ComicsThe 10 best manga to read right nowWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ComicsThe 10 best manga to read right nowWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Viz Media/Shueisha)
There has perhaps never been a better time to be a manga fan. Companies like Viz, Yen Press, Seven Seas, Azuki and many others have dedicated themselves to providing offerings in both physical and digital formats and the days of desperately hoping that somethingmightget translated and shipped over to the U.S. are gone. Instead, if you know of a title that’s become popular in Japan, there is a very good chance that if it hasn’t become available here already, someone is probably working on making it happen right now.
But with such a diverse range of titles, picking out the best ones (or the ones that fit your personal tastes) can be time-consuming. So, if you want something new to read or are ready to dip your toes into manga in general, here are 10 amazing titles that cover a few different genres.
Also, all of these titles are currently being published, which means that you can catch up and then jump on the ever-running online discourse train (if you have the stomach for such chaotic environments). But even if you’ve never actively sought out a manga discussion before, the first title on this list is one that you’ve probably heard of…
One Piece
(Image credit: Viz Media/Shueisha)
Though its franchise currently includes a long-running anime and asmash hit live action series, there’s still no better place to start with One Piece than with the manga. Telling the story of Monkey D Luffy, a freewheeling young man with stretchy limbs who wants to be Pirate King, it’s been running for over 25 years and has only gotten more popular with time. It’s also, despite its 1100-plus chapter length, a brisk and consistently rewarding experience to read. Creator Eiichiro Oda is not just a wonderful artist but a gifted storyteller and seeing how the ocean-filled world that Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat Crew inhabit expands is a joy to read and re-read. Hop aboard the ship and sail the seas with Luffy and the gangbefore it ends.
Sakamoto Days
(Image credit: Viz Media/Shueisha)
Sakamoto Days isn’t the only “retired criminal has to adjust back to normal life to varying degrees of success” storyline out there (If you like this one, try out the much more low-key Way of the Househusband). But Sakamoto Days, which is set to get an anime adaptation in early 2025, excels both due to its clever writing and creator Yuto Suzuki’s art style. Suzuki’s illustration work manages to nail the broad comedy of a story that is essentially “out of shape John Wick has to stop bad guys” and the quieter scenes that make you fall in love with the unassuming everyman Sakamoto as well as the rest of the cast. It’s a manga series that easily could’ve become tired after a few entries and is instead one of the most delightful parts of the modern era of Weekly Shōnen Jump.
Akane-banashi
(Image credit: Viz Media/Shueisha)
Speaking of a surprise success, Akane-banashi also stands out from the Weekly Shōnen Jump pack. Though international mega hits like Naruto andDragon Ballmight lead one to believe that the anthology magazine is nothing but yelling boys and flying fists, series like Akane-banashi are able to thrive in its pages. Telling the story of a young woman, Akane, who is eager to avenge her father’s expulsion from the art of “rakugo,” Akane-banashi is both a heartfelt ode to the passion of creativity and a surprisingly thoughtful and personal story about carrying on a family lineage while also making it your own. Rakugo, which centers on a single performer telling a story on stage and often switching deftly between characters and tones, might not seem like the most obvious choice for manga drama, but Akane-banashi harnesses a driving energy that makes Akane’s story impossible to skip.
Dinosaur Sanctuary
(Image credit: Shinchosha)
It’s very likely that when you first hear about a manga detailing the everyday circumstances and problems of a dinosaur zoo, one of the first questions you’ll have is: “Is that even legal to, ya know, write?” However, unlike Jurassic Park, which is all about the misfortunes of playing god and nature’s wrath against mankind’s hubris, Dinosaur Sanctuary is dependably comfortable and often poignant. With a keen interest in actual paleontology, the slice-of-life task of caring for a gaggle of prehistoric reptiles becomes not just interesting on a conceptual basis but fascinating for fans of dinosaurs that are eager to see them depicted as more than blockbuster man-eaters. Each of the park’s dinosaurs is also granted their own personality, and in relatively little time, you’ll find yourself falling in love with animals like Hanako, the elderly Tyrannosaurus Rex who just wants to relax and eat. Same, Hanako, same.
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Chainsaw Man
(Image credit: Viz Media/Shueisha)
Both a violent adventure story, an intricate satire, and a deep dive into human malaise in various forms, Chainsaw Man has recently becomea cross-medium sensation, with both a spitfire manga and a fantastic anime adaptation currently running. Author Tatsumi Fujimoto is blessed with boundless creative energy, and Chainsaw Man drifts effortlessly between the satisfying narrative of Denji, the eponymous Chainsaw Man, and what seems to be commentary on the fame that both Denji and the manga has received. Considering the power of the anime, it might be tempting to skip the manga, but Fujimoto’s (whose other works have received much-needed translation and publishing in the US) original work is truly without a peer. It’s a refreshing tale no matter how long you’ve been a fan of manga.
The Summer Hikaru Died
(Image credit: Kadokawa Shoten)
Vinland Saga
(Image credit: Kodansha)
Most stories evolve but few do so with the emotional heft and insight of Vinland Saga. While it begins as what seems like a battle-fueled Viking story, Vinland Saga morphs over time into a treatise on the impact of violence and war. Though it bears beautiful art work courtesy of creator Makoto Yukimura (few people can draw a better and sadder mutilation that Yukimura), it absconds from any sense of escapism. Its lead character, the young warrior Thorfinn, winds up scarred, traumatized, and yearning for peace, a mission that turns Vinland Saga into a hard-edged but ultimately optimistic look into the depraved depths of human nature and how one can emerge from it craving love and even utopia. Vinland Saga is a true epic and though it’s run for 27 volumes so far, it’s willingness to imbue its characters with a full spectrum of hard-earned humanity makes it a beautiful journey.
Kagurabachi
(Image credit: Viz Media/Shueisha)
Skip and Loafer
(Image credit: Kodansha)
Skip and Loafer is another title that doesn’t, at first glance, seem to be breaking any boundaries with its cozy narrative. However (as many saw when the first season of its anime adaptation aired last year) its main strength comes from the interplay between the two lead characters and the surrounding cast and how much fun it is to hang out in their little world. Mitsumi, a girl trying to reinvent her life in a new school, and Shima, a popular boy now forced into self-contemplation thanks to his new friendship, have become some of the most feel-good protagonists in a medium full of them. Overall, Skip and Loafer is a true testament to the innate capabilities that we have for kindness. If it contains any one moral, it is that even high schoolers will inevitably lean toward community and goodwill.
Hirayasumi
(Image credit: Shogakukan)
Want to read more manga? Here are our picks forthe 10 best manga of 2023.
PRODUCTSOne PieceChainsaw Man
PRODUCTS
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”