http://myanimelist.net/manga/2/Berserk
Berserk
Guts, known as the Black Swordsman, seeks sanctuary from the demonic forces that pursue him and his woman, and also vengeance against the man who branded him as an unholy sacrifice. Aided only by his titanic strength, skill, and sword, Guts must struggle against his bleak destiny, all the while fighting with a rage that might strip him of his humanity. Berserk is a dark and brooding story of outrageous swordplay and ominous fate, in the theme of Shakespeare's Macbeth. (source: MAL)
A tragic, fantasy story about a man named Guts traveling around the lands in search to slay demons. While this is generally considered to be one of, if not the best manga ever created, I’d generally stay away from this one if you’re new to this medium. Berserk is definitely not your conventional manga; it contains some very grotesque scenes and deals with some mature themes. Once you get a better feel of manga in general, I strongly suggest returning to Berserk. You’ll open up to it with a much fresher mind and I guarantee you’ll be immersed into its fantastical world. It has a wide variety of characters that each has their strengths, weaknesses, and quirks. To a degree, almost every character has a level of depth. This mixed with its gritty art style and amazing world makes for one of the best adventure manga ever created.
I’d also recommend staying away from the anime. The anime isn’t bad at all, but the anime (and the movies) are essentially build ups to the manga, so you’ll end up reading the manga anyway if you get hooked onto the anime.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Extremely slow, every few months
Length: 337 chapters (11/11/14)
http://myanimelist.net/manga/25/Fullmetal_Alchemist
Full Metal Alchemist
The rules of alchemy state that to gain something, one must lose something of equal value. Alchemy is the process of taking apart and reconstructing an object into a different entity, with the rules of alchemy to govern this procedure. However, there exists an object that can bring any alchemist above these rules, the object known as the Philosopher's Stone. The young Edward Elric is a particularly talented alchemist who through an accident years back lost his younger brother Alphonse and one of his legs. Sacrificing one of his arms as well, he used alchemy to bind his brother's soul to a suit of armor. This lead to the beginning of their journey to restore their bodies, in search for the legendary Philosopher's Stone. (source: MAL)
Full Metal Alchemist, or otherwise known as
Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood in its anime adapted form, is one of the best manga out there. In fact, if you call yourself a manga fanatic, you should be ashamed of yourself if you haven’t read this yet. The story is about the Elric Brothers, a pair of alchemists who seek the Philosopher’s Stone in order to repair their broken bodies. Though the premise may sound simple, the plot quickly spirals down a path that interacts with characters that live in this magical steampunk world. I guarantee you’ll be hooked on immediately.
Status: Completed
Length: 108 chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/13/One_Piece
One Piece
Enter Monkey D. Luffy, a 17-year-old boy that defies your standard definition of a pirate. Rather than the popular persona of a wicked, hardened, toothless pirate who ransacks villages for fun, Luffy’s reason for being a pirate is one of pure wonder; the thought of an exciting adventure and meeting new and intriguing people, along with finding One Piece, are his reasons of becoming a pirate. Following in the footsteps of his childhood hero, Luffy and his crew travel across the Grand Line, experiencing crazy adventures, unveiling dark mysteries and battling strong enemies, all in order to reach One Piece. (source: MAL)
One Piece is an incredibly famous manga known as part of the big three, three manga that are considered the most popular actively updated manga at this time, the other two being
Naruto and
Bleach. In my opinion though? One Piece is vastly superior to both series. While all three have amazing action scenes, One Piece stands out by having a unique art style, wonderfully imaginative world, but more than anything else, a very creative and deep cast of characters. If you aren’t aware of the premise of One Piece, it’s about a pirate named Luffy who dreams of becoming the King of Pirates by finding the ultimate treasure, One Piece. Along the way, he gains friends and crew members who continue to join him and complete their own dreams that lay in wait in the expansive ocean. It’s a long story, but you’ll always love at least one character out of the whole bunch. One Piece truly is a rare gem.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Weekly
Length: 765 chapters (11/11/14)
http://myanimelist.net/manga/651/Kaz...ni_no_Nausicaa
Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind
A millennium has passed since "Seven Days of Fire," an apocalyptic war that almost wiped out human civilization. Since then, the earth is covered with an ever-growing "Sea of Corruption," a vast forest of fungi that secretes poisonous miasma and invasive spores, along with large and deadly insects inhabit within.
