Top 8 Yakuza Romance Manga You Need to Read

Love can be found in unexpected places, even in the darkest corners of the world. One such place is the world of organized crime, particularly in the Gokudō, better known as the Yakuza. Despite their criminal activities, they are also known for their strict hierarchy and moral code.

Within the Yakuza, everyone knows their place in the group, and those who break the rules may face severe consequences, such as losing a finger or two. Despite their criminal activities, they serve as a source of creative inspiration for crime dramas, action stories, and more. Some mangaka have even drawn inspiration from them and their various families to create captivating yakuza romance manga.

Boss Bride Days

MyAnimeList Score: 6.50

Best Yakuza Romance Manga- Boss Bride Days - MyAnimeList Score: 6.50

Written & Illustrated by Narumi Hasegaki.

15+ Volumes, 28+ Chapters.

Available in English via Kodansha USA.

Boss Bride Days is a story about turning fantasies into reality. Sakura, a self-proclaimed nerd, prefers playing her yakuza-themed dating game indoors rather than going outside. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she saves the head of the Amō-gumi, a yakuza family, and he decides to include her in his succession plans.

Now, Sakura finds herself in a unique situation where the grandsons of the family must win her hand in marriage to become the new boss. With the gentle Shusuke, the blunt Reo, and the strategic Ryusei vying for her affection, Sakura is wary of their intentions. But as danger looms and enemies surface, the grandsons must prove the sincerity of their love to protect Sakura's life.

Gokudō Juliet

Anime Planet Score: 3.8/5 Stars

Best Yakuza Romance Manga- Gokudo Juliet - Anime Planet Score: 3.8/5 Stars - Gokudō Juliet

Written & Illustrated by Kameno.

92 Chapters.

Fan Translations only.

One popular way to create drama in romance is by having characters from different backgrounds fall in love. This classic theme can be seen in stories like Romeo & Juliet, as well as in modern adaptations like Gokudō Juliet. In this manga, Yamato, the daughter of a deceased police officer, finds herself in trouble on her first day of high school.

Yamato receives help from Jin, a charming young man with a kind heart. Despite warnings from others about Jin's ties to the local yakuza, Yamato is drawn to him. Even after learning that Jin may have been involved in her father's death, Yamato is determined to uncover the truth. Is Jin truly the kind-hearted person she believes him to be, or is he hiding a darker side?

Wild Ones

MyAnimeList Score: 7.67

Best Yakuza Romance Manga- Wild Ones - MyAnimeList Score: 7.67

Written & Illustrated by Kiyo Fujiwara.

10 Volumes, 57 Chapters.

Available in English via Viz Media's Shojo Beat.

Sachie, the main character in Wild Ones, goes through a rollercoaster of emotions. After losing her mother in a tragic car accident and with her father already gone, she felt lost. However, her grandfather, Raizo, suddenly appears and offers her a place to stay. Despite never meeting him before, Sachie soon learns why her mother never spoke of her side of the family.

Raizo is the leader of a yakuza clan, where each member views him as a father figure rather than just a boss. Sachie not only has to live with them, but she also gets assigned a bodyguard named Rakuto. While Sachie dislikes crime and deception, Rakuto can sometimes be overly protective. However, there is more to Raizo's family than meets the eye, and Rakuto also has a hidden side to him.

Nisekoi: False Love

MyAnimeList Score: 7.72

Best Yakuza Romance Manga- Nisekoi - MyAnimeList Score: 7.72 - Nisekoi: False Love

Written & Illustrated by Naoshi Komi.

25 Volumes, 229 Chapters.

Available in English via Viz Media.

In the anime Nisekoi, Raku has a dream of becoming a public servant and being with his crush, Kosaki. However, his plans are disrupted by his father, who is the heir to a large yakuza family. Following a turf war with the American Bee Hive family, Raku's father arranges a peace deal by pairing Raku with their daughter, Chitoge. Despite their mutual dislike, Raku and Chitoge must pretend to be in love to maintain peace between their families.

To make matters more complicated, when Raku was young, he made a promise to marry his childhood friend. Although he can't recall what they looked like, they possessed a key that could unlock his heart-shaped pendant as proof of their identity. Now, Raku must navigate his fake relationship with Chitoge, his feelings for Kosaki, and the mystery of several girls who might be his childhood sweethearts.

