Summary

  • Choosing the right manga/anime is crucial to avoid losing interest in the culture.
  • Kaguya Sama, Jujutsu Kaisen, & JoJo's Bizarre Adventure are top picks for beginners.
  • From romance to action, the manga world offers a wide range of genres to explore.

With the release of so many manga and anime every year, it has become easier to pick a series that appeals to one's taste. However, this also means that there are multiple manga/anime that don't provide enough quality to keep the viewer engrossed.

best female anime vampires shiki, hellsing ultimate, undead murder party
23 Most Iconic Female Anime Vampires Of All Time, Ranked

Anime is full of great female vampires, both good and evil. Here are the most iconic characters of all time.

2
By 

This makes it immensely difficult to recommend new series to people who are trying to get into the manga/anime culture. So, the recommendations must be spot on. With that in mind, here are some of the best manga that every beginner should try.

Updated October 1st, 2024, by Suzail Ahmad: Reading manga has become a lot more accessible in the last decade. Numerous publishers have set up new websites to provide an easy way for fans to read both new and old manga. This move has also helped manga and anime reach a bigger audience.

With so many titles to pick from, it can often be challenging for first time readers to pick one. However, it is absolutely pivotal for them to make the right choice as picking up the wrong title could make them lose interest in the medium as a whole. With that in mind, here are the best manga for beginners.

Readers can enjoy any manga, but these titles in particular are considered to read.

30 Blue Lock

A Sports Manga That Highlights Intense Competition

Isagi Metavision
Blue Lock
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Release Date
October 8, 2022
Studio
8bit
Creator
Muneyuki Kaneshiro
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

Blue Lock is a sports manga written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro. The manga is one of the few soccer manga that is able to recreate the pressure that players feel whilst on the pitch. Blue Lock also highlights the challenges that athletes face whenever they step on the field.

The anime follows the journey of Isagi Yoichi, a talented young player who dreams of making it on the big stage. He joins a new facility, which promises to improve the players. Upon entering, Isagi learns that it is a very competitive place where the dreams of a person could be shattered within minutes. So, Isagi fully dedicates himself to his goal and undergoes a drastic mental change.

29 Vinland Saga

Is Based On Several Real Life Characters

thorfinn-askeladd-vinland-saga
Vinland Saga Thorfinn Askeladd Season One
Vinland Saga
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Release Date
July 6, 2019
Studio
Wit Studio, MAPPA
Creator
Makoto Yukimura
Streaming Service(s)
Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video

Vinland Saga is one of the greatest seinen manga of all time. Unlike most seinen manga, Vinland Saga does not focus too much on violence. It focuses on self improvement and tackles various other issues prevalent in the world today.

Vinland Saga delves into the life Thorfinn, a young boy obsessed with avenging his father. His quest for revenge leads him to commit unspeakable acts of violence. Every act slowly began to weigh on his conscience. Ultimately, everything falls apart when his arch-nemesis is killed. As the story moves forward, Thorfinn learns how to deal with his jumbled state of mind.

28 Apothecary Diaries

An Excellent Blend Of Romance And Comedy

The Apothecary Diaries anime Maomao
The Apothecary Diaries
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Release Date
October 22, 2023
Studio
OLM, TOHO animation STUDIO
Creator
Natsu Hyūga
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

Apothecary Diaries gained a lot of traction when its anime adaptation began to air. The manga combined humor with wit, making it a great choice for most people. Apothecary Dairies also has romantic elements, so readers who are into the genre will appreciate it.

Apothecary Diaries is a story about Maomao, a young girl who is fascinated by herbs and conducts all kinds of experiments. Unfortunately, she gets kidnapped and ends up being sold to the royal palace. From there, she tries to find her feet. Ultimately, she becomes a well-known apothecary who is praised by everyone.

27 Spy x Family

A Humorous Story About A Family Trying To Make It Work

Anya Forger
Spy x Family
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Release Date
April 9, 2022
Studio
Wit Studio, CloverWorks
Creator
Tatsuya Endo
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll, Hulu

Tatsuya Endo's Spy x Family has become a well-known anime series. It is a light-hearted comedy series that puts three different people in the spotlight. The manga also has romance and action, so readers will remain entertained no matter what.

Twilight, the greatest spy in the East, is given the mission to save the world from destruction. To achieve this mission, he takes the identity of Loid Forger and starts a fake family. His first recruit is Anya, an orphan with a supernatural power. The third recruit is Yor, a skilled assassin. The three of them don't have too much in common, but they all care about each other in one way or another.

