What is this genre all about? Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century. Steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has regained mainstream use, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power.
Noteworthy attributes of the theme include large amounts smoke pollution from wood or coal burning, the affinity to metal constructs like cogs and metal tubing, and the mechanization of everyday objects.
Steampunk perhaps most recognisably features anachronistic technologies or retro-futuristic inventions as people in the 19th century might have envisioned them, and is likewise rooted in the era's perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art.
Such technology may include fictional machines like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the modern authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld, Stephen Hunt and China Miéville. Other examples of steampunk contain alternative history-style presentations of such technology as lighter-than-air airships, analog computers, or such digital mechanical computers as Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine.
Steampunk can also exemplify everything that is bad about unrestrained technological progress (dead matter), when compared to life and nature. The anime usually makes a point to propound the latter.
Source: Wikipedia
We present you the list of Steampunk manga you should read right now.
Try our anime quiz: Anime Characters Guessing Quiz/Game
Top 18 Steampunk manga you should read right now. [2024 List]
- 18. Fullmetal Alchemist
- 17. Shinju no Nectar
- 16. Erio to Denki Ningyou
- 15. Vanitas no Carte
- 14. Lord of the Mysteries
- 13. Lord of the Mysteries
- 12. Youhei to Shousetsuka
- 11. The Lady Alchemist
- 10. Shuumatsu Nani Shitemasu ka? Isogashii desu ka? Sukutte Moratte Ii desu ka?
- 9. Koutetsu no Lucja
- 8. Heishi to Burikiya
- 7. Sunabouzu
- 6. Ishura: Shin Maou Sensou
- 5. Sayonara Isekai, Matakite Ashita: Tabisuru Efude to Backpack 30
- 4. EMPYREA
- 3. Girl Genius
- 2. Sayonara Isekai, Matakite Ashita: Tabisuru Efude to Backpack 30
- 1. Mia to Kindan no Souyaku Report
18. Fullmetal Alchemist
In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. Equipped with mechanical "auto-mail" limbs, Edward becomes a state alchemist, seeking the one thing that can restore his brother and himself... the legendary Philosopher's Stone.
Won the 49th Shogakukan Manga Award in the Shounen category.
Won the 15th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Award New Artist Prize.
Won the Eagle Award's "Favourite Manga" in 2010/2011.
Won the Seiun Award for best science fiction comic in 2011.
Fullmetal Alchemist has finished publishing and it has 116 Chapters. It is also Known as: Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, 鋼の錬金術師, Full Metal Alchemist, FMA, HagaRen, Fullmetal Alchemist Gaiden
17. Shinju no Nectar
The Principality of Adal lies devastated in the wake of the Ord Army's overwhelming invasion. Princess Sakura, a surviving member of the nobility, flees to an abandoned temple and enacts a ritual to resurrect an evil warrior.
Shinju no Nectar is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 神呪のネクタール, Nectar of Divine Curse, Nectar of Dharani
16. Erio to Denki Ningyou
The story centers around Anjie, an electric doll, and Erio, a human raised by her. In order for Erio to experience the outside world, the two set out on a journey.
Erio and Electric Doll is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: エリオと電気人形, Erio to Denki Ningyou
15. Vanitas no Carte
Rumors revolving around The Book of Vanitas, a clockwork grimoire of dubious reputation, draw Noé, a young vampire in search of a friend's salvation, to Paris. What awaits him in the City of Flowers, however, is not long hours treading the pavement or rifling through dusty bookshops in search of the tome. Instead, his quarry comes to him...in the arms of a man claiming to be a vampire doctor! Thrust into a conflict that threatens the peace between humans and vampires, will Noé cast in his lot with the curious and slightly unbalanced Vanitas and his quest to save vampirekind?
The Case Study of Vanitas is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ヴァニタスの手記〈カルテ〉, Vanitas no Shuki, Memoir of Vanitas
14. Lord of the Mysteries
Waking up to be faced with a string of mysteries, Zhou Mingrui finds himself reincarnated as Klein Moretti in an alternate Victorian era world where he sees a world filled with machinery, cannons, dreadnoughts, airships, difference machines, as well as Potions, Divination, Hexes, Tarot Cards, Sealed Artifacts… The Light continues to shine but mystery has never gone far. Follow Klein as he finds himself entangled with the Churches of the world—both orthodox and unorthodox—while he slowly develops newfound powers thanks to the Beyonder potions.
Lord of the Mysteries has finished publishing and it has 65 Chapters. It is also Known as: Lord of the Mysteries
13. Lord of the Mysteries
With the rising tide of steam power and machinery, who can come close to being a Beyonder? Shrouded in the fog of history and darkness, who or what is the lurking evil that murmurs into our ears?
