Introduction
Manga, Japan’s iconic comic books and graphic novels, have been stealing hearts for decades. Not only do they tell amazing stories, but they also have incredible artwork and a variety of genres. Whether you read physical copies or digital versions, there are many must-read manga series. Here are some top picks for new manga fans.
Shonen: This genre is popular among young boys. It usually has action-packed storylines about male characters on a journey for justice or a heroic cause. Popular titles include Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece, Hunter x Hunter, and Attack on Titan.
Seinen: Seinen is like Shonen, but with adult themes and content. Popular titles are Battle Angel Alita, 20th Century Boys, Berserk, Vagabond, and Sanctuary.
Josei: Josei is for women aged 15 to 44. It focuses on realistic adult stories like student life and careers. Popular josei titles include Honey And Clover, Nana series Ooku: The Inner Chambers Happy Mania Nodame Cantabile My Little Monster Delicious In Dungeon Chihayafuru Yakusoku no Neverland (Promised Neverland).
Shoujo: This genre usually features characters aged 15 to 18 and focuses on romance stories from a female perspective. It’s usually for girls aged 10 to 18, but it’s popular with women of all ages due to its captivating storylines and beautiful art style with flowery backgrounds and soft colour gradients (known as soft shading). Popular shoujo series include Fruits Basket, Ouran High School Host Club, Cardcaptor Sakura, Kamisama Hajimemashita, Skip Beat!, Banana Fish, Vampire Knight, Akatsuki no Yona, and Citrus.
Shonen Manga Series
Shonen manga‘s been a hit in Japan for ages, and it’s adored all over the world. These series offer exciting and often supernatural journeys. Battles are usually the main theme. From the classic series that have been around forever, to the recent blockbusters, these are some of the best shonen manga series. Every fan should give them a go!
Here are some of the best shonen manga series:
- Series 1
- Series 2
- Series 3
- Series 4
- Series 5
One Piece
Eiichiro Oda’s iconic shonen manga series, One Piece, began serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1997. It’s still ongoing and is one of the longest-running manga series.
The story follows Monkey D. Luffy, a pirate with a dream to become the King of the Pirates. He has a special power called “rubber fruit,” which allows him to stretch and rebound from attacks. Accompanied by a growing crew, Luffy sets off to find the legendary treasure, “One Piece.”
One Piece has gained worldwide recognition for its thrilling action scenes, comical characters, and mysteries! Its mix of comedy, adventure, and plot make it a beloved shonen manga. With hundreds of volumes, it has attracted a passionate fanbase and has won many awards for its storylines. As one of the most recognizable manga franchises, One Piece will continue to captivate readers for years to come!
Dragon Ball
Akira Toriyama created Dragon Ball – one of the most influential and best-selling shōnen manga series ever. It tells the story of Son Gohan, a young martial artist. He grows up to be Earth’s protector against alien foes.
Gohan and his friends fight powerful enemies and take part in intense battles. Dragon Ball has elements like martial arts, magic, fantasy and science fiction. The characters are well-developed, and the fights are intense! The world is complex and fascinating.
The manga has been adapted into many forms, like TV shows, movies, video games, books, collectibles and toys. That’s why Dragon Ball is so iconic – it’s crossed between generations in Japan.
The series is popular because it has humor, and heart-wrenching moments. Goku trains alongside his friends like Krillin and Master Roshi. It’s funny and moving. It provides an overall sense of adventure and a test for our heroes to overcome, even when it seems impossible.
If you want action, comedy and adventure, Dragon Ball is the perfect pick!
Naruto
Naruto is a Japanese martial arts and adventure manga series. Written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, it was serialized from 1999 to 2014. Chapters were collected into 72 tankōbon volumes.
Naruto Uzumaki is the main protagonist. He seeks recognition and dreams of becoming the Hokage, leader of his village. The series is based on a one-shot manga by Kishimoto published in the August 1997 issue of Akamaru Jump.
Naruto is one of the best-selling manga series ever. It has sold 234 million copies worldwide as of May 2019. Viz Media’s English translations of the volumes have been bestsellers. Volume 7 reached #17 on the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists.
