A finished manga is a thing of beauty; a complete story with love, loss, redemption, and closure. We want the best for our paperback companions, and a satisfying ending can sometimes be tough to come by.
Here are the 15 best completed manga that you should add to your reading bucket list. Without sticking to the typical titles, these manga stand out from the crowd in completely different, fantastic ways.
15. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (Shinobu Ohtaka, 2009 – 2017)
When mysterious dungeons started to rise across the world, kingdoms everywhere turned to Magi, expertly talented magicians who guide people through them, aiming to defeat and obtain the immense power of the Djinn ruling inside.
Finally freed from his prison, a young Magi named Aladdin sets off on a journey exploring the world, and the dungeons within, alongside his Djinn companion Ugo as his fateful encounters change the world for the better.
A feel-good manga tale of adventure, touching on topics even beyond Aladdin’s years, traversing the world and leaving a mark of good everywhere he touches. Unlike some shounen manga, the issues faced aren’t always solved by fighting, as Magi gives a slightly more real-world take on the conflicts of two nations. This makes this adventure-filled story have a great slice of life feel to this adventure-filled story!
Grab volume one at Amazon here: Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Vol. 1
14. ReLIFE (Sō Yayoi, 2013 – 2018)
Life as an adult is hard. With pressure and stress from work and other life responsibilities, burning out always feels like it’s just around the corner, something Arata Kaizaki knows all too well.
However, Arata is suddenly offered an exciting job opportunity that promises support and growth. He accepts, despite one awkward condition; he must take on the physical form of his 17-year-old self and live through one year of his high school life.
A refreshing take on the high school drama through the eyes of an adult, ReLIFE struggles through academic life as Arata makes friendships and choices with the bigger picture in sight, knowing that the golden rule of “actions have consequences” that so many forget in their school days.
This beautiful story is addicting, and you’ll get lost within the pages. This series needs to be next on your reading list!
If you can read Japanese, volume one of the Japanese edition of ReLIFE can be found here on Amazon: ReLIFE Japanese Edition Vol. 1
13 . Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer (Satoshi Mizukami, 2005 – 2010)
A princess, beast knights, the end of the world, and a talking lizard?! Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer is a magical step into the weird and wonderful.
College student Yuuhi Amamiya is on his way home when he’s approached by Sir Noi Crezant, a talking lizard who proceeds to overload Yuuhi with tales of powerful magic users and world annihilation at the hand of evil mage Animus and his biscuit hammer!
Without time to process this information, the two are attacked by a golem and forced to defend themselves, with the help of Yuuhi’s neighbor, princess Asahina, to whom he pledges his allegiance.
Yuuhi soon discovers an uncomfortable truth about Asahina and is left to decide where his true loyalties lie; through love, fear, and being true to himself, this story breathes new life into wild fantasy adventures!
Grab volumes 1-2 (along with other volumes) on Amazon here: Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer Vol. 1-2
12. House of the Sun (Ta’amo, 2010 – 2015)
Abandoned and forgotten by her parents, high schooler Mao Motomiya is left in a turbulent time in her life, feeling like she truly belongs nowhere.
She’s soon stumbled across by Hiro Nakamura as she eats her sad convenience store meal and is invited by her close childhood friend to come and stay with him.
Thus begins a story of two people sharing similar obstacles at different times in their lives, Hiro giving Mao a loving home to call her own, and Mao providing the support Hiro needs to bring his estranged family back together.
A genuine, yet dark storyline is mixed with the odd light note of comedy and wholesomeness. This manga is perfectly paced and unfolds into a fantastic refreshing story that will stay with you long after you read it.
You can fine volume 1 of this manga here on Amazon: House of the Sun Vol 1.
11. Mushishi (Yuki Urushibara, 1999 – 2008)
A tale exploring the very meaning of the universe and life, we follow Ginko, a “Mushi-shi” whose days are spent trying to understand the elusive “Mushi.”
“Mushi” is everything and nothing simultaneously; they can be plants, animals, and even diseases. Their study is believed to allow Mushi-shi to understand life itself.
This masterpiece manga takes stories week by week, staying fresh with flashbacks giving more insight into Ginko’s life as he travels rural Japan solving mushi related problems.
Ginko is our guide into the beautiful, often misunderstood world of the Mushi. A tour into a living fairytale with a supernatural twist, these beings truly bring out the best and worst in all of us.
Get volume one over at Amazon here: Mushishi Volume 1
10. Zatch Bell! (Makoto Raiku, 2001 – 2007)
Zatch Bell! is an amazing action-adventure story; we’re first introduced to Kiyomaro Takamine, top of his middle-school class with no subject he cannot master. Life for Kiyomaro is turned upside down one day when he meets Gash Bell and his mysterious red book.
