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. Helmut (Kim Nan Sae)
- 19. It Was Just a Contractual Marriage
- 18. How to Reject My Obsessive Ex-Husband
- 17. Angnyeoraseo Pyeonhago Joeundeyo
- 16. Teach Me Desire
- 15. Hwangjewa Hamkke Tarakagetseumnida
- 14. Heunhan Binguimurin Jul Aratda
- 13. Eojjeodaboni Cheonsaengyeonbun
- 12. Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna
- 11. Saranameun Wangnyeoui Useum Dwieneun
- 10. Angnyeoui Mungujeome Oji Maseyo!
- 9. Our Office Story
- 8. Agyeong Nampyeonnim, Jipchakal Buneun Jeojjogindeyo
- 7. Before the Real Heroine Steps In
- 6. Akuyaku Reijou no Kyouji: Konyakusha wo Ubaitotte Gishi wo Oidashita Watashi wa, Douyara Ima kara Hametsu suru you Desu.
- 5. Huhoejocha Sachiin Dangsindeurege
- 4. Kekkon Shiyou. Rikon Zentei de.
- 3. Teikoku Ichi no Akujo ni Dekiai ga Tomarimasen!
- 2. Uahan Yamanui Bada
- 1. Angmaui Sowon
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. 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
18. How to Reject My Obsessive Ex-Husband
When Yu Seohyeon sacrificed her life to save her first love, Ciel de Leopart, she never expected to wake up as Irene de Closhe in a world straight out of a book. Amidst this bizarre twist, she reunites with Ciel, who has now become a supporting male lead destined to betray the crown prince. As her unique guide abilities resurface, Seohyeon is haunted by Ciel's intense, madness-filled gaze, a stark contrast to the man she once knew. Tangled in a web of past love and new identities, Seohyeon must navigate a treacherous path where past and present collide.
How to Reject My Obsessive Ex-Husband is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Methods in Refusing an Ex-husband's Obsession, Refusing Your Ex-husband's Obsession: A Guide, Ways to Refuse Your Ex-husband's Obsession
17. 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?
16. 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
15. 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
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. 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
12. Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna
Nomoto lives alone. While trying to de-stress from work she ends up making far too much food for her to eat. When she remembers Kasuga, her neighbor who loves to eat, and can put a lot away, a friendship – and more – is born!
Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 作りたい女と食べたい女, The woman who love to cook and the woman who love to eat, TsukuTabe, つくたべ
11. 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
10. 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!
9. Our Office Story
Ahn was a mature and attractive older woman I met through my company's task force. Wise and caring, that's how I became captivated with her... However, she was also a woman with a child.
-MangaUpdates
Our Office Story has finished publishing and it has 65 Chapters. It is also Known as: My Office Noona Story, My Office Noona's Story, Office Noona, The Story About My Office Noona, 年上姐姐的诱惑, 오피스 누나 이야기
8. Agyeong Nampyeonnim, Jipchakal Buneun Jeojjogindeyo
I’ve transmigrated into the body of the wife of the mad villain emperor in an angsty novel!
How will I escape? By running away quietly when the saintess he’ll become obsessed with appears.
This love-blind emperor won’t even remember that I exist once he lays eyes on the saintess! I really didn’t do anything. All I did was lay as low as I could so that I wouldn’t get on my crazy husband’s nerves…. But the villain emperor has asked me to return to the palace with him, and not the saintess. But she’s already here! Why are you obessessing over me?
My Evil Husband is Obsessed With the Wrong Person is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Dear Villainous Husband, the One to Be Obsessed With Is Over There, The Person Who Is Obsessed With the Villain Husband Is Over There, Villainous Husband, the One You're Obsessed With Is Over There, 악역 남편님 집착할 분은 저쪽인데요
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. Akuyaku Reijou no Kyouji: Konyakusha wo Ubaitotte Gishi wo Oidashita Watashi wa, Douyara Ima kara Hametsu suru you Desu.
