Which manga will come next to Chainsaw Man and Spy x Family?
Manga from Japan and Webtoon from South Korea have got much more popular among not only geeks who are interested in Japanese pop culture but a wider range of people around the world lately. The manga culture has been led by outstanding masterpieces including Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece, My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and so on.
The global industry of manga is still growing because of lots of potential new titles coming out one after another. Hundreds of new manga are released every year, and some of them are up there with those past renowned series.
For every manga fan from beginners to advanced readers, I’d like to introduce the list of 20 most popular manga of 2023 including the hottest series newly serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump and the less-known great titles.
Sense the best manga to read in English in 2023 right now!
▽This is the list of the best manga series of 2024 including brand newcomers!▽
Long-running series like One Piece and My Hero Academia are nearing their climaxes, while Spy x Family continues to do w[…]
1. Oshi no Ko
For many modern manga and anime fans, Oshi no Ko (推しの子) is a topic hard to replace when they talk about what is the hottest manga in 2023. The suspenseful fantasy drama manga series is illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari and written by Aka Akasaka, who is also famous for the famous rom-com series Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (2015-2022). It has been serialized on Weekly Young Jump and Shonen Jump+ since 2020.
“Oshi” in the title means a person who you are a fan of and “Ko” describes a child. The story of Oshi no Ko unfolds from the point at which a popular idol girl Ai Hoshino visits a obstetrician-gynecologist man in the countryside with a secret. The rest of the story focuses on her twin children Aqua and Ruby, who someone related to Ai are reincarnated as. They grow up with show business looking for a clue to solve the mystery of their mother.
Manga artist: Aka Akasaka (Writer)/Mengo Yokoyari (Illustrator)
Published: Since 2020
Serialized on Weekly Young Jump
Volumes: 10 (As of January, 2023)
How many people, I wonder, are witnessing the dawn of this new legend? Amidst the global hits of recent isekai, dark fan[…]
2. Kaiju No. 8
Kaiju No. 8 (怪獣8号) should be listed on the best manga series to read in 2023, which has been serialized on Shonen Jump+ as its front title along with Dandadan and Spy x Family. It is expected Kaiju No. 8 will become a next masterpiece classified into classic genres such as action and adventure. It has been just announced that Kaiju No. 8 will be made in an anime adaptation in the near future.
Kaiju No. 8 centers on a man Kafka, who can transform himself into a Kaiju (a powerful monster), while it is set in Japan, which is threatened by a series of attacks by vicious monsters. Several cool Japanese Defense Force members are featured in the manga with him. He is about to give up his dream, becoming a Defense Force member to eliminate the Kaiju, when he is 32 years old. However, he gets the chance to realize his dream by getting the special power to change himself into a strong Kaiju.
Manga artist: Naoya Matsumoto
Published: Since 2020
Serialized on Shonen Jump+
Volumes: 8 (As of November, 2022)
3. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (葬送のフリーレン) is one of the most notable manga to read in 2023 while it has attracted much attention from global manga fans since its serialization started on Weekly Shonen Sunday in 2020. It is becoming more popular partly because its first anime adaptation was confirmed, which is scheduled to air in 2023.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End tells the story of a long lived elf Frieren after her party including the hero Himmel defeated the Demon King. For the almost immortal elf who has lived for more than a thousand years to know about human beings, she takes off on a journey again.
Manga artist: Kanehito Yamada (Writer)/Tsukasa Abe (Illustrator)
Published: Since 2020
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Sunday
Volumes: 9 (As of September, 2022)
4. Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man (チェンソーマン) has been a worldwide focus of attention from manga and anime fans recently while I listed it on the best manga to read last year. After the dark-fantasy concluded its first part Public Safety Arc serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump in the end of 2020, it re-started the following part as School Arc on Shonen Jump+ in July 2022. The hot-wired manga’s anime adaptation is contributing to the popularity, too. Chainsaw Man is just what you should check right away if you have not tried it yet.
