Best Crime Manga Recommendations

Hiroyuki Nishimori

Comedy, Completed Series, Crime, Drama, School, Slice of Life

Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! is a Yankee (delinquent) comedy manga by Hiroyuki Nishimori. The story centers around Takashi Mitsuhashi and Shinji Ito, two students who coincidentally decide to debut as delinquents upon transferring to a new high school. Using their quick wits and fighting prowess, the duo navigates conflicts with rival schools, forms unlikely friendships, and deals with teenage romance dramas. Mitsuhashi is cunning and mischievous, known for his clever but sneaky tactics, while Ito is righteous, sincere, and impulsively honest. Despite their contrasting personalities, the pair form a tight-knit bond, supporting each other through numerous confrontations and comedic situations. This manga seamlessly blends humor and action, delivering an energetic portrayal of high school delinquent culture of the Showa era, filled with hilarious moments and youthful vigor.

Taashi

Crime, Ongoing Series, Seinen

"Donketsu" is an authentic Yakuza manga set in Kokura, Kitakyushu. The protagonist, Masatoshi Sawada (nicknamed "Rokemasa"), belongs to the Kozuki-gumi of the Gachirin-kai syndicate. Rokemasa is infamous for a legendary incident that occurred 20 years ago when he fired a rocket launcher into a rival group's office. However, his reckless and violent behavior makes him an outcast within his own organization, still stuck at the lowest rank of the yakuza hierarchy even in his late 40s. Despite his rough reputation, Rokemasa uses his overwhelming strength and fearless attitude to stir up conflicts and trouble throughout Kitakyushu’s criminal underworld. Around him gathers a colorful cast of characters, including Tatsuo Uchimura, a young marijuana dealer, and various unique yakuza figures. The story is full of intense battles, humorous moments, and deeply emotional episodes. This manga vividly portrays Rokemasa's wild daily life, the younger generation inspired by him, and the authentic gangster culture of Kitakyushu, complete with local dialect and gritty realism. It seamlessly blends violence, comedy, and human drama into an unparalleled form of entertainment.

Ken Wakui

Completed Series, Crime, Seinen

Shinjuku Swan is an underground human drama that follows the rise of Tatsuhiko Shiratori, a 19-year-old man navigating the gritty streets of Tokyo’s infamous Kabukicho district as a “scout” for the adult entertainment industry. After moving to Tokyo and losing all his money—hitting rock bottom after a failed attempt at pachinko—Tatsuhiko is rescued by Makoto, a senior figure in the scouting company Burst. Taking up Makoto’s offer, Tatsuhiko steps into the world of street scouting, initially confused and hesitant about the nature of the job. However, he soon makes a firm decision to rise to the top, fighting alongside a cast of eccentric and ambitious coworkers. The scouting industry is a ruthless world ruled by money and violence. Tatsuhiko tries to survive by scouting women and earning referral fees, but he quickly finds himself entangled in turf wars, confrontations with yakuza, illegal drug deals, and betrayals by those he trusted. Amid the chaos and life-threatening situations, Tatsuhiko undergoes intense personal growth, experiencing deep emotional struggles and moral dilemmas in his journey to make it big.

Tohru Fujisawa

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Crime, Drama, Ecchi, School, Shonen

GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka) is a school comedy and human drama manga starring Eikichi Onizuka, a 27-year-old former biker gang member with an unconventional personality. Onizuka sets out to become the “Greatest Teacher of All Time” and takes a teaching job at the prestigious Holy Forest Academy Middle School. He is assigned to Class 2-4, a group of deeply troubled students who have lost all trust in adults due to trauma and family issues. From the moment he arrives, Onizuka faces relentless harassment and challenges from his students. However, armed with outrageous methods, unshakable passion, and an unwavering determination to connect with his students—even at the risk of his own life—he gradually begins to break down their emotional barriers. What sets Onizuka apart is his ability to confront not only the students but also their parents and authoritarian school staff without imposing his values. Whether through wild antics or heartfelt conversations, he deals with each person individually. His unorthodox yet sincere teaching style helps the students confront their pain and weaknesses, ultimately transforming the classroom dynamic and each student’s emotional growth. The story masterfully blends slapstick humor, delinquent antics, and raw emotional depth. Through Onizuka’s “un-teacherly” methods, GTO explores themes of trust, redemption, and growth between adults and youths—earning it a lasting place in the hearts of readers as a bold and emotionally resonant coming-of-age manga.