In order to fight for more habitable lands unpolluted by the Sea of Corruption, the Kingdom of Torumekia has declared war against the Dorok Empire. Nausicaä, princess and heir of a small city-state named "Valley of the Wind" which pledged alliance with Torumekia, is now forced to join Torumekian to invade Dorok Empire. This war will change her life and the fate of human race forever. (Source: ANN)
If you actually have heard of
Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, the chances are you’ve probably seen or at least heard of it as one of Hayao Miyazaki’s (creator of
Spirited Away and
My Neighbor Totoro) works. Even then, it’s not very well-known. Which is a shame, because this manga is definitely completely underrated, not to mention some people shave it off assuming that it’s basically the manga form of the movie.
It’s not.
It’s a story about a princess named Nausicaa who interacts with the world around her, a world affected by the torrents of war and the forces of nature. It’s very much a violent story that deals with mature themes between nature and at even some points about religion itself. It’s even strange at some parts and incredibly violent, but the story is unique and engaging. It’s easily one of those manga where, after reading it, you may have a different view of what the genre is capable of. If you’re familiar with one of Miyazaki’s more famous works,
Princess Mononoke, you may see some recurring themes that were possibly inspired off of this story.
Status: Completed
Length: 57 chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga.php?id=3285
Holyland
Holyland is a story about Yuu, a weak boy who feels alone and has no sense of beloning. His only solace he finds is wandering around the city streets of his town. Of course this means he’d attract some other unwanted attention. This is a story of a boy protecting the thing that means everything to him, the place where he finally feels that he belongs, his Holyland.
Now I don’t want to spoil anything, because not knowing too many details is the best way to approach this manga. I’ve read a lot of different manga before, but Holyland probably has one of the most intriguing chapters of opening up a manga that I’ve seen in a long time. This hard, gritty manga is great, and if you can get past the angst that the main character has, I believe you’ll definitely have a good time with this.
http://myanimelist.net/manga/33327/Tokyo_Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul
Ghouls roam around the cities of Tokyo. It’s said that they hunt around, looking for humans as their next meal. Kaneki and his buddy Hide has never seen one though, but that all might change…
So first things first: THE ANIME IS COMPLETE SHIT COMPARED TO THIS. The manga is pretty good, the anime butchers so many things from the manga it’s ridiculous. I should mention that Tokyo Ghoul isn’t the second coming of Berserk, that’s just saying how bad the anime is.
Now moving on, Tokyo Ghoul is a surprising manga. Why? Because at first glance, the plot may seem somewhat typical. A human turning into a monster that he’s afraid of? It’s a plotline that you see every now and then. What set Tokyo Ghoul apart are several things. First, it makes the integration of the human into this new world as realistically as it possibly can. The art is rough, hard, and dark and fits the mood excellently. The characters themselves are solid, but not flawed; each goes through their own development as they grow up. The action scenes are beautifully drawn, and the emotions that are shown through facials expressions are vividly made. It is a very, well-written, well-drawn manga, and many elements of this were lost in its transition to its anime form. I strongly suggest dropping the anime if you have not completed it and reading this instead, or, if you’ve already watched Tokyo Ghoul, re-read this manga. You may have a different outlook on the series.
If you want to look more into this series, check out its ongoing sequel,
Tokyo Ghoul: re.
Status: Completed
Length: 144 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/642/Vinland_Saga
Vinland Saga
Taking place during the era of Vikings, Thorfinn is one of the youngest yet fiercest fighters around. However, after his father is killed by mercenary Askeladd, he swore revenge. However, while seeking vengeance, he is caught up in the Great War for the British crown.
One quarter coming of age and three quarters action, Vinland Saga has much to boast about in terms of dialogue, characters, and action. If you are a fan of titles like
Berserk and
Vagabond, you will feel very comfortable with Vinland Saga’s ballad.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Extremely slow. Maybe four times a year if you’re lucky?
