What kind of manga would be a fresh or creative take right now?

[74HC595]

Give me those pretty armors minus the otakus.

The recent anime Metallic Rouge felt tokusatsu inspired, but also magical girl inspired. I’d like to see more of that fusion.

 

[PantsMan]

Comic with 'tokusatsu hero' style of visual that aren't being too on-the-nose that their plots are too relying on the fanboy love for tokusatsu heroes. Give me those pretty armors minus the otakus.

[...]

What we have now tend to have overfixation on good and bad and 'what Sunday Morning show heroes would do', which actual tokusatsu hero shows they're basing their work off do. It makes the concept of heroes and villains felt slightly unreal rather than properly integrated into the world.

Where would you put something like Zetman on this scale? Is it exactly what you mean by "too obsessed with good and bad", or would you consider its premise that it's a prequel/build-up to a dark tokusatsu series that doesn't exist as "properly integrated into the world"?

 

[Basic_human]

Fuck I want more world building manga

That be so refreshing, immersing oneself in the world of fantasy. That's one of components make Magus Bride and Frierend Journey so good

 

[darktennisball]

tldr

The problem [it’s not a problem, I have never been more grateful that 2025 yields less violent people compared to our ancestors] with modern crime stories with “realism“ is that unless set in under-developed nations, you’re left with non-violent crimes. So that’s sex and drugs and white/blue-collar negotiations… not really as cinematic as war violence or hand-to-hand combat imo. Max Payne 3 had to go to a completely different continent instead of New York City for that very reason.

 

[ScarletKitsune]

I haven't read too many manga yet but getting into it more as of recent so may not be the thing that "breaks the mold" but if there's anything like what I mention then feel free to send a recommendation.

I kind of want to see a type of manga that feels like it could be a slice of life but with a group of non-humans to see more of their non-human traits more outside of basic descriptions but to give them more depth on how they'd interact with humans. Using yokai as an example since I'm obviously bias but imagine like a group of yokais having slice of life activities like messing with humans but also being secretive enough to not be seen so the human world still assume they're just legend or ghosts still having regrets on wanting to see the world and its about self-discovery enjoying what they weren't able to see when alive but also explain phenomena on what we commonly associate with candles going out, flickering lights, etc.

Just personally like the types of stories where you take normal things that happen in our world and look at them in a different fun way to help make our lives even a bit more interesting.

 

[EchoGirl]

A romance where the main couple gets together, flare up, cool down, then split apart (naturally). You could even pair it with the phases of the moon: waxing, then waning, with a new moon representing new relationships.


Feels like this concept definitely should have been done before at least.

I think how do we relationship (yuri) was like that but I think they did hookup again at some point , not sure what direction the story is going in now

 

[ezzhead]

Hope it’s ok to start a discussion like that.

What do you think are genres/tropes/concepts that are a little neglected by mangaka right now? What kind of read would make you think „This writer really does something unique there“?

My contribution in tldr:

- White-collar Yakuza. Every single manga I’ve read up till now that showed Yakuza portrayed them as either terrifying, but honorable badasses or monstrously immoral thugs and crime lords who would beat or kill people at the slightest provocation, and as violent and surly gangsters either way. If you read news and articles about Japan, you consistently get reminded that the country has some of the least amount of violence and homicides in the world, and that organizations in that country who regularly take part in gang wars or order assassinations twice a week aren’t realistic. In fact, you’ll find that most Yakuza organisations nowadays make their money from white collar crime: Laundering money through property trade, that sort of thing. Also, many Shinto temples cooperate with them, because they’re some of the few organizations both willing and able to rent the temple grounds for personal use. Manga about white-collar criminals in general seem kinda rare.

- A story that deconstructs the habit of idolizing other people (not just professional idols, but also „dazzling school princes“ or „inhumanly beautiful angels“ and such) from an outside perspective. Whenever manga attempt to deconstruct the idol genre, they always focus on the idols themselves, how they suffer from the obsession of their fans, and they usually attempt to divide the fans into „good, supportive fans“ and „evil, obsessive creeps“. No story asks what would cause somebody to idolize another person like that, instead of concentrating on their own life in a relaxed way. Do they have self-esteem issues? Does their life literally have no meaning otherwise? Perhaps to the Japanese this is self-evident, but to me as an outsider it is not.

