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. Angnyeoraseo Pyeonhago Joeundeyo
- 19. Cheating Men Must Die
- 18. Eojjeodaboni Cheonsaengyeonbun
- 17. I Can't Keep Up With My Stallion Duke
- 16. Futsutsuka na Akujo de wa Gozaimasu ga Hinamiya Chou Nezumi Torikae Den
- 15. It Was Just a Contractual Marriage
- 14. The Redemption of Earl Nottingham
- 13. As the Heart Led
- 12. Helmut (Kim Nan Sae)
- 11. Gajja Aecheobui Hwaryeohan Ilsang
- 10. Agnyeoga Gildeulin Jimseung
- 9. The Villainess's Road to Revenge
- 8. munjejeog wangjanim
- 7. Sigrid
- 6. Angnyeoui Mungujeome Oji Maseyo!
- 5. Ibyangttal Yeoka-rol Jinachige Jalhaebeoryeotda
- 4. I'm Going to Twist His Neck
- 3. Heunhan Binguimurin Jul Aratda
- 2. Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu
- 1. Tenmaku no Jadougal
20. 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?
19. 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
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. 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
16. Futsutsuka na Akujo de wa Gozaimasu ga Hinamiya Chou Nezumi Torikae Den
In a kingdom inspired by historical China, five clans put forth their maidens as imperial consorts–but only one will be crowned empress. The frail and beautiful Kou Reirin, the so-called “butterfly” of the imperial court, is a shoo-in to marry the crown prince. But when “court rat” Shu Keigetsu lashes out at her during the glittering Lantern Festival, it’s Reirin who wakes up in the dungeons! Body-swapped by her assailant to steal her position at court, Reirin’s plight seems dire…to everyone else! Now that she’s got a robust new body, not even the looming threat of execution can stop her!
Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ふつつかな悪女ではございますが ~雛宮蝶鼠とりかえ伝~, Futsutsuka na Akujo de wa Gozaimasu ga Hinamiya Chou Nezumi Torikae Den
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. 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
13. 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
12. 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
11. Gajja Aecheobui Hwaryeohan Ilsang
In her past life, Duke Casis Esteban swept Sally off her feet and took her in as his mistress. However, she was living in a nightmare when Duchess Elysee Esteban plotted to ruin her life and turn all the nobles against her. Now, Sally has a second chance to turn the tables on the cold duke who used her to end his unhappy marriage. She agrees to be the duke's mistress only in appearance. Meanwhile, Duke Esteban finds Sally's intelligence impressive, and his alluring dreams of her have him wanting to drop the fictional part of their arrangement.
The Glamorous Life of the Fake Mistress is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: The Fake Mistress' Glamorous Daily Life, The Glamorous Daily Life of a Fake Mistress, The Splendid Daily Life Of A Fake Girlfriend, 偽りの愛妾として華麗に過ごします, 公爵愛妾的華麗人生
10. Agnyeoga Gildeulin Jimseung
I've posessed the body of the sociopath villainess, Illyana! An evil villainess who picks up a boy named Magnus and raises him however she pleases...that Illyana is me?! "I am going to tame you into a beast that cannot do anything without me. Just as you had done to me." And after 2 years, he who had become an emperor began his revenge. Excuse me, author! Illyana was the sinner but why must I suffer his vengeance? I was just a normal reader named Yuna!
Source: MU
The Beast Tamed by the Evil Woman has finished publishing and it has 124 Chapters. It is also Known as: The Beast Tamed by the Villainess
9. The Villainess's Road to Revenge
To support the family after her father's untimely death, Milvia sacrifices her life force to make gold using the forbidden practice of alchemy. But after being accused of trying to kill her stepsister, Relliana, she is sentenced to death. Just before taking her last breath, Milvia realizes she's been betrayed by her own family and is mysteriously given a second chance at life. Now, with the help of a knight named Deus, she's determined to get revenge, but things are not as simple as they seem...