26 Kaguya Sama: Love Is War

Great For Romance Lovers

a black haired girl stands in the foreground, a blonde boy sits at a desk in the background
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Release Date
January 12, 2019
Studio
A-1 Pictures
Creator
Aka Akasaka
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll, Hulu

Kaguyasama is the quintessential manga for people who are interested in the romantic genre. Instead of following a super predictable plot, this manga keeps the audience on tenterhooks.

Kaguya-sama Love is War follows the lives of two characters, Nishimiya and Shirogane. The two are deeply interested in each other, but neither is ready to confess. This leads to a humourous adventure in which both of them try to make each other reveal their true feelings.

25 Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

A Great Title For People Who Want Something Deep

Frieren in close range of a spell
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Release Date
September 29, 2023
Studio
Madhouse
Creator
Kanehito Yamada
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

After its anime adaptation took the entire world by storm, the masterpiece was able to reach more people. Gradually, the manga also gained traction. This particular series differs from most shonen and seinen types.

The manga follows the life of an elf named Frieren who goes on a journey of self-reflection after she sees her close friends die due to natural reasons. Frieren realizes that she must do better to understand other people and their emotions in general. Frieren's adventure is rather incredible, and it will help viewers broaden their perspective.

24 Jujutsu Kaisen

Packed With Action

Yuji Itadori saluting the viewer in Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Release Date
October 3, 2020
Studio
MAPPA
Creator
Gege Akutami
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu

Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most popular manga series of all time. The title has gained popularity in next to no time. Jujutsu Kaisen features an excellent story along with several eye-catching characters. From the get go, the series managed to capture the attention of the audience. Many people prefer the anime over the manga, which is absolutely fine. But the manga has its own advantages. As it is the source material, everything shown in the manga is accurate.

Jujutsu Kaisen follows the story of Itadori Yuji, a young boy who accidentally consumes a cursed object, which leads to the revival of a malevolent entity. After triggering the threat, Gojo Satoru takes Yuji under his wing. This leads to an adventure that changes Yuji's life forever.

23 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Each Part Tells A Different Story

6 of the Jojos from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure posing
JoJo Bizarre Adventure
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Release Date
October 6, 2012
Studio
David Production
Creator
Hirohiko Araki
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is the work of Hirohiko Araki. He started writing the first part of his long-running series in 1987, and since then he has released eight more parts. The most recent ninth part started serializing in 2023.

Each part has a different story, characters, and setting. The parts are interlinked, so they shouldn't be skipped at any cost. Araki's artwork and interesting way of presenting the story make it an absolute joy to read the manga. Furthermore, it is the perfect fit for people who can't read hundreds of chapters of the same story.

22 Kingdom

Historical Anime That Teaches A Lot Of Lessons

Li Xin with a cup of water
Kingdom
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Release Date
October 8, 2014
Streaming Service(s)

Kingdom is an absolute gem of a manga. It is a fictional retelling of the Warring States Period in ancient China. Yasuhisa Hara has consistently released top-notch chapters, which have helped the series stay relevant even after nearly two decades. It is a seinen manga, so it is more appealing to mature audiences.

Featured Most Iconic Best Friends Duos In Anime Gon Killua Kawaki Boruto
28 Most Iconic Best Friends Duos In Anime

Plenty of anime are built on the friendships between their main protagonists, and these characters show just how powerful these relationships can be.

5

The manga follows the story of Xin, an orphan boy who has his mind set on becoming the greatest general in the world. Xin's friend Piao also shares the same ambition. The two continue to train hard every single day, but disaster strikes when Piao is taken away to the palace. Despite being separated from his friend, Xin promises to keep working toward his goal.

21 Grand Blue

Excellent Slice-of-life Manga

Grand Blue anime party swimming team Iori Kitahara
Grand Blue Dreaming
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Release Date
July 14, 2018
Studio
Zero-G
Creator
Kenji Inoue

Kenji Inoue's Grand Blue is among the best slice-of-life manga that a person can read. Grand Blue is published in Kodansha's good! Morning magazine, and the targeted demographic is seinen. The manga started serializing in 2014 and currently has over 20 volumes in print.

Grand Blue follows the life of Iori Kitahara, who moves to a different place to start things anew. Iori lives above a diving shop that belongs to his uncle. A few days in, Iori is shocked to learn that the divers in the club don't actually participate in diving, instead, they spend most of their time doing antics.