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. Eojjeodaboni Cheonsaengyeonbun
- 18. It Was Just a Contractual Marriage
- 17. Saranameun Wangnyeoui Useum Dwieneun
- 16. Hwangjewa Hamkke Tarakagetseumnida
- 15. Angnyeoui Mungujeome Oji Maseyo!
- 14. Our Office Story
- 13. Angnyeoraseo Pyeonhago Joeundeyo
- 12. Akuyaku Reijou no Kyouji: Konyakusha wo Ubaitotte Gishi wo Oidashita Watashi wa, Douyara Ima kara Hametsu suru you Desu.
- 11. Huhoejocha Sachiin Dangsindeurege
- 10. Uahan Yamanui Bada
- 9. Kekkon Shiyou. Rikon Zentei de.
- 8. Teikoku Ichi no Akujo ni Dekiai ga Tomarimasen!
- 7. I Can't Keep Up With My Stallion Duke
- 6. How to Reject My Obsessive Ex-Husband
- 5. The Redemption of Earl Nottingham
- 4. Wicked Spot
- 3. How to Perfectly End a Contract Marriage
- 2. Before the Real Heroine Steps In
- 1. Ukkari Heika no Ko wo Ninshin shite shimaimashita: Ouhi Berta no Shouzou
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. 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
18. 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
17. 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
16. 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
15. 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!
14. 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
13. 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?
12. 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.
11. 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
10. 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
9. 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
8. 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
7. 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
6. 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
5. 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
4. Wicked Spot
Sada is a modern-day witch who is tired of living quietly deep in the mountains. In fact, she wants more attention! Why can't witches be known by humans?! This is a story of modern “witches” who break the curse and live freely and uninhibitedly!
Wicked Spot is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ウィキッドスポット, Wicked Spot
3. How to Perfectly End a Contract Marriage
To bring her beloved back, she turned back time, becoming terminally ill with only a year to live. She tried reuniting him with his past love but failed. “Marry me for just one year.” Why is he proposing this? “I’ll only have one wife. You’ll be my first and last, Charlotte.”
How to Perfectly End a Contract Marriage is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: How to End a Contract Marriage Perfectly
2. 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
1. Ukkari Heika no Ko wo Ninshin shite shimaimashita: Ouhi Berta no Shouzou
Berta is wed to the king as his second wife in a loveless, political marriage. However, after Berta falls pregnant with his child, the royal palace is thrown into disarray. The king's first wife stews in jealousy and a deep-seated sense of betrayal as Berta and King Harold's relationship begins to change.
I Got Pregnant With His Majesty's Child -A Biography of Queen Berta- has finished publishing and it has 13 Chapters. It is also Known as: うっかり陛下の子を妊娠してしまいました～王妃ベルタの肖像～, Biography of Queen Berta, Le Coeur et le Devoir (French), Portrait of Queen Berta - I Accidentally Got Pregnant With His Majesty's Child, Ukkari Heika no Ko wo Ninshin Shite Shimaimashita - Ouhi Berta no Shouzou, うっかり陛下の子を妊娠してしまいました, Portrait of Queen Berta
