Descriptions come from either MAL or Baka-Updates Manga. Spoilers are under the black bars and will show the text when you hover over it. Reviews are sorted alphabetically as they are listed on MangaDex, where I read the majority of the manga listed here. Most are listed by their English translated title first.
I tried not to mention the artwork unless there's a unique style/aspect to it because all of the manga below have great artwork and it would get tiresome to read/type "great art!" for every entry.
I did my best with the trigger warnings and I would recommend checking out any spoiler free reviews on the MAL page for any other warnings that other readers feel the need to point out.
If you're curious about some of the manga here, most of the titles that I've reviewed below have panels on my manga themed tumblr at resetmyfeelings!
A young woman takes in a peculiar child.
My Rating: 8/10
Mariko Kikuchi tells the painful story of her father's alcoholism and her own journey through guilt to understanding her father's illness. She rejects the common belief that family members can and should be forgiven for anything they do, no matter how much harm they cause. This powerful, self-contained autobiographical manga began as a web series that went viral, and inspired a critically acclaimed 2019 film in Japan.
+ A extremely well made, yet extremely heartbreaking, manga.My Rating: 9/10
Nagisa Yamada is a cold and withdrawn middle schooler living in a rural town in the countryside. One fateful day, a transfer student by the name of Mokuzu Umino transfers into her school. She immediately garners the classes' attention for being the daughter of a renowned singer and her cute appearance. Claiming to be a mermaid, she seeks out Nagisa, the only person who seemingly harbors no interest toward her. Mokuzu declares that a storm is coming, and she wants Nagisa to be her precious friend. Otherwise, when the storm comes, Mokuzu will go back to the sea, turn into foam, and disappear.
+ I liked the two main characters well enough, even though Nagisa seemed way too mature for her age.My Rating: 7/10
Mizuki is a quiet and reserved girl who is about to take the entrance exam. She lives with her rigid and possessive mother, concerned that her daughter's grades are not good enough to go to a good university. The only escape route for Mizuki is Mako, her only friend, with whom she shares confidences and can vent. One day, talking about the trip they plan to take after the entrance exams, Mako suggested to Mizuki an easy and quick way to earn money to make his dream come true. However, Mizuki couldn't suspect that her friend's seemingly innocent advice would have dire consequences for both of them...
+ I really liked Mizuki and Mako as main characters. They're just regular teenage girls that went through such hell in their young lives.My Rating: 6/10
After ten years, Alice returns to her hometown from Tokyo to live alone in an traditional Japanese house with a sunken hearth. Harumi, her childhood friend, nervously meets her again after such a long time, but the warmth of the hearth with Alice is just as warm as it was in the past...
+ Slow paced, "comfy" read.My Rating: 7/10
Of the major causes causing the collapse of modern medical care, the lack of anesthesiologists is most severe. At times serious and at times comical, this story of university hospital anesthesiologist Hanaoka Hanako realistically depicts her every day work and life. While she faces the struggles of hard work, low pay, and sexual harassment, Hanako is ready every day to administer anesthesia.
+ Really captures the struggles and stress that health care workers have to deal with on a daily basis. And overworked and underpaided as well... it's sad to see that nothing has changed for either Japan or the United States when it comes to helping those that work in health care take care of their wellbeing.My Rating: 6/10... I really didn't want to give this series a low score because it starts out so well.
A humble medicine peddler comes across an elf slave, saddled with disabilities stemming from months of abuse. Can he save her?
+ I enjoyed the lore and worldbuilding...My Rating: 7/10
Yokoi Taku has trouble getting along with people, so he moved to Tokyo as soon as he graduated from high school. He now lives alone, making a living by delivering newspapers and drawing doujinshi, though people totally ignore his non-erotic works. One day, a girl named Saitou Megumi suddenly shows up at his door, claiming that she came all the way from Tottori to meet him because she's a big fan of one of his doujinshi. It ends up that she has faced many hardships herself, and with no intention of leaving, she ends up living with him.
+ Probably the most realistic depiction of depression and anxiety that I've ever seen in a manga.My Rating: 8/10
One day, Anita, an assassin without a single relative, recognizes the Grim Reaper. She discovers that if she can outlast him for four minutes, she will temporarily escape death, but...
+ Give this oneshot a shot (har har) if you want to see a badass female lead and a Grim Reaper that loves to hang out with cute animals! It was a great, quick read.My Rating: 9/10
Azumi focuses upon the life of the female assassin Azumi. The manga begins an indeterminate number of years after the Battle of Sekigahara, but as the Azumi begins her assassination missions, the manga introduces the characters into mainstream history. Many of the early assassination missions that Azumi undertakes are the assassinations of the prominent supporters and generals of the Toyotomi Clan, against whom the Toyotomi Clan expected to again go to war.
+ Azumi is a very likeable main character.My Rating: 7/10
The best high school stories are simultaneously funny, warm, and endearing — but most importantly, the characters come alive on the page. Get to know the girls who set a new standard for the high school experience!
+ Probably my favorite manga ever, I just love it so much. It's STILL one of the funniest pieces of literature, let alone manga, that I've ever read.My Rating: 10/10!
A tiger and a beaver who grew up together defy peer pressure to end their friendship and join forces to fight injustice. A camel journalist who passed judgment on carnivores for years spends a life-changing night with a seductive wolf. A crocodile and a gazelle must find a way to work together as chef and assistant on a cooking show with flagging ratings. A fox and a chameleon wrestle with stereotypes about each other—and themselves. And much more...
+ It's a sequel to BEASTARS but only for a few stories. You might be confused about the lore in the short stories if you're unfamiliar with BEASTARS but I don't think you need to read that manga at all to understand this one.My Rating: 8/10
In a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, there exists a bias: carnivores are just mindless predators in the eyes of many herbivores. However, when an alpaca named Tem is murdered within the walls of Cherryton High School, the fear toward carnivores skyrockets to an all-time high. Legoshi, a student at this school, is a gray wolf who is quite awkward despite his fearsome appearance. When turmoil affects his school life, he is forced to confront the divide between herbivores and carnivores, as well as his own place in this society. This is further complicated by his supposedly romantic feelings toward a herbivore, which might not be what they seem.
