Similarly to seinen manga, one of the qualities of josei manga that sets it apart from shojo manga is that it often contains more graphic portrayals of sex. Erotica and pornography are both popular subgenres in josei along with romance and drama.
Paradise Kiss by Ai Yazawa
Your Name. , Vol. 1 (manga) by
A story of two people determined to hold on to one another. Mitsuha, a high school girl from a town deep in the mountains, dreams of an unfamiliar life in Tokyo. Taki, a high school boy from Tokyo, dreams that he is a girl living in the mountains. As the two begin swapping lives, a miraculous story is set in motion.
Pet Shop of Horrors - Tokyo by
A smoke-filled alley in Chinatown harbors Count D's Pet Shop. The pets sold here aren's your everyday variety and the Count prides himself on selling Love and Dreams in the form of magical creatures that come with an exclusive contract. But buyers beware. If the contract is broken the Count cannot be held accountable for whatever may happen. A fascinating and macabre look into the very soul of human nature.
Midnight Secretary, Vol. 1 by
Mad Men meets Vampire Diaries in this scandalous office romance. Kaya Satozuka prides herself on being an excellent secretary and a consummate professional, so she doesn't even bat an eye when she's reassigned to the office of her company's difficult director, Kyohei Touma. He's as prickly--and hot--as rumors paint him, but Kaya is unfazed...until she discovers that he's a vampire!! Kaya quickly accustoms herself to scheduling his "dinner dates" and working odd hours, but can she handle it when Kyohei's smoldering gaze starts turning her way?!
Paradise Kiss by
One of the most popular comic artists in the world, Ai Yazawa, returns with a 20th anniversay edition of the fashion-inspired comic that made her an international sensation, Paradise Kiss. This new edtion celebrates 20 years since Paradise Kiss began serialization in Japan and combines the original 3 volume release into 1 beautiful package. High fashion and hot drama come together in Paradise Kiss. One of the manga to launch the manga boom globally Paradise Kiss combined stunning design work and YA themed naratives that made it a multimillion unit seller worldwide.
Nodame Cantabile by
The son of a famous pianist, music student Shinichi Chiaki dreams of studying abroad and becoming a conductor like his mentor. Unfortunately, his fear of flying grounds his lofty plans! As he watches other classmates achieve what he has always wanted, Shinichi wonders if he should quit music altogether. Then one day he meets fellow student Megumi Noda, also known as Nodame. This oddball girl cannot cook, clean, or even read a music score, but she can play the piano in incomparable Cantabile style. And she teaches Chiaki something that he has forgotten: to enjoy his music, no matter where he is.
