Manga for children
Children’s manga books are Japanese-style comic books or graphic novels created specifically for younger readers, typically aged 9 to 12. They use a combination of illustrations and dialogue to tell engaging, often serialised stories. Common themes include friendship, adventure, school life, fantasy, and personal growth. Visually engaging and accessible, it’s a format that encourages reading, introduces Japanese culture, offers diverse genres, and promotes positive values like teamwork and resilience. This list features manga by Hayao Miyazaki, Osamu Tezuka, Haruichi Furudate, Kamome Shirahama, Konami Kanata, Keisuke Sato, Kristen Mai Giang, CLAMP, Yumi Hotta, and Hidenori Kusaka.
Manga for children aged 9-12 – our recommendations
Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix, Vol. 1 by Shiro Amano
A sudden storm tears Sora away from his friends Riku and Kairi, throwing him into a strange new world. Meanwhile, Donald and Goofy set off from Disney Castle to track down the missing King Mickey. When their paths collide, the three team up to search for the king and Sora’s friends. With the Keyblade in hand, Sora takes on the Heartless across Disney and Final Fantasy worlds, in an adventure stitched together by loyalty, teamwork, and a touch of magic.
The Girl From the Other Side Vol. 1 by Nagabe
In a world split between the Inside and the Outside, crossing the border risks a deadly curse. Shiva, a young girl living in an abandoned village, is cared for by Teacher – a mysterious figure from the Outside. They never touch, but their bond runs deep. When Shiva sets out to find her grandmother, the journey stirs unsettling questions about her past and why she’s been raised beyond the city walls, where danger and secrets seem to linger.
Dinosaur Hour! by Hitoshi Shioya
This comic collection features short, humorous dinosaur tales, from cheeky pranksters to overconfident bullies and the easily startled. Each story drops its prehistoric cast into everyday situations with a playful twist. Aimed at younger readers, the self-contained episodes keep things light and fun while slipping in introductions to a variety of dinosaur species.
Haikyu!! by Haruichi Furudate
Shoyo Hinata wants to make his mark in volleyball, even if he’s shorter than most players. Fired up by the Little Giant’s legacy, he starts a middle school team but loses to prodigy Tobio Kageyama. Come high school, the two find themselves on the same side, forced to blend rivalry with cooperation to make the club. Early matches test their limits and prove that in a sport this fast and unforgiving, skill means nothing without trust.
The Boy and the Beast, Vol. 1 by Mamoru Hosoda and Renji Asai
After his mother dies, Ren runs away and ends up in a hidden world of beasts. There he meets Kumatetsu, a gruff bear warrior looking for a student. Ren, now called Kyuta, trains under him while moving between the human and beast worlds. Their relationship is prickly but pushes Kyuta to grow, and together they face rivals and looming threats in both realms. It is part coming-of-age, part clash of wills, with plenty of heart beneath the bluster.
Giant Spider & Me: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale Vol. 1 by Kikori Morino
In a ruined world, twelve-year-old Nagi lives alone while her father is away. One day, while foraging, she meets Asa, a huge spider-like creature, and decides to bring it home. Over shared meals and quiet routines, the two grow close. Told in short, gentle episodes, the story drifts through survival tasks, cooking, and brief meetings with animals or travellers. The mystery of what ended the world, and where Asa came from, lingers quietly in the background.
YO-KAI WATCH, Vol. 1 by Noriyuki Konishi
Nate Adams can suddenly see Yo-kai after the chatty spirit Whisper gives him the Yo-kai Watch. These unseen creatures meddle in human behaviour, sometimes causing chaos, sometimes just being a nuisance. With Whisper’s help, Nate meets and befriends a variety of Yo-kai, including Jibanyan, a cat spirit obsessed with battling passing cars. Each episode brings a new problem to solve, favouring humour and teamwork over fights. It is a light, playful adaptation of the hit video game for younger readers.
Kitaro by Shigeru Mizuki
This collection brings together Shigeru Mizuki’s yokai tales from 1967 to 1969, starring Kitaro, a one-eyed, 350-year-old boy yokai with some unusual tricks, from jet-powered sandals to spirit-sensing hair. With his eyeball father and the sly Nezumi Otoko, Kitaro steps in when humans or yokai are in danger. The stories blend horror, folklore, and oddball humour, often with a moral tucked in. Highlights include “The Great Yokai War”, where Japanese spirits face off against Western monsters, plus a richly illustrated yokai index.
My Neighbor Seki 1 by Takuma Morishige
Rumi Yokoi spends every class next to Toshinari Seki, who treats his desk like a personal playground. While teachers think she is slacking, he is busy with domino runs, sand sculptures, dramatic chess matches, or even looking after cats. Most chapters play out through Yokoi’s internal reactions as she gets caught up in his schemes. The book keeps things light and episodic, each short story centred on Seki’s over-the-top distractions and the trouble they cause.
Cardcaptor Sakura by CLAMP
Sakura Kinomoto discovers a mysterious book in her father’s library and accidentally unleashes the magical Clow Cards. With Kero-chan, their small but bossy guardian, she sets out to collect them before they cause trouble. Along the way, she juggles school, friendships, and family, keeping her new role secret. Mixing touches of Japanese folklore with a modern backdrop, this volume blends magic, warmth, and responsibility, securing its place as one of the standout titles in the magical girl genre.
Pokémon Adventures (Red and Blue), Vol. 1 by Hidenori Kusaka and Mato
Red sets out across the Kanto region with a simple goal: catch and train every Pokémon. Along the way he butts heads with his rival, Blue, takes on gym leaders, and uncovers Team Rocket’s grip on the region. This first volume mixes familiar game locations with fresh plot twists, tying the gym leaders into the bigger fight. Battles range from light-hearted skirmishes to eerie moments in Lavender Town, all woven into a story that links every major character.
