Manga is the original anime storyline’s purest form and can be as touching and influential as its anime series. Some manga are great works of art and introduce you to unique, ground-breaking panels with each page you turn.
While manga series like Berserk by Kentaro Miura and Monster by Naoki Urasawa are common, famous names in the manga side of pop culture, many underrated manga deserve recognition for their unique and intriguing art plotlines.
When it comes to Otaku Culture (pop culture term for having an obsessive interest in anime and manga), there is no doubt that anime takes the lead, and manga is not as widely popular and discussed as its graphic novel forms are.
Due to this, fans often miss out on great, underrated works that are just as good as any shonen piece that gets picked to have an anime adaptation.
Since manga libraries can always use updating and new recommendations any day, we bring you a list of some underrated manga that will impact and stay with you for a long time.
1. The Girl From The Other Side by Nagabe
Totsukuni No Shoujo, popularly known as The Girl From The Other Side: Siúil, a Rún is a manga illustrated by artist Nagabe and is a fantasy story about a young girl named Shiva who is abandoned by her aunt in an enchanted forest wherein demonic creatures can inflict people with heavy curses just by one touch.
There is a strict divide between the forest and the human realm, and after an incident, Shiva finds herself befriended by Teacher – a kind beast who saves her from being cursed by another.
The Girl From The Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Vol. 1 by Nagabe
The series is a grappling tale that teaches the reader about friendship, innocence, and loss as we follow the story of Shiva and the Teacher who never touches – fearing the curse the Teacher can inhibit on her as they go on about in search for Shiva’s grandmother.
Full of folklore-like illustrations and images that play with the theme of light and dark, The Girl From The Other Side combines the mixture of Ghibli, The Little Prince, and Tim Burton sceneries all in one.
2. Itsuwaribito by Yuuki Iinima
If you are looking for a manga that has an interesting main character, as well as a unique storyline, Itsuwaribito is the book for you.
The story is about Utsuho – a boy whose truthful nature caused a great catastrophe, so he decided to lie for the rest of his life.
The series is of the Shonen genre, and despite Utsuho being a typical Shonen character who is a troublemaker causing mischief and problems for the monks of his village, his unique superpower is the act of deception he plays.
Itsuwaribito, Vol. 1 by Yuuki Iinuma
After being inspired by a monk to help people, he decides to use his skills and techniques of lying and deception to help people out.
As you might have guessed from the plot, this series is not only a different sort of shonen but also full of unique characters and many comic elements.
3. Happiness by Shuzo Oshimi
From the writer of the beautiful and philosophical work, The Flowers of Evil, we were given Happiness – a story about a bullied and unpopular student, Makoto Okazaki, who ends up getting bitten by a beautiful vampire and is left with only two choices – either become like her or die.
Mixing in the elements of horror, shonen, and pure philosophy, Happiness is a work that will leave you with many things to discuss. Like any great series, the ending will also impact the reader – allowing them to think of theories and criticism.
4. Holyland by Koji Mori
Holyland has a similar foundation to many MA (Martial Arts) manga. It revolves around our protagonist, Yuu Kamishiro, who is bullied at school and does not have the strength to protect himself until he gets the idea that if he can throw just one punch, he might just be able to get by.
So he decides to train and hone his punches and starts getting into fights with thugs to protect himself. However, word gets out about him, which causes people to target him, and soon enough, with each row, he finds himself unable to get out of the streets.
He also learns that maybe the streets are the only place he can be accepted and searches for answers fight after fight.
Holyland, Vol. 1 by Koji Mori
Why Holyland is different from other MA manga is not only because of the different styles of street fighting illustrated but also because of the exploration of the depth of the character, Yuu – who shows remarkable character development.
His emotions, actions, and struggles are portrayed in such detail and interesting that it will be hard for the reader to put the manga down.
5. Vagabond by Takehiko Inoue
If you are looking for an award-winning plot, Vagabond is the one you are looking for. The 1998 manga series won the Grand prize, the 24th Kodansha Manga Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2000, and many more. Yet still, the series is not as popular as expected from its fantastic storyline and art.