+ Dom is the best character. ... You know, the gay ostrich that faded out of the story for no goddamn reason? (EDIT: Wait, I think he graduated after the festival or something, so that might explain it. BUT STILL!) My other favorites would have to be Zaguan, Legoshi, Gosha, Ten (the female Inarigumi leader) and Hana.My Rating: 9/10
In the women's prison, there is a beauty salon that is open to the general public. If you make an appointment, a prisoner will cut your hair for you. The minds of the customers are filled with anxiety about the crime the hairdresser has committed, but the blue sky painted on the walls of the salon always manages to calm them down. Spending time with the hairdresser is enjoyable, but why did she become a criminal in the first place?
+ It's a slow paced but interesting read with a good ending.My Rating: 9/10
Guts, a former mercenary now known as the "Black Swordsman," is out for revenge. After a tumultuous childhood, he finally finds someone he respects and believes he can trust, only to have everything fall apart when this person takes away everything important to Guts for the purpose of fulfilling his own desires. Now marked for death, Guts becomes condemned to a fate in which he is relentlessly pursued by demonic beings.
My Rating: 10/10 BUT! Unlike the other highly rated manga on here, I would not recommend this series unless you are VERY CERTAIN you know what you're getting into.
Alice had woken up in Room 431 of a mysterious manor. "You must not leave this room," warned the Serpent, but she paid it no heed and her body began to rot... Will she be able to escape the cursed manor?
+ I liked Alice a lot, her charming and plucky nature was a great contrast to the grim personalities that were in the other rooms.My Rating: 8/10
Rokuro Okajima is just an average Japanese salaryman, living an average life. But when he's taken hostage by the crew of the Black Lagoon, Rokuro finds himself thrown headfirst into a deadly world of outlawed heroes, brutal villains, and blazing gunfights. Where he ends up is anyone's guess, but one thing is for certain—he's in for a wild ride!
+ The female characters really are the stars here, and rightfully so.My Rating: 8/10
One day, once again witnessing a quarrel between father and mother, Aya experiences a great deal of stress, due to which she gains an ability to turn invisible. At first, the girl is indulged with superpowers, but soon she makes a decision that will probably make her blame herself for the rest of her life...
- About the ending... maybe it's just me, but how the hell are the police going to believe the main character turned invisible and killed her father? There's no proof and the trial will only have to use her testimony as evidence. I know that the main character wanted to lift her burden of her actions but wanting to go to the police seems very rushed and nonsensical.My Rating: 7/10
As a way to withdraw from his monotonous life, Reiji finds comfort in watching the performances of "Acrylic," an idol group, and its most beautiful member, Nagi Aoe. But when he encounters the famous idol behind a convenience store in his grim town, he does not anticipate that he will soon be involved in a series of scandalous events that seem to be a repercussion of times long past.
- Good god, this manga is like a overdramatic, poorly paced soap opera at the moment. It started out decently but then every chapter ended with a 'shocking' plot twist that would come out of thin air and only served to have one character become aware of another character. Then the plot twists got crazier and weird and I stopped caring so much about the characters. Honestly, I'm only reading this at the moment to keep up with the drama because at this point it's just hilarious to me. That sounds really shitty because the manga does cover dark topics but it's handled so poorly that I don't care.My Rating: 3/10
A love story between a human and a skeleton.
+ Weird premise, but oddly cute and bittersweet.My Rating: 9/10
A sci-fi story about Captain Momo, a woman on board the space freighter Blue Chateau. She is alone on the 500-day one-way journey, accompanied by a cat, when she realizes that the electronic replication range that converts electrical energy into food can replicate non-food items as long as it has the data. The story depicts the freewheeling life of Captain Momo, who spends most of her time naked because she lives on a spaceship all by herself, and the serious troubles that occur during such a life.
My Rating: 7/10
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has sponsored a 7-part short introducing several famous Central Asian dishes and how to prepare them.
+ Very informative and well done short panels for, well, dishes common in central Asia!My Rating: 9/10
Seiichi Osabe is an only child living a mundane life. Just like any middle schooler, he has friends, a crush on a girl, and loving parents. However, Seiichi's mother is extremely overprotective, which causes others to view him as a mama's boy. Although he does not consider her behavior to be unusual, a certain incident starts to open his eyes to just how dangerous her affection is. As Seiichi tries to break free from her grasp, he learns that his life is not as normal as he thought.
+ Very, very intriguing and gripping at the beginning.My Rating: 5/10
Confidential Confessions is a shocking new manga series that deals with many of the hard-hitting issues that teens face today. Using emotionally moving story lines and multi-dimensional characters, each groundbreaking volume tackles such topics as teen prostitution, rape, HIV, stalkers, suicide, and sexual harassment.
+ One of the first manga that I read, way back in high school. The first story still hits me hard. :(My Rating: 8/10
Kurumizawa wants to get back to the land, so he leaves Tokyo, buys a ramshackle house in a mountain village, and starts farming. He has a lot to learn, though, so he's lucky to meet local furniture maker Usa, who shows him around and helps him renovate his house.
+ Very chill and slow paced read.My Rating: 8/10
Housewife Miyoko has just lost her husband and has nowhere to go. Thankfully her mother and father in law agree to take her into their home. Together they enjoy their lively and humorous daily lives.
+ I LOVE this manga. The combination of hilarious and heartwarming moments remind me a lot of Azumanga Daioh.My Rating: 10/10!
This is a story about furniture, friendship, and life. About girls that constantly toil and tinker in spite of the setbacks they suffer. They relentlessly struggle to finish what they start with their own hands, never giving up as they carve out their futures... And you are about to see them take their first steps.
+ It's cute! I'm really getting into, ah, I guess the best way to put it would be "self help manga", haha. It's a easy read.My Rating: 8/10
Freesia is set in an alternative Japanese society that is at war, and has passed a law legalizing retaliatory killings. If somebody kills your loved one, you are legally sanctioned to kill, or hire someone to kill, the victimizer. The manga is set around a character who works for a firm that specializes in these retaliatory killings.
+ The female bodyguard, Hisao, is a fucking awesome character. She's only in one arc but man, it was a blast watching her. She reminds me of a more professional Revy (from Black Lagoon).My Rating: 6/10
Mariel Imari is a private detective trying to become a first-rate detective to be able inherit her late father's estate. By some strange reason the mysterious thief Vecchio is taking an interest in her. If that's not enough her old friends at Interpol and her siblings makes life more troubling for her.
