18 Romance Manga where they get together early (+ relationship start)

The whole point of a romance manga is seeing the couple actually be together – right? That’s why it can be so frustrating when they finally confess, maybe share a censored kiss behind a leaf… and then the manga just ends. In this list, I’ve collected romance manga where the couple gets together early on. In some of these, the relationship itself is the main focus of the story. I hope you’ll find something you enjoy – let’s dive in.

1. Will you marry me again if you are reborn (Completed)

• Together since the beginning

Summary: Kaoru was adopted after suffering abuse from her previous employer, which is why she and Toranosuke essentially grew up together. Eventually, Toranosuke confesses his feelings, and they become a couple. The manga doesn’t focus on their relationship starting, though. Instead, it tells their story in reverse, as Toranosuke lies terminally ill in a hospital room and the two of them look back on their life together. It’s not about early cute moments after getting together, but about seeing a relationship that already exists and understanding how it came to be.

You should read if you:

• love reading a story with heavy themes and unique storytelling
• like it when the female lead is very strong, and the couple has a great dynamic
• don’t mind crying your heart out. I’m serious, this is so heartbreaking

2. Horimiya (Completed)

•  Relationship starts in Chapter 23 (the Manga is completed and even has an anime adaptation now)

Summary: Kyouko Hori is popular at school and takes pride in maintaining her perfect image. At home, though, she’s a completely different person – handling all the housework and taking care of her younger brother while her parents are constantly at work. Izumi Miyamura, meanwhile, is seen at school as a quiet, gloomy otaku, but outside the classroom he reveals a hidden side with tattoos and piercings. When the two unexpectedly discover each other’s “real” selves after school, their relationship slowly begins to take shape.

You should read if you:

• don’t mind when the story contains many filler episodes – at least some chapters feel like fillers but this Romance Manga is Slice of Life, so I guess it is to be expected
• love reading a story with many well fleshed out side characters
• like it when the female lead can be quite aggressive and strongheaded

3. Futarijime Romantic (Completed)

• The official confession is at chapter nine, but they start exploring their relationship from chapter 1 so I think that counts as an early couple.

Summary: Futarijime Romantic follows high school student Kumamori, who reunites with Tajima, her – supposedly – first kiss from kindergarten. But: Tajima is now stoic and unemotional about romance. This manga is a heartwarming and realistic depiction of an opposites-attract love story that is both cute and romantic.

Check it out if you:

• like reading a short and cute Shoujo, because this is completed with 12 chapters (I wish it had been longer)
• don’t mind when there is a second ML who confesses and – of course – gets turned down
• love when the main couple has a great dynamic and the confession and first kiss are on point

4. You got me Sempai (Shoujo where they get together early) (Completed)

(c) Mase, Azusa/Dessert

• Relationship starts in Chapter 1

Summary: One day, Serina discovers that her desk at school has been vandalized — someone has written the lyrics of a love song across it. The culprit turns out to be Mizukawa-senpai, a boy one year older than her. Serina writes back on the desk, and what starts as playful back-and-forth slowly turns into genuine feelings. Before long, she confesses, and they begin dating. If you’re looking for a refreshing shoujo with surprisingly good communication between the leads, this one is a great pick. For more info read my detailed review of You Got me Sempai!

You should read if you:

• like a story where they both work for the relationship
• love reading a Shoujo with a sweet relationship that feels mature and realistic (They don’t pass out holding hands – far from it)
• don’t mind when they doubt the relationship and go through hard times

5. Love, That’s an Understatement (Hikaeme ni Itte mo, Kore wa Ai)

• They kiss in chapter 4

Summary: This one is by the creator of Lovesick Ellie, one of my all-time favorite shoujo manga. It uses very familiar shoujo dynamics: the female lead is straightforward and level-headed, while the male lead is seen as a delinquent – but, of course, turns out to be a genuinely good guy. The story focuses on their relationship, school life, and friendships, and even though it relies on tropes we’ve all seen countless times, it still manages to feel fresh. The art is great, too.

You should read if you:

• like reading a Shoujo with a supposed delinquent male lead
• love when the couple has good communication and nothing gets dragged out for too long
• don’t mind when the FL is sometimes too good to be true. She befriends ML’s ex girlfriend that tried to take advantage of her for example

6. Boarding School Juliet (Kishuku Gakkou No Juliet) (Completed)

• Relationship starts in chapter 1

Summary: Boarding School Juliet takes the classic Romeo-and-Juliet setup and gives it a Japanese twist. Romio and Juliet attend the same boarding school and lead two rival houses that are constantly at war. While their classmates fight nonstop, there’s one big secret: Romio and Juliet are already in love. After Romio confesses, they start dating right away – but have to keep their relationship hidden. That’s where all the chaos (and comedy) begins, with plenty of hilarious close calls and misunderstandings along the way. Do you want to get Romance Manga recommendations with a badass female lead? Check out this list: Romance Manga/Manhwa with a strong female lead.