Once a commoner, Wellmy Ernest ascended to nobility when her mother married an earl. She tormented her same-age half-sister at home and school, stole her heirship and fiancé, and finally sold her off to the allegedly cruel Lord of Magic. It's not like her plain, meek sister could oppose. Wellmy got everything she wanted.
One day, Wellmy receives an invitation to a late-night soiree from the Lord of Magic, likely to announce her sister as his fiancée. Wellmy attends with her mother and father, but what awaits them isn't the brilliant banquet they were expecting...it's a tribunal condemning them for their abuse of Wellmy's sister.
Which means everything has gone just as Wellmy planned...
This is the story of a lone villainess who plans to make her sister happy even if it means she's hated in return.
Proud to be the Villainess: I'm Doomed After Stealing my Half-Sister's Fiancé and Having Her Banished is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 悪役令嬢の矜持〜婚約者を奪い取って義姉を追い出した私は、どうやら今から破滅するようです。〜, Akuyaku Reijou no Kyouji: Konyakusha wo Ubaitotte Gishi wo Oidashita Watashi wa, Douyara Ima kara Hametsu suru you Desu.
5. Huhoejocha Sachiin Dangsindeurege
Exploited by her brother, betrayed by her sister, and killed by her husband. So ended the tragic story of Ariana Lopez--until, at the moment of her death, she suddenly finds herself back in the past. Now that she has a chance to do it all over again, she enlists the help of Duke Dante Heigenberg, the most feared and desired man in the entire empire, to take revenge against her family and reclaim what’s rightfully hers. But strangely, the duke seems to want Ariana more than just for her extraordinary musical talent...
To Whom It No Longer Concerns has finished publishing and it has 70 Chapters. It is also Known as: For Those of You for Whom Regret Is a Luxury, For You, Even Regret is a Luxury, Non, vous ne regrettez rien, 後悔さえも贅沢な貴方たちへ, แด่ใจที่ไร้รัก, 致不配後悔的你們, Para los que me traicionaron
4. Kekkon Shiyou. Rikon Zentei de.
In order to get her parents off her back, Rui enters into a temporary marriage of convenience with her NEET friend Kyousuke.
Kekkon Shiyou. Rikon Zentei de. has finished publishing and it has 16 Chapters. It is also Known as: 結婚しよう。離婚前提で。, Let's Get Married. On the Premise of Divorce., Let's Get Married. With the Intention of Getting Divorced., Please Marry Me With Divorce in Mind
3. Teikoku Ichi no Akujo ni Dekiai ga Tomarimasen!
In high society, Raven is known as a womanizer and a free spirit. But suddenly, Estella, who’s rumored to hate men and is said to be the cruelest girl in the empire, walks into his bachelor life. And this girl proposes that he marry her! “There’s not a chance in hell this marriage will succeed,” thinks the young guy. But... Estella is convinced he’ll be the one to fall head over heels for her. How will it all pan out, and in the end, who will be right...
I've Fallen for the Empire's Greatest Villainess is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Can't Stop Doting On the Empire's Most Notorious Villainess!, I Can't Stop Doting the Empire's Most Notorious Villainess!, ¡No Pude Evitar Enamorarme de la Mujer más Malvada del Imperio!, 帝国一の悪女に溺愛が止まりません！, 제국 최고의 악녀를 사랑하게 되었습니다
2. 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
1. Angmaui Sowon
One day, Seo Doya, a devil, had a strange dream. On that very day, he meets Sowon, a new student at the same school. Strangely, just by brushing against Sowon, his body keeps reacting differently than his mind. Meanwhile, Sowon attends the new student welcome party and is invited to the home of Yeon-Young and popular actor 'Woo Jae-Hyeon'... Will Sowon be able to have a smooth school life while getting increasingly entangled with Seo Doya and Woo Jae-Hyeon?
Angmaui Sowon is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Devil's Wish, A Demon's Wish, Demon's Wish, Le Voeu Du Diable, The Demon's Wish, The Devil's Wish, สัมผัสแห่งปรารถนา, 恶魔的愿望, 惡魔的願望
