There are many Shoujo Manga with a delinquent male lead out there because the delinquent trope is very popular in the Genre. I picked out six recommendations if you are in need of a lighthearted and heartwarming Shoujo Manga. All these stories don’t re-invent the wheel and have many “cliché” elements, like getting mugged, the bad rumors just because of a face, the pushy second love interest, and so on. But that is not the point here right? The point is, to read something fluffy and entertaining with very nice art.
All the “delinquents” in these recommendations are not actually delinquents – they all have a very kind and sweet side. Even Hozuki from “A hedgehog in love”, who is pretty cold throughout the story. Unfortunately only Honey so Sweet is officially licensed in English. Honey come Honey is only licensed in German. Koisuru Harinezumi is licensed in German and French.
Shoujo Manga with delinquent male lead: Please read Mikansei demo Koi ga Ii
Summary: Ichika is very shy and hasn’t been able to make any friends because of that. She always hangs out in the school backyard and talks to the little turtle, that resides there. One day Yuuya, the known ex-delinquent, joins her and they go to a karaoke place together. And so the friendship between two introverted souls begins.
Why is this on the Romance Manga list?
Yuuya is rumored to have been a pretty intense delinquent – so much that even teachers quit his job because of him. Of course, he is just being misunderstood, but I like that it’s not his face that scares people away, but his attitude.
Super-Short-Review: The premise isn’t unique, but I love the dynamic between the main characters and how they both try to overcome their insecurities together. I would have loved it if the Manga would have been a bit longer.
You should read if you:
- like stories with ZERO love rivals – yes no childhood friend who is secretly in love
- want to read a short but extremely wholesome story with great art and no drama
- like to see two „outsiders“ trying to socialize together
Shoujo Manga to read with delinquent male lead: Yamaguchi-kun wa Warukunai
Summary: Satsuki is getting groped by a molester and Yamaguchi is helping her. He is the rumored „son of a yakuza“ and always has a fierce stare. Nevertheless, Satsuki gets drawn to him and she keeps looking for his company in order to show everyone how kind he is.
Why is this on the list?
Yamaguchi-kun has a really scary face, that is why everyone spreads the rumor that he belongs to a Yakuza-clan. But as always – he is actually really kind and also an honor student.
Super-Short-Review: The story brings nothing new to the table, but the way it is executed is very sweet and I promise you, you will at least smile a lot. The dynamic between Yamaguchi and Satsuki is very sweet.
You should read if you:
- like a sweet bromance on the side (or more like a male fan for the male lead)
- love it, when the female lead is pretty shy but says what’s on her mind openly
- like to see a lot of blushing – the ear-blush, the full-face-blush, the cheek blush – you will get something every chapter
Delinquent Shoujo Manga where they get together pretty early: Honey come Honey
Summary: Mitsu loves the accessories from honey buddy. One day she discovers that her very tall and fierce-looking classmate Kumagaya-Kun is actually the one who makes these things. After discovering his secret and getting a glance behind his scary demeanor, she wants to get to know him better.
Super-Short-Review: If you don’t mind occasional Drama and family interference and want to see many cute interactions between the main couple this Shoujo could be for you. It’s only licensed in Germany at this moment, but I will keep the list updated.
Why is this on the list?
Kumagaya-kun is called wild grizzly because he is tall, has a ferocious face and Kuma means bear. He is not really called a delinquent but people don’t go near him because he seems „dangerous“.
You should read if you:
- like to read about a male lead, that looks intimidating but has a really cute side (and a cute hobby)
- love it, when the main characters are opposites – he is tall and calm and she is small but fierce
- like it, when the main characters get „handsy“ pretty quickly – in a wholesome way of course
Delinquent Manga with character development: Honey so sweet
Official summary on Amazon: Little did Nao Kogure realize back in middle school that when she left an umbrella and a box of bandages in the rain for injured delinquent Taiga Onise that she would meet him again in high school. Nao wants nothing to do with the gruff and frightening Taiga, but he suddenly presents her with a huge bouquet of flowers and asks her to date him—with marriage in mind! Is Taiga really so scary, or is he a sweetheart in disguise? Buy here: (no Affiliate link) Honey so sweet.
Super-Short-Review: I don’t want to spoil you too much, but at first I really didn’t like the way Nao treated Taiga but thankfully that changes pretty quickly and she realizes her mistakes. Additionally, I am not a fan of the „oops I mistook my familial feelings for romantic love“ trope… but all in all it is a sweet story about getting to know each other, making friends, and overcoming prejudice.
You should read if you:
- want to see some character development – in almost every character in the story
- like it, when the male lead wears his heart on his sleeve
- don’t mind when the female lead has feelings for someone else at first
Shoujo Manga recommendation 5: Kimi ni Koishite Ii desu ka
Summary: Ruji has a really scary face that’s why he spends most of his days alone. In high school, he really wanted to make friends but his face gets in the way: either people start a fight with him, or run from him. One day Wakatsuki Sana from his class approaches him to pick up something he dropped and he is moved by her kindness and falls for her – although she runs away screaming when she sees his face.
Shoujo Manga with delinquent male lead: Why is this on the Shoujo Manga list?
Ruji gets dragged into fights because of his scary face – and has learned to fight back. His smile is just flat-out creepy – even animals don’t like him.
Super-Short-Review: Actually Ruiji is the main reason you should read this Shoujo. His smile and all his reactions are hilarious. There are many very chliché elements – like the childhood friend getting in the way – but it is a quick and entertaining read, especially if you like the delinquent trope.
You should read if you:
- like reading about a wholesome, insecure male lead with hilarious reactions
- love it, when the surroundings are very supportive (I’m talking about Kibayashi-san)
- like reading a Shoujo from a males perspective
Koisuru Harinezumi/ A hedgehog in love – a Shoujo Manga with a cold male lead
Summary: Hozuki Heiji is the troublemaker in school and often gets into fights. One day Kii sees him fighting with one of their classmates and approaches him because she thinks his behavior is similar to that of her pet hedgehog. That’s how their friendship begins.
Why is this on the list?
Hozuki isolates himself because of his whole demeanor. He doesn’t have a particularly scary face but is quick to get into fights and always tells people what’s on his mind. He is labeled as the school’s number one delinquent. There are bad rumors about him and his classmates don’t go near him.
Super-Short-Review: Although there is a love rival in this story it doesn’t get dragged out too long and helps the story move forward. The sidecharacters are not the strong suit of this Manga, they all feel kind of shallow, but if you want to read a lighthearted Shoujo with a cold male lead give it a try.
You should read if you:
- like it when the male lead is is pretty cold
- love it when both of the main characters have a rival at some point
- like reading about a quirky and bubbly female lead
Want to read more Shoujo Lists? Check out these recommendations: Shoujo without tropes.
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