Psychological media delve into mental or emotional states of a character in the midst of a difficult situation, letting you observe them change as tension increases. Internal monologues are a key feature, allowing narration to delve into a character's mind, revealing their innermost ideas and motivations - even as they may be driven to the brink of sanity.
Top 20 Psychological Manga to read
- 1. Eternally Regressing Knight
- 2. Chainsaw Man
- 3. Tutorial Neomu Eolyeobda
- 4. Tokyo Ghoul
- 5. Kimi Dake ga Hontou
- 6. Regressor Instruction Manual
- 7. Death Note
- 8. Tokyo Ghoul:re
- 9. Berserk
- 10. Yakusoku no Neverland
- 11. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu
- 12. Oyasumi Punpun
- 13. Juujika no Rokunin
- 14. Janburui Gisa
- 15. Hunter x Hunter
- 16. Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen
- 17. [Oshi no Ko]
- 18. Jimoto ni Kaettekitara Osananajimi ga Kowareteta
- 19. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 20. Jigoku Raku
1. Eternally Regressing Knight
"You're a genius." Those words he heard as a child were poison.
Encrid dreamed of becoming a knight, but he soon realized it was futile.
"You want to live by the sword with that level of skill?" Some laughed at him.
"Just give up." Some advised him against it.
Despite that, his dream remained steadfast. He slept less, ran more, and trained harder.
One day, he died, having been stabbed in the neck. Encrid opened his eyes again to "today's" morning.
Eternally Regressing Knight is currently publishing . It is also Known as: The Knight Only Lives Today
2. Chainsaw Man
The name says it all! Denji's life of poverty is changed forever when he merges with his pet chainsaw dog, Pochita! Now he's living in the big city and an official Devil Hunter. But he's got a lot to learn about his new job and chainsaw powers!
Notes:
- Nominated for the 2020 Manga Taisho Award.
- Winner of the 2021 Kono Manga ga Sugoi Award.
- Winner of the 66th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shounen category.
- Winner of the 2021 and 2022 Harvey Award for Best Manga.
Chainsaw Man is finished and has 11 Volumes and 97 Chapters. It is also Known as: チェンソーマン, Chainsawman, Chensoo Man, CSM, Людина-бензопила, Человек-бензопила, رجل المنشار, مرد اره ای, មនុស្សរណា, チェンソーマン, チェンソーマン 第二部, 电锯人, 鏈鋸人, 電鋸人, 체인쏘맨, Chainsaw Man: Public Safety Saga
3. Tutorial Neomu Eolyeobda
Gandara's fusion fantasy novel, 'The Tutorial is Too Hard', is now here as a webtoon.
One day, amidst a boring life, an invitation message appears before my eyes.
Following it is a difficulty-selection window. Easy Hard Hell. I select hell-difficulty without hesitation.
And I regret it.
I know it said hell-difficulty, but this is just too much.
The Tutorial is Too Hard is currently publishing .
4. Tokyo Ghoul
Shy Ken Kaneki is thrilled to go on a date with the beautiful Rize. But it turns out that she’s only interested in his body—eating it, that is. When a morally questionable rescue transforms him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid, Ken is drawn into the dark and violent world of Ghouls, which exists alongside our own.
Note: Includes 1 extra chapter.
Tokyo Ghoul is finished and has 14 Volumes and 144 Chapters. It is also Known as: 東京喰種トーキョーグール, Toukyou Kushu
5. Kimi Dake ga Hontou
High school boy, Rikimaru, is unable to touch women due to childhood trauma. He has a pair of childhood friends who are siblings. The older sister, Kagami, and then the younger brother, Kyou. Between the two of them they share a similar height and appearance. Under these circumstances a unique twin love romance begins to bloom.
Kimi Dake ga Hontou is finished and has null Volumes and 13 Chapters. It is also Known as: きみだけがほんとう, Kimi Dake ga Hontou
6. Regressor Instruction Manual
He was suddenly summoned to another world one day. Monsters poured out, a huge disaster incoming. His ability the lowest.
It doesn't matter whether you're the chosen warrior, a talented wizard, or someone who travelled back in time. One must do everything they can, in order to survive.
The Regressor's Instruction Manual.
