Tezuka, Osamu

From time immemorial to the age of space colonization, there is one legend that has stayed unchanged in every history book—the tale of the immortal bird Phoenix. A being whose blood is said to grant eternal life or wisdom, the radiant figure ensures the continuation of sentient life in the universe as it oversees human civilizations and their development.

Yet, mankind remains a slave to its habits; from happiness and sorrow, to wrath and love, a myriad of emotions continue to play an integral part of human life. Simultaneously, time and time again, certain beliefs and agendas persist over the centuries to disturb the fragile equilibrium of the world's preordained nature and principles. It appears that fate, with its dynamic variables, can manifest itself in many ways—and oftentimes exhibits a bizarre sense of humor.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Note: This is an incomplete series due to Tezuka's death.

Hi no Tori

Phoenix

火の鳥

Miuchi, Suzue

Maya Kitajima is a good-for-nothing girl with a passion and talent for acting. After watching a play only once, Maya can immediately perfectly imitate the performance word-by-word. This talent leads her to one day be discovered by Chigusa Tsukikage, a once-famous actress who performed and owned the rights to the play called "The Crimson Goddess."

Considered to be a legendary play, The Crimson Goddess attracts the attention of many, including Masumi Hayami, a wealthy businessman who is also a secret admirer of Maya. Another one interested in the play is Maya's rival, Ayumi Himekawa, a gifted individual whose veteran parents trained her in acting since childhood.

Glass no Kamen follows Maya and Ayumi as they climb their way through the relentless world of entertainment, overcoming intense training and challenges to become actresses worthy of playing the role of The Crimson Goddess.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Glass no Kamen

ガラスの仮面

Ikeda, Riyoko

Hoping to unite their countries with an alliance, The Empress of Austria arranges for her daughter, the delightful yet spoiled Marie Antoinette, to marry the crown prince of France, Louis XVI. Upon arriving in Versailles, the Austrian princess meets Oscar François de Jarjayes, Captain of the Royal Guards—a seemingly dashing young man—but to Antoinette's astonishment, he is in fact a woman!

The youngest daughter of a noble family with a prominent lack of a male heir, Oscar was raised as a boy to continue the family's military legacy. Suffocated by the rigid rules associated with her new position and longing for companionship, Antoinette immediately takes a liking to this intriguing young woman and wastes no time befriending her. However, as the childish new queen foolishly abuses her power, Oscar is conflicted between maintaining her loyalty to the royal family and addressing the growing concern of poverty among the common people.

Despite being unjustly burdened by family expectations and forced to deny their identities at the expense of personal happiness, Antoinette and Oscar march on to become key players in the annals of history.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Versailles no Bara

The Rose of Versailles

ベルサイユのばら

Adachi, Mitsuru

Touch is a shounen story about two twin brothers, a pretty girl next door, and that good old pastime of baseball. The manga was written by one of the most well known manga-ka out there, Adachi Mitsuru in the early 80's (1981-1986). He's a wonderful writer who tends to write stories that are related to baseball and Koshien, the stadium where the All High School Baseball Tournament is held.

(Source: MangaProject)

Touch

タッチ

Takahashi, Rumiko

In the town of Tokeizaka stands the old, worn-down boarding house known as Maison Ikkoku. For the last few years, the building has been home to a rambunctious group of tenants, including 20-year-old college applicant Yusaku Godai, its most recent resident. Recently, however, Yusaku has grown impatient with the noisy shenanigans interrupting his studies and has decided to move out. However, as he is preparing to leave, a beautiful woman named Kyoko Otonashi introduces herself as the new property manager. Falling in love with her at first sight, Yusaku changes his mind and decides to stay to court Kyoko instead.

Though he initially believes he is making progress with Kyoko, Yusaku soon discovers that she is a widow still mourning the loss of her late husband. Despite her growing feelings for Yusaku, Kyoko states that she has no intentions to remarry or even date, as she still loves her late husband. Empathizing with her, Yusaku seeks to free Kyoko from her sadness with the help of the other inhabitants of Maison Ikkoku—all in the hope that she will one day see him as more than just another tenant of the building.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Maison Ikkoku

めぞん一刻

Hiwatari, Saki

Mystic dreams of a previous life in the moon lead to the bonding of seven students in an attempt to uncover the secrets behind what they have forgotten. As various truths are sought and avoided, Alice must hurry remembering if she is to save the fragile Rin from self-destruction. For only after facing the grave errors of the past, can they all move forward and live fully in the present.

