Anime! Anime!, a publication focused on Japanese animation, recently polled fans to determine which manga (Japanese comics) not yet adapted into television shows or films have the most anticipation for eventually being turned into anime.
The poll separated voter choices into two groups – manga that is still in progress with more issues to come versus manga that has finished its entire run.
This differentiation allowed fans to highlight both unfinished stories they hope to get anime adaptations before the plotlines conclude, as well as completed narratives ready to be brought to screens.
By splitting the voting this way, the survey intended to capture what enthusiasts most want to see animated in the near future while also identifying beloved finished manga properties ripe for adaptation.
The poll provides insight into stories Japanese readers feel passionately about sharing via animation and which specific manga they believe animation studios should prioritize acquiring the rights to produce.
Overall, the poll taps into and quantifies the series fans have the greatest fervor to view visualized in an anime format, illuminating promising opportunities for producers considering their next projects—the voter enthusiasm and engagement spotlight manga with built-in audiences eagerly awaiting possible anime adaptations.
Top 25 Most-Wanted Manga for Japanese Fans to Be Animated!
The poll, which was open for responses from November 28th through December 5th, 2023, accumulated participation from 432 people.
Of those who took part, roughly 25 percent identified as male, and 70 percent identified as female. The remaining 5 percent declined to specify their gender. This breakdown indicates the majority of respondents were female.
In regard to age ranges, half of those surveyed, close to 50 percent, were 19 years old or younger. The next highest age bracket of participants were those in their 20s, comprising around 15 percent of total respondents.
This data signals the poll’s results predominantly reflect the preferences of younger manga and anime fans still in their teenage years or emerging adulthood rather than older adult audiences.
By tallying 432 submissions over a week-long period and capturing a predominantly female and youthful swath of enthusiasts, the survey provides a snapshot into these key demographics’ most anticipated manga for anime adaptation.
The aggregate data offers insights into which untapped manga stories resonate strongest with Japanese readers just coming of age and starting to form their entertainment interests.
As such, the poll results may highlight titles ripe for animation aimed toward this important market segment of youth and young adult consumers.
25. Last Karte – Houjuuigakusha Touma Kenshou No Kioku by Asayama Wakabi
Kenshou Touma seems like a regular high school student, filled with normal hopes and anxieties about his future path, just like any teenager on the cusp of adulthood.
But one day, while passing through a local park, he stumbles upon an unsettling scene – a large murder of crows scattered lifelessly across the grass, clearly having perished in disturbing and mysterious circumstances.
As Kenshou takes in the sight of the unnatural crow’s demise unfolding around him, the intense experience suddenly triggers something within him. He finds himself manifesting an awakening superhuman ability never before realized.
While the full nature of his spontaneously developed power remains unclear, this marks a pivotal turning point for the formerly ordinary student.
The strange park encounter and its aftermath thrust Kenshou into an exceptional situation beyond anything fathomed in his everyday adolescent life. Where this event will ultimately lead him, and his newly tapped supernatural gift remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain – neither Kenshou’s normal high school challenges nor his larger future aspirations will stay the same in the face of the fantastical developments his chance crossing with the ominous crow deaths has set in motion. Ordinary life has taken an extraordinary twist!
24. Yomi no Tsugai by Hiromu Arakawa
The manga Yomi no Tsugai revolves around a young boy named Yuru who is residing in a secluded mountain village largely cut off from wider society.
He leads a peaceful existence in harmony with the natural world around him, often hunting wild birds as a hobby or leisure activity.
Yuru’s tranquility is disrupted when his younger twin sister Asa receives an abrupt and mandatory summons to serve as staff within the village’s central jail facility.
This not only places Asa into an unaccustomed setting separate from her family and community but also restricts and confines her to the prison premises with no ability to leave.
Troubled by his sister’s sudden enforced isolation and ominous assignment overseeing imprisoned individuals of uncertain backgrounds or criminal histories, Yuru strives to uncover what hidden secrets or unnatural mysteries might truly underpin his hometown’s superficially quiet veneer.
