Shoujo manga is a popular genre of Japanese comics that primarily targets teenage girls. It often features romantic storylines, relatable characters, and beautiful artwork. One popular sub-genre of shoujo manga is the "idol" manga, which focuses on the lives and careers of star idols. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the top shoujo manga that includes an idol.
1. "Skip Beat!"
"Skip Beat!" is a classic shoujo manga that has been running since 2002. The story follows Kyoko Mogami, a 16-year-old girl who moves to Tokyo with her childhood friend Sho Fuwa to support him in his quest to become a famous singer. However, when Kyoko discovers that Sho only brought her along to act as his servant, she vows to get revenge by becoming a star herself. Along the way, she meets Ren Tsuruga, a famous actor, and fellow idol who helps her on her journey.
2. "Love Live!"
"Love Live!" is a popular franchise that includes anime, manga, and video games. The story revolves around a group of high school girls who form a pop idol group to save their school from shutting down. The manga adaptation, "Love Live! School Idol Diary," follows the daily lives of the girls as they practice and perform, as well as their struggles to balance their idol duties with their schoolwork and personal lives.
3. "Uta no Prince-sama"
"Uta no Prince-sama" is another franchise that includes anime, manga, and video games. The story centers around Haruka Nanami, a girl who dreams of becoming a composer and enrolls in a music school. There, she meets six attractive young men who are all striving to become famous pop idols. The manga adaptation, "Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 1000%," follows the group's journey to stardom and the romantic tension that arises between Haruka and the various members of the group.
4. "Aikatsu!"
"Aikatsu!" is a franchise that includes anime, manga, and video games. The story follows Ichigo Hoshimiya, a girl who enrolls in Starlight Academy, a school for aspiring pop idols. Along with her friends, Aoi and Ran, she participates in auditions and performances to become the top idol at the academy. The manga adaptation, "Aikatsu! ~ Colorful Idol Story ~," follows the girls as they work to achieve their dreams and overcome obstacles along the way.
5. "Dreamin' Sun"
"Dreamin' Sun" is a romantic comedy manga that features an idol as one of the main characters. The story follows Shimana Kameko, a high school girl who runs away from home and meets a young man named Taiga. Taiga is a former child star who now works as a struggling musician. The two of them end up living together and, along with Taiga's bandmates, they form a pop group. The manga follows their journey to become successful idols while also exploring the relationships between the characters.
6. "The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls"
"The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls" is a franchise that includes anime, manga, and video games. The story follows a group of girls who are competing to become top idols in the fictional 346 Production agency. The manga adaptation, "The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls - New Generations," focuses on the three newest members of the group and their struggles to become successful idols.
7. "Strobe Edge"
"Strobe Edge" is a romance manga that features an idol as one of the main characters. The story follows Ninako Kinoshita, a high school girl who falls in love with a popular boy named Ren Ichinose. However, she soon discovers that Ren is actually a member of a popular pop group called Andromeda Six. The manga explores Ninako's relationship with Ren, as well as her own personal growth as she learns to be more confident and assertive.
8. "Full Moon o Sagashite"
"Full Moon o Sagashite" is a classic shoujo manga that features an aspiring pop idol as the main character. The story follows Mitsuki Koyama, a 12-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a singer. However, she has a terminal illness that will soon take her life. When she is visited by two shinigami (death spirits) who offer to extend her life in exchange for becoming a pop idol, Mitsuki agrees. The manga follows her journey to stardom, as well as her relationship with a boy named Takuto who is also a shinigami.
9. "Fruits Basket"
"Fruits Basket" is a beloved shoujo manga that doesn't necessarily focus on idols, but does have a character who is a famous pop singer. The story follows Tohru Honda, a high school girl who is taken in by the Soma family after her mother dies. One of the members of the Soma family is Yuki, a popular boy at school who is also a member of a famous pop group called "Sohma Prince Yuki." While the manga isn't primarily about Yuki's pop career, it does play a role in his character development and relationships with other characters.
10. "Kiss and Never Cry"
"Kiss and Never Cry" is a unique shoujo manga that features figure skating and an idol as its main character. The story follows Mao, a young girl who dreams of becoming a figure skating champion. She meets a boy named Eiji, who is a member of a popular pop group. The manga explores their relationship, as well as Mao's struggles to balance her skating career and her budding romance with Eiji.
11. "A Silent Voice"
"A Silent Voice" is a critically acclaimed manga that doesn't necessarily focus on idols, but does have a character who becomes a popular singer. The story follows Shoya, a boy who bullied a deaf girl named Shoko in elementary school. Years later, he seeks to make amends for his past actions and befriends Shoko. One of their classmates, a girl named Miki, becomes a famous pop singer and performs a song that plays an important role in the story.
12. "K-On!"
"K-On!" is a popular manga and anime series that follows a group of high school girls who form a pop band. While not strictly a shoujo manga, it features many of the same themes and is beloved by fans of the genre. The story follows Yui, Mio, Ritsu, and Tsumugi as they learn to play instruments, write songs, and perform in front of audiences. The manga also explores their friendships and personal lives outside of the band.
13. "Anonymous Noise"
"Anonymous Noise" is a shoujo manga that features a love triangle and an idol as one of the main characters. The story follows Nino, a girl with a powerful singing voice who is trying to find her childhood friend and first love, Momo. Along the way, she meets Yuzu, a boy who also loves music and becomes a successful pop idol. The manga explores Nino's relationships with both Momo and Yuzu, as well as their shared love of music.
In conclusion, shoujo manga that features an idol can be a fun and exciting genre to read. From the classic "Skip Beat!" to the more recent "Dreamin' Sun," there are plenty of great stories out there that combine romance, music, and relatable characters. Whether you're a fan of the genre or just looking for something new to read, these manga are sure to provide hours of entertainment.
