Best Manga About Racing
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 racing. From high-speed chases to stellar drama, 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!
Countach – Haruto Umezawa
Countach is a thrilling racing manga, written and illustrated by Haruto Umezawa. It follows Sorayama, a salaryman who discovers his love for driving after getting dumped by his girlfriend. It’s a silly premise but harbors enough relatability and fine traits that’ll hold readers’ attention.
By and large, this is a tale of personal growth and self-discovery. You’ll get to experience Sorayama as he navigates through typical everyday activities involving his career and hobbies. During his expeditions, he’ll confront the specific portions of his past and work effortlessly to overcome those previous hurdles.
This is an ideal series to read if you’re looking for a car-themed narrative with an inspiring lead and interesting scenarios.
Zero Angel – Kia Asamiya
Kia Asamiya’s Zero Angel is an exhilarating work about an idol and competitive kart racer named Aika. It features exhilarating races, wonderful character interactions, and interesting concepts that readers will find appealing.
Not only will Aika struggle to keep up with her racing career, but she’ll also endure relatable challenges that befall typical high schoolers. This allows audiences to resonate with Aika’s character and grow a deep appreciation for her triumphs in the manga. Moreover, the races in this series are well-illustrated, capturing the intensity one would expect from competitive racing events and films.
If you’re looking for a fun seinen manga to read with a great female lead and admiration for racing, check this out.
Toppu GP – Kousuke Fujishima
Dricam – Yuu Chiba
Car Car Grafitti – Enoki Sakishima
Car Grafitti JK is a wholesome slice-of-life series centered around cars. This wholesome tale follows Miki, a girl who ended up in a hospital after a terrifying bike accident. This ruins her chance to make a splash at her high school debut. However, after joining Risa’s club with her best friend Haruka, things start looking up for Miki.
This story follows your typical “moe” narrative and highlights our female trio getting into grounded and comical mischief. The story features a relaxing tone and is brimming with enough lighthearted scenery to keep you warm and happy. However, the tale leaves readers feeling like more could’ve been done, due to the way things conclude for Miki and her friends.
Nonetheless, if you love cars and tales with lighthearted humor, check this out.
Over Rev – Katsumi Yamaguchi
Over Rev is a fun manga that delves into the captivating world of professional circuit racing. It contains thrilling races, well-developed characters, and a rich racing-themed narrative. This manga is known for providing readers with a stellar depiction of high-speed races that capture the adrenaline and excitement of the sport.
The races are depicted with exceptional detail. It showcases the skillful driving techniques, strategies, and fierce competition among its racers. From the intense confrontations to the pressure racers have when making sharp turns, you’ll be enamored by Katsumi Yamaguchi’s depiction of the sport in this tale.
On top of having a rich and diverse cast of well-rounded individuals, OverRev is a must-read for racing enthusiasts.
Initial D – Shuichi Shigeno
Initial D is an iconic racing manga known for having gripping races, a compelling cast, and technical accuracy. This manga takes viewers for a loop with its heart-pounding race duels and character interactions. On top of having exhilarating races, Initial D tackles the technical aspects of racing. Readers can expect Shuichi Shigeno to highlight car modifications and specific driving techniques.
Each race maintains enough tension to keep readers hooked in the tale. Beyond the races, Initial D boasts a great cast who elevate the manga to greater heights. The protagonist, Takumi, is an average high school student who possesses excellent driving skills. On top of receiving excellent development as a racer, Takumi forges wonderful connections with others that are guaranteed to make you smile.
Gunsmith Cats – Kenichi Sonoda
Gunsmith Cats is a fantastic manga that seamlessly blends action, crime, and racing. With its combination of pulse-pounding race sequences, dynamic character moments, and glorious visuals, it delivers an exceptional reading experience for readers. The car chases are intense in Gunsmith Cats, providing viewers with enough highway and street-zooming mischief to get them pumped up.
Rally Vincent and her partner May have defining traits. From Rally’s excellent bounty hunter background to May’s comical antics, you’ll adore observing these two as they navigate through several crime-centric endeavors. In addition to having visually appealing illustrations, Gunsmith Cats provides racing fanatics with a fun tale to seek their teeth into.
Capeta – Masahito Soda
Capeta is a wonderful manga that delves into the world of go-kart racing. The manga follows Capeta, a boy who dreams of becoming a competitive race car driver. You’ll examine his heartfelt journey as he aspires to accomplish several goals and challenges. Capeta receives wonderful growth throughout his tale and forms solid connections with strangers and competitors alike.
Masahito Soda delivers a wonderful portrayal of go-kart racing in Capeta. They delve into the complexities of the sport and identify the importance of car modifications, driving strategies, and determination. Coupled with some impressive illustrations that bring out the raw feelings one would receive while participating in the sport, Capeta delivers a solid tale for racing fans to check out.
Wagnan Midnight– Michiharu Kusunoki
Wagnan Midnight is a 90s racing gem that revolves around the illegal aspects of street racing. Like others on this list, Wagnan Midnight delivers solid, heart-pounding races for readers to enjoy. The drivers in this series push their vehicles to their limits. They’ll utilize insane strategies and hair-raising manoeuvres to achieve victory, making each race feel like a spectacle for the eye.
The protagonist, Akio, is a skilled racer and phenomenal lead character with his own set of obstacles and rivals to surpass. Through his character, Michiharu Kusunoki explores themes like friendship, redemption, and the consequences of reckless driving habits.
In addition to giving their supporting cast equal depth and love, Wagnan Midnight is an old but notable gem for racing fans to read.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best racing manga 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!