Gash has been tasked by his father to decipher the book’s contents, and he needs Kiyomaro’s vast knowledge to do it. Embarking on the adventure of a lifetime together, Kiyomaro discovers Gash’s past; a demon-child with the ability to shoot lightning from his mouth, with a part to play in a war to decide the next Demon King!
With this new duty thrust upon him, Kiyomaro experiences the power of true friendship as the two grow together, and we readers get to experience shounen manga at its finest!
You can purchase volume 1 of Zatch Bell! on Amazon here: Zatch Bell! Volume 1
You can also get a 10 volume set (vol. 1-10) on Amazon when it’s available: Zatch Bell! 10-volume Set (1-10)
9. Spirit Circle (Satoshi Mizukami, 2012 – 2016)
A masterpiece manga with one of the most interesting takes on reincarnation. Fuuta Okeya, a young, self-conscious boy with a facial birthmark and the ability to see ghosts, is mesmerized by new transfer student Kouko Ishigami.
Becoming closer to Kouko, Fuuta opens up about his life and shows her the birthmark usually hidden to the world. An instant rage washes over Kouko as she claims Fuuta is her mortal enemy through many past lives and vows to defeat him.
A timeline set through many lives, these two souls clash at every opportunity as we learn more and more about the mysteries behind their bad blood. If you’re looking for a manga that takes a new spin on an old plot, Spirit Circle is for you.
Grab volume one over at Amazon: Spirit Circle Vol. 1
8. Kanata Kara, AKA: From Far Away (Kyouko Hikawa, 1991 – 2003)
A standout classic, Kanata Kara takes us on a journey through the unexpected. One day, Noriko is thrust into a fantasy world beyond her imagination.
Lost, alone, and scared, Noriko is soon rescued by an enigmatic man named Izark. With his chest puffed out and ready to take on the world, there is more to Izark than meets the eye. He secretly hides an evil force darker than even this nightmare world can handle.
Noriko is the key to unleashing this darkness from Izark, and they are inexplicably bonded together as friends as they traverse this new world full of dangerous wonders.
The intertwined tale of Izark and Noriko is strong and emotional, the stakes are high, and the artwork is simple, yet striking.
You can find the first volume of this manga here on Amazon: From Far Away, Vol. 1
7. Kamisama Kiss (Julietta Suzuki, 2008 – 2016)
A troubled past filled with gambling debt and loss, recently evicted high schooler Nanami Momozono is wandering the streets trying to conjure up a plan to save herself, ending up saving a man stuck up a tree.
The man invites her to live with him, claiming that she would be more of the “master of the house” than he would ever be, with Nanami hesitantly accepting.
Arriving at the house, Nanami soon realizes she’s been led to an old, run-down shrine; stomach dropping, Nanami turns to leave until she’s faced with two spirits and a handsome fox called Tomoe.
Despite initial friction between Nanami and Tomoe, the two become closer as the human girl accepts becoming a land god. A compelling, slow-burn story of two souls incapable of separation makes this manga a fantastic and heartwarming story.
Find volume 1 of Kamisama Kiss on Amazon here: Kamisama Kiss, Vol. 1
6. Rurouni Kenshin (Nobuhiro Watsuki, 1994 – 1999)
A decade has passed since the great revolution against the shogunate, and new laws introduced a ban on swords to create peace. However, murder never stops with people struggling to protect themselves.
Enter Kenshin Himura, a wandering samurai working for peace and the values he now truly believes in. Shouldering a heavy reputation from his pre-revolution life, Kenshin has vowed never to kill again as his guilt proves too much a burden to bear.
Kenshin finds his way to Kaoru Kamiya, a local dojo owner with a problem; someone is committing murders under the guise of Kenshin, using his reputation to strike fear. The two must now work together to clear both of their names before his past finally catches up to him.
A manga with fantastic action, great characters, and a constantly engaging plot, add this to your reading list and you certainly won’t regret it!
You can get a 3-in-1 edition set, volume 1 here on Amazon: Rurouni Kenshin (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1: Includes vols. 1, 2 & 3
You can also get a complete 24 volume set here: Rurouni Kenshin (Complete 24-volume Set)
5. Dorohedoro (Q Hayashida, 2000 – 2018)
We enter the district known as ” Hole, a dark and dangerous world ruled by power by magic users, we enter the district known as “Hole.”
Hole is different from the real world; laws, ethics, and morals don’t exist here, and the residents are treated no better than wild animals. Powerless, experimented on, and murdered, the Hole dwellers know of no better life.
