What is this genre all about? Media targeting women roughly 18-40
We present you the list of Josei manga you should read right now.
Try our anime quiz: Anime Characters Guessing Quiz/Game
Top 20 Josei manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 20. Helmut (Kim Nan Sae)
- 19. Hwangjewa Hamkke Tarakagetseumnida
- 18. Eojjeodaboni Cheonsaengyeonbun
- 17. The Redemption of Earl Nottingham
- 16. Saranameun Wangnyeoui Useum Dwieneun
- 15. It Was Just a Contractual Marriage
- 14. Angnyeoui Mungujeome Oji Maseyo!
- 13. A Deal With My Fake Husband
- 12. Heunhan Binguimurin Jul Aratda
- 11. A Business Proposal
- 10. Sigrid
- 9. Uahan Yamanui Bada
- 8. While You're at It
- 7. Before the Real Heroine Steps In
- 6. I Can't Get Enough of You
- 5. I Can't Keep Up With My Stallion Duke
- 4. Who Stole the Empress
- 3. The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior
- 2. Petshop of Horrors
- 1. Rekishi ni Nokoru Akujo ni naru zo: Akuyaku Reijou ni naru hodo Ouji no Dekiai wa Kasoku suru you desu!
20. Helmut (Kim Nan Sae)
Helmut was a child who had been abandoned in the Demonic Beast Forest at birth.
Raised by Demonic Beasts, the first human that he met was the Sword Saint Darien.
Little did Helmut know that the chance encounter would soon shake the foundation of his fate…
“Grow stronger If you want to get out of here.”
The boy who’d lived like a beast was thrown into the human world!
He possessed overwhelming swordsmanship, outstanding looks and sharp intelligence, but there was one thing he lacked: humanity.
I am no longer a prey. I am now a predator!
Helmut (Kim Nan Sae) is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Helmut (Honyo), Helmut: The Forsaken Child
19. Hwangjewa Hamkke Tarakagetseumnida
“You, too, will be corrupted. Then I will make it all come true.”
If I had only joined hands with him and agreed to become his mistress then, could I have lived a little longer?
At least I would not have know the pain of my eyes being gouged out. But instead I shouted: “I refuse. I will not betray my country”, not realizing that my country, my family, had betrayed me long ago.
Sacrificed, used, abandoned, and finally executed by my own family... I only realized after returning to 10 years in the past that the reason why you wanted me to stand by your side is because you and I were so much alike.
Let us fall together this time.
I Will Fall With the Emperor is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Впасти разом з імператором, お求め頂いた暴君陛下の悪女です
18. Eojjeodaboni Cheonsaengyeonbun
‘How long have I been laying down at home…?’ Han Jia, who is turning 32 this year (she’s a freelancer who still doesn’t have a full-time job/jobless), suffers because of the pressure given by people around her that keep telling her to get married. Around the same time, Jin Mincheol, her childhood friend who came to Jia’s hometown for holiday, is having the same problem. Then, the two people got married just like that. Now that they have married….. ‘Huh? We match each other more than i thought?’
Source: MU
Maybe Meant to Be has finished publishing and it has 132 Chapters. It is also Known as: Accidentally Heavenly Match, Match Made in Heaven by Chance
17. The Redemption of Earl Nottingham
Is my cursed husband's fate up to me?
Madelyn's husband Ian was left broken after the war, and in turn, made her life a living hell. Fleeing her doomed marriage, she meets a tragic end. But when she opens her eyes, she finds herself at 17 again. The war has yet to start, and Madelyn can still change her fate. But what about Ian?
The Redemption of Earl Nottingham has finished publishing and it has 91 Chapters. It is also Known as: The Redemption of Earl Nottingham
16. Saranameun Wangnyeoui Useum Dwieneun
"Very good. I shall give you my beloved sister, whom I cherish dearly."
