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.
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Top 20 Josei manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 20. Eojjeodaboni Cheonsaengyeonbun
- 19. Angnyeoraseo Pyeonhago Joeundeyo
- 18. Sakamichi no Apollon
- 17. Teach Me Desire
- 16. I'm Going to Twist His Neck
- 15. The Male Leads Were Stolen by the Extra
- 14. Heunhan Binguimurin Jul Aratda
- 13. My Aggravating Sovereign
- 12. Heungmang Namjuui Sihanbu Yumoimnida
- 11. Helmut (Kim Nan Sae)
- 10. As the Heart Led
- 9. Cheating Men Must Die
- 8. Eonni, Ibeon Saengen Naega Wangbiya
- 7. Yeobo, Na Paeopalgeyo
- 6. Akuyaku Reijou Route ga Nai Nante, Dare ga Itta no?
- 5. Sigrid
- 4. Saranameun Wangnyeoui Useum Dwieneun
- 3. It Was Just a Contractual Marriage
- 2. Age of Arrogance
- 1. Post-Possession Damage Control
20. 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
19. Angnyeoraseo Pyeonhago Joeundeyo
Do-Hee lived as a pushover, died miserably, and was reborn in a novel as a notorious villainess. But it turns out that her new life is not without its perks, as Deborah Seymour is also the richest villain alive. Now, all that's left for her to do is lay low and enjoy her carefree lifestyle... if not for the fact that Deborah is fated to be sent to a monastery! Will this ex-doormat find a way to avoid yet another tragic ending, or will the challenges of being a villainess be too much for her?
The Perks of Being a Villainess is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: What's Wrong with Being the Villainess?, Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better?, 當個惡女輕鬆又愉快, เป็นนางร้ายก็สบายดีนะคะ, What's Wrong With Being the Villainess?, 因为是恶女所以很舒服, 当恶女很舒服很好啊？, Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better?
18. Sakamichi no Apollon
Nishimi Kaoru has moved from city to city and school to school because of his father’s job. So the first day at his new school was just routine for him. Being intellectual and the new transfer student, he has always been seen as an outcast and all Kaoru had to do was bear it until the next time he moved. But things were slightly different this time. First, he started to get close to the class president, Mukae Ritsuko, and, secondly, unlikely as it seemed, grew closer to Kawabuchi Sentaro. Sentaro was infamous for getting into fights, skipping class and was an overall bad boy. Strangely enough, the three of them find common ground in music, namely jazz, and Kaoru finds himself actually enjoying the new town.
Kids on the Slope has finished publishing and it has 45 Chapters. It is also Known as: 坂道のアポロン, Sakamichi no Aporon
17. Teach Me Desire
Of the three families with unhuman power and influence, Saint Beryl must sort out the Devil. Only her divinity can tell who the demon is.
'Who Will You Marry?'
To escape the previous two hellish lives, Beryl chooses a real demon, the Duke of Vine. To survive a cruel death, and perhaps he could get a brutal revenge on those who killed him.
That's how Beryl entered the devil's castle.
Beryl, who had only learned to control her desires in the temple, you learn to truly desire the irreverent and sweet demon Baine...!
Original Novel:
Teach Me Desire is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Please Teach Me Desire, Teach Me How to Desire, บทเรียนรักแด่นักบุญ, 教我心生欲望
16. I'm Going to Twist His Neck
Chloe Garnettsch, who devoted everything to the man she loved, eventually died miserably, realizing too late that she was a bait for the beautiful, seemingly affectionate man to throw at the emperor. "I like Uncle." At that time, I was so immature that I couldn't hide my growing crush. "I've loved you since a long time ago." My body trembled as he slowly lifted my chin and glanced over my body, but I gathered my courage and took a step towards him. "Love? You've already become a woman." His fingertips carassed my face. Despite the unexpected confession, he was overly relaxed and skillful. "I like you too, Chloe. I love you. How can I not spoil you, who will bring me your brother's neck in the future?" The man I loved was so sweet yet so cruel. "Birth the child of the emperor." When I opened my eyes again, he looked down at me with a pale face. He was a man who trampled on my love and broke me.