Waking up to be faced with a string of mysteries, Zhou Mingrui finds himself reincarnated as Klein Moretti in an alternate Victorian era world where he sees a world filled with machinery, cannons, dreadnoughts, airships, difference machines, as well as Potions, Divination, Hexes, Tarot Cards, Sealed Artifacts…
The Light continues to shine but mystery has never gone far. Follow Klein as he finds himself entangled with the Churches of the world—both orthodox and unorthodox—while he slowly develops newfound powers thanks to the Beyonder potions.
Like the corresponding tarot card, The Fool, which is numbered 0—a number of unlimited potential—this is the legend of “The Fool”.
Lord of the Mysteries has finished publishing and it has 1430 Chapters. It is also Known as: LotM, 诡秘之主
12. Youhei to Shousetsuka
"You are a more disgusting man than I imagined."
"Your poor imagination makes for an unconvincing opinion."
The smoke of the steam engine covers the city in 1873. A novelist approaches a mercenary who has lost his place of employment. She has a request to escort her to an interview in 'a mountainous region that is not on the map'. Hiring a mercenary is unavoidable and by process of elimination the novelist had no other choice but him.
The journey of the two people, who are constantly swearing at each other, eventually gets caught up in a plot involving the nation... An era of high growth when the transcontinental railroad was completed, but an era of twilight when electric lights were not yet born. A story of a world similar to "why" in 19th century America.
(Source. MU)
The Soldier and the Novelist is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 傭兵と小説家, Hồi ký du hành cùng nữ tiểu thuyết gia của gã lính thuê lang bạt
11. The Lady Alchemist
A steampunk fairytale retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.
When a slip of the tongue lands her in prison, Sepha is tasked to transmute the mountains of straw around her into gold. Impossible, or so she thinks until a conniving magician appears with a deal —He'll turn all the straw into gold, in exchange for her firstborn.
With a death sentence over her, what choice does she have?
The Lady Alchemist is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: The Lady Alchemist
10. Shuumatsu Nani Shitemasu ka? Isogashii desu ka? Sukutte Moratte Ii desu ka?
Five hundred years have passed since humanity went extinct at the hands of the fearsome "Beasts." Even up in the sky, where the surviving races dwell on floating islands, these monstrosities constantly threaten to bring death and destruction. Only a small group of young girls, the Leprechauns, can wield the ancient weapons needed to defeat these creatures. Into the girls' unstable and fleeting lives, where a call to certain death could come at any moment, enters an unlikely character: a young man who lost everything five hundred years ago, the last living human awakened from a long, icy slumber.
WorldEnd: What do you do at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us? has finished publishing and it has 25 Chapters. It is also Known as: 終末なにしてますか？忙しいですか？救ってもらっていいですか？, SukaSuka, Do you have what THE END? Are you busy? Shall you save xxx?, What are you doing at the end? Are you busy? Can you save me?
9. Koutetsu no Lucja
In Poland, a country powered by steam, the new technology was also applied to combat. Wearing steam armor, warriors compete in martial arts tournaments to fight for the title of "Knight King," a badge of strength. A young girl named Łucja joined the tournament, wielding two arms of steam armor. The difference between Łucja and the other fighters is that Łucja is otherwise unarmed, using only her fists and the strength of her single blow to defeat her opponents.
Koutetsu no Lucja has finished publishing and it has 324 Chapters. It is also Known as: 鋼鉄のウツィア, Koutetsu no Lucja, Lucja, a story of steam and steel, Żelazna Łucja
8. Heishi to Burikiya
Is a person still a person even if they've been replaced? A whitesmith in a certain small village has been making artificial metal bodies for the village's soldiers, and allowing them to keep on living... The whitesmith has also been replacing the body parts of a young female soldier with artificial ones. But each time the whitesmith replaces a body part, it feels as though something is lost, and she becomes less and less human. Can the young woman and the whitesmith manage to hold on to their humanity, and continue living in this cruel world that's so repulsive that it's beautiful?
Soldier and whitesmith has finished publishing and it has 1 Chapters. It is also Known as: 兵士とブリキ屋, Heishi to Buriki-ya
7. Sunabouzu
In the future, Japan is a wasteland. In the Great Kantou Desert, scattered humans eke out a living in the hot sand. Among them, a short-statured man they call "Sunabouzu" makes a living as a bounty hunter. Like a demon of the sand, he seems unbeatable. Yet, like all men, he has a particular weakness for the opposite sex...
