Summary
- Dive into phenomenal manga like Monster, Vagabond, and Hellsing for unforgettable storytelling and stunning artwork.
- From psychological horror to samurai battles to hilarious rom-coms, there's a manga for every taste waiting to be explored.
- Whether it's the emotional journey of Frieren or the dark coming-of-age tale of Goodnight Punpun, manga offers endless variety and depth.
While last year was an excellent year for manga, there is tons more phenomenal manga out there that is a must-read if you are just getting into this wonderful hobby. Whether they have solid anime adaptations or not, sitting down and reading through their manga counterpart will almost always improve the experience, even if you already love its adaptation.
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PostsThere are thousands upon thousands of excellent manga that are worthy of your time, but we will only be highlighting a mere handful of them today. If an artist or author piques your interest in any of the entries below, you can likely find other works by them or something similar if you're craving something in the same wheelhouse!
Updated on April 27, 2025, by Seth Parmer: It's been quite a bit since we've last revisited this list, giving us the perfect excuse to touch it up and add five more must-read manga to the list, bringing our total to 20 manga that you should check out if you haven't already!
20 Monster
Author
Naoki Urasawa
Artist
Naoki Urasawa
Volumes
18 Volumes (162 Chapters)
Monster is our first entry on this list and is one of the most overlooked yet highly praised manga, making it a perfect way to kick things off.
If psychological horror is up your alley, then Monster will scratch that itch perfectly, making every page you turn suspenseful, culminating with one of the best endings you could ask for!
19 Slam Dunk
Author
Tahehiko Inoue
Artist
Tahehiko Inoue
Volumes
31 Volumes (276 Chapters)
From one of the best psychological horror manga to arguably the best sports manga, we have Slam Dunk as our next entry, which is a must-read for anyone interested in a thrilling and adrenaline-inducing story.
Despite its simple plot, Slam Dunk delivers everything you want from it, offering stunning art, fascinating characters, and a constant rollercoaster ride of emotion from the first page to the last. Read Slam Dunk as soon as possible if you haven't already!
18 Vagabond
Author
Takehiko Inoue, Eiji Yoshikawa
Artist
Takehiko Inoue
Volumes
37 Volumes (327 Chapters)
Up next is arguably one of the best manga ever created in Vagabond. It follows the tale of Shinmen Takezou through 16th-century Japan, with many twists and turns throughout.
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PostsTakehiko Inoue's stunning art is displayed beautifully through the manga's many samurai battles and even in its many peaceful, intimate, and personal moments. If any of this interests you, and you have yet to read it, then tackle the masterpiece that is Vagabond as soon as possible!
17 Chainsaw Man
Author
Tatsuki Fujimoto
Artist
Takehiko Inoue
Volumes
20 Volumes (186 Chapters)
It's no secret that Chainsaw Man offers blood-pumping action in a messed-up world filled with immensely fascinating characters, as the anime popped off, showcasing this series' potential to millions. But what if we told you the manga also does that, and there's more of it?
Chainsaw Man's manga is still ongoing and has reached increasingly bizarre situations, which is precisely what we wanted to see. If you liked what you saw of the anime, we strongly urge you to pick up its manga; you won't be disappointed!
16 Hellsing
Author
Kouta Hirano
Artist
Kouta Hirano
Volumes
10 Volumes (92 Chapters)
Looking for another great manga with style? Well, you're in for luck, as Hellsing delivers on that promise and then some with some of the best-illustrated combat encounters you could ask for.
Despite briefly stumbling at the finish line, Hellsing delivers a world with fascinating characters, a unique plot and world-building, and exhilarating encounters that showcase the brutality and viciousness of Alucard's battles against monsters and vampires. It's a must-read!
15 Haikyu!!
Author
Haruichi Furudate
Artist
Haruichi Furudate
Volumes
45 Volumes (402 Chapters)
If Slam Dunk was up your alley, and you would like to see what a modern and top-tier sports manga looks like, then Haikyu!! will deliver precisely what you need. This series follows a young boy named Shoyo Hinata, who becomes obsessed with volleyball after catching it on television.
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PostsFrom there, he joins his school's volleyball team and the rest is history, offering many clutch and heart-pounding moments, and an emotional rollercoaster you will be locked into, as you see one of the best sports manga unravel in front of you with each page you turn!
14 Naruto
Author
Masashi Kishimoto
Artist
Masashi Kishimoto
Volumes
72 Volumes (700 Chapters)
Naruto is one of the most popular manga properties out there, and it's largely thanks to its anime adaptation that realized its epic battles, heartfelt moments, and phenomenal characters.
While the anime adaptation is tremendous, if you avoid the filler, the pacing and stellar art by Kishimoto make the manga worth reading. Naruto is a series with a lot of heart, and reading about Naruto's struggle to save his best friend is filled with lots of pain and sorrow. Read Naruto if you haven't yet, even if you've already watched it!
13 Grand Blue Dreaming
Author
Kenji Inoue
Artist
Kimitake Yoshioka
Volumes
24 Volumes (98 Chapters)
Switching things up a bit drastically, we take a turn from psychological horror and non-stop action manga to a humorous and shockingly good one with Grand Blue Dreaming, which is a must-read for anyone looking for a more comedy-leaning manga.
Grand Blue Dreaming follows Iori Kitahara, who moves into his uncle's diving shop named 'Grand Blue.' Here is where his journey begins as he runs into a group of unruly characters who are part of a Dive Club that likes to party and drink, leading to a series of hilarious events worthy of your time!
12 Spice & Wolf
Author
Isuna Hasekura
Artists
Jyuu Ayakura, Keito Koume
Volumes
16 Volumes (100 Chapters)
Looking for a romance manga that will also offer a sense of adventure and fantasy? Well, fortunately for you, Spice & Wolf exists and is one of the best to do it. This series follows a traveling merchant named Kraft Lawrence who stumbles upon a wolf deity named Holo, who blessed the town of Pasloe's harvest.
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PostsHowever, Holo was essentially kicked to the curb, leaving her in an isolated and devastated state, kickstarting the long emotional journey as she travels alongside Kraft. Spice & Wolf has it all and then some, and is worth your time if you're into the genre!
11 Hunter x Hunter
Author
Yoshihiro Togashi
Artist
Yoshihiro Togashi
Volumes
38 Volumes (400 Chapters)
Aside from its constant hiatus, Hunter x Hunter is still one of the best manga out there, and it is a must-read for anyone caught up in its anime adaptation. Especially since you can get a bit closer to its ending by reading slightly ahead of where the most recent anime ends.
Following Gon's journey to reunite with his father as he overcomes various hardships and forges unbreakable bonds with his new friends will always be endearing and worthy of your time, even if you may never see it reach its conclusion!
