What is this genre all about? Focus set on darker themes in a fantasy setting, sometimes leaning towards horror elements. Bleak and pessimistic tones often dominate. Dark supernatural beings like vampires may play a significant role.
We present you the list of Dark Fantasy manga you should read right now.
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Top 18 Dark Fantasy manga you should read right now. [2025 List]
- 18. Berserk
- 17. Boroboro no Elf-san wo Shiawase ni Suru Kusuriuri-san
- 16. Goblin Slayer
- 15. Claymore
- 14. Made in Abyss
- 13. Goblin Slayer Gaiden: Year One
- 12. Ibyangttal Yeoka-rol Jinachige Jalhaebeoryeotda
- 11. Lord of the Mysteries
- 10. I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain
- 9. Boss-yeusseum
- 8. Oneesama to Watashi: Ojousama ga Isekai Tensei
- 7. Bibliomania
- 6. Dungeon Defense
- 5. Tentacle Hole
- 4. Kemono Jihen
- 3. Totsukuni no Shoujo
- 2. Kuraki Kyuuden no Shisha no Ou
- 1. Tsugihagi Darake no Saikyou Yuusha
18. Berserk
His name is Guts, the Black Swordsman, a feared warrior spoken of only in whispers. Bearer of a gigantic sword, an iron hand, and the scars of countless battles and tortures, his flesh is also indelibly marked with The Brand, an unholy symbol that draws the forces of darkness to him and dooms him as their sacrifice. But Guts won't take his fate lying down; he'll cut a crimson swath of carnage through the ranks of the damned—and anyone else foolish enough to oppose him! Accompanied by Puck the Elf, more an annoyance than a companion, Guts relentlessly follows a dark, bloodstained path that leads only to death...or vengeance.
Notes:
- Volumes 1-5 contain the 16 prequel chapters 0A - 0P.
- Chapter 83 was omitted from Volume 13 due to the author’s request.
- Volume 14 includes “Berserk: The Prototype”.
- Due to the author's passing, starting from Chapter 365, the manga is illustrated by Studio Gaga (Miura's assistants) and supervised by Kouji Mori (a close friend of Miura's).
Berserk is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ベルセルク, Berserk: The Prototype
17. Boroboro no Elf-san wo Shiawase ni Suru Kusuriuri-san
Story about an injured slave elf is saved by an apothecary.
The Apothecary Will Make This Battered Elf Happy has finished publishing and it has 64 Chapters. It is also Known as: ボロボロのエルフさんを幸せにする薬売りさん, The Apothecary Is Gonna Make This Ragged Elf Happy, Mr. Medicine Merchant Who Will Make Ms. Beaten-Up Elf Happy, A Pharmacist Saves a Dying Elf
16. Goblin Slayer
A young priestess has formed her first adventuring party, but almost immediately they find themselves in distress. It's the Goblin Slayer who comes to their rescue—a man who's dedicated his life to the extermination of all goblins, by any means necessary. And when rumors of his feats begin to circulate, there's no telling who might come calling next...
Goblin Slayer! is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ゴブリンスレイヤー, Goblin Slayer
15. Claymore
In a world constantly haunted by demonic predators known as "Youma", the everyday life of humans is full of fear and suspicion, as these monsters easily blend into human society to hunt their hapless prey. However, in this world, there is also a mysterious organization, employing half-human, half-Youma warriors to effectively track down and kill the demons. Called "silver eyed witches" or "Claymores" after the huge Claymore swords they carry, these female warriors are eyed with suspicion and distrust by most because of their inhuman powers.
But there are many currents flowing in the shadows, from the mysterious machinations of the Claymore "Organization" and the twisted ambitions of the powerful "Abyssal Ones" to the hopes and desires of each Claymore warrior. This story follows the fate of Clare, one of the Claymore operatives as she sails deeper and deeper down the currents of conspiracies and revenge.
Note: 4 Extra chapters are included in the chapter count on this page.
Claymore has finished publishing and it has 159 Chapters. It is also Known as: CLAYMORE [クレイモア], Claymore
14. Made in Abyss
The enormous cave system, known as the Abyss, is the only unexplored place in the world. Nobody knows how deep down goes this titanic pit, inhabited by strange and wondrous creatures and full of mysterious ancient relics which purpose in unknown to modern man. Generations of bold adventurers have been drawn by the cryptic depths of the Abyss. In course of time those bold enough to explore the dangerous pit came to be known as "Cave Raiders."
