The term “adult manga” or “mature manga” has a relatively broad definition and can refer to a specific genre, subject, issue, or tale. Anything described as “grownup” or “adult” has topics and components that aren’t ideal for young readers. It could indicate that the manga tackles serious issues, including suicide, addiction, injustice, or being too violent or sexually provocative.
They are stories of many experiences geared toward particular genders and orientations. Everything is here at Mangakakalot, whether it’s about romance, action, or mystery. Here are the best eight manga series for adults to read in 2023!
#1: Sensor by Junji Ito
The first manga for adults on the list would undoubtedly be a horror story. Junji Ito is undoubtedly the most respected and skilled mangaka working today. But his Sensor manga series concepts are arguably more sophisticated than his other works. It was an easy decision to make.
This piece of literature, Sensor, is entirely horrific. It’s a tale of an intergalactic nightmare with elements of suicidal ideation and psychosis. And a cult is at the core of it. Junji Ito’s manga has been read and loved by innumerable youngsters, yet Sensor is a manga specifically for adults due to its massive following.
#2: Berserk by Kentaro Miura
Let’s move on with Berserk because it seems the most apparent adult manga to put on the list. Berserk by Kentaro Miura is a comic that blends aspects of several genres, including horror, action, and fantasy. Nevertheless, Berserk is a highly adult manga, no matter how you cut it.
With its harsh and depressing plot pacing, world-building, and protagonist storytelling, Berserk accomplishes the astonishing accomplishment of frequently being conceptually upbeat and conveying messages of solace and peace to its audience. It’s a grimdark fiction universe full of characters with ethically ambiguous to downright evil motivations and eldritch dreams.
#3: To Strip the Flesh by Oto Toda
To Strip, the Flesh by Oto Toda is an adult manga that chronicles the life of a young trans guy and his connection with his father. It starts with Chiaki Ogawa, a hunter’s offspring who earns a living by posting videos of his workflow on YouTube.
While under stress from his sick father to get married and become a radiant bride, Chiaki’s followers make comments about his features and chest, both of which he is ready to let go. Young gay readers will find Chiaki’s profound gender identity disorder, his recurrent nightmares, and his struggle to discover who he truly is to be worthwhile reading, but it’s conveyed in a real and emotional way that is maybe better suited for adult viewers.
#4: Orange by Ichigo Takano
The manga “Orange” is a work of art. It is also well-liked by its adult and young readers. However, because of its serious subject matter and concepts, it needs a trigger warning for suicidal and mental disorders. Orange is a shoujo romantic comedy manga, but its themes go far beyond that.
The book Orange tells the tale of Naho, a high school student, her friends, and the efforts she and her pals are prepared to face to save someone they all care about. The majority of Orange is taken at the high school that Naho goes to with her pals Suwa, Azu, Hagita, and Chino. Orange occurs in Matsumoto, a tiny city located in Nagano. It’s a remarkable story that both breaks the heart and comforts it. It highlights the value of empathy and social interaction in the struggle against mental disorders.
#5: My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness by Kabi Nagata
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness has been included on this list of mature manga because it deals with adult themes like anorexia, mental issues, self-abuse, and alcoholism. The combination of dark humor, minimalistic art, and queer candor. It will help you understand a vital yet unpleasant truth in Japan.
In this mature comic, Kabi, a woman who opted against going to college, shares her experience. She squandered her early to mid-twenties in a state of melancholy, working odd jobs at cafes and shops until eventually finding the motivation to start writing manga. My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness greatly excels in leaving us feeling far less alone in our peculiarity, like plenty of mental health writings. We’re not unusual; we’re simply people, after all.
#6: Dorohedoro by Q Hayashida
Dorohedoro is another bloody, gory, adult comic characterized by its dark humor, brutal, uncooked graphics, and grim setting. The Dorohedoro manga switches from two worlds: a human metropolis fittingly titled The Hole and one inhabited by warlocks. It took place in a gritty post-apocalyptic era.
In order to counteract its ferocity and aggression, Dorohedoro employs a large amount of black humor and sarcasm. At times, this seems essential for the reader’s mental well-being, yet it still pulls off as shocking. But Q Hayashida is obviously unconcerned, which is one of the things that makes her a one-of-a-kind mangaka. There is no other mangaka who can produce what Hayashida managed to do with Dorohedoro.
#7: Vinland Saga by Makoto Yukimura
One of my all-time favorite mangas is the Vinland Saga. A fantastic historical saga, a violent, realistic he-man comic, and a work of astounding storytelling power. It is a superb adult manga because of the depth and complexity of its protagonists, the brutality of its setting, and the gore of the show.
The Vinland Saga is a Viking tale that was motivated by actual occasions and individuals. Additionally, the story epically develops in unexpected ways. As was common in ancient Norse and Greek myths, heroines and antagonists frequently overlapped.
#8: Nana by Ai Yazawa
Even if the narratives and occurrences in the famous shoujo manga Nana aren’t overtly mature, older readers will still find more enjoyment and appreciation in this comic. It is not a grim or sexual manga, but one that is adult in regards of its characters and story. In a little town, Nana Komatsu was conceived. She is quite ordinary and the middle child of the family. On the other hand, Nana Oosaki has no recollection of her parents. She was nurtured by her grandma and is currently the lead singer of the punk rock band BLAST. Their boyfriends are both departing for Tokyo.
As they turn twenty, these two Nanas choose to move to Tokyo. One is following enormous ambitions of having their moment of fame, and the other is pursuing her passion for cooking. The two Nana meet on a train, where their friendship begins, and later they become roommates, despite all odds. Nana is a lively and endearing slice-of-life story. Anyone who enjoys shoujo or slice-of-life manga should read this.
Final Thoughts
Manga has a diverse range of genres, topics, and stories that target different age groups, unlike Western comics. And unlike other comics, Japanese comics (Manga) have the best set of series for adults. The good news is that you can read the best eight adult manga on Mangakakalot or Mangaowl. The question left here is: which one are you going to read right now?