Length: 108 Chapters (11/11/14)
http://myanimelist.net/manga.php?id=44347
One Punch-Man
In the distant future, monsters roam around and threaten the peaceful lives of innocent human citizens. As a response, the government has created the Heroes Association, a system of heroes that serve to fight against such foreign invaders. Meanwhile, in the deep suburbs of Z-City, there lives a rumored man named Saitama who has strength so unimaginable he can end fights in one punch…
Originally based off the internet webtoon
One Punch-Man (ONE), One Punch-Man is definitely a series not to be taken seriously. With its silly antics and characters and somewhat of a troll artist, you’ll notice immediately what kind of manga this is. That being said, the action, art, and characters are so over the top and exaggerated that it’s so lovable and awesome. It’s difficult to not keep up with such an addicting manga, and with its humor, gorgeous art, and action, you’ll want to read more.
However, it does update slowly and the pages are few in number. If you want to read the original story at the expense of much lower quality of art, read
One Punch-Man (ONE).
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Whenever the author feels like it, usually bi-weekly
Length: Roughly 51 chapters (11/11/14)
http://myanimelist.net/manga/23390/Shingeki_no_Kyojin
Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan
This is a world where Humans are no longer the dominant race. Instead, grotesque, gargantuan Titans roam around the world while the last remnants of humanity lie behind their last bastion in a tiny part of their world. Teenager Eren and his friends Mikasa and Armin grew behind these walls and have never seen the outside world. While they dream, they hope that their remaining days will go on peacefully. That all changes when they suddenly here a magnificent shadow bears down into the city…
If you haven’t been living under a rock, chances are you’ve at least heard of Shingeki no Kyojin, or otherwise known better in its English name, Attack on Titan. In my experience, Shingeki no Kyojin is one of the few very popular manga that I believe still holds great quality. It has a gripping plot and gritty art style that matches its mood. It’s not afraid to show blood when it needs to, and it’s a great deviation from the normal “zombie” type manga that you may see often. The enemies and the methodology in fighting such creatures is a breath a fresh air and creative. Probably one of Shingeki no Kyojin’s greatest strengths are making no character feel immortal. Every character is susceptible to die in this kind of world. It’s great that this manga gets attention though admittedly it does get a bit too much attention. Regardless, it’s a very solid piece
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Monthly
Length: 63 Chapters (11/11/14)
http://myanimelist.net/manga/25132/Akame_ga_Kill!
Akame ga Kill!
Tatsumi is a skilled swordsman, but he knows that his skill is useless in saving his poverty stricken village unless he goes out to make some money of his own. He seeks out the big city only to find that corruption runs among through the rankings of the empire. Overwhelmed by its sights and sounds, Tatsumi takes refuge in the night. Meanwhile, an assassination organization working for the rebels are looking for the next target, but it looks like they’re recruiting too.
At first glance, Akame ga Kill is nothing special. You have a somewhat decently skilled protagonist that is recruited by an organization that fights evil. While initially the story drags on for a bit, the world quickly expands into a world that isn’t so black and white as it seems. Akame ga Kill explores the sides of good and evil and isn’t afraid to shed some blood to show its point. However, one of Akame ga Kill’s strongest points is to make it feel that absolutely no character is free from danger at any moment. Be it good guy or bad, no character is safe from death. This theme ties in with the suspense. You’ll find yourself connecting to some characters and by that little thread of hope you might convince yourself maybe, just maybe, that character you love may live to see another day.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Monthly
Length: 52 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/26/Hunter_x_Hunter
Hunter x Hunter
What is a Hunter? Well, they’re a talented bunch. They seek the world’s most remote treasures, fight against the most dangerous and unknown creatures, they explore lands far and wide. Their talents are limitless. Gon isn’t one yet though, but after learning that his missing father is one of the many who hold the honor of being called a Hunter, it seems that such a path is truly destined for him.
One thing you have to know about Hunter x Hunter is that it’s surprisingly bloody and violent. There are a wide range of characters that Gon meets throughout is journey, and each one is talented in their own right. HxH introduces a world that mixes fantasy with the gritty politics of life, and it does a good job of making each seem as grotesque as possible. That being said, it’s hard not to be caught up in such an original plot like HxH. It does some truly new and strange things, so at the very least you’ll see something new.
