Junjou Romantica

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Alternative Titles

Synonyms: Pure Romance, Junjou Egoist, Junjou Terrorist

Japanese: 純情ロマンチカ

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Information

Type: Manga

Volumes: Unknown

Chapters: Unknown

Status: Publishing

Published: Apr 30, 2002 to ?

Genres: Boys Love, Comedy, Drama, Erotica

Serialization: Emerald

Authors: Nakamura, Shungiku (Story & Art)

Statistics

Score: 8.15¹ (scored by 13,614 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: N/A²

² based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #553

Members: 31,751

Favorites: 1,866

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Wikipedia

8.15

Ranked N/APopularity #553Members 31,751

MangaEmeraldNakamura, Shungiku (Story & Art)

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Synopsis

Junjou Romantica weaves together the stories of three couples who are about to experience their own "pure-hearted" romance.

Junjou Romantica
Misaki Takahashi, a young man preparing for his university exams, and his tutor, Akihiko Usami—a highly acclaimed novelist—do not get along. If it was not for Takahiro, Misaki's beloved older brother and Usami's best friend, the two would never have crossed paths at all. But when Misaki discovers a sexually explicit boys-love novel featuring characters eerily similar to Usami and Takahiro—definitely penned by Usami himself—his suspicions about the man's ulterior motives toward his brother are confirmed. After a heated confrontation, Misaki and Usami decide to call a truce. That is, until Takahiro visits them with his new fiancée! Misaki should be elated, but as Usami simply accepts the news with congratulations, why does he feel this unfamiliar anger toward his brother?

Junjou Egoist
Hungover and suffering from an unrequited love, Hiroki Kamijou is crying on a park bench when he almost gets hit by a small rocket. Upon seeing his tears, the owner of the rocket, Nowaki Kusama, cannot seem to leave him alone, even convincing Kamijou to tutor him for his upcoming high school proficiency exam. But when the subject of his tutor's unrequited love appears at his doorstep, Nowaki claims Kamijou all to himself and declares his feelings for him. How will the prideful Kamijou deal with this "storm" that threatens to drown him and his heart with love?

Junjou Terrorist
Shinobu Takatsuki believes that it was destiny that led him to meet You Miyagi, who had saved him from being extorted for money three years ago. Things got complicated, however, when they became in-laws, with Miyagi having married Shinobu's older sister—and so, the news of the couple's recent divorce presents the perfect opportunity for Shinobu and his hero to finally be together. Miyagi, however, does not appreciate the advances of this much-too-young "terrorist" who thinks nothing of their age gap and complicated relations. He tries to scare him off, but Miyagi underestimates just how serious Shinobu is and that he is willing to break through any obstacle, all for their "fated love."

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

Junjou Romantica's English volumes 10 and 12 ranked on the New York Time's Best Seller for July 11, 2009 and September 10, 2010 respectively. The series has expanded into several drama CDs, a light novel adaptation, multiple spin-off series, and a three-season anime adaptation. On June 22, 2015, it was announced in Shungiku Nakamura's official twitter that the manga has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide.

The series was previously serialized in CIEL TrèsTrès, but moved to Emerald on August 30, 2014 when the magazine went defunct.

Junjou Romantica was published in English by Tokyopop under its Blu Manga imprint from October 10, 2006 to August 31, 2010. Because of Tokyopop's closure, only 12 volumes were released. It has also been published in Spanish by Ivrea España since February 13, 2015.

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Related Manga

Side story:	Junjou Minimum, Junjou Mistake
Spin-off:	Junjou Romantica dj - Theater Chika Chika Chikka, Junjou Romantica dj - Chika*Chika Cheap★Star, Junjou Romantica dj - Junjou Junai ParaBook, Sekaiichi Hatsukoi: Onodera Ritsu no Baai
Alternative version:	Junai Egoist, Junai Romantica
Adaptation:	Junjou Romantica Special, Junjou Romantica 3, Junjou Romantica 2, Junjou Romantica OVA, Junjou Romantica

More characters
Characters

Usami, Akihiko

Main

Takahashi, Misaki

Main

Kamijou, Hiroki

Main

Kusama, Nowaki

Main

Takatsuki, Shinobu

Main

Miyagi, You

Main

Kisa, Shouta

Supporting

Yanase, Yuu

Supporting

Kirishima, Zen

Supporting

Isaka, Ryuuichirou

Supporting

Reviews

Oct 17, 2013

cr6zym0nkeyiz

Recommended

Preliminary (16/? eps)

JUNJOU ROMANTICA was my first introduction into yaoi aka. Boy's Love. I didn't particularly had any thoughts on it before hand. I just hadn't ever tried any because I was addicted to shoujo. I had started out with the JUNJOU ROMANTICA anime and I fell madly in love, Soon after I finished I found out there was a manga and became addicted to it! Man, oh man! JUNJOU ROMANTICA was absoultely amazing! I couldn't get enough!

