Manga Like Koten-bu Series

In the American Old West, the stage is set for the planet's most extraordinary race. Thousands of competitors gather in San Diego, ready to embark on a journey of over six thousand kilometers, with a fifty-million-dollar prize as the ultimate reward. As the era of horses comes to an end, racers can use any type of vehicle. They must navigate harsh conditions and traverse uncharted desert landscapes, sometimes traveling up to one hundred kilometers daily. The Steel Ball Run is an unparalleled contest. Johnny Joestar, a young former horse racer now wheelchair-bound, arrives in San Diego just as the race begins. Here, he encounters Gyro Zeppeli, a racer who carries two steel spheres instead of a weapon. Johnny witnesses Gyro using one of these spheres to create a supernatural effect, causing a man in a standoff to turn his own gun against himself. Amidst the chaos, Johnny accidentally touches the steel ball, feeling energy surge through his legs, allowing him to stand after two years of being confined to a wheelchair. Driven by the desire to unravel the mystery behind the steel balls, Johnny decides to join the race, embarking on a bizarre adventure across America during the Steel Ball Run.

For years, Twenty-Fifth Bam lived a solitary life until he met Rachel. With her decision to climb the Tower firmly set, Rachel prepares to leave Bam behind to chase her ambition. Following Rachel through a radiant barrier, Bam begins his journey to ascend the Tower, driven by his wish to reunite with her. The Tower, however, is a treacherous realm filled with ancient mysteries, formidable creatures, and hostile individuals. Each floor is overseen by an Administrator who imposes rigorous trials on those brave enough to face them, pushing their limits to the extreme. When confronting Headon, the Administrator of the first floor, Bam learns he is classified as an "Irregular"—someone who entered the Tower without being chosen by it, an exceptionally rare occurrence. Even with this revelation, Bam's path forward remains unwavering. Whether it be riches, strength, fame, or reunion with Rachel, the summit of the Tower promises to fulfill every desire.

In the eerie Abyss, a realm filled with grotesque beings called Chains, most believe it to be nothing more than a cautionary tale for children. However, for Oz Vessalius, the lively and playful heir of the esteemed Vessalius lineage, this changes dramatically during his coming-of-age ceremony. The enigmatic Baskerville Clan appears without warning and sentences him to the Abyss for a crime he did not commit and cannot comprehend. To escape, Oz enters into a contract with Alice, an unusual Chain who can assume human form. As Oz endeavors to unravel the mysteries surrounding his condemnation, the Abyss itself, and a tragic event from a hundred years prior, he and his companions face off against the Baskervilles and the specters of history. Throughout his quest to return home, Oz is continually besieged by an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. One-shot included: Volume 8: Pandora Hearts (pilot)

In 2011, Yasuho Hirose and Joushuu Higashikata, childhood friends, discover a man stripped of his clothes and memory buried outside Morioh. Despite losing all recollection of his past, the man retains knowledge of how to wield a Stand, a supernatural ability represented by a humanoid form. Naming him Jousuke, Joushuu’s father, Norisuke, decides to shelter him at home while they help him search for his lost identity. As Jousuke delves deeper into uncovering his background, it becomes evident that his case of amnesia is not straightforward. His real identity carries a weightier significance than first apparent, and through a series of intense Stand battles, he begins to unravel a perilous conspiracy that threatens the whole town.

Shinichi Kudou, a high school detective renowned for his contributions to the Japanese Police Department, relies on his sharp observational skills, logical reasoning, and vast knowledge to solve cases that baffle law enforcement. During an outing with his childhood friend Ran Mouri, Shinichi stumbles upon a covert exchange between two individuals and becomes entangled in their scheme. Targeted for elimination with a lethal poison, Shinichi instead shrinks to the size of a young elementary student. Believed to have died, he adopts the alias Conan Edogawa, combining the names of mystery authors Arthur Conan Doyle and Ranpo Edogawa, to conceal his true identity. Living under this new guise as a seven-year-old with Ran and her father, a private detective, Conan continues to unravel murder mysteries while working to expose the criminals responsible for his transformation and find a way to restore his original form.

In a world sealed off by massive walls, children are raised by robots in a carefully managed facility. Though daily life seems monotonous, the young residents are full of curiosity and potential, making their environment feel like a kind of paradise. Beyond these barriers lies a ruined landscape, mostly devoid of advanced technology and swarming with strange, powerful supernatural entities. With Kiruko's help, Maru travels through the remains of what was once Tokyo, searching for a place called heaven. But after searching for so long, heaven may turn out to be nothing more than a distant dream rather than a real destination.

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.