Source: MU
I'm Going to Twist His Neck is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Will Twist the Neck of a Friendly Little Bastard, I'll Twist the Neck of a Sweet Dog, I Shall Kill That Sweet Devil
15. The Male Leads Were Stolen by the Extra
A woman who has lost her male leads to an extra who did not appear in the original story... That's me.
Selonia fell into a coma on the way back from defeating the Demon King. After wandering through death for several months, she survived, but what?
“I want you to break off the engagement. I want to hurry up to marry Grace.”
“I want you to pretend my knight’s oath to you didn't happen.”
“Give me back my heart. I’ll give it to Grace.”
The fiancé who was the male lead, the paladin and the dragon who were the sub-male leads, and the fellows all turned away. These reckless bastards! There was a lot of cursing, but what can I do to stop it? I was trying to start a new life in a cool way. By the way…
“Do you know me?”
How is the dead demon king alive?
“What, I don’t know…”
“No, you know me. tell me Who am I?”
To make matters worse, the Demon King, who has no memory, sticks to my side and does not leave. Inevitably, I tried my best to prevent the return of the Demon King.
“How can I always hold your hand?”
Why is it not enough to spit out vulgar words?
“Are you going to kill all those who left you? Just speak.”
He’s even going to kill the male leads for me!
The Male Leads Were Stolen by the Extra is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: The Male leads Were Stolen by an Extra, The Male Leads Were Taken Away by the Extra, 被群演夺去了男主们
14. 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
13. My Aggravating Sovereign
Aria’s world is thrown into chaos when Crown Prince Julius, the brilliant but insufferable royal she’s sworn to protect as Captain of his Guard, announces her as his future bride. Stunned, Aria confronts him, and Julius offers a way out: if she can defeat him in any competition before the wedding in six months, he’ll cancel the engagement. But with Julius’ unmatched skills, winning won’t be easy. Can Aria outsmart the talented prince and reclaim her life?
My Aggravating Sovereign is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: De forma sorpresiva, terminé casándome con el príncipe heredero basura, Kunshu-sama ni Munayake, My Lord, My Heart Aches, Sovereign and Heartburn, 君主様に胸やけ, 混世皇太子只对我恋爱脑, 주군, 속이 쓰립니다
12. Heungmang Namjuui Sihanbu Yumoimnida
I realized the truth when I heard the news that my sister came to me to tell me she was going to run away from her husband to be with his brother, her lover and the true father of her child. My nephew was his father's illegitimate son and would soon become a tyrant, and I had possessed his villainous aunt.
The Archvillain's Dying Nanny is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Am the Nanny of the Villain, I'm the Villainous Male Lead's Terminally-Ill Aunt, ฉันคือแม่นมใกล้ตายของพระเอกตัวร้าย
11. 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
10. As the Heart Led
Yi-jae, who has been reincarnated as Hailey, the daughter of a noble family who threw herself into the river just before the royal marriage, now sees restless spirits that should never be seen behind the king! Days are spent struggling to exorcise the restless spirits that crowd around King Roderick. As Roderick spends time with Yi-jae, he starts to notice strange changes in his mental clarity and physical condition…
As the Heart Led is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: As Your Heart Leads You, Follow Your Heart (Tildakim), Where the Heart Leads, Where Your Heart Leads You
9. Cheating Men Must Die
One moment oppressing scum yields a moment of satisfaction. Continuously oppressing scum yields continuous satisfaction. Our female main lead, Su Lüxia is bound to the Second Female Lead Counterattack System and transmigrates to several small worlds. Using elaborate means, she beats up countless cheating bastards and bitches. Su Lüxia: "Only a cheating bastard's tears of remorse, and the pained moans of a bitch unable to get what she wants bring me solace." System: "Has my host tapped into her humanity today? Nope."
