anime/manga
please note: age ratings are only a guideline and have been taken from common sense media or are my own recommendations. please do your own research if you have concerns about whether it's appropriate for you. i do tend to err on the side of caution, but it's always good to do your own research first.
anime
Monster (2006)
16+ Seinen, Drama, MysteryEveryone faces uncertainty at some point in their lives. Even a brilliant surgeon like Kenzo Tenma is no exception. But there’s no way he could have known that his decision to stop chasing professional success and instead concentrate on his oath to save peoples’ lives would result in the birth of an abomination. The questions of good and evil now take on a terrifyingly real dimension.
Years later, in Germany during the tumultuous post-reunification period, middle-aged childless couples are being killed one after another. The serial killer’s identity is known. The reasons why he kills are not. Dr. Tenma sets out on a journey to find the killer’s twin sister, who may hold some clues to solving the enigma of the “Monster.”
Why I love it:this was the first series by urasawa that i ever consumed and boy did it set the bar high! i loved watching how the mystery of the series unfolded through an expansive cast of fascinating characters, all playing a pivotol role in the story. dr. tenma was such a good protagonist that you could really feel for. i highly recommend this series.
Pluto (2023)
16+ Seinen, Action, Mystery, Sci-FiGesicht, an android police detective of Europol, is tasked with finding the murderer of Montblanc, a retired war hero robot. Although it appears that only a robot could have committed this crime, the murder of a renowned robot rights activist casts doubts on the criminal's identity. Indeed, outside of an isolated and unexplained incident that occurred eight years ago, robots are programmed to be unable to kill human beings. However, the lack of human evidence on the crime scene and the similarity of modus operandi lead Gesicht to suspect that the two murderers might be the same being—be they man or robot.
Shortly after Montblanc's passing, another retired elite war robot is mysteriously eliminated. Gesicht notices a pattern in the choice of murder victim: both dead robots belonged to a group of the seven most powerful war machines ever designed. Determined to stop the murderer from eliminating the five remaining veterans, Gesicht seeks help from Atom, a cutting-edge android who resembles a human boy. The duo must now hunt down the rogue killer before the series of murders is carried on, lest the very fabric of society suffer irremediable damage.
Why I love it:i read the manga of this series many years ago but the anime only came out in 2023 and let me tell you, i loved it. there's something so moving and powerful about seeing urasawa's characters come to life in anime form—they're superb in manga too though. i really loved urasawa's take on atom and not gonna lie, the last episode definitely made me tear up! i think it's a particularly interesting series in today's age, given the discussion around robots and AI.
Yowamushi Pedal (2013)
12+ Shounen, SportsSakamichi Onoda is a cheerful otaku looking to join his new school's anime club, eager to finally make some friends. Unfortunately, the club has been disbanded and he takes it upon himself to revive it by finding students who are willing to join. Without much luck, Onoda decides to make a round trip to Akihabara on his old, bulky city bicycle, a weekly 90-kilometer ride he has been completing since fourth grade.
This is when he meets fellow first year student, Shunsuke Imaizumi, a determined cyclist who is using the school's steep incline for practice. Surprised by Onoda's ability to climb the hill with his specific type of bicycle, Imaizumi challenges him to a race, with the proposition of joining the anime club should Onoda win. And thus begins the young boy's first foray into the world of high school bicycle racing!.
Why I love it:if you'd ever told me i'd be so invested in an anime about cycling i probably wouldn't have believed you. the initial impression i got from onoda was that he's not the kind of protagonist i watch for, but boy did he prove me wrong! he is all heart and you can't help but admire the trials and tribulations that not only onoda and his team go through, but what the other teams go through too! peak sporting anime, if you ask me. highly entertaining. where else are you gonna see someone climb mountains with a spider technique??
Given (2019)
12+ Boys Love, DramaTightly clutching his Gibson guitar, Mafuyu Satou steps out of his dark apartment to begin another day of his high school life. While taking a nap in a quiet spot on the gymnasium staircase, he has a chance encounter with fellow student Ritsuka Uenoyama, who berates him for letting his guitar's strings rust and break. Noticing Uenoyama's knowledge of the instrument, Satou pleads for him to fix it and to teach him how to play. Uenoyama eventually agrees and invites him to sit in on a jam session with his two band mates: bassist Haruki Nakayama and drummer Akihiko Kaji.
Satou's voice is strikingly beautiful, filling Uenoyama with the determination to make Satou the lead singer of the band. Though reticent at first, Satou takes the offer after an emotional meeting with an old friend. With the support of his new friends, Satou must not only learn how to play guitar, but also come to terms with the mysterious circumstances that led him to be its owner.
Why I love it:not gonna lie, this took me a while to get into but then WHAM it hit me really hard in my feelings. the dynamics between each of the characters were so intriguing and even heartbreaking at times. the portrayal of grief was really compelling.
Sasaki and Miyano (2022)
16+ Boys LoveIt all started like a typical old-school boys’ love plotline-bad-boy senior meets adorably awkward underclassman, one of them falls in love, and so on and so forth. But although Miyano is a self-proclaimed boys’ love expert, he hasn’t quite realized…he’s in one himself. Which means it’s up to Sasaki to make sure their story has a happily ever after…!
Why I love it:gosh i couldn't wait for the episodes to come out for this one. it was just too sweet and cute; a very easy enjoyable watch and gave me the same fluttery feelings i used to get as a teen watching shojo anime.
manga
One Piece (1997)
12+ Shounen, Action, Adventure, FantasyGol D. Roger, a man referred to as the King of the Pirates, is set to be executed by the World Government. But just before his demise, he confirms the existence of a great treasure, One Piece, located somewhere within the vast ocean known as the Grand Line. Announcing that One Piece can be claimed by anyone worthy enough to reach it, the King of the Pirates is executed and the Great Age of Pirates begins.
