Every year, the level and quality of manga seem to be improving:
- The art is getting better.
- The stories are ever-changing and unique.
- There is an abundance of available titles.
We have scoured countless titles that have been newly released in the past year or so and are still going strong in 2022. So let’s get right into the 10 best new manga in 2022.
10. The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten (Saekisan, 2019 – Present)
This series is actually a light novel, but a manga adapatation began on January 6, 2022 on the website Manga UP! (Japanese only).
Shiina Mahiru is your stereotypical beautiful high school girl who excels in academics and is a star athlete. Her classmates call her an “angel,” and she is known as the school idol. Fujimiya Amane is an average student living alone in his messy apartment and doesn’t think much of Shiina or care for her status.
Things begin to change for these two characters one day when they meet at a park during a rainstorm. This leads to the beginning of a strange and unexpected relationship between two complete opposites.
This may seem like a generic manga in terms of the character archetypes. However, once we see the leading duo maneuver through awkward conversations and get to know each other better, we see that it is anything but generic.
This manga has a solid foundation for a romantic comedy and stellar chemistry between the main characters. Wholesomeness is a feeling that this manga delivers in spades which makes this a must-read for die-hard romcom fans. When we have manga as good as this, the romance genre will not be going out of fashion anytime soon.
You can check out volume 1 of this light novel series here on Amazon: The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten Light Novel Volume 1
9. Gachiakuta (Kei Urana, 2022 – Present)
Appalled by the wastefulness of the upper class, Rudo regularly rummages through the town’s garbage to find anything of use before it is dumped into a gaping pit known as the “Abyss.” He does so secretly and has gained the reputation as the “Trash Vandal.” Living life on the edge and running from the authorities is something that Rudo has gotten used to.
It isn’t until one day, on his way back home, that he is found at the scene of a crime where he is the main suspect. He is unfairly charged with murder and strung over the Abyss as the whole town watches and condemns him for committing such an act.
Rudo makes a vow to climb back out of the Abyss and send every single person in the town to hell.
The artwork of Gachiakuta combines a rugged and rough look for its characters while adding incredible detail to their expressions and overall designs. Riveting drawings paired with a strong premise is a big reason why Gachiakuta is considered one of the best new titles.
If you can read Japanese, you can find the Japanese version of volume 1 of this manga on Amazon Japan here: Gachiakuta Volume 1 Japanese Edition
8. Tsugai of the Underworld (Hiromu Arakawa, 2021 – Present)
Legendary manga artist and author Hiromu Arakawa returns with a new supernatural manga with plenty of high-octane action and drama. Best known for her award-winning and world-famous manga, Full Metal Alchemist, Arakawa brings similar elements to this new title, and it packs a punch.
Two twins born on a fated night were separated, with only one of the twins not knowing about it. We follow the story of the unknowing twin, Yuru, who still believes that he has been living with his twin sister, Asa. One day, armed men in helicopters arrive and murder the inhabitants of Yuru’s village.
A strange woman who claims to be the real sister of Yuru also arrives in the ensuing mayhem. The armed men, as well as the woman, intend to capture Yuru. Before they do, he is helped by a man named Dera, who introduces him to a pair of deities known as “tsugai.” On the run from his pursuers, Yuru will have to work with these tsugai to find out why he is being chased, and, in the process, discover the truth about the world he lives in.
The ability of this manga to be able to shift the tone and atmosphere within its opening chapters is spectacular. Seeing a village so full of tenderness and unity be brutally slaughtered over a few panels is difficult to structure, but Arakawa has managed to execute it seamlessly. The story keeps you wanting to read more and gets better with each turn of the page.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find an English version of this manga. If you can read Japanese, you can find the Japanese edition of volume 1 on Amazon here: Tsugai of the Underworld Volume 1 Japanese Edition
7. Ayashimon (Yūji Kaku, 2021 – Present)
Kaidō Maruo is a boy who has spent his whole life undergoing brutal training to be like the heroes in his favorite manga. Now able to throw cars and singlehandedly defeat gangs, he finds that there is no place in the world for his overwhelming strength.