- I'll be completely honest here - I was VERY lost when trying to follow the plot.My Rating: 7/10
Memeko worked hard at vocational school in order to fulfill her dream of becoming an office lady. However, when she gets hired, she finds herself isolated in a department with only one co-worker! While the company president always praises her work, she'll have to keep working hard in order to get the friends and office social life that she really wants.
+ I liked the older male supervisor and I'm glad he ended up with his nice (and normal!) coworker!My Rating: 6/10
Amidst a post-apocalyptic world, Chito and Yuuri seem to be the final survivors of the war that brought civilization to its demise. No longer having a place to live, the girls roam around the city on their half-track motorcycle, ever in search of resources to sustain their vagabond lifestyle. Despite the bleak future ahead of them, the duo still finds ways to entertain themselves throughout this melancholic journey.
My Rating: 9/10
Tao and Alma, a pair of troubleshooters who work in a bustling red-light district, take on any job that requires a solution.
+ I loved the oneshot when it came out and was soooo happy when it became a series!My Rating: 9/10
After moving to Iceland, Kei makes a living there as a freelance detective. Whether it be resolving lovers' quarrels, locating missing people, or recovering lost items, Kei hops from case to case, traveling alone on the empty roads that span the rugged Icelandic landscape. But the secrets of the land of ice and fire are not the only mysteries ahead that Kei must unravel: an encounter with an aloof Icelandic beauty makes him recall local superstitions of ghosts that roam the wild lands at night.
- I DID NOT like the chapter where the protag kidnaps a man's dog just so he could interview him. (This was in the second or third chapter so I'm not spoilering it.)My Rating: 8/10
To pursue her dream of becoming an author, young Hanako abandons her home in Japan to journey to England. However, belittled and rejected by the publishing company of her favorite writer, she finds herself with nowhere to turn to—until she meets Alice Douglas, a noblewoman kind enough to take her in as a maid. Hanako enjoys working as Alice's personal maid, and despite being in different social classes, the two gradually become close. One day, Alice offers to grant Hanako's deepest wish, but only under one condition—Hanako must kill her in return. Attempting to understand why she would so eagerly seek her death, Hanako learns that there is more to the noblewoman than meets the eye.
+ Likeable characters.My Rating: 7/10
Great Teacher Onizuka follows the incredible, though often ridiculous, antics of the titular teacher as he attempts to outwit and win over the cunning Class 3-4 that is determined to have him removed from the school. However, other obstacles present themselves throughout—including the frustrated, balding vice principal, Hiroshi Uchiyamada; old enemies from his biker days; and his own idiotic teaching methods. But Eikichi fights it all whilst trying to help his students, romance fellow teacher Azusa Fuyutsuki, and earn his self-proclaimed title.
- Kinda gave up on this mid-way through after the... fake rape plot?? I don't even know what to call it.My Rating: 6/10
Her husband abuses her on a daily basis. Unable to stand it any longer, she asks her lesbian friend to kill her husband for her. And unable to say no to the woman she loves, the lesbian kills him...
+ I've read this manga twice and both times I ended up with different opinions. The first time after I read it I didn't like it that much, but I reread it on a whim and I liked it a lot more this time around.My Rating: 7/10
Shinichi Nagakawa and Yuuki Sanada are both involved in an accident and die together. However, they are given a chance to live again. God lets them live for seven more days, but after their time is up, one of them must die again. Oh, and there's one more catch. God decrees that their lives will be shared, including emotions and physical sensations. They are also unable to leave one another's side. What will happen during those seven days?
- It was so obvious that they would fall in love. I also thought that it was really scummy for her to plan for him to get her pregnant without discussing it with him first.My Rating: 6/10
High school girls' surreal everyday life.
+ Pretty enjoyable with funny main characters.My Rating: 7/10.
For centuries, many secret organizations have taken part in exterminating various types of dangerous monsters. One of them is the England-based Hellsing, run by its cunning leader, Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing. Her greatest hunter, and trump card, is Alucard, an unbeatable vampire genetically modified by her father. Despite him being one of "them," he swore to be her protector and servant. A new crisis begins and with the help of Seras Victoria, his recently turned vampire partner, Alucard has to uncover the truth behind the mysterious vampire attacks.
+ Similar to Black Lagoon, the female characters really overshine the male characters. Integra is an amazing character and so much more interesting than Alucard.My Rating: 7/10
Japanese supermodel and fashion icon Liliko leads a posh life, wearing and promoting the biggest brands in the country. She stands at the top of the modeling industry with the beauty she has attained through full-body plastic surgery. However, Liliko's body soon begins to break down due to the extensive surgery she has been through and the medication she has taken. Worse still, her fear of growing old and being rendered useless begins to drive her insane.
+ I dunno how popular of a opinion this is, but I liked Liliko a lot. I REALLY need to watch this movie sometime!My Rating: 9/10
29-year-old freeter Hiroto Ikuta is a carefree young man without a love life, regular job, or any real worries about the future. He inherits an old house from the neighborhood granny, where his 18-year-old cousin, Natsumi moves in with him to study art in Tokyo. This is a story about Hiroto and the people around him who struggle with life.
My Rating: 8/10, will most likely be higher when I continue to read it.
Honey & Honey is a realistic look at an adult lesbian couple living in Japan; to be precise, it's autobiographical. The artwork is simple, but hopefully the plot (and the information the manga imparts) will be enough compensation for those who don't like that style of drawing.
+ I really enjoyed this manga, it's a great autobiography of a realistic lesbian relationship. (I honestly want to read more nonfiction manga series but it seems like they're very rare!)My Rating: 9/10
Sakura Hibiki is your average high school girl, with a voracious appetite. Noticing her clothes tightening in lieu of her slowly expanding waistline she decides to look into enrolling in the nearby gym. There she runs into a girl from her grade named Souryuuin Akemi. Akemi, who has a muscle fetish tries to get Hibiki to enroll in the gym despite its high ratio of macho men. Thankfully a beautiful trainer, Machio, appears and unknowingly convinces her to enroll and start her quest to a great body.