The first part of Chainsaw Man concentrates on the titular protagonist Chainsaw Man, who a young boy Denji transforms himself into. He fights agains vicious Devils with other Public Safety members including a devil hunter Aki Hayakawa and the Blood Fiend named Power. The second arc centers on a female high schooler Asa Mitaka, who shares her body with the War Devil. See what happens when she meets Chainsaw Man while Yoru, the other side of her, hates him.
If you want to re-start Chainsaw Man with its second arc, get the Tankobon Volume 12!
Manga artist: Tatsuki Fujimoto
Published: 2018-2020/Since 2022 (Part 2)
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump/Shonen Jump+ (Part 2)
Volumes: 13 (As of January, 2023)
5. Witch Watch
Weekly Shonen Jump, the most popular Japanese Shonen manga magazine, features a certain number of new manga series every year. Witch Watch (ウィッチウォッチ) is one of the manga that have enjoyed popularity on the magazine since its serialization began in 2021. The rom-com fantasy manga is written by Kenta Shinohara, who is also known as the manga artist of Sket Dance (2007-2013) and Astra Lost in Space (2016-2017).
Witch Watch follows a young boy Morihito Otogi, who has the power of ogre, and a witch girl and his childhood friend Nico Wakatsuki. She gets back from a training journey after six years since she left and meets him again. He finds out her mother predicts something bad will happen to her in a year. To protect her, he decides to become her familiar spirit and lives together.
Manga artist: Kenta Shinohara
Published: Since 2021
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
Volumes: 9 (As of January, 2023)
6. Undead Unluck
Undead Unluck (アンデッドアンラック) has been serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump as one of the latest front manga since 2020. Categorized as action adventure and comedy, it has captured the fancy of global manga fans in the recent years. It had been just confirmed the hottest humorous action manga will be adapted into an anime series by David Production, which is famous for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Series and Fire Force.
Undead Unluck is the manga that unfolds around the center of Fuko Izumo, the 18-year-old heroine with an unintended “Unluck” power to make someone she touches unlucky. She lost her parents an airplane crash 10 years ago for her negative power, which killed 200 passengers. At the moment she decides to suicide herself, she meets a muscle-bound man with a “Undead” ability, who she calls Andy.
Manga artist: Yoshifumi Tozuka
Published: Since 2020
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
Volumes: 14 (As of December, 2022)
7. Sakamoto Days
If you expect a new fantastic manga series that make you laugh and get excited, Sakamoto Days will be a leading candidate for you in 2023. The trendy action comedy manga has been read by a large number of fans both in Japan and overseas since its serialization started on Weekly Shonen Jump since 2020, written by Yuto Suzuki. It is anticipated to be adapted into an anime series soon.
Sakamoto Days tells a cool and funny story of a slightly plump man Taro Sakamoto, who used to be well-known as the most powerful hitman but currently lives as an owner of a grocery store. Getting marryied and having a kid, he desires to keeping his peaceful life after leaving the underground community. However, he is attacked by opponents who has held grudges against him.
Manga artist: Yuto Suzuki
Published: Since 2020
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
Volumes: 9 (As of November, 2022)
8. Blue Lock
Lots of people are enjoying trendy contents with the theme of Death Game on various platforms, and a Death Game manga series titled Blue Lock (ブルーロック) has burst into the spotlight in Japan and overseas since its anime adaptation was released in October, 2022. Written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, the soccer-themed manga has been serialized on Weekly Shonen Magazine since 2018.
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Japan, but Blue Lock does not present a moving drama story of students who grow up with teammates like other sports manga. It focuses on how to train up an excellent striker emphasizing ego and indivisuallity instead of teamwork. The story unfolds when 300 selected high-school strikers are invited to a special training facility Blue Lock. They are stimulated to compete with other players for their career through various Death Game tests.
Manga artist: Muneyuki Kaneshiro (Writer)/Yusuke Nomura (Illustrator)
Published: Since 2018
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Magazine
Volumes: 22 (As of December, 2022)
Soccer has always been a popular theme in manga and anime, but Blue Lock is by far the most successful recent soccer ani[…]
9. Dandadan
Shonen Jump+ has played an important role as a source of new high-quality manga series since its service was launched in 2014. Dandadan (ダンダダン) is one of the most popular manga series on the manga publishing website as well as other renowned series such as Spy x Family and Chainsaw Man. The supernatural action manga, mixed with romantic comedy, has been written by Yukinobu Tatsu since 2021.
