Summary
Manga fans are always hunting forthe next big hit, and 2025 is shaping up to be a year full of potential. With massive series likeMy Hero AcademiaandJujutsu Kaisenwinding down, readers are hungry for fresh stories that pack just as much punch. For fans looking to dive into something singularly unique,Akane-banashiblends the tradition of rakugo with the intensity of a sports anime, making it an unforgettable pick.
On the darker sideof the spectrum,Centuriaoffers a raw, emotionally intense tale set in a brutal world where tragedy and cosmic horror collide. And these are just the beginning. 2025 is teeming with fresh stories ready to enthrall, and here are several that deserve a spot on every manga fan’s radar this year.
10Marriagetoxin
Hitman Must Marry To Save His Queer Sister’s Future
Marriagetoxindelivers the kind of wild premise that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. Mashing up rom-com awkwardness with assassin-grade chaos, it follows Gero, a poison-wielding hitman forced to find a wife or see his queer sister coerced into continuing the family line. What could’ve easily veered into gimmick territory instead unfolds into explosive action, romantic tension, and surprisingly tender character growth.
With sleek character designs and marvelous figures like the enigmatic, cross-dressing matchmaker Kinosaki, the series bringsboth style and substance. Its ability to swing effortlessly between outrageous comedy and genuine emotional stakes makes it the perfect pick for fans of mangas likeSakamoto DaysandKaguya-sama.
9Akane-Banashi
Rakugo Artist Fights For Recognition In Intense Tournaments
Centered on rakugo, a centuries-old Japanese performance art,Akane-banashifollows Akane Osaki, a fiercely driven teen chasing professional recognition after her father’s career was unjustly destroyed. While it sounds like a pretty niche concept,Akane-banashihits with the intensity of a popular sports anime, complete with tournament-style arcs, rising rivals, and dramatic flair.
But what truly makes this manga so interesting is its protagonist—Akane is incredibly charismatic, sharp, and constantly evolving, making her one of the most endearing main characters out there. Often flying under the radar, this series quietly grabs hold of readers and doesn’t let go. Fans ofAct-Agewill especially find this series impossible to resist, making it atop pick for 2025.
8Kagurabachi
A Son Seeks Revenge Against Those Who Murdered His Father
Kagurabachiis about Chihiro, the son of a legendary swordsmith, on a revenge-fueled quest to retrieve stolen enchanted blades and take down the deadly sorcerers who murdered his father. On the surface, it’s a classic revenge tale, but beneath the blade-swinging fury lies a surprisingly rich world of cursed weapons, secret organizations, and sleek urban fantasy lore.
Fans ofDemon Slayer,Vagabond, orJujutsu Kaisenwill find themselves right at home in its sharp choreography, tense showdowns, and emotionally driven arcs. With standout story beats like the Sojo battle and the intense Rakuzaichi arc,Kagurabachiis fully on fire, making 2025 the perfect time to jump into this rising phenomenon before it slices its way to the top.
7Gokurakugai
Exorcists Fight Monsters In A Chaotic Action Adventure
Stylish, sharp, and unapologetically chaotic,Gokurakugaiis afast-rising supernatural actionseries that feels likeDandadancollided headfirst withTokyo Ghoul—and the result is pure adrenaline. Centered around Alma and Tao, two devilishly cool exorcists-for-hire, the manga delivers a monster-of-the-week format that’s as punchy as it is unpredictable. Each chapter drops with sleek visuals, high-impact brawls, and just enough lore teases to keep the stakes climbing.
The thing that setsGokurakugaiapart is its steady evolution from episodic fun to something deeper and more layered, all without losing its wild charm. The slick character designs echo the playful absurdity ofRanma ½, but the tone leans darker, grittier, and far more stylish, making it this year’s most binge-worthy pick for anyone craving stylish demon-slaying mayhem with bite.
6Centuria
A Boy With Eldritch Power Seeks To Protect An Orphaned Child
Centuriais dark fantasyat its most gut-wrenching and most gripping. ImagineBerserkmeetsVinland Saga, with a dash of cosmic horror thrown in to make it even more enticing. Created by a formerChainsaw Manassistant, the series doesn’t hold back. It’s raw, eerie, and deeply human—exactly the kind of story that worms its way under the reader’s skin and stays there.
