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. Akdangdeurui Huwonjaga Doeeotda
- 3. Boss-yeusseum
- 4. Claymore
- 5. Ibyangttal Yeoka-rol Jinachige Jalhaebeoryeotda
- 6. Goblin Slayer
- 7. Goblin Slayer Gaiden: Year One
- 8. Dungeon Defense
- 9. Made in Abyss
- 10. Lord of the Mysteries
- 11. Boroboro no Elf-san wo Shiawase ni Suru Kusuriuri-san
- 12. Goblin Slayer Gaiden 2: Tsubanari no Daikatana
- 13. ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!
- 14. Seongseureoun Geudae Ireusigil
- 15. Oneesama to Watashi: Ojousama ga Isekai Tensei
- 16. Lord of the Mysteries
- 17. Bibliomania
- 18. Kuro no Maou
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. Akdangdeurui Huwonjaga Doeeotda
I, a corporate slave, ended up possessing the body of a noble inside a game, but I’m supposed to be an extra fated to be killed by the future villains? No way. I’ll reform those brats and live out my noble life in peace! To stop the young villains from turning evil, I sponsored them and helped them overcome their harsh circumstances, and they all grew up to be admirable, upstanding, perfectly normal individuals as a result. And that’s how I ended up becoming the final boss of the kingdom. …Wait, what?
Raising Villains the Right Way is currently publishing . It is also Known as: I Became a Patron of Villains, Became the Patron of Villains
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
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. 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
9. 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
10. 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.
11. 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
12. Goblin Slayer Gaiden 2: Tsubanari no Daikatana
Goblin Slayer Gaiden 2: Tsubanari no Daikatana is a spin-off series of the main Goblin Slayer! light novel. This is the manga adaptation of the light novel.
Set 10 years prior to the original series, the story centers around Sword Maiden's party of six adventurers on their journey to the Dungeon of the Dead to kill the Demon Lord.
Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana is currently publishing . It is also Known as: ゴブリンスレイヤー外伝2 鍔鳴の太刀, Daikatana: The Singing Death
13. ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!
Flum Apricot was never meant to be a hero. Despite zero stats across the board and a power she can’t even use, she somehow finds herself included in a party of heroes. But Flum’s life hits rock bottom when the party’s renowned sage, Jean Inteige, decides that the useless girl is dead weight, and arranges to have her sold into slavery. Tossed to monsters to be feasted upon for her master’s entertainment, Flum makes the desperate choice to reach for a cursed weapon…and something new awakens within her. A grimdark tale about one woman’s blood-soaked quest to reclaim her life!
ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword! is currently publishing . It is also Known as: "Omae Gotoki ga Maou ni Kateru to Omou na" to Yuusha Party wo Tsuihou Sareta node, Outo de Kimama ni Kurashitai, 「お前ごときが魔王に勝てると思うな」と勇者パーティを追放されたので、王都で気ままに暮らしたい, ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!
14. 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 finished and has null Volumes and 60 Chapters. 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
15. 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~
16. Lord of the Mysteries
With the rising tide of steam power and machinery, who can come close to being a Beyonder? Shrouded in the fog of history and darkness, who or what is the lurking evil that murmurs into our ears?
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.
Like the corresponding tarot card, The Fool, which is numbered 0—a number of unlimited potential—this is the legend of “The Fool”.
Lord of the Mysteries is finished and has 8 Volumes and 1430 Chapters. It is also Known as: LotM, 诡秘之主
17. 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
18. Kuro no Maou
Kurono Maou is a high school student who is sensitive of his sharp eyes and bad expression. No girlfriend but gifted with friends in his own way, he had been living a peaceful life. But one day, without any reason, Kurono was attacked by a mysterious headache while in the literature clubroom and fainted. When he finally awoke.......Swords & magic, filled with monsters, an orthodox different world summoning.
Black Demon King is finished and has 6 Volumes and 30 Chapters. It is also Known as: 黒の魔王, Kuro no Maoh