"It doesn't matter if I'm trash." Is there anyone who wouldn't do anything they could to survive?
Regressor Instruction Manual is currently publishing . It is also Known as: How to Use a Returner
7. Death Note
Light Yagami is a brilliant 17-year-old student, one of the top scorers on his exams in all of Japan. One day as he leaves school, he finds a mysterious black notebook on the ground with "Death Note" written on it. The first thing written inside: "The human whose name is written in the notebook shall die." Light decides to use this to cleanse the world of evil by killing all the criminals. On the scene comes L, ace detective, who's determined to find Light—who the world now calls "Kira"—and track him down, thus bringing us an epic psychological thrill ride.
Death Note is finished and has 12 Volumes and 108 Chapters. It is also Known as: DEATH NOTE, Death Note
8. Tokyo Ghoul:re
The Commission of Counter Ghoul is the only organization fighting the Ghoul menace, and they will use every tool at their disposal to protect humanity from its ultimate predator. Their newest weapon in this hidden war is an experimental procedure that implants human investigators with a Ghoul's Kagune, giving them Ghoul powers and abilities. But both the procedure and the newly formed Qs Squad are untested. Will they become heroes… or monsters?
Tokyo Ghoul:re is finished and has 16 Volumes and 179 Chapters. It is also Known as: 東京喰種-トーキョーグール-:re, トーキョーグール:re, Tokyo Ghoul: "Joker", Tokyo Kushu:re, Toukyou Kuushu:re
9. 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
10. Yakusoku no Neverland
Emma and her friends have a pretty good life at the orphanage they grew up in. Though the rules may be strict, the caretaker is kind. But why are the children forbidden from ever leaving...?
The Promised Neverland is finished and has 20 Volumes and 181 Chapters. It is also Known as: 約束のネバーランド, Yakusoku no Neverland
11. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu
The students of class 3-E have a mission: kill their teacher before graduation. He has already destroyed the moon, and has promised to destroy the Earth if he can not be killed within a year. But how can this class of misfits kill a tentacled monster, capable of reaching Mach 20 speed, who may be the best teacher any of them have ever had?
Assassination Classroom is finished and has 21 Volumes and 187 Chapters. It is also Known as: 暗殺教室, Tokyo Department Sensou Taikenki, Tokyo Department Store War Chronicles
12. Oyasumi Punpun
Punpun is an ordinary young boy growing up in Japan whose age of innocence has reached its end after his father is arrested for spousal abuse and putting his mother in the hospital. With his uncle looking after him, Punpun grows into adulthood facing a series of events which change him, for better or worse, forcing him to contemplate just what it means to be an adult.
Goodnight Punpun is finished and has 13 Volumes and 147 Chapters. It is also Known as: おやすみプンプン, Dobranoc, Punpunie, Bonne nuit Punpun!, Boa noite, Punpun, Bona nit, Punpun, Buenas noches, Punpun, Gute Nacht, Punpun, 잘자 뿡뿡, 晚安布布, לילה טוב, פונפון, Buonanotte, Punpun, İyi Geceler, Punpun, ฝันดีนะปุนปุน
13. Juujika no Rokunin
”Is it okay to kill people?"A treacherous revenge suspense by Shiryu Nakatake, a newcomer to Bessatsu Shonen Magazine."Shun, if someone is converted, let him go and do nothing. He should be given a chance to be reborn.""Grandpa, I hope he doesn't reincarnate himself."In order to defeat several non-human monsters, the boy also became something non-human.Shin Uruma, a sixth-grade student, was named "Experimental body: A" by five of his classmates and was severely bullied and lived in hell. His only peace was with his brother, who loved him, and his parents, who protected him.... . until the five monsters killed his family.When he finally loses everything and faces true hell, a dark "wish" is born inside Shun. He was reborn under the training of his grandfather, who served in a secret unit during WWII. Now, four years later, he appears in front of his fated enemy."I won't let ANYONE get in the way of my revenge."