Dandadan casts a spotlight on a Gyaru high school girl Momo Ayase and a lonely student Ken Takakura, who are taking a step in the bizarre world. Momo believes in ghosts while Ken believes aliens exist, however they deny the existence of what each other believes in. It depicts how various paranormal events challenge them seriously and humorously.
Manga artist: Yukinobu Tatsu
Published: Since 2021
Serialized on Shonen Jump+
Volumes: 8 (As of January, 2023)
10. One Piece
One Piece (ワンピース) is still the most important manga series in 2023 and of all time across the world though I don’t think there are a lot of people who have not read the live legendary manga. There are over 1,000 chapters collected in more than 100 Tankobon volumes of One Piece, which is worth spending much time completing all of them. The renowned action adventure is entering the final story arc, which is why it is a must-read manga in 2023.
The grand adventure of the Straw Hat Pirates and its captain Monkey D. Luffy, who dreams to become the king of the sea. There are all the things that are needed for first-class manga: Attractive characters including friends and enemies, moving drama, powerful battles, interesting plots and settings, etc. After several main story arcs, their journey is getting to the heart of the world’s mystery and Luffy’s dream. Who can miss the upcoming climax of One Piece though it is not sure when it is concluded exactly?
Manga artist: Eiichiro Oda
Published: Since 1997
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
Volumes: 104 (As of November, 2022)
11. The JOJOLands
The JOJOLands, the new and ninth part of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series, is one of the best pieces of Japanese manga series in 2023. In JOJO magazine 2022 WINTER, it was announced that The JOJOLands will be serialized on Ultra Jump from February 17, 2023. The dark-fantasy adventure series has captured much more global attention from many people since the eighth part JoJolion was completed in 2021 and the anime series season 5 (JoJo’s sixth part Stone Ocean) was released in 2022.
As the manga artist Hirohiko Araki suggested, The JOJOLands places an emphasis on the bloodline of Joestar Family introducing Joseph Joestar, who is not the protagonist of the second part Battle Tendency but is the one who appears in the end of JoJolion and seems a descendant from him.
Manga artist: Hirohiko Araki
Published: Since 2023
Serialized on Ultra Jump
Volumes: –
12. Mission: Yozakura Family
Mission: Yozakura Family (夜桜さんちの大作戦) is one of remarkable manga series to read in 2023, which has been announced to be made into the first anime adaptation by Silver Link in 2024. The spy-themed action manga series mixed with romantic comedy and thriller, has been serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump since 2019, written by Hitsuji Gondaira.
Mission: Yozakura Family revolves around a 16-year-old high school boy Taiyo Asano, who has avoided involving himself with others except his old friend Mutsumi Yozakura since he lost his parents in an accident in childhood. The story unfolds when he finds out she is the tenth head of the spy family and he draws the attention of her eldest brother Kyoichiro Yozakura.
Manga artist: Hitsuji Gondaira
Published: Since 2019
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
Volumes: 16 (As of January, 2023)
13. Sand Land
Sand Land is a one-volume manga made by Akira Toriyama, who is famous for the series of Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump. The short manga containing 14 chapters was published on Weekly Shonen Jump in 2000. The sci-fi adventure manga is now being looked on as a noteworthy title in 2023 because a new Sand Land project was just launched. Sand Land’s animation adaptation has been just confirmed for 2023 by three anime studios Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga and Anima.
It is set in an apocalyptic world that is mostly turned to desert. The story follows a biblical demon Beelzebub, an old General Rao and Beelzebub’s watchdog Thief, who embark on their trip to seek a source of water.
Manga artist: Akira Toriyama
Published: 2000
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
Volumes: 1
14. The Dangers in My Heart
If you want to try a new nice rom-com manga series, The Dangers in My Heart (僕の心のヤバイやつ) will be your thing. Its serialization started on a popular manga magazine Weekly Shonen Champion in 2018, which moved to an online platform Manga Cross (before known as Champion Cross) a month later. It is getting much more known widely since its anime adaptation has been announced for the spring of 2023.
