History Manga / NGLife

*** Loleus was [[spoiler: reborn as the girl who would become Keidai's best friend, confidant, and ultimately love interest, because as he was dying he told a grieving Sirix that even if he died, he'd be a "light who'd fly to his side no matter where he was".]]

** In the present, Keidai's stubbornly hung up on his memories of Serena, but the fact she's been reincarnated into the very male body of Yuuma is a serious barrier for him. Serizawa on the other hand, has feelings for Keidai, but he's oblivious to both them ''and'' the fact that he's coming to have feelings for her too, because he can't stop seeing her as her past self Loleus. And in the meantime, Yuuma develops a crush on Serizawa.

** In the present, Keidai's stubbornly hung up on his memories of Serena, but the fact she's been reincarnated into the very male body of Yuuma is a serious barrier for him, (not that it stops him from fawning over the boy when he does something cute, however). Serizawa on the other hand, has feelings for Keidai, but he's oblivious to both them ''and'' the fact that he's coming to have feelings for her too, because he can't stop seeing her as her past self Loleus. And in the meantime, Yuuma develops a crush on Serizawa as well.

* LoveTriangle: Complicated in both present and past!

*** Loleus was [[spoiler: reborn as the girl who would become Keidai's best friend, confidant, and ultimately love interest, because as he was dying he told a grieving Sirix that he'd be a "light who'd fly to his side" so he wouldn't be alone.]]

* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: Loleus had a double dose of this, as he carried feelings for both Sirix and Serena (though Sirix was his number one). This was basically why Loleus encouraged Sirix to pursue a relationship with Serena in the first place. Later, he says it almost word-for-word, no less.

*** Loleus was [[spoiler: reborn as the girl who would become Keidai's best friend, confidant, and ultimately love interest, because as he was dying he told a grieving Sirix that he'd be a "light who'd fly to his side" so he wouldn't be alone.

*** Later we find out Reina is [[spoiler: the reincarnation of Tina, a former slave girl who had a disfigured face and after being abandoned, was eventually rescued and cared for by Serena. She was reborn looking identical to Serena because she envied and admired her, thinking that if she looked beautiful like Serena she'd have a better life. Her friendship with Yuuma is possibly also because Sirix asked Tina to stay by Serena's side.]]

* SurvivorGuilt: A large chunk of Keidai's unwillingness to move on is guilt; he blames himself for failing to save anyone and believes that his penance is to remember everything that happened, despite the fact that no-one could have predicted or prevented Vesuvius' explosion and that Sirix just died last. [[spoiler: Though unbeknownst to him because he'd already died, Serena eventually went after Sirix, and her final moments were spent holding his body as Pompeii fell to ruin.]]

* {{Irony}}: Serena wishes that she were a man, so she could accompany Sirix through crumbling Pompeii, and Sirix smilingly says that it would cause him problems; in their next life Serena ''is'' reborn as a guy, which does in fact cause Keidai problems.

* SurvivorGuilt: A large chunk of Keidai's unwillingness to move on is guilt; he blames himself for failing to save anyone and believes that his penance is to remember everything that happened, despite the fact that no-one could have predicted or prevented Vesuvius' explosion and that Sirix just died last.

** Smyrna hated men but was reborn as a man. Her reincarnation Shinogu turns out to actually be glad about this as it means he can skillfully woo pretty girls, but he still continues to hate all other men except for himself and Yuuma. [[{{Tsundere}} (And secretly, Keidai.)]]

* RapeAsDrama: Almost happens to Smyrna in a side-story; leads to a one-sided (and ''extremely'' well-hidden) RescueRomance on her part when Sirix [[{{Badass}} interferes]].

A {{shojo}} manga based on the [[OlderThanFeudalism age-old tale]] of [[ReincarnationRomance reincarnated lovers]]... with a twist.

One of the few [[{{Shojo}} shoujo]] manga out there with a male protagonist, but which otherwise plays the genre pretty straight. ''NG Life'' is a nine-volume romantic dramedy by Mizuho Kusanagi, the mangaka responsible for ''Mugen Spiral'' and ''GameXRush''. Licensed for North America and published in English by {{TOKYOPOP}}, all nine volumes have been released as of July 8 2011.

