Top Desert Manga Recommendations

ONE PIECE

Also known as One Piece.

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

As a child, Monkey D. Luffy was inspired to become a pirate by listening to the tales of the buccaneer "Red-Haired" Shanks. But his life changed when Luffy accidentally ate the Gum-Gum Devil Fruit and gained the power to stretch like rubber...at the cost of never being able to swim again! Years later, still vowing to become the king of the pirates, Luffy sets out on his adventure...one guy alone in a rowboat, in search of the legendary "One Piece," said to be the greatest treasure in the world...



Tags: Pirates , Travel , Found Family , Shounen , Ensemble Cast , Super Power , Ships , Tragedy , Male Protagonist , Fugitive , Board Game , Politics , Conspiracy , Crime , Military , War , Slapstick , Terrorism , Time Skip , Anachronism , Primarily Adult Cast , Primarily Male Cast , Lost Civilization , Post-Apocalyptic , Large Breasts , Religion , Slavery , Gods , Meta , Cultivation , Swordplay , Animals , Environmental , Mythology , Gangs , Espionage , Anti-Hero , Prison , Skeleton , Samurai , Cyborg , Adoption , Henshin , Anthropomorphism , Food , Medicine , Drugs , Robots , Mermaid , Amnesia , Assassins , Guns , Demons , Dragons , Battle Royale , Revenge , Monster Girl , Oiran , Desert , Time Manipulation , Aliens , Kemonomimi , Zombie , Memory Manipulation , Centaur , Trains , LGBTQ+ Themes , Female Protagonist , Ninja , Dinosaurs , Angels , Transgender , Clone , Bar , Gender Bending , Shapeshifting , Body Swapping , Curses , Arranged Marriage , Primarily Child Cast , Artificial Intelligence , Surreal Comedy

JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Steel Ball Run

Also known as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Part 7–Steel Ball Run.

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

Riders from around the world gather in the Wild West for the race of the century! Johnny Joestar, a former jockey paralyzed from the waist down, comes to spectate, and momentarily regains the ability to walk while watching a duel fought by Gyro Zeppeli. Desperate to learn more about this power, Johnny joins the race alongside Gyro and embarks on the most epic and bizarre race to ever cross the American frontier!



Tags: Travel , Super Power , Cowboys , Male Protagonist , Seinen , Conspiracy , Primarily Adult Cast , Disability , Foreign , Alternate Universe , Tragedy , Environmental , Philosophy , Ensemble Cast , Historical , Outdoor Activities , Terrorism , Primarily Male Cast , Gore , Crossdressing , Desert , Guns , Coming of Age , Body Horror , Nun , Trains , Espionage , Acting , Dinosaurs , Gambling , Time Manipulation , Nudity , Delinquents , Shapeshifting , Curses

Magi

Also known as Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic.

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

Deep within the deserts lie the mysterious Dungeons, vast stores of riches there for the taking by anyone lucky enough to find them and brave enough to venture into the depths from where few have ever returned. Plucky young adventurer Aladdin means to find the Dungeons and their riches, but Aladdin may be just as mysterious as the treasures he seeks. Together with the djinn Ugo and his friend Alibaba, Aladdin sets out to find his fortune in the depths of the endless dunes…



Tags: Magic , Foreign , Conspiracy , War , Politics , Royal Affairs , Criminal Organization , Class Struggle , Male Protagonist , Time Manipulation , Memory Manipulation , Shounen , Time Skip , Dungeon , Philosophy , Slavery , Economics , Revenge , Gods , Ensemble Cast , Pirates , Desert , Swordplay , Dystopian , Reincarnation , Cultivation , Spearplay , Dragons , Food

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto

Also known as The Apothecary Diaries.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Drama , Mystery

Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. Though she yearns for life outside its perfumed halls, she isn’t long for a life of drudgery! Using her wits to break a “curse” afflicting the imperial heirs, Maomao attracts the attentions of the handsome eunuch Jinshi and is promoted to attendant food taster. But Jinshi has other plans for the erstwhile apothecary, and soon Maomao is back to brewing potions and…solving mysteries?!