In Oosu, the town at the edge of the Abyss, there lives a little orphan named Rico, who dreams of becoming as great a cave raider as her mother was and solving the great mystery of the pit. One day exploring the murky depths she stumbles upon a little boy, who turns out to be a robot...
Made in Abyss is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: メイドインアビス, Made in Abyss
13. Goblin Slayer Gaiden: Year One
Prequel series revealing Goblin Slayer's past and the events which led him to become an adventurer with the one and only purpose of annihilating all goblins from the world.
Goblin Slayer Side Story: Year One is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ゴブリンスレイヤー外伝：イヤーワン, Goblin Slayer Gaiden: Year One
12. Ibyangttal Yeoka-rol Jinachige Jalhaebeoryeotda
Transmigrating into the main character of your favorite book sounds like a dream come true, but knowing Viola Vellatoux grows to be disappointed in her ending, Arin Han sets out to rewrite the story. However, her adoptive family will not hesitate to assassinate one another in their fight for control. The new Viola needs to use her wits to convince everyone that she has what it takes while remaining true to her goal. Further complicating her schemes, the male lead looks eerily familiar and has a strange effect on her when she gets too close.
The Unintentionally Ideal Adopted Daughter is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well, 過度稱職的養女, 完美演绎养女角色, 过分扮演了领养女儿的角色, ฉันเล่นบทลูกสาวบุญธรรมได้ดีเกินไปซะแล้ว
11. Lord of the Mysteries
Waking up to be faced with a string of mysteries, Zhou Mingrui finds himself reincarnated as Klein Moretti in an alternate Victorian era world where he sees a world filled with machinery, cannons, dreadnoughts, airships, difference machines, as well as Potions, Divination, Hexes, Tarot Cards, Sealed Artifacts… The Light continues to shine but mystery has never gone far. Follow Klein as he finds himself entangled with the Churches of the world—both orthodox and unorthodox—while he slowly develops newfound powers thanks to the Beyonder potions.
Lord of the Mysteries has finished publishing and it has 65 Chapters. It is also Known as: Lord of the Mysteries
10. I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain
Not impossible, but rejected...? I didn’t even give myself time to think, I opened my eyes in the middle of a swamp. As a trash character, I leveled.
A brutal and ominous world. Filled with those who worship chaos and abyss, rushing towards the brink of destruction in a dark age.
This is the story of a survival journey in the dark fantasy, the survival of a trash character.
(Source MU)
I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Doomed Character of a Dark Fantasy World, I Got Transmigrated to a Dark Fantasy MMORPG and Became the Ruined Character I Raised, Trash of a Dark Fantasy
9. Boss-yeusseum
Baphomet is the ruthless, dispassionate lord of the Abyssal Tower, a mysterious, monster-filled dungeon plaguing the human world. Many Hunters seek to defeat him and bring the tower down to no avail. Despite his demonic power, Baphomet grows curious about humanity. One day, Baphomet is defeated by Raven, the strongest Hunter, and realizes that his true wish is to be just like the humans he previously looked down on. In death, he is granted his wish, as he awakens as a human – without his powers!
I Was the Final Boss is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Used to Be a Boss
8. Oneesama to Watashi: Ojousama ga Isekai Tensei
Hinako, is one reincarnated from another world, she was called "the smallest giant" after she and the giant Eiris were united as sisters because they have the same goal; to find their family. Hinako searches for her sister, who could also have been reincarnated, and Eiris' siblings. However, in resolving a certain request, a gentleman from a church catches her eye, and is forced to take a risk.
A story about a young girl and a giant, two people of different race and birth, searching for their "loved ones", begins in this otherworldly fantasy of reincarnation that unites them.
My Sister and Giant: A Young Lady is Reborn in Another World. is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: お姉さまと巨人 ～お嬢さまが異世界転生～, My Sister and I, Onee-sama to Kyojin ~ Ojou-sama ga Isekai Tensei ~, お姉さまと巨人（わたし）~お嬢様が異世界転生~, The Giant's Sister - Young Lady reborn in another world, La hermana mayor y la Gigante (Yo): La señorita reencarnada en otro mundo, My Sister and Giant, My Sister and Giant ~ A Young Lady Is Reborn in Another World ~, Onee-sama to Watashi, Onee-sama to Watashi ~ Ojou-sama ga Isekai Tensei ~, The Onee-sama and the Giant, お姉さまと巨人, お姉さまと巨人（わたし）, 姐姐大人和巨人(我)～大小姐转生进入异世界～, 언니와 거인 ~아가씨가 이세계 전생~
7. Bibliomania
Alice had woken up in Room 431 of a mysterious manor.
