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. Cinderella-neun Naega Anieotda
- 18. Eojjeodaboni Cheonsaengyeonbun
- 17. The Broken Ring: This Marriage Will Fail Anyway
- 16. Donghwa Sog Ag-yeog-eui Wanbyeoghan Ending Plan
- 15. Neoui Aiga Aniya
- 14. Daewinim! Ibeon Jeonjaengteoneun Igosingayo?
- 13. Heunhan Binguimurin Jul Aratda
- 12. Angnyeoui Mungujeome Oji Maseyo!
- 11. Angnyeoraseo Pyeonhago Joeundeyo
- 10. Hwangjewa Hamkke Tarakagetseumnida
- 9. Dareun Namja Airo Kiugesseo
- 8. My Mom Got a Contract Marriage
- 7. Marry My Husband
- 6. Ibyangttal Yeoka-rol Jinachige Jalhaebeoryeotda
- 5. Cheating Men Must Die
- 4. Positively Yours
- 3. Nan Hong
- 2. Beorimbatgo Jeulgineun Sobakan Doksinui Sam
- 1. Koneko-chan, Kocchi ni Oide
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. Cinderella-neun Naega Anieotda
People called Terryl ‘Cinderella.’ It was meant to be a charming nickname for her, who was a mere Baron’s daughter before falling in love with the second son of a Marquis. However one day, he abruptly bid adieu, leaving Terryl wounded by her lover’s betrayal. And suddenly, the so-called ‘King of the North,’ Duke of Rihan, stood in front of her. He identified himself as Terryl’s biological father, whom she assumed was no longer alive. Because she became the Duke’s daughter overnight, she had to put in a lot of work to become the Duke’s successor! Three years later, Terryl, seeking vengeance on her ex-lover, offers Cesio, the Marquis’ eldest son, a contract of engagement to take away what her former lover desired most, the title of Marquis. As the two were engaged, they became more aware of one another, and as Terryl becomes closer to Cesio, she learns an unexpected secret about him… Will ‘Cinderella’ find love by the end of this tale?
Source: MU
I Wasn't the Cinderella has finished publishing and it has 145 Chapters. It is also Known as: Cinderella Wasn't Me
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. The Broken Ring: This Marriage Will Fail Anyway
When six-year-old Inés laid eyes on the handsome heir to House Escalante, she promptly made the boy her fiancé. Since noble men are all the same, she figured she might as well choose a pretty one. But Lord Cárcel isn't ready for this sort of commitment just yet, and he spends the next decade and a half avoiding the marriage at all costs! Luckily, that's no trouble for Inés, as this marriage failing is exactly what she wants. In fact, he has her blessing to sow his wild oats as long as he stays out of her business. Unfortunately, being a playboy isn't as fun when your fiancée gives you permission. And doesn't this mean she's cheating on him too? Now, Cárcel is determined to change Inés' mind about him and prove he can be the husband she's always wanted.
The Broken Ring: This Marriage Will Fail Anyway is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: El Anillo Roto: Este matrimonio fracasará de todos modos, This Marriage Is Bound to Sink Anyway, 反正这段婚姻注定失败
16. Donghwa Sog Ag-yeog-eui Wanbyeoghan Ending Plan
[There was a pitiful girl who cried tears of diamond and lived while being abused by her family. But a prince appeared and killed off the entirety of the evil family. And so, the girl lived happily ever after with the prince.] ...is the fairy tale, but I reincarnated as the evil sister, 'Marcia Blick'?! This damned household! I have to escape from this house now, at least! But if I run away, what about my sister who will be left behind? I've made my decision! We're going to run away together !'Larisa. Let's go find that prince who will make you happy! But... Prince, why are you proposing to me? Your partner isn't me, but my sister! This sister of yours will make you a 'perfect ending plan'!
Source: MU
The Perfect Ending for the Villainess of a Fairy Tale has finished publishing and it has 118 Chapters. It is also Known as: Fairy Tale Villain's Perfect Ending Plan, Perfect Ending Plan of a Fairy Tale Villainess, 童话里反派的完美结局
15. 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
14. Daewinim! Ibeon Jeonjaengteoneun Igosingayo?
Lee Yoon-Ah is the captain of the elite special forces unit and is said to be Korea's leader.
A soldier to the core, there was no romance in her life.
However, a completely different world opens for her, when she loses her consciousness after being hit by a shell during her overseas deployment.
She ends up being transmigrated into a romance fantasy novel written by her friend!
And that's when she became an extra, Rosalie, who lived a miserable life.
She sighed deeply and put her head in her hands for a moment. She sees this place as a battlefield and decides to change her life.
“This is a class-based society. I experienced enough to get tired of class-based societies while in the military.”
She becomes the captain who conquers the Duke's family with her absolute charisma!