Vagabond, Vol. 1 by Inoue Takehiko
The most remarkable aspect that one would notice in this series is the artwork. Readers have described Takehiko Inoue’s work in Vagabond as so graphic and, at times, grotesque that it’s just “sickeningly good.”
Vagabond is a fictitious retelling of Musashi Miyamoto, also known as the “Sword Saint” – one of the most renowned swordsmen in the history of Japan.
Our protagonist is thrown into a world of politics and fighting and slowly learns about self-reflection, the importance of honorable relationships, and life itself.
6. Blue Lock by Yusuke Nomura
Blue Lock does not follow the same formula of friendship and the importance of team bonding as many sports anime do. Instead, it portrays a nuanced story of the human nature of ego, selfishness, and ruthless competition.
In the plot, the Japanese national team finished in 16th place in the FIFA World Cup, and as a result, the Japanese Football Union hired the enigmatic soccer coach Jinpachi Ego to fulfill the dream of winning the World Cup.
Blue Lock, Vol. 1 by Yusuke Nomura
His master plan to achieve that goal is through “Blue Lock,” a prison-like facility where 300 hundred talented players from high schools all over Japan are brought in to train and to be pitted against each other.
Our protagonist, Yoichi Isagi, joins after losing in his high school soccer tournament. This manga tries to connect sports and the psychology of the human mind in a high-tension situation like they have.
7. Oyasumi Punpun by Asano Inio
Oysumi Punpun is an essentially grim, coming-of-age story about a boy named Onodera. We follow his story as he goes on living life from elementary school till he transitions to his early 20s.
The manga resonates as an artwork with so many people that it has formed a niche following of supporters.
The most striking feature of the artwork that people tend to recognize is our protagonist’s and his family’s character design.
Oyasumi Punpun, Vol. 1 by Asano Inio
They start off appearing as 2-dimensional bird creatures that look like stick drawings, and as the manga progresses, Punpun’s shape also changes according to how he is feeling on the inside and how he perceives his family at that moment.
However, he still looks like an average human being to other characters unrelated to him.
Oyasumi Punpun is dark, but it also shows the reality of many people’s lives who resonate with a theme like that. It portrays a tale of relationships, real-life problems, anxiety, and how grim existence can be at times.
8. Magical Girl Apocalypse
Magical Girl Apocalypse can be described as a fever dream. Who would have thought of a manga about little-doll-like entities killing machines that take over the world? Surprisingly, it works.
The story follows our protagonist, Kogami Kii, who finds himself caught up in a strange apocalypse situation involving “magic girls” who slaughter his friends and classmates in front of him while chanting the words “magical girl.”
Magical Girl Apocalypse, Vol. 1 by Kentaro Sato
Soon enough, he and his childhood friend Tsukune try to escape with other survivors as they witness their friends resurrecting as zombie mobs while they try to find the root of the problem.
The art of the manga is surreal and beautiful, full of details and many effects to give the imagery of something out of the realm of possibility.
9. Great Teacher Onizuka
For fans of comedy manga that have a light plot and hoards of jokes, Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO) is the one for you.
The plot follows 22-year-old Eikichu Onizuka, a gang member turned Teacher who attempts to outwit and win over his devious class of 3-4, who are determined to have him removed from the school.
Great Teacher Onizuka, Vol. 1 by Tooru Fujisawa
We see him go about his daily antics as he deals with his students, tries to get a romance going with fellow Teacher Azusa Fuyutsuki, and lets his determination to prove himself never die.
The storytelling is both comedic and heart-warming, and it will not bore you with its exaggerated expressions of characters and bizarre situations.
While it does have its anime adaptation that you can catch on Netflix, it is a 90s-style slow animation, which may not appeal to many. Reading GTO is probably the best way to do it!
10. Black Torch
Black Torch by Tsuyoshi Takaki is about a 17-year-old Jirou Azuma who lives a quiet life with his grandfather while using his supernatural abilities to speak to animals to be able to protect them.
One day, when he rescues a cat, he is surprised to discover that it is a Mononoke (a demonic spirit) and has himself thrown into a near-death situation through which he acquires the powers of the Cat Mononoke.
Black Torch, Vol. 1 by Tsuyoshi Takaki
Following the incident, he is offered to join the Bureau of Espionage’s new team called Black Torch, whose job is to battle the hostile and powerful Mononoke who feeds on innocent people.
