What is this genre all about? A dystopia (from Ancient Greek: δυσ-, "bad, ill", and Ancient Greek: τόπος, "place, landscape"; alternatively cacotopia, or anti-utopia) is, in literature, an often futuristic society that has degraded into a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian. Dystopian literature has underlying cautionary tones, warning society that if we continue to live how we do, this will be the consequence. A dystopia, thus, is regarded as a sort of negative utopia and is often characterized by an authoritarian or totalitarian form of government. Dystopias usually feature different kinds of repressive social control systems, a lack or total absence of individual freedoms and expressions and constant states of warfare or violence. Dystopias often explore the concept of humans abusing technology and how humans individually and collectively cope with technology that has evolved too quickly such as the car, the flamethrower or the microwave. A dystopian society is also often characterized by widespread poverty and brutal political controls such as a large military-like police.
We present you the list of Dystopia manga you should read right now.
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Top 19 Dystopia manga you should read right now. [2024 List]
- 19. Berserk
- 18. Fire Punch
- 17. Claymore
- 16. Kowloon Generic Romance
- 15. Wild Strawberry
- 14. Navigatoria
- 13. Alma
- 12. Akudama Drive
- 11. Gunnm
- 10. Hokuto no Ken
- 9. Mujina in to The Deep
- 8. Innocent
- 7. Housekeeper
- 6. Eden: It's an Endless World!
- 5. Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai shinai Taikutsu na Sekai: Manmaru-hen
- 4. Battle Royale
- 3. NOiSE
- 2. Instant Death Cold Syndrome
- 1. Kin to Tetsu
19. 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
18. Fire Punch
In the not-too-distant past, the Ice Witch blanketed the world in snow, starvation and madness, leading the inhabitants to seek their salvation in fire. With that, an unusual destiny unfolds for two young orphans, Agni and Luna, blessed with the ability to regenerate. But will this ability prove to be more of a curse than a blessing?
Fire Punch has finished publishing and it has 83 Chapters. It is also Known as: ファイアパンチ, Fire Punch
17. 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
16. Kowloon Generic Romance
The greatest labyrinth of the 20th century, a drama for working men and women in a town called a Kowloon walled city. Daily adult romance in a gentle dystopia, a new life gently.
Kowloon Generic Romance is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 九龍ジェネリックロマンス, Kyuuryuu Generic Romance, Kūron Generic Romance
15. Wild Strawberry
Plants have evolved. They can now feed on humans and become terrible monsters known as Jinka. Kingo and Kayano do their best to survive in a Tokyo overrun by plants, but when Kayano becomes a Jinka, Kingo will do anything he can to get her back!
Wild Strawberry is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ワイルドストロベリー, Wild Strawberry
14. Navigatoria
Enter a world where the First Space War has ended, and Earth has claimed its first extraterrestrial colony. Manabu Houo, a boy born into a totalitarian state, finds his only joy in watching forbidden movies with his childhood friend, Hina-chan. However, one day upon returning home, he finds a group of government officials waiting for him...?! Watch as this thrilling sci-fi school drama unfolds on a distant planet!
Navigatoria is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ナヴィガトリア, Navigatoria
13. Alma
Ray and Trice grew up together in this post apocalyptic world. She was his only friend. But then one day... An unwelcome guest arrives and proclaims "Glory to Humans"...
Alma is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: アルマ, Aruma, Alma (Shinji Mito)
12. Akudama Drive
Long ago, the "Kantou" and "Kansei" countries had a war that divided the world. But at the end of the war, Kansei became a vassal to Kantou. However, Kansei's government and police force declined, and crime became rampant. The criminals are called "Akudama."
Akudama Drive is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: アクダマドライブ, Akudama Drive
11. Gunnm
The people and cyborgs of the Scrap Yard live beneath the flying city of Tiphares, whose inhabitants dump their junk in the Scrap Yard and rules above it's inhabitants. One day doc Ido, a former Tipharean citizen, finds the intact head of young cyborg-girl in a vast pile of scrap. He takes her in and gives her a body and the name Alita. Alita then discovers since long forgotten fighting techniques hidden in her body and decides to become a hunter-warrior like Ido.
Battle Angel Alita has finished publishing and it has 53 Chapters. It is also Known as: 銃夢 GUNNM, Ganmu, Tsutsu Yume
10. Hokuto no Ken
The year is 199X. The Earth has been devastated by nuclear war. The seas have dried up and the land is cracked and desolate. Most living things on the planet have become extinct apart from the human race. In this new age violence rules as civilization is lost and the strong rule the weak in a world where food and water are the only thing wth value. At this time a mysterious man named Kenshiro appears with his deadly martial art, the 2000 year old Hokuto Shinken. With his deadly style eliminating the evil is he the saviour of the new era?
Fist of the North Star has finished publishing and it has 245 Chapters. It is also Known as: 北斗の拳, Fist of the North Star
9. Mujina in to The Deep
A young assassin girl armed with a katana is hunting down her targets in a busy metropolitan city named Tsukumo.
