10 Books/Manga Like Noragami
Noragami is a supernatural action-comedy known for its stellar humor and compelling fights. It’s written and illustrated by Adachitoka and follows the adventures of a god-like figure named Yato and his companions. The manga’s known for having well-rounded characters, intense drama, and enjoyable humor. Many people were drawn to it by the fabulous anime adaptations it received from Studio Bones. However, the manga has just as much style as the anime for those interested.
If you’re in the mood for more supernatural, action, or comedic books/manga that offers a similar vibe, fear not! We’ve gathered together 10 books/manga to check out when you’ve caught up with Noragami. Of course, if you feel we’ve missed any of your favorites, do comment below and let us know!
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun – Iro Aida
Similarities – Supernatural, Drama, Comedy
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is an ongoing supernatural manga series. It delivers likable characters, different takes on urban legends, and mesmerizing artwork. Despite having a rocky, episodic start, Iro Aida finds a way to grip readers into his story’s plot. Our story is set in Kamome Academy, where rumors about “The Seven Mysteries” get passed around.
One includes the legend about the ghost girl Hanako-san who can grant her summoner a wish. Desperate for love, high schooler Nene Yashiro summons Hanako-san but realizes Hanako’s not a girl and can’t grant Nene’s wish. Nene becomes Hanako’s assistant after one of her attempts goes haywire. After spending time with Hanako-san, Nene will learn the truth behind The Seven Mysteries.
This is a story you’ll want to read more for its characters than its plot. So far, the characters have likable personalities and intruiging qualities that will keep readers engaged. The manga’s antagonist and protagonist trio will pull people in the most, though. Aida puts more emphasis on these characters and it shows through their actions, goals, and development. If you’re searching for a fabulous supernatural series that’s worth catching up on, check out Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun.
Kamisama Kiss – Julietta Suzuki
Similarities – Japanese Mythology, Story, Characters
Kamisama Kiss revolves around Nanami, a high schooler who isn’t living the greatest of lives. One day, she bumps into a strange man at a decrepit shrine and flees from him. Nanami gets captured by two spirits and a fox named Tomoe. They mistake Nanami for their former master and won’t help her escape. With no way out, Nanami forms a contract with Tomoe and we examine their lives together.
Kamisama Kiss has great action, romance, and comedy. Nanami’s adventure won’t be easy. She must overcome many threatening youkai who’ll interfere with her affairs. The relationships she forms in the story are wholesome and well-developed. The series includes some emotional segments that will make fans get teary-eyed.
Like Yato, some characters in Kamisama Kiss led terrible past lives. Suzuki uses these instances from their past to push characters forward and give them genuine hurdles to triumph over. If you’re searching for a lighthearted manga with great characters, check Kamisama Kiss out.
Soul Eater – Atsushi Ookubo
Similarities – Characters & Themes
Soul Eater is a popular manga series. It has great characters, a gripping plot, and wonderful artwork. Soul Eater follows a group of students who embark on missions to protect their city from multiple threats. The students are equipped with weapon-changing companions called Death Sythes and strive to become epic demon hunters.
Like Noragami, Soul Eater features a great mix of comedy. From deadpan humor to witty jokes, you’ll adore what this colorful world offers for newcomers. The plot is well-crafted and gives our characters enough challenges to help them grow. Atsushi Ookubo’s art style isn’t as amazing at the start, though. However, the art does get better over time.
Despite looking like an amusing outing, Soul Eater knows how to crank up the tension for its serious storylines. If you’re searching for a supernatural manga with a great narrative and cast of characters, Soul Eater’s worth checking out.
Blue Exorcist – Kazue Katou
Similarities – Supernatural, Action, Drama
Blue Exorcist’s story centers around Rin. He’s someone who doesn’t have the closest relationship with his father but tries to live a decent life. One day, Rin and his family get ambushed by demons. After their battle, Rin learns that he’s Satan’s son and his demonic powers. To control his abilities, Rin travels to a school to learn how to control his demonic presence and to become an exorcist.
By doing so, Rin plans to foil Satan’s plans by slaying him. Noragami and Blue Exorcist follow protagonists who stem from divine backgrounds. Yato and Rin are excellent swordsmen who develop tight bonds with humans. They value others and will do whatever it takes to protect their allies from crooked individuals.
Blue Exorcist features slight romantic tension, but it’s not as heavy as Norgami’s. However, Blue Exorcist isn’t entirely free of drama. Rin will engage in many conflicts with his family and friends. Furthermore, Rin and his human brother don’t see eye to eye at first. However, Kazue Katou includes several obstacles that’ll force these brothers to get along. Give Blue Exorcist a read if you’re searching for something of similar quality to Noragami.
Rin-ne – Rumiko Takahashi
Similarities – Characters, Comedy, Romance
Rumiko Takahashi’s known for creating fun works like Ranma 1/2, Urusei Yatsura, and Inuyasha. Another series of hers that’ll interest Noragami fans is Rin-ne. Rin-ne and Noragami are set in modern environments. However, these locations contain fabulous supernatural and fantasy elements to make things interesting for readers.
Yato and Rin-ne’s Rinne Rokudou are extremely skilled combatants. They can tap into supernatural powers that will assist them in defeating small and large threats with fantastical abilities like them. During their adventure, Yato and Rinne will meet young heroines who’ll change them and help them become better figureheads over time.