Eric Chladnie, who led the long war to victory against the Shidate Principality, received the mandate to marry a foolish princess as a reward for his triumph. After the wedding ceremony, Eric returned to the mansion with the newlywed princess. Amidst the princess's eccentric behavior, his father attempts to kill her and his mother advises him to not give his heart. Only he, treating her like a child, respects and cherishes her as his wife. However, who is this woman who, in front of the king, impersonates deeds that she has never done and acts piously?
Behind Her Highness’s Smile is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Behind the Laughter of the Surviving Princess, Beneath the Surviving Princess Joyful Facade, Beneath the Surviving Princess Joyful Façade, เบื้องหลังรอยยิ้มของเจ้าหญิง, 倖存王女的微笑之謎, 幸存王女的微笑背后, 活下来的王女的笑容背后
15. It Was Just a Contractual Marriage
I, the last princess, will use you to survive!
As the last remaining member of the imperial family, Elise must do whatever she can to survive and someday reclaim her empire, even if that means marrying the archduke of an enemy nation and promising to bear his child! As a dragonborn, he needs an heir, and it's not as though he loves her... right?
Note: Includes one extra chapter.
It Was Just a Contractual Marriage has finished publishing and it has 112 Chapters. It is also Known as: It Was Just a Contract Marriage, Just a Contract Marriage, 只是契约婚姻而已
14. Angnyeoui Mungujeome Oji Maseyo!
“A useless thing like you has no value in our family. Take this money and leave immediately!” “Yes! Goodbye!” She became the incompetent villainess who commits wrongdoings in order to earn the love of her fiance, the male lead. Her reputation was already at rock bottom and the main characters, who can’t live without each other, are having an affair. “Getting kicked out and receiving money is good enough!” So after she was kicked out, she set up a stationery store in front of a school. She reminisces of snacks, beer candy, and even bubbles! Just you wait, kids! But… somehow her young customers are a little weird? “I’ll find you a handsome and modest man, and not someone who has an affair like my brother!” “Ha, then what about my brother, the crown prince?” The great magic swordsman, the next crown prince, the villainous tower master, and finally, the hidden villain...
The Villainess's Stationery Shop is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Please Don't Come to the Evil Lady's Stationery Store!, Please Don't Come to the Villainess' Stationery Store!, A papelaria da vilã, Cửa hàng văn phòng phẩm của ác nữ, Jangan kunjungi toko alat tulis wanita jahat!, Kötü kadının sevimli mağazası!, La papeterie de la méchante, Please Don't Come to the Villainess' Stationery Shop!, Por favor, não venha para a papelaria da vilã!, Đừng đến văn phòng phẩm của ác nữ!, Не приходьте в канцелярський магазин лиходійки!!, อย่ามาร้านเครื่องเขียนของนางร้ายกันเลยนะ!, 悪女の駄菓子屋へようこそ, 請勿進入惡女文具店！, 请不要来恶女的文具店!
13. A Deal With My Fake Husband
Princess Elysia is part of a fallen royal family. When Elysia's fourth husband died, people started calling Elysia a husband-eating witch, all due to the greedy schemes of her mother and brother hungry for her inheritances. Upon realizing this, Elysia decided to turn back time to take revenge by choosing a husband that would follow her lead. She needed a commoner to play the role of her husband as her puppet... but the man she hired to act as her husband turned out to be someone above and beyond, going beyond her wildest dreams. Elysia then had no choice but to alter her original plan.
A Deal With My Fake Husband is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: A Well-Raised Contract Husband, Promettez-moi de ne pas mourir, 契約夫と共に甘い復讐を
12. Heunhan Binguimurin Jul Aratda
Not all villains are evil. When Sun-A Choi reincarnates as Edith Rigelhof, the villain from her favorite novel, she is determined to change Edith’s life around and treats everyone with kindness. Although she marries the handsome Killian Rudwick, he is madly in love with the original protagonist of the book and mistrusts Edith because she is from a rival family. Will her marriage survive the whirlwind of family feuds, love triangles, and more? Will Edith find her happy ending?
Note: Includes 15 extra chapters.
Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story has finished publishing and it has 115 Chapters. It is also Known as: I Thought It Was a Common Isekai Story, I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration
11. A Business Proposal
Ha-ri made a deal—go on one blind date for her BFF and pretend to be a super-vixen to end all of her unwanted marriage set-ups! Unfortunately, instead of easy money, Ha-ri’s got a headache. Her date is Taemu, her company’s hot new CEO, and he’s got his own plans to get his family to back off by marrying whoever shows up on the date. Should Ha-ri accept his proposal to keep playing pretend? Nothing could go wrong with lying about your real identity while dating the boss... right??
A Business Proposal has finished publishing and it has 124 Chapters. It is also Known as: お見合い相手はうちのボス, Love Is Misfortune, 我和总裁相了个亲, I Got a Date with the President, The Office Blind Date
10. Sigrid
She always lived by the rules. She thought her life had been honourable. She was loyal to the emperor, even at the cost of her life. But the only thing she got in return was the blade of the guillotine.
"Why? Why is it like this?" she kept asking before her death.
However, when she opened her eyes, she had returned to five years before she died.
"Was the way I lived wrong?" she kept thinking.
Sigrid decided to change her way of life. What to eat, what to wear, what to buy, everything. The way she changed led her to be the centre of everything. Although, everything eventually started to go back ...
Sigrid is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Шікрід
9. Uahan Yamanui Bada
The daughter of a noble family deep in debt, Irina Nordiak’s only desire is to marry her long-time love Ludwig Fontern, but her financial situation prevents this. With no other options, she calls upon an old schoolmate, Ileanor Schuberg, who is now a wealthy lord. While cruel to others, he acts like a different person to Irina, pining over her while detesting her love for Ludwig. Though he agrees to pay off Irina’s debt in exchange for her servitude, he has no intention of letting her leave.
The Elegant Sea of Savagery has finished publishing and it has 84 Chapters. It is also Known as: Elegante Mar Salvaje, The Elegant Sea of Barbarism
8. While You're at It
Kang Sihwa was everyone's sun, always in the spotlight, and the people around Lee Eunseo were always jealous of her because of her special childhood friend Sihwa. One day, Sihwa, who had suddenly disappeared, returned a few years later. With the swaying of Eunseo’s heart and Sihwa’s unpredictable behavior. We have a special relationship, right? Don't you think so? But… I still want to ask. What are we both doing?
While You're at It is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Between Us (HBCUL8ER), In Between, İkimiz Arasında, Saat Melakukannya, While Doing It, While You’re At It, 待定義的關係
7. Before the Real Heroine Steps In
Once bitten, twice shy. That is Anastasia's motto when she awakes with a second chance in life as the empress in her favorite novel. After realizing that even true love cannot change destiny, Anastasia attempts to help her husband, the emperor, find his happy ending with the female protagonist—the true heroine of the story. However, it seems that the emperor has other thoughts. She pushes him away so they can both live, but the emperor is unsure if he wants to live without his queen.
Before the Real Heroine Steps In is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Until the Real One Shows Up, 脇役悪女なので愛さないでください
6. I Can't Get Enough of You
Exceptional abilities. Good looks that won't go unnoticed. A well-to-do family. A life on a well-worn path. Everything was boringly perfect. Until one day at the age of thirty... Kim Tae-joon impulsively veers off the road.
To meet Han So-eun, the daughter of the driver who took his parents' lives.
'How the hell did you get into this company as a stranger?'
Her shamelessness disgusted me, so I decided to keep her around and torment her. Like someone who can't get enough of you...
"I think I like the director."
Oh, no.
I Can't Get Enough of You is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Can't Get Enough of You, I Can't Wait to Eat You, 只想让你坠落, 难咽之隐, 못 잡아먹어서 안달, 못잡아먹어서 안달
5. I Can't Keep Up With My Stallion Duke
Not a single soul in Olivia Florence's life, including her own husband, provided the warmth that she craved, and she lived her life alone, growing strong.
