Top Afterlife Manga Recommendations

Chainsaw Man

Also known as Chainsaw Man.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Horror , Supernatural

The name says it all! Denji's life of poverty is changed forever when he merges with his pet chainsaw dog, Pochita! Now he's living in the big city and an official Devil Hunter. But he's got a lot to learn about his new job and chainsaw powers!



Notes:
- Nominated for the 2020 Manga Taisho Award.
- Winner of the 2021 Kono Manga ga Sugoi Award.
- Winner of the 66th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shounen category.
- Winner of the 2021 and 2022 Harvey Award for Best Manga.
- Chapters 1-97 were released in Weekly Shounen Jump from Dec 3, 2018 to Dec 13, 2020. The series resumed from Ch. 98 in Shounen Jump+ on July 12, 2022

Tags: Demons , Tragedy , Urban Fantasy , Dissociative Identities , Gore , Male Protagonist , Body Horror , Cosmic Horror , Female Protagonist , Urban , Henshin , Psychosexual , Survival , Work , Monster Boy , Found Family , Memory Manipulation , Cult , Heterosexual , Shounen , Ensemble Cast , Guns , Assassins , Human Pet , Monster Girl , Revenge , Yandere , Terrorism , Shapeshifting , Philosophy , Meta , Slapstick , Afterlife , Primarily Teen Cast , Nudity , Cannibalism , Necromancy , School , Delinquents , Angels , Time Skip , Amnesia , Yakuza , Mafia , Tsundere , LGBTQ+ Themes , Zombie , Chimera , Motorcycles , Yuri , Coming of Age , Vore

Kimetsu no Yaiba

Also known as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Supernatural

The setting is Taisho era Japan. Tanjirou is a kindhearted young boy who lived peacefully with his family as a coal seller. Their normal life changes completely when his family is slaughtered by demons. The only other survivor, Tanjirou's younger sister Nezuko, has become a ferocious demon. In order to return Nezuko to normal and get revenge on the demon that killed their family, the two of them depart on a journey. From a young talent, an adventure tale of blood and swords begins!



Notes:
- Includes 2 extra chapters.
- Nominated to the 24th and 25th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.

Tags: Demons , Shounen , Swordplay , Tragedy , Male Protagonist , Revenge , Gore , Historical , Body Horror , Coming of Age , Afterlife , Rural , Orphan , Time Skip , Shapeshifting , Travel , Trains , Reincarnation , Guns , Oiran , Disability , Family Life , Age Regression , Crossdressing , Polyamorous , Drugs , Youkai , Bisexual

Vagabond

Also known as Vagabond.

Status: Hiatus
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama

At seventeen years of age, Miyamoto Musashi--still known by his childhood name, Shinmen Takezo--was a wild young brute just setting out along the way of the sword.

In the aftermath of the epic Battle of Sekigahara, Takezo finds himself a fugitive survivor on the losing side of the war. Takezo's vicious nature has made him an outcast even in his own village, and he is hunted down like an animal. At this crucial crossroads in Takezo's life, an eccentric monk and a childhood friend are the only ones who can help him find his way.



Tags: Swordplay , Seinen , Samurai , Historical , Philosophy , Travel , Coming of Age , Male Protagonist , Martial Arts , Tragedy , Survival , Cultivation , Biographical , Gore , Rural , Fugitive , Heterosexual , War , Outdoor , Ghost , Agriculture , Language Barrier , Nudity , Afterlife ,

BLEACH

Also known as Bleach.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Supernatural

Ichigo Kurosaki has always been able to see ghosts, but this ability doesn't change his life nearly as much as his close encounter with Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper and member of the mysterious Soul Society. While fighting a Hollow, an evil spirit that preys on humans who display psychic energy, Rukia attempts to lend Ichigo some of her powers so that he can save his family; but much to her surprise, Ichigo absorbs every last drop of her energy. Now a full-fledged Soul Reaper himself, Ichigo quickly learns that the world he inhabits is one full of dangerous spirits and, along with Rukia— who is slowly regaining her powers— it's Ichigo's job to protect the innocent from Hollows and help the spirits themselves find peace.