The second thing you need to know is that HxH updates pretty slowly, though it seems to be picking up the pace nowadays.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Inconsistent, sometimes fast but usually painfully slow
Length: 349 Chapters (11/11/14)
http://myanimelist.net/manga.php?id=583
Claymore
Monsters roam around the lands of the humans. They eat them, but they hide in the shadows, hiding among the public. Raku knows this, but without the power to detect them, he is helpless to free his village from the monsters’ insatiable appetites. One day, a woman named Claire arrives at their village. She seems to be one of the silver-eyed witches that Raku has heard from the stories. A Claymore.
Like manga such as
Berserk, Claymore mixes a medieval styled setting with a world of monsters. While Claymore, doesn’t particularly shine in terms of character development, it has a very solid progression of both plot and action. It’s engaging, and while it lacks in character development, the characters themselves are attractive and interesting. I highly recommend this one because it gives a unique storyline that few manga seem to do well.
Status: Completed
Length: 159 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/8586/The_Breaker
The Breaker
Note: This is not a manga, it is a manhwa, what is commonly known as the Korean counterpart to Japan’s manga. Keep that in mind while reading as you may spot some cultural differences you may not be used to seeing.
Shioon is a victim of constantly bullying at his school. He’s not much of an athlete, and he’s powerless to fight back. One day, a new English teacher, Chun-woo, is admitted to the staff. After a coincidence where Shioon witnesses Chun-woo’s unmatched martial arts ability, Shioon begs him to become his disciple. Thus begins Shioon’s great journey to become a man and protect what’s most precious to him.
First things first, The Breaker is a very action heavy manga despite being a coming of age story, and while Shioon is the main character, a large part of the story also focuses on his teacher, Chun-woo. With that out of the way, if you are familiar with manhwa, you may recognize The Breaker as it’s commonly known as the best and most popular manhwa out there. And where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Unlike most coming of age action stories, The Breaker manages to pull the genre off in an interesting way without putting too much spotlight on the main character himself. In addition, Shioon doesn’t improve at a ridiculous rate without explanation. It’s a nicely paced story that doesn’t feel too overwhelming, and it’s a great introduction into the manhwa universe. If you do read this manhwa and wish to read more, you may be interested in reading its ongoing sequel,
The Breaker: New Waves.
Status: Completed
Length: 72 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/10010/Beelzebub
Beelzebub
Oga Tatsumi is known as the strongest juvenile delinquent among several schools. Wherever he goes, he leaves a path of carnage behind him. Detecting his evil nature, a man floats up to him on a river bank where he was sleeping and drops a baby boy. The baby boy is revealed to be the next demon king, and it is up to Oga to raise the baby to be the next demon lord. The adventure of Oga and his baby, Beelzebub begins!
Those who are familiar with Beelzebub may claim that Beelzebub better fits under a comedy tag. And there’s a lot of truth to that! Beelzebub is downright one of the most hilarious manga out there right now. It doesn’t really take itself too seriously, and the action and characters are so completely over the top that you just can’t help but laugh at the scenarios. However, Beelzebub also shares some noticeable action elements that become central to its story and development. Beelzebub is a rather healthy combination of the two and is definitely a manga that everyone should check out.
If you want to look more into Beelzebub, check out its ongoing sequel/side story,
Beelzebub: Banghai-hen.
Status: Completed
Length: 246 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/29983/Noblesse
Noblesse
Note: This type of graphic novel is referred to as a webtoon, which itself is a type of manhwa, Korea’s counterpart to Japan’s manga. Unlike manga and typical manhwa, webtoons are not hand drawn; they are instead drawn using computer programs. As a result, the art styles may look more digitized and they will almost always appear in color.
Deep in the city of Seoul, there lies a coffin that has laid dormant. One day, it mysteriously opens out of the blue. The vampire Rai finally awakes after centuries of sleep as he is released into the unfamiliar modern day world.
Webtoons are an increasingly popular form of manhwa, but there are some noticeable cultural and art differences between webtoons and both manga and traditional manhwa. In my opinion, Noblesse is not amazing. It’s the rough equivalent to manga typical to Japan’s shounen genre. That being said, I think it’s a great gateway piece into the field have webtoons and I strongly suggest giving it a try. And while it is shounen, it still has great art, fight scenes, and humor. Those who are fans of other shounen manga like
Fairy Tail,
One Piece, and
Naruto will definitely enjoy Noblesse.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Weekly
Length: 345 Chapters (11/11/14)
This comic does not have a MAL link.
