Discovering a new manga series that really hooks you in can be tricky, especially if you’re just starting out. With so many manga out there, it can feel like a big jungle.

Big names like Jujutsu Kaisen or lengthy series such as One Piece might not fit everyone’s tastes. That’s where the fans at MyAnimeList step in to help.

They’ve put together a list of the top 20 manga series that they think every beginner should read. This list isn’t just a random mix it’s carefully crafted to cover a wide range of genres.

So, whether you’re into action-packed adventures, heartwarming romances, spine-tingling mysteries, or hilarious comedies, there’s something on this list for you.

20) I Got Caught Up In a Hero Summons, but the Other World was at Peace!

In a world where heroes are more symbols than saviors, Kaito Miyama is summoned alongside a genuine Hero. But this isn’t the epic quest he dreamed of.

Centuries ago, the Demon Lord was defeated, and now peace reigns. Demons are friendly, nobles are fair, and wars are just stories. With no grand adventures in sight, Kaito ponders his place in this peaceful world.

Then it hits him: he’ll create a harem by embracing his hero”status. Kaito sets off to win the hearts of the ladies, hoping to craft his own paradise.

Top 20 Manga Picks for Beginners, as Recommended by MyAnimeList — I Got Caught Up In a Hero Summons, but the Other World was at Peace! (Credit: Kadokawa)

But as he gathers his harem, Kaito learns that relationships are more than just numbers. Each woman has her own tale, dreams, and quirks, drawing Kaito into a whirlwind of unexpected emotions.

Kaito finds the challenges of his harem-building quest in a world where heroes may not fight battles but still have much to offer in matters of the heart.

19) Hi, I’m a Witch, and My Crush Wants Me to Make a Love Potion

The Good Witch of the Lake’s heart sank as her four-year crush asked for something so heartbreaking.

Determined to spend more time with Royal Knight Harij, Rose sends him on a quest for potion ingredients, hoping for a miracle.

But she gets more than she bargained for when Harij starts showing up every day, not with potion ingredients, but with meals for her.

This is the sweet story of a reclusive witch and a serious knight, whose romance blossoms from a simple love potion request.

18) Doomsday with My Dog

In a world shattered by disaster, the only human survivor wanders with her loyal canine friend, Haru, a wise-talking shiba inu.

But this isn’t a gloomy tale of the end it’s filled with Haru’s clever tricks, funny observations, and deep thoughts.

As they journey through the post-apocalyptic world, Haru keeps his master’s spirits up with his antics and wise words.

Even though she’s the last person left, with Haru by her side, the journey through the apocalypse is anything but dull.

17) She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat

Cooking has always been Nomoto’s way to unwind, but one day, she ends up making a huge batch of food all for herself. Realizing she can’t eat it all alone, she decides to invite her neighbor Kasuga over for dinner.

This impromptu dinner invitation sparks an unexpected connection between them. As they share a meal, they discover common interests and stories about their lives.

This simple dinner leads to new friendships, shared moments, and something even more.

16) Dark Gathering

Keitarou Gentouga has always had spirits drawn to him because of his strong spiritual presence. A troubling encounter led to a curse on his right hand, making him wear a glove constantly.

In college, Keitarou tries to live a normal life. Encouraged by his childhood friend Eiko Houzuki, he becomes a private tutor.

His first student is Yayoi Houzuki, the top student at the tutoring firm and Eiko’s cousin. Yayoi has a unique ability she can see into the spirit world with the two pupils in each of her eyes.

Since losing her parents in a car accident, Yayoi has been searching for the spirit that took her mother’s soul.

With spirits flocking to Keitarou, Yayoi asks for his help in collecting vengeful spirits to aid in her quest.

15) How to Grill Our Love

Kenta Fukuyama, a 30-year-old lacking confidence in romance, meets designer Chihiro Yamaguchi, changing his life completely. Despite Chihiro’s reserved appearance, she’s warm and caring, and Kenta falls for her.

Chihiro is drawn to Kenta’s kindness and sincerity, and they decide to marry. Shy and new to married life, Kenta and Chihiro face challenges, especially with the distance between them.

But their shared love for BBQ and the support of their loved ones help them find their problems and grow in their special relationship.

