-— Highlighting standout manga across four discovery categories—-
MyAnimeList has unveiled the final lineup for the fourth annual “You Should Read This Manga 2026,” a fan-driven manga recommendation project designed to spotlight standout titles and help readers discover what to read next.
This year’s selection was curated from 12,333 nominations submitted by 2,927 users, spanning 1,077 distinct manga titles. The final lineup features 78 unique manga titles selected across four discovery categories.
The project aims to connect readers with manga that deserve broader recognition, while creating new opportunities for discovery across a wide range of genres, styles, and reading experiences.
As part of the campaign, MyAnimeList users who read two volumes of any title from the 2026 list during the campaign period will earn a time-limited profile badge. The campaign will run through May 31, 2026.
■ About “You Should Read This Manga”
“You Should Read This Manga” is a global manga promotion initiative by MyAnimeList that highlights notable titles through a combination of international user nominations and editorial curation. The project enables fans worldwide to recommend up to 10 titles and share why each work deserves recognition, resulting in a list shaped by both reader enthusiasm and qualitative input.
“You Should Read This Manga 2026” Categories
You Should Read This Manga 2026
For manga that readers most strongly want to recommend to others.
(e.g. Magical Girl Dandelion, Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life)
Should Be Anime
For manga that fans especially want to see adapted into anime.
(e.g. Learning to Love My Cat-like Classmate, Rai Rai Rai)
Best for Beginners
For readers newer to manga, including accessible and highly approachable titles.
(e.g. On and Off: Work-Life Imbalance, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun, Hirayasumi)
Unique Art/Story
For manga with especially distinctive artwork, storytelling, or creative identity.
(e.g. Parashoppers, Gene Bride)
Explore the full list HERE.
Trends from This Year’s List
Demographic Balance
Fan-voters have the option to select their gender when nominating, and this information is used to curate each category with a balanced list of titles that will appeal to all voters.
While half of the selected titles were originally published in shounen or seinen magazines, notably one in four of these titles received more votes from female and non-binary readers.
Breakout Titles
From the top-voted titles, fan nominations for Gachiakuta, Ichi the Witch, and Tower Dungeon showed remarkable growth, with total nominations increasing by more than three-fold.
Newly eligible titles Love Bullet and Phantom Busters also had a significant number of nominations, despite only one and two volumes being available in English, respectively.
Titles Not Released in English
Of 78 unique titles, eight titles have yet to be released in English. Two of these titles (Studio Cabana and Kemutai Hanashi) have been published in at least four languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish). Four of these titles have only been published in French.
English Simulpub
Nearly half of the titles released in English have new chapters that are published simultaneously with Japan (30/70 titles), and half of these are simulpubbed by Manga PLUS (16/70 titles).
Anime Demand
Two-fifths (40%) of the “Should Be Anime” list is available on Manga PLUS, half of which (20%) run in Weekly Shounen Jump magazine.
Digital Origins
Approximately 25% of the titles come from web-based manga platforms such as Shonen Jump+ instead of physical manga magazines.
Third Year Finalists
Due to high fan engagement, five titles were featured on the list for their third and final year: Gachiakuta, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, Gokurakugai, Hirayasumi, and Magus of the Library.
For 2027’s edition, these manga will be retired from the eligible titles. Previously retired titles include: Dandadan, The Summer Hikaru Died, and Witch Hat Atelier.
Additional Content
The project also features bonus recommendation sections created in collaboration with manga publishers and booksellers:
- Publisher & Bookseller Picks HERE
■ About MyAnimeList
MyAnimeList is an anime and manga community featuring comprehensive databases maintained by its global user base. The platform allows users to track progress, rate and review titles, and discover new works through community-driven features.
With over 20 million users across more than 240 countries and territories, MyAnimeList is one of the world’s largest anime and manga communities.
Figures as of March 2026.
For more information, please go HERE.