Tower of God
Note: This type of graphic novel is referred to as a webtoon, which itself is a type of manhwa, Korea’s counterpart to Japan’s manga. Unlike manga and typical manhwa, webtoons are not hand drawn; they are instead drawn using computer programs. As a result, the art styles may look more digitized and they will almost always appear in color.
What is it that you desire? Fortune? Fame? Power? Or perhaps something much more. All your wishes can come true in this place. The Tower of God.
Tower of God is a true example of the type of quality webtoons can acheive. ToG has a huge pool of characters, each with a unique quirk and characteristic. The Tower itself is massive, deep, and overwhelming, just like how the plot suggests. The development, though slow, is effective and engaging to the readers, and the art can be gorgeous. If you ever plan to take webtoons seriously, Tower of God should be your go-to source.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Weekly
Length: 208 Chapters (12/10/14)
http://myanimelist.net/manga.php?id=74
Air Gear
The age of skateboarding is over. Now there’s a new utility that roams around the country, Air trek, the ultimate roller blades that allow you to zoom and fly across the skies. Itsuki though has never really been interested in them. He’s always been known as the strongest in the area, some blades are just a waste of time. That is, until he gets his butt handed to him by some AT users. That one moment would soon begin to spark a huge change in history…
If you’re reading this synopsis, the first thing you may think of is “Huh, this sounds like a sports manga!” Well, it isn’t. It seems practically set up with it, right? But don’t be fooled, Air Gear is very action heavy. The author uses his imagination to spin fights using simple roller blades into really insane weapons, and even if those weapons are disgustingly unrealistic, there’s so much power behind them it’s enough to be convincing. Air Gear isn’t a perfectly spun series, but it’s obscure, weird humor mixed with its exaggerated action makes for an unexpectedly great story.
Status: Completed
Length: 358 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga.php?id=12586
Cage of Eden
Everything seemed to be going just fine for Akira. Their whole class was just returning from a trip in Okinawa, and they were ready for the ride home. Until suddenly, the plane malfunctions and a black cloud engulfs the vehicle. Akira wakes up to find himself alone, in a lush forest filled with prehistoric creatures…
In my opinion, Cage of Eden was a diamond in the rough. There were a lot of areas where Cage of Eden could’ve shined to become something much more valuable. But that doesn’t change the fact that all-in-all, Cage of Eden is an incredibly solid and well-done survival horror manga. In some ways, it may remind you of “Lord of Flies with a little bit of Lost” (quoted from Hewitt). Don’t go into Cage of Eden expecting a masterpiece, read Cage of Eden as a suspenseful and thrilling manga at its heart.
Status: Completed
Length: 185 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga.php?id=20593
Btooom!
Ryuuta is what you’d call a shut-in; he’s 22 years old and unemployed and all he does is play his favorite game Btooom all day. It’s a computer game centralized on using bombs and strategy to achieve victory, a game fitting for Ryuuta himself. One day he wakes up on an island with no recollection of how he got there. He notices he has a bag with him that he’s never seen before. In the bag lies a myriad of bombs…
Btooom is an interesting twist from the usual “help I’m stuck in a video game” type story (*cough*
Sword Art Online *cough*). Instead of having characters and a system that’s entirely reliant on a computerized setting and control, Btooom utilizes a real world setting and the natural abilities of the gamer itself. Because of this, Btooom is not restrained by a system of game mechanics but only by the fact that the only weapon of choice is a variety of bombs. In essence, Btooom excels at having an original setting and story; mix this with a cast of interesting characters of you have one hell of a ride.
Some input from Hewitt:

Originally Posted by
Hewitt
If anything Btoom is the one with Battle Royale qualities, that's actually played for realism instead of drama. I barely noticed the game elements and they are in fact used as a plot coupon rather than a blatant framing device other game-anime/manga seem to do.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Monthly
Length: 185 Chapters (11/11/14)
http://myanimelist.net/manga/3866/Kuroshitsuji
Kuroshitsuji
In the Victorian Age in Great Britain, there is a rumored family that stands behind the Queen: the Phantomhive family. They dirty their hands where the Queen cannot. Ciel is a member of this distinguished family, and his prowess in such dark corners proves his stature. But he is constantly served by a mysterious black butler. One of hell of a butler to be exact.
