Long-running series like One Piece and My Hero Academia are nearing their climaxes, while Spy x Family continues to do well in its anime adaptation. Jujutsu Kaisen has just finished a battle between its strongest characters. All of these are hot manga worth reading for any manga fan living in the present day.
However, there are still more manga worth reading in 2024. Some have recently started and quickly become the talk of the town, while others have gained dramatically increased attention due to their popularity and announcements of anime adaptations. It’s tough to narrow down the many recommended manga, but we have carefully selected the best manga to read in 2024 with undeniable quality that are not just a passing fad.
We live in a convenient world where manga can be instantly translated and distributed globally through online platforms. Of course, there’s also the pleasure of reading manga in a completed paperback form, enjoying the feel of the paper after some time has passed. If there’s a title you’re interested in, try reading it right away. If you get hooked on the manga, watching its anime adaptation is also recommended, as it offers a different perspective to deepen your understanding of the work.
So, let’s check out the latest manga trends!
1. Chainsaw Man
Without a doubt, the manga artist who has significantly expanded his fame in recent years is Tatsuki Fujimoto, known for his masterpiece Chainsaw Man (チェンソーマン). Following the trends set by Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Jujutsu Kaisen, this dark fantasy manga, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump and became a major hit. The first part, the Public Safety Arc, concluded with its 11th volume in 2020. The second part, the School Arc, is currently being well-received, and it’s a manga that people who haven’t caught up with the latest chapters should definitely continue reading in real time in 2024. The latest 16th volume was just released in December 2023.
The first part focused on the battles of Chainsaw Man, but the second part shifts its focus to
Denji as a human instead of the strongest Devil. Particularly in the first half of the second part, the main character is not Denji, but Asa Mitaka. She is half-possessed by the War Devil, a demon whose goal is to defeat Chainsaw Man. The depiction of a world that seems like a microcosm of “something bad” in modern times may leave some readers astonished. It is indeed one of the must-read manga of the moment. Additionally, there’s exciting news that a sequel in the form of an anime movie, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, has been announced.
▽Check out the coolest manga box set of Chainsaw Man, too!▽
2. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
As of 2024, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (葬送のフリーレン) is not only one of the most popular manga but also likely to be regarded as one of the all-time best manga in the future. It extracts key elements from past fantasy and isekai genre manga, while maintaining a high level of originality. The goal of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End differs from many similar genre manga where the protagonists aim to defeat a powerful enemy like a demon king. This story unfolds in a world where that goal has already been achieved.
Following the natural passing of her former party member, the hero Himmel, the long-lived elf Frieren begins a new journey to learn more about humans. On this journey, she encounters former companions Heiter and Eisen, and meets young people like Fern and Stark, who become her good partners. The manga often reflects on Frieren’s memories of adventures with Himmel and others, warming the narrative. Instead of flashy magical battle scenes, the human drama that unfolds during the journey truly shines in this manga.
Serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday since 2020, the finest manga, written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe, continues to thrive. As of December 2023, 12 volumes have been published. Additionally, from October to March, the anime adaptation of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End was broadcasted, achieving a high level of completion that rivals the manga. Along with the manga, the anime adaptation is also a must-check.
3. Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction
The manga Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction (デッドデッドデーモンズデデデデデストラクション), which blends science fiction with slice-of-life, is a work by Inio Asano that has continuously garnered attention among manga fans since its publication started in 2014. Why should it be highlighted as a manga to read in 2024? The reason is that this manga is finally being adapted into a two-part anime movie in March and April 2024. While the anime adaptation is certainly anticipated and likely to be a hit, it’s recommended to enjoy the original world and story in the manga before watching the anime.
Set in a world where three years have passed since aliens arrived in Tokyo with a massive flying saucer, the “mothership” ominously continues to hover in the sky. Meanwhile, high school girls Kadode Koyama and Ouran Nakagawa are enjoying their everyday lives. The manga beautifully depicts this coexistence of the extraordinary and the ordinary as if it were normal. Experience this new dystopian world.
Inio Asano’s highly acclaimed masterpiece Goodnight Punpun (おやすみプンプン), while seemingly less likely to be adapted into an anime in the near future, is another recommended manga. It vividly portrays painfully realistic episodes lurking in everyday life, making it a truly unique work.