Driven by concern for Asa and suspicion around the vague factors underlying her detention duty, Yuru progressively works to unravel long-unquestioned village oddities that don’t quite add up.
Through Yuru’s quest for clarity and yearning to reconnect with Asa, the manga steadily reveals the extent to which secluded communities can harbor disturbing unknowns beneath their peaceful facades.
Yomi no Tsugai explores what lies beyond the surface of Yuru’s remote village as one boy dares confront the reality behind the lies, seeking light in the darkness for himself and the cherished twin fate saw fit to sunder without explanation.
23. Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi by Aya Hirakawa
Ayase Yuu seems destined for obscurity despite his pedigree as the son of a famous and gifted actress.
Lackluster in talent and below average across endeavors, he resignedly accepts an arrangement to lodge with a friend of his celebrity mother rather than impose on her busy schedule.
To Yuu’s surprise, he will not merely be rooming with a family friend but also sharing a home with three dazzling and gifted sisters from his own school, renowned for both beauty and skill in fields ranging from athletics to academics.
Initially overwhelmed at having to coexist with such seemingly flawless girl prodigies and self-conscious over his own ordinariness, Yuu assumes insurmountable social barriers and judgment from his highly accomplished housemates.
After all, how could he possibly relate to or befriend young women blessed with so much natural talent?
Yet contrary to Yuu’s cynical expectations, the three sisters warmly welcome rather than disdain him, neither flaunting their gifts nor appearing to view his average abilities as a shortcoming.
As Yuu’s interactions with the compassionate and down-to-earth trio progress, he steadily realizes stellar talent does not necessarily correlate with condescension for the average.
Rather, an understanding emerges organically between Yuu and the sisters, bridges built not upon skill levels but on emotional connection, empathy, and sincerity.
Yuu gradually recognizes he may have inherent worth beyond fame or noticeable accomplishments. And that realization itself may be the foundation for untapped talents waiting patiently under the surface.
22. Fuji no Yamai wa Fushi no Yamai by Hechii
In a bleak future ravaged by relentless plagues and epidemics, a calamitous event has plunged humanity into a perpetual cycle where each new disease spawns yet another, even deadlier than the last. Civilization teeters on the brink, desperate for cures.
Yet the maverick Dr. Ikuru finds himself scorned and ostracized despite dedicating his career to unconventional treatments for these devastating contagions.
Ironically, his unorthodox innovations now focus on remedying the one affliction from which he himself cannot escape – an immortalizing disease that eternally preserves him even as he yearns for the release of death.
Driven by his own misfortune, Ikuru undertakes a mission to save a world that shuns him, compelled to heal and stabilize the same humanity he envies for its ability to perish. His quest forms an epic medical odyssey pushing the boundaries of science fiction.
Racing against both his bitter loneliness and the ticking clock of mankind’s extinction, the outcast doctor must realize breakthrough advances balancing upon the knife’s edge, separating salvation from disaster, life from death, and construction from destruction.
Can one broken man find closure in rescuing the very people who made him an exile? Or does nirvana remain forever out of reach for the healer destined to endure beyond imagining?
His torturous journey forms a parable of the sacrifices made to save an oblivious world that may never accept its tortured savior.
21. Honey Lemon Soda by Mayu Murata
Ishimori Uka is paralyzed by extreme social anxiety, cripplingly shy, and mortified by any attention at the tender age of 15.
Even casual eye contact seems more than the withdrawn girl can bear. Each day passes in silent tension, afraid of being noticed or engaged.
But a serendipitous street encounter with an upbeat boy radiating youthful optimism begins thawing Uka’s fears. His vibrancy and guileless charm disarm her, stirring the first sparks of self-confidence.
When several cruel bullies menace a helpless Uka soon after, this same righteous lad intervenes, resolutely shielding her with a courage she never knew she had.
Her rescuer’s emboldening compassion stirs once-dormant dreams inside the wallflower girl’s fragile heart.
