Contemporary fantasy, also known as modern fantasy or indigenous fantasy, is a sub-genre of fantasy, set in the present day. It is perhaps most popular for its sub-genre, urban fantasy.These terms are used to describe stories set in the putative real world in contemporary times, in which magic and magical creatures exist, either living in the interstices of our world or leaking over from alternate worlds. It thus has much in common with, and sometimes overlaps with secret history; a work of fantasy in which the magic could not remain secret or does not have any known relationship to known history would not fit into this subgenre. Occasionally certain contemporary fantasy novels will make reference to pop culture.Novels in which modern characters travel into alternate worlds, and all the magical action takes place there , are not considered contemporary fantasy. Thus, C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where all fantasy events take place in the land of Narnia which is reached via a magic wardrobe, would not count as contemporary fantasy; on the other hand, the part of The Magician's Nephew, where the Empress Jadis gets to London, tries to take over the Earth and clashes with police and a crowd of cockneys, would qualify as such.Contemporary fantasy is also to be distinguished from horror fiction, which also often has contemporary settings. When encountering magical events and creatures, the protagonist of a horror novel is horrified, while the protagonist of a fantasy novel is filled with a sense of joy and wonder. Horrifying events may happen, but the fundamental distinction is vital.In his preface to That Hideous Strength, one of the earlier works falling within this sub-genre, C.S. Lewis explained why, when writing a tale about "magicians, devils, pantomime animals and planetary angels", he chose to start it with a detailed depiction of narrow-minded academic politics at a provincial English university and the schemes of crooked real estate developers: "I am following the traditional fairy-tale. We do not always notice its method, because the cottages, castles, woodcutters and petty kings with which a fairy tale opens have become for us as remote as the witches and ogres to which it proceeds. But they were not remote at all to the men who first made and enjoyed the tales". The same is true for many of the later works in the genre, which often begin with a seemingly normal scene of modern daily life to then disclose supernatural and magical beings and events hidden behind the scenes.Source: wiki
Top 18 Contemporary Fantasy Manga to read
- 1. Berserk
- 2. Sinhwageup Gwisok Item-eul Sone Neoeotda
- 3. BLEACH
- 4. World Trigger
- 5. Youkai Shoujo - Monster Girl
- 6. Jahy-sama wa Kujikenai!
- 7. Bakemonogatari
- 8. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: The JOJOLands
- 9. Jumyou wo Kaitotte Moratta. Ichinen ni Tsuki, Ichimanen de.
- 10. SSS-Class Gacha Hunter
- 11. Mob Psycho 100
- 12. Pandora Hearts
- 13. Mahoutsukai no Yome
- 14. Fruits Basket
- 15. Succubus & Hitman
- 16. Nito no Joreishi
- 17. Shin Elf-san wa Yaserarenai.
- 18. Burn the Witch
1. Berserk
His name is Guts, the Black Swordsman, a feared warrior spoken of only in whispers. Bearer of a gigantic sword, an iron hand, and the scars of countless battles and tortures, his flesh is also indelibly marked with The Brand, an unholy symbol that draws the forces of darkness to him and dooms him as their sacrifice. But Guts won't take his fate lying down; he'll cut a crimson swath of carnage through the ranks of the damned—and anyone else foolish enough to oppose him! Accompanied by Puck the Elf, more an annoyance than a companion, Guts relentlessly follows a dark, bloodstained path that leads only to death...or vengeance.
Notes:
- Volumes 1-5 contain the 16 prequel chapters 0A - 0P.
- Chapter 83 was omitted from Volume 13 due to the author’s request.
- Volume 14 includes “Berserk: The Prototype”.
- Due to the author's passing, starting from Chapter 365, the manga is illustrated by Studio Gaga and supervised by Kouji Mori .
Berserk is currently publishing . It is also Known as: ベルセルク, Berserk: The Prototype
2. Sinhwageup Gwisok Item-eul Sone Neoeotda
Yggdrasil, the World Tree of Norse Mythology, suddenly appeared on Earth. And with it came demonic creatures that ravaged entire cities.
Although not all hope is lost, due to the System that a few special humans had gained.
In this new world where only the strong survived, Jae-Hyun Min scrapes by regretting the wrong choices he’d made in the past… when one day, he gains the only Mythic item in the world.
How will this item help him? And can he change his wretched fate?
I Obtained a Mythic Item is currently publishing .
