Summary
Nothing is quite as shojo as being a princess. Romance occupies a large space in the shojo genre, which is why fantasy settings are so popular. Living in castles, wearing ornate gowns, and falling in love with a prince all lend themselves to a traditional fairy tale or a dream people may have.
It’s no surprise thatmany shojo manhwa feature protagonists living as princessesor daughters of other nobility. These plots are often very similar, but a charismatic protagonist or a unique aspect of the world usually helps great stories stand out among the rest.
Updated June 20, 2025 by Garrett Huon:This update will include small changes in the list format. The manhwa Secret Lady will also be added to the list. The protagonist is the daughter of a duke and the plot revolves around the crown prince, which should appeal to readers who enjoyed some of the other stories represented here.
1My Secretly Hot Husband
Her Husband Is Not The Beast But The Beauty
Some manhwa take classic fairy tales and put a spin on them. Despite its title, this manhwa is like Beauty and the Beast, at least in concept. After being reincarnated as Letitia Grey, the protagonist is sent off to marry the lord of Halstead, known to look and behave like a monster. However, once she gets there, she learns those rumors aren’t true.
This manhwa is full of lovable characters, and each one is dynamic and grows throughout the story. Even the supporting characters feel like real people. Although it doesn’t do anything outside the box, it’s an example of a reliable, well-written shojo isekai.
2I Am The Real One
She No Longer Needs Her Father’s Approval
Keira spent her entire life committed to her duties as a noble, but when a girl claiming to be the Grand Duke’s real daughter shows up, her position is put into question. Through various schemes and set-ups, Keira is framed as a villain and executed. Then a miracle happens, and she is sent back in time.
I Am The Real Oneis a classic shojo regression manhwa, using common tropes and concepts to tell a familiar story. Most of its popularity comes from the main characters. Keira doesn’t necessarily take a revenge path and moves on with her life. Cosette is a great villain who punishes the real evil in the story: the Grand Duke.
3Second Life Of A Trash Princess
The Princess Abandons Propriety To Get Revenge
Princess Regina lost everything: her family, her status, and her kingdom. However, at her last stand, she’s able to turn back time and live her life again. This time around, she won’t be the helpful older sister. She’s going to be the worst princess in history.
One pitfall many shojo stories step into is having a passive protagonist. Many things happen to them, but they take no action otherwise. Regina is exactly the opposite. She takes what she wants and does what she wants to further her goal. A main character like her is refreshing.
4Philomel The Fake
A Fake Princess Tries To Fix The Story
One day, Princess Philomel finds a strange book in the garden, and strangely enough, the main character shares her name. In the book, Philomel is switched at birth with the real princess. Later, she is executed for tricking the emperor. Philomel brushes it off as fantasy — until events in the book start happening in real life.
This isn’t a regression or a reincarnation story. Philomel is a child at the start of the story, and her emotions feel very true to how a child would feel. She is portrayed as a normal person and not as a quirky character, which makes the story more immersive.
5Mother’s Contract Marriage
A Little Girl From The Slums Learns To Be A Princess
This manhwa is special because the main character isn’t the one regressing. Lyrica is a little girl who lives in the slums, taking care of her mom. One day, her mom jumps out of bed and starts doing things she’s never done before. Not too long after, they both move into the palace.
Lyrica is a kind and innocent girl, and this story is about all the new experiences she has as a princess. The plot doesn’t have a clear focal point, meaning the direction of the story is a little vague, but it makes sense because the story is told by a child. The images and art style evoke a sense of wonder that reflects Lyrica’s narrative.
6The Abandoned Empress
The Empress Goes Back In Time To Live Without Regrets
This is a common royalty manhwa where the protagonist is given a second chance to live. Aristia La Monique is a duke’s daughter who regresses through time after being executed, and with her knowledge of the future, she serves as a knight to avoid being empress.
Thoughother manhwa tell similar stories, this one is known for its good pacing, its great illustrations, and its strong characters. However, its ending leaves many with a sour taste in their mouths, even ruining the story for some.
7Into The Light, Once Again
A Reincarnated Princess Confronts Her Past
It’s not very often that a protagonist is reincarnated into the same worldas the one where they died. After being framed and betrayed by her family, Princess Alyssa is executed, but then she opens her eyes as Aisha, the first princess of a rival kingdom who was just born.
The narrative is incredibly character-driven. It is up to Aisha to decide what happens and when. She’s so distant from her past life that she could ignore it, but she doesn’t. The ways she confronts her problems and betters herself show how a good protagonist can carry a story.
8The Monster Duchess And Contract Princess
A Girl With Dark Powers Chooses Her Real Family
Despite having no isekai or reincarnation elements, this manhwa tells a compelling story ofa girl born to be a sacrifice. The protagonist, Leslie, runs away after being abused her entire life, allying with the Salvatore family in order to save herself. There she learns what a real family is like and what it means to be loved.
Leslie’s character development is what drives the story, even among the intricate subplots happening in the background. The only negative would be the repetitiveness of those subplots, which only slowed down the narrative. Reinforcing a lesson only makes sense if it benefits the story.
9For My Abandoned Love
Also known asFor My Derelict Favorite, this manhwa puts a twist on a typical plot by having the protagonist become a background character named Hestia. She’s a fangirl who is content with watching her favorite character, Caelus, from afar. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end well.
While the story itself is interesting, the depiction of depression is also a highlight. The difference the support of a single person can make is evident through Hestia’s character. Her strength and initiative are great to see from a protagonist in this genre.
10Happily Ever Afterwards
One Fangirl Lives Her Dream By Marrying Her Favorite Character
When the protagonist is reincarnated into her favorite novel, she becomes Peony, the princess of the kingdom of Garten. As a character who doesn’t show up at all in the story, her life and future are fine, especially since the original story has already ended. However, that means her favorite character, Richt, has been abandoned in the northern wasteland.
This romance starts as an unrequited love of a fangirl for the banished second male lead. What starts as an obsession turns into understanding and an actual relationship. It’s one of the best depictions of people falling in love with each other in manhwa.