Rin-ne gives every character a chance to shine and fans will love following them. If you’ve read works like Urusei Yatsura and Ranma 1/2, you can expect the same gag and slapstick comedy from Rin-ne. On that note, Rin-ne’s art style feels more retro than Norgami’s modernized character designs. If any of this sounds enticing to you, give Rin-ne a shot.
Bleach – Tite Kubo
Similarities – Supernatural, Action, Comedy
Bleach is a supernatural manga with strong shonen elements. It has an incredible power system and distinct character designs. It pits our cast up against ferocious beasts and skilled swordsmen. Bleach offers fun gags, jokes, and banter like Noragami, but knows when to set that aside. While resting at home, our protagonist, Ichigo gets ambushed by a monster called a Hollow.
Fortunately, a female Soul Reaper named Rukia arrives to offer Ichigo some assistance. However, the Hollow proves to be stronger than Rukia, resulting in her bestowing her powers on Ichigo. As a Soul Reaper, Ichigo defeats the Hollow and learns that there are more creatures and enemies like it that he’ll need to stop. Bleach is often regarded as the darkest series out of the Big 3.
From its dark landscapes to its gothic character designs, everything feels stylish and grim. Noragami and Bleach offer great supernatural aspects that’ll appeal to hardcore action junkies, though. If you’re after another manga with great supernatural elements and detailed artistry, check out Bleach.
Gaitou Alice – Ichi Kurage
Similarities – Supernatural & Characters
Gaitou Alice offers a unique spin on the classic Alice In Wonderland fairy tale. Our story centers around high school student Hikaru. She’s a Gaitou, a thief who swipes away the darkness from people’s hearts by appearing in their dreams. At the moment, she’s hunting Gai rabbits, lower-class demons who crave humanity’s inner darkness.
With his sidekick Ban’s help, Hikaru vows to protect everyone from falling into despair. This tale offers great character development for its cast and has an impeccable art style to match. Yato and Hikaru travel with friends to thwart enemy plans and have a sense of justice. The settings they traverse differ substantially, though.
Where Norgami is set in contemporary Japan, Gaitou Alice is set in 19th-century England. Gaitou Alice doesn’t offer much humor as it focuses on tackling the moral ambiguities of life and has its cast solving difficult cases. With its gothic art style, Victorian-era atmosphere, and likable cast, Gaitou Alice is definitely worth a read.
Natsume’s Book of Friends – Yuki Midorikawa
Similarities – Supernatural
Natsume’s Book of Friends focuses on the bond between two different species. Our protagonist Natsume can speak to youkai but chooses to isolate himself from society. He’ll run into a cat-like spirit named Madara. Madara’s appearance reminds Natsume of his deceased grandmother and the mystical Book of Friends she’d carry with her.
The pair embark on a journey to free the youkai his grandmother sealed away. Natsume’s Book of Friends and Noragami feature protagonists who can speak with youkai but struggle to fully grasp the world they’re a part of. Natsume’s Book of Friends feels more emotionally driven and focuses on the personal relationships between its characters.
Its toned-down and contemplative nature is different compared to Noragami which includes adrenaline-pumping fights. Furthermore, Natsume’s Book of Friends has an episodic structure and offers self-contained stories. Give this a shot if you require a supernatural manga that will help you stay calm and collected.
Ruroni Kenshin – Nobuhiro Watsuki
Similarities – Action
Ruroni Kenshin is a grounded samurai manga with incredible storytelling. Although the series’s author received immense backlash for his horrid actions, the series is worth reading for its characters, fights, and emotional narrative. In this tragic world lives a once-feared killer named Hitokiri Battousai who remained hidden for ten years.
Nowadays, he dawns a new alias and calls himself, Kenshin Himura. Kenshin vows to never hurt a single soul again and only wants to help people in need. He meets a girl named Kaoru Kamiya, who gets harassed by a Battousai imposter. Kenshin beats him up, so Kaoru allows him to stay in her living quarters. However, Kenshin learns that a fierce person has taken his old name.
With Kaoru’s caregiving and his knowledge of swordsmanship, Kenshin plans to make this evildoer pay. Ruroni Kenshin feels more realistic than Noragami but offers some fun humor to avoid feeling too dreadful. The fights, scenery, and characters are well-drawn and evoke the same essence of classic Japanese samurai films. Although Nobuhiro Watsuki’s a terrible person, he made a work that shouldn’t go unrecognized.
Dandadan – Yukinobu Tatsu
Similarities – Action & Comedy
Dandandan is a modern manga with bizarre imagery, intense fights, and fun characters. It’s set during an encounter between our protagonist Momo Ayase and a bullied boy. Momo saves the boy and discusses some supernatural topics with him. They get into an argument over a supernatural phenomenon which leads them to initiate a bet to see who is correct.
They attend separate locations associated with the occult and supernatural. Ayase visits the occult-oriented place while the boy visits the supernatural one. After learning that both their theories were correct, Ayase and the boy get roped into various chaotic adventures involving both factions. This series is full of nonsensical scenarios that will make you cheer and chuckle.
The action scenes are well-drawn, clean, and mesmerizing. The characters in Dandandan are just as charismatic as Yato and his friends. The series introduces some interesting twists to keep you speculating about what will happen next. For a work created by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto’s former assistant, Dandandan delivers an incredible story worth adding to your catalog.
So there we have it, our 10 books/manga to read after you’re caught up with Noragami.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!