Best Shonen Manga Recommendations

Eiichiro Oda

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

"I'm going to become the King of the Pirates!" In the Great Pirate Era, countless pirates set sail for the Grand Line in pursuit of the ultimate treasure—the One Piece—a legendary hoard said to grant unimaginable wealth, fame, and power. Among them is a boy with a straw hat, Monkey D. Luffy, who gains extraordinary abilities after eating a mysterious Devil Fruit, turning his body into rubber. Alongside his trusted crewmates like Zoro, Nami, and many more, Luffy sets out on a journey across the seas—chasing dreams, forging bonds, and facing powerful foes. With its vast world, unforgettable characters, epic battles, and emotional depth, ONE PIECE is a grand pirate adventure where justice is never black and white, and the spirit of freedom sails above all.

Yukinobu Tatsu

Action, Anime Adaptation, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Shonen

Ken Takakura, a high school boy nicknamed Okarun, firmly believes in aliens but scoffs at ghosts. Momo Ayase, a girl with strong spiritual powers, believes in the supernatural—but thinks UFOs and aliens are nonsense. One day, a strange bet leads them to confront the real versions of what they each believe in… and chaos explodes. Abductions by aliens, hauntings by evil spirits, life-threatening curses—suddenly, their ordinary school lives spiral into a whirlwind of the paranormal and the absurd! After gaining mysterious powers, Ken and Momo find themselves in one outrageous battle after another, teaming up with quirky allies to face bizarre and terrifying threats. Hilarious, heart-racing, and even a little romantic—Dandadan is a supernatural sci-fi battle comedy that smashes the boundaries between ghosts and aliens in the wildest ways imaginable.

Hiromu Arakawa

Action, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Fantasy, Shonen

Set in a world where alchemy is a highly developed science, two brothers—Edward and Alphonse Elric—commit the ultimate taboo: attempting to bring their mother back to life. As a result of this forbidden act, Edward loses part of his body, and Alphonse loses his entire physical form. In their search for a way to restore what was lost, the brothers become State Alchemists and embark on a journey. But this journey is more than just an adventure—it leads them into the depths of government conspiracy, the weight of past sins, and a fundamental question: What does it truly mean to live? With its rich storytelling, intricate world-building, and the unbreakable bond between brothers, Fullmetal Alchemist remains a masterpiece that resonates deeply with readers around the world.

Hajime Isayama

Action, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Mythology, Shonen

Humanity teeters on the brink of extinction at the hands of monstrous beings known as Titans. What remains of civilization survives within massive walled cities, living in constant fear of the world beyond. But one boy, Eren Yeager, refuses to accept this caged existence. Driven by a longing for freedom, he joins the fight against the Titans alongside his closest friends. As the battle intensifies, shocking truths begin to unravel—what are the Titans? Who created them, and why? Beneath the chaos lies a web of mysteries that challenge everything humanity thought it knew. A masterful dark fantasy filled with suspense, revelation, and relentless intensity—Attack on Titan grips readers with its haunting vision of survival and freedom.

Masashi Kishimoto

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

"One day, I’m going to become Hokage—just you watch!" Set in a world of ninja, Naruto follows Naruto Uzumaki, a misfit ninja boy shunned by his village and forced to live in isolation. The reason? A powerful beast known as the Nine-Tailed Fox is sealed within him. Despite the loneliness, Naruto never gives up. With his boundless energy, infectious optimism, and unbreakable spirit, he trains hard to achieve his ultimate dream—to become Hokage, the greatest ninja and leader of his village. As he grows stronger, Naruto forms unshakable bonds, faces heartbreaking farewells, battles powerful enemies, and slowly uncovers the truth of his destiny. A powerful tale of growth, friendship, and determination, Naruto is a ninja saga that touches the heart and inspires the soul.

Akira Toriyama

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

The Dragon Balls—mystical orbs that, when all seven are gathered, can grant any one wish. Raised in the mountains, a boy named Goku possesses incredible strength and an innocent heart. His life changes when he meets a curious and adventurous girl named Bulma, and together they set off on a quest to find the Dragon Balls. Along the way, Goku makes new friends like Yamcha and Krillin, and takes on powerful foes, growing stronger with every challenge. Filled with thrilling battles, wild adventures, heartwarming moments, and plenty of laughs, Dragon Ball is the classic action-packed journey that defined an entire generation of shonen manga.

