Best Ongoing Manga Series Recommendations (Page 3)

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.

NUMBER8,Ryohei Masuko

Adventure, Drama, Ongoing Series, School, Shonen

Strand is set in modern-day Japan, where an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack disables all electronic devices and plunges civilization into collapse. The story follows four high school students as they struggle to survive in this extreme scenario. Susumu Manaka, Kanata Asahina, Keinosuke Shirane, and Kokoro Narusawa—second-year students from Gifu Prefecture—are on a school trip to Tokyo when they suddenly encounter the “Silent Disaster”: the Shinkansen and all electronic devices abruptly stop functioning. With smartphones, transportation, and infrastructure paralyzed, panic and violence erupt throughout the city. The four must cooperate to survive and find a way back home to their families, facing countless crises along the way. They contend with resource shortages in a society without functioning machines or infrastructure, stumble upon plane crash sites, and risk their lives in deadly confrontations with delinquent gangs and organized crime groups. Amid these life-or-death struggles, their relationships constantly shift—shaped by their personalities, inner conflicts, and the courage they find in moments of crisis. Strand delivers a gripping tale of survival, human bonds, and resilience in a world stripped of modern technology.

Hirai Ohashi

Ongoing Series, School, Shonen, Sports

The Days of Diamond follows Jiro Ayasegawa, an exceptionally talented fifth grader whose incredible baseball abilities inadvertently isolate him from his peers. Struggling with loneliness due to the overwhelming impact of his talent, Jiro joins the youth baseball team, Adachi Bambies, hoping to find friendship and acceptance. As Jiro forms deeper bonds with his teammates, his extraordinary skills once again create friction, forcing him to confront the double-edged nature of his gift. Torn between the joys and burdens of talent, Jiro navigates the challenging dynamics of friendship, teamwork, and personal identity. A heartfelt sports drama exploring the complexity of giftedness, The Days of Diamond beautifully illustrates the triumphs and trials faced by a young prodigy on and off the baseball field.

Sho Aimoto

Action, Horror, Ongoing Series, Shonen

Thirteen-year-old Kabane lives with his uncle’s family, who run a rural inn, but has been shunned by those around him since childhood and called “Dorotabou.” One day, a series of mysterious livestock deaths occur in the village, prompting detective Inugami, a specialist in supernatural phenomena, to visit from Tokyo to investigate. Inugami quickly realizes that Kabane is a half-human, half-ghoul (Kūler) hybrid, and rescues him, taking him to his detective agency in Tokyo. At Inugami’s agency, Kabane meets other half-monster youths, including Shiki, who has spider blood, and Akira, a snow boy (yuki-onoko). Together, they become embroiled in a conflict over the “Kesshiki,” a stone created to maintain the balance of the monster world. As they face powerful monsters and clash with Inari’s faction of fox spirits, who seek the Kesshiki, Kabane and his friends confront mysteries surrounding their pasts and families, overcoming various supernatural incidents while searching for their own identities and purpose. Eventually, a large-scale battle involving monsters and a world-shaking conspiracy unfolds. With their own hopes in their hearts, Kabane and his friends fight for a future where monsters and humans can coexist.

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.

Taishi Mori

Drama, Ongoing Series, Romance, Shonen

Asoko de Hataraku Musubu-san is a pure-hearted office romantic comedy set in Shonan Rubber Industries Co., Ltd., a company that manufactures condoms. The protagonist, Gorō Sagami, is a timid yet earnest young sales representative. The woman he secretly admires is Yui “Musubu” Kondō, a science-minded researcher in the development department. Musubu-san devotes herself wholeheartedly to researching and developing condoms, taking great pride in her work, yet she has zero experience in romance. Sagami, too, is shy and reserved, so their relationship progresses at an excruciatingly slow pace—“just 0.01mm at a time.” Through his work, Sagami tries to get closer to her, but given the nature of the company’s product, he often finds himself flustered, battling awkward thoughts, or even being asked for his honest opinions on the product’s feel. Though their mutual attraction is obvious to everyone around them, their pure feelings often lead to clumsy misunderstandings. Business trips and workplace incidents gradually bring them closer, as they carefully nurture their budding romance. The manga also offers a unique peek into the world of product development and the condom industry. Blending workplace romance with the unusual profession of “condom research,” the story warmly depicts everyday life and charming romantic moments. Musubu-san’s innocence and sincerity, paired with Sagami’s earnest kindness, make this an ideal read for fans of wholesome love stories.