Note: Chapter count includes the 12-chapter “Turn Back The Pendulum” side story and 8 extra chapters.

Tags: Shounen , Swordplay , Super Power , Ghost , Male Protagonist , War , Ensemble Cast , Afterlife , Urban Fantasy , Large Breasts , Tragedy , Conspiracy , Philosophy , Coming of Age , Henshin , Primarily Teen Cast , Primarily Male Cast , Heterosexual , Anachronism , Time Skip , Delinquents , Transgender , Body Horror , Gods , Exorcism

Jeonjijeok Dokja Sijeom

Also known as Omniscient Reader.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

Back then, Dok-Ja had no idea. He had no idea his favorite web novel 'Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse' was going to come to life, and that he would become the only person to know how the world was going to end. He also had no idea he would end up becoming the protagonist of this novel-turned-reality. Now, Dok-Ja will go on a journey to change the course of the story and save humankind once and for all.



Tags: Survival , Post-Apocalyptic , Full Color , Death Game , Gods , Meta , Male Protagonist , Denpa , Tragedy , Found Family , Astronomy , POV , Time Loop , Cosmic Horror , Suicide , Philosophy , Primarily Adult Cast , Historical , Battle Royale , Isekai , Swordplay , Body Horror , Adoption , Dragons , Age Regression , Parody , Trains , Crossover , Demons , Angels , Afterlife , Terrorism , Female Protagonist , Zombie , Super Robot , LGBTQ+ Themes

Sinui Tap

Also known as Tower of God.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery

Bam, who was alone all his life has entered the tower to chase after his only friend, Rachel, but how will he survive without having any special strength or power?
"What do you desire? Money and wealth? Honor and pride? Authority and power? Revenge? Or something that transcends them all? Whatever you desire—it's here."



Chapter Notes:
Season 1 contains a prologue and 78 chapters.
Season 2 contains a prologue and 337 chapters.


Tags: Super Power , Ensemble Cast , Full Color , War , Conspiracy , Male Protagonist , Magic , Tragedy , Travel , Cultivation , Time Skip , Space Opera , Politics , Martial Arts , Memory Manipulation , Anti-Hero , Battle Royale , Kemonomimi , Philosophy , Artificial Intelligence , Trains , Gore , Afterlife , Terrorism , Primarily Adult Cast , Meta , Slavery , Mafia , Found Family , Female Harem , Dinosaurs , Goblin , Time Manipulation

Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun

Also known as Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Mystery , Romance , Supernatural

"Hanako-san, Hanako-san... are you there?" At Kamome Academy, rumors abound about the school's Seven Mysteries, one of which is Hanako-san. Said to occupy the third stall of the third floor girls' bathroom in the old school building, Hanako-san grants any wish when summoned. Nene Yashiro, an occult-loving high school girl who dreams of romance, ventures into this haunted bathroom... but the Hanako-san she meets there is nothing like she imagined! Kamome Academy's Hanako-san... is a boy!


Tags: Youkai , Mythology , Ghost , Urban Fantasy , School , Afterlife , Twins , Tragedy , Female Protagonist , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist , Alternate Universe , Shounen , Revenge , Gore , LGBTQ+ Themes , Exorcism , Magic , Suicide , Slapstick , Survival , Body Horror , Yandere , Tsundere , Time Manipulation , Gods , Mermaid , Love Triangle , Shrine Maiden , Body Swapping

Noragami

Also known as Noragami: Stray God.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Romance , Supernatural

Yato is a homeless god. He doesn’t even have a shrine, not to mention worshippers! So to achieve his ambitious goals, he’s set up a service to help those in need (for a small fee), hoping he’ll eventually raise enough money to build himself the lavish temple of his dreams. Of course, he can’t afford to be picky, so Yato accepts all kinds of jobs, from finding lost kittens to helping a student overcome bullies at school.