Keidai Saeki, average Japanese high school student, remembers living an entirely different life as Sirix, a gladiator in ancient Pompeii; this means he has a hard time existing in the ''present'', especially when no-one else seems to have memories of their own. Keidai exists in two worlds, one of which is long dead: His little sister in his past life is married to his former rival, and they turned out to be his parents, his male best friend is now a cute girl with a crush on him, and his beloved wife Serena has been reborn as the short-tempered boy next door who's crushing on his best friend! And of course, Keidai is literally incapable of seeing them as anything ''but'' their past-life selves.

One of the few {{Shojo}} manga out there with a male main protagonist while otherwise playing the genre pretty straight. ''NG Life'' is a nine-volume romantic dramedy series by Mizuho Kusanagi, the mangaka responsible for ''Mugen Spiral'' and ''GameXRush''. Licensed for North America and published in English by {{TOKYOPOP}}, all nine volumes have been released as of July 8 2011.

* AloofBigBrother: Though they're not related - yet - Raoul acts this way towards Sirix, particularly during the Pompeii arc.

* ChivalrousPervert: Shinogu. He's happy to have a harem of [[{{Joshikousei}} high school girls]], but he doesn't take advantage of them as some clearly want him to. Almost definitely a result of a) still remembering having been a woman and b) because he hated, and still hates, men like that.

* DeclarationOfProtection: Loleus had silently decided for himself that he'd live for three people: Sirix, Serena, and Lady Aglaia.

* FirstGirlWins: In the long run, though [[spoiler: technically when they first met Mii was Loleus, and not a girl. Then again. aside from his parents, Mii was the first of Keidai's reincarnated friends/acquaintences to meet him in this life too so it counts either way]].

* FriendlessBackground: Though he was befriended by Serena and appreciated her kindness, Loleus - as a [[DarkAndTroubledPast slave]] - felt as if no-one would care if he died... until he met Sirix.

* MagneticHero: Sirix. Nearly everyone at least respected him; Keidai has a similar effect on people despite being [[{{Buttmonkey}} somewhat less impressive]] on the surface.

** Perhaps more accurately, Smyrna's ring in the post-series past-life sidestory.

* PairTheSpares: While this may be one reason behind the popularity of the Yuuma x Reina ship, many fans simply seem to really like the way [[{{Tsundere}} they]] interact with each other.

* {{Reincarnation}}: The centerpiece of the story, of course!
** Also, the reincarnations are for the most part informed by their past lives. For instance, Serena was reincarnated as a boy because her last thoughts were that if she were a man she could've gone with Sirix rather than stay behind when he left to try rescue civilians.

* SurvivorGuilt: A large chunk of Keidai's unwillingness to move on is guilt carried over from his past life; he blames himself for failing to save anyone and believes that his penance is to remember everything that happened... despite the fact that no-one could have predicted or prevented Vesuvius' explosion, and Sirix died almost immediately after everyone else.

* TheDeterminator; When motivated by those he loves, or their memories, nothing can stand in Sirix/Keidai's way.
* TheNotLoveInterest: Loleus to Sirix. Loleus was Sirix and Serena's matchmaker, but Loleus and Sirix were mighty close friends who went through a lot together and cared deeply for one another. While confronting Delos, Loleus basically admits that Sirix is his most important person; Now in their reincarnated forms, Serizawa still puts Keidai before even her own feelings. [[spoiler: Subverted in that their bond in their past life was what paved the way for Loleus to be reincarnated as Serizawa in the first place, and ultimately ''become'' Keidai's love-interest.]]
* {{Tsundere}}: Yuuma and Shinogu are ''extreme'' Type A's towards Keidai... particularly Shinogu, who exhibited identical behavior as Lady Smyrna towards Sirix. It's all but stated that bullying him with the DoesNotLikeMen persona is how Smyrna/Shinogu covers for actually caring about Sirix/Keidai.

* DefrostingIceQueen: Both Smyrna/Shinogu and Reina begin to defrost after their interactions with Sirix/Keidai. it's implied that both have [[UnrequitedLoveTropes one-sided feelings for him]], not that they'd ever admit it. ''Especially not Smyrna/Shinogu.''

** Smyrna hated men but was reborn as a man. Her reincarnation Shinogu turns out to actually be glad about this as it means he can skillfully woo pretty girls, but he still continues to hate all other men except for himself and Yuuma.