Misaki is failing and wants to get into university. Luckily Misaki's brother's best friend, Usami Akihito will be tutoring Misaki. Misaki soon finds out that Usami is in love with ...

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Jan 17, 2014

Demi_V

Mixed Feelings

Preliminary (55/? eps)

Shungiku Nakamura is known for her most popular work, Junjou Romantica (Pure Romance). All three stories within the manga are interconnected and have some similarities. They present a noticeable age gap between each couple and cover the same themes (jealousy, love triangles, unrequited love, etc.). Although the manga follows the lives of three couples, the primary couple (Usagi and Misaki) receives the most recognition and has the least development. If it were not for the other two stories, Junjou Romantica would be even more unenjoyable.

The stories become clichéd at some point. Each story begin with one major problem that lasts a few chapters until it ... is resolved. Then nearly each of the following chapters involve a random problem that's resolved in an instant. It is helpful towards the couples’ as they experience the challenges of being in a same-sex relationship, but it would be nice to have more chapters without the drama. The extras make up for that though, and the majority of them are cute and comical. In addition to awkward scenes, the characters’ emotions, reactions, and exaggerations to most situations can be hilarious.

The stories are ordered based upon their level of relationship development (most to least).

Junjou Egoist
The pacing is very well done. The couple developed individually as they experienced the major complications earlier in the relationship, so the drama is less intense in later chapters. New problems escalate because of their hectic occupations, and it takes a long time for them to finally be outspoken with each other. Nowaki’s bright personality brings tons of comedy and cuteness as he is a reserved and patient lover. As a tsundere, Hiroki’s attitude is a bit over the top at times. He can be so violent at times that it is painful to see Nowaki endure such treatment. However, Hiroki gradually opens up to Nowaki and does the kindest things, and Nowaki’s reactions to Hiroki’s kindness and fantasies of Hiroki are adorable. Despite the fact that the couple hardly spends time together, their relationship is the most realistic of the three.

Junjou Terrorist
A story involving a 35-year-old college professor (Miyagi) and an 18-year-old high school student (Shinobu) delivers quite the thrill. Also, Miyagi is Shinobu’s sister’s ex-husband. Unlike the other two stories, the drama is not escalated by outsiders but stays within the relationship. Shinobu is the most straightforward of all the ukes, but it’s on an annoying level. He starts a problem by yelling and stating his issues with Miyagi, followed by him sulking until Miyagi comes chasing after him. Miyagi is both serious and playful, making their relationship enjoyable to follow. Their moments together are pleasurable and often hilarious. Sadly, Shungiku focused on this couple the least, so readers don’t see much of their relationship.

Junjou Romantica
The love story had a promising start with Misaki being an excellent tsundere by being so affectionate towards Usagi on various occasions. Then things went downhill, and Misaki is primarily the cause. Even after living under one roof for over four years, there are literally no changes in this relationship. Usagi always makes the initiative and opens his heart to Misaki, but Misaki's indecisive attitude and immaturity cause the relationship to be at a standstill. One moment he is caring and loving towards Usagi, and the next he is yelling at Usagi to stop being so touching. Unlike the other two couples, sex between Usagi and Misaki is unexciting, mainly consisting of Misaki aggressively opposing Usagi and eventually giving in. Overall, it becomes confusing as to whether the feelings are mutual.

Their story has a vast number of characters, and the majority are always there to cause trouble in their relationship. Besides their intimate moments, new people appear out of nowhere whenever Misaki and Usagi are alone. This creates unnecessary and repetitive drama. Regardless of how one problem is resolved, the same thing repeats itself as if nothing happened.

Shinguku's artwork shows a little improvement in later volumes. The artwork in earlier volumes are really rough, but the panels became clearer past the 15th volume. Characters’ emotions and reactions are drawn to a great detail. The sex scenes are really graphic and pleasing. The chibis are adorable and brings some brightness to the story. However, this simple animation makes the characters looks identical, which makes some scenes complicated to understand.