Kuroshitsuji, or sometimes known better as
Black Butler, is difficult to put under a single genre.
At heart though, Kuroshituji has a very interesting setting and plot. It’s one of the few manga that actually uses the Victorian Era as a setting and manages to pull it off effectively. Not only are subtle references made to actual events that happened during that time, the manga also makes some major ties with the actual adventures of the Ciel and his butler, Sebastian. Think of it as Downton Abbey, but a much darker and less sentimental version. The cast of characters are surprisingly unique and original. One thing’s for certain though; Kuroshitsuji easily has one of the most interesting and engaging settings of all manga.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Monthly
Length: 98 Chapters (11/11/14)
http://myanimelist.net/manga/39139
Apocalypse no Toride
Hypothetical: What if you were framed for a murder? What if you were sent to a prison with a life sentence? What if your inmates were all the worst cutthroats in prison? Seems bad enough. But what would you do if zombies attacked?
Apocalypse no Toride’s biggest flaw is that it might not seem appealing at first. Its intro and first quarter of the series is a bit bad compared to the rest of the series. But after you get that part, you may find yourself enjoying Apocalypse no Toride quite a bit. You have simple yet mildly interesting characters early on, but that slowly develops into something much bigger. The manga also creates zombies that are a bit more unique than the average ones you find, and as a result they a play a larger part of the story. Apocalypse no Toride isn’t the best manga, but so far it has been developing quite nicely and I believe that quite a few people who are looking for enjoyment will find it in this manga.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Inconsistent, bi-weekly or weekly
Length: 36 Chapters (11/11/14)
http://myanimelist.net/manga/1076/Ares
Ares
Note: This is not a manga, it is a manhwa, what is commonly known as the Korean counterpart to Japan’s manga. Keep that in mind while reading as you may spot some cultural differences you may not be used to seeing.
It’s the warring era of the Middle Ages and Chronos’ long dominance is starting to fall into decline. It is an era looking for heroes and those who are more powerful than any warrior. One day, three boys, Ares, Michael, and Baroona meet each other at a mercenary try-out. Their meeting would soon spark a major change in history that even the heavens would call their names.
So if you’re a fan of
Vinland Saga and
Kingdom, there’s a strong chance that you will enjoy Ares. They have relatively similar stories, and their settings are very similar. Aside from that, there really isn’t much to say about it. It’s a relatively simple story, but the characters, the fights, and the relationships push this manhwa forward. It is in my opinion one of the better manhwas out there.
Status: Completed
Length: 207 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/564/Gantz
Gantz
Thought life was bad? Well as it turns out, death is even worse. Kei Kurono found that out the hard way when he and his friend Masaru died in a train accident. Now he must fight aliens that invade the earth for a chance at survival and ultimately regain his place on Earth.
Gantz is commonly known as a classic among those who read manga, and once you start reading it, you’ll probably realize why. Gantz has a very original and unique plot, the art is absolutely gorgeous, it is bloody, crude, and suggestive in many ways, but it all ties it together to make it into a surprisingly believable story. Gantz is incredibly grotesque and insanely violent, but it has sense of coherence that makes the manga very enjoyable. It certainly isn’t for everyone, but I implore you to give it a chance.
Status: Completed
Length: 383 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/1101/Akumetsu
Akumetsu
Japan’s government is a corrupt mess. Everything is run by corporate sleazebags and scummy politicians. In the hands of these people, the public is under the mercy of their influence and the lives where they’ve built up until the point are crushed on a whim. Nagasawa Shiina knows this all too well since her father’s company went bankrupt, and in order to save her father, she sells her body to the dirty politicians. Suddenly, a figure in a mask breaks in wielding an axe. And it’s someone that Shiina knows. This is a story about justice and one man’s pledge to use his own method to save those who have suffered under Japan’s government.
For a long time, I thought Akumetsu was the best thing since sliced bread. When I first got into manga, like everyone else I read
Bleach,
Naruto, and
One Piece. Akumetsu served as the bridge between the beginner’s manga and the whole new library of manga I’ve never touched upon before. As such, Akumetsu holds a special place in my heart.