The Dangers in My Heart tells the story of an unsociable second-grade junior high school boy Kyotaro Ichikawa with symptoms of Chunibyo, which is a modern Japanese term used to describe teenagers who have grandiose delusions that they are a much more special person (according to Anime Dictionary: 10 Japanese Words to Know about Anime). He always has selfish delusions that he murders his classmates including a popular outgoing girl Anna Yamada.
Manga artist: Norio Sakurai
Published: Since 2018
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Champion (2018)/Champion Cross (2018)/Manga Cross (2018-)
Volumes: 8 (As of March, 2023)
The Dangers in My Heart has become one of the centerpiece anime of 2023 since it began airing in the spring. Lots of new[…]
15. Blue Giant
It is not all flashy action and exciting fantasy adventures that are noteworthy. One that is getting a lot of attention right now is a jazz-themed, realism-based drama manga, which is titled Blue Giant. The popularity of this manga has spread not only among core manga readers, but also among light fans, and its first anime movie adaptation was released in February, 2023. Blue Giant was serialized on Big Comic between 2013 and 2016, consisting of 10 volumes. The second part Blue Giant Supreme followed it from 2016 and came to an end in 2020. The third series Blue Giant Explorer has been serialized on the same magazine since 2020.
Dai Miyamoto, a high school student living in Sendai, Miyagi, has a straightforward personality, but is living his student life not knowing what he really wants to do in the future. One day, he was intrigued by a jazz song he heard, and after witnessing a jazz performance at a live house he visited for the first time, he decided to become a saxophone player. The first park takes place in Sendai and Tokyo. Part 2, which takes place in Europe, and Part 3, set in the United States, follow.
Manga artist: Shinichi Ishizuka
Published: 2013-2016 (Blue Giant)/2016-2020 (Blue Giant Supreme)Since 2020 (Blue Giant Explorer)
Serialized on Big Comic
Volumes: 10 (Blue Giant)/11 (Blue Giant Supreme)8 as of February, 2023 (Blue Giant Explorer)
▽How about enjoying the parts of Blue Giant that haven’t been adapted into anime through the manga?▽
Anime with a musical theme are plentiful even in recent times, but has there ever been an anime that faced the genre of […]
16. Interviews with Monster Girls
The reason you should pay attention to Interviews with Monster Girls (亜人ちゃんは語りたい) now, in 2023, is that its work was finally completed at the end of last year. Readers who read the series in real time have a good opportunity to re-read it in its entirety, and if you have never read it, now is the time to try it. The high school themed manga categorized as slice-of-life mixed with fantasy and romantic comedy was serialized for more than eight years, which was adapted into an anime series by A-1 Pictures in 2017. A spin-off series Occult-chan wa Katarenai, made by different manga artists Kae Hoshimoto and Hajime Honda, was started in 2019.
In the world of Interviews with Monster Girls, not only humans but also beings called Demis live together with humans. A main character is Tetsuo Takahashi, a high school biology teacher, who is surrounded by female Demi-human characters including a vampire Hikari Takanashi, a dullahan Kyoko Machi, a snow woman Yuki Kusakabe and a succubus teacher Sakie Sato. It depicts their daily life and their problems both as high school students and as Demis.
Manga artist: Petos
Published: 2014-2022
Serialized on Young Magazine the 3rd (2014–2021)/Monthly Young Magazine (2021–2022)
Volumes: 11
17. The Elusive Samurai
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Works serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, the source from which hit manga are born, have recently been adapted to anime one after another. The Elusive Samurai (逃げ上手の若君), which has serialized on the popular manga magazine since 2021, has been announced to be animated in the near future. The recent historical manga series is written by Yusei Matsui, who also produced other hits such as Assassination Classroom (2012-2016) and Neuro: Supernatural Detective (2005-2009).