Julian, a broken boy among slaves bound for a “new world,” briefly finds hope in a bond with a pregnant woman named Mira on a ship when she takes him under her wing. But just as his life starts to look up, tragedy strikes, and Julian inherits a chilling eldritch power. When the ship’s indebted captain kills the slaves, including Mira, Julian is gifted the combined strength and lives of 100 slain souls by a sea entity, along with a mission to protect Mira’s child from forces that want her dead. Julian’s journey subsequently turns bloody and emotional, filled with trauma and brief moments of hope, as he tries to raise the child. So, for those who are into morally complex heroes and mythic storytelling, this is the one.
5Ichi The Witch
A Boy Becomes The First Male Witch In A World Dominated By Women
Ichi the Witchswept intothe fantasy scenewith a trope that flips tradition brilliantly—a boy becoming the first male witch in a world where magic has always been female territory. And what follows is a dazzling story filled with snappy comedy, explosive magic battles, and heartwarming mentorship, anchored by Ichi’s chaotic charm and his delightfully smug mentor, Desscaras, who may or may not be the strongest witch alive (just ask her).
Readers who loveWitch Hat Atelier,Hunter x Hunter, orCardcaptor Sakurawill find plenty to love here, from the innovative magic system to the jaw-dropping panel work and rich, whimsical art. With each chapter outshining the last,Ichi the Witchis already one of 2025’s best and is primed to become the next big fantasy obsession.
4Gachiakuta
Teen Framed For Murder Battles Monsters In A Brutal Underworld
Gachiakutatakes the classic revenge narrative, throws it into a pit—literally—and builds something gritty, bold, and entirely unforgettable. Set in a sharply divided society where the rich discard both trash and people into a massive Abyss, the story follows Rudo, a rebellious teen framed for murder and sentenced to the same fate as his father. But death doesn’t greet him. Instead, a festering underworld crawling with garbage-born monsters does. This leads to a brutal ascent as Rudo joins a group of “Cleaners” who battle the grotesque with salvaged, weaponized junk.
Visually striking with a punk edge and social bite, it’s part dystopia, part monster-hunting mayhem, and fully packed with style and substance. As the mystery around the Abyss deepens and Rudo’s revenge burns hotter,Gachiakutacontinues to form a distinct identity in themanga scene of 2025.
3RuriDragon
Teen With Dragon Horns Navigates School Life, Friendship, And Self-Discovery
RuriDragonbreaks the mold of typicalShonen Jumpfare with a refreshingly mellow take on self-discovery and supernatural weirdness. Instead of focusing on world-ending battles or power-scaling arcs, it leans into the charm of adolescence. Ruri Aoki’s sudden dragon horns and fiery breath as a half-dragon don’t set her up for a hero’s journey but rather for awkward school days, budding friendships, and navigating a very unusual puberty.
Basically, this manga exudesMachikado Mazoku’schaotic energy, but with more fire and deadpan humor, while also staying grounded. Its cozy, slice-of-life pacing, quirky characters, and understated comedy make it a fantastic read, especially for fans craving something gentle but original. And with biweekly chapters keeping things fresh,RuriDragonisonly getting better.
2The Bugle Call: Song Of War
A Bugler’s Music Powers Spark War, Secrets, And Betrayal
The Bugle Call: Song of Waris the manga to watch out for because it’s the kind of manga that draws one in and doesn’t let go, making it a must-read for 2025. Luca, a bugler with the power to manifest his music into light, is thrust into a war when the mysterious Pontiff recruits him. Promised the chance to become a real musician, Luca soon finds himself facing more than he bargained for as secrets and shocking battles unfold.
The story’s combination of powerful abilities, intense combat, and intricate world-buildingmakes it a standout. Its latest arc kept fans on edge, and with the English release this year, it’s the perfect time to dive in. In fact, readers who enjoyAttack on TitanorFullmetal Alchemistare bound to love this manga for sure.
1The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t A Guy At All
Teen Romance Explores Gender, Attraction, And Self-Discovery Through Disguise
The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at Allhits all the right notes in 2025’s manga lineup—acharming queer romancewith a refreshingly simple twist. For fans ofBloom Into YouorWhisper Me a Love Song, this is an easy recommendation and a standout read for anyone following queer manga in 2025. The story starts with a classic high school crush: stylish Aya falls for a cool, aloof guy working at her favorite indie record shop. The twist is that the “guy” is actually her reserved classmate, Mitsuki, in disguise.
This shocking revelation leads to a slow, thoughtful romance that explores gender presentation, connection, and growing trust between two teens figuring themselves out. The best aspect of this manga is that it avoids clichés and melodrama, choosing instead to focus on slice-of-life intimacy and subtle emotional shifts. With clean art, great pacing, and a refreshingly respectful approach to gender and attraction, this is one of those rare romance titles that feels both modern and genuinely sweet.
