Top Class Struggle Manga Recommendations

Shingeki no Kyojin

Also known as Attack on Titan.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery

In this post-apocalyptic sci-fi story, humanity has been devastated by the bizarre, giant humanoids known as the Titans. Little is known about where they came from or why they are bent on consuming mankind. Seemingly unintelligent, they have roamed the world for years, killing everyone they see. For the past century, what's left of man has hidden in a giant, three-walled city. People believe their 50-meter-high walls will protect them from the Titans, but the sudden appearance of an immense Titan is about to change everything.



Note: Includes 2 extra chapters.

Tags: Dystopian , Anti-Hero , War , Tragedy , Military , Conspiracy , Survival , Philosophy , Kaiju , Shapeshifting , Memory Manipulation , Politics , Revenge , Henshin , Male Protagonist , Monster Boy , Terrorism , Post-Apocalyptic , Super Power , Gore , Time Manipulation , Body Horror , Ensemble Cast , Cosmic Horror , Time Skip , Cannibalism , Coming of Age , Slavery , Swordplay , Torture , Alternate Universe , Shounen , Espionage , Mythology , Tsundere , Amnesia , Kuudere , Class Struggle , Disability , Historical , Baseball , Dissociative Identities , Drugs , Achronological Order , Heterosexual , Reincarnation , LGBTQ+ Themes , Suicide , Primarily Adult Cast , Religion , Acrobatics , Cult , Transgender

BEASTARS

Also known as BEASTARS.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Romance , Slice of Life

One night at Cherryton Academy, an herbivore student is brutally murdered. Among the members of the Drama Club, the herbivores’ suspicions naturally turn to their carnivore classmates… The prime suspect? Gray wolf Legoshi. But he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Or would he? Will dwarf rabbit Haru bring out the beast in him? Or are his feelings for her…something else?



Notes:
- Winner of the 11th Manga Taisho Award in 2018.
- Winner of the 42nd Kodansha Manga Award in the Shounen Category in 2018.
- Winner of the New Face Award from the 21st Japan Media Arts Festival Awards in 2018.
- Winner of the New Creator Prize of the 22nd Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2018.

Tags: Anthropomorphism , Animals , Coming of Age , Male Protagonist , Cannibalism , School , Ensemble Cast , Politics , Urban , Crime , Philosophy , Gangs , Primarily Animal Cast , Psychosexual , Tragedy , Revenge , Shounen , School Club , Yakuza , Primarily Teen Cast , Love Triangle , Class Struggle , Bullying , Heterosexual , Adoption , Survival , Acting , Cultivation , Martial Arts

Gachiakuta

Also known as Gachiakuta.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy

A boy lives in a floating town, where the poor scrape by and the rich live a sumptuous life, simply casting their garbage off the side, into the abyss. When he’s falsely accused of murder, though, his wrongful conviction leads to an unimaginable punishment—exile off the edge, with the rest of the trash. Down on the surface, the cast-off waste of humanity has bred vicious monsters, and to travel the path to vengeance against those who cast him into Hell, a boy will have to become a warrior…



Tags: Post-Apocalyptic , Revenge , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Super Power , Survival , Ensemble Cast , Dystopian , Urban Fantasy , Tragedy , Assassins , Class Struggle , Body Horror , Adoption , Primarily Male Cast , Guns

Ashita no Joe

Also known as Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life , Sports

Joe Yabuki is a troubled young man who runs away from an orphanage. Wandering through the Tokyo slums, he meets former boxing trainer Danpei. Joe is later arrested and goes to a temporary jail where he fights Nishi, his future best friend, ​and leader of a group of hooligans. He and Nishi then go to a juvenile prison miles away from Tokyo. There Joe meets Rikiishi, a former boxing prodigy, and a rivalry develops between them. They face each other in a match in which Rikiishi dominates Joe until the latter hits him with a cross-counter, resulting in both being knocked out. This inspires the other prison inmates to take up boxing. Joe and Rikiishi vow to fight again.



Tags: Boxing , Tragedy , Coming of Age , Male Protagonist , Rehabilitation , Orphan , Urban , Athletics , Shounen , Primarily Male Cast , Delinquents , Class Struggle , Prison , Foreign , Yakuza , War

Yuukoku no Moriarty

Also known as Moriarty the Patriot.

Status: Hiatus
Genres: Mystery , Psychological , Thriller

In the late 19th century, Great Britain rules over a quarter of the world. Nobles sit in their fancy homes in comfort and luxury, while the working class slaves away at their jobs. When young Albert James Moriarty’s upper-class family adopts two lower-class orphans, the cruelty the boys experience at his family’s hands cements Albert’s hatred of the nobility he was born into. He asks the older of the two boys—who has a genius mind and a killer instinct—to help him rid the world of evil, starting with Albert’s own family!



