Top 15 Manga Like The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel

Manga like The Kawai Complex Guide are a special kind of comfort—awkward, funny, and quietly heartfelt. If you love quirky slice-of-life stories with lovable weirdos, these picks are right up your alley.

15. You and I

If you loved The Kawai Complex Guide for its quiet humor and quirky group chemistry, Kimi to Boku delivers the same charm—just with a group of chill high school boys instead of eccentric roommates.

Both shows skip the drama and romance to focus on everyday moments, light teasing, and the warmth of chosen family. Whether it’s dorm-life chaos or classroom antics, both series celebrate growing up alongside people who drive you a little crazy—but in the best way. Understated, wholesome, and quietly hilarious.

14. Tonari no Seki-kun: The Master of Killing Time

While not really romantic, Tonari no Seki-kun is hilarious and super easy to binge. Yokoi just wants to focus in class, but her desk neighbor Seki is constantly doing insane things during lessons. Rube Goldberg machines, elaborate dramas with erasers—every chapter is a new bit of silent chaos.

While it doesn’t have the relationship drama of Kawai Complex, it does nail that feeling of reacting to absurd people around you, which Usa knows all too well. The comedy that comes from dealing with weirdos is its own special flavor, and this manga delivers it in the most delightful way—equal parts absurd, clever, and quietly chaotic.

13. We Never Learn

We Never Learn is your classic harem setup—but with actual heart. Nariyuki tutors a group of girls, each struggling in subjects they’re not naturally good at, all while slowly becoming part of their lives. While it sounds like standard rom-com fare, it’s got a lot of warm, relatable moments and surprisingly thoughtful character arcs.

In fact, it’s kind of like Kawai Complex in that you’re watching a bunch of very different personalities bounce off one another, learning and growing along the way. And there’s just enough emotional tension under the comedy to keep things interesting.

12. ReLIFE

Imagine getting a second shot at high school to fix your life. That’s what happens to Arata, a 27-year-old who ends up in a weird experiment that makes him look like a teenager again. It’s got the same reflective tone as Kawai Complex—looking at how people grow through their interactions and mistakes.

While this one’s more introspective and less focused on comedy, there’s still that slice-of-life charm, and the chemistry between characters feels super real. Plus, like Kawai Complex, it’s not just about romance—it’s about figuring out who you are, surrounded by people who challenge you.

11. Toradora!

Now this one’s iconic and most anime fans recognize it even if they haven’t read or seen it. Taiga’s a tiny ball of rage, and Ryuuji looks scary but is actually a total softie who loves cleaning. Their friendship starts off rocky, but turns into this heartfelt mess of emotions, misunderstandings, and mutual growth. The back-and-forth bickering, the “I totally don’t like you” energy, which feels a lot like the way Usa and Ritsu slowly deal with their feelings.

Toradora! leans heavier on the drama, but it still has those quiet, funny everyday moments that really sell the relationships. It’s a classic for a reason, and it hits that slow-build, emotionally grounded vibe just right.

10. The Pet Girl of Sakurasou

Practically feels like a sibling series to Kawai Complex, The Pet Girl of Sakurasou takes place in a dorm full of wildly eccentric residents and one relatively normal dude just trying to keep his sanity. The main guy, Sorata, ends up rooming with Mashiro, a genius artist who’s brilliant but has no life skills. It’s part coming-of-age, part slow-burn romance, and part pure comedy chaos.

The energy of the place is very Kawai Complex—ridiculous, heartwarming, and a little overwhelming in the best way. Those who loved how Usa grew thanks to his roommates will love it.

9. Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Kaguya-sama is like the Death Note of rom-coms. Kaguya and Miyuki both like each other, but they’re way too proud to admit it—so instead, they play mind games trying to make the other one confess first. The whole show is a hilarious, over-the-top battle of wits, with surprisingly touching moments woven in.

What links it to Kawai Complex is that sweet, slow progression buried under layers of antics. If you loved watching Usa and Ritsu tiptoe around their feelings while everyone else added chaos, this one’s a must. Plus, the side characters totally steal the show, just like in Kawai.

8. Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible

Shiraishi’s whole thing is that nobody notices him. Like, literally. People walk past him in the halls, teachers forget he exists—it’s played for laughs, but also kind of sad. Enter Kubo, who refuses to let him fade into the background.

She teases him constantly and makes it her mission to drag him into everyday life. Their banter is super lighthearted but slowly builds into something more. Kinda like how Ritsu acts aloof until she starts warming up to Usa. Not every romance has to be loud or dramatic—sometimes it’s the soft, sneaky ones with a playful side that leave the biggest impression.

7. Horimiya

Hori seems like a popular girl with it all together, and Miyamura is this quiet, awkward loner. But outside of school, they’re totally different people. The way they gradually get to know the real versions of each other is so wholesome.

It reminds me of Kawai Complex in how it plays with appearances—just like how Ritsu seems cold and distant, but slowly lets her guard down. It’s a slow, satisfying burn with lots of sweet, genuine moments and characters who feel real.

6. Oresuki: Are You the Only One Who Loves Me?

Oresuki is a bit chaotic, but in the best way. Joro thinks he’s about to live the classic rom-com dream—two cute girls want to talk to him. Turns out, they both like his best friend, and they want him to play wingman. Oof. What follows is a lot of back-and-forth plotting, emotional whiplash, and surprisingly solid character development.

If you liked Kawai Complex because of the unexpected emotional twists hiding behind the comedy, this one delivers that too—but with way more scheming and dramatic love triangles (or, well, hexagons).

5. My Sweet Tyrant

This one’s all about extremes. Akkun is cold, distant, and borderline rude to his girlfriend when she’s around. But the second she turns her back, he’s full-on obsessing over her like a lovesick puppy.

It’s over-the-top but in a good way, and you get tons of quick laughs. The mismatch between what he says and what he really feels? Very much in line with the way Ritsu acts like she doesn’t care about Usa, but totally does. Sometimes it’s not the perfect moments but the missteps and misunderstandings that make a romance feel the most real—and the most fun to follow.

4. Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie

At first glance, you think Shikimori is just your typical sweet and supportive girlfriend—but nope, she flips the switch fast. One second, she’s all smiles, and the next, she’s saving her super unlucky boyfriend from near-death with this cool, badass energy.

The relationship dynamic here is kind of like Usa and Ritsu’s: one’s clearly more capable and collected, while the other is just trying to keep up. It’s funny, a little dorky, and surprisingly romantic when you least expect it. Underneath all the lighthearted fluff, this one carries a surprising depth that echoes the patient, layered romance that made Kawai Complex so satisfying.

3. Amachin Calls Himself Male

This manga’s low-key hilarious. Tatsumi’s chill school life goes sideways when his childhood friend Amachin transfers in—Amachin’s a guy, but looks cuter than most anime girls and leans into it. Like, hard. The humor comes from how people react to him and how he teases Tatsumi nonstop.

It reminds me of Kawai Complex because it’s got that same “quirky character throws off the main guy’s normal life” setup. It’s also surprisingly wholesome underneath all the teasing. Definitely fun if you enjoy chaotic characters who keep the mood light but still push the story forward.

2. Aishiteruze Baby

Aishiteruze Baby hits a bit more on the emotional side, but it’s still got that same core idea—an irresponsible guy suddenly has to grow up because life throws something big at him. For Kippei, that’s taking care of his little cousin after her mom bails. It’s not set in a dorm, but there’s a similar “growing up through people around you” energy.

If you liked seeing Usa mature by dealing with his eccentric housemates and figuring out his feelings for Ritsu, you’ll appreciate how this one balances heartwarming moments with slice-of-life vibes.

1. Love Roma

This one’s super cute and awkward in the best way. Love Roma starts off with Hoshino straight-up confessing his love in front of the whole class, which already gives you an idea of how hilariously blunt he is. That kind of honesty really reminds me of Usa’s awkward-yet-sincere vibe with Ritsu in Kawai Complex.

The anime is mainly about growing closer through weird, sometimes cringey, but sweet moments. There’s less of a crazy supporting cast here, but if you liked the mix of awkward comedy and slow, real-feeling romance, this is a perfect next read.