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 20 Thriller manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 20. The Ruler of the Land
- 19. Kingdom
- 18. Juujika no Rokunin
- 17. Death Note
- 16. Jungle Juice
- 15. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 14. Kim Bujang
- 13. Ajin
- 12. Mirai Nikki
- 11. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run
- 10. Moduga Geunyeoreul Saranghae
- 9. Your Throne
- 8. Chobits
- 7. Minasama no Omocha desu
- 6. Gantz
- 5. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
- 4. Dugeundugeun Gwiyeonsi
- 3. Sarinyejeongja
- 2. Akumetsu
- 1. Kirara
20. The Ruler of the Land
An intricate story revolving around Han Bi Kwang, as he follows a hero's journey. Just throw in a historic setting, ancient weapons, and a riveting plotline, and you have one of the most highly-acclaimed manwha, a definite must-read.
Bi-Kwang and Hwa-Rin try in vain to shake off Sang Pil "Gold Cobra" Jin and his men, but, ultimately, they are forced to defend themselves. Unfortunately, Bi-Kwang and Hwa-Rin lose, and the Sword of the Flowers is taken from them.
Bi-Kwang and Hwa-Rin regroup, pursuing Sang Pil Jin in an effort to retrieve the sword, but then Sang Pil and his men learn that Bi-Kwang and Hwa-Rin aren't the only ones after them. Sang Pil's superior, Master Yoo, has learned that Sang Pil planned to keep the sword for himself, and has approached Shi-Yun, leader of the Black Serpents, for help.
The lives of Bi-Kwang, Hwa-Rin, Sang Pil Jin, and his men are all in danger, as Master Yoo and the Black Serpents join forces and search for the sword together.
Note: This manhwa was made into a MMORPG.
The Ruler of the Land is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Burning Blood Kangho, Yulgang, Sabre & Dragon, Yeolhyeol Gangho
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. 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
17. 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
16. 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
15. 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
14. 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
13. Ajin
Ajin are humans that cannot die. Seventeen years ago, they first appeared on a battlefield in Africa. From then on, more of their kind are discovered within the human society. Their rarity in appearance means that, for experimental purposes, the government will generously reward anyone who captures one. In the present day, for what a certain high school student expects to be a typical summer holiday, his life is about to turn unexpected...
Ajin: Demi-Human has finished publishing and it has 86 Chapters. It is also Known as: 亜人, Ajin
12. Mirai Nikki
Middle school 2nd year, Amano Yukiteru, is a boy who has problem making friends. He thinks of himself as a bystander and will always write down everything he sees in a cell phone diary.
Tormented by solitude, Yukiteru began to imagine things like a friend called Deus Ex Machina who is apparently the Lord of Time & Space. Seeing Yukiteru's miserable state, Deus gives him a new ability. His diary will now record events that will happen in the near future. Yukiteru is then forced to participate in a game whose winner will become Deus' successor.
Future Diary has finished publishing and it has 59 Chapters. It is also Known as: 未来日記, Mirai Nikki
11. 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
10. 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
9. Your Throne
Tensions are brewing under the seemingly calm surface of the Vasilios Empire, a kingdom ruled by the Imperial Family and the Temple. Lady Medea Solon has lost her place next to Crown Prince Eros, but resolves to do whatever it will take to win back what's rightfully hers. Will she reclaim her throne?
Your Throne is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Want to Be You, Just For A Day, To Be You, Even For A Day, To Be You, Even Just For A Day
8. Chobits
Hideki's just like every other guy in the 22nd century. He just wants a good job, a good car, and a sexy robot girlfriend to call his own. Until he lands a job, he'll never be able to afford his own 'Persocom' companion. Hideki's luck changes when he discovers Chi--an adorable but seemingly stupid Persocom--tied up in a pile of trash. His first robot companion turns out to be a lot more responsibility than he expected, and she gets him into quite a few embarrassing situations. It's 'boy-meets-girl' for the cyber age.
Chobits has finished publishing and it has 88 Chapters. It is also Known as: ちょびっツ, Chobits
7. Minasama no Omocha desu
Tsukimiya is a dutiful kid who has been looking after his family since his mother's passing, and a popular pretty boy at school, but he rejects all those who confess to him due to an unrequited love he holds for one of his teachers. However he suddenly finds himself kidnapped by a group of beautiful women, who promise him a life of daily torture from now on.
Everyone's Toy has finished publishing and it has 138 Chapters. It is also Known as: 皆様の玩具です, Everyone's Plaything, Mina-sama no Omocha Desu
6. 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
5. 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
4. Dugeundugeun Gwiyeonsi
Struggling streamer Do-Yeon Choi downloads a mysterious dating sim game, Heart-Racing Ghost Dating Sim, only to find himself trapped in a deadly loop-- where the love interests are real-life ghosts with unresolved deaths. From haunted highways to murder cases, Do-Yeon must navigate a world where romance, horror, and mystery collide. Every wrong move could cost him his life...again.
Ghost Dating Simulation is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Heart-Pounding Cute Poem, Heart-Pounding Ghostly Poem
3. Sarinyejeongja
"I can see your number. The number of people you will kill in the future."
If he kills before they kill, the murder will not occur. The serial killer known as "Number" punishes the "Destined Murderers" one by one with this resolve. Could his wish to create a world without murder through murder ever be accomplished?
Destined Murderer is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: The Murderer
2. Akumetsu
Nagasawa Shiina was just your average 3rd year high schooler when her father's company went bankrupt. To ease the strain on her family, she secretly begins prostituting herself. At her first job, a mysterious masked man crashes the party... and it's someone she knows...
Akumetsu is the story of Hazama Shou, who defends his own view of justice in a vigilante manner while wearing a mask and calling himself Akumetsu.
Akumetsu has finished publishing and it has 162 Chapters. It is also Known as: アクメツ, Akumetsu
1. Kirara
Twenty-four-year-old Kirara is on her way to her wedding when she is killed in a car accident. However her love for her fiancé is so strong that she is permitted to return to earth as a ghost to see him. But she is sent back 8 years in time, to when she and her fiancé first met. However her own meddling in the past may make her 16 year-old-self turn away from her would-be fiancé.
Kirara has finished publishing and it has 40 Chapters. It is also Known as: KIRARA, Kanojo no Angle, Kanojo no Photo Kiss, Konna Koto ga Attemo Iiyou na Hibi