Gege Akutami

Action, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Fantasy, Shonen

Curses—malevolent spirits born from negative human emotions like anger, hatred, and fear—lurk unseen in modern society, bringing misfortune and death. Yuji Itadori, a high schooler with extraordinary physical abilities, finds himself thrust into the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after consuming a cursed object—the finger of Ryomen Sukuna, the most powerful Curse in history. To survive, he must learn to battle these deadly forces. At his side stands Satoru Gojo, the strongest sorcerer alive—a mysterious and overwhelmingly powerful mentor who reshapes Yuji’s fate. “To make sure the death of those we care about isn’t meaningless…” As Yuji faces Curses alongside his allies, he’s forced to confront the nature of life, death, and what it truly means to be “right.” A bold, stylish, and unrelenting dark fantasy—Jujutsu Kaisen marks a new era in supernatural battle manga.

Takehiko Inoue

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Shonen, Sports

Hanamichi Sakuragi is a delinquent with a bad attitude and zero basketball experience. But after a twist of fate—and an attempt to impress a girl—he finds himself joining his high school’s basketball team. Clueless about the rules but blessed with raw athletic talent and incredible potential, Hanamichi begins to grow—not just as a player, but as a teammate. What starts as a shallow motive transforms into a burning passion for the game. Through fierce rivalries, deepening friendships, and the hunger to win, Hanamichi discovers what it truly means to give your all. “Youth can burn this bright.” A legendary sports manga that captures the thrill of competition and the beauty of chasing a dream—Slam Dunk is a powerful reminder of what it means to be passionate about something.

Yoshihiro Togashi

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

Living peacefully on Whale Island, young Gon Freecss learns that his father, Ging, who left him behind as a child, is actually one of the world's greatest "Hunters"—elite adventurers who track treasures, creatures, and mysteries beyond imagination. Determined to find his father and become a Hunter himself, Gon embarks on a journey to face the brutal Hunter Exam. Along the way, he befriends unforgettable companions: revenge-driven Kurapika, aspiring doctor Leorio, and Killua, a child prodigy from a notorious assassin family. Together, they confront formidable enemies, master the mysterious power of "Nen," and navigate mind-bending psychological battles in an unpredictable world brimming with extraordinary creatures, hidden dangers, and immense mysteries. Can Gon overcome intense battles, forge unbreakable bonds, and fulfill his dream of becoming a true Hunter? With expansive world-building, memorable characters, and intricately woven storylines, Hunter × Hunter stands as a legendary adventure filled with action, friendship, and the endless pursuit of discovery!

Amyu

Drama, Music & Idol, School, Shonen

Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life is a heartfelt coming-of-age drama centered around the struggling Koto Club at Tokise High School. Club president Takezo Kurata finds himself alone after the graduation of his seniors, leaving the club on the brink of being disbanded. Just as he's about to lose hope, new members join—Chika Kudo, a rumored delinquent, Satowa Hozuki, the daughter of a renowned koto school, and Chika's lively group of friends—giving the club a second chance. Despite being beginners or labeled troublemakers, these diverse club members face numerous conflicts and setbacks. Through mutual support and intense practice, they grow both as individuals and as a team. After a moving performance in front of the entire student body that ensures their survival as a club, they set their sights on qualifying for the national competition. Along the way, they encounter challenges both musical and personal, but their passion for music and the deep bonds of friendship guide them forward. Using the koto—a traditional Japanese musical instrument—as its focal point, this series beautifully portrays themes of friendship, romance, perseverance, and personal growth, capturing the essence of youth in an emotionally resonant school-life story.

Fuse (Story), Taiki Kawakami (Art), Mitz Vah (Character Design)

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

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime follows the story of Satoru Mikami, an ordinary office worker who unexpectedly meets his end and is reborn in another world—as a slime. Equipped with unique abilities in his new slime form, he gathers allies, builds a nation, and strives alongside monsters to create a peaceful world. It’s a fantasy tale that highlights friendship, growth, and adventure.

