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Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
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Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku

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Alternative Titles

Synonyms: The Fragrant Flowers Bloom with Dignity

Japanese: 薫る花は凛と咲く

Information

Type: Manga

Volumes: Unknown

Chapters: Unknown

Status: Publishing

Published: Oct 21, 2021 to ?

Genres: Drama, Romance

Theme: School

Serialization: Magazine pocket

Authors: Mikami, Saka (Story & Art)

Statistics

Score: 8.84¹ (scored by 47,370 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #35²

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

Popularity: #104

Members: 134,602

Favorites: 9,431

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Filtered Results: 73 / 89

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Mar 5, 2025

laranjoq

Mixed Feelings

Funny

Preliminary (141/? chp)

Honestly, this is just a very ligh-hearted romance/slice of life manga and whether you'll like this or not, depends on your personal taste.
For me, it has been a good experience so far. There's no unnecessary drama and misunderstandings like the majority of romance manga and they get together fairly early in the story. However, the manga focus is not only the romance between the main characters, but how their relationship positivelly influence their lives and their friends. It focus a lot on the friend group and their personal "problems" going through life as high school students.
I have to agree with some commenters ...

Dec 13, 2022

veteranweeblife

Recommended

Preliminary (42/? chp)

Ok, let's jump right into it; this is a series that can best be described as a "palette cleanser". In a world chalk-full of harems, isekais, and high school romances where you literally can't go 3 chapters without either a panty flash, a character turning beet-red and running straight into the sun, and a loud "Baaaaaaaakaaa!!!!" followed by a literal slap from God (usually all of the above) this series is a wonderful breath of fresh air. Let's break it down.

Story: A-
The premise of this story is really nothing special, school for rowdy kids parked right next to an elite all-girls school, delinquent-looking boy ... and model student fall in love, very Romeo and Juliet. The think that makes me rate the story so highly is the way it handles the drama that the premise creates. While at the moment the schools haven't really been given much focus, they haven't been ignored and still feel present, giving the interactions main characters a slight sense of worry, especially in public, but never enough to ruin the mood of the story. Drama that is normally stretched out into 20-chapter arcs is wrapped up much quicker and yet it never feels like it was rushed or handled poorly either. It loses a few points simply because due to the unoriginality of the premise, but overall, there is absolutely nothing to complain about here.

Characters: A+/S- (it's toeing the line)
Ok, here we are. I have the character rating so high not because they are the most unique, trope-defying characters of all time, but because they are some of the most believable characters that I've read in a Japanese romance series. Each of the character is both appropriately teenage, but also appropriately mature; they react to situations in ways I can honestly believe a real-life teenager of their personality type would do, with absolutely minimal anime bullshit going on. On top of that, the way they are written makes them incredibly lovable, like you just want to give them a hug or something. Now, I'm not going to claim these characters are even remotely on the level of the likes of Berserk, Monster, or any of the best of the best series out there, that'd just be straight up disrespectful to them. However, within the romance genre, especially those written by the Japanese, you will very rarely find more lovable or relatable characters in the medium and are the best part about the series.

Romance: A+
A lot of what can be said here is related to the character section, but to sum it up, the chemistry between characters is fantastic. It never feels forced, the progression feels natural, and most importantly, no random anime bullshit has popped up to create drama between them; the friend group is self-aware enough not to interrupt the juiciest moments or make them weird, and all points that might have created a rift between them in any other mange are quickly shot down with surprising maturity on the characters' behalf. I particularly enjoyed how they took care of the overprotective friend trope without making anything feeling annoying or forced in the process. It also doesn't fall into the pitfall of dragging out things forever, and usually gets straight to the next milestone in 5-ish chapters. The only reason I'm not rating it higher is due to a lack of development, but the series is only on chapter 42 and shows no sign of ending soon, so there isn't much worrying needed here.

Comedy: C+
The weakest area of the series. Now, not to say the comedy is bad or anything. It's perfectly acceptable as a matter of fact; it never intrudes in the story for the sake of a cheap laugh. It's just not that great; while you won't be groaning at any of the jokes, don't expect to get anything more than a light chuckle out of it; no belly laughs found here.

