Best Anime Adaptation Manga Recommendations (Page 3)

Naoshi Komi

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, Shonen

Nisekoi is a romantic comedy manga centered around Raku Ichijou, the heir to a prominent Yakuza family, and Chitoge Kirisaki, the daughter of a rival gangster group. To prevent a war between their families, the two pretend to be dating, creating a fake romantic relationship. Although each already has their own genuine romantic interests, they must keep this fact hidden from everyone around them while maintaining their charade throughout their school life. The story revolves around a mysterious childhood promise involving a "lock and key," prompting Raku to seek the true identity of the girl he promised himself to. As Chitoge, his childhood friend Kosaki Onodera, and other heroines become entangled in his life, complex romantic developments, friendships, and family bonds unfold.

Kentaro Okamoto (Story), Riri Sagara (Art)

Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Ecchi, School, Seinen

Are You Lost? is a survival manga that follows four high school girls—Homare Onishima, Asuka Suzumori, Shion Kujou, and Mutsu Amatani—who are stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. With no adults around and no rescue in sight, the girls must rely on Homare’s impressive wilderness survival skills to stay alive until help arrives. The story blends humor with practical survival knowledge, offering insights into everything from desalinating seawater and securing drinking water, to foraging for food, starting fires, and crafting tools. Each episode delivers realistic survival tips in an engaging and often comical way. Despite the harsh conditions, the girls support each other through fear, loneliness, and the emotional challenges of island life. Their distinct personalities and evolving relationships drive the narrative as they learn to adapt, grow stronger, and survive together. Are You Lost? stands out as a compelling mix of survival drama, friendship, and light-hearted comedy—with an educational twist on how to survive in the wild.

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.

Kouji Seo

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, School, Shonen

Suzuka is a classic youth romance story that blends love comedy with track and field, created by Kouji Seo. The story follows Yamato Akitsuki, a teenager from Hiroshima who moves to Tokyo alone in search of a more exciting life as he enters high school. He begins his new chapter living in Asahiyu, a women-only dorm and public bathhouse run by his aunt. One day, while visiting his new high school, Yamato is captivated at first sight by a beautiful and aloof girl named Suzuka Asahina, who is practicing pole vaulting as part of the school’s track and field team. In a twist of fate, Suzuka ends up living in the room next to Yamato at Asahiyu, and the two start attending the same high school. Although they often clash due to their personalities, their relationship gradually deepens through shared experiences and misunderstandings. The story skillfully portrays the emotional ups and downs of two awkward and emotionally inexpressive teens, highlighting themes of first love, personal growth, and the bittersweet moments of adolescence. With moments of heart-pounding romance, youthful sparkle, and the sometimes harsh reality of life, Suzuka delivers a heartfelt, tear-jerking, and laughter-filled love story over the course of 18 volumes.

Yūki Kanamaru

Anime Adaptation, Ecchi, Ongoing Series, Romance, School

More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers is a romantic comedy manga about the growth and romance of a boy and girl forced to live as a “married couple” through a high school class called Marriage Practical Training. Jirō Yakuin, an introverted high school student, is paired with Akari Watanabe, a flashy, extroverted gyaru, for their school’s long-standing tradition of “Marriage Practical Training” at Seishun Academy. Jirō had hoped to be paired with his first crush, Shiori Sakurazaka, while Akari has feelings for the handsome Minami Tenjin. Both of them aim to swap partners using the school’s rule that allows top-performing pairs to switch. To achieve this, they decide to put on a convincing act as a married couple. At first, their relationship is purely cooperative, based on mutual benefit. But as they complete tasks and share daily life, they begin to see each other’s true selves and slowly open up. Akari is bright and assertive, while Jirō is reserved and introverted—their personalities and interests couldn’t be more different. Yet, despite still wanting to be with their original crushes, the time they spend acting as a married couple leads to personal growth, complex emotions, friendship, and eventually mutual trust. Through school assignments, events, part-time jobs during summer break, and special occasions like Christmas, the two gradually come to realize their true feelings for each other. It’s a story full of the bittersweetness and tension of youth, where love blossoms in the most unexpected circumstances.