Tags: Gods , Male Protagonist , Reincarnation , Youkai , Mythology , Tragedy , Ghost , Exorcism , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Shounen , Swordplay , Heterosexual , Afterlife , Religion , Revenge , Body Horror , Nekomimi , Torture

Pandora Hearts

Also known as Pandora Hearts.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

The air of celebration surrounding fifteen-year-old Oz Vessalius’s coming-of-age ceremony quickly turns to horror when he is condemned for a sin about which he knows nothing. He is thrown into an eternal, inescapable prison known as the Abyss from which there is no escape. There, he meets a young girl named Alice, who is not what she seems. Now that the relentless cogs of fate have begun to turn, do they lead only to crushing despair for Oz, or is there some shred of hope for him to grasp on to?



Included:
Volume 8: Pandora Hearts (pilot)
Volume 20: Extra episode: It makes all kinds
Volume 21: Extra episode: Together

Tags: Tragedy , Amnesia , Time Manipulation , Ensemble Cast , Fairy Tale , Philosophy , Found Family , Body Swapping , Reincarnation , Dissociative Identities , Memory Manipulation , Time Skip , Twins , Male Protagonist , Denpa , Female Protagonist , Alternate Universe , Gore , Shounen , Yandere , Butler , Tsundere , Body Horror , Guns , Magic , Afterlife

Dragon Ball

Also known as Dragon Ball.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Sci-Fi

Dragon Ball follows the adventures of Son Goku from his childhood through adulthood as he trains in martial arts and explores the world in search of the seven mystical orbs known as the Dragon Balls, which can summon a wish-granting dragon when gathered. Along his journey, Goku makes several friends and battles a wide variety of villains, many of whom also seek the Dragon Balls for their own desires. Along the way becoming the strongest warrior in the universe.

Part II of Dragon Ball is also known as "Dragon Ball Z" in North America.

Note: Chapter count includes 519 regular chapters and 1 extra. (Volume 33's "Trunks: The Story").

Tags: Martial Arts , Shounen , Travel , Super Power , Male Protagonist , Cultivation , Aliens , Full Color , Time Skip , Henshin , Coming of Age , Cyborg , Afterlife , Anachronism , Tragedy , Magic , Gods , Adoption , Military , Shapeshifting , Nudity , Robots , Rural , Dragons , Dissociative Identities

AKIRA

Also known as Akira.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Horror , Psychological , Sci-Fi

Welcome to Neo-Tokyo, built on the ashes of a Tokyo annihilated by a blast of unknown origin that triggered World War III. The lives of two streetwise teenage friends, Tetsuo and Kaneda, change forever when paranormal abilities begin to waken in Tetsuo, making him a target for a shadowy agency that will stop at nothing to prevent another catastrophe like the one that leveled Tokyo. At the core of the agency's motivation is a raw, all-consuming fear of an unthinkable, monstrous power known only as Akira.



Tags: Dystopian , Cyberpunk , Military , Post-Apocalyptic , Seinen , Tragedy , Super Power , Male Protagonist , Gore , Survival , Delinquents , Philosophy , Body Horror , Drugs , Anti-Hero , War , Cult , Gangs , Motorcycles , Coming of Age , Afterlife , Terrorism , Basketball , Nudity , Reincarnation , Bullying

Imawa no Kuni no Alice

Also known as Alice in Borderland.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Horror , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

Eighteen-year-old Ryohei Arisu is sick of his life. School sucks, his love life is a joke, and his future feels like impending doom. As he struggles to exist in a world that can’t be bothered with him, Ryohei feels like everything would be better if he were anywhere else. When a strange fireworks show transports him and his friends to a parallel world, Ryohei thinks all his wishes have come true. But this new world isn’t an empty paradise, it’s a vicious game. And the only way to survive is to play.

Note: Chapter count includes 22 side story chapters.

