Staff-Recommended Manga Reads for Summer
Ready to kick back on the beach with a new book? If you’ve been wondering what kind of manga our librarians are raving about, then you’re in luck. Here we have gathered together a list of our librarians' personal favorite must-read manga for your summer reading. So get your library card and your beach towel ready for our staff picks!
Note: These recommendations are intended for older teens and adults.
Asadora by Naoki Urasawa; translation and adaptation by John Werry; touch-up art and lettering by Steve Dutro
Recommended by Joseph Pascullo, Renee Scott, John Sattaur
Volumes: 2 (Ongoing)
Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction
A deadly typhoon, a mysterious creature and a girl who won't quit. In 2020, a large creature rampages through Tokyo, destroying everything in its path. In 1959, Asa Asada, a spunky young girl from a huge family in Nagoya, is kidnapped for ransom--and not a soul notices. When a typhoon hits Nagoya, Asa and her kidnapper must work together to survive. But there's more to her kidnapper and this storm than meets the eye. When Asa's mother goes into labor yet again, Asa runs off to find a doctor. But no one bats an eye when she doesn't return—not even as a storm approaches Nagoya. Forgotten yet again, Asa runs into a burglar and tries to stop him on her own, a decision that leads to an unlikely alliance.
Joseph – I wanted to recommend this one due to its stellar art, excellent storytelling (with the use of foreshadowing), and also since I'm a huge fan of Urasawa's prior work, I'd love for his latest one to get an endorsement!
Renee – It's such a great story about survival and bringing the unlikeliest of people together to overcome the odds.
Barefoot Gen: A Cartoon Story of Hiroshima by Keiji Nakazawa; translated by Project Gen
Recommended by Jonathan Shapiro, Amanda Pagan
Volumes: 10 (Complete)
Genre: Historical Fiction/Memoir
Six-year-old Gen's family is displaced when their hometown of Hiroshima is destroyed by an atomic bomb, with the end of Japan's war swiftly following. Without a home or jobs, Gen's family can only depend on each other in these difficult times. Over the course of the story, Gen learns about the horrors of war and that they happen because those who will never be affected by these horrors set them into motion.
Jonathan – This is a great title for teens and adults. It's very poignant and with an insight into Japanese history. It's fften compared to Maus, but I think the similarities are superficial and the cultural differences between a Japanese family and an Ashkenazy Jewish family are different enough that a comparison is rough. In addition to being a universally moving story, it reflects many positive values that are more common in Japan. Family is not a unit that binds people together, but a part of each person's self, and their need for togetherness. Nakazawa is staunchly anti-war, critical of both the United States for dropping the atomic bombs and the Japanese government for suppression and authoritarianism.
Amanda –I was genuinely brought to tears by the end of the first volume. I knew what was going to happen, but I was so caught up in the lives of the characters that when the bomb finally fell it felt like a sucker punch to the gut. Based on Nakazawa’s actual experience of surviving the bombing of Hiroshima, this is a must-read survivor’s tale.
Berserk by Kentaro Miura; translation by Jason DeAngelis with Duane Johnson; lettering and retouch by Dan Nakrosis with Studio Cutie.
Recommended by Jonathan Shapiro, Amanda Pagan
Volumes: 40 (Ongoing)*
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Rating: M for MATURE! 18+ ONLY!
Guts, the mercenary known as the Black Swordsman, wanders through a dark and violent fantasy world. Never knowing what it meant to belong somewhere until he meets the warrior Griffith of the Band of Hawk. But Griffith, above everything, desires power and will commit horrible acts to achieve it until only Guts' sword remains in his way.
Jonathan – Beyond the excellent Game of Thrones-style atmosphere and storytelling and the jaw-droppingly detailed art that looks like German woodcuts, Berserk is about finding hope and drive in darkness. Guts' world is cruel and terrifying, but he strives throughout, even though he's not very chipper himself. But more than the text itself, I think this should be on the list due to timing: Miura-sensei (Kentaro Miura) suddenly died in May at the age of 54, and people have been mourning him across the world. His work should be honored whenever, but now we have a window to give it a spotlight.
Amanda – I agree with everything Jonathan has said. The story is dark, the world is cruel, and the artwork is gorgeous. I was genuinely upset when I heard of Miura-sensei’s passing. His work has influenced so many other artists and creators. Even if you are a casual fan of manga, you would be doing yourself a disservice by not checking out Beserk. It honestly deserves to be included on the same shelf as the greatest works of fantasy fiction.
*Miura-sensei was still making the series at the time of his death. While no official statement has been given to its future, there is a possibility it will remain unfinished.
Note: This series contains sexual assault, extreme violence and just every bad thing you could think of.