Overall, it is good thing that Shungiku included three stories. They all have their flaws, but Terrorist and Egoist are far more satisfying than the main story. The characters actually move forward, and drama is not forced. Feelings are clearly mutual, and their relationships progress as the characters become more open with each other. Sadly, the main story with Misaki and Usagi is vastly different. If Shinguki released more chapters of Terrorist and Egoist or showed some development in Junjou Romantica earlier on (4 years is way too long), this manga would be much more appealing.

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Sep 22, 2023

abystoma2

Not Recommended

Funny

Preliminary (95/? eps)

Junjou Romantica, the series that portrays wholesome and interesting romance between the well drawn characters… in some alternative universe, maybe. Instead, what we have here is a rape within the first 22 pages of chapter 1, and it being portrayed as a great way to start relationship.

Seriously, the manga cuts from explicit portrayal of rape of underage looking character to the assailant and the victim just talking over some tea, not acknowledging what just happens. The scenario is pretty much A: "Hi I brought you a soup" B: “Welcome to the rape cave lmao” and then they just have casual talk after? The rape into ... romance pipeline didn't even give the poor dude a time to breathe, just instant brainwashing for BL purposes. Maybe one day writers of BL will find out that gay people don’t start dating by raping the person of interest.

“Something happens but it literally doesn’t matter in any form to the story” is what you can expect a lot from Junjou Romantica. The goal of this manga is not to tell a story, but to come up with some short exchange before sex, and then to draw said sex. That is the depth of storytelling you should be expecting and even then you will most likely be disappointed.

But the story isn’t the worst part of this manga – ultimately that is just the average yaoi storytelling. What this manga excels at is the horrendous art. I shit you not, the very first chapter features a beautiful artwork with anatomy so hideous that one character’s finger is very literally the length of other character’s head. And this is far from the only case. This manga make you realize that the “yaoi hands” meme is not in any way an exaggeration. I don't think you can understand just how terrible the art is without seeing it for yourself. It's on a level that makes you feel like starting a charity called "Lessons on basic anatomy for BL authors". Art this bad couldn't have survived outside of yaoi genre - or maybe could have as some bottom of the barrel shoujo manga. Only in the latest volume or so does the art start to look slightly less goofy. Yes, it took about two decades of publishing for the artist to improve from eyecancer imagery to tolerable doodles.

If only it was just the artstyle itself that's bad but no, the composition is absolutely dogwater. In fact, you might have better chance of understanding what is going on if you were trying to divine it from a bowl of dog water instead of from the actual pages of this manga. The only joy I derived from art of this manga is screenshoting the worst parts and reposting them in a group chat for comedy.

Circling back to the story, most chapters consist of some silly relationship drama straight out of hallmark movies, followed by a kiss, followed by some (badly drawn) sex. But hey, it has penises, which does satisfy the usual needs of readers of this type of fiction. There is no reason at all to care about the story other than just liking boys fucking each other.

I think that the only reason Junjou Romantica is even this popular is that it’s from early 00’s when demand for BL skyrocketed, but also when most BL manga were just 1 volume long, so the demographic longed for long running series, even if said series is basically just recycling scenarios from the other shorter titles. There is literally nothing original or unique about Junjou Romantica, not even anything at least slightly out of the mold.

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Jul 2, 2015 8:13 PM by arsonal | Discuss (33 comments)

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According to volume 18 of manga Junjou Romantica, a third season of the anime has been decided upon. More information will be announced at a later time. The first tw...read more

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having trouble finding new chapters? AiyanaMiyuki - May 24, 2021	1 replies	by babyMOACHAN »» Sep 16, 2022 10:00 AM
Poll: Favorite couple in Junjou romantica! removed-user - May 29, 2015	35 replies	by supwannaride »» Aug 1, 2022 11:30 PM
Poll: Junjou Romantica Chapter 87 Discussion Surana - Mar 18, 2022	0 replies	by Surana »» Mar 18, 2022 4:13 PM
Poll: Junjou Romantica Chapter 90 Discussion removed-user - Feb 14, 2018	8 replies	by Bulma777 »» Sep 15, 2020 4:18 AM
junjou romantica Lo_Lo - Oct 28, 2012	2 replies	by Bulma777 »» Jul 27, 2020 5:52 AM

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