With the rise of animated and live-action adaptations of beloved manga and manhwa — comics originating from Japan and South Korea respectively — the international graphic novels have taken publishing by storm. Nearly 49% of graphic novels sold in North America in 2023 are manga, and it’s not going unnoticed. In the same year, Penguin Random House unveiled Inklore, an imprint dedicated to “publishing manga and comics for a global readership.” The imprint has since published Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe, My Love Story With Yamada-Kun at LV999 by Mashiro, and Cherry Blossoms After Winter by Bamwoo, with more to come. On the flip side, North American publishers are also seeking to adapt genre fiction into comics. Most notably, Manta — a South Korean webcomic company — has adapted The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams and The Lady Alchemist by Samantha Vitale.
As more breathtaking graphic novels hit the shelves, EnVi has rounded up twelve manga and manhwa to add to your reading list this year. From heart-pounding action to enchanting contemporary fantasy, there’s a graphic novel for everyone.
See You In My 19th Life by Lee Hye
On the surface, Ji-eum Ban seems like the woman who has it all figured out — confident and never afraid to flaunt her success. But underneath her poised exterior, she’s dealing with a heavy secret: she remembers all 19 of her past lives and the trauma that comes with them. Usually, when reincarnating, time has passed, and the people in her life have all rotated out, but this time, something has changed. Born almost immediately after dying, Ji-eum has the rare chance to reconnect with people from her 18th life, specifically a young boy by the name of Seo-ha Moon, whom she once loved.
Normally, Ji-eum would pass up the opportunity for such a rekindling, but with the knowledge that her premature death may not have been accidental, she fears that Seo-ha may face the same fate. Unbeknownst to her, Seo-ha has never moved on from losing his first love either. Driven by the need to protect him, Ji-eum works towards a job at his family’s massive corporation, hoping to stay close while keeping her secret. But will her bubbling desire to meet him create more problems than it’s worth? And when more familiar faces from her last life start to show up, Ji-eum has to decide: will she spend this life alone, or will she break this painful cycle and find peace alongside those she loves?
Where to read: Webtoon or physical copies
Genre: Drama, Romance, Fantasy
Status: Finished
Kagurabachi by Takeru Hokazono
Known for his Enchanted Blades that ended a year-long war, Kunishige Rokuhira was serious about only one thing — his craft, while his son, Chihiro, handled the rest. Aiming to be a master swordsmith like his father, Chihiro Rokuhira never thought he would see the day where he wouldn’t have to parent his goofy father. It all comes to a head on one bloody day when tragedy strikes and Chihiro is left without his father and master. With nothing else, Chihiro turns towards a path of vengeance as he hunts down the Hishaku, the powerful organization responsible for upending his life, in an attempt to recover the remaining Enchanted Blades they stole. All is not what it seems in this world of sorcery and violence as Chihiro’s journey gets more complicated by the minute.
Illustrated and written by Japanese mangaka Takeru Hokazono, Kagurabachi, is an action-packed tale full of dark tropes, found family, and epic battle. The manga debuted on September 19, 2023 and is ongoing with weekly chapters releasing digitally every Monday in Japan and Sunday for those in North and South America.
Where to read: Shonen Jump, MANGA Plus, or as a physical copy
Genre: Action, Drama, Dark Fantasy
Status: Ongoing
Horimiya by Adachi Hiroki, illustrated by Daisuke Hagiwara
Popular high-school student Hori Kyouko seems to have it all: the looks, the brains, and most of all, the friends. She is the polar opposite of Miyamura Izumi, the brooding and reclusive student in her homeroom. But when a chance encounter lands Izumi on Kyouko’s doorsteps, the pair discover each other’s alternate personas. While widely admired for her friendly attitude, Kyouko is a homebody but is too busy tending to her younger brother to befriend her classmates. Izumi in turn is more gentle-hearted than the rumours let on. As the titular characters work together to keep their alter egos concealed, Kyouko and Izumi begin to learn to accept each other — and themselves.
Originally written and illustrated by Adachi Hiroki (also known as HERO) from 2007 to 2011, this heart-warming tale was readapted in Monthly GFantasy with Adachi returning as a writer and Daisuke Hagiwara as the illustrator. Horimiya is a completed series and is available for purchase wherever books are sold.
