Manga Like Good-For-Nothing Blues

In "Katsu!", 15-year-olds Satoyama Katsuki and his best friend Kawakami Kyouta join Mizutani Boxing Gym to get closer to their crush, Mizutani Katsuki, the gym owner's daughter. Satoyama learns that Mizutani has a tense relationship with her father and strongly dislikes boxing. However, during a training session, everyone—including Mizutani—notices that Satoyama possesses natural but untapped boxing talent. Satoyama later discovers that Mizutani actually loves the sport but resents it because of its male-dominated environment. She becomes his trainer and manager, aiming to turn him into a champion. Satoyama agrees, hoping to strengthen his connection with her. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Satoyama carries a hidden heritage and background that grant him the innate ability and talent to become a renowned Oriental professional boxer.

Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old former gang member carrying a reputation as a pervert, unexpectedly secures a position as a teacher. The story follows Onizuka as he works to outsmart and earn the trust of his rebellious Class 3-4, a group determined to get him fired. Along the way, he must confront obstacles including the irritable, balding Vice Principal Hiroshi Uchiyamada, old enemies from his biker days, and his own unorthodox teaching methods. Despite these challenges, Onizuka perseveres, helping his students, pursuing the affections of teacher Azusa Futsuyuki, and striving to live up to his self-given title. This collection also includes the side story "GTO: Great Toroko Oppai♡" (Tomoko's Big Adventures).

In "The Breaker," Yi Shi-Woon, called Shioon, is bullied daily at Nine Dragons High School by Ho Chang and his gang. His life changes when a mysterious man named Han Chun Woo observes one of the attacks and criticizes Shioon for not defending himself. Shioon later discovers that Chun Woo is actually the new substitute English teacher at his school. Determined to end the bullying, Shioon enrolls in a martial arts academy. On his way there, he encounters Chun Woo again, this time being ambushed by a group of hostile men. Chun Woo handles the situation with his martial arts skills, and Shioon captures it on video. Using this evidence, Shioon forces Chun Woo to teach him self-defense. Despite initial reluctance, Chun Woo agrees and introduces Shioon to the hidden world of martial arts, known as Murim. However, Shioon remains unaware of Chun Woo’s dark past and the dangerous side of Murim. The story follows how Chun Woo will guide Shioon and protect him in this treacherous world.

Ken, a high school student from a wealthy background, becomes a notorious fighter after losing his parents due to their connections to the Yakuza. Driven solely by his affection for his classmate Yumi, Ken's world shifts when he learns of her decision to move to Korea to join the police force. Determined to be with her, he leaves his life in Japan behind and follows her. Unexpectedly, Ken finds himself leading a local gang and keeps this new role hidden from Yumi. As their leader, the gang is renamed the Sun-Ken Rock Group under his guidance. One-shot included: Volume 12: Trigun: The Lost Plant

Following the destruction of Yi "Shioon" Shi-Woon's ki-center at the hands of Goomoonryong, which leaves him unable to practice martial arts, Shioon decides to leave the Murim world behind and focus on a normal life at school while spending time with his mother. However, the Murim world does not let him go so easily. Recognized as Goomoonryong's only true disciple and granted the Phoenix Medallion of the Sunwoo Clan by Lady Sosul, Shioon becomes the clan's provisional leader, drawing constant attention. New enemies continue to challenge him, especially the Soldiers Under Command, who aim to remove him in order to further their own plans. The key question remains: how can Shioon defend himself without his ki-center?

