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. munjejeog wangjanim
- 19. Angnyeoraseo Pyeonhago Joeundeyo
- 18. Heunhan Binguimurin Jul Aratda
- 17. It Was Just a Contractual Marriage
- 16. Gajja Seongnyeoneun Toejangeul Gidarinda
- 15. Sigrid
- 14. Cheating Men Must Die
- 13. Futsutsuka na Akujo de wa Gozaimasu ga Hinamiya Chou Nezumi Torikae Den
- 12. Eojjeodaboni Cheonsaengyeonbun
- 11. Angnyeoui Mungujeome Oji Maseyo!
- 10. Helmut (Kim Nan Sae)
- 9. Pokgun Nampyeoni Eojjeonji Josinhaejyeotda
- 8. Yeobo, Na Paeopalgeyo
- 7. Positively Yours
- 6. As the Heart Led
- 5. Age of Arrogance
- 4. Ibyangttal Yeoka-rol Jinachige Jalhaebeoryeotda
- 3. The Male Leads Were Stolen by the Extra
- 2. Kao ni Doro wo Nuru
- 1. Ookami Ryoushu no Ojou-sama
20. 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
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. 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
16. Gajja Seongnyeoneun Toejangeul Gidarinda
I've already died once, I won't die again!
I've been reincarnated as Evelina, a saint in a fantasy novel who has lost her powers. The only problem is, this wicked saint is supposed to meet her end by burning at the stake! To escape her fate, I must use my powers of seduction to win over the three men who drove me to my demise!
The Fake Saintess Awaits Her Exit has finished publishing and it has 100 Chapters. It is also Known as: 堕落聖女に転生した私、3人の従者たちに抱かれて困ってます, La santa falsa desea escapar, ทางหลุดพ้นของนักบุญลวง, 冒牌圣女等待离场
15. 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
14. 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
13. 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
12. 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
11. 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!
10. 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
9. Pokgun Nampyeoni Eojjeonji Josinhaejyeotda
Eurenia, the eldest daughter of Count Vincent. It is well known that she lost her sight and voice when she saved her godfather Euclid from a fire. But the truth behind it is that she self-medicated to harm her body.
Using this as an excuse to marry the godfather’s son, duke Euclid. But in the end, she was used like a puppet in the earl’s hands, then discarded and died as a side effect of the drug.
She thought that was the end, but no. When she opened her eyes, she was back 4 months ago. She thought that now she must divorce the duke, who was forced to marry her. Then go find a cure…
“Is the reason you’ve been avoiding me all this time just because you’re afraid of being discovered?” His purple pupils persistently carved into her body.
“Isn’t it because you hate me?” Suddenly his eyes turned red.
“Can I come near you now?” The ears are also red.
Pokgun Nampyeoni Eojjeonji Josinhaejyeotda is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Somehow, My Tyrant Husband Has Became Cautious, My Tyrant's Husband Somehow Became Cautious
8. 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
7. Positively Yours
To Hee-won’s dismay, the BFF she crushed on and her other BFF are now dating! Seriously bummed, Hee-won decides to go wild just one time, and find solace with a handsome stranger. A very satisfying one night affair has now turned into more — she’s pregnant! Fate brings them together again, and now the regimented Doo-joon is determined to do the right thing and marry her. But they’re basically strangers! Except... their bodies have been very intimately acquainted. What’s this mother-to-be to do?
Positively Yours has finished publishing and it has 82 Chapters. It is also Known as: I have a baby
6. 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
5. 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
4. 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
3. 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
2. Kao ni Doro wo Nuru
"You’re great just the way you are."
Even though Miku is 25 years old, she hasn’t learned a thing about how to do her own makeup -- but her boyfriend, Haru, tells her that he prefers her that way. Miku and Haru live together, after all, and they might get married, in which case she’ll just quit her job anyway, so it’s probably fine never to learn... At least, that’s what she tells herself. One day, a boy with a special love for makeup suddenly appears in her life. The beautiful stranger does Miku up gorgeously and Haru’s reaction to her new look is almost unbelievable--?
A story of starting anew and taking one’s life back through makeup!
Makeup with Mud has finished publishing and it has 60 Chapters. It is also Known as: 顔に泥を塗る, Kao ni Doro wo Nuru
1. Ookami Ryoushu no Ojou-sama
The previous lords have committed as many atrocities as possible to fill their bellies. I, the only daughter of that house, had discovered that my servant and lover was a spy. And as the people wanted, my life ended with my execution.
However, with the memory of getting beheaded intact, I began a new life. I was planning to shoulder the sins of my past life and become a nun, but by some trick of fate, I came to work as a maid for the current lord. Under my former lover, whose name, age and even hair colour were all lies.
The Wolf Lord's Lady has finished publishing and it has 33 Chapters. It is also Known as: 狼領主のお嬢様, Princess of the Wolf Lord, Ookami Ryoushu no Ojousama