14) Ao Ashi

In a quiet rural town, all eyes are on Ashito Aoi, the star player of the local junior high school football team.

Known for his unique moves and solo style of play, Ashito is the driving force behind his team’s success in a high school tournament.

But their winning streak comes to a sudden halt when an opponent pushes Ashito too far, leading to a moment of anger and violence. As a result, he’s kicked out of the game, leaving his team without their key player.

With their star sidelined, the team is knocked out of the tournament. Feeling hopeless, Ashito is approached by Tatsuya Fukuda, a youth team coach from Tokyo.

Fukuda sees potential in Ashito and invites him to try out for a team in the city. In a new and unfamiliar environment filled with talented players, Ashito dig deep to prove himself.

13) Given

Mafuyu Satou heads to high school, his Gibson guitar close by. One day, he falls asleep on the gym stairs and meets Ritsuka Uenoyama, who’s a bit annoyed about Satou not taking care of his guitar.

Impressed by Uenoyama’s guitar skills, Satou asks for help fixing it and learning to play. Uenoyama agrees, and soon they’re playing with bassist Haruki Nakayama and drummer Akihiko Kaji.

Satou’s voice is stunning, inspiring Uenoyama to make him the band’s lead singer. Though unsure at first, Satou agrees after a heart-to-heart with an old friend. With the gang’s support, Satou learns guitar and solves the mystery of how he got the instrument.

12) Mission: Yozakura Family

Taiyou Asano, a high school student, struggles since losing his family in a car crash. His anchor is his childhood friend, Mutsumi Yozakura, leader of the world’s top spy family.

Mutsumi’s big brother, Kyouichirou Yozakura, is fiercely protective, especially after a past incident hurt Mutsumi deeply. His love for her is strong, and now Taiyou is in his sights.

For safety, Taiyou had to marry Mutsumi and become part of the Yozakura family. This throws him into a world of secrets and dangers, where he quickly learn spy skills to protect his wife and uncover family secrets.

In this exciting journey, Taiyou becomes a spy, uncovering his own past and the Yozakura family’s hidden truths. With danger around every corner, he must stay brave to keep his loved ones safe.

11) A Sign of Affection

Yuki Itose, a university student born with hearing loss, moves through her days using sign language, texts, and reading lips.

One day, at a crosswalk, a foreigner asks for directions. Assuming he speaks English, Yuki struggles to communicate.

Suddenly, a young man steps in, effortlessly speaking the foreign language and helping the traveler.

This encounter sticks with Yuki. She’s intrigued by the young man’s ease with languages and kindness. As they part ways, Yuki can’t shake the feeling they’ll meet again.

Through Yuki’s eyes, we glimpse the beauty of human interaction. She sees the unspoken connections between friends and strangers alike.

The young man reappears, this time in a cafe where Yuki is with her friends.

10) Wind Breaker

Haruka Sakura steps into Furin High School, a place where strength rules. The students here are tough and ready to fight to protect their town.

Haruka isn’t interested in being a hero or joining any group. He has one goal: to challenge the toughest fighters in the school.

Every day, he seeks out new battles, pushing himself to get better. The thrill of the fight keeps him going, and soon, everyone knows him as a formidable opponent.

But as Haruka climbs the ranks, he faces challenges. Through it all, Haruka learns that true strength isn’t just about muscles. It’s also about inner strength and never giving up.

Driven by his desire to be the best, Haruka keeps fighting. Each win brings him closer to his ultimate goal: standing as the strongest in Furin High School.

9) You and I Are Polar Opposites

You and I Are Polar Opposites is a sweet romantic comedy manga that follows Suzuki and Tani, two high schoolers who are magnetically drawn to each other despite their different personalities.

Suzuki is a reserved book lover, while Tani is an outgoing and popular girl. As their feelings deepen, Suzuki and Tani must figure out how to communicate and find middle ground to make their relationship thrive.

Through their journey, they realize that their contrasts can actually complement each other, aiding in their personal growth.

8) Mieruko-chan

Mieruko-chan is a one-of-a-kind horror-comedy manga starring Miko Yotsuya, a high schooler with the ability to see ghosts and spirits.

Even though she’s surrounded by terrifying apparitions, Miko does her best to ignore them and live a regular life. She’s afraid that acknowledging these spirits will only invite more trouble.

