Best Action Manga Recommendations

Eiichiro Oda

Action, Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

"I'm going to become the King of the Pirates!" In the Great Pirate Era, countless pirates set sail for the Grand Line in pursuit of the ultimate treasure—the One Piece—a legendary hoard said to grant unimaginable wealth, fame, and power. Among them is a boy with a straw hat, Monkey D. Luffy, who gains extraordinary abilities after eating a mysterious Devil Fruit, turning his body into rubber. Alongside his trusted crewmates like Zoro, Nami, and many more, Luffy sets out on a journey across the seas—chasing dreams, forging bonds, and facing powerful foes. With its vast world, unforgettable characters, epic battles, and emotional depth, ONE PIECE is a grand pirate adventure where justice is never black and white, and the spirit of freedom sails above all.

Yukinobu Tatsu

Action, Anime Adaptation, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Shonen

Ken Takakura, a high school boy nicknamed Okarun, firmly believes in aliens but scoffs at ghosts. Momo Ayase, a girl with strong spiritual powers, believes in the supernatural—but thinks UFOs and aliens are nonsense. One day, a strange bet leads them to confront the real versions of what they each believe in… and chaos explodes. Abductions by aliens, hauntings by evil spirits, life-threatening curses—suddenly, their ordinary school lives spiral into a whirlwind of the paranormal and the absurd! After gaining mysterious powers, Ken and Momo find themselves in one outrageous battle after another, teaming up with quirky allies to face bizarre and terrifying threats. Hilarious, heart-racing, and even a little romantic—Dandadan is a supernatural sci-fi battle comedy that smashes the boundaries between ghosts and aliens in the wildest ways imaginable.

Hiromu Arakawa

Action, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Fantasy, Shonen

Set in a world where alchemy is a highly developed science, two brothers—Edward and Alphonse Elric—commit the ultimate taboo: attempting to bring their mother back to life. As a result of this forbidden act, Edward loses part of his body, and Alphonse loses his entire physical form. In their search for a way to restore what was lost, the brothers become State Alchemists and embark on a journey. But this journey is more than just an adventure—it leads them into the depths of government conspiracy, the weight of past sins, and a fundamental question: What does it truly mean to live? With its rich storytelling, intricate world-building, and the unbreakable bond between brothers, Fullmetal Alchemist remains a masterpiece that resonates deeply with readers around the world.

Hajime Isayama

Action, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Mythology, Shonen

Humanity teeters on the brink of extinction at the hands of monstrous beings known as Titans. What remains of civilization survives within massive walled cities, living in constant fear of the world beyond. But one boy, Eren Yeager, refuses to accept this caged existence. Driven by a longing for freedom, he joins the fight against the Titans alongside his closest friends. As the battle intensifies, shocking truths begin to unravel—what are the Titans? Who created them, and why? Beneath the chaos lies a web of mysteries that challenge everything humanity thought it knew. A masterful dark fantasy filled with suspense, revelation, and relentless intensity—Attack on Titan grips readers with its haunting vision of survival and freedom.

Masashi Kishimoto

Action, Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Fantasy, Shonen

"One day, I’m going to become Hokage—just you watch!" Set in a world of ninja, Naruto follows Naruto Uzumaki, a misfit ninja boy shunned by his village and forced to live in isolation. The reason? A powerful beast known as the Nine-Tailed Fox is sealed within him. Despite the loneliness, Naruto never gives up. With his boundless energy, infectious optimism, and unbreakable spirit, he trains hard to achieve his ultimate dream—to become Hokage, the greatest ninja and leader of his village. As he grows stronger, Naruto forms unshakable bonds, faces heartbreaking farewells, battles powerful enemies, and slowly uncovers the truth of his destiny. A powerful tale of growth, friendship, and determination, Naruto is a ninja saga that touches the heart and inspires the soul.

Akira Toriyama

Action, Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Fantasy, Shonen

The Dragon Balls—mystical orbs that, when all seven are gathered, can grant any one wish. Raised in the mountains, a boy named Goku possesses incredible strength and an innocent heart. His life changes when he meets a curious and adventurous girl named Bulma, and together they set off on a quest to find the Dragon Balls. Along the way, Goku makes new friends like Yamcha and Krillin, and takes on powerful foes, growing stronger with every challenge. Filled with thrilling battles, wild adventures, heartwarming moments, and plenty of laughs, Dragon Ball is the classic action-packed journey that defined an entire generation of shonen manga.