At fourteen, delinquent Yusuke Urameshi spends his days skipping class and clashing with authority. He often gets into street fights with his rival, Kazuma Kuwabara, and teases his childhood friend, Keiko Yukimura. Struggling with inner turmoil and the burden of an alcoholic mother, Yusuke suddenly jumps in front of a speeding car to save a child, sacrificing his own life in the process. The spirit guide Botan intervenes, allowing Yusuke to see the impact of his death on those close to him, including his mother, Keiko, and even Kuwabara. Moved by their grief, Yusuke is given a second chance at life by Koenma, the son of the ruler of the Spirit World. Koenma recruits Yusuke as a "Spirit Detective," assigning him to resolve a series of escalating supernatural incidents. Through his battles and eventual alliances with demons like the refined Kurama and the fierce Hiei, Yusuke hones his fighting abilities. As dark forces rise from the Netherworld, Yusuke unites with his companions to protect what he once took for granted.

In "Lookism," 17-year-old Park Hyung Suk has spent his life at the bottom of the social ladder due to his short stature, weight, and unattractive appearance, enduring constant bullying and prejudice from his peers. To escape his tormentor Lee Tae Sung, he decides to transfer to Jae Won High School in Seoul, a vocational school known for its relaxed rules and laid-back student body. A few days before his transfer, Hyung Suk wakes up to find himself in a new body—tall, fit, and strikingly handsome, the complete opposite of his original form. Yet his old body remains beside him, with the two bodies switching consciousness whenever one falls asleep. Navigating this unusual situation, Hyung Suk enjoys his growing popularity at Jae Won High while also investigating the mystery behind his extraordinary second body.

In "Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi," Kenichi Shirahama, a gentle but often bullied 15-year-old, joins his school's karate club with the aim of becoming stronger. However, he quickly becomes a punching bag for the seniors. His life takes a turn when Miu Fuuriniji, a stunning new student and skilled martial artist, introduces him to the Ryozanpaku dojo. There, Kenichi meets six unusual masters who immediately take him under their wing. The series chronicles Kenichi's journey as the world's strongest disciple, training relentlessly under these exceptional martial arts masters, each with their distinct fighting style. His goal is to gain the strength necessary to protect what is important to him.

In "Medaka Box," Kurokami Medaka, a first-year student, becomes Student Council President and creates a suggestion box called the "Medaka Box." She invites all students to share their concerns freely, promising to solve every single one. After winning the Student Council election with 98 percent of the votes, Medaka, as the only council member, enlists her childhood friend Hitoyoshi Zenkichi, who reluctantly takes the lowest position in the council. The team grows when Medaka recruits Akune Kouki, a former judo club member, as secretary, and Kikaijima Mogana, a current swim club member, as treasurer, for a daily payment of 300 yen. The Student Council works on solving problems reported through the Medaka Box, handling various challenges like students in the wrong clubs causing trouble, girls asking for advice on love letters, and people searching for lost pets. Through these efforts, they slowly earn the trust and respect of the entire school.

Yamato Akitsuki, a bright and energetic boy, is excited to begin his high school life in Tokyo. Grateful for his aunt’s offer of a free room in her apartment building, he accepts without realizing it is an all-girls dormitory. His first day of school takes an interesting turn when Yamato notices a girl excelling at the high jump. Her skill and beauty captivate him, and he becomes determined to get to know her better. By chance, this girl, Suzuka Asahina, turns out to be his next-door neighbor. However, their interactions so far have caused Suzuka to form a negative impression of him. Despite these misunderstandings, Yamato decides to join the track team to try to make an impression on her. He soon finds himself developing into a promising sprinter in the 100-meter race. Balancing friendship and potential romance, Yamato dedicates himself to training, hoping to win Suzuka’s heart.

Futaba Okeya is a 14-year-old boy who can see ghosts and always keeps a prominent birthmark on his left cheek hidden under a bandage. One day, a new student named Kouko Ishigami joins his class, marked by a scar on her forehead and followed by the spirit of a tall, friendly man. Futaba feels an instant attraction to Kouko, thinking it might be love at first sight. After a disturbing dream about her, he wakes up crying and senses a deep familiarity, which drives him to try to befriend her. However, a series of events leads Futaba to reveal his birthmark to Kouko, causing her to declare him her eternal enemy. Enraged, Kouko explains that they are connected through reincarnation, and the birthmark is a curse she placed on him in a past life to identify and ultimately defeat him. Kouko then summons a flaming circular device called the "spirit circle" and attacks Futaba, sending him tumbling down a staircase into the memories of one of his former lives. The story of Spirit Circle follows Futaba as he journeys through his various past lives, gradually uncovering the truth behind his conflict with Kouko.