She realizes she, too, harbors a voice yearning to be heard, a unique spirit waiting to manifest beyond self-imposed constraints. Just like her self-assured friend, Uka reaches for more.
No longer willing to smother her identity beneath an avalanche of anxiety, Uka pursues positive change, drawing daily strength from memories of a caring boy breezing unexpectedly into her life one fateful day…a boy who reminded Uka that even she deserved to stand proudly in the sunlight and speak her truth. He was the human lemon soda who helped a shrinking violet begin to bloom in full.
20. Dead Account by Watanabe Shizumu
At just 15, Souji Enishiro’s unconventional path saw him dropping out of high school to support his beloved younger sister’s intensive medical costs.
Adopting the alias “Aoringo,” Souji pursues controversial notoriety as an edgy online streamer, his viral antics and violation of taboos reaping fortunes from voyeuristic crowds.
Yet beyond the brutish persona winning clicks and cash exists a devoted caretaker nourishing his sister’s frail health with secretly earned funds.
Though branded a menace by scandalized society, Souji shields his angelic sibling from stigma, cherishing her smiles over her reputation.
Even monetized outrage retains nobility when underlying motivations stem from fraternal love.
But Souji’s world threatens to collapse when unexpected tragedy robs him of the sister he prizes over global fame.
Bereft of purpose with his only family gone, Aoringo might morph from tabloid oddity to engine of vengeance against the forces of mortality itself.
Rising from the ashes of despair, a reborn Souji embraces a new crusade as a modern exorcist, using recently awakened abilities to expose and purge supernatural threats concealed behind modern frames.
His reformulated streaming now showcases paranormal battles rather than petty provocations.
With renewed reason to fight on and retain connections to lost loved ones, Souji walks a thin line between spectacle and catharsis, vengeance and healing.
His live-streamed outings form a contemporary mythic odyssey, reminding society that even so-called delinquents can become unlikely heroes when given motivation, meaning, and a miracle to chase after.
19. Tsuki no Oki ni Mesu mama by Kiuchi Ramune
The manga’s narrative unfolds in early 20th-century Tokyo during the Taisho historical period, an era of rapid modernization and societal change.
Here, we find the youthful Tamako, a sheltered daughter of aristocracy abruptly transferred to reside alone within an imposing mansion kept under the stewardship of Uozaki.
Initially bored by seclusion and ignorant of the outside world save for books, the young girl reflexively falls into an entitled pattern of bombarding the overworked servant Uozaki with frivolous requests and selfish demands stemming from childish whim rather than necessity.
Too immature to comprehend boundaries, Tamako persists in being a nuisance merely to pierce the monotony.
For endlessly patient Uozaki, catering to the clueless girl’s stream of impulses makes for comedic tribulations as her pampered upbringing renders her unable to grasp life’s realities beyond manor walls. But these lighthearted episodes also veil clues to the actual truth behind Tamako’s strange circumstances.
By revealing the clash between chased material comforts and harsh realities, the author punctures insular bubbles of privilege that are still pervasive in modern times. Yet they question whether recklessly ever-questioning the powerful truly brings progress or simply stokes scandal without substance.
Can whimsical defiance of social facades be compatible with bringing actual change? As the secrets behind Tamako’s odd living arrangement begin emerging, Uozaki, too, must reassess his role, perpetuating the structures his restless ward yearns to unveil or topple.
Their journeys both spark reflection on what rules exist simply for tradition’s sake versus to conceal injustice.
18. You and I Are Polar Opposites by Kocha Agasawa
Suzuki coasts through life, mostly blending into the background, never firmly deciding on passions or vocally expressing opinions. She simply exists amiably enough without waves.
Yet Suzuki finds herself drawn to the unusually outspoken Tani, a reserved boy who defies stereotypes by bluntly articulating well-reasoned perspectives rather than silently avoiding confrontation like many peers. Suzuki admires his confidence and convictions.
Though an unlikely pairing on the surface, intimations of attraction spark between the mild girl who goes with the flow and the candid boy who makes waves by speaking his mind. Could the yin find balance with the yang?