You should check it out if you:

• don’t mind when their relationship progresses slowly
• like it when the MCs both are pretty strong and can fight – also check out my action romance manhwa recommendations if that’s your jam
• love having many awesome sidecharacters

7. Wotaku Ni Koi Wa Muzukashii (Completed)

• Early couple: Relationship starts in Chapter 1

Summary: Narumi Momose is an otaku, but she usually keeps that side of herself hidden. After her boyfriend breaks up with her because he can’t accept her interests, she quits her job and starts working at a new company. By chance, her childhood friend Hirotaka Nifuji works there as well. Unlike Narumi, Hirotaka is openly an otaku and doesn’t care what others think. The two decide to start dating to see how things might work with someone who truly shares the same hobbies and understands that part of their lives.

You should check it out if you:

• don’t mind almost no visible progress in the main couple’s relationship for a long time
• like reading a story with two main couples that get nearly equal focus
• love romance stories with nerdy MCs who bicker constantly

8. Ima, Koi wo Shiteimasu (Completed Shoujo where they get together early)

• They get together in chapter 4.

Summary: The story starts pretty cliché: Satomi gets harassed by a pervert on the train, and Yugyuu-kun steps in to help her. Despite his flashy appearance, he turns out to be surprisingly mature and kind. After Satomi confesses her feelings, they start dating and spend a lot of time together. There are a few familiar tropes – like the jealous sister – but overall, it’s handled well and makes for a sweet, enjoyable read.

Check it out if you:

• want to read a Shoujo with a mature feel to it
• like when the main couple communicates well
• love it when the male lead is pretty smooth and not overbearing

9. Choking on Love (Museru Kurai no Ai o Ageru)

• The relationship only becomes official a bit later, but as early as chapter 4 the FL makes it clear that their feelings are mutual – and the ML is already very physically affectionate from the start.

Summary: Hibari is a graphic design student who’s convinced she’s far too “ordinary” to ever become a truly interesting artist. While panicking over an upcoming deadline and staring at a design she finds painfully plain, disaster strikes: someone spills a drink all over her laptop. First, she’s furious, but from that moment on, he completely throws Hibari’s carefully structured life off balance.

Check it out if you:

• loved Living-Room Matsunaga-san – it’s by the same author, Keiko Iwashita
• care a lot about art quality, because this one is genuinely top-tier
• don’t mind a completely unnecessary second male lead – he mostly exists to make the main ML look even better

10. Hayaku Shitai Futari (Completed)

• They confess in chapter 1

Summary: This story follows Yuri and Keiichiro, who fall in love after commuting on the same train almost every day. Even though their feelings are mutual and they enter an official relationship very early on, they’re not allowed to act on it. Keiichiro comes from a prestigious family with strict rules, and until he turns 18, everything is forbidden. Yuri, however, isn’t one to give up easily.

You should read if you:

• like reading a story where both characters desperately want to touch each other but can’t
• love it when both leads are fully invested in the relationship
• enjoy stories with almost no misunderstandings

11. Tonikaku Kawaii (Completed)

• Relationship starts in Chapter 2

Summary: Nasa Yuzaki has spent his whole life being teased because of his unusual name. In the very first chapter, he gets hit by a truck – only to be saved by a mysterious girl. He instantly falls for her and confesses on the spot. Her condition for dating him? He has to marry her. The story then follows their very unconventional relationship from that point on. The art style makes the protagonists look uncomfortably young, which I really don’t like. That said, if you can look past this aspect, the story itself is genuinely sweet and wholesome.

You should check it out if you:

• like it when the male lead is the shyer one in the relationship.
• love seeing the relationship grow slowly and naturally – with small but steady progress in almost every chapter.
• don’t mind a story that’s so sweet it might give you diabetes.

12. Honey Lemon Soda

• they become a couple in chapter 27

Summary: Ishimori Uka was labeled “Stone” in middle school and constantly bullied. Now in high school, she has one clear goal: to make friends, become more outgoing, and finally express herself. With Kai’s support, Uka slowly starts to come out of her shell and take her first steps toward change.

