The popular website MyAnimeList has revealed the highly anticipated list of manga that Western fans want to see adapted into anime. The information comes from the annual magazine "You Should Read This Manga 2024," which is known for being a list of manga discoveries created for (and by) international followers.
This list is a compilation of licensed manga titles selected by passionate readers, MyAnimeList members, bookstore employees, and more. They indicated which manga they consider essential reading. The finalists are divided into one main category and three subcategories (20 titles each): Should Be an Anime, Best for Beginners, and Unique Art/Story.
List of manga that should get anime adaptations in 2024
It is important to highlight that the manga included in this list are officially available outside of Japan in at least one language, with one or more volumes published in 2023.
Sakamoto Days
Sarou Sakamoto, the feared assassin for hire, has fallen in love and abandoned his life of crime to work as a shop assistant. Leaving his dark past behind proves more challenging than he imagined. But old rivals doubt his decision to leave the business and seek to take him down. However, forbidden from killing, Sakamoto must find creative ways to subdue his enemies and protect his family, his shop, and the small town where he lives.
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku)
Chidori Public Institute and Kikyo Private Academy seem to exist in two different worlds, despite being side-by-side. At Kikyo, the students come from well-to-do backgrounds, while Chidori is known for harboring delinquents. Sixteen-year-old Rintarou Tsumugi, a student at Chidori, is shunned because of his intimidating appearance. However, he doesn't care, focusing on his friends and working at his family's pastry shop. One day, he meets Kaoruko Waguri, a student at Kikyo, and wants to befriend her, but there's a catch: she's from Kikyo.
Choujin X
Tokio Kurohara, a second-year high school student, likes to relax in class. However, despite his attitude at school, he works with his childhood friend Azuma Higashi to fight injustice in their city. Azuma is physically capable but avoids choujins, supernatural beings. When facing a vengeful killer, they inject themselves with a drug to become choujins. While Azuma shows no changes, Tokio develops supernatural characteristics.
Gachiakuta
Rudo and his adoptive father, Legto, live in the poor neighborhoods of a wealthy city, disdaining the luxury of the upper class. Rudo regularly scavenges through the city's garbage in search of something valuable. One day, he finds Legto dying and is accused of murder. Thrown into the "Abyss," he doesn't die, but finds a strange place surrounded by garbage monsters. But after being rescued by Engine, a "conserje," Rudo becomes one himself to avenge Legto.
Gokurakugai
Gokurakugai, a vibrant working-class neighborhood with a hidden dark side. Tao and Alma work as professional problem solvers, helping to find missing persons and investigating strange cases. Amidst this, they also confront the evil spirits that inhabit the shadows, revealing a different facet of their work.
Shounen no Abyss (Boy's Abyss)
Reiji Kurose grew up in the countryside and believes he will never be able to leave his town, though his life is consumed by caring for his family and obeying Gen Minegishi. In contrast, his childhood friend, Sakuko Akiyama, dreams of the glamorous excitement of Tokyo. Reiji finds solace watching the performances of the idol group “Acrylic,” especially Nagi Aoe. But an unexpected encounter leads Reiji into scandals and revelations that threaten to destroy him.
Youchien Wars (Kindergarten Wars)
Welcome to Kindergarten Noir, an exclusive school for children from the world's elite. Rita, one of the teachers, is looking for a boyfriend, but so far she hasn't had any luck. One day, an assassin targets one of the children… and he's completely out of this world?! Immerse yourself in this action-packed romantic comedy set in the world's "most secure" daycare.
Dai Dark
Zaha Sanko possesses a body with terrifying powers: it is said that his bones grant any wish, even the wish to become ruler of the universe. Determined not to be torn apart by the galaxy's monsters, he and his skeletal friend Avakian use their dark powers to ward off murder and find whoever cursed their bones.
Marriagetoxin
A hitman and a marriage con artist wage the world's toughest battle for marriage! Gero, belonging to a clan of assassins, considers himself awkward with women and marriage a distant prospect. However, under pressure to continue the clan's lineage, he resorts to a marriage con artist to…
Yomi no Tsugai (Daemons of the Shadow Realm)
In an isolated village, twins were born, separated by day and night. Although years passed, and while Yuru became a hunter, his sister Asa was kept in a cage, fulfilling a special duty. In an attack, armed men called "dragons" kill everyone except Yuru, who finds Asa's body and is confronted by his supposed true twin sister. Rescued by Dera, a frequent visitor, they find themselves cornered. In a last effort, Dera summons the "tsugai" to reveal the hidden truth.
