by Sara Smith
First published: 10/15/22 Updated 11/24/2023 Updated 8/11/2025 Middle school is by far the hardest grade to collect for as the in-betweeners struggling to find the line of scary, serious, intense, romantic -- but not too much. Below, I've compiled a list of manga I've read and reviewed that I've rated 8/10 or above that would be great for Middle School Libraries (grades 7th+). Many of these titles have stood the test of time as I've updated this list many times, or are ones I've added as the list has been updated. As budgets are tight all over, I've also included some older series that might still have appeal and were on previous versions of this list, so you can determine if you want to spend your dollars on these series if your readers might be interested in them. Lastly, at the bottom are some series I rated 7/10 which might still appeal to your audiences if you have the budget to spend on them. I've also created a list of Good Manga for Elementary School Libraries (grades 3+). A lot of these titles would also be great for Middle School Libraries, but I also caution people against doubling up if you are in a school system and elementary libraries are buying the same titles as the junior high library. Additionally, you should definitely check out Ashley Hawkin's list of manga and light novels, which might have some overlap, and check out her website for more resources and content. Note: These titles are listed in alphabetical order by title of series. Key: some reviews may require subscriptions: Booklist* or School Library Journal+ ALWAYS A CATCH
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Mimi has been trained her whole life to be her dad's heir, which means inheriting the family fighting style. But one day, her baby brother is born, which means she's no longer needed as the heir! Now, she's a woman of age with a terrible reputation and practically un-marry-able. She decides to head to university with her cousin in another kingdom to see if that helps her prospects. And on her first day, she lands herself in the crosshairs of that kingdom's prince! Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1*, vols 1-2+ The Ancient Magus' Bride by Kore Yamazaki
A powerful Magus named Ainsworth buys Chise in an auction and discovers she has incredibly latent magical ability. Ainsworth decides to train Chise and tries to protect her from her magic burning her up. Other magical creatures are drawn to Chise, and she learns of faeries, dragons, and other mythical creatures.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7, vol 8, vol 9 Apple Black by odunze oguguo
Growing up, Sano received private instruction from powerful sorcerers and was trained to become the world's savior, the Trinity. Against their better judgment, Sano's guardians have decided to let him complete his training with other magic users, all who knows of the Trinity and want to test Sano's skills.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full review here: vol 1 Beauty and the beast of paradise lost
Belle is a young girl with purple hair who is convinced a red rose from deep in the forest will help her strange purple locks be more appealing. Her mother follows and begs her not to go into the forest because of the terrible beast who lives there. As if she summons him, Belle's mother is abducted, and the Beast steals her beautiful face. One day, Belle escapes and is determined to find her mother, who she believes is still alive in the Beast's castle.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4 Beyond the Clouds by Nicke
Theo is a mechanic who loves to read and dreams of going on adventures. He’s loved by all and lives in a town full of pollution. One day, while visiting a junk heap he affectionately calls “Island of Dreams”, Theo finds Mia, a small girl with one wing torn off. Theo brings her home and cares for her, and he sets to work building a new wing to replace hers. Mia also has latent magical abilities, so the two begin an adventure to find someone who can help her control her magic and find out more about her origins.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3 Blue Box
Taiki is entering his first year of high school and has aspirations to join the badminton team and go to Nationals. But someone else also has similar goals; Chinatsu Senpai, a second-year on the girl’s basketball team. Taiki knows she’s way out of his league, and he’s content to crush on her from afar, but when her parents move overseas for work, she ends up staying with Taiki’s family to finish high school and hopefully take her team to Nationals!
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full review here: vol 1 Call the Name of the Night by Tama Mitsuboshi
Mira is a young girl with a mysterious power to cause darkness to seep from her, infecting everything and everyone around her. Her parents have sent her away to seek treatment from a kind family friend and doctor, who is helping her to learn to control her power, but also teach her basic medicine and herb harvesting. While learning to control her power, Mira must wrestle with some complex emotions like grief, anxiety, and self-doubt.
Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-11 Read the full reviews here: vol 1*, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4 Cells at Work by Akane Shimizu
Cells at Work is fundamentally about the inner workings of the human body. The main characters are Red Blood Cell and White Blood Cell. Red Blood Cell is fairly new, and gets lost often, when she comes across some pretty nasty bacterial guys. Enter White Blood Cell, who isn’t afraid to just blast right through these baddies with his bare fists.
Sara’s Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3 Delicious in Dungeon by ryoko kui
Laios' entire party is wiped out by a dragon, but his little sister manages to cast a teleportation spell on everyone except herself. The three remaining members are transported outside of the dungeon, but without any of their provisions or other supplies, including their money. Laios is determined to go back in and revive his sister before she's fully digested by the dragon.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7, vol 8, vol 9, vol 10, vol 11, vol 12, vol 13, vol 14. Demon Slayer
Tanjiro is a hard working young man, forced into a surrogate father role for his younger siblings after their father passed away. After selling charcoal to villagers down the mountain, he arrives back at his home to find his entire family has been killed by demons, and his younger sister has been turned into one! Through the force of his will and the bond he has with his sister, Nezuko, she overpowers her primal urges to eat him. Tanjiro is determined to help heal Nezuko, and to that end he seeks out Master Urokadaki to become a great demon slayer.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7, vol 8, vol 9, vol 10, vol 11, vol 12, vol 13, vol 14, vol 15, vol 16, vol 17, vol 18, vol 19, vol 20, vol 21, vol 22-23. dinosaur sanctuary
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After a shocking discover on a remote island, dinosaurs that were once thought to be extinct re-emerge into the public zeitgeist. Several rounds of genetic experiments help bring back other species, and the overall popularity lead to dinosaur zoos sprouting up across Japan. Suzume Suma starts her first day as a Dino zookeeper at a small, underfunded and slowly dying dinosaur park where she hopes to build a bridge between the animals and their human visitors by bringing out their stories and showing the personalities of each animal at the park. Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: Dr. Stone
Thousands of years after every living thing is mysteriously turned to stone, Senku and his friends use science to free themselves and others and survive in a world that has returned to the Stone Age. This story is full of adventure and a dash of education.
Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3 dragon ball z
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Five years after the events of Dragon Ball, the world is peaceful, and Goku has a son named Son Gohan after his grandfather. The two visit the Turtle Master and Bulma happens to be there. In another part of the world, a spacecraft crash lands and out steps a powerful being, Raditz, who immediately scans and finds Piccolo, Goku’s arch nemesis. The mysterious alien dispatches Piccolo pretty easily and continues to scan for powerful beings when he lands on Goku. There is a bit of a time jump between Dragonball and Dragon Ball Z, but there's enough to fill in the blanks that readers can jump in at this point and be fine. The bawdy humor that gives Dragonball a bad wrap has mostly subsided by this point, so Dragon Ball Z is a better series to collect for those wanting to grab this perennial favorite. Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full review here: vol 1 fall in love you false angels
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Otogi is so sweet and beautiful, and she is known as the Class Madonna in addition to being the class president. Her Vice President, Toki, is another stunning human, and a prince who treats everyone with kindness. But, these perfectly crafted personas are are hiding a darker, edgier side that accidentally leaks out in front of each other outside of school. Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1 the fragrant flower blooms with dignity
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Rintaro has been judged his whole life as a rough-and-tumble delinquent, so when Kaoruku comes into the family bakery and treats him kindly, it gives him pause. The two go to opposing high schools and they're supposed to hate each other, but they find themselves striking up a friendship, studying together in secret, and defying their friends' warnings not to get too close. Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full review here: vol 1* Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Four adventurers return home after a ten-year journey to fight the Demon King. They take their rewards, enjoy a powerful meteor storm that happens once every fifty years, then go their separate ways. Frieren is an elven mage, and she plans on traveling the world to gather as much magic as she can.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7, vol 8, vol 9, vol 10, vol 11, vol 12 Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition
A re-release of the classic manga. Edward and his brother Alphonse travel across Amestris searching for alchemical answers. This story is full of wonderful characters, and is an engaging look into the depths of humanity.
Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7, vol 8, vol 9, vol 10, vol 11, vol 12, vol 13, vol 14, vol 15, vol 16, vol 17, vol 18. The Girl from the Other Side
In this kingdom there are two sides: Inside and Outside. Those on the Outside are cursed and can infect those from the inside. Those living on the Inside live behind tall walls and search for anyone who may be “infected” in order to banish them to the Outside. Shiva is a young girl who was suspected of being infected, and now lives Outside, eagerly waiting for the day her aunt will come retrieve her.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vols 4-6, vols 7-9 the guy she was interested in wasn't a guy at all
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Aya has interesting musical taste and her friends don’t understand her fondness for 90s American grunge. But, the guy at the music store does, and they vibe hard. But, one day, Aya discovers that the guy she’s been crushing on is actually her female classmate, Mitsuki! Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full review here: vol 1* Haikyu!!
Shōyō Hinata loves playing volleyball, but he hasn't have enough people in his middle school club to make a full team. His slap-shot team lose miserably to Tobio Kageyama's team in a tournament. When Hinata and Kageyama both end up at the same high school, they must learn to share the spotlight before they can officially start playing with the official High School Club Volleyball team.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Levels: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 1-3+ My Happy Marriage
Miyo may be the oldest daughter in the prestigious Saimori family, but her family constantly demeaned and abuses her. When her stepsister gets a marriage proposal, her father enters Miyo into a marriage arrangement with a ruthless nobleman. Miyo tries her best to be a nobleman's wife so as not to end up homeless, but she finds much more in her new life than she had anticipated, including acceptance, healing, and magic.
Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5 My Hero Academia by kohei horikoshi
In Izuku Midoriya's world, most everyone is born with some sort of superpower. Unfortunately for Izuku, he's one of the few without any such power. This doesn't stop him from hoping, and from dreaming of attending the U. A. High School, a school specifically for training superheroes. After showing bravery despite his lack of quirk, the hero All-Might noticed Izuku and starts training him.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7, vol 8 Horimiya
Hori is a popular girl in school who does well and always has her hair and makeup done prettily. Miyamura is solitary type, sometimes assumed to be a hardcore anime fan, who gets great grades but doesn't really have many friends. When the two see each other outside of school, they strike up a friendship that allows them to be their authentic selves without the pretenses they put up at school.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1 Insomniacs after school
Two loners find acceptance and friendship when they discover they're both insomniacs, and they create a perfect napping spot in the supposedly haunted astronomy tower at their school. In order to be able to use the tower, they resurrect the Astronomy Club at their school and pretend to hold functions. They also find that they relax and can sleep in each other's company.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1+, vol 2 medalist
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Tsukasa is coming to terms with the fact that he will never become an Olympic figure skater. Just as he is giving up on the ice altogether, he meets Inori, a nine-year-old girl who loves skating, but has been repeatedly told is too old to begin training. Tsukasa agrees to become her coach, and the two bring their passion for sport together to achieve impossible goals. Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1*, vol 2 Naruto
Naruto is a troublesome young ninja-in-training who is trying desperately to pass the exam and graduate from the Ninja Academy in his Village of the Hidden Leaves. His major problem is that he can't seem to master any of the techniques. His goal is to become a Hokage, the leader of all the Ninja in his village, but he doesn't see that his current struggle may make this dream impossible.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability level: Grades 7-12 Read the full review here: vol 1 NOT-sew-wicked stepmom
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One day, a child fashion designer works herself to her literal death and awakens as the queen in the fairytale-inspired story she was reading. Now living as Abigail, she finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage with a husband who gives her the creeps, and the worst case of Resting-B**** Face that scares the daylights out of everyone, including her beautiful step-daughter Blanche, the Snow-White figure of the story. Abigail can’t stop herself from wanting to continue to design clothes, but the person she would love to dress up more than anything is afraid of her, and the entire castle still thinks she's a terrible villain. Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4 one piece
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On a remote island, young Luffy D. Monkey yearns to become a pirate and sail the known seas. His heroes are a band of pirates who come through his tiny village, but the mayor and other villagers think Luffy’s dream would only bring disgrace to their town. On one fateful visit from Luffy’s favorite pirate gang, Luffy accidentally eats the Devil’s Fruit, which makes him incredibly rubbery but will make him sink to the bottom of the ocean. In some skirmishes between mountain bandits and the pirates, Luffy learns that physical strength is not the only tool for a pirate. In reaching adulthood, Luffy sets off from his village to gather a crew and become the best pirate. *Buyer beware* - This is an incredibly long series, and I don't recommend collecting the entire thing. Volumes 1-12 are the first "leg" of the journey, and would be a good stopping point for beginning collections. Also, later volumes (around 100+) reportedly have more mature content that may be more age relevant for high school audiences. Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7, vol 8, vol 9, vol 10, vol 11, vol 12 One-Punch Man
Saitama lost his corporate job and wonders what he's going to do with his life. After seeing a crab monster try to beat up a little kid, Saitama decides to devote himself to training to be a hero. He trains every day for three years, and ends up being the strongest hero ever! This doesn't improve Saitama's mood though, because life just doesn't have any challenges.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7 Orange
Naho is a typical girl in Grade 11, with a solid friend group and all the worries of a high-school student: passing tests, what the future holds, boys, etc. One day, she receives a letter, from what claims to be her future self, warning her about what's happening in her life and trying to steer her away from bad choices.
Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2 ouran high school host club
Haruhi attends the prestigious Ouran High School on a scholarship. Most students at this school are from well-to-do families. One day, while trying to find a quiet place to study, Haruhi enters a music room and finds a Host Club, a group of male students who provide companionship, conversation, and flirtation to bored female students. Haruhi accidentally knocks over an $80,000 vase and is forced to work for the Host Club to pay off the debt.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full review here: vol 1 romantic killer
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Anzu has zero interest in anything romance. She would much rather come home after school, get into her comfies, play video games while snuggling her precious cat, Momohiko, and eat chocolate. All of that is ruined one day when a meddlesome fairy, Riri, enters her life and takes away her three comforts and thrusts hot guys upon her, putting Anzu right in the middle of what feels like a dating sim, all in the name of saving Japan's declining birthrate! Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1*, vol 2*, vol 3*, vol 4* Sailor moon
Usagi Tsukino is a 14-year-old 2nd-year middle school student who wants nothing more than to play games, sleep all the time, and eat delicious foods. One day, she meets a talking cat with a crescent moon spot on her forehead, and the cat, Luna, reveals that Usagi is a legendary guardian, Sailor Moon!
Kodansha is reprinting this series into a beautiful new edition that would be great for libraries; The Naoko Takeuchi editions. Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7 sherlock holmes: Manga classics
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As with the other Manga Classics line, this manga adaptation of classic literature brings a modern take on a beloved story. Sherlock and Watson investigate a murder and the presence of perplexing clues at the scene. The illustrations are presented in full color. Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full review here: vol 1+ silence
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Saber and his hidden community must communicate through sign language to avoid attracting the attention of deadly beasts roaming the frozen wastes outside their cathedral sanctuary. The bravest and most cunning amongst the group are chosen to venture outside to find food and other supplies, but they must do so in the quietest manner possible. On Saber's first trip outside, things go terribly wrong, but they meet a mysterious warrior with magical powers to fight the fearsome beasts, and who claims their salvation lies in leaving the church altogether. Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full review here: vol 1+ The Strongest sage with the Weakest Crest
Mathias is “cursed” with the lowest crest, fourth of four, and he’s learned as much as he can within his limitations. He’s decided that if he reincarnates himself, he might get the strongest crest, or he’ll keep reincarnating until he gets it.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2 Suzume
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Suzume gives directions to a stranger on the way to school one day, and accidentally becomes entangled in a struggle between ancient forces from different realms battling for control of Japan and responsible for natural disasters up and down the country. With hours, she sets off on an epic quest to discover abandoned places that are homes to gateways between worlds in an effort to seal off evil entities from gaining access to our world. Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1+, vol 2, vol 3 I Think our Son is gay
This story is told from the perspective of the mother of two young sons, narrated as if she is writing a letter or a diary entry, possibly to their father. The older of the two sons, who is in high school, constantly "slips up" and mentions things that makes the mom think he's gay.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2 toilet-bound hanako-kun by aidairo
Despite its ridiculous title, this was a really fun book. Hanako-kun is one of the seven mysteries of Yashiro’s school. She summons Hanako-kun one day because she’s heard she can be granted one wish, but Hanako is nothing like she expected. To begin with, he’s a boy bound to a toilet in the girls' bathroom!
