Summary
The world of manga is vast, offering thousands of titles that span countless genres and themes. While many outside of Japan use the term ‘manga’ to refer to any comic originally published in Japan, manga is a distinct art style developed in Japan in the late 19th century. While most manga are published in Japan, there’s a growing number of non-Japanese mangaka who are making their mark.
When a manga becomes popular enough,it sometimes receives an anime adaptation, bringing its characters and stories to life. However, with a massive selection of manga, some truly exceptional series that would make fantastic anime series have fallen through the cracks.
Manga are marketed to different demographics, as referenced in this article:
9Dragon Knights
Written And Illustrated By Mineko Ohkami
The Kingdom of Dusis is under siege by the Demon Hordes, whose ultimate goal is to resurrect their dreaded Demon Lord, Nadil. Standing as the kingdom’s last line of defense is the Dragon Tribe, with its most formidable warriors being the Dragon Knights. These champions wield powerful elemental swords and share an unbreakable bond with elemental dragons, making them the kingdom’s best hope against the forces of evil.
What sets Dragon Knights apart from other manga is the attention to detail in the characters' appearances. The characters frequently change their clothing and hairstyles, with each design being intricate and thoughtfully crafted. This dynamic visual style contributes to the unique appeal of the series, reminiscent of the detailed and distinctive art found in Clamp’s works, such as Magic Knight Rayearth,Cardcaptor Sakura, and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.
8Dramacon
Written And Illustrated By Svetlana Chmakova
Anime conventions are a whirlwind of excitement, filled with vibrant costumes, passionate fans, and a unique blend of chaos and creativity. It’s the perfect setting for Dramacon, where the highs and lows of the convention scene become the backdrop for Christie Leroux’s journey. As an aspiring writer, Christie is eager to debut her first manga alongside her artist boyfriend. However, her excitement is dampened when he pays more attention to the other women at the event than to her.
Despite this, Christie develops new friendships, connecting with professional cosplayer Sandra and her brother Matt. These relationships become the heart of the story, helping Christie navigate the emotional ups and downs of her convention experiences. Dramacon captures the heart of what makes anime conventions so special - the mix of drama, camaraderie, and the unforgettable memories that come with it.
7Monster Soul
Written And Illustrated By Hiro Mashima
Monster Soul is a manga written and illustrated by Hiro Mashima, the creator best known for his hit series Fairy Tail. The story takes place in the fantastical land of Elvenland, where humans and monsters coexist. At the center of the tale is the Black Airs, a group of the most powerful monsters in the land. Despite their fearsome reputation, the members of the Black Airs are a quirky, lighthearted group that often finds themselves in bizarre situations.
The first volume of Monster Soul consists of three one-shot adventures that focus on character development and revealing key backstories for the members of the Black Airs. The second volume takes a darker turn as the residents of Driocharm are attacked by the evil Drei Kommandos, a group of malevolent monsters who drag their victims down to Hell. Selsh, the only survivor of the attack, seeks out the Black Airs, desperate for their help in rescuing his friends and family.
6Even If You Slit My Mouth
Written And Illustrated By Akari Kajimoto
Miroku, also known as The Kuchisake-Onna, is a youkai with a haunting appearance: a beautiful woman with long, flowing black hair and snow-white skin, but with a horrific twist - her mouth is mutilated and split from ear to ear.
Once a feared and renowned youkai, Miroku was the subject of an urban legend that spread terror across Japan. However, as the years passed, her story faded into obscurity, creating a real problem for Miroku. In the world of the supernatural, entities like her are sustained by human belief and rumors. As her legend lost credibility, Miroku began to weaken and fade.
The Kuchisake-Onna is based on a Japanese folk story about a malicious spirit. The moral of the story: if a woman asks you if she is beautiful, always say yes.
Desperate to save herself, Miroku reluctantly agrees to an arranged marriage with Koichi Sano, the heir to a human family that aids supernatural creatures. But Miroku and Koichi strike a deal; if Miroku can genuinely scare Koichi within one year, the engagement will be called off. However, if she falls in love with him, she will go through with the wedding.
5Kindaichi Case Files
Written By Yōzaburō Kanari and Seimaru Amagi, Illustrated By Fumiya Satō
Kindaichi Case Files is a classic mystery manga series that follows the adventures of Hajime Kindaichi, a high school student and the grandson of the legendary detective Kosuke Kindaichi. Alongside his childhood friend Miyuki Nanase, Hajime finds himself in the middle of intricate murder mysteries, each one more gruesome and complex than the last.
