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. Kim Bujang
- 19. Kingdom
- 18. Death Note
- 17. Jungle Juice
- 16. Gantz
- 15. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
- 14. Lord of the Mysteries
- 13. Akumetsu
- 12. Ajin
- 11. Juujika no Rokunin
- 10. Maria no Danzai
- 9. Jjokpallyeo Game
- 8. Chobits
- 7. Freezing
- 6. Binguihaetdeoni Goedami Dwae Beoryeotda
- 5. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run
- 4. Homesick
- 3. Your Throne
- 2. Old Boy
- 1. Countach
20. 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
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. 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
16. 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
15. 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
14. 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
13. 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
12. 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
11. 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 has finished publishing and it has 234 Chapters. It is also Known as: 十字架のろくにん, Juujika no Rokunin
10. Maria no Danzai
The Nagare family had a happy home with three parents and three children. However, their son Kiritaka was secretly bullied at school. Then, an incident occurs, and the mother Mari's love for her son goes out of control.
Maria's Judgement is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 聖母の断罪, • Lời tuyên án của Đức Mẹ, • دَينُونَة ماريا, • मारियाको निर्णय, • La Condena de María, • Seibo no Danzai, • Penghakiman Maria, • Возмездие Девы Марии, • Ang Paghatol ni Maria
9. Jjokpallyeo Game
Sa-Rang Yu, a second-year in high school, has never really fit in. She isn’t exactly bullied, but her classmates keep singling her out, even pushing the dares from their humiliation games onto her. No one says it out loud, but everyone senses something seriously off about her as the games take on a darker, more unsettling edge. Will these games help Sa-rang finally find acceptance among her peers, or will the escalating dares reveal the twisted side everyone suspects is already there?
I Dare You is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Shame Game
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. Freezing
Extraterrestrial beings have invaded our garden world, hellbent on wiping humanity off the face of the planet. The only hope is a specialized force of genetically-engineered female “Pandoras” and their male partners known as “Limiters,” who represent the last line of defense against a horrific alien force.
Kazuya Aoi is a Limiter who enrolls in a prestigious academy that trains genetically-engineered soldiers. Having made a promise to his Pandora sister who died in battle, Kazuya must overcome his sadness and become the best he can be. His first major obstacle is a frigid second-year student known as Satellizer el Bridget, who has remained undefeated in combat simulation. Does Kazuya have what it takes to beat her, while readying himself for an impending war?
Freezing is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: フリージング, Freezing Second Season
6. Binguihaetdeoni Goedami Dwae Beoryeotda
A monster lives in the Rohanson manor. It wears the skin of the dead Lady Evangeline. While she believes she is the heroine of a romance story, to everyone else, she is a haunted nightmare.
My Possession Became a Ghost Story is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Possessed Someone, and It Turned Into a Ghost Story, My Transmigration Became a Ghost Story, I Possessed a Body and Became an Urban Legend, 憑依したら怪談になってしまった
5. 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
4. Homesick
Rayne woke up with no memories of the apocalypse. Samael is just... a delinquent, who happened to find Rayne at a rooftop. They both ended up making a deal in order to survive in a world where cannibalistic monsters roam.
Homesick is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Homesick
3. 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
2. Old Boy
Ten years ago, they took him in. He doesn't even know who. And for ten years, he has been confined in a private prison. He doesn't know why. For ten years, his only contact with the outside world has been a television set and the voices of his jail mates. In time, he lost himself. He changed...transformed himself into something else...something hard...something lethal. Suddenly, one day his incarceration ends, again without explanation. He is sedated, stuffed inside a trunk, and dumped in a park. When he awakes, he is free to reclaim what's left of his life...and what's left is revenge.
Old Boy has finished publishing and it has 79 Chapters. It is also Known as: Loose Senki: Old Boy, ルーズ戦記 オールドボーイ, Old Boy
1. Countach
The day after he finds himself dumped by his girlfriend, Sorayama Shun recieves a letter... from himself? The letter was from Shun 25 years ago for his future self. The letter reminds him of the time when he dreamed of owning a Countach and being a successful professional racer. With loads of luck and his ambition to make his childhood dream come true, he finds himself as a new owner of an LP400 Countach.
Countach has finished publishing and it has 316 Chapters. It is also Known as: カウンタック, Countershock