With that out of the way, I’ll say this. To those who expect a masterpiece, Akumetsu certainly has some noticeable flaws. There’s some wasted potential, and the cast may be considered as too black and white. That being said, Akumetsu is really an original and daring manga. It’s one that challenges the typical conventions and plot lines that a lot of manga follow, and it even has the balls to make an entire government its enemy. It’s a bloody, serious manga that uses violence as an answer to show a point. That is why Akumetsu, among other thriller manga, stands out.
Status: Completed
Length: 162 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/142/Battle_Royale
Battle Royale
In an attempt to control and subjugate the rebellious teenagers, every year since 1947, the Japanese government selects a class of third-year high school students to be placed in the ultimate survival game. Each student is given a single weapon and is released in an enclosed area. The rules? Simple. In order to win, you must be the last one standing.
If you’ve ever heard of Battle Royale, you’ve probably heard about it in its movie form. The Japanese movie itself has earned a popular cult following internationally despite being banned in many countries for several months. What quite a few people don’t know is that Battle Royale initially started off as novel and then a manga. This is that manga. I have watched the movie, read the book, and read the manga, and I can say that enjoyed the manga the most. The art, facial expressions, the blood and gore: all of that is amazingly executed in the manga and can’t be matched by that of either the novel or the 122 minute movie. The drawing direction sets a mood and intensity that creates a great atmosphere when reading Battle Royale. With that said, if you’ve watched the movie, I highly suggest reading the manga.
If you’re unfamiliar with Battle Royale as a whole, you might think it’s a rip-off of the popular fictional novel, Hunger Games. Trust me when I say that Battle Royale is on a completely different level.
Status: Completed
Length: 119 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/928/Pok%C3%A9mon_Special
Pokemon Adventures
This really needs no introduction. Everyone knows Pokemon right? If you’ve never heard of Pokemon Adventures, you might assume that this is essentially a manga adaptation of the anime. And that’s exactly that reason why I wanted to put this manga here, despite it not being an award-winning piece of work. Long story short, it’s not. The plot initially follows Red, the protagonist of the Generation 1 of Pokemon games, Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow. In his journey, he goes through many trials and tribulations trying to become the ultimate trainer. Aside from Red, there are other main characters that the manga follows as well. Each of these main characters is named after the games of their respective generations. For example, Red is the main protagonist, and Green, who you may know looks like Gary from the anime, is another.
However, the adventures don’t end with simply Generation 1. The manga continues to spur through each generation and personifying the once silent protagonists from their games. Now, Gold, the male protagonist of Generation 2, is a pompous trainer who confidently strives to the top. Sapphire, the female protagonist from Generation 3, is a complete tomboy who stomps on those who look down on her. Diamond, the male protagonist from Generation 4, is lax and lazy boy yet protects those who are precious to him.
But what’s most surprising about Pokemon Adventures is its surprising ability to turn all of these stories into one coherent plot and still make it interesting. In a sense, Pokemon Adventures is essentially its own twist of the Pokemon universe and, if you’ve ever been a fan of Pokemon, the view is very attractive. The protagonists from each Generation are simply referred to as “the Pokedex holders,” a kind of name and stature that makes these characters seem special. The plots aren’t incredibly cheesy; they still hold a sense of maturity that the anime completely lacks. Pokemon Adventures is a solid manga in its own right without having to rely on the universe of Pokemon to help its fame. If anything, the universe of Pokemon is further bolstered by the imagination of the manga itself.
Phew, this was a long one. It’s not that I prefer this one over others, but I needed to clear any particular misunderstandings and assumptions people might have after looking at the title. It’s not the best manga, but I bet many would enjoy it.
If you have trouble searching for this piece, this manga may also go under the name,
Pokemon Special.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: ???
Length: 400+ Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/16765/Kingdom
Kingdom
It is the time of the warring states of China. It is a time where sweat is dropped, tears are wept, and blood is spilled. It is a time when only the greatest of generals can conquer those they face and those who dare challenge them. In that time, there lie two slaves in a field. In their free time, they grab their hand-crafted wooden swords to spar. With each strike, their wooden swords give off a resounding sound of cold steel that reverberates through their bodies. It is with each strike that emotions are transferred and their feelings are shared. And it is with each strike where they pledge to each other that they will become the greatest generals the world has ever seen.
