What is this genre all about? The thriller is a genre of fiction in which tough, resourceful, but essentially ordinary heroes are pitted against villains determined to destroy them, their country, or the stability of the free world. The hero of a typical thriller faces danger alone or in the company of a small band of companions. The protagonist may be a law enforcement agent, a journalist, or a soldier, but typically he or she is cut off from the resources of "their" organization. More often the hero is an ordinary citizen drawn into danger and intrigue by circumstances beyond their control. (Source: Wikipedia)
We present you the list of Thriller manga you should read right now.
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Top 19 Thriller manga you should read right now. [2025 List]
- 19. Kingdom
- 18. Death Note
- 17. Kim Bujang
- 16. Juujika no Rokunin
- 15. Gantz
- 14. Jungle Juice
- 13. Trapped
- 12. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
- 11. Usogui
- 10. Holyland
- 9. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run
- 8. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 7. Moduga Geunyeoreul Saranghae
- 6. Thermae Romae
- 5. Cheongsobu K
- 4. Summertime Render
- 3. Initial D
- 2. Übel Blatt
- 1. Ciguatera
19. Kingdom
Millions of years have passed since the times of legends, when the worlds of man and gods were still the same. In these times it was the desires of man that moved the world. It is the period of the 500 year war: the Era of Warring States. Kingdom is the story of a young boy who grew into a great general and all the trials and bloodshed that led him there.
is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: キングダム, Kingdom
18. Death Note
Light Yagami is a brilliant 17-year-old student, one of the top scorers on his exams in all of Japan. One day as he leaves school, he finds a mysterious black notebook on the ground with "Death Note" written on it. The first thing written inside: "The human whose name is written in the notebook shall die." Light decides to use this to cleanse the world of evil by killing all the criminals. On the scene comes L, ace detective, who's determined to find Light—who the world now calls "Kira"—and track him down, thus bringing us an epic psychological thrill ride.
Death Note has finished publishing and it has 108 Chapters. It is also Known as: DEATH NOTE, Death Note
17. Kim Bujang
Single father, company manager, and former black-ops member, Mr. Kim lived an ordinary life until his daughter, Minji, went missing. After discovering his daughter could be dead, Mr. Kim turns merciless and sets out for information. He will rescue his daughter by any means necessary, even if it means destroying everything and everyone standing in his path.
Source: Webtoon
Manager Kim is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Manajer Kim
16. Juujika no Rokunin
”Is it okay to kill people?"A treacherous revenge suspense by Shiryu Nakatake, a newcomer to Bessatsu Shonen Magazine."Shun, if someone is converted, let him go and do nothing. He should be given a chance to be reborn.""Grandpa, I hope he doesn't reincarnate himself."In order to defeat several non-human monsters, the boy also became something non-human.Shin Uruma, a sixth-grade student, was named "Experimental body: A" by five of his classmates and was severely bullied and lived in hell. His only peace was with his brother, who loved him, and his parents, who protected him.... . until the five monsters killed his family.When he finally loses everything and faces true hell, a dark "wish" is born inside Shun. He was reborn under the training of his grandfather, who served in a secret unit during WWII. Now, four years later, he appears in front of his fated enemy."I won't let ANYONE get in the way of my revenge."
Juujika no Rokunin is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 十字架のろくにん, Juujika no Rokunin
15. Gantz
Thought your life was bad? Sometimes, death is worse. There is no salvation, peace, nor god waiting to receive you into their care. But wait, a god? Maybe you are talking about that big black ball stuck in the room with you. Now you are thrown into a game, fighting green aliens and robot monsters for the chance to survive.
When Kei Kurono is killed, he thus finds himself caught in such a game; a test of his skills, morals and will to survive. His life is not his own, his death spat and trampled upon over and over again. What happens if he does not listen? God knows.
A word of warning: Gantz is not for the faint-hearted, but neither is it as simple as it looks. Gore, rape and violence is rampant, as are portrayals of greed, violence, and all the ugliness that one sees in society today.