As mutual affection battles their differences, Suzuki discovers newfound inspiration in Tani’s steadfast individuality to voice her own desires rather than just drift in ambivalence. Meanwhile, Suzuki’s mellow temperament calms Tani’s tendency to come on too strong in his zeal for truth-telling.
Together, the two find a middle ground, with Tani learning to temper candor and Suzuki feeling empowered to chime in.
Through lighthearted romantic comedy, the manga suggests how relationships can uplift individuals to become better versions of themselves by borrowing attributes from a partner to round out rough edges.
While Suzuki and Tani may start off as total opposites, through an almost scientific fusion of contrary personalities, they strike an imperfect but nourishing balance of thoughtful restraint and confident authenticity.
In the process, the once passive Suzuki finds her voice while the formerly blunt Tani practices more diplomacy.
17. Joshiryoku Takame na Shishihara-kuny Mii Aimai
At first glance, Shishihara seems an innocuously sweet youth, distinctly feminine in appearance and mannerisms. The delicate boy radiates such guileless approachability that his disarming charm tends to attract more female confidants than macho male compatriots.
Yet beneath dainty Shishihara’s harmless facade coils, cryptic gossip-fueled speculation around town hinting at a startling secret identity lurking behind the scenes.
Whispers in certain social circles suggest there may be more to the seemingly gentle adolescent than meets the eye.
According to these provocative rumors, Shishihara’s nature may radically contradict initial perceptions of the polite youth as readers progress through suspenseful revelations. Early tip-offs raise shocking possibilities about taboo transformations or even supernatural origins, tying back to Shishihara’s origins.
Is the wholesome lad simply in touch with his feminine side as a positive example of fluid 21st-century self-expression? Or do the ominous theories prove true, indicating something more uncanny, perhaps preternatural, regarding the boy’s conception?
As both Shishihara’s past and present come into focus, long-buried truths promise to emerge, shining a light between rumor and reality. The quest to unravel whatever mystery enshrouds this deceptively delicate student serves up intrigue for supernatural fans seeking thrills beyond the boundaries of the known world.
16. Diamond in the Rough by Nao Sasaki
The manga unveils a fantasy realm where enchanted mineral formations known as “stones” imbue inhabitants with sundry powers. Here, we meet Akeboshi, a gifted craftsman renowned for expertly polishing precious stones to amplify their arcane qualities.
While honing his mystical profession, Akeboshi crosses paths with an unusual young boy wandering alone beyond the borders of his remote underground village. The child seeks a mythic figure sporting three distinctive piercings, hoping this ominous stranger holds the key to rescuing his imperiled family.
Adding intrigue, the boy’s left leg appears fully petrified as though organically fused with the stone itself. Clearly, greater forces are at play than merely getting lost. Through this fateful meeting, the student Akeboshi takes under his wing may unlock secrets that irrevocably intertwine their destinies.
But knowledge brings danger. As the master engraver and his newfound protégé unite to unravel the mysteries of the child’s past and extraordinary predicament, their quest stokes the ire of sinister enemies and forgotten deities.
Apparently, the engraved symbols covering the encased leg are no mere runes but a profound cosmic map – one granting both revelation and untold perceptual power when fully decoded.
Now, with so much at stake, can Akeboshi’s skill in liberating “stones'” hidden potential equip his young charge to confront the dark travails ahead and rescue the long-lost family?
Their journey navigates the razor’s edge between wisdom and wrath, consecration and chaos. The stones never lie, so let the truth shine forth.
15. MAO by Rumiko Takahashi
Our heroine endures profound tragedy when a catastrophic accident claims her entire family, leaving her the sole survivor. She copes by suppressing memories of the ordeal. But years later, passing again by the now empty site of the life-shattering crash triggers a bizarre transportation back through time itself.
The dazed girl awakens in Taishō era Japan, a historical period of rapid industrialization and cultural shift. Disoriented, she crosses paths with Mao, a practitioner of occult arts.