Art: S-
The art style is freaking amazing, but it's also tough to describe. Just flip through a couple of the pages, check it out for yourself. It falls under that category of art style that is somehow both unique and familiar at the same time, similar to Marimashita, Iruma-kun! In particular, the characters' expressions are always a sight to behold, in a very shoujo-esque way.

Overall: A+
What's more to be said? Read it, I've said everything I can, the rest is up for you to discover yourself. Read it!

For perspective, here is my ranking for Horimyia:
Story: A+
Characters: A+
Romance: A+/S-
Comedy: B
Art: B
Overall: A+

Jul 2, 2025

Nomonku

Recommended

Preliminary (102/? chp)

This manga is truly a rare find, I love it from bottom of my heart. It might look like a another romance manga but it is truly a refreshing new breath of air for this genre, I couldn't help to stop giggling all the way through, it is genuinely so wholesome. Here the characters understand each other, there is no miscommunication, good friendship between all male & female characters, believable scenarios, true bonding and contains just about everything to make it a damn near masterpiece, I'm truly glad that I found it and can't wait to see how it gets completed.

Nov 28, 2022

kem03

Recommended

Preliminary (34/? chp)

I'm a sucker for Romeo and Juliet style stories so I am slightly biased but at 34 chapters in and this story hits the expected emotional beats without dragging out the story. I don't read much manga but this and Horimiya do seem to have a somewhat similar in that the both have great pacing and a good side-cast of characters to compliment the well written main leads. Chapter 34 made me stop reading to come leave a review because of how much reading the chapter made me smile. May go up to a 10/10 depending on how the later chapters go.

Oct 7, 2025

Paopoonjin

Recommended

Preliminary (64/? chp)

Normally when writing a review for something I would love talking about things like story telling techniques, atmosphere & tone of the story, or the way the story develops, but here I want to focus on what this manga did so phenomenally and so beautifully well, which is the way it presents and solidifies its core themes. Of course, not the say that other mangas are unable to do this, but I simply find this manga to be able to do it so exceptionally and so consistently throughout its story.

Very early on the constantly recurring theme for the story is "Honesty". It's not a concept ... that is explored enough, or explored DEEPLY enough in most manga or anime these days. It's a very realistic concept. In real life I believe that honesty can fix every problems, as long as you don't hold secrets from people around you, there will always be a way to find a solution Together. This anime not only explores that theme, but does it a very clear and consistent way: we can see that most conflicts in the story which would've taken up large chunks of most romance or slice of life stories, are resolved within 2 or 3 chapters due to this concept of Honesty. People might argue it's unrealistic to see these characters immediately confess their concerns instead of keeping them secrets, but I think that might be precisely what the author is trying to imply: that society today is way too divided by secrets, and conflicts arise because people refuses to elaborate on their true intentions..

Another powerful theme that comes later on in the story has to do with the subplot of the story, which is the conflict between Chidori and Kikyo schools. This is basically the manga exploring the idea very similar to the problem in real life: racism. The theme that stems from this is Humanity. The unfortunate truth of humanity is that we fear and hate things we do not understand, the story demonstrates that perfectly. The powerful irony that was created when the Kikyo girls came to a realization that they were the monsters they were describing Chidori all along, was phenomenal. When discovering that Rintaro and his friends aren't as evil as they thought, it's as if the world as they knew it completely shattered. It might also imply that the Kikyo school girls are as hostile as they are due to propaganda within the school supporting the hate toward Chidori, very similar thing to what Attack on Titan did in the final arc(Propaganda supporting racial hate), but I digress. Overall this is the rawest and truest reflection of the idea of judging things for their appearances instead of being willing to see what they are first.

All in all I apologize if this review is somewhat a surface level analysis. This manga really does have everything, amazing pacing, GORGEOUS atmosphere & tone, genuinely realistic and amazing character writings, but to me what made it stands out so beautifully is what its story represents, it is genuinely so, so human. I truly believe this manga and its anime is a true piece of art, a masterpiece, and I hope everyone will give this a true and unbiased try.

Oct 12, 2024

Valjean24601

Recommended

Preliminary (80/? chp)

Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku is a manga that is defined by something not seen in the market of romcom, and that is good comunication. The characters act in good will, and are transparent in what they wanna and what they think, which is honestly a breath of fresh air. Every conflict is resolved with a good an old dialogue, where each character does his best to show their viewpoint.