Gantz has finished publishing and it has 383 Chapters. It is also Known as: GANTZ, Gantz/Osaka
14. Jungle Juice
Su-Chan Jang is an extraordinary college student at the top of the social food chain. But underneath the perfect facade, he hides a pair of insect wings that suddenly grew when he used a mysterious bug spray called "Jungle Juice.” Su-Chan's life crumbles when he bares his wings to the world to save someone's life. When all hope seems lost, Su-Chan stumbles upon a hidden world of insect humans where everyone is accepted for what they are. But the law of the jungle governs this secret society and all must fend for themselves in order to survive.
Jungle Juice is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Jungle Juice
13. Trapped
Chae-a Han and Yunsu Park may be perfect angels at church, but Chae-a is really a foul-mouthed ex-convict, and Yunsu is… a vampire? When Yunsu blackmails Chae-a with a murder she didn’t commit, she begins searching for ways to escape the situation until the perfect opportunity presents itself. With Yunsu’s life now at her mercy, the two begin a life-or-death game of cat and mouse, only to find themselves falling deeper and deeper into each other’s traps...
- Webtoons
Trapped is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Trapped
12. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
One day in the 21st century, a gate opened in the middle of the Ginza district of Tokyo. Out of the gate poured soldiers and strange creatures, and they soon made Ginza look like an image of hell. The gate apparently connected Japan to another world, a world with a militant empire and many supernatural creatures. The Japanese Self-Defense Force decided to send a small group, led by a soldier who's also an otaku, into the other world on a reconnaissance mission. They're meant to learn what they can about the empire (and its plans), the world, and the people.
They're hardly in the world yet, though, when they come across a village destroyed by a giant fire-breathing dragon. The only survivor is an unconscious elven girl they find hidden in a well. Now they feel like they must warn the nearby towns about the dragon, and do what they can to help. On the way, they'll meet more magical, female companions, and learn more about this dangerous new world.
Gate: Where the JSDF Fought has finished publishing and it has 143 Chapters. It is also Known as: ゲート 自衛隊彼の地にて、斯く戦えり, Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There, Gate: Jieitai Kare no Chi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
11. Usogui
There are gamblers out there who even bet their lives as ante. But to secure the integrity of these life-threatening gambles, a violent and powerful organization by the name of "Kagerou" referees these games as a neutral party. Follow Bak Madarame a.k.a. Usogui (The Lie Eater) as he gambles against maniacal opponents at games—such as Escape the Abandoned Building, Old Maid, and Hangman—to ultimately "out-gamble" and control the neutral organization of Kagerou itself.
The Lie Eater has finished publishing and it has 541 Chapters. It is also Known as: 嘘喰い, Igyou Tobakusha Usokui, Yakou-san, The Lie Eater
10. Holyland
Yuu is a high school kid who doesn't really fit anywhere. To find a place he can belong, be accepted, he will do anything. However one thing leads to another and he is forced to fight to keep his place, his holyland.
Holyland has finished publishing and it has 182 Chapters. It is also Known as: ホーリーランド, Holy Land
9. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run
America, 1890. The longest and most significant race ever, the Steel Ball Run, is about to start. It's a race from San Diego, California, to New York City, New York, and while horses are the traditional racing medium, anything can be used. The winner is the one with the most points, via checkpoint placement, when they reach New York—the prize: $2,000,000.
Gyro Zeppelli, a mysterious man with an equally mysterious steel ball, is planning on winning the race. Johnny Joestar (JoJo) is a former jockey who's cockiness got him paralyzed from the legs down. An accidental contact with the steel ball made his leg twitch, so he's in the race the learn about Gyro's steel ball. But the challenges of Diego Brando, a popular European jockey, Pocoloco, a slave with the Devil's Luck, Sandman, a native american who is sprinting all the way to NYC, and others will make it hard for Gyro and JoJo to win.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run has finished publishing and it has 95 Chapters. It is also Known as: JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 7: Steel Ball Run, ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 Part7 STEEL BALL RUN, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run, SBR
8. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
"So, Hikaru is no more... If that's true then..."
Yoshiki and Hikaru are two boys who live in a certain village. They're the same age and have always been together growing up. But one day, Yoshiki noticed that "something else" has taken Hikaru's place. Even after learning of this, Yoshiki still wants them to be together. And so, his life with the "something" that looks like his friend begins.
At the same time, strange incidents keep occurring in the village...