In the midst of her high school adventures, Miko finds out that her best friend, Hana Yurikawa, shares her ability to see ghosts. They go on a journey to uncover the secrets behind their spooky encounters.

Mieruko-chan strikes a balance between chills and chuckles, offering an entertaining yet unsettling read.

The ghosts and spirits often take on a humorous tone, but the manga never backs down from the genuine terror of Miko’s predicament.

7) Skip and Loafer

Skip and Loafer is a touching coming-of-age manga that follows Mitsumi Iwakura, a cheerful high schooler from a small countryside town. Her only dream is to make it into a top-notch university in Tokyo.

In her journey through the academic challenges and the new cityscape, Mitsumi crosses paths with a range of classmates, among them Shima Sousuke, a relaxed boy who unexpectedly becomes a friend.

They offer support through the highs and lows of high school, discovering important lessons about friendship, self-improvement, and staying authentic.

6) The Dangers in My Heart

The Dangers in My Heart is a unique romance manga centered on Kyotaro Ichikawa, a high schooler with troubling, obsessive thoughts, and Anna Yamada, the bright and popular girl who sits beside him.

Though Kyotaro often daydreams about harming his classmates, especially Anna, he soon learns that she harbors her own struggles and vulnerabilities.

Through their growing bond, Kyotaro starts to confront his dark thoughts and considers the prospect of real human connection and love.

This distinctive romance delves into themes of mental well-being, self-acceptance, and the strength found in understanding others.

5) The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries is a historical mystery manga set in ancient China. It tells the story of Maomao, a clever young woman with deep expertise in herbal medicine.

After being sold into palace servitude, she becomes an attendant to the imperial concubines. Facing puzzling events like mysterious illnesses and suspected poisonings.

Maomao relies on her sharp mind, medical knowledge, and deductive prowess to untangle the mysteries and safeguard those in her care.

The manga artfully mixes mystery, romance, and historical storytelling, giving readers a peek into the world of ancient Chinese court intrigue.

4) That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is a well-loved isekai manga featuring Satoru Mikami, a 37-year-old office worker who finds himself reborn as a slime monster in a fantasy world.

Renaming himself Rimuru Tempest, he uncovers special powers and makes friends with different races, aiding them in building a prosperous village.

With Rimuru’s actions gaining attention, he draws both supporters and foes, getting tangled in the intricate politics of this world.

The manga tracks Rimuru’s development as a leader and architect of a nation, as he strives to forge a peaceful community.

3) Oshi no Ko

Oshi no Ko is a gripping manga that mixes the world of entertainment, mystery, and supernatural elements.

It tells the story of Gorou, a skilled gynecologist who gets reincarnated as the son of his beloved idol, Ai Hoshino, after a heartbreaking incident.

Born anew as twins, alongside his sister Ruby, Gorou keeps all his memories intact. He’s set on finding out what really happened to him and shielding his new family from the shadows lurking around the idols.

2) Blue Box

Blue Box is a touching manga about Taiki Inomata, who’s into badminton, and Chinatsu Kano, a basketball ace.

They both live in the same building and go to the same school, building a close friendship as they help each other out with the ups and downs of sports and school life.

Taiki has a big crush on Chinatsu, but he knows he’s not quite at her level yet. So, he decides to chase after the same dream as Chinatsu: making it to the nationals.

He puts in all the effort he can, training hard to catch up. The manga wonderfully shows the challenges and triumphs of student-athletes, focusing on the importance of dedication, never giving up, and the strength of emotional bonds.

1) Dandadan

Dandadan is an exciting manga that tells the story of Momo Ayase, a girl who doesn’t buy into the idea of ghosts, and Ken Takakura, a boy who’s skeptical about aliens.

But when they stumble upon something strange, they get pulled into a world filled with supernatural creatures and beings from outer space.

With a quirky bunch of characters by their side like a mischievous spirit, a puzzling alien, and a talking dog Momo and Ken find themselves facing all sorts of strange tests while uncovering their town’s mysteries.

This hilarious and action-packed series smoothly mixes science fiction, spooky stories, and humor, all the while exploring ideas of friendship and keeping an open mind.