Juujika no Rokunin is finished and has 24 Volumes and 234 Chapters. It is also Known as: 十字架のろくにん, Juujika no Rokunin
14. Janburui Gisa
When Nagyunn’s twin brother, Najin, is murdered before his very eyes, he vows to avenge his brother’s death by assuming Najin’s identity. But although the two may look alike, when it comes to fighting, Nagyunn lacks the talent and skill his brother possessed. In order to successfully execute his plot for revenge, Nagyunn resolves to train himself to become the prodigious knight-in-training his brother once was. Will Nagyunn be able to keep his identity a secret before others begin to catch on to his act?
Source: Webtoons
The Ember Knight is currently publishing . It is also Known as: The Knight of Embers, The Last Knight of Embers, The Last Knight From The Fire
15. Hunter x Hunter
Hunters are a special breed, dedicated to tracking down treasures, magical beasts, and even other men. But such pursuits require a license, and less than one in a hundred thousand can pass the grueling qualification exam. Those who do pass gain access to restricted areas, amazing stores of information, and the right to call themselves Hunters.
Hunter x Hunter is currently publishing . It is also Known as: HUNTER×HUNTER, HxH
16. Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen
As leaders of their prestigious academy’s student council, Kaguya and Miyuki are the elite of the elite! But it’s lonely at the top… Luckily for them, they’ve fallen in love! There’s just one problem—they both have too much pride to admit it. And so begins the daily scheming to get the object of their affection to confess their romantic feelings first… Love is a war you win by losing.
Notes:
- The first 10 chapters were published in Monthly Miracle Jump. It switched to Weekly Young Jump starting with Ch. 11, with the chapter count being reset. This entry still includes the first 10 chapters from Miracle Jump.
- Winner of the 65th Shogakukan Manga Award for "Best General Manga" category in 2019.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is finished and has 28 Volumes and 281 Chapters. It is also Known as: かぐや様は告らせたい~天才たちの恋愛頭脳戦~, Kaguya Wants to be Confessed To: The Geniuses' War of Love and Brains
17. [Oshi no Ko]
"In the world of showbiz, lies are weapons." Goro works as an OB-GYN in the countryside, a life far removed from the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, his favorite idol, Ai Hoshino, has begun her climb to stardom. The two meet in the "worst possible way," setting the gears of fate in motion! The amazing Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari team up to depict the world of showbiz from a completely new perspective in this shocking series!
【OSHI NO KO】 is finished and has 16 Volumes and 168 Chapters. It is also Known as: 【推しの子】, My Favorite's Child, Favorite Girl, My Idol's Child, Oshi no Ko, [Mein*Star], เกิดใหม่เป็นลูกโอชิ
18. Jimoto ni Kaettekitara Osananajimi ga Kowareteta
When I was younger, one of my best friends was Kyouko. She was a brash and hotheaded young girl who, even though she was a tomboy, was still loved by her peers.
To be honest, it’s been a few years since I came back home. The only person I know from there was Kyouko and she seems… different?
When I Returned to My Hometown, My Childhood Friend was Broken is finished and has null Volumes and 50 Chapters. It is also Known as: 地元に帰ってきたら幼馴染が壊れてた, Jimoto ni Kaettekitara Osananajimi ga Kowareteta
19. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
"So, Hikaru is no more... If that's true then..."
Yoshiki and Hikaru are two boys who live in a certain village. They're the same age and have always been together growing up. But one day, Yoshiki noticed that "something else" has taken Hikaru's place. Even after learning of this, Yoshiki still wants them to be together. And so, his life with the "something" that looks like his friend begins.
At the same time, strange incidents keep occurring in the village...
The Summer Hikaru Died is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 光が死んだ夏, Hikari ga Shinda Natsu, The Summer Hikaru is Dead, The Summer the Light is Dead
20. Jigoku Raku
Gabimaru the Hollow is one of the most vicious assassins ever to come out of the ninja village of Iwagakure. He’s ruthlessly efficient, but a betrayal results in him being handed a death sentence. He has only one hope—in order to earn his freedom, he must travel to a long-hidden island and recover an elixir that will make the shogun immortal. Failure is not an option. On this island, heaven and hell are just a hair’s breadth away.
Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku is finished and has 13 Volumes and 127 Chapters. It is also Known as: 地獄楽, Jigokuraku, Paradition, Heavenhell, Jigoku Raku (KAKU Yuuji)