Yotsuba&! by Kiyohiko Azuma
Four-year-old Yotsuba moves into a new home with her dad and wastes no time exploring everything around her. She meets the neighbours, puzzles over air conditioning, and heads out to places like the park, a department store, a ramen shop, and a shrine. Her blunt questions and boundless curiosity spark plenty of funny moments, often at the expense of the family next door. The volume captures the charm of everyday life through Yotsuba’s fresh, unfiltered perspective.
Dragon Quest Monsters+ Vol. 1 by Mine Yoshizaki
Kleo lives a quiet life in the village of Motile until Watabou, a strange winged creature, whisks him away to the kingdom of Greattree. With the previous Monster Master, Terry, missing, Kleo is handed the job and a growing problem: wild monsters are running amok. His first ally is Slib, a less-than-enthusiastic slime, and together they begin taming creatures to fight back. Adapted from the Dragon Quest games, this opening volume charts his early battles and team-building quest.
Astro Boy Omnibus Volume 1 by Osamu Tezuka
This 700-page collection gathers Osamu Tezuka’s own selection of Astro Boy stories from 1951 to 1975, translated by Frederick L. Schodt. Alongside Tezuka’s introductions and commentary, it features standout episodes including “The Birth of Astro Boy,” “The Hot Dog Corps,” “His Highness Deadcross,” and the much-praised “Greatest Robot on Earth,” where Astro battles Pluto, a robot created to destroy the world’s seven strongest robots. Blending philosophical ideas, moral questions, inventive sci-fi, and fast-paced action, it captures Astro’s innocence, determination, and compassion while showing Tezuka’s lasting impact on manga.
Hikaru no Go by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata
Hikaru Shindo discovers an old go board in his grandfather’s attic and becomes linked to Fujiwara-no-Sai, the spirit of a Heian-era go master. With Sai’s guidance, Hikaru is pulled into the competitive world of go and sparks a rivalry with young prodigy Akira Toya. The story follows his journey from complete beginner to professional, weaving in the game’s traditions, fierce rivalries, and its deep cultural place in Japan.
Ginger and Chrysanthemum by Kristen Mai Giang and Shirley Chan
Two cousins are planning their grandmother’s birthday at her restaurant, but they could not be more different. Ginger dives straight in, while Chrysanthemum likes everything organised. Shopping trips, decorating, and baking spark plenty of squabbles, and a cake disaster means they must improvise with whatever is on hand. Drawing on the Chinese idea of warm and cool foods, the story shows how their differences work together to make the day special. A lively read for ages 4–7.
The Complete Chi’s Sweet Home 1 by Konami Kanata
Chi, a curious kitten, gets separated from her mother and siblings and is rescued by young Yohei and his mum. The Yamadas take her in despite their building’s no-pets rule, quickly learning the chaos a playful kitten can bring. From litter box disasters to first vet trips, Chi’s days are a mix of naps, mischief, and run-ins with other animals. Konami Kanata’s gentle, expressive art nails every whisker twitch, making this opening omnibus a warm, funny treat for cat lovers.
Little Witch Academia, Vol. 1 by Yoh Yoshinari and Keisuke Sato
Akko Kagari idolises the dazzling witch Shiny Chariot and enrols at Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy, even though she has no magic training. The trip there is chaotic, but she gains a new friend in Lotte. At school, Akko battles through tricky lessons, wobbly broom flights, and the challenge of keeping up with seasoned classmates. A teacher tries to ease rivalries with a volleyball match, though Akko’s boundless energy tends to cause trouble. Adapted from the Netflix series, the volume offers light, self-contained episodes.
Witch Hat Atelier 1 by Kamome Shirahama
Coco longs to be a witch, though in her world only those born to magic can practise it. When she secretly watches travelling magician Qifrey cast a spell, she learns the truth: magic comes from drawing runes. Trying it herself with a mysterious book from her past, she accidentally turns her mother to stone. Qifrey takes her in as an apprentice, where she trains with other students, unaware she’s already on the radar of the shadowy Brimmed Caps.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Box Set by Hayao Miyazaki
This two-volume hardcover brings together Hayao Miyazaki’s full Nausicaä manga. Set in a world blighted by war and pollution, it follows Nausicaä, princess of the Valley of the Wind, as she’s drawn into a brutal conflict between kingdoms. The toxic jungle, guarded by vast insect creatures, may hold the secret to healing the land. Far richer and more expansive than the film, the story delves into politics, environmental shifts, and the fragile bond between people and nature.
Click the buttons below to purchase all of the books in this children’s manga book list, as well as class sets of any of these books and many more, from Bookshop.org UK. Or buy the 20 most popular titles from this list from Amazon – ideal for gifts or your classroom library.
Buy from UK.Bookshop.Org Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Disclosure: If you buy books using the buttons above, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops; as an Amazon Associate, schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases.
Schools & teachers: please respect copyright and don’t copy our manga for children list. If you find our book recommendations useful, please consider sharing on social media or linking to this page instead. Thanks.
Children’s manga resources for teachers
- Scholastic has produced some free downloadable manga-style comic panel templates to allow children to create their own manga story scenes.
- New York’s Public Library has written an excellent guide for teachers and librarians: So You Want to Start Reading Manga? This accessible guide explains what manga is, explores manga genres, and discusses who manga will appeal to. It also tackles common questions and misconceptions, and parental concerns.
- Twinkl Teaching’s video The History of Manga for Kids carefully explains to 9-12 year olds the book form, types of stories, drawing styles and fun facts.
BISAC JUV008010 Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Manga | Thema XAK