Boys Run the Riot by Keito Gaku
Recommended by Elizabeth Paldino, Renee Scott
Volumes: 2 (ongoing)
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
High schooler Ryo knows he’s transgender, but he doesn’t have anyone to confide in about the confusion he feels. He can’t tell his best friend, who he’s secretly got a crush on, and he can’t tell his mom, who’s constantly asking why Ryo “dresses like a boy.” He certainly can’t tell Jin, the new transfer student who looks like just another bully… The only time Ryo feels at ease is when he’s wearing his favorite clothes. Then, and only then, the world melts away, and he can be his true self. One day, while out shopping, Ryo sees someone he didn’t expect: Jin. The kid who looked so tough in class has the same taste in fashion as him! At last, Ryo has someone he can open up to—and the journey ahead might finally give him a way to express himself to the world.
Renee – It is a genuine take on discovering and embracing your true self, and the representation is on point! Knowing that the mangaka and the staff related to this story are transgender makes the story feel authentic, and the friendships and experiences Ryo makes during his journey are very relatable.
Elizabeth – Boys Run the Riot is an inspirational and heartfelt story about a transgender teen who finds friendship and strentgh through new friendships and street fashion. With great representation and messaging about acceptance from a transgender creator this manga is fun and will have you rooting for the underdogs.
FullMetal Alchemist story and art by Hiromu Arakawa; translation by Akira Watanabe; English adaptation by Jake Forbes and Egan Loo; touch-up art and lettering by Steve Dutro
Recommended by Danny Jimenez, Amanda Pagan
Volumes: 27 (Complete)
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Steampunk
In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. Equipped with mechanical "auto-mail" limbs, Edward becomes a state alchemist, seeking the one thing that can restore his and his brother's bodies...the legendary Philosopher's Stone.
Danny – Ever since watching the original FullMetal Alchemist, I had fallen in love with the series and its intrinsic characters. I later found out that creative liberties were given to the original FMA because it overtook the Manga in production at the time. Later on we were given a more true to the Manga anime in FullMetal Alchemist Brotherhood and it made me look into the source material because of how much better it was over the original incarnation. I’d say it’s one of the very few mangas that have been depicted on screen with a 90-95% t accuracy to its source. The character development for the Elric Brothers was amazing and the fleshed out support characters were breathtaking.
Amanda –The story, the worldbuilding, the character development are all fantastic. I have no reservations about saying this series is one of the best I’ve ever encountered. If you’re looking for a fully fleshed out steampunk/fantasy saga to sink your teeth into, then this is it.
So I'm a Spider. So What? original story by Okina Baba; art by Asahiro Kakashi; character design by Tsukas Kiryu; translation by Jenny McKeon; lettering by Bianca Pistillo.
Recommended by Renee Scott, Amanda Pagan
Volumes: 9 (Ongoing)
Genre: Isekai, Fantasy
I used to be a normal high school girl but in the blink of an eye, I woke up in a place I've never seen before and-and I was reborn as a spider?! How could something that's nothing more than a tiny spider (that's me) possibly survive in literally the worst dungeon ever? Are there no rules? There should be some rules! Who the hell is responsible for this?
Renee – Kumoko is this year's best girl. Her perseverance to survive and succeed is really inspiring. I love this character so much that I have a tattoo of her on my ankle! The story is about a girl who was reincarnated as a dungeon spider, and her struggle for survival.
Amanda –Right when I thought I was done with isekai, this manga fell into my lap! If you’re tired of the same old isekai about mediocre men who somehow find themselves surrounded by scantily-clad fantasy beauties, then you’ll appreciate So I’m a Spider, So What?. Our protagonist is a school girl who somehow wakes up in the body of a low level spider in the middle of some fantasy dungeon and is now working her legs (all 8 of them!) off in order to survive. It’s just utterly charming.
The Promised Neverland story by Kaiu Shirai; art by Posuka Demizu; translation by Satsuki Yamashita
Recommended by Danny Jimenez, Amanda Pagan
Volumes: 20 (Complete)
Genre: Dark Fantasy/Science Fiction, Thriller
Emma, Norman and Ray are the brightest kids at the Grace Field House orphanage. And under the care of the woman they refer to as 'Mom,' all the kids have enjoyed a comfortable life. Good food, clean clothes and the perfect environment to learn-- what more could an orphan ask for? One day, though, Emma and Norman uncover the dark truth of the outside world they are forbidden from seeing
Danny – I originally saw the anime and then decided to dive into the manga. To my surprise, there were arcs that weren’t explored in the anime that made the manga a refreshing companion to the anime.
Amanda – If you’re looking for a manga with plenty of twists and turns, then you’re in the right place! I remember thinking after the first arc “Where can they possibly go from here?” because I mistakenly thought that the mangaka could not continue the momentum, but I was WRONG! The worldbuilding and character development are fantastic! You’re guaranteed to gobble this series up the minute you get it.