Riichiro Inagaki (Story), Boichi (Art)

Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, School, Sci-Fi, Shonen

Dr.STONE is a survival science adventure manga set in a world where a mysterious light envelops the Earth, turning all of humanity to stone. The story follows Senku Ishigami, a genius high school student, who awakens from petrification 3,700 years later. Faced with a world reverted to the Stone Age, Senku resolves to rebuild civilization from scratch. With the help of his best friend Taiju and other revived allies, Senku uses the power of science as his only weapon to establish the “Kingdom of Science.” To revive humanity and restore the modern world, he recreates various technologies—from gunpowder and glass to electricity and navigation—based on real-world scientific principles.

Yura Urushibara

Action, Anime Adaptation, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

Tougen Anki is a dark hero action manga set in modern-day Japan, depicting an intense conflict between the descendants of demons ("Oni") and those of the legendary hero Momotaro. Shiki Ichinose, an ordinary high school student, is suddenly attacked by a mysterious group called the "Momotaro Organization" and learns he carries Oni blood. After his foster father is murdered by the Momotaro side, Shiki enrolls at Rasetsu Academy, a school exclusively for Oni descendants, seeking revenge and the truth behind his past. There, he undergoes brutal training and trials alongside newfound comrades. Many Oni characters carry deep scars, having lost family or friends to the Momotaro Organization, and each battles their heavy past and trauma while caught up in this ancient, ongoing war. As Shiki confronts the powerful Oni force dormant within himself, he works together with his friends to combat the threat posed by the Momotaro Organization, gradually uncovering both his destiny and the hidden truth of their world.

Takeru Hokazono

Action, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

In a world where swords possess mysterious cursed powers, young swordsmith Chihiro Rokuhira inherits Enten, a legendary blade forged by his father. Driven by vengeance and duty, Chihiro dives headfirst into a ruthless war hidden within the shadows. Facing powerful foes, unraveling the dark secrets within his cursed sword, and confronting painful memories of his past, Chihiro’s journey leads him deeper into a sinister world of sorcery and bloodshed. Blending fierce, elegant swordplay with intense supernatural battles, Kagurabachi follows Chihiro’s relentless quest for truth amidst curses, betrayal, and destiny. A new-generation supernatural action manga filled with breathtaking combat, dark mystery, and an unfolding tale of vengeance and revelation!

Ayaka Katayama

Action, Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Sci-Fi, Shonen

Fungus and Iron is a sci-fi manga set in a dystopian near-future world dominated by fungi (mushrooms) that have parasitically taken control of human brains. These fungi strip humans of their free will and independent thought, enforcing an absolute authoritarian regime. Within this oppressive society lives Dante, a young soldier and an outcast, uniquely able to retain his emotions and consciousness, unaffected by the fungal domination. Despite his peculiar condition—unable to read yet gifted with extraordinary physical abilities—Dante undertakes secret missions outside the controlled zones for the ruling government known as "Amigasa." During one such mission, he meets Aoi, a girl belonging to "Ether," a rebel organization seeking free thought and liberation from fungal control. Inspired by Aoi's words, Dante begins questioning the very structure of his world. Eventually, Dante endures torture designed to infect his brain with fungi, yet miraculously resists their control. Through this ordeal, he acquires a unique power combining iron and fungus, transforming him into an Ether warrior determined to challenge the oppressive regime. The manga unfolds with intense battles between fungal oppression and human resistance, intertwined with shocking revelations about the hidden truth of their world.

Story by Osamu Nishi, Art by Shiro Usazaki

Action, Adventure, Magic, Ongoing Series, Shonen

Ichi the Witch is a fantasy manga set in a world where only women can use magic, centering around a young boy named Ichi who lives alone in the mountains. Abandoned in the wilderness as a child, Ichi survives through hunting and gathering. One day, he encounters a powerful magical creature known as "King Uloro," and inexplicably acquires magical abilities, despite magic traditionally being limited to women. This extraordinary event makes Ichi the world's only male witch—known as the "Witch Man"—leading to his recruitment by the Witch Association to carry out dangerous "Magic Hunts." Together with his companions, the witch Deskaras and the chronicler Kumugi, Ichi confronts various magical threats, including cataclysmic entities known as "Anti-World Magic," capable of humanity’s destruction. This manga offers an innovative take on magic and adventure, depicting an unconventional journey that defies all established norms.