3. BLEACH
Ichigo Kurosaki has always been able to see ghosts, but this ability doesn't change his life nearly as much as his close encounter with Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper and member of the mysterious Soul Society. While fighting a Hollow, an evil spirit that preys on humans who display psychic energy, Rukia attempts to lend Ichigo some of her powers so that he can save his family; but much to her surprise, Ichigo absorbs every last drop of her energy. Now a full-fledged Soul Reaper himself, Ichigo quickly learns that the world he inhabits is one full of dangerous spirits and, along with Rukia— who is slowly regaining her powers— it's Ichigo's job to protect the innocent from Hollows and help the spirits themselves find peace.
Note: Chapter count includes the 12-chapter “Turn Back The Pendulum” side story and 8 extra chapters.
BLEACH is finished and has 74 Volumes and 706 Chapters. It is also Known as: BLEACH, ブリーチ, Bleach
4. World Trigger
A gate to another dimension has burst open, and from it emerge gigantic invincible creatures that threaten all of humanity. Earth's only defense is a mysterious group of warriors who have co-opted the alien technology in order to fight back!
World Trigger is currently publishing . It is also Known as: ワールドトリガー, World Trigger
5. Youkai Shoujo - Monster Girl
Part time worker at a general store in Akiba, Yatsuki encounters a beautiful girl named Roka when she lands on his face in the middle of a park. Much to his surprise, he's able to become friends with this beautiful girl... but she hides a terrible secret that Yatsuki will find out soon enough. With other beautiful girls that surround him, including his little sister Nanao and the maid cafe girl Moru, Yatsuki will have to fight to protect the supernatural girls around him.
Youkai Girls is finished and has 14 Volumes and 146 Chapters. It is also Known as: 妖怪少女 －モンスガ－, Monster Girl, Youkai Shoujo: Monsuga
6. Jahy-sama wa Kujikenai!
Jahy-sama is an existence to be feared and respected throughout the Demon Realm.
Well, was.
The Demon Realm No. 2 is now busy with house chores and work...in the human realm! Her dinner is just beansprouts, and she can't afford anything except water at cafes, but she won't get discouraged!
The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated is currently publishing . It is also Known as: ジャヒー様はくじけない！, Jahy-Sama Ha Kujikenai!, Jahy-sama Won't Be Discouraged!
7. Bakemonogatari
One day, high-school student Koyomi Araragi catches a girl named Hitagi Senjougahara when she trips. But—much to his surprise—she doesn’t weigh anything. At all. She says an encounter with a so-called “crab” took away all her weight …
Monsters have been here since the beginning.
Always.
Everywhere.
Bakemonogatari is finished and has 22 Volumes and 193 Chapters. It is also Known as: 化物語, Monster Tale, Monogatari Series: First Season, MonStory
8. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: The JOJOLands
The stage is set on a volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii. Jodio Joestar, a young boy living on Oahu Island, harbors the ambition to become a great millionaire. The clue to his goal lies in reaching the pinnacle of the mechanisms of this world. What means will he choose to achieve his objective?
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 9: The JOJOLands is currently publishing . It is also Known as: ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 Part9 THE JOJOLANDS, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 9: The JOJO Lands
9. Jumyou wo Kaitotte Moratta. Ichinen ni Tsuki, Ichimanen de.
A twenty-year-old with little hope for the future discovers a shop that buys lifespan, time, and health. This is a story dealing with the ensuing consequences.
Note:
Volume 2 contains the side story "Sonzai no Iu made mo Nai Karusa".
Volume 3 contains the side story "Chiisana Negai".
I sold my life for ten thousand yen per year. is finished and has 3 Volumes and 18 Chapters. It is also Known as: 寿命を買い取ってもらった。一年につき、一万円で。, Mikkakan no Koufuku, Three Days of Happiness
10. SSS-Class Gacha Hunter
On the worst day of my life, I received a miracle as a present from the ‘real universe’.
On the worst day of my life, I got the strongest skill from the universe! The luck game that overturns the class begins. SSS-class hunter who became stronger by drawing lots.
SSS-Class Gacha Hunter is currently publishing .
11. Mob Psycho 100
Kageyama Shigeo is a 8th grader with psychic abilities. He could bend spoons and lift objects with his mind from a young age, but he slowly began to withhold from using his abilities in public due to the negative attention he kept receiving. Now, the only thing he wants is to become friends with a girl in his class, Tsubomi. With his psychic "mentor" , he continues his daily life, attempting to realize his purpose in life.