- Sci-Fi in general. Genre sadly seems to have declined a lot. Last really good one (imho) I remember is Astra - Lost in Space.

Discuss, complain, share your hopes and expectations!

If there was something sounding like any of these, I would binge read it even if it had a low rating -

1. MC defects to the demon side of war, willingly or not (mind control, straight up kidnapping. As long as the mc fights for them of their own will at some point)

2. Demons are not evil and the humans essentially started a war for no reason, while lying about demons true nature in some ways (basically, humans bad)

3. The majority of the class that got summoned are on the humans side while not actually being all shitty people

4. Psychological or philosophical themes

Don't care if it's romance, pure Isekai, or whatever. If anyone knows something like these, hit me with it

 

[ezzhead]

Romance - But it's about shipping other people together, matchmaker style (still mad that that wasn't what "Kiss Him, Not Me!" was)

This is kind of like that https://mangadex.org/title/cb1b1da5-9436-49f5-8a6b-a1689fb86d91/love-bullet
Actually, this is exactly that. Literally shipping is the whole manga.

 

[ezzhead]

I haven't read too many manga yet but getting into it more as of recent so may not be the thing that "breaks the mold" but if there's anything like what I mention then feel free to send a recommendation.

I kind of want to see a type of manga that feels like it could be a slice of life but with a group of non-humans to see more of their non-human traits more outside of basic descriptions but to give them more depth on how they'd interact with humans. Using yokai as an example since I'm obviously bias but imagine like a group of yokais having slice of life activities like messing with humans but also being secretive enough to not be seen so the human world still assume they're just legend or ghosts still having regrets on wanting to see the world and its about self-discovery enjoying what they weren't able to see when alive but also explain phenomena on what we commonly associate with candles going out, flickering lights, etc.

Just personally like the types of stories where you take normal things that happen in our world and look at them in a different fun way to help make our lives even a bit more interesting.

If you're just starting reading manga, then for fantasy something like this---> The One With The Villainess best villainess manga ever and top isekai on the platform.

This for yuri--->Green Yuri


This for romance--->Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity


And this if you want to cry--->The Summer You Were There RIP Kaori, we were praying for you. You will be missed.

 

[undeed]

1. MC defects to the demon side of war, willingly or not (mind control, straight up kidnapping. As long as the mc fights for them of their own will at some point)

2. Demons are not evil and the humans essentially started a war for no reason, while lying about demons true nature in some ways (basically, humans bad)

there are a lot, but I mostly dropped them, so it's a bit hard to remember
they're usually overlapped, so not exactly it but close enough
Saikyou Yuusha wa Oharai Hako
Cheat Skill "Shisha Sosei"
Shokei Sareta Kenja
Nankoufuraku no Maoujou
Yuusha, Yamemasu
Maou Gun Saikyou no Majutsushi
Biryuu Enshoutan

3. The majority of the class that got summoned are on the humans side while not actually being all shitty people

with "majority", then I think of
Hitoribocchi no Isekai Kouryaku
the other are about 50:50 at most
like Isekai Yurutto Survival or Hazure Hantei kara
can't remember the other

 

[undeed]

I kind of want to see a type of manga that feels like it could be a slice of life but with a group of non-humans to see more of their non-human traits more outside of basic descriptions but to give them more depth on how they'd interact with humans.

there are aspects of it in Toumei Otoko to Ningen Onna and Species Domain

Using yokai as an example since I'm obviously bias but imagine like a group of yokais having slice of life activities like messing with humans but also being secretive enough to not be seen so the human world still assume they're just legend or ghosts still having regrets on wanting to see the world and its about self-discovery enjoying what they weren't able to see when alive but also explain phenomena on what we commonly associate with candles going out, flickering lights, etc.

while some of this part can be found in Kyokou Suiri when Kotoko is dealing with the youkai's problems

Other slice of life I can think of I guess Chiisako's Garden
but it's a short anthology, so it didn't really show a lot of human interactions

 

[ezzhead]

Biryuu Enshoutan

So, just from the comments this seems to be some of the most messed up shit ever. So I just, uuuhhm.. why? Like thanks for the others I'll give those a try-but whyyy????? Thiiiiiisssss??? If it's genuinely good and not actually super f'd up then I'll give it a try but not one of those comments seemed to say anything good about it. Still, at the very least, thank you for most of the recommendations, I will probably like them.