In Bakemonogatari, Koyomi Araragi is no stranger to the supernatural. During his third year of high school spring break, he unexpectedly becomes a vampire after an encounter with Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade. Submerged in a realm of anomalies, Araragi finds himself aiding classmate Hitomi Senjougahara when he notices something peculiar after catching her falling down the school stairs. He learns that a mythical crab has been stealing her weight. Though she warns him off with harsh words, Araragi manages to convince her to accept his help. To address this bizarre problem, they seek out Meme Oshino, the mysterious wanderer who previously helped Araragi overcome his vampiric condition. This narrative explores the hidden monsters within each individual, raising questions about how deeply they are concealed within those Araragi meets.

Yuugi Mutou, a high school student frequently targeted by bullies, spends his nights absorbed in board games and puzzles within his room. His love for games stems from his grandfather, who runs the game shop where they both live. After solving the ancient Millennium Puzzle one night, Yuugi awakens a concealed, darker identity called Yami Yuugi. In moments of intense stress, Yuugi transforms into this bold and fearsome alter ego, assuming the role of a vengeful figure who challenges bullies and wrongdoers to high-stakes games, where losing brings severe repercussions. As Yuugi and his dark counterpart gain allies among those who once tormented him, they forge strong bonds with these new companions. However, the group soon faces enemies far more dangerous than school bullies—people who twist games for evil purposes, putting Yuugi and his friends' lives at risk.

Third-year middle school student Tatara Fujita has no clear direction for his future and is frequently picked on by bullies because of his timid nature. He longs to find something he can dedicate himself to completely. One day, while being hounded by a group of delinquents, he is saved by Kaname Sengoku, a dance instructor who rides a motorcycle. Sengoku misinterprets Tatara’s glance at a flyer for Ogasawara Dance Studio and signs him up for a trial lesson. At the studio, Tatara is paired with his classmate Shizuku Hanaoka, a gifted dancer. After another round of bullying and another rescue by Sengoku, Tatara decides to join the dance studio, determined to change how others see him. Throwing himself into the vibrant and energetic world of dance, Tatara commits fully, moving with grace across the ballroom as he chases his newfound passion.

In "The Legend of the Strongest, Kurosawa!," Kurosawa is a 44-year-old unmarried man who has worked at the same construction company throughout his entire career. His aspirations are modest: some acknowledgment from his coworkers and maybe a bit more popularity. Yet, his attempts frequently result in catastrophe. One day, without warning, he finds himself caught up in a clash with a bunch of unruly middle school students.

In Rookies, Professor Kawato becomes the new Japanese teacher at the infamous Futagotamaga High School, whose baseball team is made up of delinquent students. They were previously banned from all school competitions after a brawl broke out during a match. With the ban now lifted, the surviving team members have lost their drive, wasting time on dating, smoking, and loafing around. Under Kawato's guidance, they find their passion again and aim for Koushien. Their path to Koushien is difficult; they must rebuild their physical condition, relearn baseball basics, and regain the trust of the school's administration and faculty within a short period. Through hard work and persistence, the baseball club members recover their determination and strength, moving closer to their goals, while Kawato's energetic and unconventional teaching methods gradually change the attitudes of those around him.

In "Shinobi Life," Beni, a spirited and defiant young woman, remains unconcerned about her own destiny as long as it brings shame to her arrogant father. One day, she encounters Kagetora, a ninja who falls from the sky and swears absolute loyalty to her as her guardian. Having time-traveled from a distant past, Kagetora is committed to protecting Princess Beni. Yet, he does not realize that this Beni is not the true princess. The narrative examines if true love and dedication can persist across centuries in the tumultuous modern era.