The manga’s art style is described as breathtaking and magnificent, especially with its double pages. Black Torch is an interesting shounen read that people often compare with Bleach, and it indeed is up to those standards.
11. Noseteyo! Bitchhike
Noseteyo! Bitchhike
12. Smog Alert! by Orimoto Mimana
Smog Alert! by Orimoto Mimana
Ranking power systems in anime proves to be one difficult thing as we will always be comparing very different things. Like it is almost impossible to come up with a criterion since these go across different kinds of anime and genres. Each and every anime has its own power systems, and it is difficult to find a flaw in those because the limitations are mostly due to characters rather than the power system itself.
For example, lets look at two of the most popular anime and their power systems that we find in Naruto and One Piece. If you are trying to figure out which character is stronger of the two using only powers systems then it will be one great dilemma. But if you look at things like intelligence and physical powers. Then it becomes easier because all of those things are common in these anime.
So to get good rankings of power systems in anime, we should look at how amazing or the impact those power systems have on the overall character development. Then we will go to versatility because the more versatile the power system, the greater the anime battles and interesting scenes that we will get to know.
The world of anime is so vast, and depending on the genre and anime setting, then we can have endless possibilities. We have seen this in anime like Hunter X Hunter, which has a vast world, and even One Piece. These two anime have made exploring their worlds an endless endeavor since they are adventurous, and the plot is not limited to one place.
Let’s look at some of the interesting power systems in anime that you should look at:
Breathing Styles: Demon Slayer
To put it simply, Breathing Styles are what Demon Slayer uses in unison with their swords to defeat demons. They are swordsmanship styles practiced and taught within the members of the Demon Slayer Corps. They are based on the total concentration breathing, and it is what we see when Different Demon Slayers battle demons. All known breathing styles within the Demon Slayer Corps are derived from the Sun Breathing.
Breathing Styles
The Sun Breathing Style is the first-ever breathing style created, and the majority of the breathing styles mimic a certain element of nature. We have seen this through the flame, water, and even the wind breathing styles. They replicate this with the user movements, and the weapon attacks of the demon slayer who use breathing styles are also ranged a bit longer due to the shockwave and air pressure generated from the swings of the weapons.
Quirks: MHA
As we delve into the world of My Hero Academia, all Heroes and Villains use quirks in their battles. These are superhuman abilities that people can possess, and they are said to be unique to each user. They are sorted out into different categories and are limited to developing the individual’s ability and can to achieve any other through natural means. Looking back in time, the very first quirk was manifested by a newborn baby who had the ability to radiate light.
Quirks
This was followed by many people developing similar characteristics all over the world and gaining different superpowers. The cause of this remains unknown since the anime and the manga is still ongoing. But theories that suspect that it is because of a virus have been heard but with no hard evidence to back it up. The quirk society in My Hero Academia has become something extraordinary now with a different organisations trying to see through their motives which would end with them clashing on occasions.
Grimoire: Black Clover
As we head over to the world of Black Clover. The main power system in the anime and the manga is the Grimoire. It is a book that allows its user to cast specific spells that are way more advanced that the individual’s magic capabilities. It is also the primary power source for the Magic Knights and most mages. Grimoire also serves as a written record of its user’s spells, and most of its pages are blank at first.
Grimoire Powers in Black Clover
As its owner trains and gains new skills, it is here when the Grimoire develops and grows with them. Then new magic spells are added to the book while filling the blank pages. When it is in use, the Grimoire levitates near its owner and follows them wherever they would go. When a spell is in use, the pages in the Grimoire turn on their own until the page where the spell in use is inscribed. Grimoire is connected to its users, and no other person can use it except its owner, and upon death, they disintegrate as their owner dies.
Life Fibers: Kill La Kill
Life Fibers have been said to be sentient and parasitic organisms coming from the extraterrestrial. They are the origin of all clothing on Earth and also the entities responsible for the evolution of humanity in general. All life Fibers have originated from the Original Life Fiber, which is also known as the Primordial Life Fiber. It is an object coming from space that has crashed onto earth thousands of years ago.