His arcane abilities sense something anomaly lurking within her spirit. According to his divination, she harbors dormant demonic energy.
While initially rejecting his unsettling pronouncement, she soon manifests sudden inhuman powers, confirming Mao’s theory. Yet rather than destroy her as convention dictates, Mao commits to helping the newly awakened entity understand her responsibilities on both metaphysical and emotional levels.
What ensues is a journey of self-discovery exploring the connections binding humans and demons as our heroine embraces her destiny with support from the empathetic onmyōji boy. Can love bridge the divide between their dual worlds?
By turns humorous, heartfelt, and filled with supernatural spectacle, their unlikely partnership taps into the universal coming-of-age toward recognizing one’s authentic self amidst adversity and unlocking strength from pain. Their bittersweet bond navigates between mystical wonder and personal fulfillment.
14. Dareka Yume Dato Ittekure by Michelle
Diminutive high schooler Sayo nurses a complex over his unimpressive stature and diffidence around bigger peers. But his insecurities transform into seething resentment when the callously handsome basketball superstar Mashiba offhandedly rejects a tearful love confession from Sayo’s sweet crush.
Still fuming over Mashiba’s casual ladykiller antics, proud Sayo naively confronts the athletic giant to various physical and intellectual showdowns, only to fall hilariously short each round. To add insult, amused Mashiba teasingly dubs the pint-sized challenger “cute” like a powerless child.
Humiliated after the emasculating ordeals, Sayo’s mushrooming dislike toward cocky Mashiba soon permeates into uneasy dreams. There, to Sayo’s mortification, visions manifest nightly of clinging tightly to a shadowy tall figure strongly implied to be Mashiba himself. And the already embarrassing imagery escalates in intensity night by night.
At first, write the steamy visions off as meaningless fantasies of no consequence. But as the subconscious rendezvous with his athletic arch-nemesis grows increasingly intimate and sensual, flustered Sayo confronts destabilizing questions over what the scenarios reveal regarding his true buried feelings for extroverted Mashiba.
Through hilarious misadventures and sultry dream sequences, the shōnen-ai manga plays with the reversal of power dynamics while suggesting longing behind rivalry.
As hapless Sayo struggles to reconcile contempt for Mashiba in reality with attraction to his literal dream lover, he inches towards owning confidence and identity with support from an unexpected corner.
13. Kaijuu Jieitai by Junya Inoue
The manga envisions an alternate reality where, in the near future, an immense underwater landslide triggers catastrophic Pacific-spanning tsunamis, devastating coastal regions across continents.
Yet even as humanity contends with the floods’ aftermath, the oceanic mayhem has also spawned the rise of equally devastating kaiju beasts unleashed from deep sea confinement.
With cities in ruin and monstrous behemoths swarming both land and sea uncontrolled, this new age seems devoid of even fictional heroes to stem the tide. Instead, through a gritty, grounded lens recalling disaster classics, the story chronicles global attempts to withstand the two-pronged calamity solely via non-superpowered human tenacity and ingenuity alone.
Co-created by Junya Inoue, known for his acclaimed battle royale series Btooom!, along with military history expert Shirato Seiichi, this manga saga conveys colossal creature chaos tempered with geopolitical authenticity and tactical realism.
Prominent are the coordinated efforts of an international coalition mustering complex strategy and weaponry, manpower, and technology against the gargantuan interlopers.
Spanning toilet humor to profound courage, the contrasting tones mesh as mankind rails against extinction. Nations unite, factions dissolve, and everyday heroes rise while old grudges fade before a shared enemy. Through cooperation and grit, survival hangs in the balance.
12. Cipher Academy by Nisio Isin and Yuji Iwasaki
Cipher Academy is an unorthodox school centered around relentless code cracking, prioritizing puzzles over normal scholastics. A new student, Iroha, struggles against the punishing decryption curriculum, which allows scarcely enough time for basic self-care like sleeping.
