Top 19 The Arts manga you should read right now. [2026 List]

19. [Oshi no Ko]

"In the world of showbiz, lies are weapons." Goro works as an OB-GYN in the countryside, a life far removed from the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, his favorite idol, Ai Hoshino, has begun her climb to stardom. The two meet in the "worst possible way," setting the gears of fate in motion! The amazing Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari team up to depict the world of showbiz from a completely new perspective in this shocking series!

【OSHI NO KO】 has finished publishing and it has 168 Chapters. It is also Known as: 【推しの子】, My Favorite's Child, Favorite Girl, My Idol's Child, Oshi no Ko, [Mein*Star], เกิดใหม่เป็นลูกโอชิ

18. Kakunaru Ue wa

Uehara-kun loves 2-dimensional characters and his dream is to become a manga artist!

One day, a gal in his class, Miyamoto-san, sees his manuscript and starts a pseudo-romance with him that's a little too close to comfort, to help him with his manga!

This is a manga artist x adolescent love comedy!

Now That We Draw is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 描くなるうえは, Kakunaru Ue wa

17. Blue Period

Yatora is the perfect high school student, with good grades and lots of friends. It’s an effortless performance, and, ultimately…a dull one. But he wanders into the art room one day, and a lone painting captures his eye, awakening him to a kind of beauty he never knew. Compelled and consumed, he dives in headfirst — and he’s about to learn how savage and unforgiving art can be!

Blue Period is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ブルーピリオド, The Blue Period., النقطة الزرقاء, 藍色時期, Blue Period.

16. Kasane

Beautiful people are loved and revered. They have everything they desire right at their fingertips... Even if that beauty is a complete illusion.

Before Kasane's mother died, she was given a special tube of lipstick from her mother. She was told that if times ever got really really hard, she should wear the lipstick and kiss whatever she really desires.

But is this keepsake a blessing? Or a curse?

Kasane has finished publishing and it has 126 Chapters. It is also Known as: 累－かさね－, Rui

15. Ero Mangaka Onee-san to Otukare Ryman

Ero Mangaka Onee-san to Otukare Ryman has finished publishing and it has 35 Chapters. It is also Known as: エロ漫画家おねーさんとお疲れリーマン, Ero Mangaka Onee-san to Otsukare Riman, Ero Mangaka Oneesan to Otsukare Ryman, Ero Mangaka to Otsukare Riman

14. Love Gives Me Superpowers

"Art student Zhong Shenxiu encountered a bottleneck during a drawing class. No matter how she tried, she couldn't "see clearly" the good student, Xu Ke, who was the subject of her drawing. Unable to see clearly, she couldn't draw him... Zhong Shenxiu put down her paintbrush. Could it be that becoming a good student would bring him closer to her, a little closer, and then she could see a little clearer? Until the distance between them became negative—face to face. Phew! Now she finally saw it clearly! But! This... isn't it a bit too...

Love Gives Me Superpowers is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Lian'ai Rang Wo Youle Chao Nengli, Falling In Love Gives Me Superpowers, Liàn'ài Ràng Wǒ Yǒule Chāo Nénglì

13. Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!

Asakusa Midori wants to create an anime, but she's too disheartened to make that first step by herself. But by pure chance, she meets Mizusaki Tsubame, an up-and-coming socialite secretly dreaming of becoming an animator. Together with Midori's money-loving best friend Kanamori Sayaka, the energetic trio slowly work towards making their "ultimate world" a reality!

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 映像研には手を出すな！, Hands off the Motion Pictures Club!

12. Prism Rondo

The dawn of the 20th century, a difficult period for women to realize their dreams. At an art academy in London, Lili, a Japanese art student chasing her dreams, meets Kit, an artistic prodigy from a family of aristocrats. Their meeting, transcending social status and their home countries, will set their fates in motion...!

Love Through a Prism is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: プリズム輪舞曲, Prism Rinbukyoku, プリズム輪舞曲〈ロンド〉

11. Dance Dance Danseur

Junpei is happily snoozing away during his sister's ballet recital when a male ballet dancer steps onto the stage. Moved by the strength and skills the dancer displays, the boy discovers his love for this art.

But after a certain tragedy happens, he vows to leave his past behind and turn into the epitome of manliness! What will he do when his love for ballet reignites?!

Dance Dance Danseur is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ダンス・ダンス・ダンスール, Dance Dance Danseur

10. Jing Jiu

This is the story between a young innocent ballet boy and a passionate, determined boxing boy. The two met at the children's palace, and since then, they have grown up together supporting each other. May there be hardships, may there be obstacles, yet they never stopped pursuing their dreams. The beauty of the salad days is the sweat from the hard work and the bonding of friendship. Although they have completely different paths set up for them, what never changes is their beautiful friendship...

Salad Days has finished publishing and it has 74 Chapters. It is also Known as: Dias De Juventude, Días de Juventud, Youth Days, Salad Days (Tang LiuZang)

9. Favela no Mangaka

Manga artist Takei Hiroto, after failing to get serialized, decides to give up on his dreams and goes on a trip to Brazil to get over everything.

