While 2021 was a challenging year in many respects, thanks to the ongoing COVID pandemic, it’s hard to claim that it wasn’t a great year for manga in terms of new releases.
Sales for manga have increased significantly over the course of the the last couple years, presumably because people have been staying home more and have had more time for reading. The North American manga market has responded accordingly and a plethora of exciting new series were released over the course of the past year.
As a result, I actually had quite a hard time narrowing down my top picks this year. There were just too many titles to consider! I managed in the end, however, and am ready to present you with my favourite new titles from 2021.
Please keep in mind, this is a personal top 10 list and is reflective of which series I enjoyed reading the most, not necessarily which titles I think are the best on an objective level. If there are any awesome titles that you think I’ve overlooked, be sure to let me know about them in the comments. Also, please note that I’ve limited myself to new series that were released in North America over the course of 2021 and focused on print releases, as that’s what I predominantly like to buy. As such, even if a book had an earlier digital release, if the print version came out during 2021 I’ll still count it as a new title.
With that out of the way, here are My Top 10 Manga of 2021 in no particular order!
1. The King’s Beast
This series has a compelling mystery, a sweet romance subplot and a dramatic narrative that tackles issues of discrimination and classism. The art is also gorgeous and I’ve really been enjoying the experience of trying to work out who could have been behind the plot that resulted in the heroine’s brother’s grisly death. If you enjoy having some political intrigue mixed into your fantasy romance stories, then check this manga out.
2. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Frieren is a soulful series that explores the experience of a nearly immortal elf who must cope with watching those around her age and pass on while she remains young. Even the stalwart companions who braved many dangers with her during their quest to save the world eventually leave her behind. Frieren must learn to make the most of the time she has with her loved ones, so she can eventually say goodbye to them without any regrets.
This is a beautiful and melancholy manga that really made an impact one me. Something about the simple and gently paced story and its exploration of loss just stuck with me. I highly recommend that you give it a try, especially if you’re a fan of high-fantasy novels or games.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Vol 1 Review
3. Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide
Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide is a BL title that follows boyfriends Asahi and Mitsuki as they take a journey of self-discovery around the world together before they tie the knot.
This series is full of educational information about the different countries the characters visit, as well as plenty of fluffy moments with the two as a couple. The lovingly detailed drawings of the regional foods they sample on their travels always look absolutely delectable, and I can’t wait to see where Asahi and Mitsuki will visit next. I think this is a great read for travel buffs and BL fans alike.
Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide Vol 1 Review
4. Skip and Loafer
A wholesome teen drama/slice-of-life series, this manga is all about how a country girl, who’s, maybe a little weird, manages to thrive in the big city thanks to her optimism and go-getter attitude. It’s cute, funny and always entertaining. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good story about making friends and adapting to a new environment.
5. Otherside Picnic
This series mixes together some of my favourite story elements: mystery, trippy sci-fi concepts and a yuri romance.
Our heroines team up to explore an alternate dimension and must fight off monsters and avoid having their mental faculties effected by the mind-altering phenomena of this strange new world. It’s an exciting read, and I’m looking forward to learning more about the alternate dimension and to seeing if the bond between the two main characters will continue to deepen over the course of their adventures.
Otherside Picnic (Manga) Vol 1 Review
6. A School Frozen in Time
On a snowy morning, a group of students find themselves alone at school and unable to leave the building due to a bizarre power that is keeping them trapped. The teens come to the conclusion that they’re being held in a psychically created dimension, and that one of their own is likely the culprit. As more and more strange and frightening things begin to happen around them, the group struggle to figure out who could be behind this, before it’s too late!
When I first started reading this series, I had some issues with the art, which can be quite awkward in places, especially early on. As I kept reading, however, this mattered less and less and I was soon swept up in the story. The characters in this ensemble cast are all interesting and fleshed out, with each one getting some individual focus, and their journey to discover who has trapped them all and why is a thrilling ride. There were several twists that I didn’t predict and the manga’s conclusion left me feeling entirely satisfied. This is a series that I highly recommend people check out, though I will include a content warning for depictions of suicide and teen prostitution.
