Top Fairy Tale Manga Recommendations

Sousou no Frieren

Also known as Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

The adventure is over but life goes on for an elf mage just beginning to learn what living is all about.

Elf mage Frieren and her courageous fellow adventurers have defeated the Demon King and brought peace to the land. With the great struggle over, they all go their separate ways to live a quiet life. But as an elf, Frieren, nearly immortal, will long outlive the rest of her former party. How will she come to terms with the mortality of her friends? How can she find fulfillment in her own life, and can she learn to understand what life means to the humans around her? Frieren begins a new journey to find the answer.



Notes:
- Winner of the Grand Prize at the 14th Manga Taisho Awards.
- Nominated for the 25th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.
- Placed 3rd at the 7th Annual Next Manga Award.

Tags: Magic , Elf , Travel , Philosophy , Female Protagonist , Time Skip , Episodic , Demons , Kuudere , Tragedy , Iyashikei , Shounen , Asexual , Fairy Tale , Dungeon , Time Manipulation

FAIRY TAIL

Also known as Fairy Tail.

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

Cute girl wizard Lucy wants to join the Fairy Tail, a club for the most powerful wizards. But instead her ambitions land her in the clutches of a gang of unsavory pirates led by a devious magician. Her only hope is Natsu, a strange boy she happens to meet on her travels. Natsu’s not your typical hero—he gets motion sickness, eats like a pig, and his best friend is a talking cat. With friends like this, is Lucy better off with her enemies?



Note: Includes 4 extra chapters.

Tags: Ensemble Cast , Magic , Shounen , Dragons , Large Breasts , Animals , Super Power , Time Skip , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Nekomimi , War , Demons , Travel , Fairy Tale , Found Family , Time Manipulation , Lost Civilization , Gods , Cult

Nanatsu no Taizai

Also known as The Seven Deadly Sins.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

When they were accused of trying to overthrow the monarchy, the feared warriors the Seven Deadly Sins were sent into exile. Princess Elizabeth discovers the truth the Sins were framed by the king's guard, the Holy Knights too late to prevent them from assassinating her father and seizing the throne! Now the princess is on the run, seeking the Sins to help her reclaim the kingdom. But the first Sin she meets, Meliodas, is a little innkeeper with a talking pig. He doesn't even have a real sword! Have the legends of the Sins' strength been exaggerated...?



Note: Chapter count includes 346 regular chapters, 18 extra chapters, and 3 gaiden chapters.

Tags: Shounen , Ensemble Cast , Demons , Super Power , Magic , Reincarnation , Tragedy , Gods , Memory Manipulation , Fairy , Fairy Tale , War , Male Protagonist , Amnesia , Primarily Adult Cast , Swordplay , Dissociative Identities , Martial Arts , Anti-Hero , Revenge , Bar , Heterosexual , Animals , Nudity , Time Manipulation , Lost Civilization , Found Family

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 , Yandere , Butler , Shounen , Tsundere , Body Horror , Guns , Magic , Afterlife

Totsukuni no Shoujo

Also known as The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Mystery

In a world split between the Inside and the Outside, those living in both realms are told never to cross over to the other side, lest they be cursed. A young girl named Shiva lives on the other side, in a vacant village with a demonic guardian known only as “Teacher.” Although the two are forbidden to touch, they seem to share a bond that transcends their disparate appearances. But when Shiva leaves Teacher’s care to seek out her grandmother, the secret behind her mysterious living arrangement comes to light.



Tags: Fairy Tale , Rural , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Amnesia , Demons , Body Horror , Anthropomorphism , Pandemic , Teacher , Philosophy , Family Life , Adoption , Tragedy , Found Family , Cosmic Horror , Gods , Orphan , Foreign , Religion , Travel , Shounen , Lost Civilization , Eco-Horror , Survival , Centaur , Medicine , Politics

Eoneu Nal Gongjuga Doeeobeoryeotda

Also known as Who Made Me a Princess.

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Fantasy , Romance

The story of Athanasia, forsaken princess of the Obelian Empire, ends with her execution at the hands of her own father—or does it? Her tragic tale is the plot of the novel The Lovely Princess. But now, a modern woman who read the book has just woken up as baby Athanasia herself, filled with her own memories and knowledge of the story she’s stuck in! Determined to survive her doomed fate, infant Athanasia embarks on this new life with a plan: avoid attention and hoard valuables to fund her escape. When her plan goes awry, she suddenly needs to charm her way into the good graces of her father, the beautiful tyrant emperor, so he doesn’t kill her again!



