Manga Influence: Rankings - Most Anticipated Manga in 2026

Hello everyone, 

Welcome to Manga Influence, similar to Gaming Influence, but primarily featuring my thoughts on specific manga and series, with a fun mix of manga-related content included.

For this edition of Manga Influence, I'll be ranking my most anticipated manga in 2026.

Before I start, my rankings will only be based on manga that will be released in 2026 or manga that are still ongoing heading into 2026. Additionally, my rankings will exclude light novels, manhwa, and manhua. In addition, if there isn't any manga in 2026 that doesn't make it on my rankings, that means that I have no interest in them, or forgot about them, so keep that in mind.

Anyway, let's get started!

Before I start my actual rankings, if you want to see my most anticipated manga of last year, check out the link here: Manga Influence: Most Anticipated Manga in 2025

Honorable Mentions: Daemons of the Shadow Realm, It's a Little Hard to be a Villainess of an Otome Game in Modern Society, The Assassin Laughs at Twilight, Phantom Busters, Kill Blue, Hunter x Hunter, A Sign of Affection, Medalist, Blue Period,  Don't Call It Mystery, Magus of the Library, Heavenly Delusion, Astro Royale, The Elusive Samurai, One-Punch Man, Hirayasumi, RuriDragon, Kindergarten Wars, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, Detective Conan, World Trigger, Four Knights of the Apocalypse, The Ancient Magus' Bride, Berserk, Soara and the House of Monsters, Wind Breaker, Grand Blue Dreaming, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun, Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray

Now, let's start with my #20 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Hanbun Kyoudai, or Half Is More in the West, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoico Fujimi. It was serialized by Leed Publishing's Torch Web from June 2022, and it is still ongoing.

This is a manga that I got into recently, which has a lot of potential. This manga generally covers human drama about how mixed-race individuals are being treated in modern Japan, which is something that still occurs in Japan to this day. This is something that Japanese who are not full can relate to, and anyone can relate to, no matter your race. If you want to read a manga that is full of emotion and drama, this is the manga for you.

Here's my #19 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Skip to Loafer, or Skip and Loafer in the West, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Misaki Takamatsu, as it was serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon from August 2018, and it is still ongoing.

As I mentioned in my favorite manga of 2025, it's a nice slice-of-life manga series that could be better as time goes on. I love the character development of Mitsumi Iwakura, particularly how she's trying to adjust to her new life in Tokyo. I'm curious to see where her character goes from here. Hope the story gets more interesting in 2026.

Here's my #18 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Kagurabachi is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takeru Hokazono, as it was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from September 2023, and it is still ongoing.

I mentioned this manga last year in my most anticipated manga in 2025, so it's back once again in my most anticipated manga in 2026. Even though this manga has become a meme online, that doesn't mean that this manga isn't great, because it is. This manga is about a young boy named Chihiro who trains under his father to become a swordsmith. Everything was going well for the family until tragedy struck as sorcerers killed Chihiro's father as Chihiro planned to avenge his death. Kagurabachi had a pretty good year in 2025 with its chapters, and hoping that it'll continue heading into 2026.

Here's my #17 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu, or The Summer Hikaru Died, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mokumokuren, as it was serialized in Kadokawa Station's Young Ace Up from August 2021, and it is still ongoing.

I love mysteries and psychological thrillers, and The Summer Hikaru Died is one of them, as it remains interesting throughout the story. What's happening in the Hole Closing Arc has me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what happens next. Can't wait to see how the Hole Closing Arc will continue or end heading into 2026.

Here's my #16 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Blue Box is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kouji Miura, as it was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from April 2021, and it is still ongoing.

This is a manga where you combine sports and romance into one, and I think Blue Box nailed that greatly, in my opinion. The Final Regional Qualifiers Arc has been really interesting so far in terms of the sport matches as well as the relationship among the characters. Very curious to see how the relationship continues, as well as how the games will turn out heading into 2026.

Here's my #15 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Gokurakugai is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuto Sano, as it was serialized in Shueisha's Jump Square from July 2022, and it is still ongoing.

This was a manga that I've been reading for a while now, and it's definitely starting to pick up. This manga is about a duo of troublemakers named Tao and Aima, who take on strange cases for money, no matter the situation, in a dark world where different creatures exist living together. I really love the dynamic that Tao and Aima have, and with this manga having an anime adaptation in the future, I feel like this manga will pick up once that happens, and we'll see how they do heading into 2026.

Here's my #14 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Gachiakuta is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kei Urana, as it was serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine from February 2022, and it is still ongoing.

This is a manga series that has the potential to be very popular among the shōnen community, and I feel like the series will only get better from here. The Doll Festival Arc has been quite interesting so far, and the anime has definitely gained interest in this series from among manga/anime fans alike. Looking forward to seeing how the story continues heading into 2026.

Here's my #13 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Sakamoto Days is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuto Suzuki, which was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from November 2020 and is still ongoing.

Even though I have issues with what's going on with the current arc in the New JAA in terms of pacing, I can't deny that what's going on with the story has been quite interesting. The characters within the story continue to develop, and I'm curious to see what happens next. Hopefully, in 2026, things turn around for Sakamoto Days, but we'll have to wait and see.

Here's my #12 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Blue Lock is a Japanese manga series written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, as it was serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine in August 2018 and is still ongoing.

This manga series definitely piqued my interest again last year, in 2025, as I felt that what they did in 2024 was not as exciting as previous years. I'm really enjoying what's happening in the U-20 World Cup Arc as the matches in that arc are insane. We'll see if they can keep it up, and I'd like to see how it'll continue or end in 2026.