Tennoji Dai (Story), Watanabe Michio (Art)

Crime, Seinen

Hakuryu centers around Tatsuya Shirakawa—known as "Hakuryu" (White Dragon)—the ambitious and intelligent young second-in-command of the Kurosu-gumi, a yakuza group based in Shibuya. Originally a small-scale criminal organization, the Kurosu-gumi rapidly expands its influence under Hakuryu’s exceptional intellect and strategic prowess, eventually extending its power into major metropolitan areas such as Roppongi. Acting as a surrogate leader for the aging boss Kansuke Kurosu, Hakuryu skillfully navigates intricate power struggles, gang rivalries, and delicate negotiations with the police and other crime syndicates. The narrative weaves together various modern societal issues—from pharmaceutical company scandals and corrupt martial arts organizations to nuclear-industry manipulation and baseball gambling—to depict how the Kurosu-gumi generates revenue and sustains itself. Central to the story are Hakuryu’s calm, calculated decisions, his foresight, and the deep loyalty and bonds he shares with his fellow gang members. The manga also depicts intense conflicts with the Oudo-kai, Kanto's largest organized crime syndicate. With its realistic portrayal of yakuza life and sharp commentary on contemporary social problems, Hakuryu delivers a gritty, compelling, and thought-provoking story.

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.

Toshio Ozawa

Completed Series, Crime, School, Shonen

The protagonist of Nanba MG5, Tsuyoshi Nanba, was the ultimate delinquent during his middle school days, leading 14 other schools. However, tired of constantly fighting and longing for an ordinary life, Tsuyoshi decides to enroll at Shirayuri High School, an academically-focused institution. Successfully admitted, he finally sees a chance for the peaceful life he's always wanted. But there’s one problem: Tsuyoshi comes from a hardcore delinquent family. His older brother once conquered the entire Kanto region as a delinquent, and his parents and younger sister are equally notorious. They fully expect Tsuyoshi to follow in their footsteps and conquer the entire nation as a high school delinquent. Unable to reveal to his family that he’s chosen a "normal" path, Tsuyoshi deceives them, claiming he enrolled in Ichimatsu High, the infamous delinquent school located next to Shirayuri High. Every day, Tsuyoshi leaves home dressed in his distinctive gang uniform (tokkoufuku), only to quickly change clothes and hairstyles in a nearby restroom before heading into his real school, Shirayuri. Due to the proximity of the schools, Shirayuri students often find themselves targeted by Ichimatsu’s delinquents. Tsuyoshi, driven by his strong sense of justice, secretly switches back to his gang attire to rescue his classmates, gradually making a legendary reputation for himself among Ichimatsu students and throughout the region. Keeping his dual identity hidden from both his family and classmates, Tsuyoshi leads a double life filled with challenges. Throughout various conflicts and incidents, themes of friendship, love, and family bonds unfold, driving an engaging narrative. This summarizes the essence of the manga series Nanba MG5 and its sequel, Nanba Dead End.

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.

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.

Hajime Inoryu (Story), Chishio Seo (Art)

Crime, School, Seinen

Spica: Crime and Punishment is a suspense manga centered around Spica, a high school girl who can perceive people's sins and inner darkness simply by touching them. Driven by this ability, Spica personally punishes wrongdoers who cannot be brought to justice through conventional laws. The story also explores her complicated relationship with Hatori, a high school teacher inadvertently drawn into her dangerous actions. As the narrative unfolds, the dark and intense reasons behind Spica's vigilantism—her troubled past and hidden motivations—are gradually revealed, creating a gripping and suspenseful story.