Tags: Female Protagonist , Isekai , Reincarnation , Magic , Full Color , Family Life , Tsundere , Parenthood , Coming of Age , Amnesia , Age Regression , Heterosexual , Memory Manipulation , Revenge , Kuudere , Age Gap , Foreign , Conspiracy , Time Skip , Love Triangle , Politics , Historical , Royal Affairs , Maids , Survival , Time Manipulation , Ojou-sama , Chimera , Adoption , Fairy Tale , Witch

Usogui

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Psychological , Thriller

There are gamblers out there who even bet their lives as ante. But to secure the integrity of these life-threatening gambles, a violent and powerful organization by the name of "Kakerou" referees these games as a neutral party. Follow Baku Madarame a.k.a. Usogui (The Lie Eater) as he gambles against maniacal opponents at games—such as Escape the Abandoned Building, Old Maid, and Hangman—to ultimately "out-gamble" and control the neutral organization of Kakerou itself.

Tags: Gambling , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Seinen , Crime , Anti-Hero , Martial Arts , Philosophy , Memory Manipulation , Death Game , Amnesia , Poker , Mafia , Tragedy , Gore , Fairy Tale , Guns , Terrorism

Shadows House

Also known as Shadows House.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Fantasy , Horror , Mystery , Slice of Life , Supernatural

In the depths of a murky mansion lives a group of enigmatic nobles known as...the Shadow family. With no visible features to speak of, these mysterious aristocrats employ living dolls to act as their “faces.” Kate and Emilico are one such pair of mistress and servant, dwelling in their own little world and learning from each other bit by bit with every new day. But in a house of locked doors, living according to rules from no apparent source—how long can their blissfully peaceful existence truly last...?



Tags: Conspiracy , Female Protagonist , Memory Manipulation , Body Horror , Cosmic Horror , Full Color , Work , Amnesia , Denpa , Tragedy , Found Family , Historical , Magic , Primarily Child Cast , Foreign , Seinen , Maids , Ensemble Cast , Drugs , Twins , Circus , Fairy Tale , Shapeshifting , Politics

Akagami no Shirayuki-hime

Also known as Snow White with the Red Hair.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Romance

Shirayuki is famous for her naturally bright-red hair, and the prince of Tanbarun wants her all to himself! But when she escapes into the woods of the neighboring kingdom, a young man named Zen and his two friends come to her aid. But who is Zen really…?



Included one-shots:
Volume 1: Hachigatsu no Shikisai (Four-season Color of August)
Volume 2: Bokura wo Tsunaide. (Bind Us.)
Volume 14: Natsuyasumi 00-Nichime (00 Day of Summer Holiday)

Tags: Heterosexual , Shoujo , Medicine , Female Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Politics , Historical , Royal Affairs , Love Triangle , Swordplay , Unrequited Love , Assassins , LGBTQ+ Themes , Fairy Tale , Male Harem , Twins , Bisexual

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon

Also known as Sailor Moon.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Mahou Shoujo , Romance

Usagi Tsukino is a normal girl until she meets up with Luna, a talking cat, who tells her that she is Sailor Moon. As Sailor Moon, Usagi must fight evils and enforce justice, in the name of the Moon and the mysterious Moon Princess. She meets other girls destined to be Sailor Senshi (Sailor Scouts), and together, they fight the forces of evil!



Notes:
- The tankoubon release contains 52 Acts and 9 bonus chapters across 18 volumes; chapter/volume counts follow the tankoubon release.
- The shinsouban release contains the original 52 Acts plus 8 new Acts across 12 volumes, but no bonus chapters as all 9 were released separately in Sailor Moon Short Stories alongside another bonus chapter that was previously released in an artbook.
- The kanzenban release contains both the 60 Acts and the 10 bonus chapters from the short story shinsoubans across 10 volumes.