+ Actually very informative when it comes to quick fitness lessons. Apparently there were some mistakes when it came to anatomy in the lessons part in the past? But I never noticed anything out of place. Then again, I'm very out of shape so I guess I wouldn't have noticed in the first place.My Rating: 7/10
Insecure 35-year-old Hideo Suzuki is forced to work as a mangaka's assistant when his own series fails due to low sales. But the world as he knows is about to be overturned. At first, not much seems to have changed, but he soon realizes that society has become a living nightmare, as the horrifying reality of what is taking place around him finally begins to sink in.
+ Great atmosphere. It actually has the feel of a realistic-ish zombie outbreak.My Rating: 6/10
Elementary school student Nanoka Koyanagi considers herself weird. She often uses it as an excuse to avoid doing things she dislikes, such as participating in her physical education class or getting along with her classmates. Out of concern and good will, her teacher assigns her to find the meaning of "happiness"...
+ I remember reading this late at night because I couldn't sleep and literally gasping out loud when the first plot twist happened. And I cried at the ending too. I can't remember the last time a manga caused me to react in such a way.My Rating: 10/10!
A story that wonderfully depicts the emotions of a overweight woman with low self-esteem surrounded within the harsh environment of slim and good-looking women. She then decides to lose weight after getting dumped by her lover. The consequences and side-effects are explored further after the "achievement." Is it what she really wished for?
+ Honestly, the main character's weight struggles were very relatable.My Rating: 7/10
Haruko is a teenage girl who shares with her brother a love of laying around the house in sweats, watching television and playing video games. Her brother has a few friends, but Haruko has a lot of problems with social anxiety. The two of them pass their days happily playing together, though their mother worries about how she's going to get Haruko to shape up enough to find a husband.
+ I relate to the sister's social anxiety a lot.My Rating: 6/10. Might change in the future because I have a lot to catch up on, but probably not.
Eleven-year-old Natsuru Nanao is the ace of the soccer team, yet has trouble speaking to girls because of a certain event following his transfer to his current school. Due to his father dying long ago, he lives only with his mother but doesn't let this distract him from his passion for soccer, as he hopes to become a professional player. One day, a female classmate named Rio Suzumura approaches Natsuru, a meeting which signals a huge turning point in his life.
- The main character's obsession with fondling his mother's breasts was so fucking creepy and absurd. (Yes, it happens more than once.)My Rating: 6/10
In the 27 years of his existence, Moriya Hanazono has been treated poorly due to his naturally scary looks. Working in his family's flower shop, he spends each day happily doing what he loves, regardless of what others think of him. Moriya's life begins to change, however, when he finds college student Hiyori Suzuki hiding in the van he was using to deliver flowers for her school's beauty pageant. Providing the right advice for Hiyori's troubles, Moriya notices the young woman visiting the flower shop frequently. Unbeknownst to him, she sees something in Moriya that no one else does: that he's actually an adorable person.
+ So cute and sugary sweet. If you want to read a light and fluffy romance manga, I highly recommend this one.My Rating: 8/10
A misty day at the waterfront and further meanderings of a nudist detective.
My Rating: 8/10
Tangkwa, a university student in Thailand, knows everyone loves tasty food! But... If you keep buying ready-to-eat food... You can't save money! So, you want to cook by yourself... But you can't cook! You want to learn how to cook... It's frustrating and you're lazy! It's hard! Hold up, don't find excuses anymore. Tangkwa will teach you how to cook simple, cheap, and delicious food. Try it!
My Rating: 7/10
The story of a girl called Ichiko, who lives alone in a forest. Each chapter features a dish or meal scavenged or harvested from Ichiko's surroundings in rural Komori ("little forest").
+ Such a cozy, comfy manga to read. It doesn't shy away from all the hard work that goes into living in such a rural area, which I enjoyed too. There's actually two movies (or more?) adapted from this manga that I want to watch!My Rating: 9/10
Maya is a witch. At least, that's what she's always telling her friend Mameyama. To Mameyama, she's just an otaku girl that might have a few screws loose. Either way, the two of them spend late nights together on voice chat, talking about whatever random, trifling things come to mind.
My Rating: 8/10
In the winter of 1967, a 20-year-old man returns home from his travels aboard a ferry, where a chance encounter forever alters his perception of the world around him. While relaxing in the cabin, he is approached by a beautiful yet enigmatic girl who introduces herself as Emanon; later that evening, the pair accompany each other to dinner. After seeing the man read a science fiction novel, Emanon offers to tell him her life story, saying that he doesn't have to believe it unless he wants to. And much to the man's surprise, she proceeds to inform him that her memory dates back over three billion years, to the very moment when life first appeared on Earth.
My Rating: 9/10
Menhera-chan is a pessimistic girl. Byoujaku-chan is a frail girl with a wild imagination and a love for BL. Kenkou-kun is a normal boy, in body and mind. This is the story of their dark and heartwarming daily life.
+ I adore this manga. At the beginning of the series it leans more into dark "gallows humor" 4koma but then it goes into exploring the character's problems deeper and more in depth.My Rating: 10/10!
A dull office worker, has always been thinking about "eating rice." The ecstatic eating face is the focus of attention, thus the eating face appreciation manga opens.
+ The illustrations of the food are amazingly detailed and yummy looking.My Rating: 7/10
The manga tells the story of a pigtail-braid girl after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
My Rating: 7/10
A compilation of short stories about weird high schoolers.
+ I adored the second story with the girl that loves to read books.My Rating: 8/10
I'm nothing but a hollow shell. It's been that way since I was rejected from art school. I live an ordinary, boring life according to my mom's instructions. I go to the job she picked for me wearing the clothes she laid out for me in search of a man she can brag to her friends about. Will I ever be happy again? It's all I can think about.
My Rating: 8/10
Dealing with abuse and depression since she was young, Mariko Ikagawa sought solace in Tomoyo Shiino — the start of a friendship that continued until adulthood. Now a 26-year-old office worker, Shiino is baffled when she hears a newscaster report that Mariko has killed herself. Though Shiino doubts the news at first, she accepts the truth after being unable to contact Mariko and begins to wonder the reason behind her suicide.
My Rating: 9/10
Ochiai is a gloomy woman who constantly belittles herself. Following her divorce, she moves into a new apartment and becomes neighbors with Sawatari, a cheerful man slightly younger than her. After Sawatari saves Ochiai from a drunk man, the two begin to meet frequently. As Sawatari's kindness melts her fears and worries away, Ochiai's long-lost happiness starts to return once more—her saddened heart now filled with many warm, sincere emotions.
