Manga like Kotarou wa Hitorigurashi

Gakuen Babysitters

Status: Releasing
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Romance , Slice of Life

After their parents are killed in a plane crash, Ryuuichi and his younger brother Kotarou are taken in by the chairman, who they never met before, of an elite academy. Ryuuichi becomes the school daycare's new babysitter.

Tags: Shoujo , School , Male Protagonist , School Club , Family Life , Iyashikei , Primarily Child Cast , Chibi , Tragedy , Cute Boys Doing Cute Things , Ghost , Adoption , Unrequited Love , Parenthood

Gokushufudou

Also known as The Way of the Househusband.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

He was the fiercest member of the yakuza, a man who left countless underworld legends in his wake. They called him “the Immortal Dragon.” But one day he walked away from it all to travel another path—the path of the househusband! The curtain rises on this cozy yakuza comedy!



Tags: Parody , Episodic , Yakuza , Male Protagonist , Slapstick , Gangs , Family Life , Primarily Adult Cast , Seinen , Heterosexual , Food , Urban , Iyashikei , Animals , Marriage , Otaku Culture , Tanned Skin

Barakamon

Also known as Barakamon.

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

For a certain reason, a handsome, young calligrapher by the name of Seishuu Handa uproots himself and moves to an island on the westernmost edge of Japan. "Sensei," as he comes to be known, is a city boy through and through, and has never experienced rural life until now. And by the looks of it, he has much to learn! Luckily(?), he has a willing teacher in Naru, the energetic expert islander, to help show him the ropes. But can Sensei keep up with the plucky first-grader, or will he get schooled?! Here unfolds a heartfelt island comedy about a gruff on the outside, soft on the inside urbanite teacher and his new, unfailingly kind island neighbors!



Notes: One extra and four side stories are included in volume 18+1. Original serialization was completed on 2018-12-12 with 18 volumes (139 chapters). A new limited-run serialization was started on 2023-04-12 and ended on 2023-09-12 in Monthly Shounen Gangan, in conjunction with the TV-drama adaptation. This new run adds 7 chapters and 1 volume to the total count.

Tags: Family Life , Iyashikei , Calligraphy , Rural , Found Family , Work , Male Protagonist , Coastal , Food , Rehabilitation , Teacher , Fishing , Shounen , Cars , Agriculture , Crossdressing , Cycling

Kumichou Musume to Sewagakari

Also known as The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

Kirishima Tooru is the right-hand man of the Sakuragi crime family. For him, the job is a perfect excuse to let his violent instincts run wild, earning him the nickname “the Demon of Sakuragi”. It seems like nothing will stand in the way of his vicious nature. But then one day, he receives an assignment like never before from the boss—babysitting his daughter! This is the heartwarming (or is it bloodcurdling?) story of a little girl and her yakuza caretaker!



Tags: Josei , Yakuza , Family Life , Delinquents , Anti-Hero , Found Family , Mafia , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Criminal Organization , Tragedy , LGBTQ+ Themes

Yuzuki-san Chi no Yon Kyoudai.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Slice of Life

The Yuzuki family consists of four brothers: Hayato, Mikoto, Minato, and Gakuto. The eldest son, Hayato, happily lives every day to the fullest. There are tears, laughter and excitement at home, at school, and in the neighborhood!



Tags: Family Life , Male Protagonist , Iyashikei , Primarily Male Cast , Shoujo , Coming of Age , School , Cute Boys Doing Cute Things , Teacher , Tomboy

Hirayasumi

Also known as Hirayasumi.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Slice of Life

With a carefree outlook on life, Hiroto knows better than anyone that slowing down is sometimes the best way to move forward.

At 29 years old, carefree Hiroto Ikuta doesn’t have a girlfriend, a full-time job, or a plan for the future—and he couldn’t be happier. Hiroto’s breezy attitude isn’t easy for everyone to understand, though. In a world filled with anxiety, confusion, and grief, Hiroto and the people who surround him are all just doing their best to figure out this thing called life.

After developing an unlikely friendship with the grouchy old granny who lives in his neighborhood, Hiroto suddenly finds himself inheriting not just her house, but some rather difficult emotions as well. His 18-year-old cousin Natsumi moves in with him, but as a struggling art student, she has her own troubles to deal with and may just put Hiroto’s easygoing lifestyle to the test.



Tags: Seinen , Iyashikei , Family Life , Urban , Primarily Adult Cast , Work , College , Drawing , Male Protagonist , Coming of Age , Filmmaking , Ensemble Cast , Female Protagonist

3-gatsu no Lion

Also known as March Comes in Like a Lion.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

Rei Kiriyama is a child prodigy. Rei Kiriyama is also an orphan who lives alone in an empty apartment. Rei Kiriyama is a teen working in an adult's world. Life is complicated for Rei. He's an up-and-coming shogi player on the verge of turning pro, but he has no homelife, or much of a life period,outside his board game, but thankfully with the help of some life-long friends he has an opportunity start all over again.



Notes:
Winner of the Grand Prize at the 4th Manga Taishou Award in 2011.
Winner of the 35th Kodansha Manga Award in 2011.
Winner of the Grand Prize at the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2014.
Winner of the Grand Prize at the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2021.

Tags: Coming of Age , Family Life , Philosophy , Rehabilitation , Seinen , Shogi , Found Family , Male Protagonist , Bullying , Iyashikei , Food , Tragedy , Heterosexual , Age Gap , Adoption , School Club , Love Triangle , Board Game

Doukyonin wa Hiza, Tokidoki, Atama no Ue.

Also known as My Roommate is a Cat.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

Subaru Mikazuki is a writer who lost both parents in an accident. He rarely goes outside and finds interacting with people an annoyance because they intrude on his imagination. However, his encounter with a stray cat gives him inspiration for a new novel. As Subaru and Haru grow closer, Subaru slowly finds his world expanding, as Haru helps him remember what having a family is like.



Tags: Animals , Iyashikei , Full Color , Primarily Adult Cast , Shoujo , Male Protagonist , Orphan , Tragedy , Writing

Paji: Momo-chan's grandfather "Paji"

Status: Finished
Genres: Slice of Life

Momo is a 4 year old girl who lost both her parents. She now lives with her grandfather, whom she calls "Paji." (Papa + Ojii-chan = Paji). This manga is about their simple, but warm life together in their friendly neighborhood.

Tags: Seinen , Parenthood

Hiroware Koneko to Moto Yakuza

Also known as Ex-Yakuza and Stray Kitten.

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

One cold and rainy winter’s day, a tiny kitten named Sabu is abandoned on the side of the road. When Sabu is rescued by Jin, a retired yakuza boss, the poor kitten fears things have gone from bad to worse–and that this would-be savior has murder on his mind! Yet beneath Jin’s scarred hands and scary face lies a sweet man who loves pampering kitties with baths, bottle-feedings, and whatever else his tiny companion needs. Be sure to get your paws on this hilariously adorable tale about an unlikely pet pair!



Tags: Animals , Male Protagonist , Yakuza , Found Family , Iyashikei , Urban , Primarily Adult Cast , Shounen