23 Great Manga To Read If You're Suffering From Anime Burnout
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Anime burnout happens to the best of us. Whether you've been a lifelong fan or recently discovered a love for it, too much anime can wear anyone out. Luckily for us, manga exists! There's no music, voice acting, or flashy animation, but a good manga can make you love a story more than you ever thought possible.
Don't worry. We'll keep it spoiler-free.
1.Vinland Saga by Makoto Yukimura
You don't need to be a fan of vikings to appreciate Thorfinn's journey. Though the first season of the anime is amazing, the Vinland Saga manga takes a drastic turn that you simply have to read for yourself.
2.Ashita no Joe written by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba
Whether you like boxing or not, Ashita no Joe is a beloved classic worth a read. It might be a lot older than other series you've picked up recently, but the story is timeless and generally considered a masterpiece. This is also the series that inspired 2018's Megalobox anime.
3.Three Days of Happiness written by Sugaru Miaki, adapted as a manga by Shōichi Taguchi
This one is also commonly known as I Sold My Life for Ten Thousand Yen Per Year. A young man is down on his luck and comes across a shop that pays for peoples' lifespans. The string of events that follow range from heartwarming to life lessons that will make you reconsider every decision you've made.
4.Berserk by Kentaro Miura
Anyone who loves manga vividly remembers the heartache that came with the news of Kentaro Miura's untimely death. Berserk inspired countless artists and dark fantasy stories for decades. Its art will go down as some of the most detailed and awe-inspiring in manga history. However, Berserk isn't for everyone, and we highly suggest researching its content warnings before reading.
5.Hunter x Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi
Hunter x Hunter's popularity skyrocketed recently when a newer generation discovered its incredible story and characters. While most people have seen (or at least heard of) the anime by now, the manga is an easier way to digest certain story details, especially the widely acclaimed Chimera Ant arc.
Side note: Togashi suffers from crippling health issues, which sadly affected his work and his HxH release schedule. Even with its extensive hiatus, the manga is very much worth experiencing.
6.Monster by Naoki Urasawa
A slow-burn psychological drama that'll have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Monster is atmospheric and builds up at a steady pace, but the payoff warrants the wait.
Also, Johan Liebert. Enough said.
7.Golden Kamuy by Satoru Noda
A veteran of the early 20th-century Russo-Japanese War tries to find a huge fortune of gold of the Ainu people. This treasure hunt is (very) loosely based on true events, so it will make a good read for fans of historical fiction.
8.Dimension W by Yuji Iwahara
For those looking for a sci-fi read, this futuristic bounty hunter/detective manga is well written and concise. Plus, the characters are interesting, and the series is complete. What more could you ask for?
9.Real by Takehiko Inoue
Not to be confused with Slam Dunk, Inoue's other basketball manga, Real follows three teenagers who share a love for the sport. The series features wheelchair-bound athletes overcoming their struggles to play the game they love. We highly doubt you've read a manga like this before.
10.Yu Yu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi
Considered a battle shonen staple by fans, Togashi's early '90s Yu Yu Hakusho is still widely appreciated to this day. While the anime is a classic, the manga features some of the author's best art to date.
11.The Devil Is a Part-Timer by Satoshi Wagahara
The Devil Is a Part-Timer is exactly what it sounds like. This fun slice-of-life is for anyone who's ever wanted to see how Satan would fare as a fast-food employee.
12.JoJo's Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki
The memes might've convinced you to watch the anime, but reading the manga is a great way to witness Araki's iconic art in all its glory. He has a Gucci collaboration under his belt and won multiple awards for his art. That alone should be enough to make you pick up a few JJBA volumes.
13.Tokyo Ghoul + Tokyo Ghoul:re by Sui Ishida
Tokyo Ghoul was a starter anime for many, but it sadly doesn't do Sui Ishida's manga any justice. The sequel, Tokyo Ghoul:re, was especially butchered by its anime counterpart. Reading it is a significantly better experience since the manga features more anxiety-inducing buildup with phenomenal art.
14.Houseki no Kuni by Haruko Ichikawa
A futuristic series where the characters are genderless crystalline life forms called Gems. Main character Phos wants to be useful and protect the other Gems, and their journey is a wild one. This series is also commonly referred to as Land of the Lustrous.
15.The Horizon by Ji-hun Jeong
Technically a manhwa (Korean, not Japanese), but it's good enough to earn a spot on your reading list. You follow two children after an apocalyptic event wiped out most of the population. It's a dark and heartbreaking read driven by profound art rather than extensive dialogue.
16.Blue Period by Tsubasa Yamaguchi
Blue Period is all about about the struggles and rewards of being dedicated to your art. Yatora Yaguchi finds his passion with painting, but it's not exactly smooth sailing from there.
17.Jujutsu Kaisen by Gege Akutami
JJK rapidly became one of the most popular shonen series after Season 1 of the anime attracted a massive audience. Yet, we doubt anyone is ready for what happens in the manga. Reading the story before having it spoiled would be the best-case scenario.
18.Nana by Ai Yazawa
Fair warning: Nana has been on hiatus since 2009. If you can come to terms with that, it's worth reading this incredible story about love, music, friendship, and heartbreak.
19.Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
No need to argue over which of the two anime adaptations is better. Read the source material instead.
20.One-Punch Man by ONE and Yusuke Murata
We've all seen the anime, but one look at the official manga art will sell you on the spot. Murata's art is something you have to see to believe.
21.Anything by Junji Ito
Junji Ito is the token horror mangaka, so we heavily recommend any of his works if you're looking to feel uneasy. Some of the more popular options include Tomie, Uzumaki, and Sensor.
22.Assassination Classroom by Yusei Matsui
This lighthearted sci-fi comedy is both bizarre and endearing. As its name implies, the classroom in question is being taught assassination skills to save the world. However, its heartbreaking ending may or may not bring tears to your eyes.
23.Yu-Gi-Oh by Kazuki Takahashi
Yeah, we know. You've seen the anime, you love Joey's Brooklyn accent, and you probably collected the cards at some point. But you truly haven't experienced Yu-Gi-Oh until you've read the manga.
