Young Adult Books To Read

Exciting Must-Read Mangas For Shojo And Shōnen Fans Alike!

There are just so many manga coming out these days. On top of that, you get anime adaptations of said manga, making it, in many cases, harder to keep up with all the new fun stories to read, but sometimes it’s hard to know which manga is worth investing in and which one isn’t. Let’s have a look at some exciting manga that you NEED to read, but before we get into that, let’s ask ourselves a question. What makes a manga worth reading? Well, usually, the answer to that would be good writing, characters and, most importantly, art direction. No one wants to read a poorly made manga with uninteresting art and character designs that appear dull. There have been so many talented manga artists over the years, utilising a wide range of techniques to make the art in their manga stand out.

So let’s take a look.

Death Note

Death Note is one of the most cherished and exciting manga series ever written, a story that is so engaging, deep, and complex, with twists and turns throughout. Every single person who’s ever got into anime would tell you that their first anime/manga was Death Note, and for a good reason, too: it’s one of the best young adult books to read.

The story of Light Yagami, an intelligent college student who discovers the titular Death Note, a notebook in which you can write the names of anyone you wish to kill. Upon gaining the notebook, he uses it to kill anyone he deems to be immoral, a criminal or evil. He eventually adopts the pseudonym ‘Kira’, and everyone, whether good or bad, is afraid of him.

Exploring themes such as vigilantism, the manga begins to portray him as a self-righteous and morally ambiguous anti-hero. Eventually, though, he crosses into villainous territory as he uses the Death Note in less than noble ways. Another character of this story is L, an intelligent detective and his arch-rival. The dynamic between the two and the way L tries to discover Kira’s identity is quite exciting to read through. The manga maintains a perfect pace, with no slow moments to be found. The author writes every single chapter so well that the journey thrills from start to finish, making it a MUST-READ for fans of Shounen Manga.

Sailor Moon

One of the most beloved shojo manga series of all time, Sailor Moon is a long-running manga and anime series that has spawned numerous adaptations. At its core, the story follows girls who receive supernatural abilities that enable them to protect the Earth from the evil that seeks to destroy it. The protagonist, Usagi Tsukino, also known as Sailor Moon, is a likeable and relatable heroine who does everything in her power to protect the Earth, while also being a lazy, homebody girl who prefers to spend time playing video games and ignoring her responsibilities. Sailor Moon and the way it portrays its cast of characters, as well as the way they all interact with one another, is quite well done.

Alice 19th

This is a shojo manga written by Yuu Watase. The story begins with a girl’s encounter with a rabbit, which, in many ways, mirrors the events in Alice in Wonderland. The story explores themes of romance and supernatural powers, with a significant focus on the moral purification of the soul, a central theme within the narrative.

One Piece

Among great young adult books to read, One Piece is considered one of the best manga series ever written, created by Eiichiro Oda and known for its exceptional art direction, characters and humour. One Piece has captured the hearts and minds of millions of people worldwide. It even set the Guinness World Record for “the most copies published for the same comic book series by a single author.”

The author sets the story in a fantastical world populated by fairies, giants, dwarves, and fishmen. In this series, the World Government dominates the world, comprising dozens of member countries. The story revolves around the protagonist, Luffy, who embarks on a quest to find a legendary treasure known as the ‘One Piece.’ The story shows him interacting with a diverse range of characters and making friends along the way. The story resonates deeply with people due to its character development, where many characters undergo significant transformations. The difference between a character’s position near the beginning of the story and their position near the end is quite striking, and this character growth is exciting to read about, making it one of the best teenage books to read.

Dragon Ball By Akira Toriyama

Dragon Ball is a shōnen manga series by Akira Toriyama and is among the most well-known shōnen manga due to its significant impact. This story blends science fiction and fantasy, with the creators loosely basing it on the Chinese novel “Journey to the West.” Dragon Ball and its successor, Dragon Ball Z, rank among the most popular and influential stories Japan has told to date, and their impact resonates in many shows, movies, and even video games.

Many people enjoy the protagonist, Son Goku, who grows throughout the series as a character and even ends up having his child in the form of Gohan, who is also a beloved fan favourite among many others, like his friend and rival Vegeta. Numerous pop-cultural references are made about the story, which highlights the significant impact Dragon Ball has had on public perception. The story revolves around overcoming challenges, showcasing heroism, bravery, and feats of strength, while also emphasising the importance of friendship and camaraderie during difficult times. This is what makes the Dragon Ball series one of the most beloved young adult books to read.

The Art And Beauty Of Amazing Manga!

Hopefully, now you have manga to read that you enjoy and love, and you can become a fan of these fantastic works of art. Among young adult books to read, these are going to be the best books to read for anyone looking to pass the time and have fun!