4. Sakamoto Days
As for manga recommendations for 2024, or rather manga that should be a top priority to read anytime for those who haven’t yet, Sakamoto Days is a must-read. Since its serialization began in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2020, it has become a face of the new era of Weekly Shonen Jump alongside Jujutsu Kaisen. Sakamoto Days is also the first serial manga by the manga artist Yuto Suzuki. As of November 2023, 14 volumes have already been published, providing plenty of content to enjoy.
The story follows Taro Sakamoto, who was once the strongest and most legendary assassin, but now leads a peaceful everyday life after getting married. However, due to his notorious past, he is constantly attacked by numerous assassins. He continues to fight to protect his daily life with his outstanding battle skills. The comedy and flashy action elements remind one of One-Punch Man, while the plot of a former powerful figure retiring is reminiscent of Rurouni Kenshin. It’s a must for future anime adaptation, and both anime and manga fans can’t really talk about recent trends without checking it out.
5. Blue Giant
The dawn of a new legend. Blue Giant, a story about a young boy with Jazz as its theme, is currently attracting attention. Originally, it was a manga published in 10 volumes from 2013 to 2016, but its adaptation into an anime movie in 2023 significantly raised its profile. While the anime adaptation was well-received, the true essence of Blue Giant lies in the manga. This manga, set on an international stage with the theme of Jazz, is a work that anyone can enjoy, emotionally depicting the deeper aspects of life through music. The manga’s charm also includes its artistry, which naturally makes you feel as if you can hear the music being played.
In the first 10 volumes of Blue Giant, the protagonist, Dai, encounters Jazz during his high school years and starts playing the saxophone by himself in a rural town near Sendai. Then, upon graduating from high school, he moves to Tokyo, where he meets and grows with real Jazz players. Dai’s passion and the friendships with his bandmates drive the story forward. The sequel is comprised of 11 volumes, Blue Giant Supreme, which follows Dai’s journey to Munich. Furthermore, the story continues with Blue Giant Explorer, set on the West Coast of the United States, and Blue Giant Momentum, set in the jazz mecca of New York.
▽Since there are many parts that haven’t been adapted into anime, you should definitely read volumes 1-4 in particular.▽
Anime with a musical theme are plentiful even in recent times, but has there ever been an anime that faced the genre of […]
6. Haikyu!!
In the classic genre of sports, one of your must-reads for 2024 should be Haikyu!! (ハイキュー!!). This manga by Haruichi Furudate began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2012 and had already concluded in 2020. However, the anime adaptation, which started in 2014, is finally entering its final part. The first movie, Haikyu!! the Movie: Decisive Battle at the Garbage Dump, will be released in February 2024, making it one of the hottest series right now.
The charm of this volleyball-themed manga is that it can be enjoyed regardless of whether you like volleyball or have knowledge about it. Focusing just on the protagonist Shoyo Hinata’s team, Karasuno High School, reveals a cast of characters brimming with personality, and members from other schools also play significant roles in the story (reminding some fans of Slam Dunk). The successes and setbacks of these characters deeply engage the readers’ emotions. Settling down to binge-read all 45 volumes is one way to enjoy it.
7. Kaiju No. 8
The new next-generation hero action series Kaiju No. 8 (怪獣8号) has been attracting attention from across the world since its debut in 2020, and it’s finally getting an anime adaptation in the spring of 2024. Written by Naoya Matsumoto and serialized on Shonen Jump+ starting in 2020, it’s a manga from one of the platforms producing the most high-quality manga today.
The scenario of extraterrestrial life forms attacking the earth is common, but in Kaiju No. 8, the invaders are ferocious monsters known as Kaiju, depicted almost like natural disasters. The strongest Kaiju are assigned numbers like typhoons, and their strength is indicated using a unit called Fortitude, similar to the magnitude scale. The cool members of the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force confront these enemies. It’s a growth story where each member of the Defense Force levels up, but the presence of the protagonist, Kafka Hibino, who unintentionally absorbs the power of a Kaiju, also makes the manga appealing. He can “metamorphose” into a Kaiju form after swallowing a bug-like monster.