Note: Won the Grand Prize in the Printed Manga category at the Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Award 2019.

Tags: Female Protagonist , Medicine , Detective , Royal Affairs , Foreign , Primarily Female Cast , Seinen , Drugs , Tragedy , Work , Politics , Crime , Episodic , Maids , Adoption , Heterosexual , Asexual , Conspiracy , Chibi , Ojou-sama , Suicide , Religion , Desert , Aromantic , War

Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu

Also known as Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation.

Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Ecchi , Fantasy

Kicked out by his family and wandering the streets, an unemployed 34-year-old shut-in thinks he’s hit rock-bottom—just as he’s hit and killed by a speeding truck! Awakening to find himself reborn as an infant in a world of swords and sorcery, but with the memories of his first life intact, Rudeus Greyrat is determined not to repeat his past mistakes. He’s going to make the most of this reincarnation as he sets off on the adventure of a second lifetime!



Tags: Coming of Age , Rehabilitation , Isekai , Magic , Reincarnation , Travel , Polyamorous , Family Life , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Ensemble Cast , Survival , Female Harem , Time Manipulation , Time Skip , Gods , Meta , Demons , Hikikomori , Matriarchy , Heterosexual , Swordplay , Tomboy , Crossdressing , School , Teacher , Tsundere , Elf , Slavery , Language Barrier , Dragons , Nekomimi , Amnesia , Dungeon , Otaku Culture , Revenge , Marriage , Maids , Episodic , Ojou-sama , Religion , Archery , Desert

JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Stardust Crusaders

Also known as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 3: Stardust Crusaders.

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

In a Japanese jail sits 17-year-old Jotaro Kujo: punk, fighter, delinquent...and possessed by a force beyond his control! Around the world, evil spirits are awakening: "Stands," monstrous invisible creatures which give their bearers incredible powers. To save his mother's life, Jotaro must tame his dark forces and travel around the world to Cairo, Egypt, where a hundred-year-old vampire thirsts for the blood of his family. But the road is long, and an army of evil Stand Users waits to kill JoJo and his friends...



Tags: Super Power , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Foreign , Primarily Male Cast , Travel , Tragedy , Time Manipulation , Urban Fantasy , Ensemble Cast , Vampire , Body Horror , Delinquents , Desert , Animals , Shapeshifting , Revenge , Gambling , Cars , Disability , Age Regression , Unrequited Love

GUNNM

Also known as Battle Angel Alita.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Sci-Fi

In a dump in the lawless settlement of Scrapyard, far beneath the mysterious space city of Zalem, disgraced cyber-doctor Daisuke Ido makes a strange find: the detached head of a cyborg woman who has lost all her memories. He names her Gally and equips her with a powerful new body, the Berserker. While Gally remembers no details of her former life, a moment of desperation reawakens in her nerves the legendary school of martial arts known as Panzer Kunst. In a place where there is no justice but what people make for themselves, Gally decides to become a hunter-killer, tracking down and taking out those who prey on the weak. But can she hold onto her humanity as she begins to revel in her own bloodlust?



Tags: Cyberpunk , Female Protagonist , Amnesia , Seinen , Dystopian , Tragedy , Robots , Post-Apocalyptic , Cyborg , Desert , Martial Arts , Gore , Nudity , Cosmic Horror , Heterosexual

Otoyomegatari

Also known as A Bride's Story.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Drama , Romance , Slice of Life

A Bride’s Story tells the tale of a beautiful young bride in nineteenth-century Asia. At the age of twenty, Amir is sent to a neighboring town to be wed. But her surprise at learning her new husband, Karluk, is eight years younger than her is quickly replaced by a deep affection for the boy and his family. Though she hails from just beyond the mountains, Amir’s clan had very different customs, foods, and clothes from what Karluk is used to. As the two of them learn more about each other through their day-to-day lives, the bond of respect and love grows stronger.



Note: Won the Prix Intergénérations ("Intergenerational Award") at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2012 and the 7th Manga Taishou award in 2014.