A School Frozen in Time Vol 1 Review
7. I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss
This manga is on this list because it’s just pure fun.
The protagonist of I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss is a regular girl who finds herself reborn as Aileen, the villainess in her favourite otome game. In order to avoid an untimely death, Aileen considers her knowledge of the game’s plot and decides to romantically pursue the game’s ultimate antagonist: the Demon King! With her insider knowledge and the sly cunning of a villainess at her disposal, Aileen is determined to carve out a better future for herself – and the misunderstood demons too!
Aileen is a hilarious character; I loved watching her embrace her villainous side and scheme her way into the Demon King’s heart. I enjoyed this manga so much I wound up buying the light novel it’s based on, which was also super entertaining. This series is a must read for shojo isekai manga fans, especially if you’re fond of the “reincarnated as the villainess” trope.
I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss (manga) Vol 1 Review
8. The Vampire and His Pleasant Companions
This BL series has is all: heart-wrenching drama, shocking twists and a slow-burn romance between a brooding hunk and a bright-eyed vampire in need of a home. Oh, and cute bats! Let’s not forget that.
The Vampire & His Pleasant Companions is a tad more gory than your average vampire romance, so readers should be prepared for some upsetting imagery. That said, the story of how Al, a vampire who accidently finds himself stranded in a foreign country, befriends the prickly Akira and starts to bring him out of his shell, is ultimately touching and sweet. This series is funny, emotional and exciting. It even incorporates some crime drama elements into the story to keep readers on their toes. Boys Love fans should be sure to give this series a try.
The Vampire and His Pleasant Companions Vol 1 Review
9. Mashle: Magic and Muscles
I found Mashle’s silly humor and comedically simple art style funny from the start, but was initially a little concerned that this series would wind up flogging its central joke to death.
The manga follows Mash, a teenage boy who has no magical abilities, but who has honed his physical strength to such an extreme degree that he essentially has superpowers. This kid winds up attending a magic school and must use his strength, speed and agility to outmaneuver the snobbish elites of the academy so that he can someday change society for the better – somehow.
It’s a fun concept, but one I felt could get old fast if handled poorly.
Thus far, it seems I needn’t have worried. Several volumes in, I’m still getting plenty of laughs out of this series. If anything, it’s only gotten funnier as new ridiculous characters have been added to round out the cast. This is a series I can see myself continuing to enjoy well into the future.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Vol 1 Review
10. Dick Fight Island
There was no way I could leave this manga off my top 10 list! With its attention grabbing title and hilariously outlandish premise, Dick Fight Island is a series that cannot be ignored.
This manga is hysterical! It’s also sexy and, at times, even cute. The story follows a group of men who’re participating in a tournament to determine the next leader of their archipelago, and the contest is pretty smutty in nature. With so many characters in the principal cast, there are plenty of different potential pairings to root for as the competitors all square off and secretly – or not so secretly – pine after each other.
This is a boys love series you won’t want to miss, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the release of the second volume.
Dick Fight Island Vol 1 Review
Well, those were My Top 10 Manga of 2021. Be sure to let me know what you thought of these picks and what new series were your favourites in the comments.
I’ll be releasing my Top 10 Most Anticipated Manga for 2022 list within a few days, so be sure to check back to see what I’m looking forward to reading most in the upcoming new year. If you’re curious to see if any of the manga on this list were on my most anticipated list from last year, you can check it out here.
Also be sure to take a peek at my Top 10 Manga lists from previous years:
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Al's Manga Blog 
I really want to like The King’s Beast, but I’m worried Toma will once again introduce a time skip which totally seems to interrupt the flow of her manga. Hopefully she’s learned this time around…
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There were a couple of those in Dawn of the Arcana, if I recall. I hope we don’t get any of those too.
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I am amazed at the variety of manga titles out there! Where do you find them all?
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‘Frieren’ sounds great! Is it a super-long series?
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