These 10 titles can give you a great base to start your manga reading journey across all genres.
The world of anime and manga is varied, complicated, and often overwhelming for new fans. A lot of people want to start reading manga after they get comfortable with anime. However, reading and watching are two completely different experiences. Manga can often be hard to understand and confusing for new readers. That’s why, we have compiled a list of ten great manga titles that are easy and fun to read no matter where your interests lie.
My Hero Academia - Kohei Horikoshi
Starting the list off, My Hero Academia is one of the greatest battle shonen titles of the last decade. The series focuses on Izuku Midoriya, a guy who has no superpowers in a world where everyone has a ‘Quirk’. But his life changes when he meets his idol, the No. 1 pro-hero All Might and gets a gift from him. The manga follows Izuku as he enters a high school that trains pro-heroes.
From varied and unique superpowers to villains with different motives, Kohei Horikoshi has weaved a perfect plot in this manga. The battles are great, and the dialogue is easy and straightforward. If you’ve been a fan of Marvel or DC comics and superhero movies, then this manga will be right up your alley. There are also multiple spin-off manga like My Hero Academia: Smash!!, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, and My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions that you can enjoy. My Hero Academia capped off its story in 2024.
Isekai Ojisan - Hotondoshindeiru
Most Isekai fantasy series nowadays focus too much on aura farming and powerscaling, but there are some hidden gems that will bring a breath of fresh air into your life. If you want to start your Isekai journey on a wholesome and funny note, then Isekai Ojisan (Uncle from Another World) is the perfect fit for you. The title follows Takafumi Takaoka, whose uncle moves in with him after waking up from a 17-year-long coma. It turns out that during that time, his uncle was in another world, where he learnt magic and spells.
Takafumi and his childhood friend Sumika help his uncle get accustomed to the modern world. All the while, he tells them about his memories from the other world he went to. The series is funny, well-written, and has a touch of romance that makes it more enjoyable. You can also watch the anime adaptation of the manga. It can be a great introductory title to the world of fantasy Isekai.
Wind Breaker - Satoru Nii
If you're a fan of gold-hearted delinquents, then Satoru Nii’s Wind Breaker should be on your reading list. The manga follows Sakura Haruka, a boy ostracised by society due to his looks and strength. He enters a new town to start his high school journey in Furin High, a school full of delinquents and fighters. His goal? Fight and become the top dog of the school. But when he sees the students of Bofurin banding together to protect the townspeople from criminals, he understands the reason behind their unruly behaviour.
The manga is easy to read, filled with amazing fights and techniques, while also delivering compelling emotional nuance. The characters are all unique and have amazing backstories that will make you cry. Even the villains are well-written and depthful. There isn’t much lore in the series which means there’s no room for confusion, making Wind Breaker the perfect way to begin your manga journey if you enjoy fights and positive masculinity.
The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t A Guy at All - Sumiko Arai
Now we’re entering romance territory and there’s really no better way to begin than the insanely popular Girl’s Love manga “The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t A Guy at All”.
As the title suggests, the story begins with a misunderstanding when Aya, a popular girl who loves English rock music, enters a music store where she meets a mysterious guy. For Aya, whose taste in music doesn’t align with her friends, this is a chance encounter and she develops a crush on the guy. However, what she doesn’t know is that the guy at the record store is actually a girl. Moreover, she’s Aya’s deskmate, the quiet and aloof Mitsuki!
The sweet romance between the two girls slowly starts to grow as the misunderstanding clears up. The story is incredibly easy to understand and adorable. Moreover, the artstyle, with its lime green background, has given it the nickname ‘Green Yuri’ from the fandom. If you like music, then you can also listen to the official Spotify playlist of the manga while reading it (that’s what I do). Overall, if you’ve never read a Yuri manga before, then this series can be your introduction to the wonderful world of GL.
Kaiju No. 8 - Naoya Matsumoto
It really is the best time to start the Kaiju No. 8 manga because the series is coming to an end in just a few weeks! Naoya Matsumoto’s manga takes place in an alternative reality where modern day Japan is plagued by the invasion of powerful monsters known as Kaiju.
Kafka Hibino works as a cleaner who clears out the scene after a kaiju is killed. Although he remembers the promise he made to his friend Mina about fighting alongside her, at the age of 32, Kafka can never hope to catch up to her brilliance. But a chance presents itself when Kafka and his junior Reno are accepted into the Kaiju Defense Forces. But things go awry when a strange small Kaiju enters Kafka’s body, giving him the ability to turn into a powerful monster.
Kaiju No. 8 is one of the easiest manga to read for a beginner. It has a linear yet compelling plotline, with amazing action, and a clean artstyle. Despite being pretty short, the manga has really great character arcs and a dangerous villain who is hell-bent on destroying the world. The friendship between Kafka and Mina, as well as his camaraderie with the rest of the Defense Force cadets is something you’ll love. The manga and its anime adaptation both have some really funny scenes that offer solace from the breakneck pace. Overall, if you want to read a monster fighting manga, then this is where you should start your journey.
