Meaningful Non-romantic Relationships
Manga
Manga/Manhwa where there are central non-romantic relationship(s), ie friends, teacher-student, something in between etc but not family/found family, I have a different stack for that
Some of these may have romance as well but it's not between the main characters and/or it's a subplot that often doesn't result in the characters actually getting together
Not on MAL:
-Susu, Han: About a pair of estranged siblings reconnecting, and their group of friends. Good comedy and drama.
-The Competition: About a violin competition, has friendships and sibling relationships. Good drama.
-The Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood: A group of outcasts become friends. Great comedy.
-Our Time: Adorable friendship between a boy who can stop time and a girl who can only be free from her coma in his stopped time.
Some of these may have romance as well but it's not between the main characters and/or it's a subplot that often doesn't result in the characters actually getting together
Not on MAL:
-Susu, Han: About a pair of estranged siblings reconnecting, and their group of friends. Good comedy and drama.
-The Competition: About a violin competition, has friendships and sibling relationships. Good drama.
-The Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood: A group of outcasts become friends. Great comedy.
-Our Time: Adorable friendship between a boy who can stop time and a girl who can only be free from her coma in his stopped time.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2019
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Group of friends. About school fighting but they're so adorable. Very serious storyline tho. So good pls read it.
Manga, 29 vol, 2007
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Group of friends. About school fighting but they're so adorable. Filled with ridiculous plot lines/plot holes but its cute and hilarious.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2022
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Best friends/Friend group. About school fighting but they're so adorable. Not as serious as study group, but not nearly as unserious as oresama teacher.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2021
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About school fighting but they're so adorable. Ghost of girl's dead father occasionally possesses her friend to protect her LOL. Pretty funny but also rather serious. Father-daughter but also lots of friendships and particularly a certain pink-haired delinquent's back story got me good
Manhwa, ? vol, 2020
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ALL OF THEM ARE SO SWEET IT BRINGS ME TO TEARS. Family, found family, friendship. The plot is literally just a series of fights (super exciting and cathartic ones) but what matters in each arc is WHO he's fighting for. Sweetest most likeable MC I've read abt in a while, I don't think anyone could hate him
Manga, 18 vol, 2020
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Sooo ridiculous but the friend group is surprisingly adorable.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2022
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Sooo ridiculous but the friend group is surprisingly adorable pt 2.
Edit: THE ENDING IM SOBBING AKAKDJSHD THE SWEETEST EVER
Edit: THE ENDING IM SOBBING AKAKDJSHD THE SWEETEST EVER
Manhwa, 5 vol, 2021
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Sooo ridiculous but the friend group is surprisingly adorable pt 3. Comedy is top tier for this one, though the ending was bittersweet. Warning: Beware of Dominic.
Manga, ? vol, 2023
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Sooo ridiculous but the friend group is surprisingly adorable pt 4. The fighting parts I skip sometimes tho honestly. But the silly slice of life bits with the home ec club which are the core of the series are soooo good. Born to be a slice of life, forced to be a shounen manga <//3.
EDIT: It's nearing it's end but...things have taken a strange turn...I hope this doesn't go where I fear it's going...or I might have to take it off this list...will update later...
EDIT: It's nearing it's end but...things have taken a strange turn...I hope this doesn't go where I fear it's going...or I might have to take it off this list...will update later...
Manga, ? vol, 2014
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Sooo ridiculous but the friend group is surprisingly adorable pt 5. Has student-teacher friendships, tight-knit class, and friendship between teachers as well. Some of the jokes are a little...weird...but you get used to it...
Manga, 3 vol, 2019
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Marvelous. Spectacular. Awe-inspiring. Jaw-dropping. Life-changing. He is the moment. Hayakawa can go jump off a cliff tho- JUST KIDDING HAHA. but seriously IT SHOULDVE BEEN ME. WHY HIM PEN-CHAN.
I swear my name is not Masataka Seto.
Ahem.
(aka sooo ridiculous but the friend group is surprisingly adorable pt 6)
I swear my name is not Masataka Seto.
Ahem.
(aka sooo ridiculous but the friend group is surprisingly adorable pt 6)
Manga, 17 vol, 2013
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Student-teacher and family. Meaningful relationships between the tutor and the 4 princes, as well the 4 princes (who are all brothers) among each other. A little juvenile at times but simple and cute.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2022
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Teacher by accident and his many students. When it comes down to it he's just a really good teacher and its really heartwarming. I don't rlly like the fighting segments that occur outside of school w his little secret organization, not bc its badly written or boring but it just feels irrelevant. But the actual school segments, which constitute the majority, more than make up for it.