In the beggining this was amazing. After all, nothing better for a feels good manga than to have wholesome conclusion to conflict, and no better way to have a wholesome conclusion than throught a ...

Sep 25, 2022

Dingomann

Recommended

Preliminary (12/? chp)

The plot is typical, where two socially split people develop their romance, but it feels less forced and more natural compared to other mangas with a similar plot. The stark contrast between the mc's appearance and personality is so good (gap moe!!!). The character's expressions are drawn very well, the smiles are very warm and it's easy to see how a character is feeling (imo the art gives me Koe no Katachi vibes). The characters in the story feel realistic, with no overwhelming personalities/traits. The pacing of this manga so far is amazing, the characters don't go around in circles and develop each chapter. ...

Mar 22, 2023

jeremymd

Recommended

Preliminary (29/? chp)

Reading the description gave me the impression of West Side Story, where it's two lovers against the world, or some overly dramatic romance, or even one of those borderline ecchi manga where it's an alpha guy seducing the girl.

It's none of those.

Instead, what you get is just a simple yet beautiful story. The devil is in the details, and if you've already read a lot of manga, I can tell you that the story here paves its own paths in its own special way. You won't be disappointed if you remember that these characters are still technically kids. If you're an adult and self-insert yourself ...

Mar 19, 2023

Raypeur

Recommended

Preliminary (64/? chp)

As a wise man once said " If you're not a fan of the words : Peak fiction, GOAT, raw, fire. Click off of the review. I can't help it the weights are off. "

So here's my review for those that are interested :
For me this manga is the Greatest of all time. Zenith of the medium. Hallmark of media. Gold standard of storytelling. Apogee of creativity. Vertex of invention. Crest of ingenuity. Acme of imagination. Pinnacle of innovation. Epic of epics. Legend among legends. Peak fiction.

That's all I have to say, I know that's not a lot but I can't describe it otherwise

Feb 22, 2025

SimpForKanna

Mixed Feelings

Preliminary (79/? chp)

I have read half of the chapters and I still don't feel very connected with the main couple, they don't stand out, the progress as a couple is very slow and it is as if they only live on sweet moments.

It is much more attached to the reality of the couples, but I still feel that they as the main couple lack that stellarity to be able to feel gratified when they advance. It feels very unnatural to me, I don't understand why. Everything that happens between the two, I don't feel like it's the right time for that to exist between the two. ...

Jan 7, 2025

Narmatonia

Mixed Feelings

Preliminary (29/? chp)

This looked promising to start with, the lead couple had some good chemistry and diabetic interactions, but from Volume 2 to 4 there was very little progression. Part of the reason why, is that there is so much focus on their dumb friends that they barely spend any quality time alone, either her friend is 3rd wheeling, or his weird friends are 4th, 5th and 6th wheeling.
The school's rivalry feels too over the top to be believable, it feels like satire of what rich people are like, all the students and teachers at the girl's school act like if they came across a boy from ...

Mar 27, 2023

Zomb3rry

Recommended

Preliminary (64/? chp)

Strongly recommended, I don't usually write reviews until the series really touches my heart.
And boy oh boy it just did, this a story about about a delinquent looking boy Rintaro from Kikyo school which is generally known for it's crude boys who are carefree and don't have manners and on the totally opposite side we have a really well mannered girl, Kaoruko who is from Chidori, and how they met each other and how their friendship "bloomed" into something beautiful.

At first you'll feel like you're reading some run of the mill romance manga which is rushed, but soon after a chapter or two you'll realize ...

Mar 20, 2023

ArcadeRice

Recommended

Preliminary (30/? chp)

I'm a person that never rates romance or similar mangas too highly. It's usually filled with tropes instead of characters, and drama over story.
But this manga, it's such a simple story yet expertly written that most romance never did or never could.

Story: 8/10
The story in itself is simple and overdone, the typical Romeo and Juliet. But the author knows how to use that to their advantage, drawing out the characters to live through these situations and become their own.
People might say that a story's boring without drama, but that's not to say this manga lacks drama at all. It uses drama with care for ...

Jan 5, 2024

Leyren

Recommended

Preliminary (94/? chp)

If you are looking for an easy, light-hearted read, then this should be worth your time. The art-style is great and there is no frustratingly dragged out drama or love-triangles.