 

[undeed]

Fuck I want more world building manga

That be so refreshing, immersing oneself in the world of fantasy. That's one of components make Magus Bride and Frierend Journey so good

I'm not sure about Frieren being in the world building manga
I thoroughly enjoyed Frieren manga, and I loved the anime.
But world building it ain't.

Frieren is all about the vibe.
I don't really see any intricate interconnection between cities or races or histories within the world. It's always just go to a city, drop the backstory for that city. That's it.

To me, world building is about introducing the integrated environment that made me truly believe that people actually live in that specific world.
Magus Bride is also good, but to me the world is confined from the house, to some magical place, and then to school. And there's not much to it.

Good World Building for me at least is like Dungeon Meshi. But then it's also very limited to the confined space of the dungeon. So it only explore the intricate habitat of the living being inside it. (maybe I can say the same for Made in Abyss)

My pick for World Building is always Magus of the Library which introduces many cities, many races, many ethnicity, all with their own customs and habits, and presents how each interacts with each other. Things as simple as saying hello, etc.

My second pick is Kuutei Dragons. A lot of people hated it because it is an analogous story of whaling. But in term of world building, it's really good. It shows how people would live in that world if such animals exist. How each dragon carcass is used specific to its species, etc.

 

[undeed]

So, just from the comments this seems to be some of the most messed up shit ever. So I just, uuuhhm.. why? Like thanks for the others I'll give those a try-but whyyy????? Thiiiiiisssss??? If it's genuinely good and not actually super f'd up then I'll give it a try but not one of those comments seemed to say anything good about it. Still, at the very least, thank you for most of the recommendations, I will probably like them.

hahaha,
well... you ask one with "human is bad, not the demon"
so...

 

[ezzhead]

hahaha,
well... you ask one with "human is bad, not the demon"
so...

Uhh, that might be mb, maybe I phrased it wrong. I meant in like a war setting, which was what most of them were. But yeah, it this fits that as well, it's just really messed up in the worst way possible.😭 Either way, thanks for the majority recommendations lol

 

[Ferreas]

I kind of want to see a type of manga that feels like it could be a slice of life but with a group of non-humans to see more of their non-human traits more outside of basic descriptions but to give them more depth on how they'd interact with humans.

The obvious one that popped right up in my head is Demi-chan.
Cute slice of life with lots of youkai\monster girls and their day to day activities, struggles or insecurities.
With a bunch of healthy comedy.

Also there is Monmusu, which is much more on the ecchi + slightly cringy comedy side. Not my cup of tea, so I haven't read it except first several chapters, but many people like it, so I'm leaving it here.

I was about to mention Kyokou Suiri too, but Undead beat me to it.

 

[Manko-sensei]

If there was something sounding like any of these, I would binge read it even if it had a low rating -

1. MC defects to the demon side of war, willingly or not (mind control, straight up kidnapping. As long as the mc fights for them of their own will at some point)

2. Demons are not evil and the humans essentially started a war for no reason, while lying about demons true nature in some ways (basically, humans bad)

3. The majority of the class that got summoned are on the humans side while not actually being all shitty people

4. Psychological or philosophical themes

Don't care if it's romance, pure Isekai, or whatever. If anyone knows something like these, hit me with it

Since you're desperately asking for it, the one that has most of it is Hataraku Maou-sama, except for the part that it's Reverse Isekai (so no shitty overpowered MC or nonsense isekaied teenagers). Don't bother with the anime adaptation, the manga adaptation instead is enjoyable. The series is licensed by Yenpress, so you know where you can find the rest of the chapters.

 

[ezzhead]

Since you're desperately asking for it, the one that has most of it is Hataraku Maou-sama, except for the part that it's Reverse Isekai (so no shitty overpowered MC or nonsense isekaied teenagers). Don't bother with the anime adaptation, the manga adaptation instead is enjoyable. The series is licensed by Yenpress, so you know where you can find the rest of the chapters.

ooooohhh, yeah I've seen some of the anime already. It's not really bad, but i'll believe you if you say the manga is better.

 

[Manko-sensei]

ooooohhh, yeah I've seen some of the anime already. It's not really bad, but i'll believe you if you say the manga is better.

The first season was okay (even with the changes), but after many years a different studio picked it up and it simply turned terrible.