Between romance, crime, and thrills, manga holds a special place for those wondrous magical adventures in worlds we can’t wait to get lost in.
Below we count down our very best magic manga, stepping into our favorite worlds, hoping you find a new home away from home!
15. Kenja No Mago, AKA Wise Man’s Grandchild (Tsuyoshi Yoshioka & Shunsuke Ogata, 2016 – Present)
A lighter take on the reincarnation storyline, albeit starting in tragedy with the death of a young professional as he wakes up in a world filled with magic, danger, adventures, and demons!
Renamed “Shin” and taken under the wing of Merlin Wolford, a renowned hero of this magical world, our hero spends his youth indulging in every magical lesson, honing his incredible skills and powers.
Magical talent aside, Merlin failed with one of the most important lessons every father figure should instill in their child…common sense! As the ruler of the land, Diseum sees Shin’s potential and asks for Merlin’s permission to allow him to join the prestigious Magic Academy.
Shin leaves for the academy, packing all but his brains, as he starts this new exciting magical chapter in his life! What will happen on his journey? You have to find out for yourself!
If you can read Japanese, the Japanese edition of volume 1 can be found over at Amazon here: 賢者の孫 (1) – Wise Man’s Grandchild
14. Roku De Nashi Majutsu Kōshi to Akashikku Rekōdo (Tarō Hitsuji & Aosa Tsunemi, 2015 – 2021)
Also known as “Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor,” you’re in for a treat with every volume.
With a lifelong goal of fulfilling her grandfather’s final wish and learning the truth behind the mysterious Sky Castle, Sistine enrolls in a prestigious magical academy to be taught by the best of the best.
Early into her studies, her favorite teacher retires and is replaced by the lazy, unassuming Glenn Radars. Furious that this replacement was hand-picked by her former teacher, Sistine questions her school and what it has to offer.
However, the school is suddenly attacked, with none other than Glenn Radars left to be called into action. Showing his true power, Glenn gives a glimpse into his tragic past, showing why he was chosen for the job and leads Sistine to second guess her quick judgment.
Dealing with depression, relationships, and friendships, this manga is a fantastic tale that shows that you can’t judge a book by its cover and the power that comes with following your dreams.
Grab volume 1 here on Amazon: Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor Vol. 1
Find other volumes of this series here: Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor manga series
13. Majo, AKA Witches (Daisuke Igarashi, 2003 – 2004)
This beautifully drawn tale delves into one’s beliefs in religion and the grey areas in between. Short stories that live beyond the realm of what most of us would call supernatural, Majo gives us incredible insights into those practicing the dark arts.
Outcasts in general society, these beings watch from the shadows as they cast their spells, some for the benefit of the land they call home, some with much more sinister intentions. Turned away by religion and kingdom rulers the world over, these witches face different difficulties in their lives. However, all share one thing in common; the hatred of those who fear them…
Grab the complete collection edition on Amazon here: Witches: The Complete Collection
12. Sorcerous Stabber Orphen (Yoshinobu Akita 2017- Present)
Orphen is a promising young sorcerer in the Tower of Fang, seemingly wasting away his talents playing the role of the loan shark. He tries to accumulate wealth while holding on to the hope of finding his long-lost “sister.”
Orphen’s natural magical skills garner the interest of Dortin and Volkan, two cunning opportunists planning to use Orphen in their marriage fraud scheme.
As their plan falls apart, the trio is suddenly in the center of a giant monster attack. Between fighting for their lives and escaping with any shreds of their newfound plan intact, Orphen finally hears about Azalie. Cursed to take on the form of a monstrous dragon for the past five years, Orphen finally finds his sister; however, with bounties on her head, Orphen has to juggle keeping her alive while uncovering the truth behind her.
You can check out volume 1 here on Amazon: Sorcerous Stabber Orphen (Manga) Vol. 1
You can find other volumes in this series here: Sorcerous Stabber Orphen manga series
11. Black Summoner (Doufu Mayoi, & Gin Amou, 2018 – Present)
A manga adventure in a world of fun, fighting, and excitement! First, we meet a clueless Kelvin as he awakens in a land of confusion, with no recollection of how he came to be.
Step by step, Kelvin learns that he sold his memories to pay for incredible abilities, giving him new strength and powers beyond his dreams. His new role as a Summoner comes with the responsibility of using these new powers to defeat the monsters in this world.
Joined by Efil, his devout follower, they traverse the land as Kelvin satiates his hunger for battle, realizing that this new life is only given true meaning when putting his power to the test against these terrifying foes!
A wild, magical adventure, the overpowered Kelvin shows us the best way of living is always putting yourself to the test!