Again!! by Mitsurou Kubo; translation by Rose Padgett; lettering by E.K. Weaver; lettering assistance by James Dashiell
Recommended by Amanda Pagan
Volumes: 12
Genre: Sports?
Kinichiro isn't even that bad. It's just that on the first day of high school, his narrow eyes made him look shifty, so people assumed he was trouble. Now it's graduation, and he's looking back on three years with no friends. He never even joined a club. But after a bloody collision and an accidental fall, he wakes up as a high school freshman, with the chance to try it all over... AGAIN!!
Amanda –This series was an unexpected joy. I picked it off of the shelf with no prior knowledge of what it was about, and I was thoroughly delighted by it. The characters were engaging, and the story really had me asking, “If I could do high school or even just three years ago over again, what would I do?”. I appreciate having an introverted main character who pretty much stays an introvert. Sure, he becomes a little more outgoing and optimistic, but so often these kinds of stories completely change the characters or ignore true character development in favor of slapstick or drama. That isn't the case here. It’s a solid read, and I highly recommend it.
Assassination Classroom story and art by Yusei Matsui
Volumes: 21 (Complete)
Genre: Action, Science Fiction, Comedy
The students in Class 3-E of Kunugigaoka Junior High have a new teacher: an alien octopus with bizarre powers and unlimited strength, who's just destroyed the moon and is threatening to destroy the earth--unless they can kill him first! Meet the would-be assassins of class 3-E: Sugino, who let his grades slip and got kicked off the baseball team. Karma, who's doing well in his classes but keeps getting suspended for fighting. And Okuda, who lacks both academic and social skills, yet excels at one subject: chemistry. Who has the best chance of winning that reward? Will the deed be accomplished through pity, brute force or poison...? And what chance does their teacher have of repairing his students' tattered self-esteem?
Amanda –This list has a lot of really amazing and fun reads, but I thought it might be nice to include a series that just goes HAM. Its premise is over the top and zany, yet the series still maintains its storyline, humor, and character development. It’s hard for most series to manage that balance, yet Assassination Classroom nails it perfectly. The ending had me in honest-to-goodness tears. You might think this series is just about a group of children trying to kill their overpowered alien octopus teacher, but really it’s about teamwork and the friendships you make along the way.
Blue Flag story and art by Kaito; translation by Adrienne Beck; lettering by Annaliese Christman
Recommended by Elaine Liew
Volumes: 8 (Complete)
Genre: Slice of life, Romance, Drama
An unexpected love quadrangle with a dash of unrequited love as two classmates, a boy and a girl, begin to fall for each other when each of their same-sex best friends have already fallen for them. For some reason, Taichi Ichinose just can't tolerate Futaba Kuze. But at the start of his third year in high school, he finds himself in the same homeroom as her, along with his childhood friend and school sports star Toma Mita. But one day Futaba opens up to Taichi, admitting she has a crush on Toma and asking for his help in confessing to him! There's just one problem—Toma seems to already have a secret crush on someone else.
Elaine –I recommend this series because it shows us what it's like to be each character's perspective on how they feel about one another. It's also a coming of age story in which each character realizes how complicated feelings are especially when it comes to love and I think it shows really well throughout the series.
Cats of the Louvre by Taiyo Matsumoto; translation and English adaptation by Michael Arias; touch-up art and lettering by Deron Bennett
Recommended by Rachel Kahn
Volumes: 1
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
A surreal tale of the secret world of the cats of the Louvre, told by Eisner Award winner Taiyo Matsumoto. The world-renowned Louvre museum in Paris contains more than just the most famous works of art in history. At night, within its darkened galleries, an unseen and surreal world comes alive—a world witnessed only by the small family of cats that lives in the attic. Until now...
Rachel – Do you love cats and art history? This exceptionally moving manga provides both: a group of cats live in the attic of the world famous Parisian institution. A kindly security guard cares for them and keeps them hidden...until a white kitten is seen wandering the halls during business hours. No one can find the little feline, but somehow that painting did not have a white kitten depicted on its canvas before...A lovely ode to the emotional power of art, this is magical realism where art can (literally) provide an escape.
Carole & Tuesday art and adaptation by Morito Yamataka; original story by BONES, Shinichiro Watanabe; translation by Amanda Hayley; lettering, Lys by Blakeslee
Recommended by Renee Scott
Volumes: 2 (Ongoing)
Genre: Science Fiction
When orphan Carole meets runaway Tuesday, an uptown girl who wants nothing more than to make music, it's as if they were fated to find each other. With their shared dream, the duo charges headfirst into the world of entertainment - but on colonized Mars, with a consumer base accustomed to 'perfect' A.I.-produced songs, is there any hope their organic sound and heartfelt lyrics will reach their audience?
