Manga for teens
Teen manga books. This selection of popular Japanese comic books is aimed at readers aged 13 to 18 and features more complex plots, emotional depth, and mature themes such as identity, relationships, mental health, and personal challenges. They cover a wide range of genres, including romance, fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and coming-of-age stories. Emotionally relatable, visually powerful, and culturally rich, manga encourages reading while exploring real-life issues and personal growth through engaging stories. This list features manga by Masashi Kishimoto, Tsugumi Ohba, Hiromu Arakawa, Io Sakisaka, Hajime Isayama, Kazue Kato, Bisco Hatori, Eiichiro Oda, Ryoko Fukuyama, and Yana Toboso.
Manga for teens – our recommendations
Manga for 13-16 year olds
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Koyoharu Gotouge
Set in Taisho-era Japan, this manga follows Tanjiro Kamado, whose life is upended when a demon slaughters his family and turns his sister, Nezuko, into one of them. Determined to save her, he joins the Demon Slayer Corps, facing brutal battles and uneasy allies along the way. It’s not just about the fights – the series digs into friendships, rivalries, and the emotional weight of Tanjiro’s journey. Expect drama, action, and more than a few gut punches.
Everyone’s Getting Married, Vol. 1 by Izumi Miyazono
Asuka Takanashi dreams of marriage and a settled home life. Ryu Nanami, a popular TV presenter, steers clear of commitment. They’re thrown together through friends and keep running into each other—despite their clashing views on love and long-term plans. Set in modern-day Japan, this manga quietly follows their evolving bond, weaving in work pressures, family expectations, and the bigger question: can two people with different ideals make something real, or is love just not enough?
Ao Haru Ride by Io Sakisaka
Futaba Yoshioka bumps into Kou Tanaka, her old crush from junior high, only he’s not quite the boy she remembers. Now in high school, Kou is colder, more closed-off, and carrying something he won’t talk about. As they slowly reconnect, Futaba finds herself juggling shifting friendships, mixed signals, and the messy business of growing up. Set during those emotionally chaotic school years, this manga digs into first loves, identity, and the gap between who we were and who we’re becoming.
Ouran High School Host Club by Bisco Hatori
Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at a prestigious school, stumbles into the flashy world of the all-male Host Club after accidentally smashing an outrageously expensive vase. Mistaken for a boy, she’s roped into working as a host to pay off the debt. As she navigates over-the-top school events and oddball clients, Haruhi’s no-nonsense attitude starts shaking up the club, and its pampered members. Beneath the comedy, the manga plays with class, gender roles, and what it means to fit in.
Naruto, Vol. 1 by Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto Uzumaki is the loud, mischievous underdog of the Ninja Academy, desperate to earn respect in a village that treats him like an outcast. When he steals a forbidden scroll in a bid to prove himself, he discovers the truth behind his isolation, a powerful fox spirit sealed inside him. The first volume kicks off his journey with early training, messy missions, and a stubborn dream of becoming Hokage. It’s the start of a story packed with grit, bonds, and growing up the hard way.
Bakuman, Vol. 1 by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata
Moritaka Mashiro has a knack for drawing but no real plans to use it – until Akito Takagi, the class brain, pitches the idea of teaming up to create manga. At first, Mashiro shrugs it off, but a mix of Takagi’s determination and a promise from his crush sparks a change of heart. This first volume dives into their early creative hustle, from brainstorming to pitching, blending school life with a behind-the-scenes look at the real grind of making it in manga.
Tegami Bachi, Vol. 1 by Hiroyuki Asada
In the dim, perilous world of Amberground, Letter Bees risk their lives to deliver messages through lands crawling with monstrous Gaichuu. It all starts with Gauche Suede escorting a young boy, Lag Seeing, to his aunt. Their journey through the bleakest district reveals both the dangers of the job and the deep emotions tied to each letter. Inspired by Gauche, Lag sets his sights on becoming a Letter Bee himself, launching a story steeped in memory, connection, and quiet resilience.
Silver Spoon, Vol. 1 by Hiromu Arakawa
Yuugo Hachiken signs up for Ooezo Agricultural High hoping to dodge city stress and coast through school. Instead, he’s hit with 5 a.m. chores, muddy fields, and classmates who’ve been around livestock since birth. Completely out of his depth, he fumbles his way through rural routines, but bit by bit, he starts to get it. Through hands-on lessons and culture shocks, the story blends humour with insight, digging into the gap between textbook smarts and real-world know-how.