Mujina in to The Deep is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: MUJINA IN TO THE DEEP, Mujina in to The Deep
8. Innocent
In the 18th century, seeking "freedom and equality", the event that became the starting point of modern French society, the French Revolution, began. There was one more protagonist that lived within the darkness, Henry Charles Sanson. He was the fourth generation family head of the Sanson Family, and executioner of Paris.
This is the historie of him nobly facing the harsh fate...
has finished publishing and it has 99 Chapters. It is also Known as: イノサン, Innocent
7. Housekeeper
In the near future where Android (A.I) becomes common among humans, a virus outbreak suddenly occurred, turning over 70% humanity into zombie-like "Creatures". The A.I soon break away from their infected owners since they're not programmed to recognize "Creatures" as humans, but one of them, the housekeeper Hasty, acted otherwise when her infected young master, Neville's final words struck something in her. Sticking with him after all other humans have been infected in the area they're living in, Hasty vows to do whatever it takes to cure master Neville, even if she has to fight against the whole world who's now looking to exterminate all Creatures to cut off the infection source completely.
Housekeeper is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Housekeeper
6. Eden: It's an Endless World!
In the panic surrounding a worldwide pandemic which kills 15 percent of the population and cripples many more, a secret organization, the Propater, topples the UN and seizes control of much of the world. A boy and a girl, raised in an abandoned virology research center, immune to the virus, are attacked by the Propater and escape. 20 years later the boy is the most powerful drug lord in South America. He aids his son from behind the scenes as he evades and eventually with the help of mercenaries from Nomad (some of them former Propater operatives) fights the Propater. As the plot develops focus shifts away from the main character and develops many sub-plots dedicated to terrorism, Human-improvement, the struggle of the developing countries and the power battles between the drug cartels and Propater.
Based strongly on Gnostic mythology, all major characters are named after gnostic deities, and have analogous roles.
Warnings: Eden contains a lot of very graphic violence and some sex scenes.
Eden: It's an Endless World! has finished publishing and it has 127 Chapters. It is also Known as: EDEN ～It's an Endless World!～, Eden: It's an Endless World!
5. Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai shinai Taikutsu na Sekai: Manmaru-hen
16 years after the "Law for Public Order and Morals in Healthy Child-Raising" banned coarse language in the country, Tanukichi Okuma enrolls in the country's leading elite public morals school and is soon invited into the Anti-Societal Organization (SOX) by its founder, Ayame Kajou. As a member blackmailed into joining by Ayame, Tanukichi ends up taking part in obscene acts of terrorism against the talented student council president Anna (for whom Tanukichi has a crush on).
Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai shinai Taikutsu na Sekai: Manmaru-hen has finished publishing and it has 23 Chapters. It is also Known as: 下ネタという概念が存在しない退屈な世界 マン●篇, A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Does Not Exist, ShimoSeka, A Boring World Where the Concept of "Dirty Jokes" Does Not Exist
4. Battle Royale
Under the guise of a "study trip," a group of students from Shiroiwa Junior High School in the fictional town of Shiroiwa (Kagawa Prefecture) are gassed on a bus. They awaken in the Okishima Island School on Okishima, an isolated, evacuated island. They learn that they have been placed in an event called the Program.
According to the rules, every year since 1947, 42 third-year high school students are isolated, and each student is required to fight to the death until one student remains. Their movements are tracked by metal collars around their necks, which contain tracking and listening devices; if any student should attempt to escape the Program, or enter declared forbidden zones, a bomb will be detonated in the collar, killing the wearer. If no one dies in a 24 hour time period, there will be no winner and all collars will be detonated simultaneously.
Battle Royale has finished publishing and it has 119 Chapters. It is also Known as: バトル・ロワイアル, Battle Royale
3. NOiSE
The Bible has its Genesis.
The Matrix has The Second Renaissance.
BLAME! has NOiSE.
Through the eyes of police force member Susono Musubi, this one-volume prequel gives readers a glimpse of the world before the Netsphere went haywire. Witness the events that threw the technologically advanced society into chaos: the cancerous growth of the Megastructure, the birth of the parasitic lifeforms called Silicon Creatures, and the development of the ruthless killing machines known as the Safeguards.
Also included in the compilation is Tsutomu Nihei's debut work BLAME which served as the prototype of the acclaimed 10-volume series, BLAME!.
NOiSE has finished publishing and it has 8 Chapters. It is also Known as: NOiSE
2. Instant Death Cold Syndrome
In a world where ninety percent of humanity has died from a virus, and the rest are doomed to live in masks for the rest of their lives, a girl appears who does not wear a mask. Who is she, where is she from, and what will her fate be like?
Instant Death Cold Syndrome has finished publishing and it has 1 Chapters. It is also Known as: Sokushisei Kaze Shoukougun, 即死性風邪症候群, Instant Death Cold Syndrome
1. Kin to Tetsu
On a star with a thoroughly managed society, mankind was dominated by fungi and deprived of all freedom. An "Irregular," the strongest soldier, Dante, decided to overturn the reason of this world after his chance meeting with a girl. Thus, the boy rises against the star. In order to meet you again.
Fungus and Iron is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 菌と鉄, Kin to Tetsu