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7, vol 8, vol 9 Victoria of many faces
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A young spy discovers that her country engineered her life's tragedies and forced her into becoming the deadly weapon she is today. Upon learning this, she fakes her death and reinvents herself in another country as Victoria, hoping to start over with a peaceful new life. Soon after arriving, she meets a handsome captain-of-the-guard, and takes in an orphan child. But her house of cards is delicate, and her enemies are plentiful. Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full review here: vol 1+ waiting for spring
Mitsuki started at a new high school far away from her middle school in the hopes of starting fresh. She has some social anxieties and desperately wants to make friends, but doesn’t know how. Four best friends on the boy’s basketball team invade the quiet sanctuary of her job at a café, but without their screaming entourage of adoring girl fans, the boys are decent.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2 Witch hat atelier
Coco is a young seamstress who always wanted to be a witch, but she wasn't born with the power. When she accidentally discovers her magical abilities, she freezes her mother and gets swept away by a witch who vows to train her so that she can undo the damage she's done to her mom. In the process, Coco gets mixed into the darker side of the witch's society.
Sara's Rating: 20/10 Suitability level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7, vol 8, vol 9, vol 10, vol 11, vol 12, vol 13 yona of the dawn by mizuho kusanagi
Sweet and innocent Princess Yona has a devastating crush on her cousin, Lord Su-Won. He comes to the palace for a visit and to celebrate her 16th Birthday. However, Yona is betrayed the night of her party when she witnesses Su-Won murder her father. This forces her to flee the castle with her bodyguard, Hak, and travel the kingdom in search of those who can help her regain her thrown.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7, vol 8, vol 9, vol 10 Additional Titles
These series have appeared on previous versions of this list list, but might be a bit older or not as popular with current readership. They are still fantastic titles, but if you're looking to maximize your budget dollars, consider purchasing the series above first, then moving on to these if you have leftover money.
The Faraway Paladin
In an almost abandoned temple, Will is being raised by three interesting guardians: Gus, a powerful magic user who teaches Will how to use the Words of Creation to cast magic; Blood, a super strong warrior who teaches Will to fight and hone his own physical strength; and Mary, who teaches Will about growing his own food and preparing nourishing meals. All three provide Will with valuable lessons that will keep him alive in this strange world, and all three are undead.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4 Goodbye My rose garden
Hanako's love for her favorite author moves her to travel from Japan to England in the early 1900s, in search of more information and potentially studying under him. To her disappointment, the author is extremely secretive, and the publisher won't release any details. Alice Douglas, a noblewoman, takes pity on Hanako's plight and offers her a job as her personal maid.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1 saigami
Ayumi has a troubled home life - her dad left long ago and she jumps at the chance to find out why he left. Instead, she finds herself transported to a magical fantasy world with dragons and astral sorcerers known as Saigami. There, she meets Sean and Reyji. The three travel to Zaosz, the capital and seat of The Saigami Order, hoping to find some answers about how she came into this world.
Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1 secrets of the silent witch
Monica is a powerful sage in the kingdom, but her crippling social anxiety keeps her often isolated in her mountain home. However, her latest assignment will be her most challenging yet: infiltrate a prestigious academy in order to guard the kingdom's second prince and discover what plot's have been set against him. Monica has a very analytical mind, so this title integrates math and logic puzzles while Monica solves mysteries.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full review here: vol 1* silver spoon
Hachiken is a high school freshman who enrolled at Ezo Agricultural high school simply because he wanted to live away from his family. Hachiken is convinced with all his academic skill that he will be number one at this new school, but quickly finds out that he is no match for his classmates, all of whom were born and raised in agricultural areas.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6, vol 7 My Status as an assassin obviously exceeds the hero's by Matsuri akai
Akira’s entire class gets suddenly transported to another world where they are tasked with fighting the Demon King and saving the kingdom. Each pupil, upon entering the world, was given skills and a job class that best suited them.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3 Snow white with the red hair by Sorata akiduki
Shirayuki has hair the color of a red apple, and that garners her a lot of unwanted attention. The prince of her home kingdom of Tanbarun insists she become his concubine, but she slips off to the neighboring kingdom of Clarines instead.
