It’s hard to get started reading manga when there are so many options. From different tropes to genres to art styles, it’s a lot to process. This guide can help you buy a great manga for a newbie, from gory horror to adorable slice of life. Read on to discover more!
My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi
80% of the world has superpowers called Quirks, and heroes and villains have been battling it out ever since! Those with Quirks can study at hero academies, but for the 20% who don’t have Quirks — like Midoriya Izuki — they can’t make it. Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but without powers, he won’t be allowed into a hero academy. His dream looks dead until a meeting with All Might, the greatest hero in Japan and Midoriya’s top role model, changes his life.
This series is great for beginners, especially those who like comic book heroes. The basic story is straightforward: villains are causing havoc and mayhem, and the heroes come along to save the day. There’s much more to it than that, though, including complex morality, situations where heroes don’t always win, and strong friendships.
Demon Slayer by Koyoharu Gotouge
Kindhearted Tanjiro lives a peaceful life in the mountains with his mother and five siblings, selling charcoal in Taishō-era Japan. Until one day, his family is slaughtered by a demon, with his sister Nezuko as the only survivor. Except, she too has turned into a demon! Tanjiro sets out on a journey to save Nezuko and change her back into a human, while also hunting down the demon who murdered his family.
Demon Slayer is a great example of shounen manga without being as lengthy as other series, making it easier to commit to. The art style is incredible, and the characters are distinctive and likable, while the side plots scattered throughout are memorable and action-packed. And don’t worry, the story balances all these different elements in a way that doesn’t throw too much action or characters at the reader all at once.
Tokyo Ghoul by Sui Ishida
Kaneki Ken is a normal college student, excited to go on a date with a woman named Rize. But it turns out she’s only interested in his body — eating it, that is. She’s a ghoul, a creature like a human except it needs flesh to survive. Kaneki survives the encounter, but it leads to him turning into a half-human, half-ghoul hybrid. He’s trapped between the human world and the ghoul world, a dark and violent realm that exists alongside humans.
This is a horror manga full of gore with violent torture scenes, so please be aware of that first. While not everybody would enjoy this, it’s perfect for fans of gore and/or horror, as well as those who like seeing characters put into difficult situations with no easy answers. All in all, Tokyo Ghoul is a good intro to what horror manga can do.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End by Kanehito Yamada, Illustrated by Tsukasa Abe
Frieren is an elf mage, and along with a group of fellow adventurers, she has defeated the Demon King and brought back peace to her land. But she struggles with the knowledge that she will outlive her friends and that she will never understand what life means to mortals. Decades later, at the funeral of her former traveling companion, Himmel the hero, Frieren is forced to contend with her near immortality. Thus, she decides to fulfill her friends’ wishes and finds herself going on another adventure.
Compared to other series on the list, this manga isn’t nearly as action-packed or intense. But that’s what makes it great for a newbie. The plot is character-driven and while it isn’t fast-paced, it also doesn’t drag. It focuses more on interacting with others and exploring the world rather than flashy plotlines or major fight scenes — though there are a few.
Snow White with the Red Hair by Sorata Akiduki
Shirayuki is an herbalist who is famous for her bright red hair, and Prince Tanbarun wants her to himself! Shirayuki refuses and runs away, finding shelter in the woods in the neighboring kingdom of Clarines. She soon meets new allies, including the second prince of Clarines, Zen, who saves her from Prince Tanbarun. As she pursues her dreams of advancing her herbalism skills, a love story between her and a lovestruck Prince Zen is set into motion.
This series skips some of the more cliché manga tropes that may be off-putting to new readers while also having an engaging story. There aren’t many overly dramatic moments, but there is enough plot and suspense to keep readers interested. Plus, it’s a love story between a dedicated prince and a stubborn commoner — perfect for romance lovers.
My Next Life as a Villainess by Satoru Yamaguchi, Illustrated by Nami Hidaka
After getting hit by a truck, a high school girl is reincarnated into an otome game — as the villainess!? She is now Catarina Claes, the rich and spoiled daughter of Duke Claes. Her life follows the game exactly, and Catarina panics. No matter which route is played, there are only two endings for her — exile or death!
My Next Life as a Villainess features an idiotic yet loveable protagonist — there’s a reason the fandom calls her “Bakarina.” Both she and her harem make for the perfect blend of humor and heartwarming moments. The plot is fun, driven mostly by Catarina, and the story isn’t something readers need to think too deeply about.
Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya
After a family tragedy dramatically changes her life, Tohru Honda takes matters into her own hands and moves out — to a tent. Unfortunately, she sets up camp in a private land owned by the Sohma clan, who soon discover her and offer to take her in. However, she quickly learns that they aren’t normal; when they touch someone of the opposite sex, they turn into an animal of the Chinese zodiac!
Fruits Basket is a relaxed story for the most part. However, it depicts characters who have harsh experiences, from isolation to loss. Tohru finds a new family in the Sohmas, and starts helping them through their issues, while they in turn help her. It’s a sweet, sometimes heavy story that introduces readers to shōjo manga.
The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyuuga, Illustrated by Nekokurage
Maomao, a girl trained in making medicine, is kidnapped and forced to work at the Imperial Palace. Though she’s constricted behind these walls, life here is never boring! She uses her knowledge to break a “curse” impacting imperial heirs, and in doing so, catches the attention of a handsome eunuch named Jinshi. Maomao is then promoted to food taster, but Jinshi has further plans for the apothecary. Now she’s allowed to make potions… and solve mysteries?
Maomao is an interesting character in that she easily accepts what happens to her but is very firm when it comes to what she thinks is right and wrong. She’s intriguing, and her dry wit and capabilities draw people to her — both readers and characters alike. The series isn’t overly dramatic and remedies a lot of problems that were prevalent in the time period it’s set in. It’s easy to digest, and the smaller cast helps readers keep up with all the characters.
Spy X Family by Tatsuya Endo
Agent Twilight is a master spy who constantly takes on undercover missions to save the world. Though his most recent undercover assignment might be too much for him — to get married and have a child! He certainly has his work cut out for him, but he takes it in stride. After all, part of his mission is to infiltrate an elite private school, and he needs to be on top of his game. What he doesn’t know is that his new wife is an assassin, and their adopted child is a telepath!
This little family is so funny, and their awkwardness as a unit, trying to hide their true identities from one another, makes readers want more. Plus, there are so many adorable moments, from the stoic spy trying to act like a fun dad to the clumsy assassin who’s horrible at cooking and the telepath getting the wrong idea from reading snippets of people’s thoughts. This silly family is always causing trouble, and it’s always a joy to see!
Kuroko’s Basketball by Tadatoshi Fujimaki
Kuroko Tetsuya is incredibly plain, to the point that many people don’t even notice him until he starts speaking. He’s the same on the basketball court, but this gives him an advantage — he can pull off epic moves nobody can see coming! He and another excellent player, Kagami Taiga, join the Seirin High School basketball team. Kagami dismisses him at first, despite Kuroko having been part of the undefeated “Generation of Miracles” team in middle school, but after Kagami sees him in action, they become an incredible duo. This leads to Kuroko asking a big favor of Kagami: to help him defeat his former teammates!
Sports lovers will want to read this thrilling basketball manga. There are training montages, incredible superhuman basketball abilities, and long matches that would be impossible in real life. Plus, the story’s easy to understand; they even explain a lot of the game’s rules, so less-sporty readers won’t feel alienated. It does boast a large cast, but the characters are introduced slowly, and they’re all compelling in their own ways.
Of course, the best manga is one that captures the reader’s attention. But this guide is a great start!
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