Reviewers have praised Naruto for its characterization, strong storylines, and combining cool moments with comedy. Some found fillers in the anime adaptation made it lose interest.
In Anime History polls, Naruto was #4 and #7 for Best Male Characters. This caused an unexpected fan reaction after he didn’t make Newtype USA’s Top 10 Male Characters Poll.
Bleach
Bleach is a crazy Japanese manga! Written and illustrated by Kubo Tite, it follows 15-year-old Ichigo Kurosaki’s adventures. He can see ghosts and has a Shinigami (Soul Reaper) companion, Rukia Kuchiki.
Ichigo absorbs some of Rukia’s powers and becomes a mentor for other spiritually-aware individuals. In the anime and extended seasons, he leads his own team to protect soul society from dark forces.
The manga has 366 chapters full of intense action, thrilling fight scenes, witty dialogue, memorable characters, creative story arcs, and touching moments. It’s been released in multiple international editions and two live-action movies. They feature diverse casts from around the world.
Seinen Manga Series
Seinen manga is a type of manga specifically for adults and young adults. These series often cover more mature topics than regular manga. If you’re in the market for a new manga to read, this article is for you. Here’s a list of the most popular must-read seinen manga series! Get started today!
- Must-read seinen manga series
Berserk
Berserk is a famous seinen manga. Written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura, it follows Guts, a warrior with the cursed “Black Swordsman” brand. He escaped a massacre in his homeland and sets off on an adventure with his companions. Their mission: to defeat Griffith, leader of the infamous Band of the Hawk.
Berserk is a hit among seinen manga fans. Its intricate artwork and thrilling action scenes have inspired movies, video games, and anime series. Since its debut in 1989, Berserk has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it one of Japan’s bestselling manga.
If you want to experience the epic saga of Berserk, you can buy the manga volumes or watch any of its anime versions from 1997-2017.
Vinland Saga
Vinland Saga is a favorite of seinen manga fans. It often tops must-read lists. This historical manga follows Thorfinn, a young viking warrior, in the 11th century. Makoto Yukimura wrote it and won awards for the gorgeous artwork and plot.
It portrays both the good and bad of life in those times. Action scenes and touching conversations between characters we grow to love fill the pages. Thorfinn must overcome challenges while staying loyal to his friends.
Vinland Saga chronicles the epic journey of Thorfinn across islands. He battles cruel rivals and must save his people from destruction in a time of war and violence. This gripping story will keep readers hooked until the thrilling conclusion!
The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland is a famous seinen manga series. It was created by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu. It was first published in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from August 2016 to June 2020, and Shueisha released it in collected volumes.
The story centers on an 11-year-old protagonist, Emma. She lives in a mysterious orphanage known as Grace Field House. Emma discovers dark secrets of the land and tries to uncover its mysteries. She realizes that not everything is as it seems. Thus, she and her fellow orphans plan to escape their home before sinister plans are put into action.
The Promised Neverland is filled with psychological thrills and action sequences. It has a surrealistic world with dangers at every turn. The story also explores themes of love, loss, courage and hope. Emma and her friends fight against powerful enemies to get freedom. With breathtaking artwork from Posuka Demizu, The Promised Neverland is an amazing manga series.
Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is a popular, critically acclaimed seinen manga. Created by Hajime Isayama, it was serialized in Kodansha’s Bessatsu Shounen Magazine from 2009 to 2020. It tells the story of Eren Yeager joining the military to fight Titans, seeking to destroy humanity.
The anime adaptation of Attack on Titan aired in 2013, making it a global phenomenon. It follows Eren, Mikasa Ackermann, and Armin Arlert as they protect humanity from Titans. Its art style is full of action and suspenseful sequences.
Attack on Titan is a must-read series. Daring rescues, epic battles, character reveals, and heartbreaking moments between characters are just some of the memorable moments. It also starts conversations about topics such as bravery, activism, and loyalty.
Shoujo Manga Series
Shoujo manga is tailored to female readers! It usually talks about love, feelings and friendship. After a long day, it’s the perfect way to chill and escape into a magical world. With so much shoujo manga out there, it can be tough to decide which one to read.