* {{Tsundere}}: Yuuma and Shinogu are extreme Type A's towards Keidai... particularly Shinogu, who exhibited identical behavior as Lady Smyrna towards Sirix. It's all but stated that bullying him with the DoesNotLikeMen persona is how Smyrna/Shinogu covers for actually caring about Sirix/Keidai.

One of the few {{Shojo}} manga out there with a male main protagonist while otherwise playing the genre pretty straight. ''NG Life'' is a nine-volume romantic dramedy series by Mizuho Kusanagi, the mangaka responsible for ''MugenSpiral'' and ''GameXRush''. Licensed for North America and published in English by {{TOKYOPOP}}, all nine volumes have been released as of July 8 2011.

* LoveConfession: Once he realizes his feelings for Serizawa, Keidai has to do this about three or four times before she finally believes him.

* DeclarationOfProtection: Loleus had silently decided for himself that he'd live for Sirix and that he'd dedicate his life to protecting Sirix and Serena.

* FriendlessBackground: Though he was befriended by Serena, Loleus - as a [[DarkAndTroubledPast slave]] - felt as if no-one would care if he died... until he met Sirix.

* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: Loleus had a double dose of this, as he carried feelings for both Sirix and Serena (though Sirix was his number one). In hindsight this was probably why Loleus encouraged Sirix to pursue a relationship with Serena in the first place. Later, he says it almost word-for-word, no less.

* DefrostingIceQueen: Both Smyrna/Shinogu and Reina begin to defrost after their interactions with Keidai; it's implied that both have [[UnrequitedLoveTropes one-sided feelings for him]], not that they'd ever admit it.

* {{Reincarnation}}: The centerpiece of the story, of course!

One of the few {{Shojo}} manga out there with a male main protagonist without falling into the {{Yaoi}} or Shounen-ai sub-genres. ''NG Life'' is a nine-volume romantic dramedy shoujo series by Mizuho Kusanagi, the mangaka responsible for ''MugenSpiral'' and ''GameXRush''. Licensed for North America and published in English by {{TOKYOPOP}}, all nine volumes have been released as of July 8 2011.

Unusual among Shojo manga for having a male main protagonist. ''NG Life'' is a nine-volume romantic dramedy shoujo series by Mizuho Kusanagi, the mangaka responsible for ''MugenSpiral'' and ''GameXRush''. Licensed for North America and published in English by {{TOKYOPOP}}, all nine volumes have been released as of July 8 2011.

''NG Life'' is a nine-volume romantic dramedy shoujo series by Mizuho Kusanagi, the mangaka responsible for ''MugenSpiral'' and ''GameXRush''. Licensed for North America and published in English by {{TOKYOPOP}}, all nine volumes have been released as of July 8 2011.

** Smyrna hated men but was reborn as a man. Her reincarnation Shinobu turns out to actually be glad about this as it means he can skillfully woo pretty girls, but he still continues to hate all other men except for himself and Yuuma.

* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: Loleus had a double dose of this, as he carried feelings for both Sirix and Serena (though Sirix was his number one). In hindsight this was probably why Loleus encouraged Sirix to persue a relationship with Serena in the first place. Later, he says it almost word-for-word, no less.

* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: Loleus had a double dose of this, as he carried feelings for both Sirix and Serena (though Sirix was his number one). In hindsight this was probably why Loleus urged Sirix to persue a relationship with Serena in the first place. Later, he says it almost word-for-word, no less.

that may've been why Loleus encouraged Sirix to start a relationship with Serena in the first place.

* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: Loleus had a double dose of this, as he carried feelings for both Sirix and Serena. Later, he says it almost word-for-word, no less.

* RapeAsDrama: Almost happens to Smyrna in a side-story; leads to a one-sided (and ''very'' well-hidden) RescueRomance on her part when Sirix [[{{Badass}} interferes]].

* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: Loleus towards Sirix. Later, he says it almost word-for-word, no less.
-->'''Loleus:''' "Sirix.... I want you to be happy."
** Not to mention there's also an omake that heavily implies that Loleus loved ''both'' Sirix and Serena so it was a double helping in his case. In hindsight that may've been why Loleus encouraged Sirix to start a relationship with Serena in the first place.

* FirstGirlWins: In the long run, though [[spoiler: when they first met Mii was Loleus, and not a girl.]].