Best Manga About Superheroes
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 strongly focusing on superheroes. From inspirational speeches to comical action, 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 add them!
My Hero Academia – Kohei Horikoshi
My Hero Academia is a modern Shonen series that delivers an exciting take on the world of superheroes. It dives deep into the ideals and struggles of being a hero in a world filled with superpowers. Set in a society where almost everyone possesses a quirk, we follow Izuku, a boy born without powers who aspires to become a great hero like his role model, All Might.
After impressing All Might by saving his rival Bakugo from a villain, All Might grants him his quirk and helps him get into the prestigious U.A. Academy, a school for future heroes. Therefore, we examine Izuku’s journey to becoming the number one hero.
My Hero Academia contains wonderful action, drama, and characters. On top of raising fascinating questions pertaining to heroism and justice, this is worth reading.
One Punch Man – ONE
One Punch Man delivers a parodic take on the superhero genre. It follows Saitama, a hero who can defeat enemies in one punch and he dreads his strength. After meeting a cyborg named Genos and learning about the Hero Association, Saitama embarks on a quest to gain the glory he deserves.
By and large, One Punch Man delivers a refreshing take on the superhero genre. Not only does it focus on Saitama and other heroes’ thrilling battles, but it explores the consequences behind Saitama’s invincibility.
The manga delves into themes of purpose, boredom, and the struggle for recognition. This tale’s satirical and comedic approach to the superhero genre adds a delightful spin to the genre, making it an entertaining and thought-provoking read.
Coupled with stellar illustrations that bring out our cast’s dormant emotions, One Punch Man is a must-read for superhero fanatics.
Love After World Domination – Hiroshi Noda
Love After World Domination delivers an enjoyable narrative and an interesting spin on the superhero genre. It’s a rom-com that follows a hero named Fudo (Red Gelato) who falls for a female villain named Desumi. Instead of waiting countless chapters for our lovers to hook up, Hiroshi Noda decides to have our characters tie the knot early into the tale.
This allows Love After World Domination to separate itself from other superhero works and from other rom-coms too. Moreover, most of the issues our duo faces as a couple are external instead of internal. Most of the problems they contend with air from their respective duties as heroes and villains, resulting in comical and slightly serious scenarios that’ll keep audiences entertained.
If you’re looking for a manga that meshes two different genres together well, check out Love After World Domination.
Zetman – Matsukazu Katsura
Ratman – Sekihiko Inui
Ratman is a quirky yet enjoyable superhero manga. It stands out for its subversive and satirical approach to the superhero concept. The manga revolves around Shuto, a young boy who dreams of becoming a hero and gets recruited by an evil organization called Jackal to be their test subject. Shuto gets injected with superhuman powers, transforming him into Ratman, a reluctant anti-hero.
Ratman skillfully explores the blurred lines between heroism and villainy. It challenges traditional superhero tropes and delves into the moral complexities of the genre. It features a wonderful array of well-rounded characters, each adding a unique perspective and flavor to the narrative. Shuto is a great protagonist, who receives compelling growth throughout the story’s run.
Coupled with its visceral action sequences, you’ll likely enjoy what Sekihiko Inui delivers here.
Heroic Complex – Daichi Suzuki
Daichi Suzuki’s Heroic Complex delivers a weird yet refreshing spin on the magical girl sub-genre and superhero genre. This rom-com follows the relationship between two superpowered beings, one boy and one girl. While the boy can transform into a magical girl, the female can transform into a powerful being with incredible armor.
This twist on both genres allows the story to stand out from other works. Moreover, Heroic Complex features some decent and compelling humor that’ll get a laugh out of most audiences. From witty banter to funny facial expressions, you’ll enjoy Suzuki’s approach to comedy in this work. On that note, this story contains some fun action sequences featuring our male and female lead.
If you’re searching for a fun and simplistic rom-com with interesting spins on two well-loved concepts, check this out.
Tiger & Bunny – Mizuki Sakakibara
Tiger & Bunny is a fantastic manga that combines superhero action with compelling character development and social commentary. One aspect that gravitates folks toward Tiger & Bunny’s tale is its characters. The story revolves around Kotetsu, an aging hero dealing with the pressures of painting his relevance in a world obsessed with ratings and popularity.
The manga explores Kotetsu’s struggles, as a hero and person, presenting him as a flawed and relatable person. Kotetsu’s dynamic with his young partner Barnaby is fascinating to observe too. Barnaby feels more calculated than Kotetsu but carries his own set of flaws that make him special.
The narrative itself is intriguing too. It tackles the consequences of heroism in a capitalist society and provides unique commentary on the commercialization of heroes. By delving into the tension between our heroes’ goals and the pressures their sponsors place upon them, Tiger & Bunny delivers a thought-provoking tale that allows it to differentiate itself from more action-packed superhero works.
Kamen Rider – Shoutaro Ishinomori
Kamen Rider is an iconic superhero series in Japan. It revolves around ordinary individuals who can transform into powerful heroes called Kamen Riders. These Riders fight against evil organizations and monstrous creatures, using their specialized abilities and technology. However, many adore Kamen Rider for its emphasis on the human side of hero work.
The manga tackles the Riders’ struggles, vulnerabilities, and growth. This allows the Riders to feel more relatable than the average superhero. Moreover, Kamen Rider features glorious action and dynamic fight scenes. Each Kamen Rider has unique powers and weapons, This allows each of their fights to feel memorable and exciting to read through.
On top of tackling deeper subjects concerning environmentalism, corruption, and the issues behind having overwhelming power, Kamen Rider is a glorious work that deserves your attention.
Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnukiman Legacy – Yudetamago
Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnukiman Legacy is a wonderful manga that combines professional wrestling with the dynamic world of superheroes. The manga follows Mantaro, the son of the legendary hero, Kinnikuman. As Mantaro embarks on a journey to become a hero, he competes in intense wrestling matches against other colorful opponents.
The manga seamlessly blends over-the-top wrestling moves with superhuman feats, creating a visually stunning and action-packed experience for newcomers. Whether it’s a suplex or a special attack, the manga’s dynamic artwork and fast-paced storytelling will keep you engaged until the end.
Shy – Bukimi Miki
Shy is a wonderful manga series and one with an anime adaptation that’s currently airing (as of this writing). It follows Teru, a girl who lives in a world where people depend on superheroes to maintain peace in the world. She happens to be a superhero named Shy, who happens to be shy. Despite her lack of confidence, Teru hopes to become a phenomenal hero and protect citizens from harm.
Shy is loved by fans for its relatable female lead, compelling story beats, and wonderful action sequences. Unlike most superhero works, Bukimi Miki takes the time to explore Teru’s life outside of the superhero facade. This allows readers to foster a genuine connection with her character and learn about her qualms with things unrelated to the superhero side of things.
On top of having favorable world-building and touching character-driven scenarios, Shy is a superhero tale worth checking out.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best superhero-themed 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!