Best Ongoing Manga Series Recommendations (Page 2)

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.

Shinichi Ishizuka

Drama, Music & Idol, Ongoing Series, Seinen

Blue Giant follows the journey of Dai Miyamoto, a young man whose life is forever changed when he discovers jazz. Captivated by the sound of the saxophone during high school, Dai becomes fiercely determined to express his deepest emotions through music. Completely self-taught, Dai dedicates himself to mastering the saxophone, passionately practicing alone and relentlessly pursuing his own unique sound—even without a mentor or fellow musicians to guide him. Eventually, Dai moves to Tokyo, where he encounters like-minded musicians, forming a band that pushes each member to their limits. Together, they navigate the demanding world of jazz clubs, music festivals, and live performances, steadily earning recognition for their raw talent and burning passion. Blue Giant captures not only the thrilling essence of live jazz performances but also the struggles, growth, and friendships forged through the pursuit of dreams. Readers are drawn deeply into Dai’s heartfelt journey, experiencing every triumph and challenge alongside him. A powerful and inspiring portrayal of passion, dedication, and musical expression—this manga truly resonates with anyone who has ever chased a dream.

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.

Hachi Nishika

Drama, Ongoing Series, Romance, Seinen, historical

In the spring of 1936 (Showa 11), 20-year-old Natsumi Sekiya is suddenly informed by her father that her marriage has been arranged. She accepts an engagement with Takimasa Ebata, a lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Navy. However, on her wedding day, Takimasa is absent due to naval training, and Natsumi ends up having her wedding ceremony with just a photograph of him. When Takimasa finally returns after his military exercises, their first meeting is awkward. Despite feeling unsure about her quiet, reserved husband, Natsumi earnestly strives to support him as a wife. Neither experienced in household chores nor familiar with married life, the couple gradually grows closer, navigating their awkwardness and building trust. Due to Takimasa’s frequent long-term deployments at sea, Natsumi feels lonely but communicates her feelings through letters, strengthening their bond with every reunion. Amid occasional misunderstandings, jealousy, and interactions with family and friends, the two steadily mature as a couple. Set against the backdrop of pre-war Japan, this gentle, warm-hearted story portrays the pure and slightly frustrating romance of a newlywed couple, capturing their everyday life as softly as the ocean breeze.

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.

Harold Sakuishi

Music & Idol, Ongoing Series, School, Seinen

"THE BAND" is a coming-of-age music manga centered around Yuhei Araki, a middle school student struggling with bullying. Yuhei finds solace and hope through music when attending a live concert with his mother, where he meets and quickly befriends Shintaro "Mataro" Ibata, a transfer student who shares his passion. Unfortunately, after just a year and a half, Mataro transfers away, leaving Yuhei feeling isolated once again. Bullying continues into Yuhei's middle school years, accompanied by other hardships like truancy and family tragedy. However, Yuhei’s life takes a major turn when he inherits a crescent-shaped guitar—a Kawai Moonsault—from his uncle, and reunites with Mataro. Together, they form an impromptu band in Nagoya’s lively Osu Kannon shopping street. Through music, Yuhei begins confronting his personal struggles, deepening friendships, and connecting with new bandmates. This story illustrates how music can break through isolation and darkness, highlighting the powerful growth and bonds of friendship among the young band members.

Yugo Kobayashi

Anime Adaptation, Ongoing Series, Shonen, Sports

Aoashi is a highly acclaimed soccer manga that follows Ashito Aoi, a passionate middle schooler from Ehime Prefecture. After a violent outburst in his final junior high match costs his team the game, Ashito falls into despair—until he crosses paths with Tatsuya Fukuda, a former midfielder for the Japan national team. Noticing Ashito’s rare ability to see the entire field from a bird’s-eye perspective, Fukuda invites him to try out for the youth team of Tokyo City Esperion FC, a prestigious J.League academy. Ashito moves to Tokyo and enters the fiercely competitive world of youth soccer, where top talents from across the country gather. Despite struggling with his lack of basic skills and tactical knowledge, he gradually grows through relentless effort, unwavering passion, and the support of his teammates and coaches. Eventually, Ashito shifts from forward to full-back, using his field vision as a unique weapon in pursuit of his ultimate dream: becoming a player who can compete on the world stage.

