With great battles and solid plots, these manga series are thrilling from the beginning to the end.
Shōnen is the most popular genre when it comes to both manga and anime. Although it’s mostly targeted towards young boys, it’s the gateway into the world of anime and manga for many people. Titles like Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, and Dragon Ball are of course pioneers of the Shōnen manga. If you’ve read and loved any of these series or want to get into reading some easy and exciting manga, then we have the perfect list for you. From devils to demons to sports, we have it all right here!
10. Kaiju No. 8 by Naoya Matsumoto
Image: Shueisha/ Naoya Matsumoto
If you’re looking for an easy gateway into the world of Shōnen manga then Kaiju No. 8 is a fantastic starting point. Published by Shueisha, this manga is still ongoing and in its final battle. The story takes place in a world where fearsome monsters known as Kaiju have been plaguing Japan for years. 32-year-old Kafka Hibino has given up on his dream to become a Kaiju Defense Force officer and fight alongside his childhood best friend Mina Ashiro, who is a captain But one day, his hope is reignited by his 18-year-old co-worker Reno Ichikawa, and Kafka decides to take the entrance exam one last time.
However, things don’t go as planned when a small and unassuming Kaiju enters Kafka’s body, giving him the ability to turn into a fearsome monster. As Kafka and Reno enter the force, they’re forced to combat these massive Kaiju that start appearing all around Japan. The story is straightforward and easy to follow, with an amazing art style that makes the battles intense and breathtaking. The series also has an anime adaptation with one season, with a second on the way!
9. Yu Yu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi
Image: Shueisha/ Yoshihiro Togashi
Yoshihiro Togashi is a household name in the world of anime and manga due to the popularity of his series, titled Hunter x Hunter. Although it’s not finished, both the manga and the anime boast some of the best and complicated storylines and characters in history. But before Hunter x Hunter ever became the powerhouse it was, there was Yu Yu Hakusho, Togashi’s typical Shōnen title that made waves. The plot follows middle schooler Yuusuke Urameshi, who is a delinquent and often skips school. One day, he dies while saving a young kid from oncoming traffic.
Instead of disappearing, Yuusuke is approached by Spirit Guide Botan, who shows him how much his mother and few friends miss him. Later, Koenma, the son of the Spirit World’s ruler, gives him an opportunity to return to life due to the heroic nature of his death. He is tasked with solving paranormal mysteries with some other supernatural entities. Yuusuke’s spirit world adventures are increasingly more thrilling and supernaturally charged. The anime adaptation is also a classic that you should watch. The Dark Tournament Saga from the manga is widely considered one of the best.
8. Dr. Stone by Riichiro Inagaki and Boichi
Image: Shueisha/ Riichiro Inagaki/ Boichi
Dr. Stone is one of the most popular anime series of recent years, but people often tend to forget the brilliant manga series behind it. Written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Boichi, the story takes place in a world where a mysterious green light has petrified all humans. More than 3000 years later, teenage genius Senku wakes up and decides that he will rebuild society with the power of science. His best friend Taiju, who was also unpetrified, helps Senku with his goal and the two try to wake up more people from their time.
The series is mostly focused on Senku and his scientific experiments which result in humanity moving forward in leaps and bounds. However, some unpetrified people aren’t happy with his approach of waking up everyone and try to stop him. Filled with interesting factoids and amazing battles, the manga is a treat for everyone, whether they love science or not. The manga is finished, and the anime also released the first cour of its final season. If you’re interested in science, then Dr. Stone is the perfect treat for you.
7. Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku by Yuji Kaku
Image: Shueisha/ Yuji Kaku
If it’s intensity and action you’re looking for, then Hell’s Paradise Jigokuraku by Yuji Kaku should be your go-to. The series is set in Edo Period Japan, and follows Gabimaru the Hollow. The strongest Ninja of the Iwagakure village, Gabimaru is captured after a failed assassination attempt after his fellow Ninjas betray him. He is sentenced to death and can’t wait to die. But all the methods of execution fail to kill Gabimaru. It turns out that Gabimaru has a wife he loves and wants to return to, thus his body refuses to let him die.
Notorious executioner Asaemon the Decapitator presents Gabimaru with a proposal. She sends the Ninja to a dangerous island situated in the South of Japan. Gabimaru’s job is to extract the elixir of life in exchange for a full pardon. Along with some other death-row prisoners, Gabimaru ventures into the island, but even they’re not ready for the mysteries they face in this island known as ‘Paradise’. The story and characters are all amazing, making it a perfect read. The manga has an anime adaptation, with a second season on the way.
6. Haikyu!! by Haruichi Furudate
Image: Shueisha/ Haruichi Furudate
Any Shōnen list is incomplete without mentioning at least one sports title. Although there are many amazing manga related to sports, including Slam Dunk, Kuroko’s Basket, and the recent Blue Lock, Haruichi Furudate’s Haikyu!! has a special place in everyone’s hearts. The series follows Shoyō Hinata, a boy of average height inspired by a volleyball player known as the ‘Little Giant’, who despite his short height, competes with the best. When Hinata enters Karasuno High School, he is determined to join the volleyball team and make it to the nationals.