Tags: Shoujo , Primarily Female Cast , Reincarnation , Magic , Female Protagonist , Lost Civilization , Henshin , Time Manipulation , Urban Fantasy , Coming of Age , Heterosexual , Tragedy , Memory Manipulation , Mythology , Philosophy , War , Cosmic Horror , Space Opera , Parenthood , Demons , Space , Super Power , Astronomy , School , Aliens , LGBTQ+ Themes , Fairy Tale , Bisexual , Body Horror , Rehabilitation , Nudity , Bullying , Revenge , Time Skip , Tokusatsu , Dissociative Identities , Age Gap , Urban , Unrequited Love , Found Family , Yuri , Superhero , Circus , Gender Bending , Shrine Maiden , Love Triangle , Animals , Kemonomimi , Age Regression , Twins , School Club

BURN THE WITCH

Also known as Burn the Witch.

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

Historically, 72% of all the deaths in London are related to dragons, fantastical beings invisible to the majority of the people. While unknown to most, some people have been standing up to these dragons.

Only inhabitants of Reverse London who live in the hidden "reverse" side of London can see the dragons. Even then, only a selected few become qualified enough as witches or wizards to make direct contact with them.

The protagonists of the story are witch duo Noel Niihashi and Ninny Spangcole. They are protection agents for Wing Bind (WB), an organization for dragon conservation and management. Their mission is to protect and manage the dragons within London on behalf of the people.



Note: Chapter count includes the one-shot, labeled as “Chapter 0.8”.

Tags: Dragons , Magic , Shounen , Witch , Foreign , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Fairy Tale , Heterosexual , Work , Yuri

FAIRY TAIL ZERØ

Also known as Fairy Tail Zerø.

Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy

Long before she would found Fairy Tail, first master Mavis Vermillion is left under the care of the Red Lizard guild. Abused and belittled at every opportunity, she is forced to complete difficult chores. Despite this horrific treatment, Mavis refuses to cry, for if she did, she would not be able to meet the fairies. However, her life of servitude comes to an abrupt end when the Blue Skull guild raids her home, leaving only Mavis and the guild master's daughter Zera alive. For many years, Mavis and Zera live alone, taking care of each other. But this all changes when a band of treasure hunters come to the island in search of the Tenrou Jade—a precious gem that is sacred to the island. With the arrival of new faces, her life begins to change again. Mavis has never stopped wishing to meet the fairies, and now she may finally have the chance to find them.

Tags: Magic , Female Protagonist , Shounen , Tragedy , Fairy Tale , Primarily Male Cast , Heterosexual , Ghost , Found Family

Red Hood

Also known as The Hunters Guild: Red Hood.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Fantasy

The winner of the 14th Gold Future Cup rookie manga competition now launches as a full series! Unique art captures the unfolding battle between hunters and werewolves. Who will win this battle to the death, man or beast? This grim fantasy tale with tons of style begins the hunt in Shonen Jump!



Notes:
- Includes 2 extra chapters.
- Includes the one-shot "Yadokari no Kuni".
- Includes the one-shot "Myakunashi".
- Includes the one-shot "Red Hood (Pilot)".

Tags: Werewolf , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Fairy Tale , Meta , Magic , Memory Manipulation , Female Protagonist , Age Regression , Witch , Vampire , Dragons

Majo to Yajuu

Also known as The Witch and the Beast.

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

Ashaf: a soft-spoken man with delicate features, a coffin strapped to his back, and an entourage of black crows. Guideau: a feral, violent girl with long fangs and the eyes of a beast. This ominous pair appear one day in a town in thrall to a witch — a ruler with magic coursing through her tattooed body, who has convinced the townsfolk she’s their hero. But Ashaf and Guideau know better. They live by one creed: “Wherever a witch goes, only curses and disasters follow.” They have scores to settle, and they won’t hesitate to remove anyone in their way, be it angry mob or army garrison.



Tags: Revenge , Witch , Magic , Seinen , Body Swapping , Female Protagonist , Gender Bending , Gore , Urban Fantasy , Vampire , Fairy Tale , Zombie , Tragedy , Episodic

Gyemoinde, Ttari Neomu Gwiyeowo

Also known as Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Comedy , Fantasy , Romance

Fairytale stepmothers are notoriously wicked. But after a children’s clothing designer is reborn as young Princess Blanche’s stepmom, she’s determined to break the mold and shower her daughter with love. Now she just has to convince the girl’s cold-hearted father to do the same. In her quest to make a happier home for Blanche, Abigail begins to uncover secrets and schemes within the palace. Will devious forces tear the Freidkins apart, or can Abigail stitch them back into a family?