Exorcist wo Otosenai (Make the Exorcist Fall in Love)
A boy chosen by God to become the world's strongest exorcist and confront deadly demons. But with the fate of humanity in his hands, he just wants to bake sweets in peace, until a certain girl enters his life. However, a story of love and hope blossoms during a bloody holy war!
Kimi to Tsuzuru Utakata (The Summer You Were There)
The insecure Shizuku Hoshikawa intends to finish her first novel without showing it to anyone. But before she can finish, the charismatic Kaori Asaka finds her and takes the novel home. This distresses Shizuku, as she doesn't want anyone to read the depressing story she wrote for her own satisfaction. However, she is happy when Kaori says that the story moved her and she wants to read more, including about her love life.
Toshokan no Daimajutsushi (Magus of the Library)
Throughout civilization, books have been revered for crystallizing knowledge, linking the past to the future, and transmitting thought. To protect all types of written texts, the Library Wizard created the Central Library in Aftzaak, the City of Books. In Amón, a boy named Theo Fumis dreams of one day going to Aftzaak, where the library is accessible only to the wealthy. His life changes when the Kafna, elite librarians, arrive in his village. Sedona Bleu, a Kafna, lends her most precious book to Theo, giving him yet another reason to reach the City of Books.
Witch Watch
Nico Wakatsuki has completed her six years of training as a witch and moves to the city alone. As a new witch, she must choose a familiar to accompany her. Unlike other witches, she desires a familiar that is not an animal. Her childhood friend, Morihito “Moi” Otogi, an ogre, reluctantly agrees to be her servant to avoid a curse. Living together, Morihito protects Nico as she faces magical challenges.
Koisuru (Otome) no Tsukurikata (I Think I Turned My Childhood Friend Into a Girl)
Kenshirou Midou is a popular student with a secret: despite being a boy, he has always loved the art of makeup. Only his sisters and Hiura Mihate, a childhood friend, know about his secret passion. Hiura is Kenshirou's only hope for developing his potential. Over time, their relationship intensifies as they face challenges together.
Tougen Anki
Individuals with Momotarou and Oni maintain an ancient rivalry. The Momotarou protect humans from the uncontrolled Oni. However, Shiki Ichinose, a rebellious teenager, discovers his true Oni nature after an explosive incident that costs his adoptive father his life. But he attracts the attention of Rakshasa Academy, where he will learn to control his powers and fight against his own demonic nature.
After God
Japan has been invaded by Gods, transforming urban areas into vast Danger Zones. While patrolling, Tokinaga, an anti-divinity investigator, encounters Kamikura Waka, whose gaze reveals something profound and dangerous, capable of changing the world.
Ou no Kemono: Enpei no Arcana (The King's Beast)
The Aijin, beast-like beings, are subjugated by humanity due to their small population, with men forced to serve in the army and women relegated to menial labor. But when Rangetsu Ko's brother, Sougetsu, is taken to serve Prince Tenyou and is supposedly murdered by him, Rangetsu disguises herself as a man and joins the army to seek revenge. However, she soon finds herself embroiled in a dangerous political game as she searches for the truth.
Yankee-kun to Hakujou Girl (Love's in Sight!)
Morio Kurokawa, nicknamed "Morio the Black Panther," is a delinquent who dropped out of school and gained fame by winning many fights. But a chance encounter with Yukiko Akaza, a girl with extremely poor eyesight, makes Morio fall in love with her courage in standing up to him. He wants to protect her, understanding the challenges Yukiko faces daily.
Futsutsuka na Akujo dewa Gozaimasu ga (Though I Am an Inept Villainess)
To close out this list of manga, Futsutsuka takes place in a kingdom inspired by historical China, where five clans present their maidens as imperial concubines, but only one will be crowned empress. Kou Reirin, delicate and beautiful, is the favorite to marry the crown prince. However, during the Lighthouse Festival, she is attacked by the "court rat" Shu Keigetsu and wakes up in the dungeons after being swapped bodies with her attacker.
Finally, comment if you've read any of the manga on the list that you'd like to see adapted into anime.
Source: MyAnimeList