Kimi ni Todoke - Karuho Shiina
Want to lose yourself in a sweet, budding high school romance? The classic manga Kimi ni Todoke (From Me to You) should be your first choice. The story revolves around a 15 year old girl named Sawako, whose classmates call her Sadako due to her resemblance to the character from the horror movie “The Ring”.
Despite rumours flying around that she can curse people and see ghosts, Sawako is actually a sweet and shy girl who wants to help others and make friends. When her class’ popular boy Kazehaya begins talking to her, others also start seeing her in a new light. But as the days start passing Sawako realises that her feelings for Kazehaya might be a bit more than just friendship.
The story of the adorable and awkward girl making real friends in high school for the first time in her life will warm your heart. Sawako is definitely one of the best shojo romance protagonists of our age, and Kazehaya’s warm and open personality matches her perfectly. The other characters such as Ayane, Chizuru, and Ryu also have compelling backstories and character development that give the manga the additional dimension it needs to become one of the best in the genre.
Girl Meets Rock! - Kuwahali
We have another series related to music, although this one’s a bit different. Girl Meets Rock! is a slice-of-life series that focuses on Chihiro Hatono, a high school girl. She joins her school’s Light Music Club after learning to play a guitar, and starts to form bonds with girls who eventually become her bandmates. The story is a pretty realistic portrayal of high school life, with jealousy, heartbreak, friendship, and a sense of belonging all blending into a perfect mixture.
Unlike the other series on the list, Girl Meets Rock! doesn’t focus on battles or romance. Instead, the main focal point of the manga is the journey of Chihiro and her bandmates to pursue a passion together, as they struggle through high school. Even the antagonists in the series are people you’ll empathize with, making it realistic and relatable. If you like shows such as Bocchi the Rock! and Given, then you must give Girl Meets Rock! a try.
Sasaki to Miyano - Shō Harusono
Enter the world of wholesome teenage Boy’s Love romance with Harusono’s manga series about a boy named Sasaki and another boy named Miyano.
Being a Fudanshi, a man who likes BL romance literature, is hard for Miyano. As a straight man, he wants to hide this part of his identity as he doesn’t want to be misunderstood. One day at school, he meets his upperclassman Sasaki, a cool guy who saves him from some bullies. The two become close, but Sasaki realises that he likes Miyano as more than just an underclassman. When Sasaki takes an interest in his Fudanshi lifestyle, Miyano can’t help but feel differently about him.
The premise of this story is as simple as it can get. The way love blossoms between the two protagonists is natural, sweet, and without any toxicity. Sasaki is confident in his love, while it takes some time for Miyano to come to terms with his newfound attraction. The story is treated with extreme tenderness and care, making it one of the most emotionally fulfilling yet positive manga series ever. You can also watch the anime based on the manga.
Haikyu!! - Haruichi Furudate
Whether or not you’re a sports fan, Furudate’s classic sports shonen manga Haikyu!!, about a young boys’ dream of becoming the best volleyball player, is something you should read.
Shoyo Hinata is a young volleyball player who enters Karasuno High School to join its volleyball club. There, he meets Kageyama, the infamous and ruthless setter who was given the title of ‘King’ during junior high. Tensions rise when the two competitive teenagers start playing together, but their talent allows the fading Karasuno team to finally stand up to other schools and take their place in the nationals.
Amazing characters, an emotional plotline, and a great understanding for the sport make Haikyu!! one of the best sports manga of all time. The anime adaptation gets a lot of attention, but the manga is in no way behind when it comes to quality. The series doesn’t shy away from conflict, and resolves it in a realistic and mature manner. Overall, if you’re interested in reading a sports manga, then this volleyball series is where you should start.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Koyoharu Gotouge
Demon Slayer has to be one of the most popular titles of the last decade, and there aren’t many anime fans out there who haven’t watched it. However, if you haven’t yet, and want to get into the world of manga, then there’s nothing better than Gotouge’s original series.
The story is set in an alternate Taishō Era Japan where demons run rampant. A young woodcutter named Tanjiro returns home one day to find his family all dead due to a demon attack. Only his younger sister Nezuko is alive, although she has been turned into a demon. After stopping Nezuko from attacking him or other demons, Tanjiro decides to go on a journey with her to find a cure that will turn her back into a human.
A great plot, incredible storytelling, and emotions that will make you tear up every few chapters, Demon Slayer has it all. The characters are all well-written, although there’s not much scope for development as the series is very battle focused. On the other hand, every character has a compelling backstory, even the villains. Some of these stories will straight up make you bawl. For those looking to get into the world of shonen, Demon Slayer is probably the best place to start.