Takeshi Hinata

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, School, Shonen, Sports

Here's the translated summary for Ahiru no Sora: Ahiru no Sora is a coming-of-age basketball manga about Sora Kurumatani, a passionate yet undersized high school basketball player. Standing just 149 cm (4’11”), Sora enrolls at Kuzuryu High School (nicknamed "Kuzu High") with a promise to his chronically ill mother—that he will win his first high school basketball tournament. Upon arrival, however, he discovers the school's basketball club has become little more than a hangout for delinquents, including the notorious Hanazono brothers, Momoharu and Chiaki, who show no interest in actually playing the sport. Through his unwavering dedication and passion for basketball, Sora gradually inspires the former players like the Hanazono brothers, along with the gifted ace Kenji "Tobi" Natsume and skillful center Kaname "Mokichi" Shigeyoshi, to rekindle their love for the game. Together, they overcome personal hardships and family issues, rebuilding the basketball club from scratch. Despite continuous setbacks and conflicts, they strive toward their ultimate dream: competing in the inter-high tournament.

Makoto Raiku

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

Zatch Bell! is a battle fantasy manga created by Makoto Raiku. The story begins when Kiyomaro Takamine, a brilliant yet lonely junior high student, encounters a mysterious boy named Zatch Bell, who has lost his memory and carries a red spellbook. Zatch is one of 100 demon children sent to the human world to participate in a once-every-thousand-years battle to decide the next king of the demon world. Zatch teams up with Kiyomaro, who can activate various spells—such as lightning-based magic—by reading the incantations written in the spellbook. In this fierce competition, demon children cannot use their powers without a human partner, and if their spellbook is burned, they are sent back to the demon world. Initially lacking confidence and a clear purpose, Zatch begins to change as he meets fellow competitors and rivals, ultimately vowing to become a “kind king.” Through intense battles filled with encounters and farewells, Zatch and Kiyomaro forge deep bonds of friendship and face countless powerful opponents. The story delivers a classic battle narrative packed with emotion and intensity, portraying the growth of the duo as they overcome hardships, inner struggles, and the unique destinies of each demon child.

Shinichi Fukuda

Anime Adaptation, Comedy, Completed Series, Ecchi, Romance, Seinen

My Dress-Up Darling is a youthful romantic comedy that follows the unlikely relationship between Wakana Gojo, a shy high school boy who dreams of becoming a traditional hina-doll craftsman, and Marin Kitagawa, a cheerful gyaru with a passion for cosplay. Gojo lives a lonely school life, unable to connect with his peers due to his unusual hobby. One day, while working on doll outfits in the sewing room, he is discovered by Marin, the popular and outgoing classmate. Instead of mocking him, Marin is impressed by his sewing skills and boldly asks him to help her create cosplay costumes for her favorite anime characters. As they begin working together, the two gradually grow closer through their shared goal of “cosplay creation.” Despite their opposite personalities—Gojo’s quiet, craftsman-like nature and Marin’s radiant, free-spirited energy—their bond deepens. Gojo slowly gains confidence and grows as a person with Marin’s encouragement, while Marin, in turn, discovers the joy of pursuing dreams and begins to recognize her budding feelings for him. Through cosplay events, school festivals, and the challenges they face together, My Dress-Up Darling paints a heartwarming story of youthful romance, personal growth, and the beauty of wholeheartedly embracing what you love.

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.

Takeshi Okano (Art), Shou Makura (Story)

Action, Anime Adaptation, Comedy, Completed Series, Horror, Shonen

Hell Teacher Nūbē is a school-based occult action manga centered around Meisuke Nueno—nicknamed Nūbē—the homeroom teacher of Class 5-3 at Dōmori Elementary School. On the surface, he’s clumsy, easygoing, and approachable, but he also has another side: he’s Japan’s only teacher with spiritual powers. Hidden within Nūbē’s left hand is the “Oni no Te” (Demon’s Hand)—a sealed demonic force that he wields to protect his students from all manner of supernatural threats, including yokai, evil spirits, and urban legends. Risking his life, he battles these mysterious entities to keep his class safe. The series masterfully blends occult mystery, comedy, intense battles, and heartfelt lessons, presenting mostly self-contained episodes. Through these stories, readers witness Nūbē’s deep bonds with his students, their personal growth, and moments of both laughter and tears. Some former enemies even become allies, and certain arcs delve into the emotional lives and moral struggles of both humans and yokai. A hallmark title of Weekly Shonen Jump in the 1990s, Hell Teacher Nūbē was also adapted into an anime series and feature films, securing its place as a beloved school ghost-story hero manga.