Dive into the world of manga and discover 50 of the most influential and essential series and standalone titles—from Boys Run the Riot to Chainsaw Man to Sailor Moon—with this must-have guide for manga fans by Crunchyroll senior editor Briana Lawrence.

With profiles on 50 unforgettable series and ground-breaking single volume stories written by an expert in the anime and manga field, The Essential Manga Guide provides a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look into the history and growing legacy of manga. Both casual fans and serious otaku alike will discover an entertaining and personal look at the impact of these outstanding manga titles and their authors, as well as great recommendations of what to read next.

From classic series to contemporary favorites, this guide includes:  Berserk, Bleach, Fruits Basket, Haikyu!!, Inuyasha, Jujutsu Kaisen, Kuroko's Basketball, My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness, Naruto, One Piece, Paradise Kiss, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Sailor Moon, The Way of the House Husband, Tokyo Babylon, Uzumaki, Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, What Did You Eat Yesterday, Yu Yu Hakusho, and many more.

From classic series to contemporary favorites, this guide includes essays on: 
Berserk (1989-)
BL Metamorphosis (2017 - 2020)
Bleach (2001 - 2016)
Blue Flag (2017 - 2020)
BLUELOCK (2018-)
Boys Run The Riot (2020)
Chainsaw Man (2018-)
Death Note (2003 - 2006)
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2016 - 2020)
Dragon Ball (1984 - 1995)
Fruits Basket (1998 - 2006)
Fullmetal Alchemist (2001 - 2010)
given (2013 - 2023)
Haikyu!! (2012 - 2020)
How Do We Relationship? (2018-)
I Think Our Son Is Gay (2019-)
I Want to Be a Wall (2020-)
Inuyasha (1996 - 2008)
Jujutsu Kaisen (2018-)
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (2015 - 2022)
Komi Can’t Communicate (2016-)
Kuroko’s Basketball (2008 - 2014)
Mob Psycho 100 (2012 - 2017)
Moriarty the Patriot (2016-)
My Brother’s Husband (2014 - 2017)
My Hero Academia (2014-)
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness (2016)
Naruto (1999 - 2014)
One Piece (1997-) 
Our Dreams at Dusk (2015 - 2018)
Ouran High School Host Club (2002 - 2010)
Paradise Kiss (1999 - 2003)
Pet Shop of Horrors (1995 - 1998)
Pokémon Adventures (1997-)
Princess Jellyfish (2008 - 2017)
Revolutionary Girl Utena (1996 - 1998)
Sailor Moon (1991 - 1997)
Sasaki and Miyano (2016-)
Sex Ed 120% (2020 - 2021)
SPY x FAMILY (2019-)
The Bride Was a Boy (2016)
The Promised Neverland (2016)
The Rose of Versailles (1972 - 1973)
The Way of the Househusband (2018-)
Tokyo Babylon (1990 - 1993)
Until I Meet My Husband (2021)
Uzumaki (1998 - 1999)
What Did You Eat Yesterday? (2007-)
Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku (2014 - 2021)
YuYu Hakusho (1990 - 1994)

"[W]hat Lawrence has done should be considered a public service for fans of visual literature . . . The Essential Manga Guide lives up to its title by being an essential purchase for manga fans new and old alike!"—The Fandom Post

"This guide is vastly rich with information, history, personal influence and opinion, and enough options to not only kick start but fuel someone’s journey into the world of manga for YEARS to come."—The Outerhaven

"It is a real joy to see this kind of thoughtful writing about manga published. The Essential Manga Guide is one of the most complete collections of manga analysis in the West—at least in book form. 9/10"—In Between Drafts

“With The Essential Manga, Lawrence proves why manga is a legitimate art form worthy of respect and analysis. Filled with insight, The Essential Manga Guide lives up to its name and will be a welcome addition to any manga fan's library.”—ScreenRant

"The Essentia Manga Guide: 50 Series Every Manga Fan Should Know is still as an extensive and complete release that both novice and seasoned manga fans will find helpful. With its diversity of choices and attention to detail, the book will appeal to anyone interested in learning more about manga and why it matters."—CBR