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. Kingdom
- 19. Juujika no Rokunin
- 18. Death Note
- 17. Jungle Juice
- 16. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
- 15. Kim Bujang
- 14. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run
- 13. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 12. Zetman
- 11. Bastard
- 10. Moduga Geunyeoreul Saranghae
- 9. Gwicholli
- 8. Akumetsu
- 7. Gantz
- 6. Genshiken
- 5. Kokkoku
- 4. Inu to Kuzu
- 3. Death's Game
- 2. Dear X
- 1. Beast Wheeler
20. 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
19. 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
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. 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
15. 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
14. 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
13. 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
12. Zetman
Jin is a strange kid with an angel mark on his hand. He lives a poor but peaceful life with his grandfather, along with the other destitute and abandoned vagabonds near the river. One day, his peaceful life changes when a strange monster named "player" appears, chopping off heads and killing everyone who appears in front of it.
Zetman has finished publishing and it has 226 Chapters. It is also Known as: ZETMAN, Zetman
11. Bastard
There is a serial killer in my house!
Bastard has finished publishing and it has 94 Chapters. It is also Known as: Bastard
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. Gwicholli
Mumyeong Heo’s grandmother passed away years ago. But when he visits her home to spend some time in the quiet countryside, he notices that someone kept it clean all this time. His new neighbors aren’t exactly thrilled by his visit. In fact, most of them don’t want him around. But that’s when his nasty neighbors go missing one by one… for better or worse.
The Gwichon Village Mystery is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: หมู่บ้านเร้นลับ
8. 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
7. 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
6. Genshiken
It's the spring of freshman year, and Kanji Sasahara is in a quandary. Should he fulfill his long-cherished dream of joining an otaku club? Saki Kasukabe also faces a dilemma. Can she ever turn her boyfriend, anime fanboy Kousaka, into a normal guy? Kanji triumphs where Saki fails, when both Kanji and Kousaka sign up for Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture.
Undeterred, Saki chases Kousaka through the various activities of the club, from costume-playing and comic conventions to video gaming and collecting anime figures—learning more than she ever wanted to about the humorous world of the Japanese fan...
Genshiken has finished publishing and it has 127 Chapters. It is also Known as: げんしけん, The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Genshiken Nidaime, Genshiken: Second Season
5. Kokkoku
Juri Yukawa lives with her NEET father and brother, her retired grandfather, her sister (a single mother) and her young nephew.
One day, her nephew and brother are kidnapped for ransom. Having only 30 minutes to meet the demands of the kidnappers, Juri, who realizes there is not enough time to prepare the money, decides to head for their rescue by herself with knife in hand when her grandfather uses a mysterious stone passed on in the Yukawa family to stop time.
In a world where everyone and everything are inert, Juri and her father and grandfather run to rescue the two. But at the kidnappers' hideout, they soon realize they are not the only ones who can move about in this still world...
Kokkoku: Moment by Moment has finished publishing and it has 67 Chapters. It is also Known as: 刻刻, Kokukoku
4. Inu to Kuzu
Haruma Sakuraba's childhood friend Shuuji Inukai was a cut above him in every way imaginable, living out the glamorous life bestowed upon him. Haruma, an unassuming salaryman, has lived his every day clutching onto his inferiority complex, existing only in Shuuji's shadow. One day, Haruma coincidentally meets Shuuji's wife, Reika Sumi, who Haruma has always secretly admired since his high school days. With feelings of envy, jealousy, and more, a "secret" is born from Haruma's repetitive days.
Dog and Scum has finished publishing and it has 41 Chapters. It is also Known as: 犬と屑, Inu to Kuzu
3. Death's Game
I've failed in this life. This is the start of my new 13 lives, together with Death.
Death's Game has finished publishing and it has 66 Chapters. It is also Known as: I Will Die Soon
2. Dear X
Ajin Baek is an actress at the top of her game. She has everything. She’s a beautiful, award-winning actress, the public loves her, and she’s about to announce that she’s getting married. But on the night of the award ceremony, a news program exposes the darkness behind Ajin’s glittery exterior. Just how far was Ajin willing to go to get to where she is now?
Dear X has finished publishing and it has 63 Chapters. It is also Known as: Beloved X, 親愛的X
1. Beast Wheeler
A sexy girl pole dancing at a down-town club meets a man who inserts a stash of cash in her thong... At the end of her shift, she finds that man thrown out and getting beaten due to his over-drinking and resultant inability to pay. The girl helps the man by paying for him and takes him to his workshop after talking things over. There, the girl finds a unique mechanical machine... What could this be?
Beast Wheeler has finished publishing and it has 9 Chapters. It is also Known as: ビーストホイラー, Beast Wheeler
