Best Action Manga Recommendations (Page 2)

Umikaze Minamino (Story), Kabuto Kodai (Art)

Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai, Ongoing Series, Seinen

Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden tells the story of a legendary warrior known as the "God Slayer," who, yearning for combat even at the brink of death, reincarnates into the future. Her soul inhabits the frail body of Nia Liston, a sickly noble girl. Initially struggling with the weakness of her new form, she harnesses her inner "Qi" to gradually restore her health and strength. Despite her delicate appearance, Nia possesses extraordinary combat prowess and an insatiable thirst for battle, effortlessly defeating powerful foes even in everyday life. Using her noble status, she engages in diverse pursuits, from academy life to serving as a personality at a broadcasting station. Eventually, she earns a staggering one billion Clams, enabling her to organize a global martial arts tournament. This story vividly captures Nia’s thrilling journey as she seeks formidable opponents, brilliantly showcasing her unstoppable pursuit of battle.

Sora Karin (Story), Kosuke Fushimi (Art)

Action, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Seinen

Verbellum - War of Words follows Keiji Iruma, a high school student aspiring to become a screenwriter, who suddenly finds himself invited to a mysterious supernatural battle called "Verbellum," a deadly game where participants fight using powers derived from "verbs." Keiji obtains the verb "Open," granting him versatile abilities such as opening doors, wounds, and much more. The goal of the game is to collect passwords from other "verb" wielders to ultimately become the "Master of Words." Keiji teams up with his cousin Maki Hanazato and their ally Ririka Azuma to survive encounters with dangerous factions such as the "Senri Assassins" and confront the shadowy mastermind behind the game. This unique battle setting utilizes the power of verbs, leading not just to physical confrontations but also intense psychological and strategic warfare. Keiji, who struggles with lost memories, navigates a labyrinthine web of intrigue, betrayal, and tragedy. As the tournament escalates toward its climax, Keiji must rediscover both his abilities and his past to confront his ultimate enemy in this thrilling survival battle.

ONE (Story), Kyoutarou Azuma (Art)

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

Versus is set in a world where humanity has been oppressed and hunted by a demonic race for centuries. For hundreds of years, mankind has suffered under the rule of 47 Demon Lords, led by the Great Demon King. In a last-ditch effort to fight back, humanity gathers its 47 strongest warriors—heroes who represent the final hope of the human race. Their mission: to annihilate the 47 Demon Lords and bring an end to the long age of darkness. Each hero sets off on their journey, but the demons are overwhelmingly powerful. One by one, the heroes fall, unable to even put up a proper fight. Humanity’s last hope begins to fade. The protagonist, Hero Harrow, also suffers a crushing defeat at the hands of a Demon Lord. Though he survives, he is left unable to fight. Just when all seems lost, his brother, the wizard Zevy, appears and performs a summoning spell to bring help from other worlds. However, the summoned humans from alternate worlds are also being oppressed by their own natural enemies. It is then that a daring idea is born: “Why not make these natural enemies fight each other?”

Ken Wakui

Action, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Drama, Shonen

Takemichi Hanagaki is a 20-something part-timer living a dead-end life—until one day, he suddenly time-leaps back to his middle school years. The trigger? A news report announcing that his ex-girlfriend has been killed in a violent gang conflict involving the infamous Tokyo Manji Gang. To change the past and save the future, Takemichi throws himself into the dangerous world of delinquents, confronting his own weakness and fighting to rewrite fate. Friendship, betrayal, and unwavering resolve. In this emotional time-travel revenge saga, Takemichi rises again and again—no matter how many times he’s knocked down. A gripping mix of youth drama and sci-fi thriller, Tokyo Revengers is a powerful story about second chances and never giving up.

Daiju Yanauchi

Action, Comedy, Crime, School, Seinen

Gang King follows Katsunari Onishi, also known as "Jimmy," a high school delinquent fascinated by traditional Japanese tattoos. Inspired by a legendary tattoo artist named Katsu-Shin, who saved his life as a child, Jimmy tattoos himself and dreams of becoming the world's greatest tattoo artist. Entering Barajuuji High School, Jimmy meets a group of unique friends and together they navigate passionate friendships, intense rivalries, and gang conflicts. Renowned for his strength and unwavering integrity, Jimmy quickly gains respect. However, his growing influence catches the attention of Pinko, leader of the infamous gang "Justice," who views Jimmy as a threat. As tensions escalate, Jimmy and his friends face numerous conflicts that test their courage, loyalty, and values. With dreams, friendship, love, and unbreakable conviction, Gang King vividly portrays the journey of a young man growing into both a skilled tattoo artist and a stronger person amidst turbulent high school gang rivalries.

