Top 10 Popular Manga for Beginners in 2024 [Japanese Comics]

Saw your friend reading mangas and decided to start with one? At first, you may be confused about what to begin with because there are thousands of mangas out there. Each of them is no less exciting than the other. But you need to find the best starter manga to get your hype up about these Japanese comics. So, we took the time to collect some of the best manga for beginners. Enjoy the ride!

Here are the 10 Best Manga for beginners in 2024:

  • Fullmetal Alchemist
  • One-Punch Man
  • Yotsuba&!
  • Dr. Stone
  • The Promised Neverland
  • Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
  • Dragon Ball
  • Fruits Basket
  • Eyeshield 21
  • Demon Slayer

Since MangaStream is gone, you might have to find another platform to watch Japanese Anime.

Top 10 Manga Recommendations For Beginners

You can choose the best manga to read from this list we gathered. I’m sure you’ll find one of the more interesting than the others. Consequently, pick the one and start reading.

Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist, which was serialized in Monthly Shonen Gangan from 2001 to 2010, piqued the curiosity of many manga lovers worldwide. In addition, this manga is suitable for all ages, including children and adults. Moreover, it is a popular manga series ideal for both men and women.

full metal alchemist manga

Firstly, the manga theme is alchemy, which generates something based on comparable exchange. The Elric Brothers, Edward and Alphonse, attempt to resurrect their dead mother through alchemy but fail. Edward also loses his right arm, while Alphonse loses his entire body. The adventure begins to lift them out of their funk.

Manga Artist: Hiromu Arakawa

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Published: 2001-2010

Amazon: Fullmetal Alchemist

One-Punch Man

One-Punch Man is especially recommended for fans of superhero-themed American comics. The action and humor manga began as a webcomic in 2009, while the current remake manga began in 2012.

one punch man manga

Saitama, the main superhero, is never cool and powerful. Nonetheless, it is the most powerful of all the characters in this manga. As the manga title suggests, he possesses incredible strength. He can defeat any foe (no matter how tough they are) with a single blow.

Manga Artist: Written by ONE / Illustrated by Yusuke Murata

Genre: Action, Comedy

Published: from 2012

Amazon: One-Punch Man

Yotsuba&!

Yotsuba&! has drawn many newcomers who were previously uninterested in reading manga since its release in 2003. Yotsuba&! is an excellent recommended manga to read for beginners.

yotsuba&! manga

Everyday life is described in the slice-of-life manga, focusing on an enthusiastic 5-year-old girl named Yotsuba. Her daily encounters are never spectacular, but she finds joy and pleasure in them. The primary character is a child, yet the story is suitable for people of all ages. Yotsuba&! has yet to be transformed into anime or other media. Therefore, manga is the only method to appreciate the narrative.

Manga Artist: Kiyohiko Azuma

Genre: Slice of life, comedy

Published: 2003

Amazon: Yotsuba&!

Dr. Stone

Dr. Stone debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2017 and is one of the most popular ongoing manga series. This latest manga series is suggested for new readers. It combines the distinct manga concept of “science” with a traditional plot in which the main protagonists embark on adventures in the sci-fi universe.

dr stone

The setting is an apocalyptic Earth 3,700 years after the present, in which society and technology have perished. Senku, a high-school-aged child, survives in the world with his buddies, building science from the ground up.

Artist: Written by Riichiro Inagaki / Illustrated by Boichi

Genre: Adventure, Science fiction

Published: from 2017

Amazon: Dr. Stone

The Promised Neverland

After four years of serialization on Weekly Shonen Jump, The Promised Neverland has finally finished its last episode, which will air in June 2020. Many manga fans consider The Promised Neverland to be one of the popular manga for beginners of the 2010s.

the promised neverland

It is set in the imaginary future of 2045, where the orphan girls Emma and Norman, and Ray reside in the Grace Field House children’s orphanage. The plot begins shortly after they discover a shocking secret.