The plot is neither ground-breaking nor deeply profound; school romance with a misunderstood, scary-looking MC, with some school rivalry sprinkled in. People get to know each other, friendships and relationships are formed. The main focus stays on the female and male MC, although each of the side-characters have their backstories and personalities explored as well. I think it's clear that this manga aims to be a light-hearted romance, and it succeeds at doing exactly that - ...

May 17, 2025

Noto0803

Recommended

Preliminary (113/? chp)

How to Present a Simple Yet Deep Love Story: Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku

At first glance, Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku may seem like a familiar romantic trope, a delinquent falling in love with a princess-like girl. It’s an idea we’ve seen countless times in other love stories, yet this manga delivers something fresh and nostalgic instead of feeling tired or predictable. Beneath its seemingly simple premise lies a heartfelt adolescent journey about growth, self-improvement, friendships, and, of course, a love story that gradually melts the reader’s heart.

A Tale of Two Contrasting Schools
The story unfolds between Chidori High School and Kikyo Private High ... School; two vastly different institutions, each shaping the perspectives of their students. Kikyo is an elite, all-girls academy known for its rigorous standards and expensive tuition, while Chidori is a public, all-boys school often perceived as rough and unruly, home to "delinquents" in the eyes of outsiders.

Due to their long-standing rivalry, students from both schools harbor strong opinions about each other, mostly built on assumptions rather than truth. That tension serves as an underlying conflict throughout the story, influencing how relationships between students develop and how perceptions shift over time.

A Blossoming Love Story
Rintaro, often misjudged as a delinquent due to his rugged appearance, unexpectedly meets Kaoruko Waguri while working part-time at his family's store. Their initial interactions are filled with warmth and kindness, forming an easy connection between them. What Rintaro doesn’t realize at first is that Kaoruko is a student at Kikyo, the very school that stands in contrast to his own.

As their bond deepens, Rintaro transforms, not just in how others see him but in how he sees himself. Love, in this story, catalyzes change. It’s not about sudden, dramatic shifts; rather, it’s the quiet, gradual realization that someone’s presence in your life can inspire you to grow. Their relationship is built on genuine care and understanding, making it one of the most heartwarming romances in recent memory.

Expanding Beyond Romance: The Power of Friendship
While the love story between Rintaro and Kaoruko is at the heart of the manga, Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku excels in how it builds the world around them. Their respective friend groups are not mere side characters—they each play a meaningful role in the story’s progression.

Some of Rintaro’s friends, initially skeptical about relationships, slowly find themselves drawn to romance. Seeing their close friend grow and mature encourages them to take their own steps toward change.

Kaoruko’s friend, who once harbored deep distrust toward Chidori students due to rumors, gradually begins to see beyond prejudice. Not everyone fits the stereotypes they had in mind, and this realization allows them to form real friendships with those they once dismissed.

These moments are handled with care, making the manga more than just a love story—it’s an exploration of youth, personal transformation, and the beauty of human connection.

A Celebration of Youth
At its core, Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku isn’t just about romance. It celebrates the fleeting yet impactful moments of youth—the awkward, heartfelt, and sometimes bittersweet experiences that shape who we become. The story embraces the reality that growth is rarely instant, and change takes time. Through the relationships formed, whether romantic or platonic, the characters learn more about themselves and each other, illustrating the importance of empathy and understanding.

Many have praised this manga as one of the most realistic romance stories, and I wholeheartedly agree. It’s not a grand, dramatic love affair, it’s a quiet, gentle, and deeply human experience of discovering love, friendship, and the joys of youth. A suitable title for the story, The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity

Apr 26, 2025

umutwow

Recommended

Preliminary (42/? chp)

I don't know... how can I exactly correctly interpret my emotions into words. This is a masterpiece one shall go through. There is not even a side couple or a side endeavor like Blue Box (which is my favorite manga and is a must-read) whatsoever, but I am still lost in it. The drawings are beyond comprehension, I am constantly amazed by how the mangaka manages to show the characters adorable, beautiful, and truly in love over and over again. Everytime I read a new chapter, "How can a glance of some scratch over a paper affect me so much?", I think to myself. I ...

Dec 14, 2024

nightfault

Recommended

Preliminary (133/? chp)

The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity is a manga that excels in every aspect, making it an unforgettable experience. The plot is simple, and yet it's still better than most romance manga of the same theme/plot.