- MU
The Villainess's Road to Revenge has finished publishing and it has 75 Chapters. It is also Known as: How Can a Time-Limited Evil Gain Her Vengeance?, Sihanbu Angnyeoga Boksuhaneun Bangbeop, How a Time-Limited Villainess Gets Revenge
8. munjejeog wangjanim
Erna Hardy is the daughter of a ruined noble family, and she's a fish out of water among the elites of Lechen's high society. But this country bumpkin makes a giant splash when her official debut is interrupted by Prince Björn Dniester, the kingdom's "Royal Poisonous Mushroom." Suddenly, Erna is the hot topic on everyone's lips, and Prince Björn decides that courting the young lady will help him thwart persistent reconciliation attempts from his pining ex-wife. It's not until Erna unwittingly finds herself becoming a pawn in the prince's toxic game that she realizes how he's earned himself such a venomous title. And despite her best attempts to steer clear of his royal mess, an innocent mistake leaves her indebted to the prince indefinitely. Now, she's at his mercy as she works to pay off her debt. But is this royal mushroom really as deadly as everyone says?
The Problematic Prince is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Le Prince scandaleux, 问题王子
7. 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
6. 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!
5. Ibyangttal Yeoka-rol Jinachige Jalhaebeoryeotda
Transmigrating into the main character of your favorite book sounds like a dream come true, but knowing Viola Vellatoux grows to be disappointed in her ending, Arin Han sets out to rewrite the story. However, her adoptive family will not hesitate to assassinate one another in their fight for control. The new Viola needs to use her wits to convince everyone that she has what it takes while remaining true to her goal. Further complicating her schemes, the male lead looks eerily familiar and has a strange effect on her when she gets too close.
The Unintentionally Ideal Adopted Daughter is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well, 過度稱職的養女, 完美演绎养女角色, 过分扮演了领养女儿的角色, ฉันเล่นบทลูกสาวบุญธรรมได้ดีเกินไปซะแล้ว
4. 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 has finished publishing and it has 174 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
3. 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
2. Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu
Sei, a 20-year-old office worker was summoned to a different world after finishing some overtime work. But the person who had summoned her looked at her face and said, "This is not the Saint." Is this neglect play!?
Sei left the royal palace and concealed her saint title. She started working at a laboratory where she made potions and cosmetics. She used her magic to grant people's requests and slowly people began suspecting that she was a saint…
Can Sei enjoy her slow dreamy different world life without her saint title being found out?!
The Saint's Magic Ability is Omnipotent is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 聖女の魔力は万能です, The Power of the Saint is All Around
1. Tenmaku no Jadougal
In the harem of the Khan, wisdom is beauty.
The time: the thirteenth century. The place: Yeke Mongol Ulus, the greatest empire the world has ever known. The woman: Fatima, hailing from Persia, where medical technique and scientific knowledge have been perfected beyond all precedent.
Fatima's desire for a stage where she can put all her knowledge to work has brought her to the palace of the Mongols, where she falls under the wing of Töregene, the sixth wife of Ögedei, the second Great Khan—a mighty woman with complicated feelings about the direction of the empire. These two women are the axle upon which the politics of the palace, and soon the very world, will turn...
Notes:
- Ranked 1st in the Women's Division of Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2023 guidebook.
- Ranked 5th in the 16th Manga Taisho Awards in 2023.
- Ranked 5th in the 17th Manga Taisho Awards in 2024.
- Winner of the Overseas Work Award at the 2024 Bucheon International Comics Festival.
- Nominated for the Best New Manga category at the 2025 American Manga Awards.
- Winner of the Grand Prize in the Comic Division at the 55th Japan Cartoonists Association Awards in 2026.
A Witch's Life in Mongol is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 天幕のジャードゥーガル, Tenmaku no Jaadougaru, Tenmaku no Jadoogar, Tenmaku no Jádúgar