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?”

Mitsuru Adachi

Ongoing Series, School, Shonen, Strategy & Board Games

Ryuu to Ichigo is a coming-of-age story that follows Ichigo Aida, a middle school girl suffocating in her everyday life, who stumbles upon the world of shogi (Japanese chess) and unleashes her innate talent and pure fighting spirit. Despite being a complete beginner, Ichigo goes toe-to-toe with elite players and boldly challenges the male-dominated world of professional shogi—where no female professionals exist in real life. Unbound by traditional strategies or conventions, Ichigo is driven solely by her instinctual desire to win. Her eccentric personality, combined with the intense matches against powerful opponents, forms the heart of her journey. This is a story of a girl who once had no dreams or self-confidence, now carving out a path through shogi—facing every challenge head-on and growing stronger with every match.

Gosho Aoyama

Anime Adaptation, Mystery, Ongoing Series, Romance, Shonen

Detective Conan follows the story of Shinichi Kudo, a brilliant high school detective who witnesses a secret deal involving a mysterious organization known as the "Black Organization." Captured and forced to ingest a poison, his body shrinks, transforming him into a child. To hide his identity, Shinichi adopts the alias "Conan Edogawa" and lives with his childhood friend Ran Mori and her father, detective Kogoro Mori, all while solving complex criminal cases using his extraordinary deduction skills. As Conan seeks a way to return to his original body and uncover the true nature of the Black Organization, he faces numerous dangerous plots with help from allies and informants. The storyline skillfully intertwines everyday crime-solving, intense confrontations with the organization, and Conan’s bittersweet relationship with Ran. With characters who know Conan’s true identity and others like Ai Haibara, who also escaped the organization's grip, Detective Conan delivers suspense, deep human drama, and intricate mysteries in a long-running detective series beloved around the world.

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.

Author: Kappy (original story) Artist: Masaki Tsuzuki

Cyberpunk, Drama, Ongoing Series, Sci-Fi, Shonen

Otona Taisen begins with the protagonist, Yutaro Urashima, a young man who once pledged to live by his self-imposed “Adult Constitution” in pursuit of becoming an ideal adult. However, after a sudden accident, Yutaro falls into a coma and awakens 15 years later at the age of 30. To his shock, the world he wakes up to has drastically changed—his once-personal ideals of being a “proper adult” have been adopted as universal societal rules. The world has become a hierarchical surveillance society, where every individual's actions are constantly monitored, evaluated, and scored. These scores determine one’s social status, rights, and privileges. In this dystopian system, Yutaro finds himself at odds with the very philosophy he once championed. He must now navigate the tension between righteousness and freedom, and fight for survival in a world that rigidly enforces moral correctness. What unfolds is a compelling and dynamic drama about adulthood, social control, and the struggle to reclaim one’s own beliefs in a society obsessed with perfection.

Kiko Urino

Drama, Ongoing Series, School, Shonen

Alice, Doko Made mo is a coming-of-age drama that follows Asahida Alice, a girl struggling with language barriers and loneliness, as she sets her sights on becoming Japan’s first female spaceship captain. Although Alice is beautiful and seemingly popular, she carries a deep inner struggle. Raised in a bilingual household, she was taught both Japanese and English from a young age. However, after losing her parents, she was left with an incomplete grasp of either language—making her a “semi-lingual.” This leaves her unable to fully understand her lessons or communicate effectively, leading to a sense of isolation and frustration. Labeled cruel names like “idiot” or “baby” by her peers, Alice begins to lose confidence in her abilities and future. But everything changes when she meets Inuboshi Rui, a brilliant and enigmatic boy who sees her hidden potential. Declaring, “I’ll make you smart,” Inuboshi becomes her mentor and partner, sparking Alice’s determination to pursue her dream of becoming an astronaut. With the support of Inuboshi, her best friend Minato, and her caring teacher Ms. Saeki, Alice embarks on a path of hard work, resilience, and self-discovery—reaching ever closer to the stars.