Manga, ? vol, 2022
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Another instance of OP combat-oriented teacher-by-accident at a magic school. Also very heartwarming and adorable. Especially because in this one the mc is equally saved by his students, since he had a rough childhood and feels needed and fulfilled being able to help these kids who put their faith in him.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2021
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Teacher-student despite MC (the teacher) technically being the youngest of them all since he was reincarnated (although in mental age he's super old). It takes a few chps to get rlly good but once it did I couldn't put it down. Makes me so emo whenever he reminisces about the past and finally realizes how his now deceased teacher and foster-dad felt towards him now that he has his own disciples he cares about.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2019
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Main relationship is student-teacher but more like friends, or sometimes even a guardian and ward. It's hard to classify their relationship in a compact way, but that's the beauty of it. They're so :'). Has some side character romances. Mostly happy ending imo but will make u cry along the way. Also I was so sad bc it was over and there was no more.
Manga, 5 vol, 2011
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An autobiographical work about the author and her art teacher. Very realistic for obvious reasons, and very heartfelt. Not for everyone, as it's closer to a literary work, and sometimes ppl want to read manga because its silly and removed from reality, but if it sounds even remotely interesting to you definitely give it a try.
Manga, ? vol, 2019
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Wholesome relationship between grown man and young girl. Closer than just student-teacher but not enough to be like parent-child. Maybe something like siblings? Although yayoi is definitely more reliable than keitarou... In any case, probably the most wholesome horror manga ever LOL.
Manga, ? vol, 2020
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Wholesome relationship between grown man and young girl pt 2. Gives mad Barakamon vibes omg we're so back. But where Handa definitely feels like Naru's guardian (which is why they r in found family stack and not here), these two are not like that (esp cuz inori has an ordinary mom and a dad she lives with lol). That's not to say their relationship is any less meaningful though. So good pls pls pls read.
Manga, ? vol, 2016
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Wholesome relationship(s) between grown man and young girl(s) pt 3. Definitely feels like their guardian so it almost made it to found family, especially because the girls are so close too. But there's a nuance to their relationship(s) that would be left out if we call it found family because he's a guardian but he's also an important mentor idk. Like ppl who have read it do u get what I mean???
Manga, 2 vol, 2024
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Wholesome relationship between grown man and young boy. Both of said characters are also assassins and the boy is supposed to be trying to assassinate the guy LOL. Was so cute and I enjoyed the humor but unfortunately it got axed. Still a fun ride tho.
Manga, 4 vol, 2022
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Wholesome relationship(s) between grown man and young boy and girl. Mainly supposed to be in my family/found family stack but I like it so much that I had to put it here too for more exposure. Same author as Romantic Killer the GOAT never misses.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2022
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Closed off heroine in a life or death situation connects with her class (after much resistance). Super cute friend group!!!
EDIT: AFTER NEARLY TWO YEARS OF HIATUS ITS FINALLY BACKKKKK
EDIT: AFTER NEARLY TWO YEARS OF HIATUS ITS FINALLY BACKKKKK
Manga, ? vol, 2016
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Closed off heroine in a life or death situation connects with her class (after much resistance) pt 2. Sooo many plot twists. The first 30 ish chapters (up to where the anime adapts) are already good in my opinion, but after that is where it starts to get really good. And just when you think things can't get any more interesting there's a time skip and it's a completely different series from what it was in the beginning.
Manhwa, 7 vol, 2021
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Closed off heroine in a life or death situation connects with her class (after much resistance) pt 3. Saved the best one for last. Bawled and also had an existential crisis. Can you believe I almost dropped it in the beginning? Trust me on this and give it a few chapters to get started ok.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2021
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Siblings + Friendship/Comradery. Similar to ORV but imagine YJH was KDJ's little brother LOL.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2021
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Great bromance. Also hilarious, and has its heartfelt moments.
Manga, ? vol, 2020
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Mentor-mentee, kind of bromance. Cute little rag-tag group that can be considered found family. Plus side character brothers are super cute. Plus sakamoto's school days friend group is so cool (akao rion you'll always be famous). Basically every relationship is a meaningful non-romantic relationship (aside from like sakamoto and his wife ofc LOL but she's a minor character). Super wholesome and heartfelt for a manga about assassins LOL. I already know the anime is gonna blow up when it airs.
EDIT: Bro why did the anime flop (I haven't watched it yet) ok just read the manga guys
EDIT: Bro why did the anime flop (I haven't watched it yet) ok just read the manga guys
Manga, 3 vol, 2024
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Another super cute little rag-tag group. Relatively new but love the story so far. Set in prohibition era america and portrays some heavy topics tho
EDIT: THEY AXED IT NOOOOOOOOO :((((( ok but the ending was super sweet at least but they still had so many adventures to go on... and I'm sure they did but why couldn't we be there to see it... :'(
EDIT: THEY AXED IT NOOOOOOOOO :((((( ok but the ending was super sweet at least but they still had so many adventures to go on... and I'm sure they did but why couldn't we be there to see it... :'(
Manga, ? vol, 2016
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Don't read this. It will ruin you. It will destroy you so bad. And then it'll destroy you again bc around the 120(?) chp mark the story kinda loses what made it so good...