8. Dandadan
Dandadan (ダンダダン) doesn’t just stop at being a cool shonen manga; its psychedelic atmosphere continues to make it a super cool and prominent work. It’s an action comedy manga themed around paranormal phenomena like ghosts and aliens. The high school student Momo, who has a medium grandmother, believes in ghosts but not in aliens. The other protagonist, the otaku Okarun, believes in the opposite. Momo is strong-willed and Okarun is timid, so their personalities are opposites, but their shared interest in the unreal world of the occult leads their lives to intersect.
Dandadan has been written by the manga artist Yukinobu Tatsu since 2021. Alongside works like Spy x Family and Kaiju No. 8, it is one of the titles that make Shonen Jump+ the world’s best online manga platform these days. It has been decided that Dandadan will also be adapted into an anime in the autumn of 2024. As of the end of 2023, 12 volumes have already been published, but it’s never too late to start reading now. Get up to date with the latest trends by reading Dandadan.
9. The Apothecary Diaries
At the beginning of 2024, the most successful anime adaptation was The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと), originally published as a light novel series. Despite its basis in light novel, the series has also been popular and highly regarded in its manga adaptations. It introduces a new mystery series set in the fictional world of ancient China’s imperial palace, where a young apothecary girl solves various mysteries. The original light novel publication began in 2014, having been serialized online since 2011, with its first manga adaptation starting in 2017 by Square Enix. Another manga adaptation, titled The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao’s Rear Palace Mystery-Solving Notebook, began in the same year by Shogakukan. For English readers, the Square Enix adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries, the only option in English as of now, is recommended.
The story follows Maomao, a young girl who, after being kidnapped, is sold into the imperial harem as a low-ranking servant. Despite her low status, she catches the attention of the esteemed eunuch Jinshi by solving mysteries within the harem using her exceptional knowledge of medicine, and subsequently gets involved in further incidents. The narrative focuses more on Maomao’s life and her passion for pharmacology rather than the serious power struggles within the harem. The series is characterized by a blend of mystery and comedy, creating a relaxed atmosphere that adds to the charm of The Apothecary Diaries.
▽If you’ve already watched the The Apothecary Diaries anime, this will guide you on where to start reading!▽
The popular anime The Apothary Diaries, which perfectly mixes the quintessential genres of mystery, romance, and comedy,[…]
10. Bocchi the Rock!
Bocchi the Rock! (ぼっち・ざ・ろっく!) is one of the most hit series in recent years, blending elements of slice-of-life, comedy, school life, and music themes into a popular work. It interestingly portrays the daily lives of four high school students involved in a band, their personal growth through music, and the dynamics within the group. The manga, created by Aki Hamaji, has been serialized in Manga Time Kirara Max as a four-panel comic series since 2018 and has been published in English since October 2023. In 2022, it was adapted into an anime by CloverWorks, capturing an even larger fan base. In 2024, the series garnered renewed attention with the release of two compilation anime films, making it a highlight of the year. Since the anime has only covered the beginning of the series, fans are encouraged to delve further into the story through the manga.
The story centers around Hitori, a high school girl with severe social anxiety and no friends at school. Her hobby is playing the guitar, which she shares with the world through secretly uploaded videos on the internet. Her life takes a turn when Nijika and Ryo from another school appear and somewhat forcibly recruit her into their band. Ikuyo, a fellow student from Hitori’s school, joins them, and together they start their new band activities under the name Kessoku Band. The series primarily focuses on how Hitori, an extreme introvert, manages to perform in front of others, with particular emphasis on her transformative performance at a live event in the early episodes.
▽If you’ve already watched the Bocchi the Rock! anime, this will guide you on where to start reading!▽
A new standard in school band anime was born in 2022 though the K-On! series had dominated the position until then. Bocc[…]
11. Pluto
Pluto is a suspenseful science fiction manga serialized from 2003 to 2009 by Naoki Urasawa. It’s the original work adapted into the current Netflix anime of the same title. This manga is a remake based on the The Greatest Robot on Earth episode from Osamu Tezuka’s legendary manga Astro Boy. With the magnificent anime adaptation in 2023, manga enthusiasts are encouraged to enjoy the original world in manga form. It’s a complete series in 8 volumes, making it an easy and recommended read.