Yakuza Fiancé: Raise Wa Tanin Ga Ii

MyAnimeList Score: 7.77

Best Yakuza Romance Manga- Yakuza Fiancee - MyAnimeList Score: 7.77 - Yakuza Fiancé: Raise Wa Tanin Ga Ii

Written & Illustrated by Asuka Konishi.

8+ Volumes, 38+ Chapters.

Available in English via Seven Seas Entertainment.

If the other entries seem a little fanciful, Yakuza Fiancé: Raise Wa Tanin Ga Ii (A Future Fit for Others) takes a more realistic approach to yakuza romance. Yoshino, despite being the granddaughter of the head of the Somei Group, Kansai’s largest yakuza organization, just wanted to be a regular high school student.

However, things take a turn when the Somei Group merges with the Miyama Group from Kanto. To solidify the merger, Yoshino is forced into an arranged marriage with the Miyama Group leader’s grandson, Kirishima. While Kirishima appears kind and polite, he harbors a darker, more ruthless side than any typical yakuza member. Yoshino is not one to back down easily, but adjusting to life within the Miyama Group will require her to toughen up.

Gokusen

MyAnimeList Score: 8.06

Best Yakuza Romance Manga- Gokusen - MyAnimeList Score: 8.06

Written & Illustrated by Kozueko Morimoto.

15 Volumes, 156 Chapters.

Fan Translations only.

Gokusen tells the story of class 3D, the most troublesome class in an all-boys school, who gets a new math and homeroom teacher named Kumiko “Yankumi” Yamaguchi. Despite their efforts to challenge her, Yankumi earns their respect and brings the class under control.

One student, Shin, becomes intrigued by Yankumi because she doesn't behave like a typical teacher. He eventually uncovers her secret: Yankumi is the next in line to lead the Kuroda-Ikka yakuza clan, and they want her to take over. Although she is capable of handling herself, Shin always has her back, even if he often finds himself being rescued by her.

Tokyo Crazy Paradise

MyAnimeList Score: 8.29

Best Yakuza Romance Manga- Tokyo Crazy Paradise - MyAnimeList Score: 8.29

Written & Illustrated by Yoshiki Nakamura.

19 Volumes, 111 Chapters.

Fan Translations only.

In the futuristic setting of 2020, Tokyo Crazy Paradise depicts a city overrun by crime, particularly violence against women and murder. Tsukasa, raised as a boy by her parents, aspires to follow in their footsteps and become a police officer. However, tragedy strikes when her parents are killed in the line of duty, leaving Tsukasa to care for her siblings on her own.

To support her family and repay her parents' debts, Tsukasa takes on the role of a bodyguard for Ryuji, a classmate who happens to be the leader of a powerful yakuza group. Initially, Ryuji increases her debts to maintain control over her, leading Tsukasa to take on risky side jobs. Through their shared experiences of rescuing each other from various dangers, a deep bond forms between them that goes beyond their initial contract.

Like The Beast

MyAnimeList Score: 8.47

Best Yakuza Romance Manga- Like The Beast - MyAnimeList Score: 8.47

Written & Illustrated by Kotetsuko Yamamoto.

16+ Volumes, 38+ Chapters.

Available in English via Futekiya.

There are plenty of yaoi/BL yakuza stories out there, many of which come with content warnings. However, for those looking for a love story with a hint of spice rather than the full package, Like the Beast is worth checking out. It delves into the romance between two men from opposite sides of the law.

Officer Ueda never imagined he would end up falling for a mobster when he joined the police force. His motivation was simply to help people, a quality that made him well-liked in the community. Unexpectedly, his kindness caught the eye of Aki, the heir to the Gotōda group. After working together to catch an underwear thief, Aki confessed his feelings to Ueda. Despite feeling flustered, Ueda decides to give their relationship a chance, only to discover the complications that come with dating a mobster as a cop.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a fascinating glimpse into the unlikely intersection of love and organized crime, particularly within the Yakuza. While the Yakuza's criminal activities may be reprehensible, it's intriguing to see how they can also be a source of inspiration for captivating stories of love and romance. The article highlights several manga that