Thread: Suzuka Withdrawal Symptoms! I need help!

I've just read finish Suzuka and I found it to be an amazing manga. But now I'm trying to find something along the line of Suzuka but to no avail!

I've been searching through the forums and I've read certain manga's like Ichigo 100% and I's. However, 2 those mangas aren't up to my expectation (which I'm sorry to say quite high).

Ichigo 100% was good but I felt the main character wasn't real enough. Which normal guy would run away after a girl kisses him or something? =X In Suzuka at least the main character had enough guts to go out with a girl that likes him before it didn't work out? I like stories with more of a real life feel to them.

As for I's, I didn't make it past the first few chapters. I like my main characters in the manga to be drawn nicely. I's type of artwork just isn't what I was looking for and expecting. The story line might be great but with no artwork to support it I kinda feel like it just brings down the whole story. (no offence to I's supporters out there! =()

Ok so it brings me back to the main issue at hand! Anyone out there can possibly recommend a manga which is along the lines of Suzuka / Ichigo 100%? Erm, I'm quite particular about the artwork as well. The characters musn't look too kiddish or childish but more real life? If the story is completed it would be great but it isn't part of the requirement! Just more along the line of Suzuka or Ichigo 100%? I dont mind a bit of eechi in it too =P

Anyone out there who can help?! =(

You won't find anything else of the sort as Suzuka is unique. Don't get how you hate I"s, the story was nicely done. Although I admit about artwork to some shows/manga, I"s wasn't THAT bad. The new "prequel" of Suzuka started, however that's going to work out, nobody knows, as a prequel and as a story.

I have to say, the real-life aspect of Suzuka really came out after the pregnancy part. No other romance-comedy manga I've read ever came close to that serious of a scenario.

I once shared your problem with I''s actually. When I began to read it, I also initially had problems with the artwork, since it was just so old-fashioned compared to all the other mangas i'd read (since I''s was released in like the '90s). But after a while, I got used to it; you just have to get past that one issue, and then you'll be able to appreciate the full beauty of the story of I''s; because it has, without a doubt, the best scenes of any romance manga I've ever read. There are certain chapters, certain moments in I''s, that are just unmatched by any other manga. The story is absolutely fantastic, the emotions become real later on, and the characters truly develop; so just give this manga another shot. It's old, yes, but you can consider it the father of modern day romance mangas. I might even say it's better than Suzuka, but since this isn't a comparison thread, I'll keep my mouth shut

Other than that, try the manga Hatsukoi Limited. It's a short manga, recently finished, with only thirty-some chapters. It's by Kawashita Mizuki, the same brilliant artist and mangaka who did Ichigo 100%, which is my favorite manga. I'm not sure how much reality you're looking for, but I'll tell you now that Hat Ltd is more romance-comedy than romance-drama; Suzuka is what I'd call a romance-drama.

I wouldnt suggest Hatsukoi, I started it, then dropped it. It never did resolve alot of issues I hear, and kept introducing more people then finishing old ones. In other words, you're in for a messy story.

The author of Ichigo 100%, will also have a one shot story coming soon:
Dragonaut's Kinoshita to Start Kuzumoto Action Manga - Anime News Network

Hey! Thanks for all your replies! I actually happen to browse past Hatsukoi when I was searching via Ichigo 100% author's other books. Yup it was a very messy manga. Didn't understand a thing that was going on in it. =X

Btw, is I's really that good? Haha. I might try to force myself to look past the unappealing drawings and give it another shot.. Is it something like Suzuka?

I"s is about a guy named was Ichitaka who likes a soon to be/become idol named Iori. Its the story about how he over comes all the obstacles(Her work, his lonliness and other girls) to be with her. Sorry, abit fuzzy now, but that should be the basis of the story.

I loved it, infact I'm redownloading the manga so I can reread it again, haha.

There are 2 endings btw, both have the same outcome, but the magazine version ends about 2-3 chapters early.

there's no story like suzuka IMO.the stupid dense guy and the ice queen also the princess who is dumped by the stupid dense guy who chase after that ice queen....errr no.ichigo is almost come close to it but....no f**king pregnancy there.just end like that

By dumped, you mean died... I remember in the anime the guy who resembled the now Yamoto died, don't remember if it was different in the manga.

I had a similar experience after finishing suzuka. It was my first manga to read ever, so this sudden exposure to the whole manga world really drew me into this series and didn't let go of me after finishing. Even today, I still get nostalgically when looking at the chapters(I don't know if anyone shares the same experience when re-reading his first manga)^^

However, I in fact found some romance-mangas, that fit the style of Suzuka more than Love Hina or Ichigo 100% do. I certainly like them because of having a more mature nature. I guess that could be what you're looking for.

First off should be Kareshi Kanojo no Jijō(aka. His and her circumstances), which is a great attempt to the whole high-school-romance genre. Even though it contains more comedy than suzuka, the characters and the story still feel authentic and are both well developed. The story is constantly progressing without any cliffhangers and contains both romance and drama in large quantities. The more you advance into it, the more involving and deep going it gets. I also especially liked how the manga takes detours into little sidestories to further develope the supporing characters. The only thing Kare Kano lacks in comparism to Suzuka is the aspect of doing track. Still, it really is worth a shot.

Secondly is Bokura ga Ita(aka. We were here). Yet being a rather regular addition to the romance genre, I especially liked its slow and gentle pace. Just like Suzuka it really focuses on the relationship between the two main protagonists. I thought that it especially added what was really coming too short at the end of Suzuka. The development of their relationship is a lot more in the focus here. You can actually see the two of them becoming closer and not just getting together. Unfortunatly, the story isn't completed and translation seems to be a little stuck at the moment. But they left of at a point near the final conclusion. so you're still getting a lot out of the excisting chapters.

I hope that these two series can fullfill your wishes.

Sincerely
A fellow Suzuka-Addict^^

I can't say much for the artwork as everybody has their own style/taste, but if you concentrate on the characteristics of the story itself....how about "Nana"? Nothing will ever equal Suzuka - - my first exposure to excellency in manga/anime' - - but there are many other stories which stand out in their own right: Ai Yori Aoshi, Ai Ren, Cry Out for Love at the Heart of the World, Kimagura Orange Road, Maison Ikkoku, Fate/Stay night, Video Girl Ai, Kimi Kiss Pure Rouge, The Girl Who Leapt through Time,....even Kurozuka. If you have to have artwork AND love story AND girl gets prego AND manga-only, you're going to miss out on some of the best!

I don't care for slapstick, but I'll put up with it if the character/story developement is good enough. Just be aware that in real life - - "life sucks, then you die" i.e. the protagonists never get together (Macross series), or the guy ends up with the wrong girl (Canvas 2), etc.

I prefer the Shoujo Manga/anime'....tender/sweet, the guy and girl get together (and live happily ever after). But I've gone though more than a Terabyte of anime/manga (saved most of it) and Suzuka is unique...like Haruhi Suzumiya (The Meloncholy of...), or Ghost in the Shell.....gomen.