Overview
- Notable shonen adventure manga, including Heart Gear, Psyche Matashitemo, and Takopi’s Original Sin, present engaging and innovative narratives.
- These manga, ranked by MyAnimeList, tackle themes ranging from self-discovery and psychic abilities to the ubiquitous quest for joy, despite lacking anime adaptations.
- Titles such as Kagurabachi and Destroy All Humankind intricately weave together swordplay, magic, and card games in compelling worlds deserving of fan exploration.
Shonen series renowned for thrilling plots and remarkable character arcs, like Bleach, Hunter x Hunter, and Dragon Ball, epitomize the genre’s appeal. Within the broader category of shonen, the shonen adventure sub-genre shines notably. This category frequently involves groups embarking on quests—whether it’s uncovering answers to personal dilemmas, engaging in fierce battles, or searching for treasures.
Shonen adventure tales incorporate diverse elements, ranging from supernatural powers seen in My Hero Academia, to the intricate balance of science and magic in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and the dark fables of Demon Slayer. However, not every compelling shonen adventure manga enjoys the privilege of an anime adaptation, leaving many excellent series undiscussed and unnoticed by the mainstream audience. Consequently, manga enthusiasts often find themselves diving into lengthy volumes to fully appreciate the storylines.
The following compilation ranks some of the finest shonen adventure manga, as determined by their ratings on MyAnimeList (MAL).Each is scored on a scale of 1 to 10, revealing that even those neared a perfect score are yet to be animated. Whether due to the financial constraints of adaptation or relative obscurity, here’s a look at the top shonen adventure manga that have yet to make their television debut.
9 Heart Gear
MyAnimeList Score: 7.42
- Created by Tsuyoshi Takagi.
- 7 Volumes, 53 Chapters.
- Published: April 3, 2019, to June 26, 2024.
Heart Gear immerses readers in a post-apocalyptic setting where humanity is nearly extinguished. It follows Tetsu, a talented young mechanic, and her robotic companion, Zett, whose lives take an unexpected turn upon activating Chrome, a rogue gear. Their unlikely trio unravels amidst an onslaught of hostile gears, revealing deeper mysteries about Lu’s enigmatic past.
This manga thoughtfully navigates themes like identity and the quest for meaning, showcasing character evolution as Lu, Zett, and Chrome endeavor to achieve a semblance of peace while facing relentless foes intent on humanity’s destruction.
8 Psyche Matashitemo
MyAnimeList Score: 7.42
- Crafted by Tsubasa Fukuchi.
- 15 Volumes, 142 Chapters.
- Published: July 9, 2014, to December 26, 2018.
In Psyche Matashitemo, we meet Saike, a middle-schooler lacking ambition until a tragedy strikes, prompting him to discover his extraordinary ability—time travel. After losing his only friend in an accident, Saike must navigate the complexities of altering a day’s events without disturbing the fragile fabric of time.
7 Takopi’s Original Sin
MyAnimeList Score: 7.65
- Conceived by Taizan 5.
- 2 Volumes, 16 Chapters.
- Published: December 10, 2021, to March 25, 2022.
Upon his arrival from Happy Planet, the extraterrestrial known as Happian strives to spread joy on Earth. His mission encounters hurdles as he meets Shizuka Kuze, a girl tormented by bullying and familial neglect. Each attempt to uplift her ends in calamity, illustrating Happian’s relentless efforts to bring a spark of happiness to her life, despite the overwhelming odds against him.
6 Bloody Monday
MyAnimeList Score: 7.73
- 11 Volumes, 96 Chapters.
- Published: March 28, 2007, to April 15, 2009.
Bloody Monday revolves around Fujimaru Takagi, a brilliant student and hacker who must thwart the release of a lethal virus poised to wreak havoc. With time running out, Fujimaru faces an adversary who has framed his father, prompting him to leverage his hacking skills to clear his name and prevent calamity during a festive holiday season.
5 Dark
MyAnimeList Score: 7.82
- Developed by Q Hayashida.
- 6 Volumes, 44 Chapters.
- Published: March 12, 2019, ongoing.
In Dai Dark, Zaha Sanko navigates life while harboring a dark secret; his bones hold immense power that grants a single wish to anyone who possesses them. As various factions pursue him for this unparalleled capability, Zaha teams up with his skeletal companion Avakian to fend off relentless pursuits amid a blend of dark humor and fantasy.
4. Kagurabachi
MyAnimeList Score: 7.90
- Crafted by Takeru Hokazono.
- 5 Volumes, 69 Chapters.
- Published: September 18, 2023, ongoing.
Set against the backdrop of the Seitei War, Kagurabachi follows blacksmith Kunishige Rokuhira and his son, Chihiro, whose peaceful life crumbles when a gang of sorcerers murders Rokuhira. Three years later, driven by vengeance and ambition, Chihiro sets out to reclaim the sacred blades stolen from his family while honing his skills in swordsmanship.
3 Fire Punch
MyAnimeList Score: 7.92
- Authored by Tatsuki Fujimoto.
- 8 Volumes, 83 Chapters.
- Published: April 18, 2016, to January 1, 2018.
Amid a reign of ice enforced by the Ice Witch, Fire Punch portrays the struggles of Agni and Luna, siblings possessing regenerative abilities. When a fire user seizes their village, their lives are forever altered. Surviving the fire that claimed Luna’s life, Agni grapples with perpetual pain while seeking revenge against his tormentor, highlighting themes of suffering and retribution.
2 Psyren
MyAnimeList Score: 7.94
- Created by Toshiaki Iwashiro.
- 16 Volumes, 145 Chapters.
- Published: December 3, 2007, to November 29, 2010.
Psyren follows the story of Ageha Yoshina, a charismatic student who encounters mystery through a business card leading him to a parallel world. Within this realm, he seeks to rescue his classmate Sakurako Amamiya while battling ferocious monsters known as “Taboo, ”highlighting the thin line between life and death in this action-packed narrative.
1 Destroy All Humans. They Can’t Be Regenerated.
MyAnimeList Score: 8.01
- 17 Volumes, 58 Chapters.
- Published: November 26, 2018, ongoing.
Starring Hajime Kano and Emi Sawatari, Destroy All Humans. They Can’t Be Regenerated. explores their rivalry rooted in academics and mutual respect for the card game Magic: The Gathering. As their relationship evolves through competitive play, they navigate their differences, building a friendship amidst the pressures of impending adulthood and self-discovery.
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