(Source: MangaTraders)

Boku no Chikyuu wo Mamotte

Please Save My Earth

ぼくの地球を守って

Yamato Keisuke, a promising freestyle swimmer, and Ninomiya Ami, a talented diver, are the offspring of two rival families owners of confectionery shops. Two generations ago, Grandfather Ninomiya came up with an idea for an owl-shaped cake, but Grandfather Yamato quickly raised to the challenge and thought of a similar cake—but in Yamato's the owl had ears. Because they're priced the same, Yamato's extra ears were crucial, and that made the business of the Ninomiya confectionery suffered. Grandfather Ninomiya then fell ill worrying about his shop. Before his death, his last words were "I was killed by the Yamatos," and since that moment the two families have been sworn rivals. 

(Source: MU)

Rough

ラフ

Igarashi, Yumiko

Nagita, Keiko

Left in Pony's Home orphanage as a baby, Candace "Candy" White grew up to be a boisterous and energetic girl. But when her best friend of six years, Annie, is finally adopted by a wealthy family, Candy is upset to lose her. Crying on the hill near her orphanage, the young girl meets a princely boy clothed in Scottish attire, who plays his bagpipe to comfort her. This encounter causes her to dub him the "Prince of the Hill," as he did not reveal his name to her.

Six years later at the age of 12, Candy is taken in to be a companion for Eliza and Neil Leagen—siblings who treat her terribly. At her new home, she meets Anthony Brown, a boy who seemingly resembles that prince-like character she once met! Possibly reunited, Candy now finds herself at the start of a journey she will never forget.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Candy Candy

キャンディ・キャンディ

The story begins in Regensburg, Germany in 1903. There is a rumor at the all boy's Catholic S. Sebastian Music Institute that if someone looks through a window in one of the towers known as The Window of Orpheus and sees a beautiful girl through it that they will fall in love with her. This love will only bring pain for it will end up like the tragic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Two of the students—Klaus and Isaac see a girl through the window. Not realizing that she is fellow student, Julius, who was raised to be a boy, things spin out of control and their lives are changed forever.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Orpheus no Mado

オルフェウスの窓

Ariyoshi, Kyouko

Masumi Hijiri is a 16-year-old ballet student attending a small school in Japan. When she unexpectedly recieves an invitation to attend a special ballet competition, and later gains admission to a renowned ballet academy, she embarks on a grand adventure of friendship and hardship. She is the weakest of the students, and as such encounters several challenges, but her determination and faith in herself help guide her through the fierce world of ballet.

(Source: ANN)

Swan

SWAN −白鳥−

Lai, Ann

Ding Jiayu dreams of being a photographer. Her idol is none other than Yung Jo. When Yung Jo’s photography company holds an audition to find a new photographer, Jiayu decides to take a chance. The thing is, Yung Jo’s company doesn’t hire women, so Jiayu has no choice but to dress up as man and enter. Yung Jo takes great interest in Jiayu's talent and makes her his apprentice. It may seem like a dream to work with your idol, but for Jiayu, it's nothing of the sort. She takes a beating from Yung Jo everyday, and since all the crew members think she is a guy…

(Source: Esthétique)

Ingènuo

恋影天使 Ingènuo

Matsumoto, Izumi

Junior high school student Kyousuke Kasuga and his family are espers, commanding an array of unique powers. But whenever this arouses the public's suspicion, they must swiftly relocate. Tired of this routine, Kyousuke transfers schools for the eighth time and is determined to make this the last. However, a series of unexpected developments lands him in the middle of the school's notorious delinquent duo.

Madoka Ayukawa, enigmatic and feared by the students, often switches her personality between cold and affectionate, while the lively and energetic Hikaru Hiyama harbors a public crush for her "darling" Kyousuke. Caught up in a fierce love triangle threatening his dream of an ordinary life, Kyousuke decides to use his powers in an attempt to appease both girls. But it soon becomes apparent that his indecision will only take him so far.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

12 Manga Like Make Sure You Regret It