Twenty-two years later, a young man by the name of Monkey D. Luffy is ready to embark on his own adventure, searching for One Piece and striving to become the new King of the Pirates. Armed with just a straw hat, a small boat, and an elastic body, he sets out on a fantastic journey to gather his own crew and a worthy ship that will take them across the Grand Line to claim the greatest status on the high seas.
Why I love it:if you know anything about me then you know of course one piece was going to make the list! this series has well and truly sustained me for almost two decades (that's how long i've been following it). oda is a masterful storyteller. i have no idea how he keeps track of everything, because there is legit so much packed into this series, but he somehow makes it work!! this is one of those series that you wish you could experience for the first time again. i really should do a re-read!
Naruto (1999)
12+ Shounen, Action, Adventure, FantasyWhenever Naruto Uzumaki proclaims that he will someday become the Hokage—a title bestowed upon the best ninja in the Village Hidden in the Leaves—no one takes him seriously. Since birth, Naruto has been shunned and ridiculed by his fellow villagers. But their contempt isn't because Naruto is loud-mouthed, mischievous, or because of his ineptitude in the ninja arts, but because there is a demon inside him. Prior to Naruto's birth, the powerful and deadly Nine-Tailed Fox attacked the village. In order to stop the rampage, the Fourth Hokage sacrificed his life to seal the demon inside the body of the newborn Naruto.
And so when he is assigned to Team 7—along with his new teammates Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, under the mentorship of veteran ninja Kakashi Hatake—Naruto is forced to work together with other people for the first time in his life. Through undergoing vigorous training and taking on challenging missions, Naruto must learn what it means to work in a team and carve his own route toward becoming a full-fledged ninja recognized by his village.
Why I love it:this was the first manga series i became intensely invested in so a lot of my love for it is nostalgia-related. it is by far not a perfect series, but kishimoto created a world that was so interesting to explore with (some) incredibly complex characters and dynamics. it was also my first foray into fandom and boy were things different back then on fanfiction.net!
07 Ghost (2005)
12+ Josei, Fantasy, ActionAll Teito wants is to forget his dark past as an orphan and slave and to graduate from Barsburg’s military academy with his best friend Mikage. But when an overheard state secret triggers treasonous memories, he’s forced to flee from the very empire he once sought to defend!
Why I love it:this series is just absolutely brilliant at making you feel things as well as conveying emotions. i was so invested in teito, mikage, frau, and literally all the other characters. it brought my teenage self to tears at certain parts. you could really feel the heart on every page and i can confidently state that this will be a forever favourite.
Kieta Hatsukoi (My Love Mix-Up) (2019)
12+ Shoujo, Boys Love, ComedyA heated rooftop confession takes place between two men, but not all is as it seems. The good-natured Souta Aoki has had his heart stolen by the angelic smile and kind actions of his female crush, Mio Hashimoto. Unfortunately, he is devastated when she lends him an eraser with another classmate's name—Ida—engraved on top. When Kousuke Ida spots his name on the eraser, he is led to believe that Aoki is the one harboring romantic feelings for him. Aoki is left struggling to clear up the situation alone without revealing Hashimoto's feelings for Ida. Fake and honest pinings mix as misunderstandings abound in this heart-pounding triangle of first loves.
Why I love it:oh my gosh, do read this series if you want a very amusing BL with major shoujo vibes. i will warn you, though, the mangaka is a bit of a troll and nearly gave me a heart attack in one chapter :'D (iykyk). this series was definitely very fun!
20th Century Boys (1999)
16+ Seinen, Drama, Mystery, Sci-FiKenji Endo is a normal convenience store manager who's just trying to get by. But when he learns that one of his old friends going by the name "Donkey" has suddenly committed suicide, and that a new cult led by a figure known as "Friend" is becoming more notorious, Kenji starts to feel that something isn't right. With a few key clues left behind by his deceased friend, Kenji realizes that this cult is much more than he ever thought it would be—not only is this mysterious organization directly targeting him and his childhood friends, but the whole world also faces a grave danger that only the friends have the key to stop.
Kenji's simple life of barely making ends meet is flipped upside down when he reunites with his childhood friends, and together they must figure out the truth of how their past is connected to the cult, as the turn of the century could mean the possible end of the world.
Why I love it:this was the first urasawa manga i read and it was such a wild rollercoaster! the mystery of it kept me on the edge of my seat; i just wanted to know more!
The Summer Hikaru Died (2021)
16+ Horror, Mystery, SupernaturalBest friends Yoshiki and Hikaru have been stuck together like glue for most of their lives. Living in a small village and being the only children their age, the two boys find solace in each other's company. Their friendship seems picturesque at first glance, but Yoshiki has noticed a shift in Hikaru's demeanor ever since one fateful summer.
The "Hikaru" that sits beside him now is nothing like his friend. Despite his physical appearance and memories remaining exactly the same, Yoshiki knows something is amiss and that the Hikaru he once knew is gone. When he brings this up, Hikaru partially transforms into an otherworldly being, threatening to kill Yoshiki if he cannot accept it—while also professing its love for him.
Wracked with grief and unable to let go of his best friend, Yoshiki struggles to move on with his life as he finds himself getting closer to the new Hikaru. At the same time, strange occurrences begin to plague their village, bringing unsettling chaos.
Why I love it:how can a horror series have such unexpectedly wholesome and tender moments?? not only that but the mystery throughout this series will keep you intrigued.