Tags: Isekai , Family Life , Female Protagonist , Villainess , Reincarnation , Full Color , Fashion , Historical , Magic , Heterosexual , Fairy Tale , Politics , Primarily Adult Cast , Slapstick , Royal Affairs , Mermaid , Yuri

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

Wo Zhen Bushi Xie Shen Zougou

Also known as I’m Really Not the Devil’s Lackey.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Fantasy , Horror

Lin Jie, who has transmigrated into this world, runs a bookshop. Nice and passionate, he always recommends books that are capable of healing one's soul to customers who find themselves in a rough patch in life. Occasionally, he would recommend his own work to them as well. Over time, these customers have grown to respect him a lot. They bring him some simple souvenirs every day to repay him and ask him for recommendations of literary works. At the same time, they tell the people around them about this bookstore owner as well. They have respectful and affectionate ways of addressing him-"The Devil's Hyena", "The Communicator of Flesh Gospel of Books", "The Author of the Corpse Ritual" and " The Star Shepard".



Tags: Urban Fantasy , Magic , Philosophy , Classic Literature , Surreal Comedy , Cosmic Horror , Witch , Isekai , Full Color , Male Protagonist , Religion , Fairy Tale , Steampunk , Rehabilitation , Gore , Shapeshifting , Cult , Elf , Adoption

Shugo Chara!

Also known as Shugo Chara!.

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Mahou Shoujo , Romance

Everybody at Seiyo Elementary thinks that stylish and super cool Amu has it all: But nobody knows the real Amu, a shy girl who wishes she had the courage to truly be herself. Changing Amu’s life is going to take more than wishes and dreams–it’s going to take a little magic! One morning, Amu finds a surprise in her bed: three strange little eggs. Each egg contains a Guardian Character, an angel-like being who can give her the power to be someone new. With the help of her Guardian Characters, Amu is about to discover that her true self is even more amazing than she ever dreamed.



Note: Includes 3 side stories.

Tags: School , Shoujo , Magic , Female Protagonist , Primarily Child Cast , Coming of Age , Crossdressing , Love Triangle , Nekomimi , Tsundere , Henshin , Philosophy , Gender Bending , Fairy Tale , Family Life , Tragedy , Time Manipulation , Astronomy , Orphan , Space , Super Power , Writing , Anti-Hero , Estranged Family , Urban Fantasy , Heterosexual , Age Gap , School Club , Idol , Male Harem , Fairy , Fashion , Adoption , Rehabilitation , Espionage , Femboy , Achronological Order

Ousama Ranking

Also known as Ranking of Kings.

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

The web manga centers around Bojji, a deaf, powerless prince who cannot even wield a children's sword. As the firstborn son, he strives hard and dreams of becoming the world's greatest king. However, people mutter about him behind his back as "a good-for-nothing prince" and "no way he can be king."

Bojji is able to make his first ever friend, "Kage" (shadow) — a literal shadow on the ground who somehow understands Bojji well. (Kage is a survivor of the Kage assassin clan that was all but wiped out. No longer a killer, Kage now makes ends meet by stealing.) The story follows Bojji's coming-of-age as he meets various people in his life, starting with his fateful encounter with Kage.



Tags: Disability , Male Protagonist , Coming of Age , Bullying , Magic , Historical , Fairy Tale , Conspiracy , Language Barrier , Swordplay , Royal Affairs , Assassins , Demons , Shounen , Amputation

Cinderella Gopge Kiwotseumnida

Also known as A Wicked Tale of Cinderella's Stepmom.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Romance

We all know the fairytale: the glass slipper, the not-so-pretty stepsisters, and a night with the prince until the clock strikes midnight. I have been reincarnated into that classic story, not as Cinderella, but as her “wicked” stepmother! Widowed twice by age 37 and with three daughters, my goal is to make sure all will have suitable partners and their own happily ever afters... and maybe a nice future for me as well! But who is this handsome young baron that keeps approaching me?



Tags: Family Life , Full Color , Fairy Tale , Royal Affairs , Villainess , Isekai , Female Protagonist , Heterosexual