+ The two main characters are likable enough. Seeing Ochiai take charge of her own life as the series goes on is great to see.My Rating: 7/10
Life at home isn't easy for Mai. Even though she's still in elementary school, she's always taking care of her irresponsible, immature father. Every day is far from ordinary as Mai deals with (and occasionally joins in on) whatever childish antics her father is up to next.
+ Mai's a good main character and honestly the only character that I ended up liking.My Rating: 6/10
At 28 years old, Kabi contacts a lesbian escort service. She imagines this event as a rite of passage into adulthood she has been avoiding for so long. And while this experience does not turn out to be exactly what she was expecting, it proves critical to Kabi's reimagining of her life.
My Rating: 9/10
Though his name may mean good luck, Daikichi is far from lucky. Losing his home and his job, he narrowly avoids being homeless when he finds an old abandoned apartment building. But the apartment isn't nearly as abandoned as it first appeared, as it's being occupied by the ghost of a girl who committed suicide there many years ago.
+ Don't let the content warning throw you off, I thought this was a very sweet and well written manga.My Rating: 8/10
Nana Komatsu is a naive, unmotivated girl who spends her high school days chasing one crush after the other. Despite continually facing failure in her quest for love, her spirits have never dampened. At the age of 20, she finds herself on a train to Tokyo with hopes of reuniting with her current boyfriend. Nana Osaki, on the other hand, is feisty and prideful. After joining a local band during her high school days, she falls in love with music and one of the band members. However, when faced with the choice between her relationship and her musical career, she chooses the latter and separates from her boyfriend. On her 20th birthday, she boards the same train to Tokyo, like her namesake, where she aims to become a top vocalist. The two girls with the same name but very different aspirations find themselves sitting together on their journey to the city, and, as fate would have it, eventually share the same apartment. A deep and unique bond is then forged, where they will support each other in this saga of love, music, friendship, and heartbreak.
My Rating: 8/10
Nanase, a beautiful young telepath, returns to her hometown to settle down and lead a quiet life. However, her unique abilities make that impossible, even in the most remote location. Then she meets Norio, an abused little boy with extraordinary powers of his own. Nanase takes him under her wing, and from there they wander...two outsiders traveling from one strange encounter to another.
+ This has nothing to do with the manga itself but reading this and seeing that the main character's name is Nanase made me realize that I need to reread Nana, haha. And I ended up liking that manga a lot more than this one...My Rating: 6/10
After stealing a wallet on a train ride, pickpocket Jimmy believes that he has slipped away scot-free. However, upon meeting the gaze of Reese Heyman, he realizes that he has been caught red-handed. Yet rather than hand him over to the police, Reese only makes Jimmy work with him at the bookstore for a day.
My Rating: 7/10
Amy is an ordinary girl who lives with her beloved father. However, she is not human, but a doll made up of cloth and cotton. Why was she created, and what does her future hold?
My Rating: 9/10
Greenhorn nurse Yukie has a strong heart and a quick temper, quickly becoming a dangerous nurse prone to creating accidents. This is the diary of her growth.
+ I actually like Yukie's rough around the edge's nurse persona - she doesn't take shit from the asshole patients but cares about the ones that treat her and her coworkers with respect.My Rating: 7/10
Yukari wants nothing more than to make her parents happy by studying hard and getting into a good college. One afternoon, however, she is kidnapped by a group of self-styled fashion-obsessed artists who call themselves "Paradise Kiss." Yukari suddenly finds herself flung into the roller-coaster life of the fashion world, guided by George, art-snob extraordinaire. In a glamorous makeover of body, mind and soul, she is turned from a hapless bookworm into her friends' own exclusive clothing model.
+ Despite the negative parts that I've listed below, this was one of the first manga series that I've ever read. ... back in high school, which was a long time ago... but the story and (some) of the characters still hold up today.My Rating: 7/10. Probably would be lower if I first read it as a adult. (Does that make sense? I feel like the average rating is mostly due to nostalgia so I might change it later...)
Ai-chan, a pretty student in her first year in a university, meets Tomo after she asks for a cigarette light from Ai. An apathetic, budding friendship ensues as they try and survive everyday university life together with the help of their daily does of caffeine and nicotine.
- The rating for this manga would've been much higher if Tomo didn't casually mention that she's a fucking pimp towards the end of the story. I... what?!My Rating: 6/10
Two high school girls, the short and exceptionally quick to anger Popuko, and the tall and much more calm Pipimi, do insane things and swear like sailors in this absurdist comedy filled with references and meta humor.
+ Wacky and odd humor that I like.My Rating: 8/10
Tsukimi lives with her fellow niche hobbyists in the all-female Amamizukan apartment complex, where the two most important rules are to avoid stylish people and men. Tsukimi has always abided by these rules until one evening—while rescuing a spotted jellyfish—she encounters a classy, princess-like woman. After allowing the girl to stay the night, Tsukimi is shocked to discover that the person is not a woman at all.
+ LOVED all the Amamizukan residents. Easily the best characters in the manga. amars 4evaMy Rating: 8/10
A man and a woman with opposite appearances and personalities meet while out walking their dogs. A timid man with a small, fluffy dog X a powerful woman with a big, fierce-looking dog...
+ Adorable! Just so cute and heartwarming.Rating: 9/10
Reiri once lived happily with her family, until the day soldiers came by after a battle. Her father, mother and brother sacrificed themselves in order for her to survive. She was only saved with the intervention of Okabe Tanba-no-Kami, who had been sheltering in the village. In his service, she grew and learned to fight well, chasing her goal of a death in battle. However, her path to death may not be as short and straight as she hopes.
+ It's very similar to Azumi (see above), but with much more depth and with likeable characters outside of the main female protagonist.My Rating: 9/10
Haruna Wakakusa and Yamada become friends after she saves him several times from her boyfriend's constant bullying. Through him she gets to know Kozue Yoshikawa, a fellow student who also models professionally. The three emotionally stunted teens' lives briefly yet intensely intertwine for one semester before splintering from the aftereffects of one disastrous night. For both Wakakusa and Yamada, their emotional awakening fosters an unlikely friendship between the two battered souls.
