Best Manga About Magic
Although many people cherish watching anime, they often forget that most anime serve as adaptations of the original source material. While there are some instances where the anime is better than the manga, those instances are few and far between.
With the amount of manga released on a daily basis, it could be hard to cut through all those books to find the “Best of” for any chosen topic.
Well, we’re here to help celebrate and shine a spotlight on some of the latest, greatest, and unforgettable manga through the years. For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best manga, our attention this time turns to those with a strong focus on magic. From enjoyable adventures to tales that break the mold, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite.
Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic – Shinobu Ootaka
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is an exceptional manga series. It mixes together elements of fantasy, adventure, and magic to create a captivating tale and an immersive world. In it, we follow the dungeon-exploring endeavors of Alibaba and his pal, Aladdin. Not only will they explore dangerous dungeons, but they’ll also visit various kingdoms to learn more about the world they inhabit.
One of Magi’s best aspects is its magic system. Shinobu Ootaka introduces a diverse range of magical abilities, each with its own distinct rules and limitations, which Magi’s cast utilize during their endeavors.
Magi presents readers with a mind-numbing exploration of its nature and the responsibilities that stem from using it. Coupled with marvelous world-building and an endearing cast, Magi’s certainly worth reading if you love magic-themed manga.
Witch Hat Atelier – Kamome Shirahama
Kamome Shirahama’s Witch Hat Atelier is a masterful work of art. This enchanting tale follows Coco, a young girl who wants to become a witch despite her lack of magical prowess. When she stumbles upon a mysterious book of spells, Coco’s journey into the magical world begins.
Many readers will love this series for its gloriously detailed artwork. The manga’s breathtaking illustrations from its spells to its locales offer readers a colorful world worth getting lost in. Moreover, this tale explores the transformative nature of magic and how it impacts Coco’s journey of becoming an aspiring witch. Not only will Coco learn how to wield magic, but she’ll also obtain the determination and willpower necessary to push through the obstacles that conflict with her goal.
If fabulously written protagonists and engaging magical settings interest you, check this manga out.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride – Kore Yamazaki
Mahō Sensei Negima! – Kazuo Umezz
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime – Fuse & Taiki Kawakami
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime is a phenomenal isekai series. It has an endearing cast and a glorious fantasy world with enough magical elements to appeal to that crowd. The story follows Satoru, who reincarnates as a slime in a magical world after a run-in with an assailant. He eventually sets out on an adventure as a young human named Rimuru.
Magic plays a central role in the story, as Rimuru will acquire the desire to master various magical abilities and use them to navigate this unfamiliar environment.
The manga presents a vast array of magical abilities and spells, each with its unique set of rules and effects. As Rimuru learns and develops his own magical capabilities, readers get treated to thrilling action sequences. Each scene captures the awe and excitement of magic, showcasing the versatility and power it possesses in the fantasy world.
If you love isekai manga and enjoyable leads, definitely give this manga a read.
Black Clover – Naoki Urasawa
Black Clover is a wonderful shonen manga set in a medieval fantasy world that’s brimming with magic. In it, we follow Asta, a muscular boy who lacks magical prowess. After a run-in with a villain, Asta manages to harness fierce magical potential, allowing him to conquer the foe. With his newfound power, Asta flees his home to embark on a quest to become the Wizard King.
This is another shonen with a grand magic system. Its diverse line-up of magical weapons and abilities, allows this shonen’s bouts to feel more refreshing and engaging to readers. Not only that but it adds depth and intrigue to the story’s world. Asta’s self-improving journey is equally entertaining, as many readers will feel motivated by Asta’s unwavering spirit and strive for greatness.
In addition to highlighting the importance of camaraderie and teamwork, Black Clover is a great magic-themed manga worth reading.
Overlord – Kugane Maruyama & Fugin Miyama
Overlord is a great magical isekai manga with compelling humor and an excellent magic system. Set in a virtual reality game turned reality, the story follows Momonga, a powerful skeletal mage who finds himself trapped in the game world as the supreme overlord of the undead. With its complex magic system and intense action scenarios, Overlord serves as a captivating read for fans of the genre.
Overlord delivers a robust magic system, with numerous spells and abilities that characters can utilize. From destructive elemental spells to mind control and teleportation, the manga offers a wide range of magical powers that keep readers engaged and excited.
The manga also goes into detail about the intricacies of learning and mastering magic. Readers will appreciate the authors dedicating time to explaining how much time and effort our characters need to display to master their respective techniques.
In addition to having pulse-pounding magical battles with well-drawn illustrations, Overlord will leave readers impressed and entertained.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles – Tsugumi Ohba
Mashle: Magic and Muscles is an action-packed fantasy series with a parodic take on magic. In it, we follow Mash Burnedead, a boy born without magical abilities in a society that values it over everything. Despite lacking magic, Mash relies on his brute strength. With this, he hopes to become a Divine Visionary in hopes of securing a peaceful existence with his caretaker.
This series delivers an inventive take on magic. While the people who inhabit Mash’s world use it for everyday battles and tasks, he opts to use his physical capabilities to solve mundane and difficult obstacles. This contract creates an intriguing dynamic, as Mash uses his muscular physique to compensate for his lack of magic, often surprising his allies and enemies.
On top of blending together comedy and action to create thrilling and lighthearted breathers for readers, Mashle: Magic and Muscles will leave you wanting more.
Delicious in Dungeon – Ryoko Kui
Delicious in Dungeon is a unique cooking manga with fantasy and magic elements. In this manga, we follow a group of adventurers who embark on a perilous journey through a labyrinthine dungeon in search of a lost party member. To survive in this dangerous locale, they use ingredients from the dungeons’ creatures to create delectable meals.
This innovative approach combines magic with the art of cooking, creating a unique and captivating narrative that sets it apart from other manga in the genre. Moreover, this story’s magic system is unique compared to other manga like it. The characters harness their magical powers to craft nifty recipes.
The concept behind using magic as a tool to survive and provide our cast with replenishment adds an exciting twist to the formula, making it a great manga to read for its originality alone.
Cardcaptor Sakura – CLAMP
Lastly, no list would be complete without mentioning Cardcaptor Sakura. This story contains a grounded setting that’s infused with magic, cuteness, and charm. In it, we follow Sakura, as she explores her parents’ basement for some reason. She stumbles upon a book and accidentally causes magical entity-carrying cards to scatter across her city.
Sakura’s greeted by Keroberos, who tasks her with becoming the cards’ captor. After bestowing Sakura with a rod, she embarks on a quest to fix the issue she caused. This is a simple yet charming adventurous tale with an excellent take on magic. Every entity in this manga has a sharp design, unique ability, and fascinating story segment.
Sakura is a great female protagonist who experiences steady growth throughout the series. Not only will she become a profound Cardcaptor, but she’ll develop mature qualities that many readers will appreciate.
In addition to having fun side characters and amazing magical bouts, Cardcaptor Sakura’s a great magic-themed tale worth reading.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best manga about magic through the years!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!