When it comes to the world of manga, there are so many incredible women behind some of the most popular and influential series of the past several decades. There are, of course, shōjo and josei series, which traditionally target girls and women as the demographic. Mangaka like Ai Yazawa (Nana), Bisco Hatori (Ouran High School Host Club), and Naoko Takeuchi (Sailor Moon) come to mind for these sorts of series, telling stories that still resonate with audiences today.
Then there are mangaka who stepped beyond the shōjo and josei series. Hiromu Arakawa, for instance, delivered one of the best shōnen series withFullmetal Alchemist. More contemporarily, some of the best modern fantasy series are also by women, as is the case for Kamome Shirahama’sWitch Hat Atelierand Ryoko Kui’sDelicious in Dungeon. For those looking for some of the best manga by women to check out, here are 10 of the best mangaka works to read today.
Ai Yazawa is the artist and writer behind one of the most beloved josei series out there,Nana, one of manga’s greatest stories about friendship. This series is about two women named Nana who meet on a train to Tokyo. They come into each other’s lives right as they are going through major changes, and this kicks off a beautiful friendship unlike any other.Nana, like Ai Yazawa’s other works –Paradise KissandNeighborhood Story– is known for its high-fashion-inspired art. Along with that,Nanais a great coming-of-age story for young adults, and its central friendship is one of the most endearing in manga.
After 20 Years, the Manga That Inspired Ouran High School Host Club Is Getting an Anime
Hana-Kimi, the manga that inspired shoujo classic Ouran High School Host Club, is finally getting the anime adaptation it deserves.
WhereNanaexplores a more mature story, Bisco Hatori’sOuran High School Host Clubtargets a younger teen demographic. In it, Haruhi Fujioka earns a scholarship to attend Ouran Academy, but after breaking a vase for the school’s host club, Haruhi pays back her debt by acting as a host.Ouran High School Host Clubis a revolutionary series, especially when it comes to its examinations of gender and class. Haruhi is one of the best protagonists for a shōjo series, as she is very confident in herself, changing the lives of the other host club members in positive ways.
For another manga that plays with gender, look no further thanRanma 1/2by Rumiko Takashi. This iconic manga got a Netflixremake some believe is already better than the originalRanma 1/2. In it, Ranma is cursed to assume the form of a girl whenever he comes into contact with cold water. Along with the magical elements,Ramna 1/2is a martial arts series, with Ranma arranged to marry one of the daughters of the Soun family dojo. This is not Rumiko Takashi’s only beloved manga, as she is also the creator behindInuyasha.
7A Silent Voice
Written By Yoshitoki Ōima
Another slice-of-life series that broke many hearts isA Silent Voiceby Yoshitoki Ōima. The premise on its own is a near guarantee to leave readers weeping. In it, Shōya Ishida bullies a Shōko Nishimiya, a girl born deaf. While his bullying was once encouraged by friends, Shōya crosses a line, prompting Shōko to transfer schools and Shōya to become an outcast. However, the two reconnect, leading to a manga that explores an unlikely story about friendship, forgiveness, and bullying. What truly stands out about Yoshitoki Ōima’s work is the level of nuance she takes when approaching these subjects, making for a more thoughtful story.
Yes, Sailor Moon Does Have Its Own Earth Guardian. You Just Missed Them.
While Sailor Moon’s Earth does not have its own Sailor Senshi, there is an Earth Guardian throughout the series that every fan needs to know about.
Slice-of-life manga is far from the only genre shōjo series caters to. Magic girls, for instance, are incredibly popular. One of the most beloved,iconic series is Naoko Takeuchi’sSailor Moon. It’s had a massive impact internationally, an impact still felt decades after it was first printed.Sailor Moonis about Usagi, who learns she’s destined to be a magical girl who fights evil alongside her friends. Usagi’s painfully relatable, but if readers can’t relate to her, it’s practically a guarantee they’ll relate to another Sailor Scout.
While not a traditional magical girl series,Revolutionary Girl Utenahas a massive impact on the magical girl genre, shōjo series, and even American animated series, likeSteven Universe. Chiho Saito wrote and illustrated theRevolutionary Girl Utenamanga, which was quickly turned into an anime of the same name. In it, Utena is a high school student drawn into a sword-fighting tournament for the hand of Anthy Himemiya, the Rose Bride. In doing so, she becomes Anthy’s protector. For those intoRevolutionary Girl Utenafor the relationship between Utena and Anthy, the manga has fans covered.
4Witch Hat Atelier
Written By Kamome Shirahama
WhileSailor Moondelivers traditional depictions of magical girls, there’s a recent fantasy series that delivers a fun, different take on girls learning magic. That series, which gets an anime in 2025, is Kamome Shirahama’sWitch Hat Atelier. For anyone looking fora new wizarding series to check out, this is it. One of the most gorgeous manga out right now,Witch Hat Atelieris about Coco, who longs to be a witch, and she gets her wish at a cost. Now, she must learn magic to fix what’s broken.Witch Hat Atelieris a must-read series, with one of the best magic systems ever.
Before Crunchyroll’s Best New Anime Drops, You Need to Check Out Witch Hat Atelier’s Manga
In 2025, Witch Hat Atelier is set to premiere on Crunchyroll, but before that, there are 13 volumes of the beloved manga to catch up on.
What’s more is that Witch Hat Atelier has been confirmed to receive an anime in 2025. With a trailer and visual key art to celebrate its debut, fans who have just checked out the manga can find even more to love when the anime comes out.
Another manga that delivers a brilliant magic system isFullmetal Alchemist. Hiromu Arakawa’sFullmetal Alchemistis one ofthe best manga and animeever. Following the Elrich brothers as they try to get their bodies back after breaking the rules of alchemy,Fullmetal Alchemistgoes well beyond that, as action must be taken to stop an evil that could take countless lives. It’s a phenomenal shōnen series that is unafraid to ask hard questions and explore heavy themes, like genocide and xenophobia. It’s amazing on a first read, but it gets better with every re-read.
Continuing on the fantasy train,one of the best anime from 2024is based on Ryoko Kui’sDelicious in Dungeon. This series is made for fans of games likeDungeons & Dragonsor fantasy series likeThe Lord of the Rings. After Laios’ sister, Fallin, is eaten by a dragon after the party’s wipeout in the dungeon, he finds himself in a race against time to put together a new team and save her. From his previous team, the mage who studied alongside Fallin, Marcille, and the trapsmith, Chilchuck, volunteered to go back with Laios.
The only issue is, they have no money for food after losing their supplies to the previous battle, utilizing what’s provided in the dungeon instead: monsters. Only thanks to the resourceful dwarf, Senshi, who knows how to best prepare the monsters inhabiting the dungeon into healthy and delicious dishes, is the party able to venture forth in their quest to save Laios’ sister before she’s fully digested.
Perhaps one of the most iconic shōjo series isFruits Basketby Natsuki Takaya. After the death of her mother, high school student Tohru Honda makes her way into the lives of Sohma family, a well-off family with a dark, mystical secret. Several family members, when hugged by someone of the opposite gender, turn into Zodiac animals. While there is a literal curse on this family,Fruits Baskethas a lot of slice-of-life elements, and it tackles deeply emotional issues, including abuse. Along with that, the central romance featuring Tohru won the hearts of many young readers as it came out.