The Artist: Written by Kaiu Shirai / Illustrated by Posuka Demizu

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Adventure

Published: 2016-2020

Amazon: The Promised Neverland

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Studio Ghibli is well-known for producing high-quality anime films worldwide. Yet, few people know that they may enjoy Ghibli animation stories through manga. Like Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, many iconic Ghibli films have been converted into manga in English.

nausicaä of the valley of the wind

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, known as Hayao Miyazaki’s first full-length anime film, is what newcomers should watch first. The protagonist, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, seeks a method for humanity and nature to coexist peacefully in an apocalyptic world.

Manga Artist: Hayao Miyazaki

Genre: Fantasy

Published: 1982-1994

Amazon: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Dragon Ball

Akira Toriyama’s iconic action and adventure manga Dragon Ball comprises 42 volumes released in Weekly Shonen Jump between 1984 and 1995. Dragon Ball is suggested for newbies because it is one of the most well-known and popular manga series.

dragon ball manga

The plot continues with the protagonist Goku’s trip. There are numerous intense battle scenarios involving various distinct characters. If you don’t feel like reading a hefty volume of a long manga, you might start with the second section called “Dragon Ball Z.”

Manga Artist: Akira Toriyama

Genre: Action, Adventure

Published: 1984-1995

Amazon: Dragon Ball

Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket, published from 1998 to 2006, is suggested for manga newcomers who enjoy romance and comedy (especially girls). Toru Honda, a high school student, loses her mother, the sole survivor of her family, in a vehicle accident.

fruits basket

The plot revolves around her, who lives with the Soma family, including Yuki and Kyo. The Soma family can convert them into Junichi, animals from the Japanese (Chinese) Zodiac. Fruits Basket, the sequel series, premiered in 2015.

Natsuki Takaya made the most preferred manga for beginners. So, see if it fits your taste and start reading now.

Manga Artist: Natsuki Takaya

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy

Published: 1998-2006

Amazon: Fruits Basket

Eyeshield 21

Sports is one of the themes in Eyeshield 21, which ran on Weekly Shonen Jump from 2002 to 2009, and is ideal for newcomers. The sports manga has a football theme. Thus it is a very friendly comic, especially for Americans.

eyeshield 21 manga

Yoichi Hiruma, one of the major characters, forces Sena Kobayakawa to join his high school American football team, the Deimon Devil Bats, because Sena is incredibly fast. They aim to hit the high school football league title Christmas Bowl with various characters.

Artists: Written by Riichiro Inagaki / Illustrated by Yusuke Murata

Genre: Sports, Comedy

Published: 2002-2009

Amazon: Eyeshield 21

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Finally, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. It should be considered the finest manga for beginners, given the current manga trend. This series ended in May 2020 on Weekly Shonen Jump, it is one of the best mangas of the twenty-first century.

demon slayer kimetsu no yaiba

The story is set in Japan during the Taisho period (1912-1926), when demons threatened human harmony. Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu are among the demon slayers who fight against demons. Aside from the lovely characters, including the devils, many encouraging comments from the characters, particularly Tanjiro, will touch your heart.

Manga Artist: Koyoharu Gotoge

Genre: Drama, Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy

Published: 2016-2020

Amazon: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

FAQ

How can I begin reading manga?

In some circumstances, the cartoonist/writer, known in Japan as a mangaka, would design their manga to read from left to right. However, this is a rare occurrence. This picture depicts the correct reading sequence and direction for the manga. Begin reading at the upper-right corner of the upper-right panel and work your way down.

What is the most well-known manga?

As of September 2019, 'One Piece,' written and illustrated by Japanese artist Eiichiro Oda, was the world's best-selling manga series, with 454 million copies sold worldwide.

Can I create my manga?

The beginning can be intimidating if you want to make manga and become a professional mangaka. But don't give up—with a little forethought, you can construct your plot with all of your fantastic characters!

Conclusion

In conclusion, readers consider all these mangas mentioned above the best. Nevertheless, you need to find the one that sparks your wit. You can download the manga from your preferred reading apps on your phone or tablet. If you are willing to create your own manga series, use this 2D animation software, or you can simply use slideshow makers to design simple mangas. Therefore, We hope you have chosen the best manga for beginners and begin reading now.