Desert Punk has finished publishing and it has 139 Chapters. It is also Known as: 砂ぼうず, Sunabozu, Sand Boy
6. Ishura: Shin Maou Sensou
In a world after the defeat of the Demon Lord. All that are left are the Asura who have even slain the Demon Lord. A master fencer who can see the way to carve up his enemy with one glance, a lancer so fast he leaves sound behind, a raven-black adventurer who handles a legendary in each three arms, a spellbinder that can materialize his words into reality, a cruel angel that bestows instant death… The Asura of any and every conceivable race and species standing at the pinnacle of strength seeks an even stronger enemy, in order to receive the honor of being the “true hero”. All of them are the strongest, all of them a hero, but only one is worthy. The battle to determine the “True One” starts now.
Source: KADOKAWA
Ishura is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 異修羅－新魔王戦争－, Ishura: Shin Maou Sensou
5. Sayonara Isekai, Matakite Ashita: Tabisuru Efude to Backpack 30
The world he woke up in is long dead, dusted in ashen powder, and yet Keisuke still sees splashes of color as he travels through it. For the longest time, he's wandered alone across the deserted landscape, clinging to the hope that something—or someone—might be out there in the emptiness. When he finally stumbles across that someone, even more threads of color start to seep into the ashen world around them.
This time, when Keisuke sets off down the road, someone sits beside him in the passenger seat. The first acquaintance he's ever made here, his first companion in this barren world. They're both traveling in search of something, and after searching alone for so long, maybe they'll have better luck working together? Their only lead is a witch who can answer any question—for a price. What will the two ask her, and what will she be able to tell them? More importantly, what will it cost them, and will they be willing to pay the price?
See You Later, Fantasy World. We Hope That Tomorrow Comes Again. is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: さよなら異世界、またきて明日 旅する絵筆とバックパック30, Sayonara Isekai, Matakite Ashita: Tabisuru Efude to Backpack 30, Goodbye Otherworld, See You Tomorrow, またきて明日 旅する絵筆とバックパック30, 同异界道别，与明日相约
4. EMPYREA
For centuries, twelve Guardians and the Knights who serve them have protected Mankind from the fearsome Keres, ancient creatures with a thirst for souls. However, a series of sudden and brutal attacks threatens the fragile peace between Realms. Now Hawk, a Knight who bows before no one, and Kira, a young inventor, find themselves in the eye of the storm and will have to rely on each other to navigate through decadent courts of intrigue and deceit...
(Souce: Line Webtoon)
EMPYREA is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: EMPYREA
3. Girl Genius
In a time when the Industrial Revolution has become an all-out war, Mad Science rules the World…with mixed success.
At Transylvania Polygnostic University, Agatha Clay is a student with trouble concentrating and rotten luck. Dedicated to her studies but unable to build anything that actually works, she seems destined for a lackluster career as a minor lab assistant.
But when the University is overthrown, a strange “clank” stalks the streets and it begins to look like Agatha might carry a spark of Mad Science after all.
Girl Genius is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Girl Genius
2. Sayonara Isekai, Matakite Ashita: Tabisuru Efude to Backpack 30
The world he woke up in is long dead, dusted in ashen powder, and yet Keisuke still sees splashes of color as he travels through it. Deserted as this world may seem, might he be able to find something out there in the emptiness?
Goodbye Otherworld, See You Tomorrow is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: さよなら異世界、またきて明日 旅する絵筆とバックパック30, Sayonara Isekai, Matakite Ashita: Tabisuru Efude to Backpack 30
1. Mia to Kindan no Souyaku Report
During an age of magic, Mia Baumann is born in a prosperous country where the greatest fear is illness. Ever since her sick mother was wrenched away from her and locked behind the walls of the Sanatorium, Mia fought to get accepted by the prestigious Royal Academy as a Pharmacology student in order to find a cure for her disease.
Demon Claw and Angel Tears are the two malevolent diseases that ravaged Isea Kingdom after they conquered the small island nation of Radius. The first is highly infectious and its victims are quarantined; the second drives mages insane.
After admission to the academy, the unthinkable happens—Mia forms a cross-department research team with the nobleman law student Felix, the valedictorian medical student Henrik, and the bear-like mage Mathias. However, there are others who will do anything to stop the team from discovering the dark secrets behind these two diseases.
Find out if Mia will stand her ground despite bullying, isolation, and magic attacks, to unveil the deeply hidden truth in this mystery shoujo light novel!
Mia and the Forbidden Medicine Report has finished publishing and it has 25 Chapters. It is also Known as: ミアと禁断の創薬レポート, Mia to Kindan no Souyaku Report