Tags: Tragedy , Death Game , Survival , Philosophy , Battle Royale , Urban , Male Protagonist , Amnesia , Gore , Gambling , Afterlife , Shounen , Isekai , Alternate Universe , Dystopian , Anti-Hero , Primarily Adult Cast , Revenge , Guns , Heterosexual , Transgender , LGBTQ+ Themes , Martial Arts , Parkour , Mahjong , Gods , Nudity , Outdoor

Myeolmang Ihuui Segye

Also known as The World After the Fall.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery

Faced with imminent defeat and certain death, would you choose to run – or continue to fight for a doomed world? When mysterious towers appear across the world, summoning monsters that prey on mankind, this is the choice presented to the Tower Walkers – adventurers with special powers to fight the monsters. On the brink of death, they can choose to use a “regression stone” to return to the past for a second chance, though this decision places them in a separate timeline forever. Stubborn Tower Walker Jae-Hwan rejects this choice, choosing to fight for the original timeline, and learning shocking secrets about the Tower along the way.



Tags: Full Color , Male Protagonist , Dungeon , Primarily Male Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Tragedy , Magic , Adoption , Anti-Hero , Demons , Swordplay , Martial Arts , Time Manipulation , Conspiracy , Super Power , Meta , Crossover , Afterlife , Memory Manipulation , Virtual World , Found Family , Zombie , Revenge , Gods , Post-Apocalyptic

Gintama

Also known as Gin Tama.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Sci-Fi

The samurai didn't stand a chance. First, the aliens invaded Japan. Next, they took all the jobs. And then they confiscated everyone's swords. So what does a hotheaded former samurai like Sakata "Gin" Gintoki do to make ends meet? Take any odd job that comes his way, even if it means losing his dignity.



Included Bonus Chapters:
Volume 1: Dandelion (One-shot).
Volume 2: Shirokuro (One-shot).
Volume 24: 13 (One-shot).
Volume 38: Bankara-san Ga Tooru (One-shot).
Volume 41: Special Lesson.

Tags: Samurai , Found Family , Parody , Meta , Swordplay , Male Protagonist , Aliens , Shounen , Philosophy , Episodic , Tragedy , Space , Historical , Anachronism , Time Skip , Ensemble Cast , Police , War , Dystopian , Robots , Ninja , Ghost , LGBTQ+ Themes , Homeless , Assassins , Crossdressing , Fugitive , Idol , Shrine Maiden , Body Swapping , Gender Bending , Judo , Drawing , Gangs , Female Harem , Dissociative Identities , Afterlife , Amnesia , Cult , Military , Reincarnation , Nekomimi , Conspiracy , Politics

Medaka Box

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Ecchi , Romance

Kurokami Medaka, a first year, is elected as Student Council President, and the first thing she does is establish a suggestion box, later dubbed by students the "Medaka Box". Medaka encourages students to submit any problem to the box without hesitation and promises to take on any issue from anyone.

Since Medaka won the Student Council elections with a staggering 98% of the vote, she ends up as the Council's only member. She asks her childhood friend, Hitoyoshi Zenkichi, for help and he grudgingly agrees, becoming the Student Council's lowest ranking member. Soon Medaka recruits two more people to the Student Council, the former judo club member Akune Kouki as secretary and the current swim club member Kikaijima Mogana, on loan for 300 yen a day, as treasurer.

Now the Student Council members spend their days solving the problems submitted through the Medaka Box, whether they be hooligans in clubs where they don't belong, girls who need help writing love letters or people who've lost their pets, gradually earning the respect and admiration of the entire school.

Included chapters:
Volume 15 contains the gaiden "Good Loser Kumagawa" (グッドルーザー球磨川); Jump NEXT (2011/12/26)
Volume 22 contains the gaiden "Good Loser Kumagawa Final" (完結編).

Tags: Large Breasts , School , Coming of Age , Super Power , Shounen , Anti-Hero , Meta , Parody , Surreal Comedy , Female Protagonist , Ensemble Cast , Martial Arts , Afterlife , Chuunibyou , Male Protagonist , Nudity , Classic Literature , Primarily Teen Cast , Swordplay , Time Skip , Swimming , Yandere , Nekomimi , Assassins , Card Battle , Idol , Cyborg , Judo , Robots , Guns , Band , LGBTQ+ Themes , Incest

Kamisama Hajimemashita

Also known as Kamisama Kiss.