Renee – I'm a huge fan of the anime, and the style and story of this manga is really a treat for all fans.
Goblin Slayer original story by Kumo Kagyu; art by Kousuke Kurose; character design by Noboru Kannatuki; translation by Kevin Steinbach; lettering by Bianca Pistillo
Recommended by Danny Jimenez
Volumes: 14 (Ongoing)
Genre: Fantasy
A young priestess joins her first adventuring party but almost immediately encounters the most unspeakable horrors. Rescued by an enigmatic warrior called Goblin Slayer, she partners with her savior on his mission to exterminate all goblins—by any means necessary. When rumors of Goblin Slayer's feats begin circulating, there's no telling who might come calling next…
Danny –The story shows a lot of growth for the main character as he evolves from a loner with a tunnel vision goal to a character that has empathy and cares for his comrades. There is an ongoing anime based on the manga and it’s a great adaptation.
Note: This series contains sexual assault.
O Maidens in Your Savage Season story by Mari Okada; art by Nao Emoto
Recommended by Elaine Liew
Volumes: 8 (Complete)
Genre: Slice of life, Coming of age
As a teen, how do you start thinking about sex? This debut manga from anime legend Mari Okada (Maquia) follows five girls and their five moving, funny, and mortifying answers. Join their bittersweet (and a little spicy) journey from girlhood to … whatever comes next!
Kazusa’s first high school literature club meeting starts with five girls being asked, “What’s one thing you want to do before you die?” When one of them blurts out, “Sex,” it launches these new friends down a raucous, embarrassing, all-too-relatable path.
Elaine –I recommend this series because it is a coming of age story about learning what it is like to be an adult and thinking about doing adult things which most teens will eventually either explore on their own or with another person. It's also comedic and not at the same time but you can relate with them on a personal level when it comes to asking questions about sex or trying to even think about it.
Sadako at the End of the World by Koma Natsumi; supervision by Koji Suzuki; character provision by Kadokawa; translated by Caleb Cook; lettering by Lys Blakeslee
Recommended by Renee Scott
Volumes: 1 (Ongoing)
Genre: Post-apocalyptic, Science Fiction
In a post apocalyptic world, two lonely little sisters chance upon a strange video. To their surprise and joy, a girl with long black hair named Sadako climbs out of the TV, but little do the girls know that their new friend is a vengeful ghost who plans to kill them in a week.
Renee – Seeing Sadako of The Ring fame become the caretaker to two orphaned girls was just too cute! This manga was definitely not what I expected and was highly enjoyable.
A School Frozen in Time art by Naoshi Arakawa; story by Mizuki Tsujimura; translation by Michelle Lin
Recommended by Renee Scott
Volumes: 2 (Ongoing)
Genre: Mystery
On a snowy school day like any other, classmates and childhood friends Hiroshi and Mizuki arrive at school to find the campus eerily empty. Before long, they find themselves trapped inside with six other friends, and even stranger, all the clocks have stopped at a very specific moment--the exact time when a former classmate jumped off the school roof to their death three months earlier. It turns out that this departed friend is their way out of their current predicament and may even be among their group... but no one can remember who it was that took their life on that sad day. The students must face themselves and their past memories to piece together the identity of this suicide victim or risk a similar fate--with their lives lost and forgotten inside these frigid school walls.
Renee –It's a mix betweenAnother and Erased (both titles I absolutely love), which shows the aftermath of suicide and the affect on the students as more details come to light. Such a fascinating read with so many twists and turns, it was hard to put down.
Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie by Keigo Maki; translation by Karen McGillicuddy; lettering by Mercedes McGarry
Recommended by Renee Scott
Volumes: 3 (Ongoing)
Genre: Romantic Comedy
A high school romantic comedy with a sassy twist that follows the daily life of Izumi and his amazing but sometimes intimidating girlfriend Shikimori.
Renee –I loved how this manga doesn’t always follow the usual tropes, gender roles, and the toxic masculinity where the girl is meek and the boy is the aggressive pursuer. While Shikimori is not aggressive, she is a strong person who cares deeply for Izumi (who tends to be very accident-prone), and she doesn't make him feel worthless. They support and love each other, and are true relationship goals.
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Looking for more recommendations? Check out:
- Manga for Days: Manga 25 Volumes or Fewer for Adults
- Manga for Days: Manga 25 Volumes or Fewer for Teens
- A Beginner's Guide to Manga Classics
- Award-Winning Manga 1: General Category
- Jump on the Bandwagon: New and Ongoing Manga To Get Excited About
- A Feast for Fans: Manga of Epic Proportions
Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.