10 Best Manga Series to Read in 2026
The Best Manga Right Now
Choosing the best manga of any year is subjective. But as a Japanese reader who consumes manga weekly, I can offer a perspective that most English-language lists miss: the cultural context that makes these series resonate so deeply in their home country.
Here are 10 manga series that you should be reading in 2026, with explanations for why they matter beyond surface-level entertainment.
1. One Piece — Eiichiro Oda
Status: Ongoing (Final Saga) | Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
One Piece entering its final saga is the manga event of the decade. Oda is resolving mysteries that have been building for over 25 years, and the answers are consistently more satisfying than anyone predicted. If you have been waiting for the “right time” to start or return to One Piece, this is it.
Why now: The Egghead Arc and its aftermath have been some of the best storytelling in the series. Major revelations about the Void Century and the true nature of the world are finally being revealed. Reading One Piece weekly right now feels historic.
2. Dandadan — Yukinobu Tatsu
Status: Ongoing | Genre: Action, Supernatural, Comedy, Romance
Dandadan is the most energetic manga being published. It combines Japanese folklore, alien encounters, teenage romance, and jaw-dropping action into something that should not work but absolutely does. The anime adaptation has brought it to a wider audience, and the manga is consistently ahead of the anime in quality.
Why now: The current arc is expanding the yokai mythology in fascinating directions, and the central romance is developing beautifully.
3. Chainsaw Man Part 2 — Tatsuki Fujimoto
Status: Ongoing | Genre: Dark Fantasy, Action
Part 2 of Chainsaw Man takes a dramatically different approach from Part 1, focusing on high school life and the War Devil arc. It is more introspective and slower, but Fujimoto’s ability to surprise remains unmatched. No other manga keeps you genuinely uncertain about what will happen next.
Why now: The series is building toward major revelations about the nature of devils and Denji’s role in the world. Fujimoto’s storytelling grows more ambitious with each chapter.
4. The Apothecary Diaries — Natsu Hyuuga / Nekokurage
Status: Ongoing | Genre: Historical Mystery, Drama
A pharmacist solving mysteries in an ancient imperial court might not sound exciting, but The Apothecary Diaries is one of the most compelling manga in serialization. Maomao is one of the best female protagonists in manga — brilliant, eccentric, and genuinely interesting. The anime brought massive international attention, and the manga offers even greater depth.
Why now: The series is entering a new arc with higher political stakes and deeper character development for Maomao.
5. Sakamoto Days — Yuto Suzuki
Status: Ongoing | Genre: Action, Comedy
The world’s greatest assassin retired to run a convenience store. Now his past is catching up. Sakamoto Days delivers the best action choreography in current manga — every fight scene is a masterclass in visual storytelling. The anime adaptation in early 2025 was the most-watched anime of the season, and for good reason.
Why now: The current storyline is escalating toward a confrontation that has been building since the beginning. The stakes have never been higher.
6. Berserk — Kentaro Miura / Studio Gaga
Status: Ongoing (continued by Studio Gaga) | Genre: Dark Fantasy
The greatest dark fantasy manga continues under the careful stewardship of Studio Gaga and Kouji Mori, based on Miura’s notes. The continuation has been remarkably faithful to Miura’s vision, and Guts’ journey toward healing continues to be one of the most emotionally resonant stories in manga.
Why now: Knowing that the story will reach a conclusion — even without its original creator — makes every new chapter feel precious.
7. Witch Hat Atelier — Kamome Shirahama
Status: Ongoing | Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Witch Hat Atelier is the most beautiful manga being published today. Shirahama’s artwork is stunning, with each page crafted with the care of a fine art illustration. The story — about a girl who discovers the secret of magic and enrolls in a witch academy — explores themes of creativity, knowledge, and the responsibility that comes with power.
Why now: The series is building toward a major confrontation between opposing magical philosophies, and the art continues to reach new heights.
8. Blue Box — Kouji Miura
Status: Ongoing | Genre: Romance, Sports
Blue Box has quietly become one of the best romance manga in recent years. Set in a sports-focused high school, it follows the relationship between a badminton player and a basketball player living under the same roof. The romantic development is refreshingly natural — no absurd misunderstandings, just genuine emotional growth.
Why now: The anime adaptation introduced it to international audiences, and the manga is entering its most emotionally significant arc.
9. Gachiakuta — Kei Urana
Status: Ongoing | Genre: Action, Fantasy
Gachiakuta takes place in a world divided between a floating city and a garbage dump below. The protagonist, falsely accused of murder, is cast down to the dump and discovers a world of unique combat and survival. The environmental themes and class commentary give it substance beyond the excellent action.
Why now: This is a breakout series that is still early enough to catch up on easily. The world-building is expanding in exciting directions.
10. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End — Kanehito Yamada / Tsukasa Abe
Status: Ongoing | Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Frieren follows an elven mage who, after the hero’s party defeats the Demon King, realizes she barely knew her companions who have since passed away due to their shorter lifespans. It is a meditation on time, memory, and the meaning of human connections — told through the lens of a character who has centuries to reflect.
Why now: The anime was one of the most acclaimed of 2024, and the manga continues to deliver emotionally devastating chapters with deceptive simplicity.
How to Choose
If you want action: Start with Dandadan or Sakamoto Days. If you want depth: Start with One Piece or Berserk. If you want something different: Start with The Apothecary Diaries or Frieren. If you want everything at once: Start with Chainsaw Man.
Whatever you choose, you are entering manga at one of the richest periods in the medium’s history. There has never been a better time to read.