What Makes This Manga Different: Ripples

Actually, a number of manga start with a relationship already established. It is one of the things I like about slice-of-life romance manga as compared to revolving-door romances (the couple are together; they are apart; they fight; they make-up; they get jealous; they break-up...blah blah blah). 

Ripples in the River by Zeniko Sumiya is a great example of non-revolving door fiction, not only because it starts with the relationship already established (we are later provided with the couple's background) but because (1) the couple are quite distinct in personality and interests;

(2) each man changes slowly over time--Utagawa, for instance, is far more confident as his older self; 

(3) the established pattern of intimacy is a bit outside the usual pattern in manga; 

(4) the couple are situated within family and social settings (which is more typical of Japanese manga in general); 

(5) the slice-of-life events are legitimately funny. 

For one are Utagawa's scary drawings, so scary that Tamba has him draw on his bicycle as theft-prevention. (Personally, I like the roasted pig.) Another is the young man who likes Utagawa's grown sister--he imagines all kinds of scenarios in which Tamba dates Utagawa's sister...until he sees Utagawa and Tamba together walking home.