Exhausted and overwhelmed, salvation arrives courtesy of an aloof senior student named Kogoe, who gifts Iroha peculiar high-tech glasses. Suddenly, codes once appearing indecipherably random now manifest coherent patterns through augmented lenses.
As Iroha’s scores skyrocket, his mysterious benefactor reveals the truth – the glasses access a brain-computer interface through which Kogoe himself remotely views and solves all codes Iroha seems to crack independently. When publicly praised as a prodigy, guilt-ridden Iroha confronts ethical dilemmas.
Yet severing ties means flunking out as crypto-fueled conspiracies ensnare the duo in dangerous games of cat and mouse; mutual trust against common enemies seeds an endearing bromance between the awkward codependents.
Through suspense and comedy, the manga construes systems of knowledge – whether computer languages or human relationships – as complex codes that cannot be deciphered alone. Together, the lead duo reflects how even rigid worldviews still demand flexible human understanding.
11. Akane-banashi by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue
Akane-Banashi centers around the aspirational protagonist Akane, a young girl pursuing her ambitious dream of becoming a professional Rakugoka, a unique form of Japanese comedic storytelling performed solo on stage.
We witness her strive to master this niche art that her own father failed at, lending an emotional arc to her quest.
While Rakugo might seem an unorthodox topic for a contemporary manga, Akane-Banashi deftly adapts its appeal to a wider audience. It infuses the classic art form with youthful energy and modern sensibilities.
Through Akane’s coming-of-age journey, the series explores universal themes of passion, family, and finding one’s voice and place in the world.
At the same time, Akane-Banashi remains respectful of Rakugo traditions. It offers an insightful window into this integral part of Japanese culture, largely unknown overseas.
The manga manages to balance innovation with faithfulness to its subject matter. Ultimately, it expands the horizons for both Rakugo and manga as art forms.
10. Tsuiraku JK to Haijin Kyoshi by sora
At her most desperate hour, Mikoto finds herself unexpectedly saved – in more ways than one – by Mr. Haiba, her unorthodox teacher.
This chance encounter on the school rooftop marks the beginning of a complex relationship between two seemingly mismatched individuals.
On the surface, thoughtful Mikoto and the whimsical Mr. Haiba have little in common. Yet, they soon discover complementary traits that help them fill voids in each other’s lives.
As trust and affection grow, so do rumors about impropriety. Navigating slippery social norms, the two slowly peel back each other’s inner layers.
Their subtle power dynamic and psychological dance raises intriguing questions about societal roles, trauma, and human connection.
Can such an improbable bond overcome obstacles, or will skepticism from peers continue clouding their path ahead? Either way, Mikoto and Mr. Haiba have indelibly transformed one another while challenging assumptions about student-teacher relationships.
Their atypical story urges us to confront our own prejudices.
9. Yuugai Choujuu by Nykken
When an ominous fog descends, heralding the emergence of threatening multi-headed beasts, humanity faces an epic battle for survival. As monstrous creatures pour forth, leaving destruction in their wake, civilization itself is at stake.
Yet all hope is not lost. Brave warriors band together, forming a valiant organization dedicated to pushing back the chaos and saving mankind. Their courageous gambit leads to electrifying encounters with bizarre, Toy-inspired beasts.
This high-stakes manga blends apocalyptic stakes with visual splendor, realized through the tag-team talents of two creators. Nykken’s dramatic storytelling perfectly complements Toy’s striking monster designs for an unforgettable reading experience. Together, they have woven an epic tale of humankind’s refusal to succumb in the face of the mysterious invasion.
Will sheer determination and the enduring human spirit emerge victorious against the engulfing monstrous tide? Suspense and awe await any who dare open these pages and immerse themselves in the struggle.
8. Makai no Shuyaku wa Wareware da! by Atsushi Tsudanuma
This clever manga derives from the magical world of Mairimashita! Iruma-kun and a creative YouTube collective, uniting their imaginations.
An intrepid new hero takes center stage – Shaoron, brimming with ambitious dreams upon entering the surreal realm of Babyls demon school.
More than academic achievement, Shaoron yearns to gain peer admiration and influence by joining the prestigious Student Council.