But Hinata doesn’t expect to see the genius setter Kageyama in the same team as him, and the two start butting heads. With the help of their seniors and new coach, the team that lost its glory starts to dream of reaching the nationals once again. The emotional ups and downs of the series is a perfect read for anybody who loves sports-related comeback stories. If you always root for the underdog, then this series, and its anime adaptation will take you on an emotional ride you’ll never forget!
5. Assassination Classroom by Yuusei Matsui
Image: Shueisha/ Yuusei Matsui
This manga series has a peculiar plotline. In a modern-day world, people are freaked out after the moon is turned into a permanent crescent after a massive explosion. A yellow, octopus-like creature appears before the world government and says that he is responsible for the blast, and he will do the same to Earth in a year’s time. The creature makes a request to teach class 3-E of the Kunugigaoka Junior High School in Japan.
Class 3-E is filled with outcasts and delinquent students whose classroom is far away from the actual school building. They never get any chances to prove themselves as they’re at the bottom of the barrel and constantly face discrimination. However the creature, calling himself Koro-sensei, gives them a chance to kill him before the one year mark is over while also teaching them. The unique series follows the students’ growing attachment to their strange teacher who is the harbinger of doom. It has some amazing action and comedy, making it a great binge-worthy read. The anime adaptation is equally entertaining, especially because of Jun Fukuyama’s terrific performance as Koro-sensei.
4. Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu
Image: Shueisha/ Yukinobu Tatsu
The Dandadan anime was one of the biggest hits of 2024, and it deserves all the praise it gets. However, Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga series has so much more to offer! The series follows Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, two high school students with opposing supernatural beliefs. While Momo believes in ghosts and monsters, Takakura believes in aliens. On a whim, they decide that Momo will visit a place known for alien activities while Takakura goes to a haunted tunnel. But their life changes forever when aliens try to abduct Momo and she unleashes her supernatural ability, while Takakura is possessed by a Yokai.
The manga is a treasure trove of different types of Yokai spirits, monsters, and aliens. Several other people join Momo and Okarun’s group, each with their unique powers, and fight powerful enemies that threaten humanity. It’s a perfect and exhilarating blend of action, romance, and lore. The art style of the manga is also incredible, with some really bizarre occurrences that take you by surprise. If you like reading about supernatural entities, then Dandadan is the perfect manga for you.
3. Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto
Image: Shueisha/ Tatsuki Fujimoto
Dandadan’s author Yukinobu Tatsu and Hell’s Paradise’s author Yuki Kaku both used to be Tatsuki Fujimoto’s assistants (along with Spy x Family creator Tatsuya Endo). And once you start reading Tatsuki Fujimoto’s work, it’s hard to deny the man’s genius. His ongoing manga Chainsaw Man follows Denji, a destitute 16-year-old orphan boy who sold some of his organs to pay back his father’s debt. He works odd jobs with his friendly Chainsaw Devil Pochita. One day, he is kidnapped and killed by the Yakuza. However, Pochita fuses himself with Denji and replaces his heart, turning the boy into a human-devil hybrid.
After killing the Yakuza members, Denji is taken in by the Public Safety Devil Hunters and given the job to kill dangerous devils that are terrorizing humanity. His story takes some bizarre and unexpected turns as he makes friends and faces new devils. In a world where people’s worst fears take the form of formidable devils, Denji’s Chainsaw Man is up against some really powerful enemies. The series is weird, exciting, and sometimes downright disturbing. But the story is so interesting that you can’t put it down! The anime series has one season, with a movie on the way. But if you want to experience Fujimoto’s genius, then you need to read the manga.
2. Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama
Image: Kodansha/ Hajime Isayama
Hajime Isayama’s masterpiece manga and its consequent anime adaptation is easily one of the most popular globally acclaimed franchises of all time. The story takes place in a world where monstrous humanoid creatures known as Titans suddenly appeared hundreds of years ago. To escape these man-eating monsters, mankind built three walls around a massive city to make a safe space to survive. In the present day, the outermost wall is destroyed by two humongous Titans, while many others enter the city. Eren Yeager’s mother unfortunately dies during this attack.
Eren and his friends, Mikasa and Armin, decide to join the Survey Corps and eradicate Titans. However, it’s soon discovered that Eren has the ability to turn into a Titan, and this secret is tied to his past. More mysteries start to come to light as a terrifying truth is revealed. Attack on Titan is easily one of the most tragic yet intense and beautiful manga series of all time. The award-winning manga is loved and respected by millions of fans across the world.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
Image: Square Enix/ Hiromu Arakawa
If you want to read a manga with an interesting and deep storyline that also includes humanitarian elements, then you can’t go wrong with this classic. Follow brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who tried the forbidden alchemy art of Human Transmutation to bring back their dead mother. The experiment went horribly wrong, causing Edward to lose one of his hands and legs, while Alphonse loses his whole body. Edward is able to save his soul in a massive suit of armor. At present, the two brothers make a journey throughout the country to retrieve the Philosopher’s Stone which can return them to their old bodies.
Edward becomes a State Alchemist at the request of Roy Mustang to solve problems and find the elusive stone. The two brothers unearth a terrible secret that might endanger their whole country. With an amazing cast of characters, the manga reads like a thriller that you can’t put down. It also has some amazingly strong women characters who make the story better by their mere presence. It also has two different anime adaptations, Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. This manga series should be on everyone's reading list.
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