The Summer Hikaru Died is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 光が死んだ夏, Hikari ga Shinda Natsu, The Summer Hikaru is Dead, The Summer the Light is Dead
7. Moduga Geunyeoreul Saranghae
Kang Min-Ah's daily life is completely turned upside down by the sudden acquisition of the ability to . Now, what unfolds before her are irreversible events caused by a single moment of choice. In the midst of anger, confusion, and suppressed sense of justice, Min-Ah begins a new journey, wondering where to use her power. In what direction will her power flow, and what choices will she make?
Moduga Geunyeoreul Saranghae is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Everyone Loves Her
6. Thermae Romae
When Roman architect Lucius is criticized for his “outdated” thermae designs, he retreats to the local bath to collect his thoughts. All Lucius wants is to recapture the Rome of earlier days, when one could enjoy a relaxing bath without the pressure of merchants and roughhousing patrons. Slipping deeper into the warm water, Lucius is suddenly caught in the suction and dragged through the drainage at the bottom of the bath! He emerges coughing and sputtering amid a group of strange-looking foreigners with the most peculiar bathhouse customs... over 1,500 years in the future in modern-day Japan! His contemporaries wanted him to modernize, and so, borrowing the customs of these mysterious bath-loving people, Lucius opens what quickly becomes the most popular new bathhouse in Rome—Thermae Romae!
Winner of the 3rd Manga Taisho Award (2010).
Thermae Romae has finished publishing and it has 38 Chapters. It is also Known as: テルマエ・ロマエ, Thermæ Romæ, I Thermae Romae, Terumae Romae, Terumae・Romae
5. Cheongsobu K
I'm K, my daughter was raped and killed by dregs but they twisted all the truths and, in the end, my daughter became the one who's to be blamed. The police are afraid of them, the law can't control them, then I'm going to clean those dregs for good. I'm K, you are the next to be terminated!
A moving and touching story about a father seeking revenge for his own daughter.
K, the Cleanskin has finished publishing and it has 248 Chapters. It is also Known as: Cleaner K, Sweeper K, K, the Cleaner, K, le Nettoyeur, 清道夫K, 掃除屋K
4. Summertime Render
Upon hearing of Ushio's death, Shinpei returns to his hometown of Wakayama City on Hitogashima and reunites with his childhood friend's family. The funeral goes smoothly, but under the surface something strange is brewing on the island. What mysteries await him on this secluded summer island?
Summer Time Rendering has finished publishing and it has 139 Chapters. It is also Known as: サマータイムレンダ, Summertime Render
3. Initial D
Only the fearless survive in the white-hot world of street racing, as teams take on dangerous roads in the shadow of Mt. Akina. Behind the wheel of the mysterious "Ghost of Akina" is Takumi, on his way to becoming the greatest racer ever.
Initial D has finished publishing and it has 719 Chapters. It is also Known as: 頭文字D, Kashiramoji D
2. Übel Blatt
Rumors stir throughout the land: when the wielder of the black sword draws his dark blade, all who stand in its path are torn asunder…! Köinzell, the mysterious young boy who carries the black sword, undeniably wields it with exceptional skill, but can he truly be responsible for the bloody rumors? Pursued by the Traitorous Lances, four powerful warriors who were thought to have been defeated by the Seven Heroes, the strength of the young swordsman will be tested to its limit. At battle’s end, only the shocking truth of Köinzell’s quest will stand above the corpses of his enemies…
An epic fantasy on the grandest of scales!
Ubel Blatt has finished publishing and it has 167 Chapters. It is also Known as: Übel Blatt [ユーベルブラット], Evil Blade
1. Ciguatera
The story of Ciguatera follows Ogino, who is bullied in high school along with his friend Takai. The two rely on their passion towards motorcycles and desire to get one to add some hope and vigor to their otherwise bleak lives.
The two are learning to drive in secret at a driving school, and it is there that Ogino's life begins to change forever. The manga follows a variety of characters through their high school and working lives, through their struggles, their triumphs, their dreams, their futures, their love, life and loss.
Ciguatera is a mature manga from Minoru Furuya, author of Ping Pong Club and Himizu.
Ciguatera has finished publishing and it has 69 Chapters. It is also Known as: シガテラ, Ciguatera - 17 Fuga of Youth