This lofty goal drives our eager protagonist’s humorous attempts to raise his social profile from an anonymous freshman to a campus celebrity.
Along the way, skullduggery and elections erupt as supernatural classmates either aid or thwart Shaoron’s plans for popularity.
Through wit and grit, he slowly learns what true demon leadership requires while building bonds to last a lifetime.
Will Shaoron find that the path to prominence comes not from glory-seeking but from lifting up those around him? His quirky journey invites us to reflect upon our own desire for recognition while getting engrossed in the whimsical world of Babyls.
7. Togen Anki by Yura Urushibara
Ichinose Shiki’s life is forever changed when an assassination attempt exposes his hidden heritage – he is descended from a powerful demonic bloodline.
Still reeling, Shiki learns that he is not alone. An ancient conflict pits demons and humans against each other despite yearnings for unity.
Now targeted as heir to mythical strength, Shiki is thrust towards his destiny. He gains mentors versed in unlocking latent demonic abilities while political threats mount. Torn between worlds, Shiki seeks understanding between races divided by fear and distrust.
As Antagonists give rise to a complex web of secrets and agendas, the stage is set for an intricate clash.
Shiki navigates escalating tensions, striking tenuous alliances in a dangerous gambit to bridge age-old divisions, bring order amongst chaos, and realize visions of coexistence that so many deem impossible.
His hero’s journey illuminates that demons and humans may not be so different after all.
6. The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity by Saka Mikami
Two worlds collide in this tale of star-crossed bonds. The ne’er-do-well boys of Chidori High meet their match with the picture-perfect girls from rival school Kikyo, separated only by a field yet worlds apart in status.
Into this feud wanders carefree Kaoruko, whose chance cake shop meets cute with quiet Rintaro from Chidori, soon blossoming into an endearing friendship.
But peer pressure strains their innocent connection as the schools’ tangled history and heartless rumors fuel tensions, threatening to tear the kindred spirits apart.
Now, Rintaro and Kaoruko confront a painful dilemma – neglect the soulmate-like understanding they share or battle hostile peers.
Their struggle to reconcile fractured friend groups highlights life’s incessant judgments while testing the strength of human compassion.
Can their relationship prevail, or will external pressures suppress their feelings? Either way, they’ll learn the true meaning of acceptance.
5. Witch Watch by Kenta Shinohara
Whimsy and chaos loom when a fledgling teenage witch begins cohabiting with her musclebound childhood friend Morihito. Outrageous magical hijinks from talented creator Kenta Shinohara ensue under one roof.
Vivacious spell-caster Niko busily hones her witchcraft through trial and abundant error. Her endearing yet powerful incantations wreak havoc on domestic life, testing poor Morihito’s saintly patience.
Possessing brute strength masking a gentle spirit, Morihito strives to reign in collateral destruction while supporting Niko’s gifts and nurturing their sibling-like bond.
As these opposites attract, their magical coming-of-age comedy balances tender moments with riotous disaster through a fantastical lens.
Niko and Morihito weather adolescence’s storms, forging an ever-stronger foundation. Their connection illuminates that often, the most fulfilling magic is lifelong friendship, surviving the inevitable chaos life conjures.
Whimsical excitement awaits those entering this delightfully offbeat manga where supernatural power meets unbreakable heart.
4. Otome Game No Mobu Desura Naindaga by Gyokuro and Himeno Meno
The main character, a guy, finds himself reborn into a fantasy world as the apprentice gardener working for the estate of the woman who serves as the romantic rival to the female protagonist in a popular romance video game.
Uninterested in the politics or social maneuverings going on around him, he discovers that his lifelong dream has been to simply tend to the gardens and grounds.
Content to focus on his duties and quietly pursue his passion for cultivating plants, he pays little mind to the scheming socialites and heroes who see him only as part of the background scenery.
As the grand tales unfold around him, he carries on propping up rose bushes, trimming hedges into animal shapes to amuse himself, and experimenting with cross-pollinating flowers to create new varieties.