Gege Akutami

Action, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Fantasy, Shonen

Curses—malevolent spirits born from negative human emotions like anger, hatred, and fear—lurk unseen in modern society, bringing misfortune and death. Yuji Itadori, a high schooler with extraordinary physical abilities, finds himself thrust into the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after consuming a cursed object—the finger of Ryomen Sukuna, the most powerful Curse in history. To survive, he must learn to battle these deadly forces. At his side stands Satoru Gojo, the strongest sorcerer alive—a mysterious and overwhelmingly powerful mentor who reshapes Yuji’s fate. “To make sure the death of those we care about isn’t meaningless…” As Yuji faces Curses alongside his allies, he’s forced to confront the nature of life, death, and what it truly means to be “right.” A bold, stylish, and unrelenting dark fantasy—Jujutsu Kaisen marks a new era in supernatural battle manga.

Yasuhisa Hara

Action, Ongoing Series, Seinen, historical

Ancient China, Warring States Era — 3rd Century BC. An age of relentless warfare, where kingdoms clash and chaos reigns. Shin, a war orphan living as a servant, dreams of rising through the ranks to become the Greatest General Under the Heavens. With unshakable resolve and a growing skill with the sword, he vows to make his name known on the battlefield. One day, Shin crosses paths with a young man destined to become Ei Sei, the future king of Qin. Their fateful meeting sets in motion an extraordinary journey toward the unification of all China. Ambition. Betrayal. Loyalty. Brotherhood. As armies collide and ideals are tested, the saga of those who stake their lives on the battlefield unfolds with overwhelming intensity and emotion. A boy chasing the path of a great general. A king determined to rise above a fractured world. Their intersecting dreams ignite a grand, blood-soaked tale of power, destiny, and iron conviction. Kingdom is a breathtaking historical action epic where glory is earned and history is written in steel and sacrifice.

Yoshihiro Togashi

Action, Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

Living peacefully on Whale Island, young Gon Freecss learns that his father, Ging, who left him behind as a child, is actually one of the world's greatest "Hunters"—elite adventurers who track treasures, creatures, and mysteries beyond imagination. Determined to find his father and become a Hunter himself, Gon embarks on a journey to face the brutal Hunter Exam. Along the way, he befriends unforgettable companions: revenge-driven Kurapika, aspiring doctor Leorio, and Killua, a child prodigy from a notorious assassin family. Together, they confront formidable enemies, master the mysterious power of "Nen," and navigate mind-bending psychological battles in an unpredictable world brimming with extraordinary creatures, hidden dangers, and immense mysteries. Can Gon overcome intense battles, forge unbreakable bonds, and fulfill his dream of becoming a true Hunter? With expansive world-building, memorable characters, and intricately woven storylines, Hunter × Hunter stands as a legendary adventure filled with action, friendship, and the endless pursuit of discovery!

Fuse (Story), Taiki Kawakami (Art), Mitz Vah (Character Design)

Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai, Magic, Ongoing Series, Shonen

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime follows the story of Satoru Mikami, an ordinary office worker who unexpectedly meets his end and is reborn in another world—as a slime. Equipped with unique abilities in his new slime form, he gathers allies, builds a nation, and strives alongside monsters to create a peaceful world. It’s a fantasy tale that highlights friendship, growth, and adventure.

Yura Urushibara

Action, Anime Adaptation, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

Tougen Anki is a dark hero action manga set in modern-day Japan, depicting an intense conflict between the descendants of demons ("Oni") and those of the legendary hero Momotaro. Shiki Ichinose, an ordinary high school student, is suddenly attacked by a mysterious group called the "Momotaro Organization" and learns he carries Oni blood. After his foster father is murdered by the Momotaro side, Shiki enrolls at Rasetsu Academy, a school exclusively for Oni descendants, seeking revenge and the truth behind his past. There, he undergoes brutal training and trials alongside newfound comrades. Many Oni characters carry deep scars, having lost family or friends to the Momotaro Organization, and each battles their heavy past and trauma while caught up in this ancient, ongoing war. As Shiki confronts the powerful Oni force dormant within himself, he works together with his friends to combat the threat posed by the Momotaro Organization, gradually uncovering both his destiny and the hidden truth of their world.