Tags: Ensemble Cast , Marriage , Historical , Female Protagonist , Heterosexual , Travel , Seinen , Foreign , Arranged Marriage , Iyashikei , Indigenous Cultures , Desert , Environmental , Family Life , Rural , Matchmaking , Age Gap , Educational , War , Cohabitation , Military , Food , Religion , Unrequited Love , Language Barrier , Twins , Archery , Nudity , LGBTQ+ Themes , Animals , Female Harem , Large Breasts

Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE

Also known as Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE.

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

"The world is a very small place, but for those who know it...it is very, very large. And the world, when it is viewed by those who 'know'— is far larger than just one world can hold!"

The famous CLAMP brings back the characters from all their creations for an ultimate showdown in this multi-dimensional tale.

This is the story of four travelers, bound by fate and by prophesied future. Sakura is the princess of Clow Country, and possessor of a strange power that promises to change the world. Syaoran is an aspiring archaeologist and her childhood friend. When Sakura is endangered by the plan a certain man has for the future, the princess' memories are scattered across dimensions in the form of feathers, and Syaoran is forced to go on a desperate journey to retrieve them. They are accompanied by Fay D. Flourite, a magician running from the horrible truth of his past, and Kurogane, a rough-mannered ninja trying to get back to his world. However, the ability to cross worlds demands a great price, and each of them must pay the Dimensional Witch with what he or she values most. In order to save his princess, Syaoran must give up his relationship with her. Even if he gathers all of Sakura's memories, she will never remember their past together...

But the world is not so simple. The very moment these four made this decision, their destinies are sealed into a tragic course...as everyone in the group has their own secrets. Visions of the future are seen, and prophesies are made. The cruel future which lies ahead reads only of betrayal, abandonment, devastation and anguish.

Tags: Travel , Alternate Universe , Magic , Crossover , Amnesia , Memory Manipulation , Found Family , Clone , Tragedy , Achronological Order , Curses , Ensemble Cast , Time Manipulation , Heterosexual , Shounen , Body Horror , Reincarnation , Post-Apocalyptic , Swordplay , Lost Civilization , Dissociative Identities , Vampire , Desert , Urban , Snowscape , Twins , Cannibalism , Time Loop

Trigun

Also known as Trigun.

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

Much of the damage attributed to "Vash" is caused by the activities of bounty hunters who are after the 60,000,000,000$$ (sixty billion "double dollars") reward on Vash's head for the destruction of a city called July. Vash does not clearly remember the destruction of July, and only wants "love and peace", as he puts it; though he is a gunfighter of inhuman skill, he uses his weapons only to save lives wherever he can.

As the series progresses, more is gradually learned about Vash's mysterious history and the history of the human civilization on Gunsmoke, the desert planet the series is set on. The series is often humorous in tone, but at the same time it involves very serious character development and especially in later episodes it becomes quite emotionally intense. Vash is occasionally joined by a priest, Nicholas D. Wolfwood, who is almost as good a gunfighter as Vash himself, and later is targeted by a band of assassins known as the Gung-Ho Guns for reasons which are mysterious at first.

Trigun evolves into a very serious discussion of the nature of morality, posing questions such as: What is the nature of morality? Can we judge different moral codes? If a person is forced to betray their moral code, does that betrayal invalidate that moral code, and can the person still try to live up to that moral code? Can the person find redemption from their wrongs, and if so, how?



Note: Includes 3 extra chapters.

Tags: Guns , Steampunk , Male Protagonist , Dystopian , Primarily Adult Cast , Fugitive , Religion , Shounen , Desert , Crime , Post-Apocalyptic , Super Power , Tragedy , Space

Yu☆Gi☆Oh!

Also known as Yu-Gi-Oh!.

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

10th grader Yugi spent most of his time alone playing games--until he solved the Millennium Puzzle, a mysterious Egyptian artifact! Possessed by the puzzle, Yugi becomes Yu-Gi-Oh, the King of Games, and challenges evil-doers to the Shadow Games--weird games with high stakes and high risks! These graphic novels contain new stories not seen in the anime, including the origin of Yugi and his friends!



