Manga Reviews & Recommendations (Page 5)

Naoshi Komi

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, Shonen

Nisekoi is a romantic comedy manga centered around Raku Ichijou, the heir to a prominent Yakuza family, and Chitoge Kirisaki, the daughter of a rival gangster group. To prevent a war between their families, the two pretend to be dating, creating a fake romantic relationship. Although each already has their own genuine romantic interests, they must keep this fact hidden from everyone around them while maintaining their charade throughout their school life. The story revolves around a mysterious childhood promise involving a "lock and key," prompting Raku to seek the true identity of the girl he promised himself to. As Chitoge, his childhood friend Kosaki Onodera, and other heroines become entangled in his life, complex romantic developments, friendships, and family bonds unfold.

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.

Shinichi Fukuda

Anime Adaptation, Comedy, Completed Series, Ecchi, Romance, Seinen

My Dress-Up Darling is a youthful romantic comedy that follows the unlikely relationship between Wakana Gojo, a shy high school boy who dreams of becoming a traditional hina-doll craftsman, and Marin Kitagawa, a cheerful gyaru with a passion for cosplay. Gojo lives a lonely school life, unable to connect with his peers due to his unusual hobby. One day, while working on doll outfits in the sewing room, he is discovered by Marin, the popular and outgoing classmate. Instead of mocking him, Marin is impressed by his sewing skills and boldly asks him to help her create cosplay costumes for her favorite anime characters. As they begin working together, the two gradually grow closer through their shared goal of “cosplay creation.” Despite their opposite personalities—Gojo’s quiet, craftsman-like nature and Marin’s radiant, free-spirited energy—their bond deepens. Gojo slowly gains confidence and grows as a person with Marin’s encouragement, while Marin, in turn, discovers the joy of pursuing dreams and begins to recognize her budding feelings for him. Through cosplay events, school festivals, and the challenges they face together, My Dress-Up Darling paints a heartwarming story of youthful romance, personal growth, and the beauty of wholeheartedly embracing what you love.

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.

Makoto Raiku

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

Zatch Bell! is a battle fantasy manga created by Makoto Raiku. The story begins when Kiyomaro Takamine, a brilliant yet lonely junior high student, encounters a mysterious boy named Zatch Bell, who has lost his memory and carries a red spellbook. Zatch is one of 100 demon children sent to the human world to participate in a once-every-thousand-years battle to decide the next king of the demon world. Zatch teams up with Kiyomaro, who can activate various spells—such as lightning-based magic—by reading the incantations written in the spellbook. In this fierce competition, demon children cannot use their powers without a human partner, and if their spellbook is burned, they are sent back to the demon world. Initially lacking confidence and a clear purpose, Zatch begins to change as he meets fellow competitors and rivals, ultimately vowing to become a “kind king.” Through intense battles filled with encounters and farewells, Zatch and Kiyomaro forge deep bonds of friendship and face countless powerful opponents. The story delivers a classic battle narrative packed with emotion and intensity, portraying the growth of the duo as they overcome hardships, inner struggles, and the unique destinies of each demon child.

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.

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.

Mitsuru Kawajiri

Drama, Seinen, Slice of Life

Host to Shachiku is a slice-of-life drama about two men living in completely different worlds: Naoto Suzuki, an overworked system engineer (a true corporate "shachiku" or company slave), and Ren Sasaki, the No.1 host in Kabukicho. The story unfolds in a gyudon (beef bowl) restaurant in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho at 5 a.m.—a time when Naoto is heading to work and Ren has just finished his shift. Despite living in opposite time zones, their paths cross for just 15 minutes each morning, marking the beginning of their shared breakfasts. At first, they're complete strangers who don’t even know each other's names. But through small conversations and quiet moments at the counter seats of a fast-food chain, they gradually grow closer. Though their lifestyles and values couldn't be more different, they begin to find small but meaningful commonalities—shared hobbies, similar family backgrounds—that turn their 15-minute breakfasts into a much-needed daily comfort. This manga captures the peaceful, healing moments tucked into a limited window of time—“15 minutes of breakfast”—blending warmth, kindness, and emotional connection. It’s a gentle story about two people cherishing the only moment in the day when their worlds align.

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.

Kōji Matsumoto

Completed Series, Horror, Seinen, Vampires & Zombies

Higanjima is a survival horror manga by Koji Matsumoto, set on an isolated island ruled by vampires. The story revolves around an intense battle between humans and vampires as they fight desperately to survive and escape the island. The protagonist is Akira Miyamoto, an ordinary high school student who embarks on a journey to the island known as "Higanjima" with his friends, searching for his older brother Atsushi, who disappeared two years earlier. Upon arriving on the island, Akira and his companions find themselves trapped in a relentless struggle against villagers turned vampires and grotesque creatures. These vampires must regularly consume human blood to prevent themselves from turning into hideous monstrosities. As a result, they capture humans as livestock, draining their blood to sustain their own existence. One by one, Akira’s friends are slain, yet the survivors continue to fight for their lives. Eventually reuniting with his long-lost brother Atsushi, Akira’s objective evolves from merely escaping the island to defeating the vampires’ leader, Miyabi, once and for all.