When he accidentally wanders into a favela, Hiroto meets Joao, a poor boy with a sharp gaze. Joao lives on the other side of the world, but he also dreams of becoming a manga artist...!!

No matter who you are or where you live, you don't have to give up. The beginning of a story about two manga artists chasing their dreams from the slums!!

Favela no Mangaka is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ファヴェーラの漫画家, The Manga Author from Favela, Favela Comic Artist

8. Colorless Girl

Aoi, the main character of our story, has just enrolled at the art college of her dreams. She alway looks cute, is pure perfect, and is loved by everyone around her. But Aoi, nicknamed “The Girl” by her friends, hold onto a secret she doesn’t want anyone to know. Underneath her makeup and clothing, she hides the secret that she is actually a cross-dressing man. Afraid of what others may think him. Aoi finds himself staring into the mirror confessing his true feelings, “I'm not okay.”. This manga is for people who suffer from issues with self-confidence. Follow a heart-touching story and watch Aoi overcome his struggles with his sexuality, the looks of disapproval of those around him, and his relationships with his family and friends.

Colorless Girl has finished publishing and it has 15 Chapters. It is also Known as: カラーレスガール, Karaaresu Gaaru, Colorless Girl (Honami SHIRONO)

7. Act-age

Kei Yonagi comes from a poor family. Her father ran out on her and her two younger siblings, leaving her to fend for the family herself after their mother's death. When the opportunity comes to chase her dream of becoming an actress, Yonagi jumps at the chance. Catching the eye of Director Sumiji Kuroyama, Yonagi's opportunity to shine has come. However, Yonagi's talent for acting comes from her extreme and innate ability for Method Acting, one that various individuals note as potentially self-destructive.

Act-age has finished publishing and it has 123 Chapters. It is also Known as: アクタージュ act-age, Act-age

6. Imouto no Ane

A short oneshot of cute pair of sisters.

A new one-shot by the award-nominated author of Fire Punch.

Little Sister’s Elder Sister has finished publishing and it has 1 Chapters. It is also Known as: 妺の姉, Imouto no Ane

5. Skeeter Rabbit!!

Usa Ayano is a middle-school girl who is bad at physical activities. One day at gym class, she sees another girl in her grade, Hoshihara Chika, a transfer student who muddles through the dancing lesson like she couldn't care less.
Ayano, intrigued by how mysterious Chika is, tries to approach the new girl but gets pushed away. That is until she later discovers Chika's secret.

Skeeter Rabbit!! has finished publishing and it has 19 Chapters. It is also Known as: スキーターらびっと!!, Skeeter Rabbit!!

4. Boku to René to Aoarashi

Souichi is an art student, and one day he saw an amazing painting at his university that made him want to study under the artist. When he went to learn from the master, though, the man did not accept him. Shortly afterward, he met the man's granddaughter, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed child called Rune. She was a very energetic kid who drew Souichi into playing with her in the surrounding countryside. Soon, Souichi learned the truth: the painting he had been so impressed with at his university was not the grandfather's work, but Rune's. She is the artist from whom he needs to learn!

Boku to René to Aoarashi has finished publishing and it has 21 Chapters. It is also Known as: 僕とルネと青嵐, Me and René and the Fresh Wind, Boku to Rune to Aoarashi

3. Alabaster no Kisetsu

Maeda Gin is a student who enjoys drawing graffitis at an abandoned apartment complex building near his school, with his friends and acolytes, Teppei and Kon-chan. One night, while they're at work on one of their masterpieces, they're interrupted by a mysterious ghastly pale-skinned woman who scares them. In the process of fleeing, Gin loses his sketchbook to her and then from this point onwards, his life will change in a major way! Some nude painting with his beautiful and attractive art teacher? Welcome to Season of Alabaster.

Season Of Alabaster has finished publishing and it has 18 Chapters. It is also Known as: アラバスターの季節, Alabaster no Kisetsu

2. Butai ni Sake!

Oniwa Asahi is just starting his high-school life, and he has decided it is time to turn over a new leaf and learn how to make friends and get to know those around him. How does someone who is terrible at interacting with other people go about doing that, though? Turns out, it's as easy as joining the Theatre Club and its quirky cast of characters, including the captain Imari, who seems to have his own issues opening up to others.

Butai ni Sake! is currently publishing and has 20 Chapters. It is also Known as: 舞台に咲け!, Bloom Onstage!

1. Kimi ni Tsumugu Bouhaku

Two women, one spotlight. Haruka has abandoned her dreams of the theater but finds herself still haunted by memories. Meanwhile, Nao chases her aspirations for the stage head-on, refusing to back down or let obstacles block her way. After the lives of these two theater geeks cross, their aspirations will either form their friendship or fuel their rivalry. When romance sparks, which will prevail in the end: love…or the stage?

Monologue Woven For You has finished publishing and it has 20 Chapters. It is also Known as: 君に紡ぐ傍白, An Aside Told to You