While questioning what to do next, he encounters a young girl who is also a yakuza boss. After witnessing his remarkable strength firsthand, she decides to hire him to join her yakuza group. Luring him in with the promise of fighting even greater foes, Kaidō joins her. Together, they plan to take over the Kabukicho district while disposing of anybody in their way, regardless of whether they are human or not.
It’s honestly been a long time since I have been so invested in a character like Kaidō. He has so much energy and passion for fighting and being the best but with a childlike enthusiasm that comes off as charming. Observing all the unfortunate scenarios that happen to him throughout his life is saddening. However, his ability to shake that all off and still be that glowing ball of sunshine in everything he does is very empowering.
An English edition of this magna is set to be released on March 7th, 2023. You can reserve your copy on Amazon here: Ayashimon Volume 1
Or you can buy the Japanese edition on Amazon Japan if you can read and understand Japanese: Ayashimon Volume 1 Japanese Edition
6. Sword of the Demon Hunter (Motoo Nakanishi, 2021 – Present)
In a story in the Edo Period, we follow Jinta, a swordsman who is the protector of the shrine maiden, known as the “Itsukihime.” Jinta’s only purpose in life is to protect the shrine maiden Shirayuki and his sister Suzune. However, he soon dwells on his reason for wielding a sword when he finds that his most precious things to him are now not what they truly seem.
As the plot unfolds, we see where intentions lie and which side is really good and which is evil.
The amazing thing about this manga is how differing ideologies are covered; it is up to the reader to decide what path is best for our main character. It’s not every day you have an intellectual, powerful, and understanding protagonist with the same traits also displayed by the antagonists.
This manga has a weird way of alluring you to keep reading. The mystery behind the town Jinta lives in, and its citizens get deeper and deeper; you can’t help but get dragged into this incredible story.
Did I mention that an anime has been announced for this manga? If getting an anime adaptation in such a short amount of time wasn’t a clear indicator of this manga’s quality, then what is?
Volume 1 of this manga (English edition) is set to be released on January 24th, 2023. Pre-order your copy on Amazon here: Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho 1
5. What Do You Wish for with Those Murky Eyes: Record of Highserk War (Torutonen, 2022 – Present)
Raizo Takakura, a Japanese man who died of a heart attack and was reborn as the son of a farmer in a new world, has grown up and lived his whole life as a soldier for the Highserk Empire. This small nation is in danger of being conquered by other surrounding empires.
Now living a completely different life, going by the name of Walm, he is a man that will not hesitate to kill. After the Highserk Empire challenges the nations of Myard and the Ferrius Kingdom, Walm is now forced to fight endlessly while simultaneously watching his comrades and enemies die before him.
The first impression you get when reading this manga is the resemblance to one of the greatest medieval and fantasy manga ever created, Berserk.
The artwork showcasing brutal deaths and grotesque battles is reminiscent of the vicious battles that were a staple of Berserk’s legacy. Decapitated heads, arrows flying into bodies of soldiers, and swords slashing through flesh are all aspects that this manga shows in a detailed fashion.
From the very first chapter, you are thrown straight into the action. Watching Walm brutally murder everyone who comes at him makes you realize how grim his situation is. Every day is a battle to survive the next. In this dangerous and savage world, it’s either kill or be killed.
You can find the Japanese edition of this manga on Amazon Japan here: What Do You Wish for with Those Murky Eyes: Record of Highserk War 1 Japanese Edition
4. Ottoman (Shinnosuke Kanazawa, 2021 – Present)
Have you ever missed those old-school superhero stories where a regular average joe turns into a badass fighter with godlike powers?
Ottoman revolves around our main character, Gomi Sōya, a Japanese salaryman spending his days doing office work and getting yelled at by his boss. He struggles to keep working at this job, with his only pillars of support being his loving and supportive wife, Yūka, and his dream of becoming a manga artist one day. He awaits the day when he can finally quit his job and pursue that dream with his beloved wife by his side.