Uoto

Completed Series, Drama, Seinen, Sports

100 Meters is a sports manga centered around Togashi, a boy born with extraordinary running talent. Despite being nationally ranked first since elementary school, Togashi initially has little passion for running itself. His outlook changes when he meets Komiya, a new transfer student who, despite lacking natural talent, consistently practices running every single day. Inspired by Komiya’s unwavering effort, Togashi experiences for the first time the thrill of competition and the fear of losing. However, from junior high onward, Togashi's once-bright talent begins to fade. After experiencing a humiliating defeat against a rival, he loses his passion for running altogether. He quits track during high school but eventually returns, motivated by his friends' enthusiasm. At the national high-school championships, Togashi encounters Komiya again—and once more, he suffers defeat. Ten years later, Togashi is running professionally under a corporate sponsorship, yet struggles with injuries and faces the risk of losing his contract. Amid these difficulties, he searches deeply for meaning in running and strives for a comeback. 100 Meters passionately captures the drama of youth, exploring themes of talent versus hard work, setbacks, and redemption.

Uoto

Completed Series, Seinen, historical

Set in a fictional medieval European-like country, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth portrays the passion and struggles of those who pursue the heliocentric theory—an idea deemed heretical and severely suppressed in that era. Rafał, a young boy with a genius intellect, is caught between his deep passion for knowledge and his religious beliefs. His life changes dramatically when he discovers an underground group dedicated to uncovering the truth about the Earth's movements. These scholars risk their lives, confronting betrayal, persecution, and despair, united by their conviction to preserve truth for future generations. Characters pass the torch across generations, tirelessly fighting to keep the flame of knowledge alive. This profound and sweeping drama explores themes of academic freedom, human dignity, and the weight of personal conviction.

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.

Takeshi Hinata

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, School, Shonen, Sports

Here's the translated summary for Ahiru no Sora: Ahiru no Sora is a coming-of-age basketball manga about Sora Kurumatani, a passionate yet undersized high school basketball player. Standing just 149 cm (4’11”), Sora enrolls at Kuzuryu High School (nicknamed "Kuzu High") with a promise to his chronically ill mother—that he will win his first high school basketball tournament. Upon arrival, however, he discovers the school's basketball club has become little more than a hangout for delinquents, including the notorious Hanazono brothers, Momoharu and Chiaki, who show no interest in actually playing the sport. Through his unwavering dedication and passion for basketball, Sora gradually inspires the former players like the Hanazono brothers, along with the gifted ace Kenji "Tobi" Natsume and skillful center Kaname "Mokichi" Shigeyoshi, to rekindle their love for the game. Together, they overcome personal hardships and family issues, rebuilding the basketball club from scratch. Despite continuous setbacks and conflicts, they strive toward their ultimate dream: competing in the inter-high tournament.

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.

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.

Junichi Nojo (Story), Kazutoshi Hando (Supervision), Issei Eifuku (Original Concept), Shigeru Mizuki (Original Inspiration)

Drama, Seinen, historical

Showa Tenno Monogatari is a historical manga portraying the life of Emperor Hirohito, known posthumously as Emperor Shōwa. Born as the grandson of Emperor Meiji and the eldest son of Emperor Taishō, Hirohito grows up under the weight of his future responsibilities, shaped by strict tutors, family expectations, and the immense pressures of his era. The story unfolds amid major historical events: the Russo-Japanese War, the passing of Emperor Meiji, the dramatic societal shifts of the Taishō period, Hirohito's formal investiture as Crown Prince, and his engagement to Princess Nagako (later Empress Kōjun). Eventually ascending to the throne as Emperor Shōwa, he faces the daunting task of leading Japan first as a commander-in-chief before and during World War II, and later as a symbolic figurehead in the postwar period. Carefully based on historical records, the manga explores Hirohito's internal struggles, personal growth, relationships with family and close advisors, and the deep reflections on Japan’s identity as a nation.

(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.

Takeshi Okano (Art), Shou Makura (Story)

Action, Anime Adaptation, Comedy, Completed Series, Horror, Shonen

Hell Teacher Nūbē is a school-based occult action manga centered around Meisuke Nueno—nicknamed Nūbē—the homeroom teacher of Class 5-3 at Dōmori Elementary School. On the surface, he’s clumsy, easygoing, and approachable, but he also has another side: he’s Japan’s only teacher with spiritual powers. Hidden within Nūbē’s left hand is the “Oni no Te” (Demon’s Hand)—a sealed demonic force that he wields to protect his students from all manner of supernatural threats, including yokai, evil spirits, and urban legends. Risking his life, he battles these mysterious entities to keep his class safe. The series masterfully blends occult mystery, comedy, intense battles, and heartfelt lessons, presenting mostly self-contained episodes. Through these stories, readers witness Nūbē’s deep bonds with his students, their personal growth, and moments of both laughter and tears. Some former enemies even become allies, and certain arcs delve into the emotional lives and moral struggles of both humans and yokai. A hallmark title of Weekly Shonen Jump in the 1990s, Hell Teacher Nūbē was also adapted into an anime series and feature films, securing its place as a beloved school ghost-story hero manga.

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.