Best Historical Romance Manga

The romance genre holds a special place in everyone’s hearts and brings a light-hearted atmosphere to anyone reading it. It creates a sense of wholesomeness amidst the bustling monotonous reality of life. While there are quite a few romance mangas that are set in the modern era, there has been a rise in popularity with the historical genre.

With the lavish dresses, passionate courting, and sinister plots, the genre brings something completely new to the table. It’s more dramatic and manages to perfectly blend romance into it, which makes any reader swoon.

8 Bibliophile Princess

The Clueless Bookworm and Her Doting Prince

Bibliophile Princess introduces Eliana, a massive bookworm who is also Crown Prince Christopher’s betrothed. Their engagement was in name only, as Prine Chris needed someone to act as his fiancé and Eliana wanted access to the Palace library.

But, as the years go by, the two of them begin to fall for each other and the nation slowly comes to realize that Eliana is more than her nickname. The plots against her and the royal throne also play a huge part in securing her position, but readers may enjoy the doting nature that Chris showcases, as Eliana tries to come to terms with her nature outside of being the ‘Bibliophile Princess’.

7 The Beloved Daughter of a Crime Family Was Reincarnated as the Daughter of a Gangster in an Otome Game: Highest-Ranking Villain, That Doting Is Unnecessary!

A Romance In Love and War

Set in a time when the early European mafia ruled the land, Francesca is the beloved daughter of one of the ruling mafia families. What most don’t know is that she actually transmigrated into her beloved otome game and that she used to be the daughter of a Yakuza boss in her previous life.

She’s unfortunately betrothed to the villain of the game and she has no choice but to do everything she can to survive. The Beloved Daughter of a Crime Family Was Reincarnated as the Daughter of a Gangster in an Otome Game: Highest-Ranking Villain, That Doting Is Unnecessary! blends in mafia and magic in a setting very different from the modern world. Readers may enjoy the phenomenal chemistry that Francesca and Leonardo have, as Francesca tries to flee and Leo tries to lock her in with his yandere tendencies.

6 Protected By My Dragon Knight

A Heartwarming Cross-Species Romance

After overworking herself to death, Ichiru wakes up in a new world which looks like something out of a historical book. The customs, the architecture, and the culture is completely different- and this includes the variety of species that she lives amongst. Magical beasts roam the land in her second life and her love for fluffy animals draws out a healing power she never knew she had.

Protected By My Dragon Knight is a special one as it blends different genres in this historical romance setting. Readers can indulge in some good old fantasy and supernatural with this plot, whilst also enjoying the wholesome romance that blossoms between Ichiru and Hisui.

5 Red River

A Love Between A Modern Girl And An Anatolian Prince

Yuri went from a modern day teenager to a Princess of the Hittite Empire in just a few days. After being summoned back in time to Ancient Turkey, she’s stuck trying to find a way back home. But the evil queen of the Empire is after her blood and the flirtatious third Prince Kail is the only one who seems inclined to help her.

From a historical point, Red River perfectly brings in the real life history of Anatolia and the grueling customs of its culture. The story is raw, bloody, and encapsulates a harsh reality that many women suffered in ancient times. This read might be a guilty pleasure for many readers who enjoy political historical romances, as it showcases the reality of finding love in such times.

4 An Observation Log Of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself A Villainess

The Self-Proclaimed Villainess Who Tries To Ruin The Story

Prince Cecil is the genius Crown Prince of the Empire and it’s simply because of his exceptional abilities that he finds life boring. It’s only when he meets his fiancée, Bertia, do things begin to change. Bertia is quite open to Cecil about her past life as an otome game player who is now in the body of the game’s villainess.

In An Observation Log Of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself A Villainess, Bertia is adamant on sticking to the plot of the game, but Cecil is only ever amused at her theatrics. He supports her claims and can’t help but be intrigued at every hilarious opportunity she takes to make herself look like a villainess. Of course, things never go according to plan, because despite how much Bertia wants to be a villainess, Cecil cannot see her as anything but the cutest girl in the world.

3 The Lady Likes A Nerd Over Princes

Choosing Personality Over Power For Love

When Sharina met Riol it was love at first sight for her. He’s quiet, studious, and always keeps to himself. He’s the complete opposite of her bubbly personality, yet the breath of fresh air she needs in her life. Unfortunately, their peaceful budding friendship is interrupted by Prince Leonardo, a narcissist that has deluded himself into thinking Sharina is pining after him.

As a lady, Sharina has a lot of restrictions because of the caste system and the culture in this historical setting. However, as Riol begins to step up and take more initiative over protecting her, readers see the timeline of two best friends becoming lovers in The Lady Likes A Nerd Over Princes.

2 Palace Meidi

The Attendant And The Caged Bird

Palace Meidi is set in an alternate universe of Meiji-era Japan with similar class systems in society. Misono Kimiyori is from a declining noble family and to alleviate his family’s debts, he decides to enter the Royal Palace as the Chamberlain’s Attendant. He meets Akiko here, the Emperor, who is also a woman, and the two begin an unlikely friendship like no other.

Since this story is set in historical times, readers can expect to see a lot of struggles that come up for Akiko in her position as a woman and the Emperor. She is a bird trapped in a cage and it’s only when Misono sees her as more than just the Emperor do her days become brighter. If readers are looking for a light-hearted romance between two individuals who have managed to create a bond so strong despite all the adversaries against them, then this one is definitely a must.

1 Will You Marry Me Again If You Are Reborn?

A Recollection Of An 80-year-Old Love

Toranosuke and Kaoru have known each other since they were children. Set in the Showa era of Japan, Kaoru was a servant from a poor family and Toranosuke the son of a wealthy family. They were an unlikely match, yet this childhood love soon grew into a deep one as they became adults. Now old and on their deathbed, Tora and Kaoru recall their life together in Will You Marry Again If You Are Reborn?

This historical romance is definitely a tear-jerker filled with happy smiles, heartwarming laughs, and melancholic goodbyes. Tora and Kaoru have lived a wholesome life together and the readers get to see the gentle memories of a couple that have cherished that. They are easily a couple that readers can look back on and wish they too could one day find a love as deep as Tora and Kaoru had.