Tags: Historical , Anti-Hero , Crime , Foreign , Male Protagonist , Conspiracy , Detective , Primarily Adult Cast , Classic Literature , Politics , Gore , Suicide , Orphan , Primarily Male Cast , Gender Bending , LGBTQ+ Themes , Shounen , Transgender , Found Family , Class Struggle , Bisexual , Crossdressing , Boys' Love , Urban

EDEN: It's an Endless World!

Also known as Eden: It's an Endless World!.

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

In the near future, a large portion of humanity is wiped out by a brutal, new virus that hardens the skin while dissolving internal organs. Those who aren't immune are either severely crippled or allowed to live with cybernetically enhanced bodies. Taking advantage of a world in chaos, a paramilitary force known as the Propater topples the United Nations and seeks world domination. Elijah, a young survivor searching for his mother, travels towards the Andes Mountains with an artificially intelligent combat robot. When he encounters a group of anti-Propater freedom fighters, a maelstrom of unique characters unfolds. Graphic, cyberpunk, and philosophical, Eden is a place where endearing heroes face a constant struggle for survival and violent surprises wait around every corner!

Note: The chapter count included 5 extra stories.

Tags: Foreign , Tragedy , Gangs , War , Anti-Hero , Drugs , Seinen , Post-Apocalyptic , Politics , Primarily Adult Cast , Ensemble Cast , Cyberpunk , Gore , Philosophy , Terrorism , Revenge , Dystopian , Pandemic , Male Protagonist , Guns , Conspiracy , Gods , Alternate Universe , Religion , Travel , Survival , Artificial Intelligence , Environmental , Heterosexual , Prostitution , Military , Coming of Age , Nudity , LGBTQ+ Themes , Class Struggle , Time Skip , Tanned Skin , Age Gap , Acting , Cult , Suicide , Cosmic Horror , Fellatio , Cunnilingus

Ibeon Saengeun Gajuga Doegetseumnida

Also known as I Shall Master this Family!.

Status: Hiatus
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Romance

The great Lombardi family was once at the top of the empire. After the death of its patriarch, the fate of the family and that of Firentia, born from a Lombardi and a peasant, fall to ruin at the hands of her useless and cruel cousins. But when she’s reincarnated as her seven-year-old self, she’ll work to protect the family’s honor, gain her grandpa Lulac’s favor, and prevent her own father’s death. In this lifetime, there’s only one way for her to win: become the head of their mighty household.



Tags: Female Protagonist , Age Regression , Family Life , Politics , Royal Affairs , Matriarchy , Kingdom Management , Full Color , Reincarnation , Bullying , Time Manipulation , Heterosexual , Ojou-sama , Historical , Coming of Age , Economics , Twins , Villainess , Delinquents , Time Skip , Class Struggle

86: Eighty Six

Also known as 86―EIGHTY-SIX.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Sci-Fi

A War Without Casualties:

The Republic of San Magnolia has long been under attack from the neighboring Giadian Empire's army of unmanned drones known as the Legion. After years of painstaking research, the Republic finally developed autonomous drones of their own, turning the one-sided struggle into a war without casualties-or at least, that's what the government claims.

In truth, there is no such thing as a bloodless war. Beyond the fortified walls protecting the eighty-five Republic territories lies the "nonexistent" Eighty-Sixth Sector. The young men and women of this forsaken land are branded the Eighty-Six and, stripped of their humanity, pilot the "unmanned" weapons into battle...



Tags: War , Dystopian , Military , Tragedy , Robots , Male Protagonist , Survival , Philosophy , Artificial Intelligence , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Teen Cast , Super Power , Class Struggle , Politics , Female Protagonist , Heterosexual , Ghost , Guns , Ships , Alternate Universe , Time Skip

No Game No Life

Status: Releasing
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Ecchi , Fantasy

In this fantasy world, everything's a game--and these gamer siblings play to win! Meet Sora and Shiro, a brother and sister who are loser shut-ins by normal standards. But these siblings don't play by the rules of the "crappy game" that is average society. In the world of gaming, this genius pair reigns supreme, their invincible avatar so famous that it's the stuff of urban legend. So when a young boy calling himself God summons the siblings to a fantastic alternate world where war is forbidden and all conflicts--even those involving national borders--are decided by the outcome of games, Sora and Shiro have pretty much hit the jackpot. But they soon learn that in this world, humanity, cornered and outnumbered by other species, survives within the confines of one city. Will Sora and Shiro, two failures at life, turn out to be the saviors of mankind? Let the games begin...!

