Focus set on darker themes in a fantasy setting, sometimes leaning towards horror elements. Bleak and pessimistic tones often dominate. Dark supernatural beings like vampires may play a significant role.
Top 18 Dark Fantasy Manga to read
- 1. Berserk
- 2. Goblin Slayer
- 3. Made in Abyss
- 4. Ibyangttal Yeoka-rol Jinachige Jalhaebeoryeotda
- 5. Claymore
- 6. Boss-yeusseum
- 7. Goblin Slayer Gaiden: Year One
- 8. Boroboro no Elf-san wo Shiawase ni Suru Kusuriuri-san
- 9. Lord of the Mysteries
- 10. Dungeon Defense
- 11. Tsugihagi Darake no Saikyou Yuusha
- 12. Seongseureoun Geudae Ireusigil
- 13. I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain
- 14. Goblin Slayer: Brand New Day
- 15. Samayoeru Tensei-sha-tachi no Revival Game
- 16. Bibliomania
- 17. Totsukuni no Shoujo
- 18. Oneesama to Watashi: Ojousama ga Isekai Tensei
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. Goblin Slayer

A young priestess has formed her first adventuring party, but almost immediately they find themselves in distress. It's the Goblin Slayer who comes to their rescue—a man who's dedicated his life to the extermination of all goblins, by any means necessary. And when rumors of his feats begin to circulate, there's no telling who might come calling next...
Goblin Slayer! is currently publishing . It is also Known as: ゴブリンスレイヤー, Goblin Slayer
3. Made in Abyss

The enormous cave system, known as the Abyss, is the only unexplored place in the world. Nobody knows how deep down goes this titanic pit, inhabited by strange and wondrous creatures and full of mysterious ancient relics which purpose in unknown to modern man. Generations of bold adventurers have been drawn by the cryptic depths of the Abyss. In course of time those bold enough to explore the dangerous pit came to be known as "Cave Raiders."
In Oosu, the town at the edge of the Abyss, there lives a little orphan named Rico, who dreams of becoming as great a cave raider as her mother was and solving the great mystery of the pit. One day exploring the murky depths she stumbles upon a little boy, who turns out to be a robot...
Made in Abyss is currently publishing . It is also Known as: メイドインアビス, Made in Abyss
4. Ibyangttal Yeoka-rol Jinachige Jalhaebeoryeotda

Transmigrating into the main character of your favorite book sounds like a dream come true, but knowing Viola Vellatoux grows to be disappointed in her ending, Arin Han sets out to rewrite the story. However, her adoptive family will not hesitate to assassinate one another in their fight for control. The new Viola needs to use her wits to convince everyone that she has what it takes while remaining true to her goal. Further complicating her schemes, the male lead looks eerily familiar and has a strange effect on her when she gets too close.
The Unintentionally Ideal Adopted Daughter is currently publishing . It is also Known as: I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well, 過度稱職的養女, 完美演绎养女角色, 过分扮演了领养女儿的角色, ฉันเล่นบทลูกสาวบุญธรรมได้ดีเกินไปซะแล้ว
5. Claymore

In a world constantly haunted by demonic predators known as "Youma", the everyday life of humans is full of fear and suspicion, as these monsters easily blend into human society to hunt their hapless prey. However, in this world, there is also a mysterious organization, employing half-human, half-Youma warriors to effectively track down and kill the demons. Called "silver eyed witches" or "Claymores" after the huge Claymore swords they carry, these female warriors are eyed with suspicion and distrust by most because of their inhuman powers.
But there are many currents flowing in the shadows, from the mysterious machinations of the Claymore "Organization" and the twisted ambitions of the powerful "Abyssal Ones" to the hopes and desires of each Claymore warrior. This story follows the fate of Clare, one of the Claymore operatives as she sails deeper and deeper down the currents of conspiracies and revenge.
Note: 4 Extra chapters are included in the chapter count on this page.
Claymore is finished and has 27 Volumes and 159 Chapters. It is also Known as: CLAYMORE [クレイモア], Claymore
6. Boss-yeusseum