Yūgo Kobayashi

Cooking & Food, Drama, Ongoing Series, Shonen

Fermat no Ryouri (Fermat's Cooking) follows the story of Gaku Kitada, a high school student who once aspired to be a mathematician. After failing at the Math Olympiad trials and nearly giving up his dream, Gaku meets Kai Asakura, a genius chef who introduces him to the culinary world. Utilizing his mathematical mind to meticulously reverse-engineer dishes, Gaku astonishes those around him and steadily rises from apprentice to master chef. Blending mathematical logic with culinary creativity, he develops his unique cooking philosophy while tackling numerous challenges alongside his friends. Centered around the unconventional combination of math and cooking, the story is a heartfelt youth drama portraying hard work, friendship, and personal growth. The manga was adapted into a TV drama in 2023, with an anime series planned for release starting in 2025.

Yōbundō Kawano

Drama, Ongoing Series, Seinen, Slice of Life

Shima-san is a heartwarming human drama set in a late-night convenience store called Better Days. The story revolves around Shima, an elderly, veteran clerk who is gentle, kind, and carries a mysterious past—evidenced by the tattoo on his back. Despite his enigmatic history, Shima approaches everyone with sincerity and warmth, whether they're new employees like the inexperienced Koseki, regular customers, or troubled youth who frequent the store. While initially appearing somewhat unassuming, Shima's calm demeanor and perceptive insights consistently help those around him, earning their trust and respect. Each chapter is a self-contained story, gradually revealing bits of Shima's past and philosophy on life. Through simple yet meaningful daily events, Shima-san gently explores themes of human kindness and the essence of living a meaningful life.

Satomi U

Comedy, Ecchi, Music & Idol, Ongoing Series, Seinen

Heisei Haizanhei Sumire-chan is a comedy manga about Sumire Tojo, a former idol group leader whose dreams of stardom failed during the Heisei era. Now, in the Reiwa era, she’s a 31-year-old unemployed woman who spends her days indulging in alcohol, cigarettes, and pachinko. Her cousin, Yusei, a high school student, sees potential in her wasted beauty and proposes they create a cosplay gravure photobook for sale at doujinshi events, as a way for her to make a comeback. Reluctantly, Sumire dives into cosplay photo sessions, doujin events, and other unconventional projects. Despite facing the harsh realities and setbacks of showbiz, continuous failures, and mounting debt, she perseveres in her quest for redemption in the new era. The manga humorously depicts the stark contrast between Sumire’s striking beauty and her messy, self-destructive lifestyle, complete with playful jokes and adult humor, portraying the amusing struggles of an almost-30 woman determined to reclaim her place in the spotlight.

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.

Shinobu Kaitani (Art), Takeshi Natsuhara (Original Concept)

Drama, Ongoing Series, Seinen

Kamo no Negi ni wa Doku ga Aru is an economic entertainment manga featuring Yohei Kamo, a genius economist. Professor Kamo is renowned worldwide for his revolutionary "Kamolism Economic Theory." Discontent with a society that exploits economically vulnerable individuals ("ducks" or easy targets), he actively applies his theory to fight con artists and unethical businesses. The story begins when university student Misaki Natori faces financial troubles. Professor Kamo, disguised as a homeless man under the guise of "fieldwork," meets Misaki and discovers that her family has been deceived by a malicious investment fund. Utilizing his economic expertise and personal resources, Kamo skillfully dismantles the fraudulent group and rescues Misaki's family. Throughout the series, Professor Kamo confronts various exploitative schemes prevalent in modern society, including pyramid schemes, elder exploitation businesses, university corruption, and unethical consultants preying on rural revitalization efforts. With the assistance of his student apprentices, he boldly tackles these societal injustices using his economic knowledge and decisive actions. This manga effectively teaches readers about economics through engaging explanations, fast-paced storytelling, and distinctive characters. It seamlessly blends the satisfying simplicity of good triumphing over evil with insightful critiques of real-world economic issues.