^Ripper's Anime Page

This week I finished reading Rumiko Takahashi's One Pound Gospel and loved it, so I quickly ordered Volume 1 of her series Maison Ikkoku because I've seen at the top's of some favorite manga lists. I got into Manga in about 2008 when I stumbled upon BAA while casually browsing Barnes & Noble and I love the art form, but I'm not super knowledgeable about the scope of what's available. I've heard that manga is sprawling and much more diverse than American comics in the number of genres and sub-genres with available stories (stuff like One Pound Gospel really bears this out - how often do you see that sort of human drama-comedy so effortlessly played in American comics?). So, I'm wondering if any of you out there have recommendations on manga that isn't sci-fi/fantasy based, preferably stories that lean more toward romantic comedies or simple stories about people trying to make it in the world. I'm also open to other genre stuff, like detective fiction and noir. Looking for something more character based and less fantastical for sure. I'm a big fan of Won Kar Wai's movies, like Chungking Express, so I'd also be very interested to discover a manga series that has a sense of being set in a city where that city is as much a part of the story as the characters are.

Sorry for the long post, but I'm excited to read your thoughts. Thanks!

20th Century Boys & Monster.
Urasawa's narrative is addictive, to say the least. They are a sort of politic fiction.

Steel Ball Run (aka Seventh Part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

non sci fi series that are my favorite are Real and hito hitori futari

I recommend Yotsubato!, which is really funny.
If you like material arts: Vagabond or all rounder meguru.
Self explanatory titel: Historie, Gunsmith Cats, ...

I like Oh my Goddess/Paradise Residence, Monster Musume & Berserk. Also plan on getting Elder Sister-Like One that Yen Press is releasing as I'm expecting Mars Chronicle to have it's eclipse moment when I get v5 in december so Pochi Lida's eldritch horror sol should be good cleanser XD.
If steampunk counts as fantasy i love sakura taisen too.