Notes:
- The Viz Media release split the series into three parts with separate chapter/volume counts. "Yu-Gi-Oh!" includes volumes 1-7, "Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duelist" includes volumes 8-31, and "Yu-Gi-Oh!: Millennium World" includes volumes 32-38.
- The final chapter of Viz Media's "Yu-Gi-Oh!" was moved from its final volume to the first volume of "Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duelist."

Tags: Dissociative Identities , Card Battle , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Mythology , Primarily Teen Cast , Death Game , Gambling , Dragons , Urban Fantasy , School , Bullying , Reincarnation , Primarily Child Cast , Gods , Magic , Amnesia , School Club , Adoption , Torture , Desert , Gore , Body Horror , War

Toshokan no Daimajutsushi

Also known as Magus of the Library.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy

A story about a poor boy swept away by a kind library mage and the (literal) magic of reading, Magus of the Library is a beautifully-drawn, spirited fantasy adventure, like a Fullmetal Alchemist for all ages!

In the small village of Amun lives a poor boy named Theo. Theo adores books, but because of his pointed ears and impoverished life, he isn’t allowed to use the village library. As he endures the prejudice and hatred of the village, he dreams of going where such things don’t exist: Aftzaak, City of Books. But one day, Theo chances to meet a Kafna—a librarian who works for the great library of Aftzaak—and his life changes forever…



Tags: Politics , Seinen , Male Protagonist , Coming of Age , Philosophy , Writing , Elf , Magic , Travel , Primarily Female Cast , Animals , Religion , Language Barrier , Adoption , Desert , Conspiracy , Fairy , Bullying , Dragons , Tanned Skin , Environmental , Kemonomimi , Pirates , Nekomimi , Slavery , Espionage , Criminal Organization , Dinosaurs , Time Skip

Trigun Maximum

Also known as Trigun Maximum.

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

Much of the damage attributed to "Vash" is caused by the activities of bounty hunters who are after the 60,000,000,000$$ (sixty billion "double dollars") reward on Vash's head for the destruction of a city called July. Vash does not clearly remember the destruction of July, and only wants "love and peace", as he puts it; though he is a gunfighter of inhuman skill, he uses his weapons only to save lives wherever he can.

As the series progresses, more is gradually learned about Vash's mysterious history and the history of the human civilization on Gunsmoke, the desert planet the series is set on. The series is often humorous in tone, but at the same time it involves very serious character development and especially in later episodes it becomes quite emotionally intense. Vash is occasionally joined by a priest, Nicholas D. Wolfwood, who is almost as good a gunfighter as Vash himself, and later is targeted by a band of assassins known as the Gung-Ho Guns for reasons which are mysterious at first.

Trigun evolves into a very serious discussion of the nature of morality, posing questions such as: What is the nature of morality? Can we judge different moral codes? If a person is forced to betray their moral code, does that betrayal invalidate that moral code, and can the person still try to live up to that moral code? Can the person find redemption from their wrongs, and if so, how?



Originally serialized in 102 chapters, condensed then to 96 in the tankoubon release. Vol.8 contains 2 extra chapters: “FREED BIRD”; Young King Ours 1999-09, 10.

Tags: Dystopian , Guns , Steampunk , Male Protagonist , Aliens , Seinen , Post-Apocalyptic , Twins , Assassins , Cosmic Horror , Religion , Philosophy , Super Power , Body Horror , Desert , Primarily Adult Cast , Crime , Gore , Environmental , Tragedy , Space , Transgender , Dissociative Identities , Eco-Horror

7SEEDS

Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Romance , Sci-Fi

Scientists had predicted this disaster, and in response, the leaders of every country met to develop a plan for human survival before the meteor hit. The Seven Seeds project was developed out of this meeting. Each country froze a number of young healthy people, which allowed them to survive the meteor. After the computer determined that Earth was once again safe for human life, it released them into the world.