My Rating: 7/10
A 14-year-old girl has gone missing, and the police are looking everywhere for her. Her parents are desperate and wish for her safe return home, afraid that she is suffering in fear and tremendous pain. However, that is not the case: in reality, she has agreed to live with her kidnapper and a previous stalker, a young man whom she lovingly calls "Oniisan." She has no desire to go back to her parents—the ones who abused her physically and mentally—nor go back to school, where she endured heartless bullying. As time goes on, their bond grows stronger, and she asks Oniisan to give her a new name: "Sachi." Despite being aware of how unconventional their relationship is, the two make a promise to get married if they successfully escape both the police and Sachi's parents—or die trying. Clinging on to the littlest bit of true happiness they have found in each other, the two hold on to their only source of hope in this cruel world.
+ The characters are good, the plot is okay, and it was a intriguing read. However...My Rating: 7/10
Usagi Tsukino is a cheerful 14-year-old who attends Juuban Municipal Junior High School. She prefers eating and playing video games to studying, which results in her notably poor grades. She also gets easily upset, whether by baseless insults or reasonable reprimands. It is very unlikely that she could be known as anything but a bad influence and a crybaby, but that begins to change when she meets a black cat. Given a special brooch from the black cat named Luna, Usagi can use it to transform into a guardian of justice named Sailor Moon! She is now tasked to protect the Earth from all that is evil and to find both a missing princess and a sacred jewel known as the Mystical Silver Crystal. Whether she likes it or not, Usagi's beautiful transformation marks the start of meeting the mysterious Tuxedo Mask, fighting alongside new comrades, and learning to take responsibility in this acclaimed magical girl classic.
- I love this manga, but the ending is so fucking confusing to me! What the hell happened after Sailor Cosmos was revived? Did the rest of the senshi get revived as well?My Rating: 9/10
One day, Suzume finds herself unable to wake up, lost in a place known as the "Unwaking Town," Lutetia. There, she works at a coffee shop named "Quatre."
+ What a cute and calming series! Highly recommended if you want a chill read with yummy food recipes and illustrations throughout.My Rating: 9/10
Satoko is a Japanese woman on her way to attend college in America. Upon arrival, she meets her new roommate in an apartment building—and is surprised to come face to face with a thoroughly clothed woman! The two quickly become friends and Satoko learns that the woman is a Saudi Arabian named Nada. While Nada devoutly follows the religious practices of Islam, she has her own quirks—particularly a striking fashion sense and a mindful approach to life.
My Rating: 8/10
Once every 100 years, a Water Fairy implants an egg into a person who then becomes the Guardian of Fairies. This time, the responsibility falls on Chagum, the second prince of the New Yogo Kingdom. Chagum's life isn't easy. The king finds Chagum an inconvenience and attempts to have him killed. As a result, the queen asks a female guard, Balsa, to protect Chagum. In addition to this, beings from another world, known as Nayugu, constantly attack him in order to eat the egg carried in Chagumu's body.
My Rating: 8/10
Even though he's an elite hunk, Sekine Keiichiro is a man who has lived his life out-of-focus, cursed by three handicaps: he's stoic, passive, and a Jack-of-all-trades but master of none.
My Rating: 8/10
Naoko Tsuji, an unorthodox health teacher at an all-girls school, doubts whether the sex ed status quo truly teaches young people everything they need to know—so she ramps it up to 120%! Luckily for Tsuji, her class proves to be an almost unflappable group, including a BL fan, a lesbian, and a girl who just really likes her cat! With topics like safe sex for same-gender couples, masturbation positivity, and why sugar gliders have three vaginas, this sex education comedy is more than just dirty jokes. It's time for class!
+ Very funny and informative without being too raunchy.My Rating: 8/10. Will probably be higher when I read the other two volumes!
Izumi Sumi, a 25-year-old part-timer struggles through anxiety and depression, pondering the meaning for her own life.
+ The main character's struggles with her mental illnesses are so realistic and relatable that I actually cried during one part. I dunno what part it was, it was late at night when I first read it, but damn it hit me hard.My Rating: 9/10
A girl who shut herself in a closet for the last 2 years of middle school realizes she has to go to high school. When she exits her closet for the first time in two years and looks at herself in the mirror, she notices that she grew shimeji mushrooms out of her head.
- I still don't know how to feel about the recent chapter that had Majime initiate having sex with Shijima. It came out of nowhere, was out of character and did not seem consensual by Shijima's account. I still read the manga, but I'm not as excited about seeing the new chapters as I used to be.My Rating: 8/10
After her father's remarriage, Sachi suddenly has a new stepsister, Ayari. At first, their interactions are awkward, and very brief. However, they soon discover a shared love... of food? Sachi soon discovers Ayari's passion for cooking, and the two step-sisters soon begin to bond over Ayari's delicious cooking, and begin to overcome the barriers that had once kept them apart. While their parents are away on their honeymoon, they learn to cope with their differences, and bond over a seemingly insignificant thing!
+ The two sister and their friends are very enjoyable to watch.My Rating: 8/10
A manga that revolves around an old-fashioned all-night food stall, the various dishes that the stall owner prepares to suit the tastes of different customers, and the joys, griefs, trials and tribulations of his faithful patrons.
My Rating: 9/10
Would you like to try "eating" your worries? From all times and places, many guests visit one at a time. A lone witch on a lone island cooks each customer's "worries."
+ Wow, I FUCKING LOVED this manga! Every customer is a character from mythology or a folktale and it's really interesting to see how their "problems are served". That makes more sense in context of the manga, I promise.My Rating: 10/10!
Panic disorder, depression, developmental disorder, PTSD... Japan is said to be a country of hidden mental illnesses, where many patients suffer from mental illnesses without being able to talk to anyone. The suicide rate is one of the worst among developed countries. How has Japan fallen into this kind of situation? Psychiatrist Konosuke Yowai confronts the problems facing Japan's psychiatric care and sheds light on the shadows in people's minds.
My Rating: 9/10
"Marriage"—when two who were once unrelated vow to love each other and wish for each other's happiness become "family." This marks the start of the married life of her dreams, or so she thought. Before she knew it, she became a shut-in!? What will the newlywed wife do!?
