Shamisen is a traditional Japanese musical instrument that looks similar to a guitar. Teenager Sawamura Setsu's grandfather who raised him and his older brother Wakana, recently passed away. His grandfather was one of the greatest Shamisen players and the two siblings grew up listening to him play and learning to play the instrument. Since the grandfather's death, Setsu dropped out of high school, moved to Tokyo and has been drifting, not knowing what to do besides play his Shamisen. That's when his successful and rich mother, Umeko storms into his life and tries to shape Setsu up. ... more>>

She enrolls him back into high school but little does Setsu know that he is about to rediscover his passion for Shamisen. <<less

Shizuki is a hedonistic playboy who plays the baritone saxophone in the local council's brass band and he openly dislikes the band's popular and prince-like flutist, Yano.... more>>

At a glance, it seems like they barely associate with each other during practice. However, due to a shared interest, they now have secret meetings in hotels afterwards... <<less

The comedy story follows Mai and Kurumi — two polar opposites who act friendly onstage as the hit singing duo "Star Berry," but bicker offstage.... more>> What Mai really wants to become is a rock singer, but the easily flustered Kurumi would rather sing idol songs. <<less

College graduates struggle to cope with the real world. Music offers refuge in this modern manga with an American attitude.... more>>

Meiko Inoue is a recent college grad working as an office lady in a job she hates. Her boyfriend Shigeo is permanently crashing at her apartment because his job as a freelance illustrator doesn't pay enough for rent. And her parents in the country keep sending her boxes of veggies that just rot in her fridge. Straddling the line between her years as a student and the rest of her life, Meiko struggles with the feeling that she's just not cut out to be a part of the real world.

Note: Was nominated for the 2009 Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Japan. It was nominated for the 2009 Harvey Award for Best American Edition of Foreign Material. <<less

The son of a famous pianist, music student Shinichi Chiaki dreams of studying abroad and becoming a conductor like his mentor. Unfortunately, his fear of flying grounds his lofty plans! As he watches other classmates achieve what he has always wanted, Shinichi wonders if he should quit music altogether.... more>>

Then one day he meets fellow student Megumi Noda, also known as Nodame. This oddball girl cannot cook, clean, or even read a music score, but she can play the piano in incomparable Cantabile style. And she teaches Chiaki something that he has forgotten: to enjoy his music, no matter where he is.

Winner of the Kodansha Manga Award for Shoujo in 2004.

The series getting new cover editions (shinsouban) as of Sep 13, 2021. It’ll be 13 volumes total with B6 size and omake pages’ll be added. 1 volume releases in every month. <<less

When their high school's pop-music club is about to be disbanded due to lack of interest, four girls step up to fill the membership quota.... more>> Unfortunately, lead guitarist Yui Hirasawa has never played an instrument in her life. Ever. And although she likes the idea of being in a band, standing in front of the mirror posing with her guitar is a lot easier than actually playing it. It's gonna be a while before this motley crew is rocking out, but with their spunk and determination cranked to 11, anything is possible! <<less

Piano prodigy Arima Kosei dominated the competition and all child musicians knew his name. But after his mother, who was also his instructor, passed away, he had a mental breakdown while performing at a recital that resulted in him no longer being able to hear the sound of his piano even though his hearing was perfectly fine. Even two years later, Kosei hasn’t touched the piano and views the world in monotone, and without any flair or color. He was content at living out his life with his good friends Tsubaki and Watari until, one day, a girl changed everything. Miyazono Kaori is a pretty, free spirited violinist whose playing style reflects her personality. Kaori... more>> helps Kosei return to the music world and show that it should be free and mold breaking unlike the structured and rigid style Kosei was used to.

Won the Kodansha Manga Award for Shounen in 2013. <<less

When they were young, Nino Arisugawa and Momo Sakaki had promised that if they were ever separated, they would use their song to find each other again. However, Momo moved away without notice, leaving Nino with a constant urge to scream. For this reason, she begins wearing a mask.... more>>

During this time, while still missing her first love, Nino encounters Kanada "Yuzu" Yuzuriha, a boy her age who composes music and gives her the nickname "Alice." Nino falls in love with his music, while Yuzu falls in love with her. Every Wednesday they would meet at the beach—but one day, Yuzu also stops coming.

Six years later, Nino and Yuzu reunite in high school—unbeknownst to her, Momo has also entered the same school. Holding on to the childhood promise she made with him, Nino sings Yuzu's songs, hoping that her voice can still reach Momo. However, while she tirelessly tries to reach him, Yuzu continues to long for her, escalating a love triangle that has been built across years of separation. <<less

Legend has it that if you take your guitar and stand at a crossroads at the witching hour, the devil will appear. He'll grab your instrument, play a song, and hand it back to you. You'll walk away an expert bluesman, but you'll have to pay the price: your immortal soul.... more>>

Won the 2009 Glyph Comics Awards in the Best Reprint Publication category. <<less

Shino-chan can't say her own name. She made the first friend after entering high school. Communication full of clumsiness begins. They always find right words belatedly. But the Seishun can even turn a klutz into a star...or not?... more>>

[description on batoto]

About a girl with stammer aggravated by social anxiety, and her early days in her high school class. <<less

Takami and Akira are childhood friends who attend the same piano classes. Compared to the rough and boyish Takami, Akira is more feminine and cute... more>> and is also more skilled in piano. Takami thinks of Akira as a younger sister, but one day, Akira suddenly kisses Takami and says he likes her? <<less

Yuu Haruna just moved into town and loves to be on twitter. Out on his way to buy dinner he bumps into a mysterious girl,... more>> Fuuka Akitsuki, who breaks his phone thinking he was trying to take a picture of her panties. How will his new life change now? <<less

Mitsuki loves singing, but a malignant tumor in her throat has prevented her from pursuing her passion. However, Mitsuki's life turns around when two shinigami appear to grant her a temporary reprieve from her illness--and give her singing career a magical jump-start.... more>>

*Includes a short story called Ginyu Meika in volume 2.

