Not everything needs explosions. Sometimes, the most popular anime series are the ones that make you cry over a high school festival or laugh until your stomach hurts.
7. Kaguya-sama: Love is War (Anime & Manga)
8. Fruits Basket (2019 remake) (Anime & Manga)
9. Spy x Family (Anime & Manga)
Many manga are superior to their anime adaptations. Here are the best complete or ongoing series worth reading:
| Manga | Genre | Why Read, Not Watch | |-------|-------|----------------------| | Berserk | Dark Fantasy | Anime adaptations are poor; manga art is legendary (Kentaro Miura). | | Vagabond | Samurai, Philosophical | Gorgeous art, unfinished but profound. | | Goodnight Punpun | Psychological Drama | No anime; incredibly heavy but artistic. | | 20th Century Boys | Mystery, Thriller | Epic sprawling mystery; anime never did it justice. | | Oyasumi Punpun | Dark Slice of Life | Read only if you’re mentally prepared. | | Dandadan | Action, Comedy, Supernatural | Anime upcoming (2024); manga has insane energy. | | Sakamoto Days | Action, Comedy | Anime announced but manga’s paneling is top-tier. | | The Climber | Psychological, Sport | Silent, intense, beautiful – no anime adaptation. |
Need something specific? Try these:
Anime:
Manga:
Streaming Anime:
Read Manga Legally:
Manga: Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimoto (same author as Chainsaw Man)
Anime: Odd Taxi