If not for manga, most Japanese animation studios wouldn’t have material to adapt. Although manga fanatics lose out on seeing their favorite characters interact with each other on television screens, some prefer experiencing stories through the manga iteration rather than the anime one. Nevertheless, both mediums have pros and cons, and shouldn’t be overlooked.
For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best manga, we’d like to acknowledge the 10 best manga worlds we’d love to live in. From over-the-top slice-of-life settings to universes filled with magical entities and humans alike, we’re certain our choices listed here will appeal to you.
Nonetheless, feel free to leave your comments about our choices below.
Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama
Witch Hat Atelier is a manga many see becoming a smash hit when it gets animated, much like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. This story is filled with heart and complexity and is a must-read for anyone who loves a thoughtful tale about the mystic arts. This manga examines the journeys of its colorful protagonist Coco, who wants to be a phenomenal witch one day.
Coco explores several remarkably-drawn locales featuring rich societies, towering castles, and otherworldly wildlife. Like Coco, fans would have a field day exploring every region her world offers. More importantly, fans will find the magical aspects of Coco’s society fascinating. While some might be terrified of the notion of wielding magic, others will find it alluring, especially if they can learn a few spells that assist them in accomplishing mundane activities.
Although becoming a wizard or witch wouldn’t be everyone’s ideal career choice, we’re certain fans will love exploring Coco’s world and discovering everything that hides underneath its surface.
Yokohama’s Shopping Log by Hitoshi Ashinano
Aria by Kozue Amano
The thought of inhabiting another stable, healthy planet has been brought up numerous times in today’s age. This may come to pass if technology continues to improve. Although some are fearful of the future, others are optimistic about it. If anything, Kozue Amano’s Aria may offer readers a genuine idea of how things would go if humanity inhabited a new planet.
In Aria, we follow Akari, a girl who wants to become a phenomenal tour guide for the city of Neo Venezia. Neo Venezia contains sights that mirror those of Venice. It’s a place engulfed in water, with well-designed structures that’ll strike certain folks’ core and memory banks.
Moreover, Neo Venezia’s residents are distinct and colorful as folks we cross paths with occasionally. This brings the city to life, ensuring readers that there’s never a dull moment.
In addition to having commendable shops and eateries, living in the Aria universe wouldn’t be a terrible option.
Yu-Gi-Oh by Kazuki Takahashi
“It’s time to duel” is a phrase children used in the late 90s and early 2000s. Next to Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh was another cult-classic hit. It gave manga and anime fans a story with thought-provoking battles, respectable life lessons, and an endearing cast to follow. Although Yugi and his friends’ world carries an essence of darkness, fans wouldn’t deny themselves the chance to engage in a phenomenal Duel Monsters duel.
Although we’re edging closer to Yugi’s reality, the current card game hasn’t given fans the same experience as him yet. Seeing the Duel Monsters battle each other in major stadiums and tournaments in lively fashions sounds like a pipe dream. Fans would holler at their screens or from the crowd if they saw a physical version of Dark Magician battling a giant Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
In addition to getting to meet Yugi and the series’s other characters that precede him, fans wouldn’t mind living in the Yu-Gi-Oh universe.
Pokémon Adventures by Hidenori Kusaka
Pokémon is a step up from Yu-Gi-Oh. It gives readers a universe where they can explore various towns, forests, and other locales with their creature companions at their side. While the original Pokémon anime follows Ash, this one follows Trainer Red, the person fans play as in the original Pokémon Red and Blue Version video games.
Also, Trainer Red’s endeavors feel darker in comparison to Ash’s. While Ash occasionally gets into several life-or-death scenarios, Pokémon Adventures ups the ante regarding this world’s violence as it depicts several Pokémon having their bodies severed or worse. While all that sounds traumatizing, Pokémon Adventures’s universe still harbors the same peaceful and joyous aspects of adventuring as the original anime and gaming franchise.
Fans will have a blast exploring iconic areas like Pallet Town and interacting with recognizable figures like Brock, Nurse Joy, and others. Although the Pokémon world has its obstacles and dangers, so does the real world.
Natsume’s Book of Friends by Yuki Midorikawa
Natsume’s Book of Friends serves as a wild card choice. It’s not because the series is dark, it’s because it’s relatively niche. Also, it offers a magical world filled with colorful critters and joyous locales of the natural and human-made variety that’ll appease folks. Our story revolves around Natsume and his spirit companion Madara. The two embark on a yokai-saving excursion, taking them to well-designed, serene locations.