Manhwa, ? vol, 2022
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"Non-romantic" part is debatable on this one... Bro is anything but the third wheel... but nothing canon rn so I'm putting this in here for now cuz it's super cute and interesting. Mc is such a pure soul that sometimes it shocks me. He's so sweet I would totally cling to him too.
Manga, ? vol, 2017
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Ghost of a super dedicated (female) idol can possess a super lazy (male) idol. So silly and dumb but I find it sooo funny and cute. Has bromance as well. Everyone in this series has the emotional intelligence of a rock. They're so awkward but they're trying their best. And the comedy is top-tier idc.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2022
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SOOOO CUTE. CUTEST SLICE OF LIFE EVER. PLS READ IT I LOVE THEM SM THEY'RE SO CUTE. And not just cute, but well written drama/conflict as well. Has bromance except its between a girl and a boy idc, read it and tell me I'm wrong.
Manga, 2 vol, 2020
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Gloomy boy who is a magical girl otaku becomes friends with an actual magical girl who is not very good at doing her job and essentially becomes her coach. So cute and the art style is so good.
Manga, ? vol, 2018
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Cutest kids ever why are they so little and cute ugh and the story is so good too please read it. There's like hints of romance like some of the kids have crushes on each other looool but overall it's a cute little friend group.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2022
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Sismance. One of them also has a bit of a love triangle going on and the other is in a pre-established relationship but the central relationship is definitely the two heroines.
Manga, 2 vol, 2018
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Cute besties + friend group. Makes me miss the girlies. Plus marine/fishing setting.
Manga, 8 vol, 2015
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Friendship/Found family. So adorable. Very wholesome slice of life. Makes me miss the girlies pt 2.
Manga, 5 vol, 2018
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Slice of life about two siblings + their respective friend/kouhai going to music festivals. Soooo cute and wholesome. Absolutely adorable. Reminds me of summers I spent with my best friend hanging out everyday going wherever we want and eating yummy food until the sun sets and the smell of evening breeze-
Manga, 8 vol, 2014
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Kids being kids. So cute and silly and funny. Reminds me of my childhood and my childhood friends! In other words makes me miss the girlies pt 4 heh.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2015
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You know the drill. Miss the girlies pt 5. Out of all the ones so far this is definitely the most well written and heartfelt one. Has a lot of serious moments as well. To do it justice I would need to write an essay so I won't bother, just read it for yourself.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2019
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SO underrated. Two girls in different difficult circumstances have no friends initially, but after a rough start, end up becoming best friends and make other friends as well. Not missing the girlies pt 6 because me and the girlies have not gone through even half the stuff these two have. The drama is gripping and at times rage inducing and their bond makes me tear up.
Manga, ? vol, 2024
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Ah, youth (petty drama, ruthless scheming, and chasing your dreams even though you suck at guitar)
An amateur would say "skip and loafer meets bocchi the rock" (I was said amateur) but this series is nothing like either of those other than the vibes of the protag. That comparison rlly does not do it justice because no other series I've read thus far is so unapologetic in portraying childish highschool drama for what it is and I love it for that its so chaotic. If you enjoy the TEA then this series is for you. Thank you for your service Koyama Rin.
An amateur would say "skip and loafer meets bocchi the rock" (I was said amateur) but this series is nothing like either of those other than the vibes of the protag. That comparison rlly does not do it justice because no other series I've read thus far is so unapologetic in portraying childish highschool drama for what it is and I love it for that its so chaotic. If you enjoy the TEA then this series is for you. Thank you for your service Koyama Rin.
Manga, 5 vol, 2017
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An overworked office worker takes in some bunnies from the moon who will literally die if they go too long without working. Adorably dark and concerning, and so ridiculous you can't help but laugh. Not really sure what to call their relationship... it's not family... it's not friends... it's not even pet and owner... I'm sure the bunnies would say its master-servant but the mc spends the whole series trying to fight that notion LOL. In any case, short but sweet, and the ending is perfect.
Manga, 13 vol, 2016
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Hard to classify into one category because although the main characters are a trio of friends, the true strength of this series is its portrayal of an entire town of quirky characters, forming all kinds of different relationships with each other. Super silly and super ridiculous, and the jokes are hit or miss, but you'll come to love City and all the people that make it up.
Manhwa, ? vol, 2021
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Another hard one to classify, because its a large group with lots of different relationships. There are friendships, romances, rivalries, and more. Just like City, the selling point is the vibrant community all these characters make up. This one is far more serious though and deals with some heavy topics as well. Very underrated.
Manga, 16 vol, 2012
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My favourite manga of all time. About a girl who has trouble making friends, and a boy who declares he doesn't need them. At the end of the series, the two of them aren't even friends. But perhaps truly meaningful relationships can't fully be described by the simple labels we may or may not put on them.
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