Where to read: Yen Press
Genre: Romance
Status: Completed
Gokurakugai by Yuto Sano
In Gokurakugai, a bustling working district, something is always bound to go awry, but worry not! If there’s a problem, Alma and Tao can solve it. Known as “troubleshooters,” this unlikely duo can solve anyone’s problems big or small, from a missing friend to mysterious disappearances – but only if the price is right. But that’s just the cover. In truth, Alma and Tao are demon hunters who fight to save humanity all while making their pockets fatter.
Originally intended as a one-shot manga by Yuto Sano, its overwhelmingly positive reaction turned what was originally The Gokuraku District’s Third Avenue Incident into the serialized Gokurakugai in July 2022. Gokurakugai takes a comedic spin on Supernatural Horror (hey fans of Chainsawman) with unserious main characters doing badass things, all with lush art to sweeten the deal. The chapters release monthly, so there’s always plenty of time to catch up before the next update.
Where to read: Shonen Jump, MANGA Plus, or as a physical copy
Genre: Action, Supernatural Horror, Comedy, Drama
Status: Ongoing
Unholy Blood by Lina Lim
Set in an alternate world where vampire-human hybrids run rampant and drained bodies are turning up quicker than the government can count, Park Hayan wants nothing more than to lead a normal life. But when hybrids murder her mentor and only family, Hayan is forced to call upon her darkest secret yet: she is a pureblood vampire.
Hellbent on exacting revenge, Hayan teams up with a local police officer who’s harbouring dark secrets of his own. But the deeper she digs, the closer she finds herself to the home she left behind. Soon, Hayan learns that what lies in the past she’s run from might hold the answer to her revenge.
A beautifully illustrated story, Lina Lim’s Unholy Blood is a must-read for fans of pulse-pounding action and enthralling characters. Unholy Blood is a completed series available to read on Webtoon.
Where to read: Webtoon
Genre: Supernatural, Action, Romance
Status: Completed
Operation: True Love by kkokkalee
Su-ae Shim is your average teenage girl; she has friends, her stepsister Ra-im, and her boyfriend Minu Kang, all who keep her entertained as she struggles through high school. But when she opens her locker and finds a Jellypop flip phone, she’s not only confused but also frightened when it starts receiving texts addressed to her. When accessing the phone’s camera, she learns that this isn’t any ordinary flip phone, as it can count how many “love points” each person will have in their lifetime. However, when Su-ae views her score, she’s shocked to see a big fat zero, a previously impossible feat. Things take a sudden dark turn when the anonymous texter sends a chilling message: she must gain a love point or face sudden death.
Determined to stay alive, Su-ae Shim conspires a plan to make Minu jealous and fall madly in love with her. To her surprise, Minu’s friend Eunhyeok, is willing to help her out of pity, and the school’s most attractive student Dohwa is willing to help her out of interest. As she strives for Minu’s love, Su-ae winds up gaining the attention of these two unlikely suitors, creating a love triangle, or maybe even a square, while she tries to avoid the ominous and all-knowing Jellypop phone owner. Will Minu fall for her, or will someone else declare their love? And if they do, will she make it out alive?
Where to read: Webtoon
Genre: Romance, Youth, Fantasy
Status: In progress, on hold
Monsters We Make by CoryxKenshin
17-year-old Jabari Booker wanted only one thing: to get into New Edyn Academy in order to become a musical master and free his family from financial burden. That all changes on his first day at the prestigious academy when he’s faced with a new goal: to survive. It turns out that the school is turning their students into monster-killing machines, forced into the ranks of the dispensable unit of soldiers known as the HOUNDS. All while big-wig tech company SANADA, pulls the strings. Instead of getting his education, Jabari and his friends must do whatever they can to survive, protect their city, and unveil the evil-doings of SANADA while facing some uncomfortable truths about themselves.
Well-known YouTuber CoryxKenshin, made his graphic novel debut with Monsters We Make in December of 2024. Ahead of its release, he dropped an animated teaser depicting the high-stakes energy of its physical counterpart. For fans of horror and action, this is most definitely for you.
Where to read: Physical copy or digitally
Genre: Action, Horror
Status: Ongoing
Secret Relationships by McQueen STUDIO
Having more than one person in love with you is never a good idea. But make it three, and that’s exactly the predicament that Daon Jung has found himself in. After falling for his high school tutor Jaemin, and his university peer Soohyun, Daon has had his fair share of complicated relationships. The trouble now comes from the fact that he has never parted ways with either past lover.
