10 Books/Manga Like Slayers
Slayers is a fantastic light novel series that aims to poke fun at the standard conventions you’d find in fantasy, adventure, and role-playing works. The story is written by Hajime Kanzaka with illustrations drawn by Rui Araizumi. It follows the journey of a female sorceress named Lina Inverse and her companions traveling their world in search of treasure. With its compelling humor and incredible bouts, fans will enjoy seeing what this series has in store for them.
If you’re in the mood for more comedy or adventure books/manga that offer a similar vibe, fear not! We’ve gathered together 10 books/manga to check out when you’ve caught up with Slayers. Of course, if you feel we’ve missed any of your favorites, do comment below and let us know!
Konosuba – Natsume Akatsuki
Similarities – Comedy, Fantasy, Action
Konosuba, to many Slayers fans, feels like a modern and isekai version of the story. It’s another series that’s praised for its phenomenal humor, compelling cast, and incredible action sequences.
Like Slayers, Konosuba follows a group of misfits who embark on a journey through a glorious and vast fantasy world. They’ll face off against formidable foes and develop in unison. From the sensational Kazuma to the raunchy Darkness, there are many characters in Konosuba that’ll entertain Slayers fans.
Furthermore, both manga excels at blending fantasy and comedy. Both series have their casts utilizing magic, fighting monsters and wizards, and engaging in banter that’ll leave you laughing hysterically.
Moreover, both stories frequently poke fun at various fantasy tropes and RPG mechanics, making the characters feel more genuine.
In addition to tackling compelling themes like friendship, Konosuba’s worth adding to your reading catalog.
Record of Lodoss War – Ryou Mizuno
Similarities – Action, Adventure, Fantasy
For something less hilarious, we’d like to turn your attention to Record of Lodoss War. This story will appeal to readers who enjoy Slayers’s fantastical aspects and its characters’ unique skills.
In Record of Lodoss War, the story takes place on the continent of Lodoss, a land steeped in legends and inhabited by various races from humans to dwarves. This mirrors the distinct locales Lina and her friends travel through within the Slayers series.
Moreover, both series feature strong protagonists with unique skills and abilities. Record of Lodoss War’s Parn wields a sword and possesses unwavering determination. Parn’s a captivating lead in Record of Lodoss War and won’t back down from a fight.
On top of having its heroes embark on grand quests rich in ancient prophecies, Record of Lodoss War is a fantastic story that’s worth checking out.
The Seven Deadly Sins – Nakaba Suzuki
Similarities – Fantasy, Action, Adventure
For those looking for more fantasy adventure fun, The Seven Deadly Sins should suffice. Like Slayers, this story contains a group of powerful characters who embark on epic quests to save their worlds from danger. Additionally, it explores themes of friendship, growth, and the weight of one’s past actions like Slayers does.
Like Lina, Gourry, Zelgadis, and Amelia, the characters in Seven Deadly Sins are distinguishable. They all embody one of the real seven deadly sins from Meliodas being based on the sin of Wrath, and Diane, the sin of Envy. Readers will love seeing how their different personalities, abilities, and goals clash with each other.
On top of placing our characters on high-stakes quests that’ll determine the fate of their universe, The Seven Deadly Sins is an action-packed endeavor fans shouldn’t overlook.
One Piece – Eiichiro Oda
Similarities – Action-Adventure & Comedy
One Piece is a powerhouse for Shonen Jump and has captivated fans for many decades. It’s a long story that’s difficult to get into for some but is worth fans’ time. Like Slayers, One Piece is all about exploration, action, and comedy. However, One Piece tends to shift toward the serious side occasionally based on the situations and islands Luffy and his crew visit in the series. Nevertheless, Slayers fans will enjoy observing Luffy and his crew’s interactions with various enemies, allies, and wildlife.
Each island holds something new for these pirates to discover, whether it pertains to themselves or the world they inhabit. One Piece’s world-building is one of its greatest qualities as the series’s creator Eiichiro Oda excels at planting breadcrumbs to keep readers hooked.
In addition to having fabulous fights and an immersive power system regarding Haki and Devil Fruits, you’ll enjoy your time with One Piece.
Lost Universe – Hajime Kanzaka
Similarities – Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Lost Universe is a manga series with an emphasis on adventure, fantasy, and magic. Like Slayers, this story’s set in a fantastical world filled with magic, mystical creatures, and epic battles. The story unfolds in a universe where space travel is possible and follows Kane. He’s a Troubel Contractor who uses powerful psi-blade weapons to combat evil.
Kane is just as entertaining to follow as Lina and gets into all types of comical and epic situations. On that note, Kane’s not a pushover. He’s a skilled protagonist with enough combat knowledge and unwavering determination to drive the narrative forward.