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Fantasy , Romance , Supernatural

Nanami Momozono is alone and homeless after her dad skips town to evade his gambling debts and the debt collectors kick her out of her apartment. So when a man she's just saved from a dog offers her his home, she jumps at the opportunity. But it turns out that his place is a shrine, and Nanami has unwittingly taken over his job as a local deity!

Nanami has all kinda of new responsibilities she doesn't understand, dangers she's unaware of, and a cranky ex-familiar who's...actually pretty hot. What's a new-fledged godling to do?



Tags: Shoujo , Female Protagonist , Kemonomimi , Demons , Coming of Age , Youkai , Gods , Urban Fantasy , Monster Boy , Found Family , School , Yandere , Time Manipulation , Amnesia , Historical , Love Triangle , Heterosexual , Male Harem , Age Regression , Idol , Afterlife , Marriage

Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!

Also known as Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!.

Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Ecchi , Fantasy , Romance

Game loving shut-in Kazuma Sato's life as a young schoolboy in Japan abruptly comes to an early end...or at least it was supposed to. When he opens his eyes, though, he sees a beautiful goddess that offers him a once in an after-lifetime chance to be reborn in a parallel world. The catch is that the world is violent and threatened by a growing evil! Fortunately, he can choose any one thing to bring with him. So he chooses the goddess, Aqua! And so his adventure with his gorgeous companion begins--if he could just get enough money and food to survive, keep his goddess out of trouble, and avoid grabbing the attention of the Demon King's army!



Note: Includes 15 prologues, 6 interludes, and 21 epilogues.

Tags: Ensemble Cast , Isekai , Male Protagonist , Magic , Reincarnation , Parody , Satire , Slapstick , Chuunibyou , Gods , Alternate Universe , Demons , Work , Afterlife , Female Harem , Shounen , Swordplay , Travel , Bar

Blood Lad

Also known as Blood Lad.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Supernatural

The vampire Staz is one of the most powerful district bosses in the demon world, fending off everyone who dares challenge him. But secretly, the fearsome Staz is obsessed with human culture, especially video games, manga, and everything that comes from Japan! When a Japanese girl wanders into the demon world, Staz can’t wait to meet the human and learn everything he can about her world. Unfortunately, before he’s able to ask her anything, the girl is killed by one of his would-be usurpers, leaving just her bare soul behind. Staz vows to help the girl restore her body and return to her former life—especially since it means taking a trip to the human world himself!



Tags: Demons , Seinen , Vampire , Ghost , Werewolf , Afterlife , Isekai , Male Protagonist , Magic , Otaku Culture , Delinquents , Parody , Female Protagonist , Zombie , Skeleton , Love Triangle , Urban , Guns , Heterosexual

Saihate no Paladin

Also known as The Faraway Paladin.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

A man dies alone after living a stagnant and fruitless life—but that's not where his story ends, as a boy named William is born into a land of fantasy and magic. Raised in a city of the dead by his new family—a mummy, a skeleton, and a ghost—he can remember glimpses of his past life, enough to know his time on Earth was wasted, and he vows not to let that happen again. Schooled in magic and combat, Will sets out on a journey to see the world. Along the way, he'll meet beings of all shapes and sizes. Each of these people has a story to tell and a lesson to teach Will about how to live his life to the fullest.



Tags: Magic , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Tragedy , Coming of Age , Gods , Mythology , Reincarnation , Isekai , Ghost , Skeleton , Demons , Elf , Nun , Afterlife

Toriko

Also known as Toriko.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

This is the great era of gourmet food! And only Toriko can hunt down the ferocious ingredients that supply the world's best restaurants. As a Gourmet Hunter, Toriko tracks and defeats the tastiest and most dangerous animals with his bare hands. But has he met his match with an eight-legged alligator the size of a tank?



Tags: Super Power , Food , Primarily Adult Cast , Animals , Shounen , Cultivation , Male Protagonist , Dinosaurs , Martial Arts , Cosmic Horror , Demons , Henshin , Gore , Alternate Universe , Dragons , Ghost , Time Skip , Survival , Robots , Afterlife , Aliens , Body Swapping , Time Manipulation , Yakuza , Economics , Gender Bending , Centaur , Samurai