But unintentionally, even romance starts to take hold of her...
"Duke, how do you feel about kneeling in front of the crown prince? It's the first time you've ever kneeled before someone other than His Majesty, the Emperor."
The original male protagonist is now down on his knees before her and not the heroine.
This captain who had no interest in love, can she win on this battlefield?
Captain! Is This Battlefield Here? has finished publishing and it has 101 Chapters. It is also Known as: Daewinim! Ibeon Jeonjaengteoneun Igosingayo?
13. 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
12. 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!
11. 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?
10. 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
9. Dareun Namja Airo Kiugesseo
“Fate, save my unborn child…!” These are the last words of Princess Hinael as she plummets to her death at the hands of Count Chetaire, her unfaithful husband. Little does Hinael know that destiny will grant her a second chance, as she awakens two years in the past, shortly before her marriage. With her knowledge of what’s to come, Hinael attempts to rewrite the stars for herself and her future child. And what better way to achieve her ambitions than to court her kingdom’s former enemy, the dark and stern Prince Lutz of the Empire of Triekas?
My Child Will Have a Different Father is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Will Raise My Kin as Another Man's Child, I Will Raise This Boy as Another Man's Child
8. My Mom Got a Contract Marriage
Lilyca is a poor girl who used to spend every day with her alcoholic mother.
However, one day...
"Kyaa, it's hot! No!"
Her mother woke up screaming and nonsensically asked, "Lily, you're alive! Have you gotten younger?"
"What's the date?"
She'd lost her mind!
"This can't be... I've come back!"
She started spouting more puzzling things, even going so far as to say, "We need to go to the Imperial Ball and meet the Emperor!"
Lilyca began to worry that something had gone wrong with her Mother's head...
My Mom Got a Contract Marriage is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: My Mother Gets Married Again, My Mother Got Married By Contract
7. Marry My Husband
My best friend and my husband cheated on me. If that was not enough, he killed me, his terminally ill wife.
Ji Won, who died like that, miraculously returned to 10 years ago. In order to change her future, Ji Won pledges to hand over her ill fate to her "best friend" Soomin.
'So, marry my husband instead of me.'
Marry My Husband has finished publishing and it has 68 Chapters. It is also Known as: To Marry My Husband
6. 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
5. 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
4. 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
3. Nan Hong
When Wen Yifan returns to her hometown for work, she runs into the super hot guy everyone's talking about. However, this super hottie turns out to be Sang Yan, the guy whose feelings she crushed when she rejected him back in high school! In a twist of fate, two paths that remained separate all that time now seem to be intertwined as they keep bumping into each other. What's more, they coincidentally end up renting the same apartment and becoming roommates! Watch how Sang Yan, dubbed the "perfect boyfriend”, navigates his way through love amidst a whirlwind of unspoken feelings and strong emotions!
Eternal Love is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 2度目の初恋は、苦すぎる, Difficult to Coax, First Frost, Hard to Coax, Hard to Deceive, Nan Hong, Важко вмовити, Eternal Love (Zhu Yi)
2. Beorimbatgo Jeulgineun Sobakan Doksinui Sam
Catherine Panya thought she could live a happy life after leaving her terrible family. She was lucky enough to find a huge manor for dirt cheap, but only because the land attracts demons! And the only one powerful enough to vanquish those demons is Grand Duke Chezare Christopher, the Great Sorcerer. Although the reason is unclear, he offers Catherine a key that can summon him whenever she needs him. Is this Catherine's literal key to happiness? Or will it unlock a door to even more trouble?
Catherine's Key to a Happy Life is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Rejected Lady Enjoying a Modest Life, The Abandoned Bachelorette Enjoys Her Simple Life, ชีวิตสันโดษสำราญใจที่เรียบง่ายหลังถูกทิ้ง
1. Koneko-chan, Kocchi ni Oide
After Yuuko graduated from junior college, she ended up managing a clothing shop. Though her career is going well, she hasn't had time to work on her love life. One day, she's out drinking with her best friend, Mikan, bemoaning her lack of a boyfriend for a Christmas date. When she trips and hurts her leg, Mikan asks her little brother Leo (an 18-year-old) to see Yuuko home safely. When they arrive at her apartment, though, Yuuko makes a move on him and they end up sleeping together.
The next morning, she realizes that she not only slept with her best friend's little brother, she actually took his virginity! Leo isn't satisfied with it being a one-night stand, and they start having a completely sexual relationship. Will she be able to keep this from Mikan, and is it possible their relationship may grow to something more?
Koneko-chan, Kocchi ni Oide has finished publishing and it has 36 Chapters. It is also Known as: 仔猫ちゃん、こっちにおいで, Koneko-chan, Kocchi ni Oide