This one of one my favorite series' ever. The story is just pure love between the two main characters, Kaoruko Waguri and Rintaro Tsumugi. No love triangles, no drama between love interests, just the two of them. And that's what makes this so good. Every moment between them is heartwarming and the story is actually so sweet, it might give you diabetes.

Visually, the manga is awesome. The mangaka ...

Feb 20, 2025

TrippieZ123

Recommended

Preliminary (140/? chp)

This manga was my first real experience reading a mainly romance story so maybe my thoughts on the series might be a little different from others but have read others since. I heard about it online through social media and also saw it was really popular on some manga websites so I gave it a shot and was definitely not disappointed. If you are on the edge about reading it I would 100% say that it lives up to the hype.

Firstly I would say that the art is just fantastic in this manga. It has really gotten better over time but was still great in ... the beginning. Some scenes just feel so dynamic and it really helps to highlight some of this series great character moments. I'd also say that the designs of the main cast are great. They aren't to similar to each other and each has a unique distinct look.

The story in the beginning is all about the super wholesome romance between the ML and FL but overtime the manga starts to get more into the side-cast which is where I feel it really excels. Id say the first 30-40 chapters are all about the romance. Its super wholesome and adorable and some moments will make you cry. Its a peak romance story told within these first chapters and really explores a great and interesting connection between two people. But after that we get a deeper exploration into the other characters whilst also still getting great moments from the main couple.

What separates this manga from other romances I've seen after first reading this is that the characters feel so much more like real people. Yes sometimes they apologize way too much which is a big critique of this manga I've seen but I don't think it takes away from the characters and moments (It sometimes adds to the realism in the story at least for me but also can be a bit much too others). They actually work through issues with each other rather than having to wait for a bunch of chapters or episodes like in other series. There is conflict and drama but it feels so much more based in a persons real lived experience rather than through normal animanga tropes and conventions. This is the main thing that made me really connect with the series and kept me reading.

The side-cast also really shines and are so loveable unlike other romance stories where they don't get too many moments. There are whole arcs dedicated to certain characters. What motivates them, their goals and dreams, there personality and the dynamics with the other cast really stand out. But these moments don't take away from the romance but rather give moments that help the couple grow as well. There is also a side couple developing currently in the manga who are just great. Honestly I'm starting to enjoy the side couple more but that's just my opinion.

There are so many great moments in this story whether they would be adorable and wholesome moments, dramatic and tense moments or even sometimes a bit of comedy. It gives a little bit of everything for any kind of reader.

Overall I would say why I fell in love with this story and the main reasons other people should read are
- The great art and art style
- The great romance between the ML and FL
- The story feeling more realistic and grounded compared to other works in the genre (at least to me)
- Amazing side-cast who actually get explored to a deeper level
- So many memorable moments which I feel will impact you as much as they did me. Whether your crying either out of sadness or joy, laughing or just your just plain happy. This manga is an emotional rollercoaster

Its also getting an anime in 2025 which I'm super excited about and so far from the teaser it looks like it will live up to its manga counterpart.

Score 10/10

Feb 1, 2023

Karthik_17

Recommended

Preliminary (58/? chp)

When I first saw this manga, I wasn't sure how it would exactly pan out. I thought it would like every other stereotypical manga with a delinquent boy and an innocent girl with over the top drama and nonsensical characters. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I read this. The characters are so well written and they actually feel like actual people interacting. Every action by the characters propels the plot or their character development in some way. The romance is also very cute and wholesome and the drama isn't too overbearing. Overall I really loved this and couldn't recommend it more, especially if you ...

Jun 19, 2023

Kubo_Nagisa0

Recommended

Preliminary (74/? chp)

"The Fragrant Blooms with Dignity is an exquisitely crafted literary masterpiece that takes readers on a breathtaking journey through the intricate tapestry of human emotions. With its beautifully descriptive language and a cast of deeply compelling characters, this captivating novel immerses you in a world where fragrant blooms serve as metaphors for life's triumphs and tribulations. From the delicate petals of love's blossoming to the thorny challenges of adversity, this book explores the profound depths of human experience with grace and poignancy. Prepare to be swept away by the intoxicating scent of this extraordinary tale, as it reminds us of the enduring power of dignity ...

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