Akiyoshi Kiryuu attempts to practice for an upcoming piano competition; however, his practice continually gets interrupted by a girl named Kanon, who claims to be the spirit of a tree. <<less

V1 - V3: Kuuden Noise no Himegimi... more>>

Hosaka Mao's never stood out. Her father's a washed-up rock-and-roller. Her hair reminds people of Pippi Longstocking. She's nowhere near the in-crowd. The arrival of long-haired beauty Hasekura Yokiko changes everything...

V4: Kuuden no Himegimi <<less

A high school 3rd year student, Miyamoto Dai, whose heart was touched by Jazz, continued to play the Saxophone alone in Kawahara, rain or shine, day or night, for many years. "I want to become the world's best Saxophone player...!!" Effort, talent, faith, environment, luck...which are necessary? A tale of reaching towards his goal recklessly and sincerely begins in Hirosegawa, Sendai.... more>>

Note: Was nominated for the 8th and 9th Manga Taisho Award. Won the 62nd Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga. Won the 20th Japan Media Arts Festival's Grand Prize for Manga.

A special prequel chapter was published in Volume 2 of CoroCoro Aniki on March 14th, 2015. It was not collected in the main volumes. <<less

Several oneshots: ... more>>

1) Overhearing a Flower Song

(Spring story) "During these past few days I've been on [cleaning] duty, there's been the sound of a guitar coming from that old school building that we've been barred entry..."

2) Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light (Hotaru no Mori E)

(Summer story) "I met him when I was six years old. On a scorching hot Summer day, in a forest that legend says is home to many spirits and monsters..."

3) The Fallling of Autumn Leaves

(Autumn story) "To me, back then, it was in order to stay by my beloved Kaede... that I came up with the most brilliant plan."

4) Deepening the Scar

(Winter story) About a sister and brother who reunite because their family decides to get together again after 8 years. But things will never be the same as they were in their innocent days...

The reprint contains the identical title story as chapter 1 (Hotarubi no Mori e), and three additional new stories:

2) Taion no Kakera

3) Hoshi no Mienai

4) Hotarubi no Mori e - Special Chapter <<less

In the year 2008, high school girl Sakura Minamoto is abruptly killed in a traffic accident. Ten years later, Sakura, along with six "legendary" girls... more>> from various eras of Japan's history, are brought back as zombies by a man named Kotaro Tatsumi, who seeks to save the Saga prefecture by putting together an all-zombie idol group. <<less

In the spring of her second year in high school, Asuka sees Masami playing Japanese drums in a festival, and she falls in love with... more>> him. However, Masami is deaf, and he has locked his heart in a world without sound. And thus, the two’s melancholic love miracle quietly begins. This is a pure love story in the middle of summer that will make your heart ache. <<less

Ogasawara Aki is the reclusive, idealistic composer of the popular band Crude Play. Discontented with his life and with no drive to succeed, he meets... more>> Riko, the 16-year-old grocer's daughter in a band consisting of her childhood friends, and asks her to be his girlfriend on a whim. Riko, young and innocent, agrees immediately, but worries about her new boyfriend, whom she suspects has just broken up with a woman he cared very much for. <<less

Through piano lessons a love slowly grows between the cool adult, Goshima-sensei, and one of his students, a high-school girl named Kae. The most popular stylish love romance.... more>>

In volume 1 are also included the oneshots:

1)

2)

3) Osaka Life (still untranslated) <<less

When a new person moves in next door, the appearance of a cockroach forces him to ask his neighbour for help. This strange situation is... more>> how two people with opposite personalities, one calm and composed the other prone to exaggeration, form an unlikely friendship. <<less

A sweet shoujo story about a high-school girl named Rina who falls in love with Hiro, the guitarist of a band and member of the... more>> archery club. They have to deal with many obstacles along the way, especially Rina’s poor health condition. <<less

As a child, Joon-young was always teased because his mother owned a bar that served Americans. When he meets Hae-in, a blind girl, they become... more>> childhood sweethearts and he vows to always protect her. However, Hae-in and her mom take off one night, leaving Joon-young and his promise behind. Hae-in later meets Gun-woo, the rich son of a CEO. Among these three, a tragic love triangle begins to form... <<less

Yui, Mio, Ritsu, and Tsumugi embark on their college adventures! It will take some time for the girls to get used to life away from... more>> their families and adjust to the pace of college life, but there's one aspect of their new situation that there's no uncertainty about-joining the pop music club! But they aren't the only high school band making their debut on the college scene. Is Afterschool Tea Time ready to perform alongside the hard-rocking rhythms of The Girlz?! <<less

Jun is a girl whose words have been sealed away. She was once a very happy girl, but because of a certain thing she said... more>> when she was very young, her family was torn apart. One day, the egg fairy appeared in front of her and sealed away her ability to talk in order to stop her from hurting anybody else. Since this traumatic experience, Jun lives in the shadows away from the limelight. But, one day, she is nominated to become an executive member of the "community outreach council." On top of that, Jun is also appointed to play the main lead in their musical. <<less