Life Fibers
The very first Life Fiber was destroyed when Ryuko Mato and the Naked Sun cut through its core in Kill La Kill Episode 23. Later in episode 24, it went to Honoji academy in its sliqueform and wrapped around the missile that was in the center of the academy. And later on, it was torn off the missile by Gamagori and later destroyed by the Nudist beach’s ultimate Double Naked DTR. This led to the original Life Fiber being depleted when Ryuko took domination for herself and eliminated Ragyo’s Shinra Koketsu.
Cosmos: Saint Seiya
Cosmos forms the basis of the series Sait Seiya, and it is a mystical energy and the fundamental force which powers every supernatural feat that happens in the anime. The origin of cosmo is said to have started back in the Big Bang, and from the entirety of the universe, the Cosmos was born. All things that live have Cosmo deep within them, and normally they would be unaware of it. Over the years, humans developed meant to manipulate and harness Cosmo by means o burning and recreating micro-scale reproduction of the Big Bang.
Cosmos
Burning the cosmo reproduced the energy needed to enable a living being to perform extraordinary feats to a point where they could even pulverize rocks with bare hands as they can even strike faster than the speed of sound and can even throw hundreds of punches in one second. Saints are those who have trained in awakening and attuning their Cosme. And even the weakest of the saints can outclass even the strongest warrior through awakening their cosmo.
Magic: Fairy Tail
In Fairy Tail anime, magic exists as a supernatural force that occurs regularly in daily life, and it is used as a tool and bought and sold all over the world. It is also the main form of art and combat that mages use. Magic is said to have been around for centuries, and every type of magic comes from The One Magic, which is the original source of all magic. It was once oppressed and feared, but as time goes, it became a daily phenomenon.
Magic
All magic that is used on Earth and even in Edolas can be used for many purposes like offense, defense, support, and even healing. There are more practical purposes, but magic is used by exerting Magic Power as a wide variety of spells and focusing it on an external source. Some of the items and weapons can use Lacrima to power them, and to learn magic, one must train their intellect and spirit to become stronger.
Psychic Abilities: Mob Psycho 100
The power systems in Mob Psycho 100 are a bit different because we have Espers, who are humans that have naturally awakened the abilities to possess and harness their Psychic abilities. Naturally, Espers are said to be quite rare, but once an individual awakens, they can become really powerful. When they have awakened, most espers have the natural ability to use psychokinesis.
Pscychic Powers
This allows them to manipulate things with their mind. They all have the basic ability that allows them to see spirits and sense others with psychic powers and also create a protective barrier around themselves. No esper has been shown to perform two actions simultaneously, like raising defense barriers and then attacking, but with enough skill snd effort, it is not impossible to do a feat such as this one.
Spiral Power: Gurren Lagann
In Gurren Lagann, the primary power source of all Spiral Beings is the Spiral power, and it is the primary theme of the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. It is not only the basis of strength for the anime’s characters and humankind, but it is also presented as a philosophy and a model of physics. Spiral powers have been described as the power of evolution.
Spiral Powers
It is generated by being capable of such feats as humans and other DNA-based living beings whose spiral double helix structure allows them to get stronger through their generations. Spiral Power is also what connects spiral beings to the universe, and it is produced by the energy generated by gametogenesis in living things to keep evolution moving forward.
Furyoku: Shaman King
In shaman king power systems in anime and even the manga. Furyoku is essential even to the most basic shaman magic. It is the measure of the sixth sense that an organism is born with. Generally, it is a product of willpower, and it can be generated either naturally or artificially. Its consistency is contingent upon a being’s conviction. Every living thing, including plants and animals, is given a measure of Furyoku by the great spirit right before their births to live out their lives, and upon death, their power returns to the planet.
Furyoku
When an organism dies, its cumulative experiences and memories return to the planet upon death along with its Furyoku. This, in turn, developed into more Furyoku and allowed the planet’s Furyoku to grow, and the cycle of life would continue in the same manner. Even though it seems to be predetermined upon death, it can be increased, and similarly to the five basic senses, it is an inborn power that can not be just improved through physical training.
