1. Fruits Basket

After losing her mom, Tohru Honda finds herself living with the Sohma family. She soon discovers their secret. They turn into animals of the zodiac when hugged by the opposite sex! There are many comedic moments, but also moments that will break your heart.

This is by far my favorite manga. I just really loved how Tohru touched all the lives of the Sohma family and there are so many wonderful lessons in this series, which you can read about in this post (warning: spoilers!).

2. Sailor Moon

When Usagi Tsukino finds a stray cat, her world is changed forever. She becomes Sailor Moon, the guardian of love and justice, and must protect planet earth along with her friends, the Sailor Scouts.

I actually saw the anime before reading the manga, but the manga is better in my opinion. It's a wonderful series about friendship and love.

3. The Gentlemen's Alliance Cross

Haine Otomiya was sold by her father to another family. She becomes a gang member, but reforms after meeting Shizumasa and tries to win his heart. There is a surprising twist when it comes to Shizumasa and Haine finds herself with a tough choice.

It's a wonderful romance filled with some comedic moments and of course, drama. Plus, it's by Arina Tanemura, whose art style I absolutely love.

4. Full Moon o Sagashite

Mitsuki Koyama wants to become a singer in order to reunite with her first love, but unfortunately has throat cancer, which affects her ability to breathe well and sing loudly. One day, she is visited by two spirits, Takuto and Meroko, who tell her she only has one year to live. Mitsuki strikes a deal with Takuto and he gives her the ability to audition by transforming into "Fullmoon."

This is another Arina Tanemura series and I guarantee it will tug at your heartstrings.

5. Tokyo Mew Mew

While visiting an endangered species exhibit, an earthquake occurs and Ichigo Momomiya Ichigo and four other girls are bathed in a strange light. A cat appears before Ichigo and then merges with her.

Later, Ryô Shirogane and Keiichirô Akasaka inform Ichigo that she was infused with Iriomote cat DNA. They explain that this allows her to transform into Mew Ichigo, a magical cat girl. She is ordered to defeat Chimera Animas, which are alien parasites that infect animals and turn them into monsters. Ryou and Keiichirou instruct Ichigo to find the four other girls from the exhibit and together they form the Mews Mews.

This series is very reminiscent of Sailor Moon as they are teenage girls that can magically transform into superheroes and their goal is to protect the planet. If you like Sailor Moon, then you will certainly fall in love with Tokyo Mew Mew.

6. Pita Ten

Kotarou Higuchi is a boy who can see angels. He ends up befriending Misha, an angel-in-training, and later a demon, Shia, who has lost her memories.

The series starts off funny as Misha is not very good at being an angel, but as the story progresses, a more serious tone is taken on. I really enjoyed this series as it focused more on friendship rather than romance. It's a feel-good story.

7. Shugo Chara

Amu Hinamori makes a wish for courage in order to be herself and the next morning she wakes to find three colorful eggs which hatch into three Guardian Characters: Ran, Miki, and Su. Each guardian allows her to transform with different powers. She joins the other Seiyo Elementary's Guardians who also have eggs that allow them to transform. Together, they work on purifying X eggs, the corrupted form of people's dreams.

I love that in this series it was not just girls that transformed, but there are male characters who can also transform. It's also a wonderful story about finding the courage to be your true self, despite what other people think of you.

8. Cardcaptor Sakura

When Sakura opens a magical book and releases all the cards, she is instructed by Kero, the guardian of the Clow Cards, to capture all the cards and become the next Master of the Clow Cards. She has no choice but to agree or the powers of the cards would wreck her city.

Another fun magical girl series with lessons about friendship and love. Unlike other series, Sakura doesn't transform, but she has a magical staff to activate the magic of the cards. She still wears fun outfits and costumes because her best friend Tomoyo is obsessed with dressing her up.

9. La Corda d'Oro

Kahoko Hino is pressed by Lili, a musical fairy, to participate in the school's annual musical competition. Lili gives her a magical violin that allows her to play well. As the competition goes on and she becomes attached to those participating and helps them learn that music isn't just about talent, but heart as well.

I was playing both the piano and flute when this came out and of course I fell in love. At the time, it made me wish I had taken up a string instrument as well. However, I haven't touched any of my instruments in years! It's a great story about finding your passion and doing what you love.

10. Miracle Girls

Tomomi and Mikage Matsunaga are identical twins with special powers. Together, they are able to teleport and communicate telepathically. The girls decide to switch places one day at school and hijinks ensue.

This was actually the very first manga series I read, so it has a special place in my heart. The girls each develop their own love interest in the series, so it's a great book if you love romance and adventure.