The delinquent trope is very popular in the genre. I picked seven recommendations if you’re looking for something lighthearted and heartwarming.
These stories don’t reinvent the wheel and include many familiar “cliché” elements, like getting mugged, being misunderstood because of looks, or the pushy second love interest. But that’s not really the point here, right? The point is to read something fluffy and entertaining with beautiful 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.
Delinquent male lead: Overview
Unfortunately only Yamaguchi-kun Isn’t So Bad, Love, that’s an understatement and Honey so Sweet are officially licensed in English. Honey come Honey is only licensed in German. A hedgehog in love is licensed in German and French. Here is the overview and my ranking:
- Mikansei demo Koi ga Ii
- Love, That’s an Understatement
- Yamaguchi-kun Isn’t So Bad
- Honey come Honey
- Honey So Sweet
- Kimi ni Koishite Ii desu ka
- A hedgehog in love
Yamaguchi-kun Isn’t So Bad (Yamaguchi-kun wa Warukunai)
- English License: Bookwalker · Status: Completed
Summary: Satsuki gets groped by a molester, and Yamaguchi steps in to help her. He’s rumored to be the “son of a yakuza” and always has a fierce look, so people are afraid of him. Nevertheless, Satsuki is drawn to him and keeps seeking his company, wanting to show others how kind he really is.
How is the Ml a delinquent?
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.
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
Honey come Honey – Delinquent Shoujo Manga where they get together pretty early
- English License: none; German Licence: Tokyopop · Status: Completed
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.
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, unfortunately.
Kumagaya isn’t really a delinquent
Kumagaya-kun is called “Wild Grizzly” because he’s tall, has a ferocious face, and kuma means bear. He’s not really considered a delinquent, but people still avoid 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
Honey So Sweet is a delinquent Manga with character development
- English License: Bookwalker · Status: Completed
Official summary on Bookwalker: 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?
An actual delinquent ML?
The “delinquent” in this story is actually the FL, not the ML (I’m kidding). But at first, I really didn’t like the way Nao treated Taiga. Thankfully, that changes pretty quickly, and she realizes her mistakes.
I’m also not a big fan of the “oops, I mistook my familial feelings for romantic love” trope… but overall, it’s still 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
Kimi ni Koishite Ii desu ka
- English License: none, Japanese Licence: Shueisha · Status: Completed
Summary: Ruji has a really scary face, which is why he spends most of his time alone. In high school, he really wants to make friends, but his face always gets in the way – people either pick fights with him or run away from him.
One day, Wakatsuki Sana from his class approaches him to return something he dropped. He’s 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 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.
But 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
A hedgehog in love – a Shoujo Manga with a cold male lead
- English License: none, German License: Kazé Manga · Status: Completed
Summary: Hozuki Heiji is the troublemaker at school and often gets into fights. One day, Kii sees him fighting with one of their classmates and approaches him because his behavior reminds her of her pet hedgehog. That’s how their friendship begins.
Probably one of the most “delinquenty” delinquents in this list
Hozuki tends to isolate himself because of his demeanor. He doesn’t have a particularly scary face, but he gets into fights quickly and always says exactly what’s on his mind. Because of that, he’s labeled as the school’s number one delinquent. There are plenty of bad rumors about him, and his classmates tend to avoid him.
Although there is a love rival in this story, it doesn’t get dragged out for too long and actually helps move the story forward. The side characters aren’t the strong point of this manga, as they feel a bit shallow, but if you’re looking for a lighthearted shoujo with a cold male lead, it’s still worth a try.
You should read if you:
- like it when the male lead is pretty cold
- don’t mind when both of the main characters have a rival at some point
- like reading about a quirky and bubbly female lead
Love, That’s an Understatement
- English License: Kodansha · Status: Ongoing
Official Summary on K Manga: Spare eraser? Check. Extra folding umbrella? Check. First aid kit? Check. Cool and collected high school student Risa Amakawa has something in her heavy bag for every situation, and the last thing she needs—or knows how to ask for—is anyone’s help. When she saves a beat-up delinquent in the park one rainy evening, she refuses any sort of repayment. But it turns out that saving the notorious Zen Ohira buys her the attention of some unsavory characters. As Zen keeps swooping in to help her out of one pickle after another, her feelings about relying on anyone but herself – and her feelings toward Zen – slowly begin to change
Perfect girl x delinquent?
Risa tends to keep to herself and feels like she has to do everything perfectly. Although Zed is supposed to be a delinquent, he’s actually very popular with his friends and is always surrounded by people. He does get into fights and rides a motorcycle, but that’s about as “delinquent” as it gets.
Read this if you:
- are in the mood for a classic Shoujo with many classic tropes: Ml gets saved by the Fl in the first chapter, the classic swimming pool scene, the girl that still has feelings for the Ml and Fl is overly nice and so on. If you want to read Shoujo without tropes check out my recommendations.
- love when the Fl speaks her mind, although she can be quite shy
- like reading a Romance Manga where they get together early
Mikansei demo Koi ga Ii
- English License: None · Status: Completed
Summary: Ichika is very shy and hasn’t been able to make any friends because of it. She usually spends her time in the school backyard, talking to the little turtle that lives there. One day, Yuuya, the well-known ex-delinquent, joins her, and they end up going to a karaoke place together. That’s how the friendship between these two introverted souls begins.
A delinquent that is just misunderstood
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.
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