"You must not leave this room," warned the Serpent, but she paid it no heed and her body began to rot... Will she be able to escape the cursed manor?
Bibliomania has finished publishing and it has 12 Chapters. It is also Known as: ビブリオマニア, Bibliomania
6. Dungeon Defense
[Adapted from one of the top novels of all time!]
When his total scumbags of parents die, he finds himself with a mysterious inheritance of 500 million yen.
Deciding to do whatever he likes from then on, the boy enters the most challenging online game, “Dungeon Attack” , where he becomes the first to unlock the achievement of Defeating all the Demon Lords. However, when he answers a mysterious question that appears after completing the game, he suddenly finds himself sent into the game world.
He had been Reincarnated as “Dantalian,” the Lowest and Weakest Demon Lord, Ranked 71st in the game world! With nothing but his memory of defeating the strongest Demon Lord and his eloquence to rely on, he fights to survive in this Brutal World – This is a Story of Comeback and Revenge!
Dungeon Defense is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Dungeon Defence, ダンジョンディフェンス
5. Tentacle Hole
On their way home from school, high school student Jin and his childhood friend Komachi are suddenly transported to another world. Immediately afterwards, Jin was attacked by an enormous creature and lost his life, but for some reason he has been reincarnated as a tentacle creature!? A lewd tentacle dark fantasy begins.
Tentacle Hole is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Tentacle Hole-テンタクル・ホール-, Tentacle Hole
4. Kemono Jihen
Kemono Jihen is about a boy known as Dorota-bou who is avoided by the people who surround him, and Inugami, a detective who specializes in the occult. The story begins with Inugami arriving at the boy's town to investigate a case where many cattle are dying and their bodies rot in just one night.
Kemono Jihen is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 怪物事変, Demon Incident, Demon Incidents, Kemono Incidents, Kaibutsu Jihen
3. Totsukuni no Shoujo
In a world split between the Inside and the Outside, those living in both realms are told never to cross over to the other side, lest they be cursed. A young girl named Shiva lives on the other side, in a vacant village with a demonic guardian known only as “Teacher.” Although the two are forbidden to touch, they seem to share a bond that transcends their disparate appearances. But when Shiva leaves Teacher’s care to seek out her grandmother, the secret behind her mysterious living arrangement comes to light.
The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún has finished publishing and it has 53 Chapters. It is also Known as: とつくにの少女, Foreign Girl, Walk, My Love
2. Kuraki Kyuuden no Shisha no Ou
...I don't want to die. I want to be free.
If a monster is what I have to become to be free, then that is what I will resign myself to.
Striking the infected with incessant pain that runs throughout the body, a strange, debilitating, and deadly illness. The life of the boy who had suffered several years with this affliction had come to end with little time for him to despair as he died without an attendant by his side. When he awoke again, he had been made into the lowest ranked undead by an evil necromancer. Though the boy rejoiced at having obtained a body that could not feel pain, he immediately realized that he was still at the mercy of others. There was no large difference between his present situation and being confined in bed. However, the world could not leave the boy alone when he wished to be at peace.
With freedom as his goal, what he needed was prudence and power. Occasionally running, fighting, fearful, and hesitant, this is the story of the cowardly King of Undead as he seeks to be free.
The King of the Dead at the Dark Palace has finished publishing and it has 13 Chapters. It is also Known as: 昏き宮殿の死者の王, Бессмертный Повелитель Дворца Тьмы, The Undead Lord of the Palace of Darkness, The King of Death at the Dark Palace
1. Tsugihagi Darake no Saikyou Yuusha
Ougi Arikawa, 16 years old, suddenly found himself reincarnated as a zombie?! Embarking on a journey to subjugate the Demon Lord as a zombie hero, but the use of "power" requires a "price"...? A dark fantasy in another world.
Tsugihagi Darake no Saikyou Yuusha is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ツギハギだらけの最強勇者, The Strongest Hero Full of Tsugihagi, Zombie Hero, The Patchwork Hero
