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If you liked Coelacanth add

...then you might like Mayonaka no Ariadne add

Looking for dark, psychological shoujo with mystery and romance? Coelacanth and Mayonaka no Ariadne, both by Shimotsuki Kayoko, provide just that with two vastly different heroines that encounter mysterious young men and become involved in worlds more dangerous than they expected. In Coelacanth, the story is more psychologically driven as the heroine deals with a troubled family life and hallucinations while becoming caught up in a murder investigation and a past event that has haunted more than one person for a decade. In Mayonaka no Ariadne, the heroine reunites with a childhood friend and inadvertently gets caught in a web of lies and truth about an underground world she never knew existed until now. Full of danger, romance, angst, and suspense, readers will be drawn into the heroines' journeys as they try to make sense of everything while dealing with life and love on the way.

If you liked Akuma to Love Song add

...then you might like Pellua Iyagi add

At first glance, these two series may seem like polar opposites due to Akuma to Love Song taking place in a modern high school in Japan and Pellua Iyagi in a fictionalized version of medieval France. However, the female leads, Maria (Akuma to Love Song) and Orthez (Pellua Iyagi), have similar personalities: intelligent, perceptive, emotionally strong, and often stoic. They are unafraid to speak their minds. They carry a kind of confidence that sets them apart from the rest, and, indeed, they capture the attention of all, for better or worse. Maria must deal with classmates who alienate her while also dealing with past events that return to haunt her. Orthez must adapt to a new environment through her arranged marriage and new home in a country far from her own while simultaneously handling people who like/dislike her. Other complications enter their lives in the form of love interests, mysterious pasts/people, and political intrigue, making for an interesting story line in both series. The romance develops slowly and naturally - a refreshing change of pace - and the art styles are wonderfully done, especially in Pellua Iyagi. If you want to read about strong, smart, bold women who have no time for nonsense from others, I recommend both Akuma to Love Song and Pellua Iyagi. NOTE: Pellua Iyagi is a manhwa (Korean comic) and must be read from L-R.

If you liked Nabi add

...then you might like Donten ni Warau add

These two gorgeously illustrated works tell the stories of orphaned family members and friends seeking hope in a world that works against them. At first, it may seem like these two series have nothing in common due to the plot lines sounding nothing alike. However, both have assassins, suspense, subtle romance, and strangers who bring into destruction into their lives in various ways. In Donten ni Warau, the three Kumou Brothers struggle to stay together and fight back against an enemy that is centuries old. In Nabi, the orphans, Myo-Un and Ryu-Sang, flee for their lives from those that wish to destroy them, driven by a coveted ability belonging to another major character. They also contain plots in which the identity of an important person must be uncovered or kept hidden. Rife with secrets and struggles, both series are sure to entertain and impress readers with complex story lines and beautifully detailed art. Side note: Nabi is a manhwa (Korean comic) and is read from left to right. Also, Nabi utilizes a nonlinear narrative, so keep that in mind.

If you liked Monster add

...then you might like Death Note add

These two are often compared together, and that's no surprise - they are both psychological thrillers that provoke discussions of morals and ethics, nature versus nurture, and life and death. Death Note deals primarily with the issue of justice and who has the divine right to take a life; Monster questions the equality of lives and what it means to save lives, whether they deserve it or not. With two main protagonists, Tenma Kenzo and Yagami Light, working non-stop to find their enemies, Johan Liebert and Detective L, the clock ticks on with a cat-and-mouse game, as various characters find their fates intertwined with that of Tenma and Light. Death Note is based around supernatural elements, such as shinigami and a mysterious notebook (well, it's fairly obvious at this point), taking place in modern Japan. Monster, on the other hand, is more realistic, and takes place in 1990s Germany, drawing on historical events and the social and political impact of those events. The difference in demographics is clear (shounen and seinen), but the atmosphere of both is dark and terrifying in their own ways, built around mysteries and complex characters. Along with realistic art styles, both series are sure to keep readers guessing.

If you liked Ghost Hunt add

...then you might like Sugiru Juunana no Haru add

Ghost Hunt and Sugiru Juunana no Haru are written by the same author, Ono Fuyumi, but illustrated by different artists (Inada Shiho and Yamamoto Kotetsuko). Both stories carry the same eerie atmosphere surrounding mysterious cases of ghosts, curses, and other supernatural elements. Characters work to piece the clues together using a variety of means such as scientific reasoning and simple detective work. Ghost Hunt deals more with characters possessing psychic abilities and being part of a specialized team, complete with comedic moments and romance hints. Sugiru Juunana no Haru deals only with normal folks and an haunting incident, and is less comedic and more familial. Accompanied by good artwork (Ghost Hunt's style evolves over time from the late 1990s to mid-2000s), both series are enjoyable explorations of the paranormal side of life.

If you liked Seirei no Moribito add

...then you might like Akatsuki no Yona add

Both fantasy series involve protagonists (Princess Yona in Akatsuki no Yona and Prince Chagum in Seirei no Moribito of royal blood fleeing their kingdoms and enemies who want to kill them for various reasons. They are protected by bodyguards (in both series, the primary bodyguards wield spears - Balsa in Seirei no Morbito and Hak in Akatsuki no Yona) and gain allies on their journey throughout the entire land. Over time, they learn about daily life and hardships among commoners and communities alike, as well as truths about themselves and the person they wish to become. There is political intrigue, action, supernatural elements, romance, and comedy in both - although Seirei no Moribito has a more mature, serious atmosphere whereas Akatsuki no Yona is more laid-back and fun in comparison. I highly recommend them both, especially if you enjoy adventures, character growth, and numerous battles.