Waking up two decades earlier right after her regretful arranged marriage to the Duke, Lord James Parnell, she plans to live a different life.
She hatches a plan to anull her marriage remarry the Duke, Ian Tyrone, infamous for being ""IMPOTENT"" for never showing any interest in the ladies.
Maybe his disinterest in women would allow Olivia to comfortably live as his wife, unburdened by childbirth and free of any other pressures in life.
But wait, the Duke who seemingly ""couldn't get it up"" turns out to be a complete stud at in the bedroom. What has Olivia gotten herself into?"
I Can't Keep Up With My Stallion Duke has finished publishing and it has 151 Chapters. It is also Known as: 第二任老公太强了，好烦！, My Second Husband Is Desperate and Depressed
4. Who Stole the Empress
"All my people are dead... I just wanted to try my best. I just wanted to be a kind Empress. Why..."
Her injuries made her look so worn out… After torturing her for days and killing everyone she ever loved, the Emperor abandoned the Empress in the snowy mountains. In this heavy snowfall, the former Empress Rosellin had resigned herself and was ready to accept death. Her family, her friends, all her hard work for the people of the empire... There was no reason left for her to continue living. So she laid down on this pure white blanket, her body almost frozen, and watched the white snow be dyed in black. At first, the cold was painful, but the pain quickly subsided and so she thought that freezing to death just might not be all that bad.
“Being persecuted to death, lying alone as if you're ruling this snowy field...”
That man.
“If you don't need your life anymore... then pardon me, I’ll take it.”
He's the enemy general, Tamon Krasis.
“You’re mine now, Empress.”
She was abandoned by them, but he stole her and took her away. Who kidnapped the Empress?
Who Stole the Empress has finished publishing and it has 102 Chapters. It is also Known as: Who Kidnapped the Empress?, Hwanghureul Humchin Ineun Nuguinga
3. The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior
Pride Royal Ivy is only eight years old when she realizes that she’s been reincarnated, destined to become the future wicked queen and final boss of an otome game. She’s got it all in this new life: razor-sharp wit, boss-tier powers, and influence over the kingdom as crown princess. Determined to sow despair and destruction across the land, she… Wait, what kind of a rotten future is that?! Princess Pride decides to drop the maniacal villainess plan and protect the male love interests instead, cheating her way to saving everyone she can! Will this final boss end up earning the adoration of her kingdom?
Note: Cancelled due to authors health.
The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior has finished publishing and it has 18 Chapters. It is also Known as: Higeki no Genkyou tonaru Saikyou Gedou Last Boss Joou wa Tami no Tame ni Tsukushimasu, 悲劇の元凶となる最強外道ラスボス女王は民の為に尽くします, The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior
2. Petshop of Horrors
A smoke-filled alley in Chinatown harbors Count D's Pet Shop. The pets sold here aren't your everyday variety and the Count prides himself on selling Love and Dreams in the form of magical creatures that come with an exclusive contract. But buyers beware. If the contract is broken the Count cannot be held accountable for whatever may happen. A fascinating and macabre look into the very soul of human nature.
Pet Shop of Horrors has finished publishing and it has 41 Chapters. It is also Known as: Petshop of Horrors (ペットショップ オブ ホラーズ), Petshop of Horrors
1. Rekishi ni Nokoru Akujo ni naru zo: Akuyaku Reijou ni naru hodo Ouji no Dekiai wa Kasoku suru you desu!
I absolutely hate a world filled with sweet talking. I'll fight the Heroine's rationale head on!!!
After waking up as the villainess she admires so much from her favourite otome game, Alicia trains hard every day to become the greatest villainess of all time.
I'll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 歴史に残る悪女になるぞ 悪役令嬢になるほど王子の溺愛は加速するようです!, Rekishi ni Nokoru Akujo ni naru zo: Akuyaku Reijou ni naru hodo Ouji no Dekiai wa Kasoku suru you desu!
