Well, smut manga typically features a lot of sexual imagery and scenarios. Regular manga, on the other hand, can be about anything from superheroes to school life and doesn't focus mainly on sexual themes. The main difference is the emphasis on sexuality in smut manga.
One example could be 'Love Hina'. It has a great story about a young man and his relationships with various female characters in a boarding house. There are some romantic and comical situations that border on the more 'smutty' side at times. The character development and the overall plot of the protagonist trying to find his place and love make it engaging.
The plot itself should be engaging. It can't just be a series of sexual scenes. Take 'Nana' for instance. It has a story about two girls named Nana who are on different paths in life. There are some romantic and passionate relationships in it. The overall plot about their friendship, career aspirations, and love lives holds the story together, and the 'smutty' elements are just part of the bigger picture of the characters' lives.
A key characteristic is the exploration of adult - level emotions. Mature manga like 'Your Lie in April' explores grief, love, and regret in a way that is relatable yet profound. The art in such manga also plays a role. It can be detailed and used to enhance the mood of the story, as seen in 'Attack on Titan' where the detailed drawings of the Titans add to the horror and intensity of the story. Moreover, mature manga with good stories often have a sense of realism. They don't rely on simple happy - endings but show the consequences of actions, similar to how 'Grave of the Fireflies' shows the harsh reality of war and its impact on civilians.
You can try some dedicated manga reading websites. Some popular ones include MangaReader and MangaPark. But make sure to check the age restrictions and legalities.
Well, a hot mature Josei manga often has complex characters and realistic relationship dynamics. The stories might deal with adult themes and emotions in a deep way.