Tags: Gambling , Isekai , Kemonomimi , Video Games , Hikikomori , Gods , Magic , Meta , Class Struggle , Kingdom Management , Kuudere , Politics , Female Protagonist , Female Harem , Male Protagonist , Super Power , Mermaid , Travel , Elf , Nekomimi , Reincarnation , Vampire , Virtual World , Maids , Artificial Intelligence , School , Crossdressing , Software Development , Age Regression , Idol , War

Shingeki no Kyojin Gaiden: Kuinaki Sentaku

Also known as Attack on Titan: No Regrets.

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

The young Erwin Smith is a rising star in the Survey Corps, humanity's only hope of defeating the man-eating monsters known as Titans. Ruthless and dispassionate, Erwin's mind is devoted to strategies and intrigue. But beneath Erwin's feet is another world, the Underground, where humans are born and die surrounded by the garbage the Capital throws away. Here, the criminal Levi survives on his wits and agility. But when these two ambitious men cross paths, who will prove himself stronger?



Note: Includes the prologue and 2 extra chapters.

Tags: Tragedy , Military , Survival , Kaiju , Dystopian , Espionage , Post-Apocalyptic , Male Protagonist , Delinquents , Politics , Assassins , Body Horror , Kuudere , Shounen , Class Struggle , Mythology , Crime

Eotteon Gyemonimui Marchen

Also known as A Stepmother’s Märchen.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Romance

The marchioness Shuri Von Neuschwanstein is no stranger to hardship: her husband dies when she’s still a teenager, leaving her to manage his lands and raise his semi-grown children herself. Her stepchildren never warm up to her, and other nobles disparage her behind her back. Years later, however, it seems her efforts have finally paid off: her eldest stepson is to be married and take over the estate, freeing her of many responsibilities. But shortly after learning the cruel truth that she’s not invited to his wedding, she dies and wakes up on the day of her husband’s funeral seven years earlier! If Shuri is to live these seven difficult years all over again, she’s going to do things differently. Can she write her own fairy tale ending this time around?



Tags: Family Life , Female Protagonist , Full Color , Foreign , Age Regression , Tragedy , Royal Affairs , Yandere , Time Manipulation , Parenthood , Age Gap , Twins , Heterosexual , Found Family , Male Harem , Politics , Ojou-sama , Time Skip , Class Struggle

Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou.

Also known as I’m in Love with the Villainess.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Fantasy , Romance

The story of a reincarnated gamer pursuing her villainous lady love at a fantasy girls’ academy!

Ordinary office worker Oohashi Rei has just woken up in the body of the protagonist of her favorite girls’ otome game, Revolution. To her delight, the first person to greet her is her favorite character, Claire Francois–who just so happens to be the main antagonist of the story. Now, Rei is determined to do what the game never allowed: romance Claire instead of one of the male leads. But how will her villainous lady love react to that?!



Tags: Yuri , Villainess , LGBTQ+ Themes , Isekai , Ojou-sama , Tsundere , Female Protagonist , Primarily Female Cast , Primarily Teen Cast , Magic , School , Politics , War , Maids , Bullying , Bisexual , Transgender , Incest , Crossdressing , Video Games , Class Struggle , Foreign , Reincarnation

Bai Lian Cheng Shen

Also known as Principles of Heavens: Zen’s Cultivation of Immortality.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

Zen Luo, who is now a menial slave, used to be a young master of a big family, owing to the decline of his family, his sister is imprisoned by a strong force, he has no choice but to be at others’ service. However, Every cloud has a silver lining, The ancient book left by his father actually conceals the magical spell, which can change a human into an instrument! What’s the mysterious power behind all these? This is contest with fate.



Tags: Cultivation , Male Protagonist , Martial Arts , Full Color , Swordplay , Wuxia , Revenge , Female Harem , Gods , Alternate Universe , Elf , Class Struggle , Dragons , Alchemy , Body Swapping , Polyamorous , Time Skip , Conspiracy

Tobaku Mokushiroku Kaiji

Also known as Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological , Thriller

Ne'er-do-well Kaiji Itou's shiftless existence is suddenly rattled by a visit from the yakuza. Burdened by debt and resentment, Kaiji is coerced into gambling for his worthless life. As the stakes grow higher and the rules become increasingly more bizarre, Kaiji must finally take the future into his own hands!



Note: Won the 22nd Kodansha Manga Award for general manga in 1998.