Here's my #11 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Kingdom is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump in January 2006 and is still ongoing. 

To me, Kingdom tends to be the most consistent manga out there, and 2025 was no different. The current arc that Kingdom is in within the manga has been intense and thrilling, so I'm curious to see how it will continue heading into 2026. Plus, with the official localization of the manga in the West now, hopefully, more people will get into Kingdom in 2026.

Now, we're in the top ten. Here's my #10 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Akane-banashi is a Japanese manga series written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in February 2022, and it's still ongoing.

I expect big things from this manga heading into 2026, as what it did in 2025 was great in my opinion. What's happening in the Isshokai Arc has been great as it makes me feel for Akane to make her want to succeed. With the anime adaptation of this manga coming up in three months, I expect this manga to gain some popularity and interest this year, in 2026, and I hope it continues to thrive.

Here's my #9 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku, or The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity in the West, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Saka Mikami. It was serialized in Kodansha's Magazine Pocket from October 2021, and it is still ongoing.

This manga has definitely gotten better as the years go on, and 2025 was an excellent year for the series as a whole, I feel like. I continue to love the relationship between Rintaro and Kaoruko as they try to be together despite a lot of differences between each other. The anime adaptation definitely did wonders for this series as well, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this relationship will continue to evolve heading into 2026.

Here's my #8 most anticipated manga in 2026:

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in July 1997, and it is still ongoing.

Yep, it's One Piece. I mean, what else is there to say about it? With the manga currently being in its final arc, the chapters of One Piece in 2025 have been great for the most part. The Elbaf Arc is definitely delivering so far, and I'm very curious to see how this arc will end when that time comes. Either way, I expect big things from One Piece in the manga in 2026.

Here's my #7 most anticipated manga in 2026:

JoJo no Kimyou an Bouken Part 9: The JOJOLands or JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 9: The JOJOLands in the West is based on the ninth story arc of the Japanese manga series, JoJo no Kimyou an Bouken, or JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in the West, written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki as it was serialized in Shueisha's Ultra Jump in February 2023, and it is still ongoing.

I mean, is there anything else to say about this? It's freaking JoJo's Bizarre Adventure! Granted, even though Part 7 is still my favorite part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Part 9 has been pretty great so far in terms of what they're doing with the characters and their Stands. I'm very curious to see how it will continue heading into 2026, but I think it's going to be awesome regardless.

Here's my #6 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Spy x Family is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo. It was serialized in Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ in March 2019 and is still ongoing.

Spy x Family continues to be one of my favorite manga series to read each year, and even though 2025 wasn't the best year for Spy x Family, in my opinion, it was still great. I'm currently enjoying what's happening in the Current Arc as the character developments among the characters have been going smoothly. We'll see if Spy x Family will have a better year heading into 2026, which I think it will.

Now, we're in the top five. Here's my #5 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Tongari Bōshi no Atorie, or Witch Hat Atelier in the West, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kamone Shirahama. It has currently serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Morning Two magazine since July 2016 and is still ongoing.

This manga series continues to get better each year and it's only going to get more recognition and popularity once the anime starts to air. What's happening currenly in the Silver Eve Arc is very interesting and I feel like it's only going to get better from here. Very curious to see how this manga series will do in 2026, but I expect them to do amazing work this year.

Here's my #4 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Dandadan is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump+ in April 2021, and it's still ongoing.

Dandadan is currently one of my favorite manga series and what's happening in the Current Arc has been quite intriguing. Granted, there are some things that I do questioned within the arc itself, but still can't deny that I'm enjoying it and loving the character development among the characters as well. We'll see if they can keep it up heading into 2026.

Here's my #3 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Chainsaw Man is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from December 2018 to December 2020, before switching to Shōnen Jump+ for the second part, which began in July 2022 and is still ongoing.

Even though the Current Arc in Chainsaw Man isn't as incredible compared to the other arcs in the manga, it still has its great moments and it's still enjoyable to read. With the manga possibly ending this year with the direction that the manga is going, I can see it trying to do its best to end the series on a high note, but it depends on the direction they're heading to. Regardless, I expect big things from Chainsaw Man in 2026, and we'll see if it ends or not this year.

Here's my #2 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, or The Apothecary Diaries in the West, is a Japanese manga series written by Natsu Hyūga and illustrated by Touko Shino. It was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan in May 2017 and Shogakukan's Monthly Sunday Gene-X in August 2017, as both are still ongoing.

Apothecary Diaries continues to be one of my favorite manga series currently, and what's happening in the manga has been astounding. All of the suspense, mystery, and thrill continue to heat up, and I have a feeling that it's only going to get better from here. I expect amazing things heading into 2026 for Apothecary Diaries, and I'm sure those expectations will be met. 

Now, here's my #1 most anticipated manga in 2026:

Sousou no Frieren or Frieren: Beyond Journey's End in the West is a Japanese manga series written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukaba Abe. It's been serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday since April 2020 and is still ongoing. 

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End continues to be one of the best manga series currently, and a series that I personally enjoy a lot as well. Everything that is happening with the Foundation Festival Arc continues to get me on the edge of my seat as I want to see what happens next within the story itself, along with the characters. We'll see how Foundation Festival Arc will continue or end heading into 2026.

Those are my most anticipated manga in 2026.

What is your most anticipated manga in 2026?

Let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for reading.