Takeru Hokazono

Action, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

In a world where swords possess mysterious cursed powers, young swordsmith Chihiro Rokuhira inherits Enten, a legendary blade forged by his father. Driven by vengeance and duty, Chihiro dives headfirst into a ruthless war hidden within the shadows. Facing powerful foes, unraveling the dark secrets within his cursed sword, and confronting painful memories of his past, Chihiro’s journey leads him deeper into a sinister world of sorcery and bloodshed. Blending fierce, elegant swordplay with intense supernatural battles, Kagurabachi follows Chihiro’s relentless quest for truth amidst curses, betrayal, and destiny. A new-generation supernatural action manga filled with breathtaking combat, dark mystery, and an unfolding tale of vengeance and revelation!

Kengo Hanazawa

Action, Ongoing Series, Seinen

In Under Ninja, the shadowy world of ninjas didn’t disappear after World War II—they just went underground. Secretly active across the globe, these covert operatives continue their missions into the present day. Enter Kuro Kumogakure, a low-ranking ninja with no assignments, spending his days bored and unemployed in a run-down apartment. One day, he's unexpectedly ordered to investigate Under Ninja (UN), a mysterious organization that's remained hidden for over 70 years since the war. To uncover UN’s activities, Kuro infiltrates Koudan High School disguised as a student. Now, he must balance blending into normal school life with untangling the secrets of this elusive group. A unique blend of comedy, espionage, and action, Under Ninja is a fresh twist on modern ninja tales, combining undercover antics, secret missions, and high school chaos.

Ayaka Katayama

Action, Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Sci-Fi, Shonen

Fungus and Iron is a sci-fi manga set in a dystopian near-future world dominated by fungi (mushrooms) that have parasitically taken control of human brains. These fungi strip humans of their free will and independent thought, enforcing an absolute authoritarian regime. Within this oppressive society lives Dante, a young soldier and an outcast, uniquely able to retain his emotions and consciousness, unaffected by the fungal domination. Despite his peculiar condition—unable to read yet gifted with extraordinary physical abilities—Dante undertakes secret missions outside the controlled zones for the ruling government known as "Amigasa." During one such mission, he meets Aoi, a girl belonging to "Ether," a rebel organization seeking free thought and liberation from fungal control. Inspired by Aoi's words, Dante begins questioning the very structure of his world. Eventually, Dante endures torture designed to infect his brain with fungi, yet miraculously resists their control. Through this ordeal, he acquires a unique power combining iron and fungus, transforming him into an Ether warrior determined to challenge the oppressive regime. The manga unfolds with intense battles between fungal oppression and human resistance, intertwined with shocking revelations about the hidden truth of their world.

Story by Osamu Nishi, Art by Shiro Usazaki

Action, Adventure, Magic, Ongoing Series, Shonen

Ichi the Witch is a fantasy manga set in a world where only women can use magic, centering around a young boy named Ichi who lives alone in the mountains. Abandoned in the wilderness as a child, Ichi survives through hunting and gathering. One day, he encounters a powerful magical creature known as "King Uloro," and inexplicably acquires magical abilities, despite magic traditionally being limited to women. This extraordinary event makes Ichi the world's only male witch—known as the "Witch Man"—leading to his recruitment by the Witch Association to carry out dangerous "Magic Hunts." Together with his companions, the witch Deskaras and the chronicler Kumugi, Ichi confronts various magical threats, including cataclysmic entities known as "Anti-World Magic," capable of humanity’s destruction. This manga offers an innovative take on magic and adventure, depicting an unconventional journey that defies all established norms.