Baphomet is the ruthless, dispassionate lord of the Abyssal Tower, a mysterious, monster-filled dungeon plaguing the human world. Many Hunters seek to defeat him and bring the tower down to no avail. Despite his demonic power, Baphomet grows curious about humanity. One day, Baphomet is defeated by Raven, the strongest Hunter, and realizes that his true wish is to be just like the humans he previously looked down on. In death, he is granted his wish, as he awakens as a human – without his powers!
I Was the Final Boss is currently publishing . It is also Known as: I Used to Be a Boss
7. Goblin Slayer Gaiden: Year One

Prequel series revealing Goblin Slayer's past and the events which led him to become an adventurer with the one and only purpose of annihilating all goblins from the world.
Goblin Slayer Side Story: Year One is currently publishing . It is also Known as: ゴブリンスレイヤー外伝:イヤーワン, Goblin Slayer Gaiden: Year One
8. Boroboro no Elf-san wo Shiawase ni Suru Kusuriuri-san

Story about an injured slave elf is saved by an apothecary.
The Apothecary Will Make This Battered Elf Happy is finished and has null Volumes and 64 Chapters. It is also Known as: ボロボロのエルフさんを幸せにする薬売りさん, The Apothecary Is Gonna Make This Ragged Elf Happy, Mr. Medicine Merchant Who Will Make Ms. Beaten-Up Elf Happy, A Pharmacist Saves a Dying Elf
9. Lord of the Mysteries

Waking up to be faced with a string of mysteries, Zhou Mingrui finds himself reincarnated as Klein Moretti in an alternate Victorian era world where he sees a world filled with machinery, cannons, dreadnoughts, airships, difference machines, as well as Potions, Divination, Hexes, Tarot Cards, Sealed Artifacts… The Light continues to shine but mystery has never gone far. Follow Klein as he finds himself entangled with the Churches of the world—both orthodox and unorthodox—while he slowly develops newfound powers thanks to the Beyonder potions.
Lord of the Mysteries is finished and has null Volumes and 65 Chapters.
10. Dungeon Defense

When his total scumbags of parents die, he finds himself with a mysterious inheritance of 500 million yen.
Deciding to do whatever he likes from then on, the boy enters the most challenging online game, “Dungeon Attack” , where he becomes the first to unlock the achievement of Defeating all the Demon Lords. However, when he answers a mysterious question that appears after completing the game, he suddenly finds himself sent into the game world.
He had been Reincarnated as “Dantalian,” the Lowest and Weakest Demon Lord, Ranked 71st in the game world! With nothing but his memory of defeating the strongest Demon Lord and his eloquence to rely on, he fights to survive in this Brutal World – This is a Story of Comeback and Revenge!
Dungeon Defense is currently publishing . It is also Known as: Dungeon Defence, ダンジョンディフェンス
11. Tsugihagi Darake no Saikyou Yuusha

Ougi Arikawa, 16 years old, suddenly found himself reincarnated as a zombie?! Embarking on a journey to subjugate the Demon Lord as a zombie hero, but the use of "power" requires a "price"...? A dark fantasy in another world.
Tsugihagi Darake no Saikyou Yuusha is currently publishing . It is also Known as: ツギハギだらけの最強勇者, The Strongest Hero Full of Tsugihagi, Zombie Hero, The Patchwork Hero
12. Seongseureoun Geudae Ireusigil

The evil enemies of the Holy Empire of Cairon must be purged. With the superhuman Nox of Yipon already dealt with, the only ones left to destroy are the Witches of Tempey. After a long search, Cairon’s greatest protector, Sir Macklart, finally tracks down their leader, the infamous Grand Witch called Vienie. They say just one look into her bloodred eyes will immediately entrap you into her wicked spell. Though Sir Macklart brushes it off as nonsense, perhaps there is something mysterious behind Vienie’s crimson stare, as he certainly can’t seem to read the witch’s intentions when she suddenly offers to help him eradicate her own kind…
The Sacred One Speaks is currently publishing . It is also Known as: May the Holy One Come, May the Holy One Come Early, May You Reach a Sacred Place, 圣者诉说
13. I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain

Not impossible, but rejected...? I didn’t even give myself time to think, I opened my eyes in the middle of a swamp. As a trash character, I leveled.
A brutal and ominous world. Filled with those who worship chaos and abyss, rushing towards the brink of destruction in a dark age.
This is the story of a survival journey in the dark fantasy, the survival of a trash character.
I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain is currently publishing . It is also Known as: Doomed Character of a Dark Fantasy World, I Got Transmigrated to a Dark Fantasy MMORPG and Became the Ruined Character I Raised, Trash of a Dark Fantasy
14. Goblin Slayer: Brand New Day

Goblin Slayer has enjoyed many an adventure, but the people around him have adventures of their own!
A new spin-off from the wildly popular Goblin Slayer series following the lives of the many other characters Goblin Slayer and the main cast have encountered throughout their adventures.
Goblin Slayer: Brand New Day is finished and has 2 Volumes and 12 Chapters. It is also Known as: ゴブリンスレイヤー:ブランニュー・デイ, Goblin Slayer: Brand New Day
15. Samayoeru Tensei-sha-tachi no Revival Game

When "Nice Guy" Asai Manatsu's marriage proposal gets rejected, he thinks his day can't get any worse, until a Knight in a Skull helmet tries to kill him! He's saved by a beautiful, silver-haired swords-woman and told to flee, but his nice guy impulses are too strong and he saves her from an attack, getting himself killed in the process. As he dies he wishes to be reborn in a world where people won't judge him for taking care of others.
Samayoeru Tensei-sha-tachi no Revival Game is finished and has 4 Volumes and 26 Chapters. It is also Known as: さまよえる転生者たちのリライブルゲーム, ReLive game of Wandering Reincarnations
16. Bibliomania

Alice had woken up in Room 431 of a mysterious manor.
"You must not leave this room," warned the Serpent, but she paid it no heed and her body began to rot... Will she be able to escape the cursed manor?
Bibliomania is finished and has 1 Volumes and 12 Chapters. It is also Known as: ビブリオマニア, Bibliomania
17. Totsukuni no Shoujo

In a world split between the Inside and the Outside, those living in both realms are told never to cross over to the other side, lest they be cursed. A young girl named Shiva lives on the other side, in a vacant village with a demonic guardian known only as “Teacher.” Although the two are forbidden to touch, they seem to share a bond that transcends their disparate appearances. But when Shiva leaves Teacher’s care to seek out her grandmother, the secret behind her mysterious living arrangement comes to light.
The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún is finished and has 11 Volumes and 53 Chapters. It is also Known as: とつくにの少女, Foreign Girl, Walk, My Love
18. Oneesama to Watashi: Ojousama ga Isekai Tensei

Hinako, is one reincarnated from another world, she was called "the smallest giant" after she and the giant Eiris were united as sisters because they have the same goal; to find their family. Hinako searches for her sister, who could also have been reincarnated, and Eiris' siblings. However, in resolving a certain request, a gentleman from a church catches her eye, and is forced to take a risk.
A story about a young girl and a giant, two people of different race and birth, searching for their "loved ones", begins in this otherworldly fantasy of reincarnation that unites them.
My Sister and Giant: A Young Lady is Reborn in Another World. is currently publishing . It is also Known as: お姉さまと巨人 ~お嬢さまが異世界転生~, My Sister and I, Onee-sama to Kyojin ~ Ojou-sama ga Isekai Tensei ~, お姉さまと巨人(わたし)~お嬢様が異世界転生~, The Giant's Sister - Young Lady reborn in another world, La hermana mayor y la Gigante (Yo): La señorita reencarnada en otro mundo, My Sister and Giant, My Sister and Giant ~ A Young Lady Is Reborn in Another World ~, Onee-sama to Watashi, Onee-sama to Watashi ~ Ojou-sama ga Isekai Tensei ~, The Onee-sama and the Giant, お姉さまと巨人, お姉さまと巨人(わたし), 姐姐大人和巨人(我)~大小姐转生进入异世界~, 언니와 거인 ~아가씨가 이세계 전생~