Story by Yajin, Art by Takahito Kobayashi

Adventure, Isekai, Ongoing Series, Psychological, Shonen

Karate Survivor in Another World follows Hitoshi Nozaki, a 34-year-old karateka nicknamed “Yajin” (“wild man”) for his rugged appearance and unusual name. After sacrificing his life to save some students, he dies in an accident—only to be whimsically reincarnated by a god into another world, stark naked. In this new world, he is given no magic, no special powers, no “cheat” abilities—only his karate skills, modern survival knowledge, and his own body. Fighting for his life against goblins and hobgoblins, he gradually learns how to secure food, shelter, and the means to survive. As he joins adventurer parties, clashes with villagers and nobles, and faces colossal monsters, Nozaki steadily earns a reputation as “The Wild Man.” Each battle, each decision to help his comrades, reinforces his identity as a lone yet dependable fighter. Along the way, he forges new bonds, endures solitude, and continues his journey in search of a true place to belong. Blending gritty realism with the tropes of isekai, Karate Survivor in Another World is a survival-driven reincarnation fantasy that highlights resilience, raw combat, and the struggle for meaning in a hostile new world.

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.

Takahiro Katō

Action, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

Psycho Eyes is a supernatural suspense and police action manga starring Kei Watanabe, a young man with a unique ability known as “Psycho Eyes”—the power to see the “bonds” between people as colored threads. Because of this ability, Kei has always been overwhelmed by social interactions and eventually shut himself away from the world. His life changes when he meets Zen Mutou, a police officer with hidden powers of his own, and Zen’s younger sister, Kanade. Kei is reluctantly recruited to assist “Marume,” a special police task force composed entirely of ability users. Together with his new team, Kei faces off against “The World’s Eye,” a criminal organization seeking to exploit Psycho Eyes abilities for their own ends. Along the way, he must confront betrayal within the police force, unravel difficult cases, and learn to accept both his power and himself. The story blends intense battles between ability users, suspenseful investigations, moments of emotional connection with comrades, Kei’s personal growth, and the resolution of family conflicts. The series introduces a wide range of unique powers beyond just seeing bonds—such as memory manipulation, emotional control, and causality distortion—wielded by both allies and enemies. At its heart, Psycho Eyes is a gripping mix of supernatural thriller, police drama, and human story, exploring what it means to find one’s place in society while carrying extraordinary powers.

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.

(Story)Suzukinoki Kuro,(Art)Mujii Imai

Adventure, Comedy, Isekai, Ongoing Series, Romance, Shonen

I Won 4 Billion in the Lottery But I Went to Another World is an isekai fantasy manga that begins when the dull, ordinary office worker Kazura Yamaguchi suddenly wins 4 billion yen in the lottery. Soon after claiming his winnings, Kazura discovers a mysterious door inside his family’s storage shed—one that leads to another world. On the other side lies a medieval-like land, where villages suffer from famine and poverty. Determined to use his newfound wealth and modern-day knowledge to help, Kazura begins introducing infrastructure, medical care, and agricultural improvements to transform the lives of the people there. Although the villagers are initially confused by his strange tools and ideas, they gradually come to trust and admire Kazura as his good intentions and cutting-edge supplies bring real change. Along the way, he builds relationships with lords, nobles, and beautiful women, while also getting caught up in conspiracies and unexpected conflicts. Blending wealth × isekai × modern knowledge, the story highlights a down-to-earth protagonist who uses money and compassion to reshape another world. With touches of light romance and heartwarming daily life, it’s a unique “isekai reform” tale where modern Japan and fantasy adventure intersect.