Manga Reviews & Recommendations (Page 4)

Miko Yasu

Comedy, Completed Series, Drama, Seinen, Slice of Life

Police in a Pod is a human comedy manga that follows the story of a rookie female police officer named Mai Kawai. The series begins just two weeks into her assignment at a local police box—known in Japan as a kōban—after graduating from the police academy with the naïve belief that becoming a cop would guarantee a stable life. However, the reality turns out to be far from what she imagined. Her daily routine is filled with exhausting tasks, harsh treatment from civilians, and unreasonable demands, leaving her physically and mentally drained. Feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of quitting, her life takes a turn when Seiko Fuji, a former ace detective who was “demoted” to kōban duty due to rumors of power harassment, suddenly appears as her new partner.

Negi Haruba

Completed Series, Harem, Romance, Shonen

The Quintessential Quintuplets is a romantic comedy manga centering around Fuutarou Uesugi, a top-performing yet financially struggling high school student. One day, he receives an offer for a highly-paid tutoring job. However, his students turn out to be his classmates—five beautiful identical quintuplets: Ichika, Nino, Miku, Yotsuba, and Itsuki Nakano. The quintuplets are all extremely poor students on the verge of failing, and initially, they are resistant and problematic. Yet, through sincere effort, Fuutarou gradually wins their trust. The story begins on Fuutarou's wedding day, creating an intriguing mystery: "Which of the quintuplets will he marry?" The narrative unfolds through flashbacks of their high school days, carefully illustrating each quintuplet's unique personality, individual struggles, family bonds, and deepening emotional connections with Fuutarou. Eventually, all five sisters develop romantic feelings for him, sparking a heartwarming yet dramatic romantic rivalry.

Mizuki Kawashita

Comedy, Completed Series, Ecchi, Harem, Romance

Strawberry 100% is a romantic comedy manga centered around Junpei Manaka, a junior high school third-year student who dreams of becoming a film director. The story begins dramatically when Junpei encounters a mysterious, beautiful girl wearing strawberry-patterned panties on the school rooftop after class. Instantly captivated by her, he uses a notebook she left behind as a clue to search for her identity. Soon, however, Junpei finds himself surrounded by multiple charming girls, creating complicated romantic entanglements. Initially believing the rooftop girl to be Tsukasa Nishino, the school's most popular girl, Junpei confesses and they begin dating. In reality, the girl he met on the rooftop is Aya Toujou, the owner of the notebook and someone who genuinely understands and supports his filmmaking dreams. Adding further complexity to Junpei’s high school life are other vibrant characters, including the energetic and assertive Satsuki Kitaoji and the uniquely charming Yui Minamito. Their interactions and budding romances paint Junpei’s youth in vivid colors.

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.

Masanao Kurihara

Completed Series, Crime, Drama, Ecchi, Seinen, Slice of Life

Uramiya Honpo is a suspense manga that follows a secret organization offering revenge-for-hire services, punishing wrongdoers and evildoers on behalf of clients consumed by hatred and resentment. The protagonist, Shiori Hojo (known as “Uramiya”), is a professional avenger who hands out a black business card that reads, “We will avenge your grudge.” Depending on the nature of each request, she and her team deliver punishment ranging from social ruin to outright elimination of the target. However, Uramiya operates under her own strict moral code—if a client’s grudge turns out to be unjustified or based on lies, the revenge is redirected toward the client instead. Each story features new cases where victims of injustice, betrayal, or violence seek salvation through Uramiya Honpo. The team skillfully executes elaborate traps and psychological schemes to exact revenge, exposing the dark corners of modern society. From family murders and insurance fraud to workplace betrayals, abuse, and bullying, every episode explores both the emotional scars of the victims and the cruelty of their oppressors. With cold precision and no compromise, Uramiya delivers judgment where the law cannot reach. A chilling and thought-provoking critique of modern morality, Uramiya Honpo reveals the “ordinary evil” lurking behind everyday life—making it one of Japan’s most gripping revenge dramas.

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.

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.

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.

