Top 11 Underrated Japanese Romance Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Editor's Picks

11 Novels

Japanese romance has some dominant titles that show up everywhere, but the genre is deep enough that quality work flies under the radar. These picks have solid ratings without the mainstream visibility that comes from constant recommendations.

Underrated Japanese romance often emphasizes quieter emotional development over dramatic conflicts. The pacing might be slower than currently trendy, or the setup might not fit easily into popular categories. What they share is character writing and relationship development that resonates with readers who find them. If you've read the popular recommendations and want something different, this is worth exploring.

Completed
1
TOP PICK
About the Reckless Girl Who Kept Challenging a Reborn Man Like Me
4.8
(1.6K ratings)
Genre: drama, fantasy, psychological
“A prodigy at ten, a genius at fifteen, a common man past twenty. ” This is a story of the struggle of an ordinary guy like me who is a “reincarnator” and a reckless and promising girl who is a “genius”.
First Impressions
This web novel, About the Reckless Girl Who Kept Challenging a Reborn Man Like Me, really took me by surprise. With a high rating and a slew of glowing reviews, I went in with pretty high expectations, and I wasn't disappointed. It's a deceptively simple story that manages to pack an emotional punch. The premise is intriguing: a reincarnated man, armed with his past life's knowledge, finds himself constantly challenged by a relentlessly competitive childhood friend. The initial setup feels like a classic setup for wish-fulfillment, but the story quickly evolves beyond that. I was immediately d...
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Completed
2
RUNNER UP
The Probability I Can Kill My Wife Without Being Found Out
4.8
(841 ratings)
Genre: drama, romance, slice of life
“I may kill you and take all the money you’ve to inherit for myself. Even so, are you alright with me?
First Impressions
This web novel, with its rather provocative title, certainly grabbed my attention, and after diving in, I can see why it's garnered such a strong following. It's a short, poignant story about a marriage of convenience that blossoms into something much deeper, but not without its melancholic moments and emotional hurdles. Initially, the premise felt a little jarring. The idea of a protagonist calculating the "probability" of killing his wife seemed like it might lead to a dark or edgy narrative. However, I quickly realized that this was more of a quirky, albeit awkward, way for the couple to co...
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
A Game To Make Him Fall
4.8
(908 ratings)
Genre: drama, josei, romance
Born to a house where women were only seen as tools to birth children, I was already in my twenties. I was standing on the crossroads of life.
First Impressions
This short story truly captivated me. "A Game To Make Him Fall" is a moving exploration of love blossoming from an arranged marriage, and it definitely earns its high rating. It's a companion piece to "The Probability I Can Kill My Wife Without Being Found Out," offering the wife's perspective on their unusual relationship. While both can be read independently, I highly recommend experiencing the husband's POV first to fully appreciate the nuances of this narrative. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the female lead's world. She's initially presented as someone who's never known true af...
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EDITORS CHOICE
Observation Record of a Self-proclaimed Villainess’ Fiance
4.6
(726 ratings)
Genre: comedy, fantasy, romance
Lady Bertia, who’s become my fiancée, is a bit odd. On our first meeting, she proclaimed herself a villainess noble girl who’s been reincarnated and said that she’s working hard every day to become a splendid flower of evil that’s elegantly put in her place.
First Impressions
"Observation Record of a Self-proclaimed Villainess’ Fiance" offers a refreshing twist on the well-trodden "villainess reincarnation" trope, and I found myself thoroughly entertained. It takes a familiar concept and breathes new life into it by shifting the perspective to the male lead. Going into this, I was cautiously optimistic. The villainess reincarnation genre is everywhere, but the idea of seeing it all unfold through the eyes of the prince, Cecil, piqued my interest. It felt like a gamble that paid off. From the start, the story is absurd, but in a good way. The female lead, Bertia, is...
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EDITORS CHOICE
It’s Because You Said There Would Be Candy!!
4.7
(641 ratings)
Genre: adventure, comedy, fantasy
A messenger of heaven appeared among the chaotic crowds Carrying in hand a sacred treasure, and the flames of hope Alongside those that sought out their destines To seal the root of evil, the lord of ...
First Impressions
This web novel was a delightful surprise! I went in expecting a light and fluffy read, and that's exactly what I got, but with an extra helping of charm. It's the kind of story that leaves you with a warm feeling, like you've just eaten a perfectly baked cookie. The premise alone – a pastry chef becoming a hero – hooked me immediately. The title, "It’s Because You Said There Would Be Candy!!," is just so whimsical and promises a fun, unconventional adventure. From the first chapter, I was drawn into Marie's world, a world where the solution to most problems involves a delicious baked good....
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6
#6 PICK
Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria
4.7
(509 ratings)
Genre: action, drama, horror
Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria, or The Empty Box and the Zeroth Maria, tells the sinister story of Kazuki Hoshino, who is almost madly attached to his everyday life, and his antagonist Aya Otonashi, who suddenly transfers into his class—for the 13,118th time. She majestically announces to “brea...
First Impressions
"Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria" (Hakomari), where do I even begin? This series is a trip, a wild, psychological, romantic, and sometimes horrifying ride that had me hooked from the first volume. I went in expecting a mind-bending mystery, and while I got that, I also found a story that explores the depths of human desire and the consequences of wish fulfillment. The initial volume throws you headfirst into a non-linear narrative, a time loop that's as confusing as it is captivating. I'll admit, it took me a bit to get my bearings, but the intrigue was enough to keep me pushing forward. The p...
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Conclusion

Underrated Japanese romance rewards readers looking for something beyond the obvious picks. These novels have earned reader support without breaking through to mainstream attention. Check the descriptions to see which approaches to relationship storytelling might appeal to your specific preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rankings consider multiple factors: reader ratings (40%), popularity and reading lists (25%), review quality (20%), and editorial assessment (15%). We update regularly to reflect new releases and changing reader preferences.

We update our rankings monthly to ensure they reflect the latest reader ratings and new novel releases.

How We Create Our 2026 Rankings

Our 2026 novel rankings are created through a comprehensive, data-driven process that combines quantitative metrics with qualitative editorial review. Here's how we ensure our rankings reflect the best novels available today.

Data Collection

We aggregate reading data, ratings, and engagement metrics from thousands of readers across multiple platforms, updated regularly throughout 2026.

Community Input

Reader ratings and reviews form the foundation of our rankings. We weight votes based on verified reading history to ensure authenticity.

Quality Scoring

Each novel receives a composite score based on average rating, vote count, reading list additions, and reader retention metrics.

Editorial Review

Our editorial team reviews top candidates for writing quality, translation accuracy, and overall reader experience.

Regular Updates

Rankings are refreshed quarterly to reflect new releases, updated ratings, and shifting reader preferences in 2026.

Transparency

We publish our methodology openly so readers understand exactly how novels earn their positions in our rankings.

Our 2026 Ranking Criteria

40%Reader Rating Score (weighted by vote count and recency)
25%Popularity Metrics (reading list additions, active readers)
20%Engagement Score (comments, reviews, recommendations)
15%Editorial Assessment (writing quality, translation, completeness)

Last updated: January 27, 2026 | Rankings reflect data collected through 2026

Ranked Novels

About the Reckless Girl Who Kept Challenging a Reborn Man Like Me

First Impressions

The Probability I Can Kill My Wife Without Being Found Out

First Impressions

A Game To Make Him Fall

First Impressions

Observation Record of a Self-proclaimed Villainess’ Fiance

First Impressions

It’s Because You Said There Would Be Candy!!

First Impressions