Dawn of the Arcana, Vol. 1 by Rei Toma
Princess Nakaba of Senan is married off to Prince Caesar of Belquat to seal a shaky peace between rival kingdoms. Thrust into a hostile court, she leans on her fierce attendant Loki while keeping her true thoughts guarded. Beneath the gowns and politics, deeper tensions stir: discrimination against the Ajin people, imbalances of power, and a strange ability awakening in Nakaba. This first volume lays the groundwork for a story of uneasy alliances, buried secrets, and the fight to challenge a fractured world.
One-Punch Man by ONE and Yusuke Murata
Saitama looks like your average guy = bald, unimpressed, and a bit bored. But he can take down any enemy with a single punch, which turns out to be more frustrating than fun. This first volume kicks off a sharp, tongue-in-cheek spin on superhero stories, filled with over-the-top villains, epic battles, and one very unfazed protagonist. Behind the gags and chaos, there’s a quiet question: what’s the point of being a hero when nothing ever puts up a fight?
Anonymous Noise by Ryoko Fukuyama
Nino Arisugawa has never stopped singing—not since she lost touch with her childhood friends, Momo and Yuzu, who each told her to keep using her voice to find them again. In high school, she crosses paths with Yuzu, now part of a mysterious masked rock band. Still clinging to hope of seeing Momo, Nino joins the group, pouring her emotions into every song. Music, memory, and tangled feelings drive this story of lost connections and a quietly building love triangle.
Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1 by Ryoko Kui
After a dragon wipes out their supplies, and eats Laios’s sister, this down-on-their-luck adventuring party takes an unusual approach: survive the dungeon by cooking the monsters in it. From slimes to basilisks, nothing’s off the menu. Blending classic dungeon-crawling with surprisingly detailed recipes, the manga turns monster hunting into mealtime. With a mix of dry humour, clever worldbuilding, and the occasional cooking tip, it follows Laios and his crew as they fight, forage, and fry their way toward a rescue.
One Piece, Vol. 1 by Eiichiro Oda
Monkey D. Luffy sets sail solo with one big goal: find the legendary One Piece and become king of the pirates. After eating the Gum-Gum Fruit, he can stretch like rubber – but now he can’t swim, which isn’t ideal for a pirate. Volume one kicks things off with wild art, quick humour, and Luffy’s unstoppable drive. It sets the tone for an epic, unpredictable journey built on friendship, freedom, and chasing dreams across a sea full of chaos.
Astra Lost in Space by Kenta Shinohara
In 2063, what should’ve been a routine school trip to Planet McPa turns into a nightmare when a group of students is flung 5,000 light-years from home. Stranded in deep space, they stumble upon a deserted ship and quickly realise survival won’t be easy. The first volume brings together Aries, Kanata, and the rest of the crew as they face isolation, dwindling supplies, and growing suspicion. It’s a tense mix of sci-fi mystery, teamwork, and high-stakes leadership.
Boruto, Vol. 1 by Ukyo Kodachi, Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto
Set years after Naruto’s journey, this series shifts focus to his son, Boruto Uzumaki – who’s not exactly thrilled to live in his father’s shadow. More into tech than tradition, Boruto prefers shortcuts over old-school training. As a new wave of ninja steps up, he’s determined to forge his own path and outdo Naruto, not follow him. The first volume sets a different tone, tackling legacy, family strain, and what it means to grow up in a world shaped by peace, and pressure.
Dr. Stone by Riichiro Inagaki and Boichi
After a strange light turns all of humanity to stone, high schooler Taiju Oki wakes up thousands of years later to find nature has taken over. He soon reunites with Senku, a science whiz who’s already plotting to restart civilisation with nothing but brains, grit, and whatever materials they can scrounge up. As they tackle survival one invention at a time, a bigger question looms: should the world be rebuilt through science – or strength? It’s post-apocalyptic with a clever, curious twist.
Wake Up, Sleeping Beauty 1 by Megumi Morino
Tetsu Misato takes a job at a remote estate to save up for school, with one condition: stay away from the cottage tucked deep in the woods. Naturally, curiosity gets the better of him – especially after glimpsing a girl inside. That girl is Shizu Karasawa, quiet, isolated, and hiding something unusual. As Tetsu becomes her housekeeper, a fragile bond forms, laced with unspoken fears and something not quite human. This first volume blends slow-burn romance with a haunting, supernatural undercurrent.
Manga for 16-18 year olds
Nana by Ai Yazawa
Two young women named Nana move to Tokyo in search of a new start. Nana Komatsu hopes to leave behind past relationships, while Nana Osaki pursues a career in music. This volume outlines their separate journeys before they meet, covering Komatsu’s romantic struggles and Osaki’s involvement in a punk band. Ai Yazawa sets up the series by focusing on background, motivation, and lifestyle. Themes include friendship, ambition, love, and the personal costs of chasing creative goals. Warning – very mature themes.
Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 1 by Yoshihiro Togashi
Gon sets off from his island home hoping to become a Hunter, just like the father he’s never met. Along the way, he teams up with Kurapika and Leorio – two very different personalities with their own reasons for taking the notoriously deadly Hunter Exam. The first volume dives into the early trials, packed with tricks, strange beasts, and tough choices. It’s a sharp, character-driven start that mixes survival, ambition, and the kind of friendships forged under pressure.
The Promised Neverland by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu
At Grace Field House, life seems orderly: tests, routines, and a caring figure they call “Mom.” But when Emma, Norman, and Ray stumble on a dark secret beyond the orphanage gates, everything shifts. What was once home now feels like a trap, and escape becomes the only goal. As they quietly plot their way out, the story kicks off a tense, high-stakes game of wits and survival, with trust, secrecy, and the outside world looming large.
Blue Exorcist, Vol. 1 by Kazue Kato
Rin Okumura always thought he was just a rebellious teenager – until a clash with demons reveals he’s actually the son of Satan. With his powers awakened and his life upended, he enrols at True Cross Academy to become an exorcist and fight the very world he came from. His twin brother Yukio, already a teacher there, has known the truth all along. The first volume kicks off a fiery mix of action, family tension, and a battle between destiny and choice.
Attack on Titan 1 by Hajime Isayama
Humanity thought it was safe behind towering walls – until the Titans broke through. In an instant, peace crumbles, and everything Eren Jaeger knows is torn apart. Alongside Mikasa and Armin, he swears to fight back against the monstrous threat. This first volume throws readers into a grim, chaotic world where survival is brutal, and answers are scarce. With sharp pacing and raw, kinetic artwork, it lays the groundwork for a dark mystery about the Titans, the walls, and what’s really at stake.
Black Butler, Vol. 1 by Yana Toboso
Twelve-year-old Earl Ciel Phantomhive isn’t just a noble in Victorian England – he’s the Queen’s watchdog, juggling high society and a powerful business. His butler, Sebastian Michaelis, is impossibly perfect at everything… because he isn’t exactly human. Bound by a sinister contract, Sebastian serves Ciel in exchange for his soul, helping him hunt those behind his family’s ruin. The first volume mixes gothic mystery, sharp humour, and supernatural flair, as elegance and vengeance collide behind the mansion’s polished facade.
Case Closed by Gosho Aoyama
Teen detective Jimmy Kudo is on the trail of a shady organisation when he’s ambushed and drugged, only to wake up in the body of a child. Now going by Conan Edogawa, he keeps solving crimes in secret while hunting down those responsible. The first volume kicks off with three sharp cases, including a locked-room murder and a rollercoaster with a deadly twist. Blending classic whodunnit flair with a clever disguise plot, it’s a smart, fast-moving start to a long-running mystery.
Assassination Classroom by Yusei Matsui
Class 3-E, made up of so-called misfits, gets a new teacher – an alien with super speed, a tentacled body, and a cheerful smile. Oh, and he’s already blown up part of the moon and promises to do the same to Earth in a year. Nicknamed Koro Sensei, he’s oddly devoted to helping his students succeed… while letting them try to kill him. This first volume mixes sharp humour with action, as academics and assassination somehow go hand in hand.
Death Note, Vol. 1 by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata
When high schooler Light Yagami finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it, he decides to use it to rid the world of criminals. But his idea of justice quickly draws the attention of a reclusive genius detective known only as L. This first volume lays out the notebook’s deadly rules, introduces the bored Shinigami who dropped it, and sets up a tense cat-and-mouse game that blurs the line between justice and obsession.
Click the buttons below to purchase all of the books in this teen 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.
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Teen manga resources for teachers
- The Japan Society has produced this free lesson plan guide, set of teachers notes, and worksheets for GCSE /KS4 teachers which introduces Manga to the classroom through a quesion and answer format. There’s also a set of resources exploring the diversity of manga where students can watch videos of prominent Japanese artists discussing their creative process.
- Ohio State University has created this extensive set of resources for home learning about manga, including open access comics, manga libraries, manga news websites, free previews of manga series and details about exhibitions and museums.
- Booklist Online’s detailed hour-long webinar: “Manga Goes to School: Incorporating Manga into your Curriculum, Collection, and School Community” offers free and informal training for teachers and librarians interested in the genre.
BISAC YAF058140 Young Adult Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Manga / Action & Adventure | Thema XAK
