• Manga:
  • Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life, Action, Spy Thriller
    Why it's popular: Finally, a show the whole family can enjoy. The premise is gold: A spy (Loid) must marry a assassin (Yor) and adopt a telepathic orphan (Anya) to prevent a war. None of them know each other's secrets. The result is heartwarming hilarity. Anya has become the face of modern anime memes.


    Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Action
    Why it's popular: One Piece is a lifestyle. With over 1,000 anime episodes and 100+ manga volumes, it is the best-selling manga in history for a reason. Eiichiro Oda’s world-building is unmatched. The Straw Hat Pirates’ quest for the titular treasure is a masterclass in long-form storytelling, callbacks, and emotional gut-punches (looking at you, "I want to live").


  • Manga:
  • Genres: Historical, Samurai, Philosophical
    Why it's popular: Often cited as the "Citizen Kane of Manga," Vagabond by Takehiko Inoue follows the life of legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. It is slow, deliberate, and breathtakingly beautiful. The ink brush artwork is hung in art galleries. It is currently on a long-term hiatus, but the journey to the "Guanon" farming arc is worth the heartbreak.