Yutaka Tōdō (Manga), based on concept by Kenzaburō Akechi

Completed Series, Drama, Seinen, historical

The Man Who Killed Nobunaga: The Truth Behind the Honnoji Incident 431 Years Later is a historical manga that reexamines one of Japan’s greatest mysteries—the Honnoji Incident—through a bold and fresh perspective. Based on insights from a descendant of Akechi Mitsuhide, the manga challenges conventional history and shines a new light on the man long branded a traitor. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s suspiciously swift march toward Kyoto following Nobunaga’s assassination. It then travels back in time to depict the fateful first meeting between Mitsuhide and Oda Nobunaga, tracing the trust that developed between them. As Nobunaga pushes radical reforms, dreams of overseas conquest, and enforces a ruthless meritocracy, tensions within the Oda clan rise—setting the stage for a dramatic reckoning. Rather than portraying Mitsuhide’s betrayal as a petty act of revenge, the manga presents an alternative theory: that he acted out of a desire to stop Nobunaga’s descent into tyranny and to achieve lasting peace for Japan. This “new truth” turns the familiar narrative on its head. Alongside Mitsuhide and Nobunaga, powerful figures like Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi are drawn into a thrilling political web of ambition and strategy. The manga brings to life the untold stories, human drama, and conflicting ideals behind this pivotal event in Japanese history—offering a captivating reimagining of a man history may have misunderstood. This is not just a retelling, but a compelling historical mystery that may forever change how readers view Akechi Mitsuhide—and the true meaning behind the fall of Oda Nobunaga.

Mitsutoshi Simabukuro

Action, Comedy, Completed Series, School, Shonen

Seikimatsu Leader-den Takeshi! is a comedy and hot-blooded action manga starring Takeshi, a first-grade elementary school student with an absurd level of vitality and an unusually hairy body. Despite his age, Takeshi takes his late father Hiroshi’s dying words—"Become the greatest leader!"—to heart. With his unique sense of justice and unmatched energy, he solves problems in his class and community as a true “leader.” Set at Poppo Elementary School, the story follows Takeshi as he causes chaos and growth alongside a cast of quirky friends and rivals. As the series progresses, the scale expands beyond schoolyard antics to include rival leaders from other schools, delinquent gangs, and even demons from the underworld, all of whom are drawn into Takeshi’s wild adventures. While the early chapters focus on gag-filled school life, the latter half of the manga incorporates intense fighting arcs and emotional storylines. Through battles, hardships, and moments of heartfelt connection, the series explores themes of friendship, trust, and what it truly means to be a leader. With its over-the-top, passionate protagonist and balance of humor and heartfelt drama, Seikimatsu Leader-den Takeshi! delivers a hilarious yet inspiring story that dares to ask, “What does it really mean to lead?”

Kotori Inokuma

Comedy, Completed Series, Drama, Romance, Seinen

Yuka Akagi is a 37-year-old temp worker who's always been relatively attractive and never had trouble finding men—but somehow, she's still single. Thinking casually, "Maybe it's time I got married," she dives headfirst into the ruthless battlefield known as modern dating. Yuka tries everything: singles parties, dating apps, matchmaking services—but quickly discovers the path to marriage is tougher than expected. Her high expectations for looks and salary become obstacles, and her tendency to look down on others often backfires spectacularly. After a series of failed attempts, Yuka meets Aoshima, a coworker and veteran of the dating scene with eight years of battle scars. A quirky friendship blooms, alongside encounters with distinctive characters like the earnest yet unassuming Uchida and her former flame, Takashi. Funny, honest, and painfully relatable, Konkatsu Battlefield 37 captures the trials, laughs, and heartbreaks of navigating romance in your late thirties—offering humor, empathy, and encouragement to anyone who's ever braved the front lines of dating.

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.

Kouji Seo

Comedy, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, Seinen

The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses is a romantic comedy set in Familia, an old seaside café left behind by the protagonist's late grandmother. The story follows Hayato Kasukabe, a brilliant student who passed the entrance exam to the University of Tokyo. After a falling out with his grandmother, he returns to his hometown for the first time in three years—only to learn of her passing. His original plan is to tear down the café and turn the property into a parking lot. However, to his surprise, five beautiful and eccentric young women are already living there, claiming to be his grandmother’s “family.” Each of these girls carries personal baggage or painful memories and was taken in by the grandmother, who gave them a home and purpose at Familia. At first, Hayato constantly clashes with them, but as he learns more about their stories and the kindness of his late grandmother, he decides to reopen and rebuild the café. From running the business and dealing with rival cafés to navigating romantic entanglements among the five heroines, Hayato and the girls develop a deep, almost familial bond as they face daily chaos and heartfelt moments together. Blending cheeky humor, pop culture parodies, romantic tension, and touching themes of found family, The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses is a vibrant, feel-good story filled with laughs, charm, and just the right amount of spice.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ken Wakui

Action, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Drama, Shonen

Takemichi Hanagaki is a 20-something part-timer living a dead-end life—until one day, he suddenly time-leaps back to his middle school years. The trigger? A news report announcing that his ex-girlfriend has been killed in a violent gang conflict involving the infamous Tokyo Manji Gang. To change the past and save the future, Takemichi throws himself into the dangerous world of delinquents, confronting his own weakness and fighting to rewrite fate. Friendship, betrayal, and unwavering resolve. In this emotional time-travel revenge saga, Takemichi rises again and again—no matter how many times he’s knocked down. A gripping mix of youth drama and sci-fi thriller, Tokyo Revengers is a powerful story about second chances and never giving up.

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.

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.