Tsugumi Ohba (Story), Takeshi Obata (Art)

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Drama, Shonen, Slice of Life

Bakuman. is a coming-of-age success story that follows the journey of two middle school students—Moritaka Mashiro, a talented artist, and Akito Takagi, a gifted writer—as they team up with the shared goal of becoming successful manga creators in Weekly Shonen Jump. Initially, Mashiro had given up on his dreams after witnessing the tragic death of his uncle, a manga artist who died from overwork. However, Takagi's invitation reignites his passion, especially after making a promise with their classmate and aspiring voice actress Miho Azuki: if their manga ever gets adapted into an anime, they’ll get married. Together, Mashiro and Takagi face countless challenges—canceled series, creative slumps, intense competition with rival manga artists, and even health risks due to overwork. Despite these setbacks, their determination, passion for manga, and strong friendship push them forward. Bakuman. offers a raw and inspiring look into the manga industry, portraying the reality behind serialized publication while exploring the balance between dreams and reality, effort and talent. It’s a compelling and realistic depiction of the modern-day “way of the manga.”

Shueisha

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Drama, Shonen, Strategy & Board Games

Hikaru no Go is a coming-of-age manga that follows Hikaru Shindo, an ordinary sixth-grade boy whose life changes when he discovers an old Go board in his grandfather’s attic. Unbeknownst to him, the board is haunted by the spirit of Fujiwara no Sai, a genius Go player from the Heian period who is unable to pass on to the afterlife due to his obsession with achieving the divine move, known as the “Hand of God.” Sai begs Hikaru to let him play Go once more through him. Although Hikaru has no interest in the game at first, he reluctantly agrees. As he begins playing under Sai’s guidance, Hikaru becomes captivated by the depth and complexity of Go. His interest deepens when he meets Akira Toya, the son of Japan’s top professional Go player. In their first match, Hikaru, guided by Sai, defeats Akira with overwhelming skill. Shocked that someone his age could be so strong, Akira becomes determined to rival Hikaru. Motivated by this rivalry, Hikaru begins studying Go seriously and sets a personal goal: to one day challenge Akira with his own strength, not Sai’s. Hikaru eventually joins the Japan Go Association’s training program for young players, where he trains alongside other aspiring pros, including international talents. Through competition, setbacks, and growth, Hikaru matures both as a person and a player. The story emotionally portrays Hikaru’s journey as he develops bonds with Sai and Akira, overcomes inner struggles, and steadily strives toward mastering Go on his own—ultimately aiming to reach the elusive “Hand of God.” It’s a moving and inspiring tale about passion, rivalry, and self-discovery through the ancient game of Go.

Tatsuya Endo

Animals & Pets, Anime Adaptation, Drama, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

Loid Forger, a master spy known by the codename Twilight, is assigned a top-secret mission to maintain peace between East and West. His task: infiltrate an elite school by creating the perfect fake family. But the “family” he hastily assembles is anything but ordinary— His wife, Yor, is a deadly assassin hiding her identity. His adopted daughter, Anya, is a telepath who can read minds. And none of them know each other's true secrets. What begins as a fabricated life for the sake of a mission soon blossoms into something real. Through awkward dinners, chaotic school interviews, and secret missions, this mismatched trio discovers the meaning of love, family, and belonging. Action-packed, heartwarming, and laugh-out-loud funny— SPY×FAMILY is a feel-good home comedy where a spy, an assassin, and a psychic come together to form the most unlikely (and lovable) family.

Naoya Matsumoto

Action, Fantasy, Ongoing Series, Shonen

In a world where kaiju—giant monsters—regularly attack cities, Japan relies on an elite military force known as the Defense Force to protect its people. Kafka Hibino, a 32-year-old cleanup crew worker, once dreamed of joining the Defense Force and slaying kaiju himself. But life had other plans—his days are now spent disposing of monster corpses, far from the front lines. Everything changes when Kafka meets Reno Ichikawa, a passionate young recruit chasing the very dream Kafka gave up on. Inspired by Reno's drive, Kafka begins to rekindle his own lost ambition. But fate takes a shocking turn—Kafka is infected by a mysterious small kaiju, transforming him into a powerful human-kaiju hybrid: Kaiju No. 8. Now caught between two worlds, Kafka must confront both monstrous threats and his own past, fighting not just for survival—but for the dream he once abandoned. Kaiju No. 8 is the story of an adult who dares to rise again, battling between justice and monstrosity in a second chance at his destiny.