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. Angnyeoraseo Pyeonhago Joeundeyo
- 18. Heunhan Binguimurin Jul Aratda
- 17. Eonni, Ibeon Saengen Naega Wangbiya
- 16. I Became the Tyrant's Servant
- 15. Eojjeodaboni Cheonsaengyeonbun
- 14. That Kid Who Resembles Me
- 13. Jeonjaenggwang Nampyeonui Aireul Ppaedollyeotda
- 12. Neoui Aiga Aniya
- 11. Cheating Men Must Die
- 10. It Was Just a Contractual Marriage
- 9. Hwangjewa Hamkke Tarakagetseumnida
- 8. Teach Me Desire
- 7. How to Reject My Obsessive Ex-Husband
- 6. Who Stole the Empress
- 5. Angnyeoui Mungujeome Oji Maseyo!
- 4. The Villainess Needs a Tyrant
- 3. Sigrid
- 2. Uri Angnyeonimi Dallajyeosseoyo
- 1. Konyaku Haki wo Mochikakerarete Juusuunen, Soko made iunara Haki Shimashou!
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. 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. 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
17. 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
16. I Became the Tyrant's Servant
A former call center employee finds herself transported into a fantasy novel, where she becomes the "servant" of the male protagonist, a cruel tyrant who kills anyone he doesn't like and lives in lust.
She doesn't want to die like the original character, so she plans to escape before the tyrant finds the female protagonist, who is the only one capable of changing his heart. To do this, she begins to do business, buy ships and train concubines for the tyrant. However, her plans are thwarted when the tyrant begins to take an interest in her and pursues her relentlessly.
Will she be able to escape her fate or will she fall in love with the man she was supposed to hate?
I Became the Tyrant's Servant is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 成为暴君的奸臣
15. 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
14. That Kid Who Resembles Me
Jeong Ji-heon, a man who lost his memory right before his marriage proposal. Lee Jeong-oh, a woman who believes that she was heartbroken by him. The two meet again after 7 years. Ji-heon does not remember Jeong-oh, but is instinctively attracted to her. Little does he know, she has a beautiful child that resembles each half of them.
That Kid Who Resembles Me is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Nal Dalmeun Ai, A Child Who Looks Like Me, A Child Like Me, A Child Who Resembles Me, That Kid Who Resembles Me, ลูกสาวสำเนาถูกต้อง, 貌似我的孩子
13. Jeonjaenggwang Nampyeonui Aireul Ppaedollyeotda
What if your whole life was predetermined? When Noelle Ainelle is reborn as an evil marchioness, she learns she is fated to die alongside her 5-year-old daughter at her husband’s hands. But with a new attitude and a will to live, Noelle resolves to salvage her marriage for their daughter’s sake. Too bad her husband, Rupert Ainelle, is a war-loving marquess who knows nothing but violence. With the clock ticking before the unthinkable, can this villainess make peace with her warmonger husband?
My Warmonger Husband is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Stole the Child of My War-Mad Husband, I Took My Warmonger Husband's Child, 我养大了好战丈夫的孩子, 暴君夫から娘を救う方法
12. Neoui Aiga Aniya
Kalia is a war hero, and commander that put an end to the past war, but one day, she finds out that she's... pregnant?! Of all people, the father of the baby is Simon Terroan, her best friend and archmage, whom she spent a single passionate night with. Believing that Simon doesn't want the baby, Kalia hides the truth of her pregnancy, then retires from her job and disappears while Simon is away in order to have her baby. The truth is that Simon has loved Kalia, more than anyone else, and so, the frantic search for her begins.
Source: MU
The Baby Isn't Yours is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: It's Not Your Child, 这不是你的孩子
11. 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
10. 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
9. 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
8. 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
7. 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
6. 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
5. 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!
4. The Villainess Needs a Tyrant
Just now, I stole the lips of a man who is notorious as a tyrant. In front of my younger cousin, Arinel, who stole everything I had in my previous life. His arms wrapped around my waist. The distance that was formed vanished in an instance. The cold-blooded, powerful man’s smile filled my view.
Source: MU
The Villainess Needs a Tyrant has finished publishing and it has 70 Chapters. It is also Known as: TVNT
3. 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
2. Uri Angnyeonimi Dallajyeosseoyo
I was a runaway orphan working three jobs to survive. I was always exhausted, but at least I had money. One day, I overheard some girls talking about Crown Princess Heine, a novel known for its risqué scenes. But before I could read it, I died! Soon, I transmigrated into the book as the villainess, Annette Ethelred. Annette is hated by everyone because she tried to kill Heine, but I'm not going down that route. I'm going to keep my head down, make money, and check out all the hot guys!
The Villainess Makeover is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: La villana ha cambiado, 恶女大人不一样了, Our Villainess Has Changed, 悪女様が変わりました
1. Konyaku Haki wo Mochikakerarete Juusuunen, Soko made iunara Haki Shimashou!
She's been told multiple times since they were young to break off the engagement?!
Adapted from the Villainess Anthology "Though I May Be a Villainess, I'll Show You I Can Obtain Happiness!" cover story, "It's Been 10 Years Since You Asked to Break Off Our Engagement, If You Insist That Much, Let's Break It Off!" has now been serialized!
It's Been 10 Years Since You Asked to Break Off Our Engagement, If You Insist That Much, Let's Break it Off! has finished publishing and it has 7 Chapters. It is also Known as: 婚約破棄を持ちかけられて十数年、そこまで言うなら破棄しましょう！, Konyaku Haki wo Mochikakerarete Juusuunen, Soko made iunara Haki Shimashou!