You can get volume 1 of this series here on Amazon: Black Summoner: Volume 1
Find other volumes of this Black Summoner here: Black Summoner manga series
10. Magician (Ryōko Takashina, 1981 – 1995)
A magic show host, Shougo, regrettably plays a part in the tragic death of the parents of a young girl, Yuki. To try and make things right, Shougo uses his magic to wipe Yuki’s memory of the events. He takes her under his wing and takes care of her.
Thus begins a series of magical adventures for the duo, intertwined with crimes and murder, relying on Shougo’s magical prowess and wisdom to often get them out of these sticky situations!
This manga follows the duo through more adult themes as they mature together, evolving their relationship from a guardian to more through perilous adventures with Shougo saving the day!
This manga is great when you’re looking for something unique that will capture your attention.
You can find the Japanese edition of volume 1 of this manga on Amazon: マジシャン (1) – Magician 1
9. Mahō Sensei Negima! (Ken Akamatsu, 2003 – 2012)
A mystery shrouded in magic begins with young Negi Springfield searching for clues to lead him to his missing father, a powerful mage named Nagi.
Negi will stop at nothing in his quest for knowledge in hopes that it leads him in the right direction, even tackling his greatest challenge…teaching an English class to 31 girls! While keeping his identity hidden, Negi must protect his new school against onslaughts of monsters holding a grudge against his long-lost father.
Confiding in student Asuna Kagurazaka, Negi gains more than just a temporary ally and finds a friend in his quest, as the two take the class on trips far and wide searching for any signs of Nagi!
Will Negi catch up with his father before the reputation of the man he seeks finds him first?
If you can read and understand Japanese, you can find volume 1 of the Japanese edition here on Amazon: 新装版 魔法先生ネギま!(1) – Mahō Sensei Negima!
8. Dungeon Meshi, AKA Delicious in Dungeon (Ryōko Kui, 2014 – Present)
A culinary adventure into a world of magic and monsters, Dungeon Meshi teaches us our way around a kitchen AND a monster-infested dungeon!
Laios’s sister is eaten alive, and his supplies are gone. Left with nothing but determination and the cooking equipment on his back, Laios is still reeling from his disastrous raid. Laios and his team are racing against the clock to save his sister from being digested. They bake, fry, and stir their way through the dungeon using anything and everything at their disposal, even if the ingredients in their meal fight back!
Set in a medieval fantasy world, this magical cookery adventure uses its straightforward storyline to highlight authentic cooking with excellent character development for its varied cast! You’ll feel like one of the characters in an RPG as the gang traverses magical traps and monsters with you right by their side!
Grab volume 1 over at Amazon here: Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1
You can get other volumes in this series here: Delicious in Dungeon manga series
7. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Rifujin na Magonote & Yuka Fujikawa, 2014 – Present)
Just when he thought his life couldn’t get any more meaningless, our unnamed protagonist hits a new low as he misses his parents’ funeral, eventually leading to him being evicted from his home.
Down on his luck, the fears of life’s pointlessness washing over him, a rare opportunity arises as a speeding truck is hurtling toward a crowd of teenagers. Eager to finally do some good in the world, he jumps into action, saving one of them but loses his own life.
A light at the end of the tunnel emerges, and he realizes he’s been reborn, memories intact, into a world of magic and adventure! Desperate to give his all with this second chance, he renames himself Rudeus Greyrat and explores his deep connection to the magic this land has to offer!
This story of redemption fuelled by sorcery is an absolute must-read for any magic adventure fans!
Check out volume 1 here on Amazon: Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, Vol. 1
Find other volumes in this series here: Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation manga series
6. Witch Hat Atelier (Kamome Shirahama, 2016 – Present)
Young Coco spends her day making dresses and daydreaming of her lifelong wish of becoming a witch! Her only problem is that she lacks any magical ability and equipment, leaving her to accept her fate of being ordinary.
One day, she sees a young wizard named Qifrey casting spells using his magical ink; unable to control herself, Coco accidentally casts a spell that turns her mother into stone and kicks off her new life as a witch’s apprentice.
Leaving her sewing needles behind, Coco and Qifrey set off through the magical world to track down the truth behind the spell that changed her life, revealing more than she could have ever bargained for! A secret that binds two worlds together, this manga immerses you into the life of witches and power only to be imagined. Can Coco fulfill her destiny?
You can find volume 1 of Witch Hat Atelier on Amazon here: Witch Hat Atelier 1
A 5-volume set (volumes 1-5) is also available here: Witch Hat Atelier Set
You can get other volumes in this series here: Witch Hat Atelier manga series
5. Little Witch Academia (Yō Yoshinari & Keisuke Satō, 2017 – 2018)
Little Atsuko Kagari has dreamed of becoming a witch her whole life, but her lack of magic puts her ambitions on hold.
That is until she has an encounter with “Shiny Chariot,” a powerful, inspiring witch, after w