One night while rushing home to his beautiful wife, he gets into an accident and gets his body taken over by a parasite, giving him otherworldly abilities. For Sōya to protect his wife from monsters with weird tentacles and devious alien invaders, he must use his newfound powers as the hero, “Ottoman.”
I have to say that this is the first time I have come across a manga with such a wholesome and slice-of-life feeling but also has some terrifying monster designs that are the stuff of nightmares.
What separates Ottoman from many other superhero manga is the surprising way his powers work. The only way for him to become stronger and utilize his abilities is by being positive and thinking about amazing things about his wife.
Who knew a manga about fighting aliens with the power of love would be such an entertaining read?
Check out the Japanese Edition of Volume 1 here on Amazon: オットマン―OTTOMAN 1
3. Takopi’s Original Sin (Taizan 5, 2021 – 2022)
An alien from another planet leaves home to spread happiness all around the universe and ends up landing on Earth. That is where he meets a little girl named Kuze Shizuka, who gives him some bread and calls him Takopii.
Takopii, feeling grateful for the bread, decides that he will do whatever it takes to make Kuze smile. Despite Kuze being bullied by her classmates and her parents never being around, Takopii will not give up on his mission to make her happy. The power of his magical tools will change the lives of not only Kuze but those around her.
There is only really one word that comes to mind when reading this manga.
“Despair.”
Every character in this manga is dealing with some insane amount of trauma and anguish. Heavy topics such as divorce, abuse, and murder are all present in this story. For a manga to be so heartbreaking but also beautiful at the same time is quite an anomaly. Takopi’s Original Sin is something that brings out these elements to their fullest.
Make sure you have your tissue box nearby; this short but impactful manga will have you on the edge of your seat at the end of each chapter and is one of the best new titles to come out in a while.
For those readers of Japanese, you can find the Japanese Edition of Volume 1 here on Amazon: Takopi’s Original Sin Volume 1 Japanese Edition
2. Look Back (Tatsuki Fujimoto, 2021 – 2021)
If you’re unfamiliar with the author of Look Back, you might be more acquainted or at least heard of one of his works. He is the creator of probably one of the most popular manga in the last 5 years, which will be receiving an anime adaptation in 2022, Chainsaw Man.
Getting away from the gore and action-packed contents of Chainsaw Man, Look Back is a story that focuses on 4th graders Ayumu Fujino and Kyomoto drawing comic strip panels for their school newsletter. These comic strips allow them to meet one day and connect.
The two main characters in this manga genuinely bring out the best in each other and display their passion in the most authentic ways possible.
Human connection, resentment, jealousy, and regret are some core themes that Look Back tackles in a way that pulls on the heartstrings.
A highly relatable and introspective look into the various aspects of friendship, Look Back may be a new manga right now, but there’s no doubt it will be considered a classic as time passes.
The English Edition is set to be released on September 20, 2022. You can get a copy on Amazon here: Look Back Manga
1. Goodbye, Eri (Tatsuki Fujimoto, 2022 – 2022)
Whenever a story can invoke every single emotion that you can think of, that’s when you know that you’ve come across a masterpiece.
That’s exactly how it feels to read Goodbye, Eri, another brilliant work by Fujimoto Tatsuki, who also released Look Back in the span of a year. Goodbye, Eri had some big shoes to fill, and it did not disappoint.
Everything about this manga, from the paneling, story, characters, and direction, feels like a high-quality movie playing out in front of you. From the panels that are pure stillness and show little to no dialogue to massive explosions taking up full spreads, each scene is meaningful in its unique way.
Goodbye, Eri is sad, exciting, terrifying, nourishing, and fulfilling at the same time. The ability of a manga to construct such a well-articulated and structured story while also being able to incorporate such a wide variety of emotions is why it is the best new manga of 2022.
You can find the Japanese Edition of this here on Amazon: Goodbye, Eri Japanese Edition
So, what did you think? Let us know if we missed any amazing new titles you think people should read!