Since graduation, he’s fought his way out of poverty and landed himself a well-paying office job in Seoul, where he finds himself detesting his coworker Sunghyeon. Though as time passes, Sunghyeon and Daon find themselves warming up to each other, and their reluctant tolerance slowly turns into something more. When Jaemin finds out about this blossoming relationship and Soohyun returns from America, their desire for his affection only increases, creating an increasingly toxic situation that Daon has to find his way out of. Now, Daon must confront the emotional baggage of his past and decide who’s worth carrying into his future.
Where to read: Tapas
Genre: BL, Romance, Drama
Status: Finished
Spy x Family by Tatsuya Endo
In a world where the nations of Westalis and Ostania are at war, one man is willing to risk it all for the sake of peace — Agent Twilight. As the top spy of Westalis, Twilight is handed his most daring assignment yet: to infiltrate Ostania and get close to Donovan Desmond, a powerful political figure. The catch? Desmond is rarely seen in the public eye, only appearing at the prestigious Eden Academy. To get into such an exclusive institution, Twilight must first blend in as an average family man and take on the alias Loid Forger. The next step? Recruiting a family.
After a quick stop at a not-so-fancy orphanage, he adopts the quirky Anya Forger. Chances are that he even stumbles into a perfectly fit wife, Yor Briar, an office worker at city hall. What Twilight doesn’t know is that his new family has a few secrets of their own. His daughter Anya is a telepath and a lab escapee. And Yor? She’s the country’s deadliest assassin. As the new Forger family adjusts to home life, they must also stay on high alert, or their identities may unfold at any moment. Written by Tatsuyo Endo, Spy x Family is a delightful mix of comedy, action, and romance at times — the best part is that it’s soon to have another TV season in October 2025!
Where to read: Shonen Jump+ or as a physical copy
Genre: Action, Spy, Comedy
Status: In progress
After School Lessons for Unripe Apples by Soonkki
The creator of the hit Webtoon and subsequent K-Drama Adaptation Cheese in the Trap returns with an endearing slice-of-life manhwa that’ll charm readers from the very first panel.
Like any other student, 16-year-old Hwang Mi-ae is simply trying to survive school. Shrugging away her parents’ expectations and teacher’s adamant efforts to improve her grades, she seeks escape in her beloved comic books. When her family’s friends move to the apartment across the street, Mi-ae comes face-to-face with a familiar boy: Kim Cheol. After getting off on the wrong foot as kids, she tries to befriend the enigmatic boy again only to have her efforts thwarted by Cheol himself. But as their lives become more entangled — much to both their distaste — Mi-ae and Cheol find that they have more in common than they think… and the key to surviving high school might just be each other.
Equally sweet and heart-warming, After School Lessons for Unripe Apples by Soonkki will have readers flying through the chapters in no time. This manhwa is currently ongoing and is available to read on Webtoon.
Where to read: Webtoon
Genre: Slice of life, Drama, Romance
Status: Ongoing
The Flower Blooms With Dignity by Saka Mikami
InuYasha by Rumiko Takahashi
Kagome Higurashi was just your run-of-the-mill high school girl: trying to pass her classes, hang out with her friends, and get her crush to notice her. On her way to school one day, she uncovers a sealed well on her property (which, surprise, is a Shinto shrine) in an effort to find her cat. She falls in and finds herself transported to feudal era Japan. There, it’s revealed — not only is she the reincarnate of a High Priestess (and inherited her powers) but there’s a jewel embedded in her body (that she shattered into many, many pieces). As if matters couldn’t get worse, a demon lord, Naraku, is after her and the shards, and a half dog-demon, eponymously named Inuyasha, who used to be romantically involved with the Priestess she reincarnated is also after the jewel. Oh, and she’s expected to graduate high school in the midst of it all. Kagome is suddenly thrust on a journey with Inuyasha to recover the Sacred Jewel shards, all while fighting her growing affection for him. Will she be able to reconstruct the jewel before Naraku or will the world be thrust into chaos if Naraku succeeds first?
Mangaka legend, Rumiko Takahashi, originally wrote InuYasha from 1996 until 2008. The manga enjoyed massive success winning the 47th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2002 and adapted into an animated series in 2000 with a spin-off series, Yashahime, produced in 2021. The manga has a bit of everything for everyone, some romance, killer action, comedic breaks, and more.
Where to read: VIZ or as a physical copy
Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance
Status: Completed
Looking for more book recommendations? Check out EnVi’s fang-tastic recommendations here!
