Every year, AnimeJapan – one of the biggest anime events in the world, held at Tokyo Big Sight – runs a fan poll called “Manga We Want to See Animated.” Fans vote on manga titles that haven’t received an anime adaptation yet, and the results carry real weight: past winners and top-ranked titles include Solo Leveling, The Apothecary Diaries, and Komi Can’t Communicate – all of which went on to get successful anime adaptations.
This year’s poll was the biggest yet, with a record-breaking 222,758 votes cast across 48 nominated titles. And while the full top 10 includes everything from baseball manga to… well, a series about fighting with a sword held between your butt, I want to highlight the three romance picks that made the list.
#1 – The Mortifying Ordeal of Being Seen
This manga took the number one spot overall, and honestly? It deserves it.
Written and illustrated by mmk, The Mortifying Ordeal of Being Seen follows classmates Eguchi and Ikezawa, who can’t stop noticing each other – in THAT way. It all starts when Ikezawa comments on Eguchi’s tight top, and she fires right back about his neckline, accentuating his chest. From there, it’s a chaotic escalation of flirtatious looks, showing off skin, and calling each other out for being perverts (which, to be fair, they both are). The author commented:
Thank you so much to all the readers who voted!!
I’ll keep doing my best, drawing strength from your support!!mmk
What makes this manga special is the balance. Yes, it’s ecchi. But it’s also genuinely wholesome and funny. Eguchi isn’t a one-dimensional pervy character — she’s sly and pushy, which are rare traits for Romance Manga FL. And Ikezawa as the flustered, slightly tsundere male lead is the perfect match for her energy. Their dynamic is electric, and the romance actually progresses instead of dragging on for 200 chapters.
As the poll winner, this title will be inducted into AnimeJapan’s “Hall of Fame.” No anime adaptation has been announced yet, but given this poll’s track record, it’s only a matter of time.
#5 – Gal x Gal Yuri
At 5th place overall, this vibrant yuri comedy also made a strong showing.
From Inoue – the creator of The Duke of Death and His Maid – Gal x Gal Yuri follows two flashy gyaru high schoolers, Yua and Reina, who spontaneously decide to date each other for a year. What starts as a casual whim quickly turns into a whirlwind of humor, butterflies, and maximum gyaru energy. The author commented:
I’m very happy to receive such a wonderful award.
Thank you to all the readers who voted.
I’ll keep drawing a lot so I can repay your support through my manga. I’ll continue to work hard.Inoue Koharu
It’s youthful and unapologetically fun. If you’re into GL romances with a lighthearted comedy tone, this one is a treat.
#6 – On and Off: Work-Life Imbalance
This one is a hidden gem for anyone who loves the “secret identity” trope in romance. It’s basically like Horimiya but in an office setting.
Sotaro Amata and Akira Hanku work at the same company. During office hours, Sotaro is the popular, sociable guy while Akira is the quiet loner who keeps to herself. But after work, they’re completely different people: Sotaro is into lolita fashion, and Akira transforms into a rebellious punk girl. When they bump into each other outside of work, they don’t even recognize one another – and sparks fly between their alter egos. The author commented:
I feel very fortunate to be involved in a work that is supported by so many people.
To all the readers, my wife who created the original concept, and my editor – thank you so much.
Thank you very much for all your votes!Kanazawa Shinnosuke
If you enjoyed The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All or Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, this one hits similar notes: the thrill of falling for someone’s true self and the tension of hidden identities. On and Off: Work-Life Imbalance adds a fun twist to that trope with them being in the same office.
Will Any of These Get an Anime?
None of these three titles have an anime adaptation announced yet. But here’s the thing: AnimeJapan’s poll has an impressive track record of predicting future adaptations. Past first-place winners like The Dangers in My Heart and The Apothecary Diaries both received anime within a few years of winning. With The Mortifying Ordeal of Being Seen generating this much fan support, it would be surprising if studios aren’t already paying attention.
For now, all three manga are well worth reading if you’re looking for fresh romance picks – whether you’re into chaotic flirtation, gyaru girl love, or secret fashion identities.