Cheating Men Must Die is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Cheating Men Must Die
8. Eonni, Ibeon Saengen Naega Wangbiya
Her fiance, her sister, and her parents. Ariadne returns 14 years from the past, the day she was cast aside by everyone. "Shit! I am trying to court you right now!" From her fiance, who acted much different than he did in the past, "Don't cry, Ariadne. Don't you know how pretty you are to me?" to the kind Prince, who fell for her at first sight. This time, she will get revenge on everyone and become Queen.
Eonni, Ibeon Saengen Naega Wangbiya is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Sister, I Am the Queen in This Life, Nesta Vida, eu serei a Rainha, In This Life, I’ve Become The Queen
7. Yeobo, Na Paeopalgeyo
Although Baroness Cassia is on her deathbed, she’s relieved that it means she’s finally free from her loveless marriage to her mercenary husband, Zester. Oh, how she regrets her tireless efforts to keep his territory afloat! If only she had taken more time for herself. Her wish becomes reality when Cassia wakes up to find herself ten years back in the past. With this second chance, she’s determined to live a stress-free life. But can Cassia find the courage to rebel against Zester? Or is she doomed to repeat her nightmare of a past life?
Baroness Goes on Strike is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Honey, I'm Going on Strike, あなた！私、ストライキします, Anata! Watashi, Strike Shimasu, ที่รักคะ ชาตินี้ฉันจะไม่ทำงาน
6. Akuyaku Reijou Route ga Nai Nante, Dare ga Itta no?
I reincarnated into the world of an otome game as the villainess, “Ophelia.” I thought I'd be able to enjoy a peaceful school life, but to my dismay, I found myself subjected to constant harassment at the hands of the wicked, vindictive heroine; and to top it all off, I’m plunging headlong into the dreaded Bad Ending — hold up, as if I’d meekly submit to such a fate! If that’s how it’s going to be, I’ll tap into the top secret "cheats" known only to those who've played the game and carve out the 'Villainess Route' of my fantasies!! But for some unfathomable reason, the capture targets seem to be doting on me far more aggressively than in the original story…?
Source: MU
There’s No Such Thing As a Villainess Route? Not in My Book! is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 悪役令嬢ルートがないなんて、誰が言ったの？, Akuyaku Reijou Route ga Nai Nante, Dare ga Itta no?
5. 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
4. 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
3. 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
2. Age of Arrogance
The lord of Pervaz, who led the 28-year war to victory, Asha Pervaz.
For Pervaz, who was devastated by the long war, Asha heads to the imperial family to receive the victory reward promised by the emperor. However, the only reward that came back was the "right to choose a marriage partner."
As the best choice, Asha pointed out the Duke of Carlisle Haven, the first prince who had recently been deprived of the title of crown prince. If she was refused, she intended to receive compensation from the emperor...
"Marquise Perbaz. I will accept your marriage proposal."
Contrary to expectations, the Duke of Carlisle accepted Asha's choice. Promising tremendous support for Pervaz...!
Age of Arrogance has finished publishing and it has 93 Chapters. It is also Known as: City of Arrogance, The Age of Arrogance, The Era of Pride, अहङ्कारको युग, ยุคแห่งความโอหัง, 傲慢的时代
1. Post-Possession Damage Control
Someone has been possessing my body for the past 10 years. I would have been fine with it if they had been more civilized while using my body, but 'that person' not only got married, they also stuck to their husband like a stalker with my body...! "For now, let's get a divorce." I decided to abandon my husband, who treated me like I was worthless, and my family, who treated me like I was garbage, and start anew. "You're leaving? Me?" But my husband didn't believe me. "Why are you playing favorites, Sister?" My younger brother keeps showing unreasonable jealousy. "You must stay in this house. You cannot leave." And even my father, who used to hate me so much, are now all obsessed with me! What is wrong with everyone?
Post-Possession Damage Control is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Somebody Possessed My Body, Someone Possessed My Body For 10 Years, My Body Has Been Possessed by Someone