The Japanese government created five groups of survivors: Winter group, Spring group, Summer group A, Summer group B, and Fall group. Each group consisted of seven members and one guide. The guide carried small tubes of poison on their necks to allow them to end their lives if their situation became unbearable. The Japanese government prepared seven "Fuji" as refuges for the groups. In each Fuji, the group would find seeds and numerous books instructing them on survival in the wilderness.

Notes:
- Winner of the 52th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shoujo category in 2006.

Tags: Ensemble Cast , Female Protagonist , Survival , Josei , Post-Apocalyptic , Time Skip , Anti-Hero , Tragedy , Primarily Teen Cast , Travel , Wilderness , Heterosexual , Outdoor Activities , Coming of Age , Orphan , Lost Civilization , Guns , Gore , Love Triangle , Mountaineering , Robots , Natural Disaster , Eco-Horror , Shrine Maiden , Desert , Nudity , Baseball , Aviation , Suicide , Tsundere , Achronological Order , Revenge ,

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 , Class Struggle , Royal Affairs , Conspiracy , Heterosexual , Travel , Tragedy , Philosophy , Kingdom Management , Lost Civilization , Pirates , Disability , Desert , Archery , Espionage , Swordplay , Military , Boys' Love , Prison , Tomboy , LGBTQ+ Themes , Astronomy , Animals , Bisexual , Suicide , Martial Arts , Ships

Kujira no Kora wa Sajou ni Utau

Also known as Children of the Whales.

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

Chakuro is the archivist for the Mud Whale, diligently chronicling the lives and deaths of his people. As one of the short-lived thymia wielders, he knows his time is limited and is determined to leave a better record than his predecessors. But the steady pace of their isolated existence on the Mud Whale is abruptly shattered when a scouting party discovers a mysterious young girl who seems to know more about their home than they do…



Notes: Nominated to the 21st Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.

Tags: Dystopian , Lost Civilization , War , Philosophy , Shoujo , Ships , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Reincarnation , Magic , Conspiracy , Desert , Kuudere , Heterosexual

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

Dajeonghan Geudaereul Jikineun Bangbeop

Also known as Saving My Sweetheart.

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

Despite being the daughter of the Holy Empire’s most revered divine leader, Leticia is rumored to be a ruthless, bloodthirsty tyrant. The thing is… none of the rumors are true! After years of living as her vindictive mother’s scapegoat, Leticia is ultimately cursed to die if she doesn’t kill her beloved husband, King Ditrian, with her own two hands. But when the clock miraculously resets to mere days before their wedding, she gets a second chance to save not only Ditrian, but his entire kingdom. This time, will the world recognize the real Leticia before it’s too late, or is history doomed to repeat itself?



Tags: Time Manipulation , Magic , Heterosexual , Female Protagonist , Full Color , Primarily Adult Cast , Gods , Royal Affairs , Long Strip , Villainess , Arranged Marriage , Suicide , Politics , Tragedy , Desert , Drugs

Seulgiroun Munmyeongsaenghwal

Also known as Nebula's Civilization.

Status: Hiatus
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy

Seong-Un Choi is the top-ranked player in the game "Lost World," being the only player to have completed all its achievements. However, his triumph is short-lived as a mysterious message transports him to the real "Lost World," transforming him from a mere gamer to a contender for godhood. Amidst others vying for divinity, will Seong-Un be able to achieve true godhood and reign supreme in this new realm?



Tags: Gods , Male Protagonist , War , Anthropomorphism , Travel , Religion , Politics , Video Games , Philosophy , Kingdom Management , Desert , Full Color , Isekai

Crazy Food Truck

Also known as Crazy Food Truck.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Ecchi

Zero customers, a naked young lady, and an armed militia—it's just another post-apocalyptic day for this food truck owner!.



Tags: Food , Travel , Male Protagonist , Military , Fugitive , Female Protagonist , Heterosexual , Tragedy , Seinen , Post-Apocalyptic , Desert , Nudity , Guns , Robots , Time Skip , Restaurant