The Elusive Samurai depicts the life of Hojo Tokiyuki from the Kamakura period to the Muromachi period. While the Kamakura shogunate was destroyed by Ashikaga Takauji, and the Hojo family members and their clansmen were dying one after another, the story unfolds of Tokiyuki, who escaped from the hands of Takauji and strove for a comeback with Suwa Yorishige and others. The story is based on historical facts and depicts the life of Tokiyuki, who became a hero by escaping from his enemies at a time when fighting and dying was considered the honor of warriors.
Manga artist: Yusei Matsui
Published: Since 2021
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
Volumes: 10 (As of April, 2023)
18. Skip and Loafer
Skip and Loafer (スキップとローファー) emerged as one of the most popular and recognized works in 2023. A crucial factor contributing to its popularity was its anime adaptation from April to June, which garnered outstanding reviews. While the series might appear understated and unassuming at first glance, P.A. Works succeeded in creating a superior anime adaptation. This manga falls into the slice-of-life genre set within a school context. Authored by Misaki Takamatsu, the series has been serialized in Monthly Afternoon since 2018.
Skip and Loafer is about a 15-year-old cheerful country girl named Mitsumi, who moves to Tokyo for her high school education. Her aim is to experience city life, but she quickly finds herself out of her depth in the bustling metropolis. As she navigates city life, Mitsumi discovers her own strength and makes friends along the way. The heartfelt coming-of-age story depicts Mitsumi’s candid life in high school along with Sosuke Shima, who harbors fond feelings for her, and other unique classmates. The narrative intricately captures their day-to-day interactions in the high school setting.
Manga artist: Misaki Takamatsu
Published: Since 2018
Serialized on Monthly Afternoon
Volumes: 9 (As of August, 2023)
Recently, it's not uncommon for lesser-known manga to skyrocket to popularity after getting an anime adaptation. One of […]
19. 2.5 Dimensional Seduction
One of the most currently highlighted manga publishing platforms is Shonen Jump+, which in recent years has seen a surge in the anime adaptations of its serialized manga. Among them, the most popular ongoing romantic comedy manga is 2.5 Dimensional Seduction (2.5次元の誘惑). This manga, themed around cosplay, the culture of dressing up as characters from anime and games, is gaining global recognition. The term “2.5 Dimensional” refers to the space between the real 3D world and the 2D world of manga, anime and game. It’s a manga by Yu Hashimoto that has been serialized since 2019, and by September 2023, has published 18 volumes.
2.5 Dimensional Seduction is a shonen manga focused on a cute girl and some mildly erotic elements, but its appeal goes beyond that. The story revolves around Masamune Okumura, the sole member of the manga research club at a certain high school. He is a manga otaku deeply in love with a character named Liliel and is disinterested in real women, thus initially indifferent towards the beautiful newcomer Lilysa Amano. However, when she dresses up as Liliel, Masamune is taken aback. The manga gradually focuses on their serious cosplay activities, broadcasting the allure of this new pop culture.
Manga artist: Yu Hashimoto
Published: Since 2019
Serialized on Shonen Jump+
Volumes: 18 (As of September, 2023)
20. RuriDragon
Anticipated to be the next sensation in the world of manga, RuriDragon (ルリドラゴン) captures the contemporary trend of blending everyday life with fantasy elements. Serialized on the renowned Weekly Shonen Jump since 2022, this work is created by the manga artist Masaoki Shindo. Unfortunately, due to the author’s health issues, the serialization has been on hiatus since August 2022, and the resumption date is yet to be determined.
A 15-year-old high school girl Ruri Aoki, who attends a local school, wakes up one morning to find horns growing from her head. Upon consulting her mother, Umi Aoki, she casually reveals that Ruri’s father is a dragon, making her a half-human, half-dragon hybrid. Despite her confusion, Ruri goes to school. However, during class, she accidentally breathes fire when she sneezes, burning her throat and coughing up blood before fainting. The manga depicts the struggles of her who suddenly becomes a different person at school, and the students around her who are unsure whether to accept it or not. The story is expected to develop in an even more intriguing direction from here on out.
Manga artist: Masaoki Shindo
Published: Since 2020
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
Volumes: 1 (As of June, 2022)
I hope you found the one you want to read next above. And, I will add a new potential worthy manga series regularly. Check out the latest manga trend all the time!
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