The popular website MyAnimeList has revealed the long-awaited list of manga that Western fans want to see adapted into anime . The information comes from the annual "You Should Read This Manga Manga 2024" magazine, which stands out for being a list of manga discoveries created for (and by) international fans.
This list is a compilation of licensed manga titles selected by passionate readers, MyAnimeList members, bookstore employees, and others. They indicated which manga they consider must-reads immediately. 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 in 2024
It is important to note that the list of manga included in the list are officially available outside Japan in at least one language, with one or more volumes published in 2023.
Sakamoto Days
Sarou Sakamoto, the feared assassin on duty, fell in love and abandoned his life of crime to work as a store clerk. Leaving his dark past behind proves more challenging than he imagined. But former rivals doubt his exit from the business and seek to bring him down. However, forbidden from killing, Sakamoto must find creative ways to subdue his enemies and protect his family, his store, and the small town where he lives.
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku)
The Chidori Public Institute and the Kikyo Private Academy seem to exist in two different worlds, despite being side by side. At Kikyo, the students come from comfortable backgrounds, while Chidori is known for harboring delinquents. Rintarou Tsumugi, a 16-year-old student at Chidori, is shunned for his intimidating appearance. However, he doesn't mind, focusing on his friends and work at the family bakery. One day, he meets Kaoruko Waguri, a student at Kikyo, and wants to befriend her, but there's an obstacle: 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 town. Azuma is physically capable, but he avoids choujins, supernatural beings. When they face a vengeful killer, they inject themselves with a drug to become choujins. While Azuma shows no change, Tokio develops supernatural characteristics.
Gachiakuta
Rudo and his adoptive father, Legto, live in the poor neighborhoods of a wealthy city, disdaining the luxuries of the upper class. Rudo regularly scavenges the city's trash in search of anything 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 when rescued by Engine, a "conserje," Rudo becomes a thief to avenge Legto.
Gokurakugai
Gokurakugai, a vibrant working-class neighborhood with a hidden dark side. Tao and Alma work as professional troubleshooters, helping find missing people and investigating strange cases. Along the way, they also face the evil spirits that lurk in the shadows, revealing a different side to their activities.
Shounen no Abyss (Boy's Abyss)
Reiji Kurose grew up in the countryside and believes he can never leave his hometown. Yet his life is consumed by caring for his family and obeying Gen Minegishi. In contrast, his childhood friend, Sakuko Akiyama, dreams of the glamorous bustle of Tokyo. Reiji finds solace in watching the performances of the idol group "Acrylic," especially Nagi Aoe. But an unexpected encounter leads Reiji to scandals and revelations that threaten to destroy him.
Youchien Wars (Kindergarten Wars)
Welcome to Kindergarten Noir, an exclusive school for children of the world's elite. Rita, one of the teachers, is looking for a boyfriend, but so far she's had no luck. One day, a killer targets one of the children… and he's a complete dream?! Dive into this action-packed romantic comedy set in the "safest" daycare center in the world.
Dai Dark
Zaha Sanko possesses a body with terrifying powers: his bones are said to grant any wish, even that of becoming 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 assassinations and find who cursed his bones.
Marriagetoxin
A hitman and a marriage con artist fight the world's toughest battle for marriage! Gero, a member of a hitman clan, considers himself awkward with women and marriage a distant prospect. However, under pressure to continue the clan's lineage, he turns 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. 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" killed everyone except Yuru, who found Asa's body and was confronted by the supposed true twin. Rescued by Dera, a frequent visitor, they found themselves cornered. In a last-ditch effort, Dera summoned 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 face 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)
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 the story moved her and wants to read more, including about her love.
Toshokan no Daimajutsushi (Magus of the Library)
Throughout civilization, books have been revered for crystallizing knowledge, connecting the past to the future, and transmitting thought. To protect all types of written texts, the Wizard of the Library 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 one more reason to reach the City of Books.
Witch Watch
Nico Wakatsuki has completed her six years of witch training 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 isn't 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's always loved makeup . Only his sisters and Hiura Mihate, a childhood friend, know about his secret passion. Hiura is Kenshirou's only hope for realizing his potential. Over time, their relationship deepens as they face challenges together.
Tougen Anki
Individuals with Momotarou and Oni have a long-standing 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 the life of his adoptive father. However, he attracts the attention of the Rakshasa Academy, where he will learn to control his powers and fight his own demonic nature.
After God
Japan has been invaded by gods, transforming urban areas into vast Danger Zones. While on patrol, Tokinaga, an anti-divinity investigator, encounters Kamikura Waka, whose gaze betrays something deep 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 sparse population, with men forced to serve in the army and women to perform menial labor. But when Rangetsu Ko's brother, Sougetsu, is taken to be Prince Tenyou's servant and supposedly murdered by him, Rangetsu disguises herself as a man and joins the army to exact 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 rose to fame by winning numerous fights. But after a chance encounter with Yukiko Akaza, a girl with extremely poor eyesight, Morio becomes enamored 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 round out this manga list, Futsutsuka is set in a kingdom inspired by historical China. 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 awakens in the dungeons, having switched bodies with her attacker.
Finally, comment if you have already read any of the mangas on the list, which you would like to see adapted into anime.
Source: MyAnimeList