On top of exploring themes like friendship and personal growth, you’re in for a familiar and fun time with Lost Universe.
Rune Soldier – Ryou Mizuno
Similarities – Comedy, Fantasy, Characters
Rune Soldier is another comical fantasy with dynamic characters. Like Slayers, it takes place in a mythical world brimming with magic, mythical beasts, and epic confrontations. The story centers around the bumbling yet skilled Louie. He’s a warrior with a penchant for magic.
Louie spends his time navigating dangerous dungeons and meets many enemies and allies during his travels. This mirrors Lina and the company’s journeys throughout the Slayers series.
Both series employ comedic tones to keep viewers relaxed. Louie and Lina, possess unique and sometimes eccentric personalities that result in them getting into funny situations. From Louie’s clumsiness to Lina’s impulsive behavior, you’ll feel at home with Rune Soldier’s cast.
If you seek a light novel that’ll give you the similar joyous feeling you had while reading Slayers, then Rune Soldier is worth checking out.
Magic Knight Rayearth – CLAMP
Similarities – Strong Female Characters, Fantasy, Action
Magic Knight Rayearth is a fantastic manga drawn and written by the folks over at CLAMP. This story boasts strong female characters, and incredible fantasy themes, and explores friendship and personal growth like Slayers. Both series transport readers to magical worlds filled with different walks of life.
In Magic Knight Rayearth, we follow Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu. They’re three girls who get summoned to the magical land Cephiro to save it from an evil being. These girls have compelling personalities like Amelia and Lina and bounce off each other well. The battles they endure are intense and result in many outcomes that’ll leave viewers speechless or entertained.
If you love characters like Amelia and Lina or love fantasy tales in general, Magic Knight Rayearth will please you.
Hunter X Hunter – Yoshihiro Togashi
Similarities – Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Hunter X Hunter is a beloved shonen manga drawn and illustrated by the legendary Yoshihiro Togashi. This story features well-written characters, a complex power system, and a fleshed-out fantasy world. While the series doesn’t lean into comedy as much as Slayers, fans will adore following this manga’s group of characters as they strive to become formidable hunters and complete their distinct goals.
Like Slayers, Hunter X Hunter’s universe is brimming with all types of life. From dangerous Chimera Ants to skilled hunter factions, its protagonist Gon, and his allies get involved in all types of treacherous scenarios. While Hunter X Hunter’s power system contains some semblance of magic, it’s more developed and intricate in comparison to the spells Lina and her friends wield in Slayers.
Nevertheless, if you’re after a fantasy and adventure series with more serious aspects then Hunter X Hunter should suffice.
Scrapped Princess – Sakaki Ichirou
Similarities – Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure
Switching gears to something more comical, we’d like Slayers fans to check out Scrapped Princess. This story contains immersive fantasy settings, action-packed storytelling, and charismatic protagonists who are on par with Lina and her friends. Like Slayers, this series excels at immersing readers in vibrant worlds, where magic, fantastical organisms, and epic battles are commonplace.
In Scrapped Princess, the story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world where Pacifica, a young girl, is prophesied to bring destruction to the world. This will remind folks of the times people cowered in fear if they were aware of the spooky rumors spread about Lina during the events of the Slayers series.
Despite not being a skilled warrior herself, Pacifica has many allies who are expert mages and fighters. From Shannon to Raquel, fans will love seeing these two combat the foes that want to threaten Pacifica.
If you’re looking for another fun story with enjoyable characters who traverse through a fantasy realm, check out Scrapped Princess.
Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: The Wayward Journey – Yoshinobu Okita
Similarities – Fantasy, Characters, Comedy
Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: The Wayward Journey is often brought into discussion whenever someone recommends a new work for Slayers fans to delve into. Like Slayers, Orphen is set in a fantasy world filled with sorcery and enthusiastic characters who embark on magical adventures. In it, we follow Orphen, a powerful sorcerer who must find his friend Azalie, who has transformed into a dragon.
Orphen is known for his sharp tongue and unconventional approach to magic. This often results in him utilizing weird tactics and spells to outsmart adversaries. Likewise, Lina is famous for her quick-thinking, strategic maneuvers, and dark sense of humor. Essentially, they’re protagonists who have a knack for getting into problematic situations and employing strategies to escape danger.
Additionally, both stories have compelling supporting cast members who accompany and impact Lina and Orphen during their travels. From the tomboyish Cleao to the bumbling Gourry, both stories feature fantastic companions who add depth and fun to these respective works.
If you’re looking for another funny and alluring fantasy series to read, give Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: The Wayward Journey a chance.
So there we have it, our 10 books/manga to read after you’re caught up with Slayers.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!