Dying Will Flames: Katekyo Hitman Reborn
Also known as Deathperation Flame, the Dying Will flame is regarded as the symbol of the Mafia World. It is recognized in the same manner as fingerprints or voices, and each Dying Will flame has a different shape with distinct characteristics. At the start of the series, it had only a little relevance to the overall storyline. But as character and plot development happened, then it became a central element, and it is currently the source of most of the supernatural powers as seen in the series.
Dying Will Flames
A lot of items in the series light up and use Dying Will Flames for a certain purpose. And among those purposes, the rings that are treasured by the mafia also deserve special mentions because of their long history and importance. While the story progresses, the flames of these rings serve as the power source of for the Box weapons. The Dying Will flame is a high-density form of energy, and it is refined from an individual’s life force.
Ki: Dragon Ball
In dragon ball power systems in anime, Ki is also known as latent energy, which also translates directly as life force. It is tangible energy found inside every living being with its major focus on the body’s center. Individuals can draw it out, and then they will be able to manipulate it and use it outside of their bodies. It can be used for many techniques, and because there are physical limits to the strength of the body itself, individuals would usually try to overcome this barrier, so they become stronger.
Ki Dragon Ball Series
In most cases, the more concentrated the masses are, the more time the Ki user requires to draw it out by powering up. When fighters gather the Ki, they gain enhanced physical abilities and can increase the overall power of their attacks, inflicting greater damage to their opponents. The more Ki is increased, the harder it is to control, which makes Ki control a more important case as well.
Reiatsu: Bleach
In Bleach anime and manga, Reiatsu is the physical force created by a person’s Reiryoku when released. We have seen this through most Shingamie and Arrancar, who can manipulate their Reiatsu release. Reiatsu is also described as the pressure that a person’s Reiyoku exerts and it is potential. Generally, individuals with high levels of Reiryoku will mostly have the highest levels of Reiatsu as well.
Reiatsu
The senses that individuals would feel and pick up on Reiatsu are known as Reikaku or Reiatsu. Everyone that has a Reiatsu subconscious uses both of their senses of vision and Reikaku at the same time in order to see the world. When one concentrates while in the midst of battle, their Reikaky takes over an overwhelming amount of perception, and their subconscious begins to stop seeing with just their eyes.
Cursed Energy: Jujutsu Kaisen
In Jujutsu Kaisen, sorcerous gest their power source from Cursed Energy as it is aligned with negative emotions and is also used by curses to fuel their Jujutsu abilities. Cursed energy is created from negative emotions like grief or anger. These negative feelings are common in human society, meaning that almost everyone has cursed energy.
Cursed Energy
If their cursed energy amount is higher than a certain selected degree, the individual would be granted with the ability to see curses which is something rare amongst the human race. Although all sorcerers have managed to develop their Cursed Energy to way beyond this. So even if rare amongst ordinary humans. It is the most common thing amongst the jujutsu sorcerers.
Rukh: Magi
Baba has described it as the source of souls, and while people live, it is every man for themselves. But when people die, they all go back to one place. This place has been referred to as Rukh, and when humans die, their bodies will return to the Earth. Rukh is also the man’s source of power, and it is a natural phenomenon. When life starts and is within the flow to move forward. Individuals must accept the truth known as Rukh’s guidance, but there are people who try to go against it.
Rukh Magi
This means that the people of Al Thamen who go against fate degenerate evolution and become nothing, and everything will be negative. Thus falling into depravity, and it is noticed when the eyes of the individuals go black. This means that they gain the power to change fate and could lead to the death of another Magi, as we saw with Aladin. Only the power of the miracle can fight this darkness, and it is only with the Wisdom of Solomon that this miracle could be possible.
Trion: World Trigger
Word trigger takes things to a digital level, with Trion being a biological energy that is found within every living human. It also resides in other forms of life, and it provides powers for a Trigger’s various abilities and functions. It is also a term that has played a major role in the World Trigger’s anime setting. Surprisingly, individuals have a trion gland that produces their trion. Even though this is not known in the human world, every human has this organ.
Trion in World Trigger
It is said to be located next to the heart, and it functions differently and can increase trion production if it is exerted, similar to muscles. After the age of 20, this gland would stop growing and decay if it is don’t exerted, making it optimal to train Trigger users from a young age. Higher volumes of Trion can also allow individuals to develop one of the multiple side effects which play a role in the creation of a Black Trigger.