An anime series called The File of Young Kindaichi, based on the Short File series, ran from 1997-2000, though no anime series has been made of the Kindaichi Case Files main-line series of manga.
One of the defining characteristics of Kindaichi Case Files is its blend of brutal murders with elements of Japanese folklore. The mysteries frequently hint at supernatural forces at play, only to unveil a rational explanation behind the seemingly paranormal events, much like Scooby-Doo mysteries.
4Yotsuba&!
Written And Illustrated By Kiyohiko Azuma
Yotsuba&!, written and illustrated by the creator of Azumanga Daioh, is a heartwarming and humorousslice-of-life mangathat follows the adventures of Yotsuba Koiwai, an eccentric and energetic five-year-old girl. Yotsuba’s boundless curiosity and unique perspective on the world around her lead to endless amusing situations. Whether it’s her first encounter with a playground swing, trying to figure out how a doorbell works, or navigating the mysteries of an escalator, Yotsuba’s naivety and wonder bring out the humor in everyday life.
The series doesn’t follow a continuous storyline; instead, each chapter offers a self-contained glimpse into Yotsuba’s world. The stories often take place over consecutive days, allowing readers to experience the charming and often chaotic events as they unfold in real-time. Through Yotsuba’s eyes, even the most mundane activities become extraordinary adventures.
3Magu-Chan: God Of Destruction
Written And Illustrated By Kei Kamiki
Hundreds of years ago, the Cult of Chaos succeeded in summoning Mag Menuek, the fearsome God of Destruction, one of the ancient and powerful Gods of Chaos. Just as he was about to obliterate everything in his path, the Holy Knights intervened, sealing Mag Menuek away in a crystal. Over time, the crystal was forgotten, lost to history.
Fast-forward to the present, where an unsuspecting middle school student named Ruru Miyanagi stumbles upon the crystal and accidentally releases the once-mighty God of Destruction from his centuries-long imprisonment. However, instead of wreaking havoc, the newly freed Mag Menuek, now called Magu-chan, begins to form an unlikely friendship with Ruru.
2Red River
Written And Illustrated By Chie Shinohara
Red River, also known as Anatolia Story, is a historical romance manga that transports readers to the ancient Hittite Empire during the reign of King Šuppiluliuma I, which spanned from 1350 to 1322 BC. The story centers on Yuri Suzuki, a high school girl who is mysteriously pulled back in time. Many describe Red River as a more mature Inuyasha.
Yuri is likely inspired by Puduhepa, the priestess of Ishtar who married King Hattusili III. Puduhepa was a highly influential woman who played a significant role in diplomatic negotiations with Egypt.
The narrative kicks off with Queen Nakia, the king’s third wife, who is determined to see her son, Prince Juda, ascend to the throne. However, her ambitions are thwarted by the presence of King Šuppiluliuma’s third son, Prince Kail, who stands in the way of her plans. Desperate to eliminate this obstacle, Nakia resorts to dark magic, kidnapping Yuri from the future to use her in a sacrificial ritual.
Fortunately, Yuri is rescued by Prince Kail before she can be sacrificed. From that point on, Yuri finds herself thrust into a world of political intrigue, war, and romance. As she navigates the dangers of the ancient world, Yuri’s primary goal is to find a way back to her own time while navigating through Queen Nakia’s schemes.
120th Century Boys
Written And Illustrated By Naoki Urasawa
20th Century Boys, written and illustrated by Naoki Urasawa, is a critically acclaimed manga that follows Kenji Endo and his childhood friends who once dreamed of being heroes. As kids, they wrote a story called the ‘Book of Prophecy,’ imagining themselves saving the world from an evil force. Decades later, Kenji discovers a mysterious cult led by a figure known only as ‘Friend.’ Disturbingly, the cult’s actions mirror the events from the Book of Prophecy, pushing Kenji and his friends to reunite and confront the nightmare they unwittingly predicted as children.
Three live-action adaptations of the manga were released in 2008 and 2009.
Spanning nearly 50 years and told from multiple perspectives, 20th Century Boys is celebrated for its intricate plot, complex characters, and the way it seamlessly weaves together different timelines. The series is praised for its ability to tie up both the main narrative and various subplots, delivering a satisfying conclusion that cements its status as an exemplary manga of all time.