Tags: Gambling , Seinen , Survival , Primarily Adult Cast , Primarily Male Cast , Male Protagonist , Death Game , Card Battle , Yakuza , Class Struggle , Tragedy , Nudity

Geunyeoui Simcheong

Also known as Her Tale of Shim Chong.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance

Based on a Korean folktale, two very different women find themselves making the same wish - to leave this world behind. One is Shim Chong, a young beggar living off the kindness of others to support herself and her blind father. The other is the bride-to-be of old Chancellor Jang, sold off to him for the sake of her family. When Shim Chong rescues this new bride from the river, their relationship triggers both love and hidden intentions. But will these two women be able to find their way forth in a world that favors men?



Tags: Female Protagonist , Full Color , Yuri , Historical , LGBTQ+ Themes , Primarily Adult Cast , Class Struggle , Arranged Marriage , Primarily Female Cast , Politics , Coastal , Tragedy , Fairy Tale , Youkai , Foreign

BASARA

Also known as Basara.

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

Basara is a post-apocalyptic fantasy adventure series and one of the most popular shoujo manga of the 90s in Japan. It is the story of how a young girl becomes "the child of destiny" and finds the strength to free her people and seek revenge for the death of her brother.



Note: Won the Shogakukan Manga Award for the shoujo category in 1992.

Tags: War , Twins , Shoujo , Politics , Post-Apocalyptic , Dystopian , Female Protagonist , Crossdressing , Coming of Age , Revenge , Fugitive , Slavery , Conspiracy , Heterosexual , Travel , Class Struggle , Disability , Pirates , Desert , Lost Civilization , Archery , Royal Affairs , LGBTQ+ Themes , Astronomy , Animals , Bisexual , Prison , Tomboy , Boys' Love ,

Versailles no Bara

Also known as The Rose of Versailles.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance

Oscar François de Jarjeyes is a young noblewoman raised as a son by her father. As commander of Marie Antoinette's palace guard, Oscar is brought face-to-face with the luxury of King Louis XVI’s court at Versailles. Joined by her servant André, Oscar is privy to the intrigue and deceit of France's last great royal regime.



Tags: Shoujo , Class Struggle , Foreign , Historical , Politics , Tragedy , Coming of Age , Female Protagonist , Crossdressing , Heterosexual , Gender Bending , Love Triangle , Philosophy , Royal Affairs , Military , Swordplay , LGBTQ+ Themes , War , Bisexual , Suicide , Arranged Marriage , Kingdom Management , Unrequited Love

Bakuon Rettou

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Psychological

In the 80s, the parents of Kaze Takashi move to a quiet area of ​​Tokyo in order to save the young man from the bad influence of his friends. In class, Takashi does not take long to make new friends and they soon invite him to meet with their gang, the Zeros. Takashi comes to love motorcycles and gets involved with the gang. What has he got himself into and is he ready to face the consequences?

Tags: Gangs , Delinquents , Coming of Age , Motorcycles , Seinen , Autobiographical , Tragedy , Yakuza , School , Revenge , Class Struggle , Anti-Hero , Prison , Bullying , Criminal Organization , Drugs ,

Reimei no Arcana

Also known as Dawn of the Arcana.

Status: Finished
Genres: Fantasy , Romance

Princess Nakaba of Senan is forced to marry Prince Caesar of the enemy country Belquat, tantamount to becoming a hostage. While Caesar is pleasing to the eye, he is also selfish and possessive, telling Nakaba outright: “You are my property.” With only her attendant Loki at her side, Nakaba must find a way to cope with her hostile surroundings, her fake marriage...and a mysterious power!



Note: Includes 12 extra chapters.

Tags: Shoujo , Kemonomimi , Female Protagonist , Foreign , Super Power , Politics , Tragedy , Time Manipulation , Travel , Royal Affairs , Class Struggle , Heterosexual , Love Triangle , Desert , Male Harem , Time Skip , Arranged Marriage , Unrequited Love , War

No Game No Life

Also known as No Game, No Life.

Status: Cancelled
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Ecchi , Fantasy , Supernatural

NOW, LET’S BEGIN OUR GAME!

Social-phobic Sora and shut-in Shiro form a genius gamer sibling duo. The two find the world to be a lousy game…until someone claiming to be God transports them to a world where everything is decided by games!

Will these two failures at life become the saviors of a strange, new world?



Tags: Isekai , Video Games , Hikikomori , Male Protagonist , Board Game , Seinen , Politics , Nekomimi , Primarily Female Cast , Ensemble Cast , Class Struggle , Gods , Elf , Gambling , Meta