Shikimori's not just a cutie

In Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie, the tables of high school romance are turned: Izumi is the accident-prone, perpetually unlucky boyfriend, while his girlfriend Shikimori is the cool, capable, and fiercely protective star of the relationship. Published by Cross Cult from 2023 onward, this 18-issue series redefines the "cool beauty" trope by centering a young woman who is both effortlessly awesome and deeply caring. The series is most closely associated with writer Hiroshi Fukuda, whose lighthearted, character-driven storytelling makes every sweet moment and action-packed rescue feel earned. It matters because it offers a refreshing, wholesome twist on the shonen romance genre, proving that a couple's dynamic can be just as compelling when the girl gets to be the hero.