Recommended for: Absolute beginners who want to understand modern pop culture.

The ultimate psychological thriller. A genius high school student finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name he writes in it. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game with the world’s greatest detective, "L."

From the creator of Monster . A group of childhood friends discover that the cult leader trying to end the world is using the secret symbols they invented for their childhood clubhouse.

Finally, no recommendation list is complete without acknowledging the romance and slice-of-life genres, which often serve as "palate cleansers" between heavier series. and Kaguya-sama: Love is War dominate this space. The former provides a realistic, wholesome depiction of high school relationships, while the latter turns the confession of love into a hilarious, high-IQ strategic battle. For manga readers, Blue Box (a blend of badminton sports and tender romance) is currently setting the standard for weekly serialization.

Many fans prefer manga for its original art style and faster pacing compared to anime adaptations. Berserk (Deluxe Edition)