Enter Caiman, an experiment leaving him more reptile than man, as we join his journey of revenge on those magic users who saw his life as expendable. Hunting with his dual-swords and his resistance to magic, he cuts through those “above” him while searching for an answer to getting his life back.
Brutal, bloody, gritty, yet funny, Dorohedoro is expertly written, introducing a unique world of horror and gore. (not for those sensitive to violence!)
Grab volume one over at Amazon here: Dorohedoro, Vol. 1
A 10 volume set (vol. 1-10) is also available here: Dorohedoro Manga Collection, Vol 1-10
4. GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka (Tooru Fujisawa, 1997 – 2002)
The classic struggle between a teacher and an unruly classroom finally meets its match when Eikichi Onizuka steps into class 3-4.
Eikichi doesn’t have the typical background for a teacher; captain of his university karate club, bleached hair, and a former member of the Oni-Baku motorcycle gang. He brings a “unique” teaching style as he battles against the students dead-set on causing his demise.
An absolutely fantastic read from start to finish, you’ll be rooting for Eikichi the whole way, despite his flaws, as he struggles with the consequences of his own life. A hilarious “must-read” on everyone’s manga list.
et volume 1 on this awesome manga on Amazon here: GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka Vol. 1
3. Cells At Work! (Akane Shimizu, 2015 – 2021)
The most exciting biology lesson you’ll ever have, Cells At Work! takes us on a tour inside the human body with new recruit Sekkekkyuu, the red blood cell!
Excited to get to work, despite a complete lack of direction, Sekkekkyuu continuously clashes with serial disease killer white blood cell Hakkekkyuu. Their two personalities may clash, but their friendship is clear as Hakkekkyuu shows Sekkekkyuu around the body, explaining to her (and the reader) how it truly works.
With fantastic art and some seriously impressive fights, Cells At Work! teaches the most insightful and fun lessons as we touch on delicate subjects like cancer and disease.
Hooked from the first chapter, the only thing you’ll regret when starting this manga is that you never paid more attention in biology class.
You can find the first volume over at Amazon here: Cells at Work! 1
A 5 volume set (vol. 1-5) is also available here: Cells at Work Manga Set, Vol. 1-5
You can also find the complete box set here: Cells at Work! Complete Manga Box Set
2. A Silent Voice (Yoshitoki Ōima, 2013 – 2014)
Elementary student Shōya Ishida is a brash, abrasive bully whose unfortunate target lands on the new, deaf transfer student Shōko Nishimiya. Despite her efforts to befriend Shōya, he takes every opportunity to ridicule and mock her to make his friends laugh, soon starting to go out of his way to make her life hell.
His abuse leads to Shōko transferring again, with the rest of the school blaming Shōya. He pays for his actions by being bullied and shunned for his horrible deeds.
Five unkind years pass, and Shōya, now timid and quiet from half a decade of being the victim, meets Shōko again. Determined to repent for his past actions and make amends, Shōya embarks on a journey of self-love and redemption as he confronts his own trauma while trying to heal those he’s hurt.
An incredibly emotional and heartfelt story of regret and mistakes, this manga will no doubt touch the soul of anyone lucky enough to read.
Check out volume 1 here on Amazon: A Silent Voice 1
You can also find the complete box set here: A Silent Voice Complete Series Box Set
1. Akira (Katsuhiro Otomo, 1982 – 1990)
Deserving its place so high on this list, and number one in our Best Manga of All Time, Akira is a future-bent tale set after Tokyo’s destruction after the third world war in 1988.
Neo-Tokyo, built upon the rubble their ancestors died, is a bustling world filled with new tech, skyscrapers, and cultural advancement. Unfortunately, this is paired with crippling poverty and violence led by dangerous biker gangs running the streets.
The story follows Tetsuo Shima and Shotaro Kaneda, best-friends yet rivals, and their life within their biker gang. Tetsuo, trying desperately to prove himself, is led into awakening a power that threatens all of Neo-Tokyo, a government secret named “Akira.”
Bursting into western culture before manga’s true popularity rose proves how influential this story is, with stunning artwork and an imaginative plot that truly stands the test of time. Reading this back in the 1980s or 2020s, the thrill will be all the same!.
Find volume one of this iconic manga here on Amazon: Akira, Vol. 1
You can also get the complete 6-volume set here: Akira Manga Complete Set, Vol. 1-6
A 35th anniversary hardcover box set is also available here: Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set
Hit or Miss?
You’ve seen our list of best completed manga that we love, but have we missed a hidden gem? Let us know down below in the comments!