Mob Psycho 100 is finished and has 16 Volumes and 101 Chapters. It is also Known as: モブサイコ100, Mob Psycho One Hundred, Mob Psycho Hyaku
12. Pandora Hearts
The air of celebration surrounding fifteen-year-old Oz Vessalius’s coming-of-age ceremony quickly turns to horror when he is condemned for a sin about which he knows nothing. He is thrown into the eternal prison known as the Abyss, from which there is no escape. There, he meets a young girl named Alice, who is not what she seems. Now that the relentless cogs of fate have begun to turn, do they lead only to crushing despair for Oz, or is there some shred of hope for him to grasp on to?
Included one-shot:
Volume 8: Pandora Hearts
Pandora Hearts is finished and has 24 Volumes and 107 Chapters. It is also Known as: PandoraHearts, Pandora Hearts
13. Mahoutsukai no Yome
Hatori Chise has lived a life full of neglect and abuse, devoid of anything resembling love. Far from the warmth of family, she has had her share of troubles and pitfalls. Just when all hope seems lost, a fateful encounter awaits her. When a man with the head of a beast, wielding strange powers, obtains her through a slave auction, Chise's life will never be the same again.
The man is a "magus," a sorcerer of great power, who decides to free Chise from the bonds of captivity. The magus then makes a bold statement: Chise will become his apprentice–and his bride!
The Ancient Magus' Bride is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 魔法使いの嫁, The Magician's Bride, Mahoutsukai no Yome
14. Fruits Basket
Tohru Honda is a high school freshman who is having a serious bout of misfortune. Not only was she recently orphaned with the tragedy of her mother's death, but she also has no where to live and is currently residing in a tent! However, when her luck to seems to be at its worse, she meets the Sohma family - and is invited to stay with them in exchange for taking care of the household chores.
But it isn't long before Tohru discovers the Sohmas have deep a secret. The family is cursed by the spirits of the Chinese Zodiac, and some of the children born into the Sohma family are possessed by these spirits. When possessed, they cannot be "huggled" by the opposite sex, or they transform into their respective Zodiac animal!
However, this doesn't phase Tohru, who promises to keep their secret. She continues living with them, and her grave humbleness and thankfulness never wanes. As a result, they come to be very important people in her life, and the Sohmas begin to realize how very lucky they are to have her.
Fruits Basket is finished and has 23 Volumes and 136 Chapters. It is also Known as: フルーツバスケット, Furuba
15. Succubus & Hitman
The "violence gun action" manga's story centers on a dual gun-wielding protagonist who makes makes a deal with the devil to reap the souls of sinners.
Succubus & Hitman is currently publishing . It is also Known as: サキュバス＆ヒットマン, A Young Hitman Between Heaven And Earth., Succubus and Hitman
16. Nito no Joreishi
Exorcists Gotsuji and Uruka spend their days exorcising evil spirits on request, inching ever closer to their goal: to cut down a specific spirit as a means of mourning the woman it killed. Uruka, mystified by Gotsuji's actions, accompanies him in his quest for revenge, but where will their journey lead...? Bunny outfits or traditional garb—doesn't matter! Just cut those spirits down! The curtain rises on a new and exciting story full of action and the occult!
The Nito Exorcists is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 二兎の除霊師, Nito no Joreishi
17. Shin Elf-san wa Yaserarenai.
The sequel to Elf-san wa Yaserarenai , set up as the manga switched publishers from Wani Books to Akita Shonen.
You know the drill by now - Naoe is a massage therapist whose life is turned upside down when he starts dealing with girls from another world and their weight issues. But this isn’t called Shin Elf-san for nothing. You’re going to get fully-colored pages due to its digital release, as well as new scenarios involving your favorite chubby elf.
Get ready to get down with the thiccness!
Plus-Sized Elf: Second Helping is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 新・エルフさんは痩せられない。, New Elf Can't on a Diet., Shin Plus-Sized Elf, New Plus-Sized Elf
18. Burn the Witch
The Weekly Shounen Jump site describes the manga with the key words "Witches, dragons, and reverse London."
Burn the Witch is finished and has null Volumes and 1 Chapters. It is also Known as: BURN THE WITCH, Burn the Witch