Story by Ippon Takegushi, Art by Mitarashi Sandai

Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, School, Shonen

Shinobigoto is a school-based action manga set in modern-day Japan, revolving around Yodaka, an elite young ninja from the secretive "Public Security Ninja Squad." Despite being an exceptionally skilled ninja, Yodaka is extremely socially awkward and struggles to communicate with people. He is assigned a crucial mission: to secretly protect Aoi Himukai, a high school girl who unknowingly holds significant national assets and influence. With a hefty bounty on her head from the criminal underworld, Aoi becomes a constant target for assassins. Initially intending to quietly fulfill his duties without drawing attention, Yodaka somehow ends up befriending Aoi, further complicating his undercover role. Alongside other undercover ninjas infiltrating the school, he navigates the challenging balance between everyday school life and dangerous protection missions. Combining action, humor, and awkward teenage interactions, Yodaka fights through various dangers to keep Aoi safe, making Shinobigoto a fresh, modern take on ninja-meets-school comedy action.

Riichiro Inagaki (Story), Yusuke Murata (Art)

Action, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Shonen, Sports

Eyeshield 21 is an American football manga that follows the story of Sena Kobayakawa, a timid and frequently bullied high school student. Upon entering Deimon Private High School, Sena finds himself being used as a gopher by delinquent classmates. However, thanks to the exceptional speed he developed from years of running errands and escaping bullies, his life takes a drastic turn. Recognizing Sena's lightning-fast running ability, Yoichi Hiruma—the cunning and fearsome captain of the Deimon Devil Bats football team—forces him to join the team. To keep his identity hidden and protect him from being scouted by rival teams, Hiruma gives him a helmet with a tinted visor and the codename "Eyeshield 21." Sena quickly becomes the team’s ace running back. Though initially joining under the guise of a team manager, Sena slowly grows in confidence and skill as he faces powerful rival teams and bonds with his unique teammates, including the gentle giant Ryokan Kurita, the hyper-competitive receiver Monta (Taro Raimon), and the clever strategist Yukimitsu. Through intense training, fierce matches, and team-building camps, the once-weak Deimon Devil Bats evolve into a formidable squad. From underdogs struggling with a lack of players, the team strives for greatness, setting their sights on the national championship—the Christmas Bowl—and ultimately on becoming the best in Japan. The story centers around Sena’s development as the "light-speed runner" Eyeshield 21, the high-stakes strategic battles led by Hiruma’s genius tactics, and the thrilling mix of sports passion, friendship, determination, and victory. As the story progresses, the bonds between friends and rivals grow stronger, and the dream expands from conquering Japan to taking on the world.

Tohru Fujisawa

Action, Comedy, Completed Series, Crime, Drama, Ecchi, School, Shonen

Shonan Junai Gumi! is a youth delinquent and pure love comedy manga that follows the wild teenage years of Eikichi Onizuka (known as "E-chan") and his partner Ryuji Danma—who later becomes the iconic protagonist of GTO. Set in Japan's Shonan region during the late 1980s, the story centers on these two "legendary bad boys" who are bored of constant fights and want to turn over a new leaf. Their heartfelt (and hilariously awkward) mission? To finally get girlfriends. However, standing in their way are street fights, biker gang wars, rival delinquents, emotional bonds with friends and family, heartbreaking romances, and the painful process of growing up. Onizuka eventually meets his classmate Aina Fuyutsuki, while Ryuji crosses paths with a formidable girl boss from Hakkai Academy. These encounters push them toward experiencing genuine love and friendship. Through countless battles, misunderstandings, and ridiculous antics, Onizuka and Ryuji prove their strength not just in fights, but in protecting their friends and staying true to their values. The manga brilliantly captures the chaos and exhilaration of youth, balancing slapstick comedy with heartfelt drama. Shonan Junai Gumi! is the origin story of the “legendary Onizuka,” offering a laugh-out-loud yet emotionally resonant look at two boys chasing love, causing trouble, and stumbling their way toward adulthood. A must-read for fans of GTO and anyone who loves coming-of-age stories with both fists and feelings.