Satoru Noda

Action, Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Drama, Seinen, historical

Set in Hokkaido at the end of the Meiji era, Golden Kamuy follows Saichi Sugimoto, a battle-hardened ex-soldier known as “Immortal Sugimoto.” In order to fulfill a fallen comrade’s last wish and secure a fortune, he sets his sights on a legendary hidden stash of gold. The key to the treasure? A cryptic map tattooed on the bodies of escaped prisoners. Along the way, Sugimoto partners with Asirpa, a brave and resourceful Ainu girl with deep knowledge of the land and a personal quest for truth surrounding her father's death. Their bond grows stronger as they journey across the harsh northern wilderness. What follows is an exhilarating blend of survival, cultural exploration, gourmet adventures, and a deadly battle for gold, where cunning and brute strength collide. As greed, justice, and betrayal intertwine, the quest for the gold escalates into a sprawling conspiracy that threatens to engulf even the nation itself. Thrilling, emotional, and utterly unique—Golden Kamuy is a masterful tale of riches, honor, and the human spirit set against the frozen frontier.

Naoya Matsumoto

Action, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

In a world where kaiju—giant monsters—regularly attack cities, Japan relies on an elite military force known as the Defense Force to protect its people. Kafka Hibino, a 32-year-old cleanup crew worker, once dreamed of joining the Defense Force and slaying kaiju himself. But life had other plans—his days are now spent disposing of monster corpses, far from the front lines. Everything changes when Kafka meets Reno Ichikawa, a passionate young recruit chasing the very dream Kafka gave up on. Inspired by Reno's drive, Kafka begins to rekindle his own lost ambition. But fate takes a shocking turn—Kafka is infected by a mysterious small kaiju, transforming him into a powerful human-kaiju hybrid: Kaiju No. 8. Now caught between two worlds, Kafka must confront both monstrous threats and his own past, fighting not just for survival—but for the dream he once abandoned. Kaiju No. 8 is the story of an adult who dares to rise again, battling between justice and monstrosity in a second chance at his destiny.

Kohei Horikoshi

Action, Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Shonen

"In a world where having superpowers—called Quirks—is completely normal, society is protected by professional Heroes who use their abilities to keep the peace and inspire hope. But Izuku Midoriya was born Quirkless. Despite being powerless, he never gave up on his dream of becoming a hero. Everything changes when he meets All Might, the No.1 Hero, who sees something in Izuku and passes on to him a powerful legacy. This fateful encounter launches Izuku into a new life—acceptance into the prestigious U.A. High School, intense training, battles against villains, and unbreakable friendships. As he faces trials that challenge his spirit and beliefs, Izuku must grapple with what it truly means to be a hero—and what justice really is. Filled with tears, determination, friendship, and explosive action, My Hero Academia is the story of a boy who inherits the will to protect others and rises to become the symbol of hope for a new generation."

ONE (Story), Yusuke Murata (Art)

Action, Anime Adaptation, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

One-Punch Man follows the story of Saitama, an ordinary-looking hero with an extraordinary problem—he’s become so powerful that he can defeat any enemy with a single punch. After three years of intense training, Saitama achieves unmatched strength, but instead of satisfaction, he feels only boredom. Every battle ends instantly, leaving him longing for the thrill of a real challenge. Despite his plain appearance, Saitama’s strength astonishes heroes and villains alike. Even as the Hero Association and his companions marvel at his incredible power, Saitama struggles with the emptiness of being too strong. Blending explosive battles with hilarious satire, One-Punch Man explores Saitama’s unusual dilemma through encounters with quirky heroes, bizarre monsters, and a world constantly threatened by absurd villains. Funny, thrilling, and surprisingly thoughtful, this manga uniquely highlights the unexpected challenges faced by the world’s strongest hero.

Makoto Yukimura

Action, Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Ongoing Series, Seinen

11th-century Northern Europe— An age of Vikings, where war, conquest, and plunder reign supreme. In a brutal world ruled by the sword, the fate of one young boy begins to shift. His name is Thorfinn. After witnessing the death of his father, the legendary warrior Thors, Thorfinn grows up on the battlefield, fueled by a burning desire for revenge. But beyond the violence, he begins to confront deeper questions—ones that rage and hatred alone cannot answer. What does one truly gain through fighting? What is real strength? As Thorfinn is torn between vengeance and purpose, his journey takes a new direction—toward Vinland, a distant land free from bloodshed and war. No longer driven by revenge, he sets out in search of peace, forgiveness, and redemption. With breathtaking battles, rich historical detail, and powerful philosophical themes, Vinland Saga is a soul-stirring Norse epic that explores what it means to be human in a world shaped by violence.