Let’s explore some of the most popular shoujo manga series that you must try:
Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket is one of the most treasured shoujo manga series. Written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya, it follows a 16-year-old orphan called Tohru Honda. She discovers a family curse, which means when members of the Sohma clan are embraced or their skin is exposed to the opposite gender, they turn into animals from the Chinese zodiac.
At first, Tohru is scared and has to keep the secret. Nonetheless, she soon forms strong, valuable bonds that help the Sohmas break the curse. The series celebrates friendship, love and courage. It has many characters with different personalities and pasts. This allows for substantial growth in both Tohru and the cursed Sohmas.
Despite being one of Takaya’s oldest works, Fruits Basket is still liked by readers today. This is because of its resilient themes of complex relationships and character growth.
Kimi ni Todoke
Kimi ni Todoke is an acclaimed shoujo manga series. Written and illustrated by Karuho Shiina, it was first published in 2006. Later, it was then serialized in Shueisha’s Bessatsu Margaret magazine.
This series achieved massive success and ran for 11 years. It spawned 3 anime series, multiple live action movies and dramas.
The story follows Sawako Kuronuma, a shy high schooler. People misconstrue her due to her resemblance with Sadako from the Ring film. Her awkwardness and innocence lead to misunderstandings. Until she meets her classmate Kazehaya Shouta, who encourages her to open up to others.
Kimi ni Todoke displays teenage romance, friendship and slice-of-life moments. It also features strong female characters who fight against despair to find their true selves. If you are looking for an endearing adolescent romance, this classic manga is worth checking out!
Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura, or Cardcaptors, is a shoujo manga series created by the manga artist group Clamp. It was published in Nakayoshi from May 1996 to June 2000. The manga series was also adapted into an anime television series which aired on Animax from April 1998–March 2000. It is one of the most iconic anime of its era and part of a large franchise.
The story follows Sakura Kinomoto. She is a fourth-grade student who discovers she has magical powers. These powers are released when she accidentally releases the set of magical Clow Cards from the mystical book her father, Sakura’s guardian Cerberus (Kerberos), sealed. Sakura must then battle creatures drawn out by the cards and defeat card masters such as Yuexingtheoyinghua (Yue and Yin-Yin) to prevent disaster.
Cardcaptor Sakura has many conventions of shoujo and magical girl subgenres. It indulges what made it so popular in Japan while embracing thoughtfulness and emotionality. Fans praised the strong characterization of secondary characters and romantic contents between relationship dynamics. Adult characters are portrayed realistically without creating chaos. Its subtle utilization of mature elements makes Cardcaptor Sakura quintessential for the shoujo genre today.
Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club is a shoujo manga. It was written and illustrated by Bisco Hatori. It was first published in LaLa magazine from August 5, 2003 to October 28, 2010. It consists of 18 volumes.
The story follows a group of high school students who form a club dedicated to entertaining female clientele at the elite school. The main character is Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at Ouran Academy. She finds the Host Club while looking for a place to study. After breaking an expensive vase, she is forced to join the club as an “errand boy” to repay her debt. Each character has their own unique backgrounds and personalities.
This manga is loved for its charm and realism. It incorporates comedy, romance, friendship, family bonds, and self-discovery. All these elements come together to create an uplifting conclusion. If you are a manga fan or looking for something new to read, Ouran High School Host Club is worth checking out!
Conclusion
Manga series offer something unique for readers of all backgrounds. They have it all – heartfelt stories, fantastical adventures, and comic relief. Here are some must-read series:
- My Hero Academia
- Dragon Ball
- One Piece
- Gintama
- Attack on Titan
- Naruto
- One Punch Man
- Haikyu!
- The Seven Deadly Sins
- Fullmetal Alchemist
Start exploring the world of manga with these titles!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best must-read manga series?
A: One of the best must-read manga series is Berserk, which follows the story of the main character, Guts, as he fights his way through a medieval-like world filled with monsters and magic.
Q: What other must-read manga series should I check out?
A: Some other must-read manga series include Death Note, Attack on Titan, Naruto, Fullmetal Alchemist, and One Piece.
Q: Are there any must-read manga series for adults?
A: Yes, there are some must-read manga series for adults, such as Vinland Saga, Monster, 20th Century Boys, and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.
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