The year 2026 is shaping up to be a breakthrough year for the global manga scene, featuring the rise of powerful newcomers and the return of legendary franchises. From dark fantasy and fiery shonen to heartwarming romance, the following list of 10 titles will guide your manga journey in the coming year.
1. Gizmo Riser
Leading the list is Gizmo Riser, a standout work known for its unique world-building and intense storyline. Set in the kingdom of Urunaria, the story follows Kuro, a slave from the lowest social class where inequality is even reflected in the city’s architecture.
After his uncle’s death, Kuro inherits the Gizmo, banned mechanical gloves that allow wall climbing and challenge the ruling system. With the English version launching on February 17, 2026, this is expected to be the biggest hit of the year.
2. Ichi The Witch
Created by Osamu Nishi with illustrations by Shiro Usazaki, Ichi The Witch is one of the fastest-growing manga series today. In less than 10 months since its debut in Weekly Shonen Jump, it quickly climbed the charts. The first volume is set to release in spring 2026, with high hopes it will become the next pillar of the Shonen Jump empire.
3. Centuria
If you’re looking for a dark and gripping experience, Centuria is the answer. Published on Shonen Jump+, Tohru Kuramori’s work impresses with brutal plot twists and top-tier artwork often compared to the legendary Berserk.
Though only a few chapters in, Centuria shows massive potential and promises to dominate the dark fantasy fan community in 2026.
4. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Purple Smoke Distortion
This marks a special milestone as the first JoJo universe novel officially translated into English. Set after the events of Golden Wind, it focuses on the fate of beloved characters following the battle in Italy.
Featuring signature illustrations by Hirohiko Araki, this is a must-have for any JoJo fan’s collection in 2026.
5. Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai
After a long four-year silence since volume 5 in March 2022, fans can finally breathe easy as Dai’s journey continues in 2026. This comeback is not only nostalgic but also answers the passionate demand of loyal fans eager to witness the full conclusion of one of the greatest fantasy series ever.
6. Magical Girl Dandelion
Magical Girl Dandelion breaks the silence in the shoujo genre with massive attention even before release. Beyond dazzling transformations and battles against evil, it deeply explores themes of generational conflict and emotional healing. This is set to be the most compelling shoujo title of the decade with its international release next year.
7. Eko Eko Azarak Reborn
A reboot of Shinichi Koga’s 1970 original, this version follows witch Misa Kuroi through terrifying supernatural experiences. Black magic, demonology, and psychological horror are the series’ hallmarks. The first volume will hit shelves on April 28, 2026, promising sleepless nights for horror fans.
8. Grendizer U: The Inception
Go Nagai continues to prove his timeless influence with Grendizer U: The Inception. Serving as a prequel to the anime series, it tells the story of Duke Fleed’s battle to protect Earth from the Vega alliance. Combining classic mecha storytelling with a modern presentation style, it will debut on March 17, 2026.
9. The One. Later On…
Unlike fantasy manga focused on power, this story dives deep into emotions. It follows Wazu, who is kicked out of his home and returns with unmatched strength only to find everything, including his first love, has moved on without him. This poignant tale of loss and growth is set to release on March 31, 2026.
10. Super Psychic Policeman Chojo
Although the original series ended in 2025, the English release in spring 2026 along with an anime adaptation project has boosted Chojo’s popularity. The story of a psychic cop and his ordinary partner tackling the most absurd crime cases promises plenty of laughs for readers.