While epic adventures clash and swell, he remains grounded, finding fulfillment seeding soil rather than conflict, ambition extending no further than nurturing buds into full bloom.
His own story plays out modestly in the garden, small but meaningful, unnoticed but vital.
3. Sakamoto Days by Yuto Suzuki
Taro Sakamoto’s name rang out through the underworld in hushed whispers tinged with equal parts dread and awe – he was the best assassin money could buy, ruthless, precise, and utterly lethal. His skills were legendary, striking fear into the hearts of even the most hardened crime lords.
But then the phantom killer did the unthinkable – he fell madly in love. Deciding to leave his bloody career behind, he married and settled into a quiet family life, running a small neighborhood corner store. Gone were the days of danger and excitement, replaced now by PTA meetings and youth soccer games.
However, years of potato chips and soft living slowly expanded Sakamoto’s once-chiseled frame – the tailored suits giving way to rumpled sweatpants.
Just when it seemed this former reaper of lives had fully embraced suburban mundanity, the past comes calling, threatening the newfound peace he had fought so hard to attain.
To protect his fledgling family, this former master assassin must dust off skills that have been dulled by time and comfort – because hiding within this overweight and unlikely frame is still a sleeping tiger ready to be awakened.
Can the legendary hitman known as Sakamoto still conjure up that cold-blooded precision one more time?
2. Kindergarten Wars by You Chiba
An elite, highly exclusive kindergarten secretly educates the children of the global power players – high-ranking politicians, mega-corporate executives, and old-money royalty types accustomed to giving commands, not taking them.
Maximum security is the utmost priority to protect these prized, pint-sized VIPs. So when recent intelligence uncovers an impending plot to infiltrate and attack the kindergarten, desperation drives decision-makers to a controversial last resort protector – Rita.
She’s a former top assassin, known in the underground by the codename “The Black Widow”- silent, stealthy, and utterly ruthless.
However, Rita now finds herself imprisoned for her shadowy past deeds. Offered a fresh start and exoneration in exchange for keeping the celebrity tykes safe, she has no choice but to accept.
And so Rita must draw on her lethal set of skills once again, going undercover as the new kindergarten teacher surrounded by the oblivious children of the global elite.
Can a cold-blooded killer find redemption in corralling these overprivileged cherubs? Get ready for tantrums, tiny troublemakers, and toddler tempers put in time-out by the world’s most dangerous protector.
1. Tokyo Aliens by Naoe
Ever since his police officer father perished in the line of duty, young Gunji Akira has been driven by a burning obsession to follow in his ghostly footsteps.
Though merely a high school freshman, steely determination propels Gunji’s singular quest to eventually serve and protect while honoring his dad’s memory. However, destiny may unveil different plans after a startling run-in outside the school gates.
Making his usual solitary walk home, Gunji stumbles upon an astonishing spectacle – a small extraterrestrial spacecraft lies partially concealed nearby, its injured and unconscious alien pilot collapsed beside it!
Rushing to assist this astonishing visitor from a world of the unknown, Gunji quickly discovers he may be deeper than anticipated.
As intergalactic peacekeepers and shadowy government agents descend, seeking custody of the otherworldy castaway, resourceful Gunji resolves to take matters into his own hands.
Sheltering this strange yet fascinating being introduces unimaginable adventures beyond childhood dreams of following a heroic father’s path.
Fate now presents an alternative aspiration – shepherding this alien to safety while unlocking celestial riddles hidden among the stars.
Get ready as an Earthling high school student teaming up with an intrepid interplanetary traveler, together charting an adventurous course through unexplored Galaxies where danger and wonder await!
Honorable Mention
Sick Yank by BeNantoka
Petplay
Kanojo wa Rokurokubi
Brave New World
Ibunka “Ran” Kouryuu Kouhen
MERCURY SHADOW [Mizuryu Kei]
Sister Takanes Confession of Sins
Sauces Below
Revenge Is Mine [Mon-petit]
In the Summer