The yokai in this world have colorful designs. While some appearances will spook people, others are downright adorable, making them worthy of one’s protection. Moreover, most of the locales in this aren’t different from the places people traverse today. This gives folks a sense of familiarity, allowing them to adapt to Natsume and Madara’s ecosystem.
Moreover, people who value history will indulge in this world’s rich cultures, folklore, and myths. Therefore, it’s likely many history buffs or fantasy lovers will love living in a world like Natsume’s.
Hajime No Ippo by George Morikawa
Boxing is a sport many can’t help but adore. Seeing two humans exchange powerful punches to each other’s bodies will excite any sports fanatic. However, imagine a world where the fights were always downright insane. That, my friends, is where Hajime No Ippo comes into play. Hajime No Ippo exceptionally demonstrates the pain and struggle that arises for boxers who want to make a name for themselves.
Ippo, the manga’s lead, embarks on a journey, rich in depth, passion, and intensity. He’ll grow from each battle, becoming a more formidable boxer for his next opponent. Additionally, his tale oozes pride and perseverance, instilling anime fans with wisdom that they can achieve anything if they put their mind to it. All that said, living in the Hajime No Ippo world would be an experience of a lifetime.
Although the manga’s setting isn’t different from our own, seeing people pull off supernatural-like stunts in fights would make the WWE and MMA corporations look like child’s play. Overall, Hajime No Ippo is not only a manga worth reading, but it delivers a world worth living in too.
Kuroko’s Basketball by Tadatoshi Fujimaki
Piggybacking off our sentiments with Hajime No Ippo, Kuroko’s Basketball would be a fun world to live in. Again, it’s another world with a stable living environment that’s not too distinct from the real world. It has stores, school districts, and people who partake in business-savvy, extracurricular, and simple activities like you and I.
However, what makes this manga unique is its take on basketball. Although sports aren’t everyone’s favorite activity, the basketball games present in Kuroko’s Basketball will convert people into sports fanatics. Kuroko’s Basketball’s Tadatoshi Fujimaki adds a supernatural spin to the activity, giving his basketball-centric characters supernatural abilities to make every game feel like a spectacle.
From Akashi’s “Emperor Eye” ability to Kise’s helpful mimic power, fans will love watching the basketball games set in the Kuroko’s Basketball universe. Additionally, people who inhabit this world often obtain powers of equal merit. Therefore, whether you’re a diehard sports fan or someone who’d rather watch or participate in something else, Kuroko’s Basketball’s world would make for a wonderful home.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End by Kanehito Yamada
Stepping away from sports, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End offers a compelling world fans wouldn’t mind living in. Granted, they’d probably want to live in this universe after Himmel, Frieren, and the others defeat the Demon King. Nevertheless, this lively world would be a great spot to live in, especially for those who’ve dreamed of becoming formidable warriors like Eisen or powerful mages like Frieren.
For those unaware, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is set moments after Frieren and her friends defeat their universe’s big bad. Eventually, time flows by, and Frieren’s left alone during that period. Yet, a former comrade named Heiter entrusts Frieren with his apprentice Fern, hoping Frieren can teach her the ways of the mage. What starts as a journey between two mages becomes a tale of reflection, soul, and occasional thrills.
Frieren and Fern’s quest will take them to many glorious locations. Each area is filled with distinct beasts, interesting civilians, and colorful architecture that many readers wouldn’t mind engaging with. Additionally, this world’s magic system and career opportunities will compel most audiences to give them a go. Although viewers shouldn’t get their hopes up if they want to become first-class mages, this world would be a fun one to explore.
Nichijou: My Ordinary Life by Keiichi Arawii
All in all, we’ve discussed fantastical, grounded, and sci-fi settings. However, what about a world that appears grounded on the surface, but deep down, delivers a universe where anything is possible? Enter Nichijou: My Ordinary Life, a manga that delivers a setting that’s far from normal. In this goofy manga, we follow a group of girls, who gossip about each other, play video games, and participate in activities high schoolers flock toward.
While all seems casual, these girls occasionally get roped into outlandish, unthinkable situations. Readers will be amazed at what unfolds in this manga, from the girls shooting atomic beams from their mouths to seeing their principal throw down with a deer outside their classroom window. It’s downright insane and it’s the girls’ bonkers lifestyle that’ll convince some to choose this world over our own and others.
As they say, never judge a book by its cover. In this case, one should never doubt a manga featuring adorable girls on the cover, as things can go south quickly.
So, there we have it, our picks for the 10 manga worlds we’d love to live in!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!