In this spin-off of the GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka) manga, the story picks up right after the Teshigawara arc where Eikichi Onizuka was shot by the former teacher and subsequently hospitalized. After a short while, Onizuka manages to escape and disappears for a period of fourteen days, leaving his whereabouts unknown to everyone. Upon his return, a wanted poster surfaces featuring a man who looks strikingly similar to Onizuka. The question remains: what exactly did Onizuka do during those mysterious fourteen days?

In "GTO: The Early Years," Eikichi Onizuka and Ryuuji Danma are part of the notorious biker gang known as Oni Baku. Besides their motorcycles, they occupy themselves at school attempting to win over the girls. This narrative focuses on the young Eikichi Onizuka, who is fated to become one of Japan's most renowned teachers.

Kou Kitamura is a fifth-grade boy who lives near the sports goods store his family runs. He frequently visits the Tsukishima Batting Center and becomes close friends with the four Tsukishima sisters: Ichiyo, Wakaba, Aoba, and Momiji. Through constant practice at their batting cages, Kou develops exceptional hitting skills, though he remains inexperienced in other areas of baseball. Aoba, despite being a year younger, stands out as a talented pitcher and batter. Wakaba, who is also Kou's classmate, is determined that they will one day get married. This peaceful routine is shattered by an unexpected tragedy. Four years later, Kou continues his intense training but has yet to play in an actual game. As he returns to competitive baseball, questions emerge about whether he can meet the expectations of those who recognize his hidden potential.

In the afterlife, angels fight for their destiny. Yuri, head of the Shinda Sekai Sensen, rebels against the deity that condemned her to an unjust existence. Concurrently, Tenshi, the student council president of this afterlife realm, clashes with the SSS members. These members wield guns and various weapons against angels who possess supernatural abilities.

In 2020, Tokyo is a harsh city with rampant crime, where offenses against women nearly equal the number of homicides. To protect her from these dangers, Tsukasa was raised by her parents as a boy. Her dream is to follow her parents' path and become a police officer, fighting the yakuza. After her parents are tragically killed while on duty, Tsukasa and her three brothers are left to fend for themselves. To settle the family's debts, she is forced to work as a bodyguard for Ryuji, the leader of one of Tokyo's most powerful yakuza gangs.

Mahiru Shirota, an energetic fifteen-year-old, has an ordinary life until he picks up a stray black cat and calls it Kuro. What seems like a normal cat startles Mahiru by turning into a human. Kuro is revealed to be an ancient vampire with a lazy nature, avoiding any kind of effort and refusing to drink blood. Without understanding the consequences, Mahiru speaks Kuro’s name out loud, unknowingly creating a connection that could make Kuro his servant vampire, or "servamp." After an attack by a vampire named Tsubaki, Kuro drinks Mahiru’s blood, solidifying their master-servant bond, with Mahiru becoming "Eve." Tsubaki reveals Kuro’s true name, Sleepy Ash, the oldest of seven siblings each representing a deadly sin, and the embodiment of sloth. Tsubaki, the melancholic eighth sibling, plans to start a war against both vampires and humans. To prevent the coming conflict, Mahiru and Kuro must warn the other servamps and their Eves before disaster occurs.

Ginji Amano, a calm and pragmatic blonde who can generate electric currents, partners with Ban Mido, a boisterous brunette with glasses and a mysterious "Evil Eye" that lets him create illusions in others' minds. As the GetBackers, they are famous for their unmatched retrieval skills, boasting a nearly flawless success rate in recovering lost items for their clients. However, they need to find new clients quickly if they want to avoid going broke. This energetic duo takes on challenges while keeping their lively and adventurous style of solving mysteries and reclaiming lost treasures.