Chakra: Naruto
In Naruto’s franchise, Chakra is a substance that is native to all life forms, and due to it is the component to create chakra fruit. The Otsotsuki clan would travel from planet to planet, absorbing all the Chakra from the planet for their consumption. The first humans to be born with Chakra were Hagoromon and Hamura Otsotsuki due to their mother eating their planet’s chakra fruit.
Chakra in Naruto Anime
Hagoromo would later spread Chakra to others through his practices of Ninshu as it would create peace by using the Chakra to connect people’s spiritual energy so they would understand each other without using words. However, this would later lead to people using Chakra to amplify and weaponize it and ended up creating Ninjutsu instead.
Haki & Devil Fruits: One Piece
The world of One Piece is filled with mysteries, and Haki being one of them, appears as a power that allows its user to amplify their own spiritual energy for various purposes. It can also sense individuals’ spiritual energy and predict their actions and also give the user a protective coating of spiritual energy. For certain groups of the chosen individuals, they can use their Haki to overpower the willpower of others.
Haki and Devil Fruts in One Piece
Looking at devil Fruits, they are mysterious and distinctive fruits scattered throughout the world. They are known for granting those who consume them permanent superhuman powers and also a permanent inability to swim. Devil fruits encompass hundreds of different abilities, from the simplest to the inherently mass destructive ones. They are further divided into Paramecia, which gives its user strange abilities, Zoan, which turns its user into animals, and Logia, which gives its user the powers to become and control natural elements. This makes devil fruits combined with Haki one of the most interesting power systems in anime.
Alchemy: Full Metal Alchemist
Even though Alchemy is not new, Full Metal Alchemist takes it to the next level as it is understood to be the scientific technique of knowing the structure of matter and decomposing it. Then reconstruct it to perform skills that would make it even possible to create gold out of the lead. Since it is science, it means that it is guided by natural principles.
Alchemy in Full Metal Alchemist
This means that to create something, one would need something similar to equal mass, and it is known as the principle of equivalent exchange. It forms part of the ancient and metaphysical science or mystical art where one would manipulate and alter matter using natural energy. This would later be known as Transmutation in the anime and has three sequences: Comprehension, Deconstruction, and Reconstruction.
Nen: Hunter X Hunter
Nen is one of the defining features of the anime and the manga of Hunter x Hunter, and it allows a living being to use and manipulate their own life energy, which is also known as Aura. Nen is also used in referring to Aura in some aspects, and a person who is capable of using Nen will be referred to as a Nen user. Nen allows people to create a great variety of abilities, it is considered to be dangerous and is kept hidden from the public at large.
Nen in Hunter X Hunter
When people learn to use Nen, they train to manually open and close their aura nodes to control the flow of their aura. This is a gradual and slow process, and it would develop into a second stage known as Nen initiation. It is achieved by forcing the Aura Nodes to open via an influx of aura. Even though it is quicker, this method is frowned upon by Nen instructors as it poses a danger to the students if the user has malicious intent.
Stand: Jojo’s Bizzare Adventures
Another interesting power system in the anime is found in Jojo’s Bizzare adventures, and it is known as Stand. It is an entity that is physically generated by its owner as a manifestation of the person’s life energy. It would generally present itself as an ethereal figurine that hovers over or near its user and possesses abilities beyond that of ordinary humans. Depending on the Stand user, these powers can be wielded for good or evil.
Stand in Jojo Bizzare Adventures
As the personification of the character’s life energy and its abilities taking a visual form. Stands are given this name because upon their manifestation, they would stand next to their users, ready to act on their command. Stand embodies the individual’s psyche and it is the representation of their fighting spirit. But it requires a great deal of will to manifest, but it doesn’t really need to be confrontational. It derives its possibilities from the user’s mind, and it can even rely on the mastery and craftsmanship of its user.
Naruto centers on Naruto Uzumaki, an orphaned boy shunned by his village because of the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed inside him. Unaware of why he’s rejected, he yearns for acceptance and sets his sights on becoming Hokage, the village’s strongest ninja, in hopes of earning recognition and respect.