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3 the white cat's revenge as plotted from the dragon king's lap
Ruri has had a pretty hard life. Her blonde hair and blue eyes have brought her lots of attention, especially from an annoying girl named Asahi. Everyone LOVES Asahi, and Ruri always gets in trouble for Asahi’s whims. One day, the two ladies and a few other “friends” are walking to school, and they get pulled into another world
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4 world trigger
Several years ago, strange portals formed over the city and let in alien monsters referred to as "Neighbors". An organization called "Border" sprung up to combat the neighbors, and the city returned to relative peace. In present day, we follow Osamu, seemingly an average high school student who meets and befriends a transfer student, Yuma, a foreigner becoming accustomed to Japan.
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5, vol 6 your lie in april
Kōsei Arima was a child prodigy on the piano until one competition where he froze entirely. Now, he can’t bring himself to play the piano. He’s still drawn to music and often transcribes sheet music of popular songs for karaoke or other things. His friend makes him tag along on a pseudo-double date and it turns out, the girl they’re introduced to plays the violin!
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Read the full reviews here: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3 7/10 titles
Depending, again, on your budget dollars and your students' interests, here are some series I rated 7/10 that some students might find more enjoyable or might connect with your audiences depending on your readers' interests.
Anonymous Noise, vol 1, vol 2
The Beginning After the End, vol 1 Ao Haru Ride, vol 1, vol 2, vol 3 A Galaxy Next Door, vol 1 Heaven’s Design Team, vol 1 Komi Can't Communicate, vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4, vol 5 Play it Cool, Guys, vol 1 A Witch's Love at the End of the World, vol 1, vol 2, vol 3
11 Comments
10/31/2022 10:24:02 pm
I am really grateful for sharing the list of Manga titles, this has reduced my workload of finding the titles gradewise.
Sara Smith
11/1/2022 06:32:57 am
I’m glad! It’s a labor of love and my ultimate goal is to make it easier to get manga in the hands of students.
Julie Carroll
12/20/2022 10:54:19 am
Are the following series OK for a pretty conservative Middle School:
Sara Smith
12/22/2022 09:07:06 pm
Hi Julie! Some of these titles I've already reviewed on the site, so you can find them most easily by mousing over "Reviews" in the top menu and going to "Review List by Author". I'd recommend doing a Control+F search on the page to find the titles. 5/11/2023 05:02:33 pm
Hi Sara, love your website and always use it when I am buying Manga for our school in NZ. I am trying to buy more for the 'senior kids' at our school who are aged from 11-13 years. I am using the above list but am wondering if some of the content might be inappropriate as you have the recommended age up until Grade 12 which I understand is about 18 years old. Can you please advise? Many thanks, Natasha :)
Sara
5/15/2023 07:01:27 pm
Hi Natasha! If the age rating says it goes from Grades 7-12, that means it's appropriate for 12-13 year olds but could still be something 18 year olds would find interesting. Hope that helps!
shama lama
3/29/2024 05:17:53 am
This is a great list but my middle school serves grade five through eight. I would love some suggestions for my younger students. 3/30/2024 09:28:46 am
Hi Shama - in that case, I do have a list for Elementary libraries with books that are good for younger audiences. You can find that here: 11/11/2025 09:55:25 pm
Hi Sara, thanks for the great Manga list! I use your site to buy for our school in NZ. Could you please suggest which titles are best for ages 11–13 or middle school? Some might be too old for them. Thanks so much!
Sara Smith
11/16/2025 10:46:03 am
Hi Vivek! If you send me this request through email, I'd be happy to do something more specific for your school site's needs. My email link is at the bottom of the page. Leave a Reply. |
Info PostingsThis section is where I will post general information about graphic novels, lists, news, or other things I feel are relevant to the development of graphic novel sections in libraries.
About MeI've been reading Manga and comicbooks for years. Now, it's time to share my knowledge with you.
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