My Rating: 8/10
When Hiyori—a young girl whose deceased father taught her the joys of fishing—headed out to sea for some alone time, she never thought that she would encounter another girl there. After a while, this girl—named Koharu—and her end up fishing and cooking together, and they get to know each other a bit in the meantime. During their brief time together Koharu finds out that the reason Hiyori went out to sea that day was because she's hesitant towards meeting her new step family that same evening. But what a coincidence! Koharu is also meeting her new family tonight! "No. It can't be a coincidence..." Follow these two 'sisters' and their new life together!
+ Very cute and informative. I couldn't care less about fishing but it's interesting to learn about "fly fishing" techniques!My Rating: 8/10
Minami Asako has a "unique constitution." He senses the lingering thoughts of the deceased and experiences the circumstances under which they died with his own body in a reaction similar to stigmata. This proves useful in solving difficult cases with the Metropolitan Police Department's Special Investigations Unit Six. Asako's partner is the reserved Superintendent Hiroto Kuroiwa, rising through the MPD ranks despite doubting his own abilities.
+ Oops, I meant to add this when I first started the page. It's probably the best BL series that I've read in a looong time!My Rating: 9/10
Komatsu Keiko and Saeki Ran are roommates. The kouhai, Ran, is studying to become a doctor and introduces Keiko to stretching exercises. This is their everyday life on how their implement stretching within their daily lives.
My Rating: 7/10
A long war between the Grasslands and Zexen has taken a heavy toll. When a long-needed truce fails, a quest is undertaken to find the legendary Flame Champion, who saved the Grasslands in another war years before.
+ Really a great retelling of the game it's based off of - Suikoden III. The Suikoden series is one of my favorite video game series ever and this was a delight to read. I bought all the physical copies as soon as they were released!My Rating: 9/10 but I'm a big fan of the game - it's my favorite in the series! If you have no idea what the game is about, then your personal rating might be lower.
Usuma Mitsutaka, 40 years old, an attractive office worker, admired by his colleagues. Of course, he has a secret he is trying to hide from everyone: he loves cute things. But with his nephew going to his apartment, Mitsutaka's secret is now in danger!
My Rating: 8/10
The story takes place in the '80s. Kaneda Sakae, a high school girl living in Sapporo, suddenly moves to Tokyo with her mother...
+ The fashion that the main character wears is so stylish! Okazaki's artwork suits the wacky fashion so well.My Rating: 7/10
Kristiania Clinic admits youths with brain problems. Hashi is a young man who causes conflict due to an inability to lie, Hana has repeated orgasms in public, Hideo believe he possesses superpowers, and Mari doesn't acknowledge the existence of any other human. Hashi, despite lacking the understanding of other's pain, secretly draws manga. One day, a young psychiatrist named Tamaki appears, whose wife had gone missing.
My Rating: 6/10
The story of the girls who met at Okinawa's sea. Amane who invites her neighbor living next door Sango to the sea. While bringing about a stormy mood, the two of them also head for the sea today!
My Rating: 8/10
The near future, in a quiet seaside town. Yoshioka, who had recently lost his wife, just wants to spend the rest of his days in peace. However, Yoshioka's children, worried about their father's health, sent a housekeeping robot to help him. Yoshioka's quiet life is now changing.
+ I adore Ponko, she's adorable and so charming.My Rating: 9/10
High school student Sawako is caught in a compromising situation. As a result, the other students in her school bully and ostracize her to the point she looks to suicide and drops out of school. She starts drawing manga and the hobby becomes her "vitamin."
+ Unlike some of the manga listed here, I thought this series had a GREAT ending.My Rating: 7/10
Murasaki Wakako, who is 26 years old, loves going out alone to enjoy eating and drinking, especially when something unpleasant happens at work. This manga follows Wakako through many solitary outings, where she enjoys different combinations of food and drink!
My Rating: 9/10
Following the events of her night aboard the ferry, Emanon—the enigmatic girl with a three-billion-year-old memory—continues on her journey, wandering aimlessly through life with no clear destination in mind. Since the beginning of time, she has followed the same cycle: she departs from home and travels the world as a teenager while pondering her mysterious existence, eventually meeting a man and giving birth to a girl who will inherit her memories and very being.
My Rating: 9/10
After her grandfather's death, Mikura chose to continue their island express courier service. With her seaplane and her adventurous cat, Endeavor, she lives life as she chooses. Soon, Mikura becomes very interested in a mysterious island that seems to move around, according to local legend. After some extensive effort to determine the island's whereabouts, she manages to get a brief glimpse of it from the sky. Now that she knows it's real, she's determined to find the island again, no matter what it takes!
My Rating: 9/10
Tomoko Kuroki is not cool. She is unattractive, socially awkward, and spends most of her evenings playing video games. Even so, no one wants popularity as desperately as she does. With one ingenious idea after another, Tomoko comes ever closer to achieving her goal—or so she thinks. Utilizing such innovative methods as imitating popular anime personas and buying expensive panties, she claws her way toward attaining the social status of her dreams.
My Rating: I have no idea, probably a 7/10 as of right now.
Takayanagi is a high school teacher who is in charge of an elective course that focuses on ethics. Despite not having a full class, he aims to teach his students about the importance of moral philosophy. Many students that attend Takayanagi's class are dealing with their own issues, and by engaging in his lessons, they learn to approach their problems from a different perspective.
My Rating: 8/10
For average girls, high school is a time of insecurity, of finding yourself and railing against your imperfections. In one particular high school, five average, unpopular girls take life one day at a time, learning as they go, and stumbling as they try to find their footing.
My Rating: 9/10
When I was younger, one of my best friends was Kyouko. She was a brash and hotheaded young girl who, even though she was a tomboy, was still loved by her peers. To be honest, it's been a few years since I came back home. The only person I know from there was Kyouko and she seems… different?
- As of right now, it's pretty much the same formula as My Divorced Crybaby Neighbor but with different characters.My Rating: 7/10
Coco, a humble dressmaker's daughter, has always been fascinated by magic and the witches who cast it, despite the strict precautions they take to hide their methods from the public. However, when Coco takes advantage of a golden chance to spy on the skilled witch Qifrey, she realizes that her favorite picture book was a disguised magic book all along! In her excitement, she immediately starts testing out the various spells. When a spell causes a disaster in her home, Qifrey rescues her just in time and decides to train her, realizing that she is the first lead he has found that could help him track down the Brimmed Caps—a dangerous group of heretics who experiment with forbidden body-altering magic and spread magical artifacts among the commoners. But before Coco and Qifrey can confront the Brimmed Caps, she is going to have to improve her magical skills and learn to get along with Qifrey's other apprentices.