You should read if, you:

• love reading about a reserved but caring male lead and a mentally strong female lead who works for her goals
• want the classic Shoujo package: the “kyaaah” from the girls in the Manga, the grand gestures, the constant crying happy tears– just cheesiness that will make you smile (hopefully)
• don’t mind when the FL is unrealistically kind. She excuses any kind of behaviour

13. How I Met My Soulmate (Unmei no Hito ni Deau Hanashi)

• first “kind of” confession in chapter 7 and very quick progress

Summary: The story begins with the female lead desperately wanting to find her soulmate, but having no idea where to start. One night at a crowded club, she meets Iori, who makes a pretty terrible first impression. Still, he offers to help her find her future boyfriend – and through that arrangement, the two of them end up growing closer surprisingly fast.

You should read if you:

• don’t mind when the ML is rather deadpan and hard to read at first
• don’t mind some convoluted family dynamics and an unnecessarily pushy second ML getting in the way
• love when the main couple actually communicates openly, and misunderstandings aren’t dragged out forever

14. Shikimori’s Not Just A Cutie (Completed)

• Together from the beginning (although it’s complicated…that’s all I’m saying)

Summary: Izumi is a high school student who’s been incredibly unlucky ever since he was a child, constantly ending up in unfortunate situations. After he starts dating Shikimori, she quickly takes on the role of his personal guardian angel. While Shikimori appears cool and ruthless when it comes to protecting Izumi, she also struggles with her own insecurities that she has to work through.

You should check it out if you:

• love to read a story with an unconventional relationship dynamic
• want to go on an emotional roller coaster ride
• like reading a Manga with a strong female lead

15. Kyou no Yuiko san (Completed)

• Together from the beginning

Summary: This story focuses on Tomoya Tadano and Yuiko Kuroki, two high school students who are already a couple when the manga begins. If you’re looking for a romance manga that’s less about getting together and more about two young people learning how to navigate and deepen their relationship, this is a great pick. Yuiko, however, is very strict and hates public displays of affection, so she tends to express her feelings in indirect and roundabout ways – which is where a lot of the charm comes from.

You should read if you:

• like reading a Manga with short chapters
• want to read about an adorably clumsy couple who blushes constantly around each other
• like to have a strict female lead that does everything by the book

16. Tsun-Ama Na Kareshi (Completed)

• Together from the beginning

Summary: The title roughly translates to tsun-sweet boyfriend. The male lead comes across as quite cold at first and often shows that side to others, but when it comes to the female lead, he finds her unbearably cute and blushes constantly. Despite his aloof attitude, he spoils her nonstop. It’s a story about a couple who already live together but are still shy around each other – pure sugar overload guaranteed.

You should read if you:

• like reading something light and comforting after a heavier or depressing story
• love a male lead who’s absolutely terrible at communicating his feelings
• don’t mind a couple living together while being unrealistically shy around each other

17. Namaikizakari (Completed)

• The relationship officially starts in Chapter 27

Summary: As the eldest child in a large family, Yuki Machida learned early on to suppress her own feelings so she wouldn’t cause trouble and could set a good example for her younger siblings. Over time, she becomes used to keeping everything to herself. Things start to change when she becomes the manager of the basketball club and meets Shou Naruse. He falls for Yuki almost immediately and isn’t shy about showing it, constantly invading her personal space to make his feelings clear. Thanks to his persistence, they get together fairly early on, and the story focuses on watching their relationship slowly take shape.

You should read if you:

• don’t mind a very persistent second male lead
• don’t mind when the ML ends up carrying most of the relationship because the FL struggles to communicate her feelings
• like reading a shoujo with a more mature take on physical intimacy and relationships

18. Akagami no Shirayukihime

• Chapters 17 and 48 are pivotal for their relationship

Summary: Shirayuki is a botanist and local pharmacist with striking red hair. When Prince Raj tries to force her into becoming his concubine, she flees and meets Prince Zen in the forest. The two quickly grow close, and Shirayuki later begins an apprenticeship at the royal court pharmacy.

While they do get together fairly early and even share a kiss, this manga isn’t really about watching a relationship unfold step by step. In order to grow on her own and stand beside Zen as an equal, Shirayuki travels north to build her own connections and career. As a result, the story gradually shifts away from romance and focuses much more on plants, politics, and personal growth, with the couple spending very little time together.

You should check it out if you:

• like reading a Manga with gorgeous art – for Manhwa with gorgeous art, check out my recommendations
• don’t mind shipping Shirayuki with the second male lead (Obi), because she spends WAY more time with him
• don’t mind an emotional and spatial difference between the main characters that sometimes feels too forced