For a while, my favorite manga was
One Piece. At one point, it was
Akumetsu. Then it was
Bokurano, then
20th Century Boys. Now, I can say that Kingdom is currently my favorite manga, and if you read it you may see why. Kingdom has a relatively simple plot. Two boys, named Hyou and Xin, dream on becoming the greatest generals in China. Now this is a simple objective, but the entirety of Kingdom is built upon the foundation of that dream, and it’s by using that one ambition that it’s able to pull actions and emotions that would otherwise be practically non-existent. Kingdom succeeds in what many manga fail to have acheived. It’s an ultimate objective and a clear sense of direction of where the manga is going. Kingdom uses this simple objective to create personas in the main character so clearly defined and emphasized where you can almost empathize with their emotions. The sake of fulfilling a promise and a dream is so heavily brought forth in this manga, and it’s by those emotions that build a powerful, touching story like Kingdom.
Oh yeah, and the art is absolutely gorgeous.
Status: Ongoing
Rate: Weekly/Bi-weekly
Length: 409 Chapters (11/11/14)
http://myanimelist.net/manga/869/Konjiki_no_Gash!!
Zatch Bell
Takamine has always been hailed as a genius, but he’s always bored and unsatisfied with the direction of life he’s taking. Enter Gash, a demon who claims to be involved in a worldwide battle royale for the thrown of the demon king. The catch? Every demon must find a human owner to command him. Takamine has just entered the battle that would change his life forever.
First things first, Zatch Bell is first and foremost a shounen manga. It’s also an intimidating 323 chapters long, so if you’re not into that kind of stuff, I’d recommend staying away from Zatch Bell. However, if you enjoy pieces like
Bleach or
Naruto, then you will without a doubt enjoy this one. Zatch Bell was one of the first few manga that I’ve read, and to be honest a lot of my experiences with it I still remember today. It’s an incredibly fun battle manga and more than anything it feels new and fresh, even by today’s standards. The art direction, the demon designs in particular, are very unique and different compared to your normal manga art, which definitely helps the manga get by. All in all, Zatch Bell is a solid piece and just a great read. Anyone who wants to let their minds loose should just read Zatch Bell. In a sense, it’s like a less violent Battle Royale/Pokemon hybrid. You can’t go wrong with that, can you?
Status: Completed
Length: 323 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/anime/246/Groove_Adventure_Rave
Rave
It’s a new age of humanity, and the new world organization Demon Card has taken hold. With the power of the Dark Brings, they pose an enormous threat to the tranquility of the world. The only powers capable of defeating the dark brings are the Rave stones, but they are scattered across the world and only the true Rave master can wield them. Meanwhile, sixteen-year old boy Haru Glory peacefully enjoy his days on the remote Garage Island…
Before
Fairy Tail became a thing, Rave was this author’s pride and joy, and if you read it you can see how many similarities there are between Rave and Fairy Tail. However, it’s my honest opinion to state that Rave is much better than Fairy Tail (although at this point that might not really be saying much). Unlike Fairy Tail, Rave has a designated goal and objective; the story doesn’t feel like it’s dragging on forever, nor does it digress into needless time-skips in order to forward the plot. It is, by its heart, a natural fighting shounen manga. Like
Zatch Bell, if you’re not in the mood for Shounen manga, avoid Rave like the plague. That doesn’t mean that Rave is by any means bad though, and it’s still quite an enjoyable read. It’s also an interesting read for those interested in looking into a piece of work that is in a lot of ways the predecessor to Fairy Tail.
Status: Completed
Length: 298 Chapters
http://myanimelist.net/manga/53/Yu_Yu_Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho
Oh Yusuke, he’s deemed to have such an unfortunate life. At the very least however, he is one of the most feared delinquents around, and no one wants to mess with him. But Yusuke finally realizes how unlucky he is when his life ends in a tragic car accident…
This review is geared more towards those who are new to manga. Why? Because, let’s be honest, who here hasn’t heard/read Yu Yu Hakusho? It’s a classic among fighting manga. For that reason alone, I think those who have never bothered with this manga before should give it a try.
Status: Completed
Length: 175 Chapters