+ THIS. MANGA. IS. SO. DAMN. GOOD. I'm just in love with it. I love the characters, I love the plot, I love the worldbuilding, it's all just so well done!My Rating: 10/10!
Since childhood, Madge has studied magic within a witches' village deep in the woods under her grandmother's tutelage. As she grew up, she constantly dreamt about living in the city, where witches of the highest caliber garner popularity and respect from the people. Running away from home, Madge sets out to begin her life in the city. Although her skills as a witch are promising, they do not fit the norms of modern society, resulting in Madge receiving a C-class witch rank, the lowest rank in the Witches Association. Set on improving herself no matter what, Madge befriends Lilica, a fellow C-class witch who lives with her in a rundown six-tatami mat apartment. Together, Madge and Lilica work to climb the rankings, taking various jobs like catching wild animals or repairing magical apparatus. With each successful quest, the duo's friendship slowly becomes stronger, allowing them to conquer all odds that may come their way.
My Rating: 7/10
It's senior year, and Rica is seriously stressed out. She's got more homework, exams, and papers than she can handle, and was recently dumped by her boyfriend. In other words: Life sucks! One day, she's chatting online when she meets three classmates who hate school as much as she does. Together, they hatch a plan to blow up the school when no one is present. The countdown is on for X-Day...
+ One of the first manga that I ever read, along with Paradise Kiss and Sailor Moon.My Rating: 8/10
Due to his lack of confidence, 30-year-old Kenta Fukuyama has always struggled with romance; however, an encounter with designer Chihiro Yamaguchi completely changes his life. Despite her seemingly cold demeanor, Chihiro is friendly and compassionate, leading Kenta to develop feelings for her. Similarly, Kenta's kind and genuine nature immediately captures Chihiro's heart, and the two soon decide to marry. Shy, inexperienced, and separated by distance, Kenta and Chihiro initially face difficulties as newlyweds. Regardless, through their mutual love for BBQ and with the occasional help from their close ones, the couple gradually learns to confront their problems and advance their unique, wholehearted relationship.
My Rating: Was previously a 7/10, but I'm rereading it and liking it much more now so it'll probably go higher in the future!
Balsa returns to the country of Kanbal where she was born to face her tragic past. But consequences of that past, and the secret that lies buried under the mountains, make her task a difficult one.
My Rating: 8/10
In a post-apocalyptic world where an environmental disaster led to the eruption of Mt. Fuji and the inundation of Yokohama, the age of humans is in its twilight. Alpha Hatsuseno is an android and the namesake of a small cafe outside Yokohama. As her owner is away on a trip indefinitely, she has been left responsible for running the cafe. Although she rarely gets any customers, Alpha remains outgoing and cheerful. While Alpha awaits her owner's homecoming, she explores the vicinity with her scooter and camera. Throughout her journeys, she meets new people and other androids, making memories along the way.
+ I was constantly amazed by this manga when I first read it and it's always good to reread this series. It's not too long and it's just a great, relaxed manga to experience. There's a reason that it's so beloved!My Rating: 10/10!
The author, a high school teacher, recounts his 12 years on "night patrol" in Yokohama City, where he comes face to face with youth dealing with issues ranging from self-mutilation to drug abuse.
My Rating: 10/10 but, similar to Berserk, read with caution because it has some tough scenes and plot lines to read.
While most people find the world mundane, five-year-old Yotsuba Koiwai sees it as a treasure trove of amazing bustle and wonderful places to explore. When she and her adoptive father, Yousuke, move to a new city, the energetic young girl naturally sets out to investigate the neighborhood on her own.
My Rating: 9/10
Yuki Itose is a hearing-impaired university student whose world has been shrouded with silence since birth. She has lived in the same place her whole life, and rarely interacts with others save for her best friend, Rin Fujishiro. During her commute one day, she meets the silver-haired and multilingual Itsuomi Nagi, a mutual friend of Rin. Unlike most, Itsuomi is unwavering when he learns of Yuki's impairment; this, along with his experiences abroad, fascinates and touches her. After they part, her fondness of him starts to grow. A new world begins to open for both Yuki and Itsuomi as they learn about each other's different lives.
- I haven't read this manga in a while and I think my interest started to wane when he starts treating her oddly, like he's more interested in her deafness than her character. Then again, I might be wrong because I need to catch up with the plot.My Rating: 7/10
"Jump's most delicious" gourmet manga from the writer of Giant Killing.
+ Despite the lack of summary here, it's a good read about a teenage girl learning how to cook to help her father out after the death of her mother. I liked all the characters and there were some heartwarming moments.My Rating: 7/10
Yumi is a shy and maybe a little awkward business woman who's unsatisfied with her work life. One day she finds a ragged stuffed doll on the side of the road. She names it Kurumi and decides to clean him up and finds herself forgetting about her problems and enjoying life again.
+ Such a underrated and well done manga! I can't recommend it enough, especially if you like josei manga.My Rating: 10/10!
Setting up a tent, starting a fire, and eating noodles with Mt. Fuji in view...Rin and Nadeshiko absolutely love to camp! Enjoy their zest for travel and maybe even pick up a tip or two about roughing it in the great outdoors. You might just want to go camping yourself!
+ I cannot believe that it took me so long to read this! Well, I'm still catching up to the latest chapters, haha, but I like pretty much everything about this manga - great characters, lovely artwork, slow but eventful pacing that I like, informative. Oh, and great looking food!My Rating: 9/10
The bond between high school friends is like no other. A trio of high school girls consists of Haruka Arai, the naive but sensitive genius; Yuki Katase, the rational one with a need to keep everything organized; and Misaki Fujikura, the sociable type who gets along with almost everyone. As the three girls go about their daily lives as students, they encounter the different joys that are borne from their shared time inside and outside the classroom.
- The main three girls are WAY TOO SIMILAR for me in terms of looks and even personality to tell them apart. I never knew who's who!My Rating: 8/10