Yuto Suzuki

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

SAKAMOTO DAYS is an action-comedy manga featuring Taro Sakamoto, once known and feared in the criminal underworld as a legendary assassin. After falling in love and getting married, Sakamoto retired from his life of crime. Now a happily married, overweight, middle-aged man, he enjoys a peaceful life running the "Sakamoto Store" alongside his beloved family. However, due to his notorious past, Sakamoto has a bounty placed on his head, drawing various assassins who threaten to disrupt his peaceful days. One such assassin is Shin, his former subordinate and an esper with the ability to read minds. Originally ordered to kill Sakamoto, Shin is instead won over by Sakamoto's kindness and strength, ultimately becoming an ally and employee at the Sakamoto Store. Committed to the promise he made to his family—“no more killing”—Sakamoto utilizes his incredible combat skills and sharp intellect to protect his loved ones from the chaos that continuously invades their daily life. Combining stylish battles, comedic situations, and the heartwarming bonds between distinctive characters, SAKAMOTO DAYS delivers a uniquely entertaining story.

Tadatoshi Fujimaki

Action, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

Kill Blue is a school-based action-comedy manga by Tadatoshi Fujimaki. The protagonist, Juzo Ogami, is a legendary assassin known for always eliminating his targets. One day, after being stung by a mysterious bee, Juzo suddenly reverts from a 39-year-old adult to a middle-school student. Unable to continue his assassin work in his younger form, Juzo is reluctantly tasked by his boss to investigate the middle school his daughter will attend. While initially uneasy about fitting in, Juzo gradually begins enjoying school life through studying and interactions with his classmates. Eventually, it’s discovered that the biological weapon responsible for his rejuvenation was developed by the major pharmaceutical company Mitsuoka Pharmaceuticals. Juzo starts searching for clues to revert to his original form. At the same time, he meets classmates such as Noren Mitsuoka and other unique friends, becoming increasingly embroiled in conspiracies involving assassination groups and the underworld. Leveraging his adult experience and assassin skills—yet stuck with the appearance of a middle-schooler—Juzo navigates a turbulent school life. Blending comedy, action, and human drama, the story unfolds with sharp pacing and plenty of excitement.

Story by Asa Rokushima, Art by Gyōmuyō Mochi; character design by kisui

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

This fantasy story follows Rein, an enchanter capable of assigning "strengthening points" not only to weapons and armor but to virtually anything, with the unique ability to revoke these enhancements at will. One day, his guild unfairly decides he's no longer needed because they believe their equipment is sufficiently enhanced. Disheartened, Rein leaves—but not before reclaiming all the strengthening points he had previously bestowed upon his comrades' gear, instantly turning his own equipment into legendary-level items. Now freed from guild obligations, Rein sets out on a carefree adventurer’s life, utilizing his powerful enchantment abilities to overcome various challenges with ease. As he encounters new companions and beautiful female knights, he embraces his newfound freedom and unstoppable power. With the unique trait of being able to remove enhancements whenever he pleases, his expulsion from the guild ultimately allows him to finally unleash his true potential, creating an exhilarating and satisfying fantasy adventure.

Ryo Ishiyama

Action, Ongoing Series, Shonen

Dragon and Chameleon tells the story of the genius manga artist Garyo Kagami and an unknown rookie manga artist, Shinobu Miyama, who obsessively envies Garyo's talent and success. After a mysterious accident, they unexpectedly find their bodies swapped. Garyo, now in the body of Miyama—nicknamed "Chameleon" for his extraordinary skill at copying art styles—must restart his manga career from scratch. Meanwhile, Miyama inherits Garyo's fame and talent but struggles with the immense pressure and expectations as he continues serialization under his new identity. Through shifts in perspective and life experiences brought on by the swap, as well as intense human dramas involving editors and rivals, this manga energetically explores the true meaning of dreams and self-actualization. The story stands out for its heated battles of pride among manga artists and realistic depiction of the manga industry.