Highlights
- Seinen manga in 2023 offer unique narratives, exploring mature themes and the darker aspects of humanity.
- “Maria no Danzai” is a dark revenge story that tackles the issue of severe bullying and its consequences.
- “Mi-Chan wa Kawaretai” is a lighthearted romantic comedy manga, perfect for readers looking for a fun and enjoyable story.
2023 saw numerous Seinen manga find their beginning and reach the public, providing countless readers with entertainment. Despite many new entries and manga for fans to enjoy, it can be hard to find gems among the numerous new titles. Seinen encompasses many genres, and everyone is bound to find something they will enjoy.
Some great Seinen manga began their stories in 2023, providing a perfect opportunity for dedicated readers to immerse themselves in new worlds that tackle mature themes and do not shy away from exploring the darker aspects of humanity. Those vary by genre; their only common characteristic is the target audience.
Maria no Danzai
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.35
- Writer: Kazuki
- Art: Junto Kamejima
- Genre: Drama, Psychological Thriller
One of the more popular new Seinen Manga of 2023, Maria no Danzai, tells a story centering around the mother of a schoolboy who suffers from severe bullying in school and hides it. Eventually, he reaches a breaking point with horrible incidents occurring. His mother, Maria, only learns the truth after it is too late and plots an elaborate revenge plot.
This manga is notable for its dark tone and topics as it explores one of the vilest facets of humanity. It is a good option for someone who enjoys a revenge story and seeing monstrous people get what is coming to them.
Dogsred
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.34
- Writer & Art: Satoru Noda
- Genre: Sports
Dogsred tells a story focused on sports, which nevertheless has an unexpected twist. Rou Shirakawa disgraces himself by losing control and destroying the stage, ruining his prestige as a man with the highest score in Japan Junior Skating competition. After this low point, Rou’s primary goal is to reclaim his honor, which he plans to do by enhancing his skills in ice hockey so he can redeem himself in the eyes of the sports world.
This manga is for anyone who enjoys stories focusing on sports and exploring themes of perseverance, dedication, and rising from the lows to achieve success. The sports genre tends to lean quite heavily into tropes, and most of its offerings are shonen properties; however, Dogsred sets itself apart by offering a more mature take than the norm.
Mi-Chan Wa Kawaretai
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.27
- Writer & Art: Waka Takase
- Genre: Romance, Comedy
For those who want something less dramatic, Mi-Chan wa Kawaretai can be worth looking into. This manga tells the story of Iori, a young man going through relatable and down-to-earth problems, such as insomnia and losing his beloved cat. His life becomes empty until he takes in a black cat who becomes a woman the following day, whose origin remains mysterious.
Mi-Chan wa Kawaretai is worth checking out for anyone who wishes to read a romantic manga with a lighthearted story that allows the audience to have genuine fun. Mii-chan steals the show here, which is often the case with these types of romantic comedies, but Iori is a decent male lead who complements his female partner well.
Renai Daikou
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.14
- Writer: Aka Akasaka
- Art: 5mm Nishizawa
- Genre: Comedy
Another manga on the lighthearted romantic side, Renai Daikou tells the story of a young girl named Mari Maria Winter Nanase who has a very privileged and fulfilling life with her wealthy family and friends. However, she isn’t knowledgeable about the opposite sex, which leads to her asking for help from an agency that is supposed to set people up and manage their romantic life.
A lighthearted romantic manga at its core, Renai Dakou still maintains some mystery and secrets, as Maria’s crush ends up being not as straightforward and genuine as he might seem, using the agency to his own advantage.
Mujina into the Deep
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.09
- Writer & Art: Inio Asano
- Genre: Action
Moving away into the realm of the dramatic, Mujina into the Deep provides an insight into the world of an assassin girl who hunts her targets. She traverses a large metropolitan city named Tsukumo to pursue her targets and deals with various challenges.
The manga provides a setting reminiscent of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and a morally gray protagonist who is often conflicted about her goals and actions. The manga’s primary genre is action, so the readers should expect fighting scenes and moments of gore to be a common sight in this manga.
Nezumi no Hatsukoi
MyAnimeList Rating: N/A
- Writer & Art: Riku Ooseto
- Genre: Romance, Drama
For those interested in delving into the criminal world while still keeping the romantic undertones, Nezumi no Hatsukoi would be a great option to explore. The protagonist, Nezumi, is raised by the yakuza clan to be a trained killer; human emotions are alien to her. That is until she meets Ao, beginning their tale of first love.
This manga delves into the dramatic side of love and the lives of people who have been mistreated by those around them. The story has a lot of potential to develop into something truly bittersweet for all readers who enjoy tragic romance.
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