The main character is not Atom (although he’s an important character), but Gesicht, a Europol special investigator. Gesicht is one of the world’s most advanced robots, indistinguishable in appearance from humans. There are seven of these top-tier robots including him and Atom in the world, and a mysterious case unfolds targeting the destruction of these robots. Gesicht, facing threats to his colleagues and himself, starts investigating a mysterious entity known as Pluto. Amidst the blend of mysteries and conspiracies, the greatest charm of this manga is arguably the presence of highly advanced robots even striving to understand human emotions. Reading this manga in today’s world of advanced AI technology provokes even deeper thoughts.
12. Teasing Master Takagi-san
Teasing Master Takagi-san (からかい上手の高木さん) may not be for every manga fan around the world. However, when discussing anime and manga today, the genre of slice-of-life romantic comedy cannot be ignored. One of the masterpieces of this genre is Teasing Master Takagi-san, which I’d like to introduce here. Especially since it concluded in 2023, it’s a series you’ll want to binge-read now. The manga revolves around a middle school student, Takagi-san, who frequently teases and plays pranks on her classmate, Nishikata (throughout the series, they are only referred to by their surnames). Mini-games ensue, and Nishikata invariably loses. These everyday scenes are depicted with heartwarming episodes, and readers find themselves comfortably immersed in them.
The manga, written by Soichiro Yamamoto, was serialized from 2013 to 2023 and comprises 20 volumes. It was adapted into an anime by Shin-Ei Animation starting in 2018, so watching that and then reading the manga continuation is also a good approach. The charm of the manga is dominated by Takagi-san’s cuteness and the pure relationship between the two. It has even established a sub-genre known as the San Series. Takagi-san is a great entry point for those new to slice-of-life manga.
13. Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister
The latest romantic comedy manga that’s rapidly gaining popularity is Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister (甘神さんちの縁結び). Many manga fans are captivated by the trio of heroines in this series. Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister is a manga by Marcey Naito, serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine since 2021. While it’s based in the slice-of-life genre, it often incorporates fantasy elements. An anime adaptation has already been decided and is scheduled to air in 2024, which is why it’s recommended to read the manga beforehand, making it one of the best manga to read in 2024.
The protagonist is Uryu Kamihate, a second-year high school student who lost his parents at a young age. He ends up living with the family of the Amagami Shrine, distant relatives of his. An interesting aspect is that he, an atheist, becomes involved with a Shinto shrine. There, he meets the three sisters and shrine maidens, Yae, Yuna, and Asahi. The story begins when their grandfather and the shrine’s priest, Chidori, instructs Uryu to marry one of his granddaughters and become his son-in-law.
There are still many manga that I would recommend, but for now, I have chosen those that are currently at the peak of their popularity and seem to match the tastes of a wider audience. The best manga lists from past years are still useful, so if you’re looking for more recommendations, be sure to check them out.
▶︎▷▶︎▷20 Best Manga of 2023 to Read in English
▶︎▷▶︎▷15 Best Manga of 2022 to Read in English
You can also check information on 2024’s anime series, anime movies, and light novels below!
▶︎▷▶︎▷10 Best Anime of 2024
▶︎▷▶︎▷10 Best Anime Movies 2024
▶︎▷▶︎▷10 Best Light Novels 2024
<<Recommended Articles>>
Manga, which is known as Japanese comic books, has been one of the most famous and popular modern Japanese cultures worl[…]
It goes without saying that manga is a pillar of Japanese pop culture, alongside anime. Many popular anime series are ad[…]
What do you think the hottest manga genre is now? Many manga and anime series categorized as a modern genre Slice of Lif[…]
<<Editor’s Picks>>
Netflix continues to demonstrate its presence as a global giant in video streaming services. Within its array of content[…]
Anime has been increasingly dominating the global scene on Netflix year by year. In particular, anime movies that are st[…]
Which do you read manga on a physical book or a digital book like Kindle? Many manga fans still love collecting and read[…]