In her final memory, Natsu Iwashimizu shares cherished meals with her family. However, upon waking, she discovers she's on a sinking ship, saved by three unfamiliar faces: Arashi Aota, whose kindness is matched only by his short fuse; Semimaru Asai, who teases Natsu's shy demeanor; and Botan Saotome, a skilled individual who grasps the gravity of their situation. Together, they manage to escape and navigate towards a deserted island. Unbeknownst to them, this enigmatic land is actually post-apocalyptic Japan. A meteorite impact has eradicated human life and transformed the planet's ecosystem. To repopulate the earth, the government initiated the "7 Seeds" program, sending five teams—Spring, Summer A, Summer B, Autumn, and Winter—each comprising seven resilient youth and a guide. Natsu and her crew belong to Summer B, deemed social outliers. Their survival hinges on finding one of seven government shelters for supplies. In a perilous, alien world devoid of familiar support, the quartet must learn to work together to endure.

In 2063, humanity has established colonies across numerous planets in space. A group of eight students from Caird High School, along with a younger companion, set out on an interstellar camping trip to the distant planet MCPA, located nine light-years from Earth. The group includes the adventurous Kanata Hoshijima and the lively Aries Spring. After landing on MCPA, they encounter a strange, glowing orb that chases them. Captured by this mysterious object, the students are transported to a remote region of space, 5,012 light-years away from any possible rescue. With limited supplies and no way to return, their only hope for survival rests on an abandoned spacecraft nearby. As they struggle to stay alive, the dark secrets behind their sudden disappearance begin to come to light.

In 1924, climbers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine set out on an ambitious expedition to be the first to scale Mount Everest but disappeared during the final stretch of their ascent, creating one of mountaineering's greatest mysteries—whether they managed to reach the summit. In 1993, in Kathmandu, Japanese photographer Makoto Fukamachi comes across an old camera in an antique store, which he thinks once belonged to Mallory. However, the camera is quickly snatched up by "Bikha Sanp," a large Japanese man whom Fukamachi suspects is actually Jouji Habu, a celebrated Japanese mountaineer who vanished from public view years earlier. Despite Fukamachi's interest, Bikha Sanp avoids engaging with him and departs with the camera. With no other leads, Fukamachi decides to delve into Habu's past to understand what could have lured the former climber to Nepal. To rewrite mountaineering history, Fukamachi embarks on an investigation that will take him to the world's highest peak—the summit of the gods.

In the midst of pervasive bullying at her middle school, Lee Sori, a courteous and upright student, steps up to defend her friend Kim Julie. Her actions, however, draw the bullies' attention directly to her. Seeking refuge from this torment, Sori relocates to her former hometown and enrolls in a new school, hoping for a respite. Despite the change, her past traumas continue to affect her, causing her to isolate herself from others. As Sori grapples with her difficult reality, she stumbles upon a cryptic letter hidden beneath her desk. Driven by curiosity, she uncovers a series of interconnected messages. Determined to unravel the mystery, she follows the trail of letters, pursuing both their deeper significance and the identity of their elusive writer.

Every 300 years, the Evil God awakens, signaling doom and despair. To avert this catastrophe, the Spirit of Fate chooses six champions known as the Braves of the Six Flowers, each marked with a distinctive crest. This time, however, seven individuals are selected instead of the usual six. Among them are Adlet Mayer, who declares himself the world's strongest man; Princess Nashetania Loei Piena Augustra and her loyal knight Goldov Auora; the feline assassin Hans Humpty; the innocent yet dangerous Chamo Rosso; the stern Mora Chester; and the lone wanderer Fremy Speeddraw. With the possibility that any one of the seven could be a true Brave, the presence of an extra person suggests a spy is among them, intent on disrupting the mission and sowing discord. Suspicion falls heavily on Adlet, making him the prime suspect. Hunted and pursued, he desperately tries to prove innocence. As the Evil God's minions eagerly await its resurgence, the Braves grow increasingly wary of each other, their trust eroding as the deadline approaches.

Rumors about the late Wei Wuxian continue to spread without ever fading. Known for his ability to control the dead, he remains a figure of both awe and fear within the cultivation world, even 13 years after his death. After awakening in the body of a young man who had been bullied and sought revenge against his abusive family by offering his soul, Wei Wuxian now faces new challenges. Wei Wuxian, a clever yet playful cultivator, cannot resist his nature. He disrupts a ritual meant to seal a powerful cursed arm, an act overseen by the Lan Sect, a major cultivation group based in Gusu and home to his old friend, the composed and restrained Lan Wangji. Despite wanting to keep his past hidden, Wei Wuxian becomes entangled in the dark secrets of the ruling cultivation sects. Collaborating with Lan Wangji, he sets out to uncover the mystery behind the cursed arm, only to find that their investigation barely scratches the surface. The truth could reveal the cause of his own infamous fall from grace.

In "Karakuri Circus," Katou Narumi is afflicted with Zonapha Syndrome, a rare condition that stops his breathing unless he can make others laugh. Having abandoned his Chinese kenpo training, he returns to Japan and takes up clowning, but struggles to be humorous. Narumi's life shifts when he meets Saiga Masaru, a young boy who has recently inherited a fortune, and shares a genuine laugh with him. Learning that Masaru is being hunted by assassins wielding enormous, eerie puppets, Narumi decides to protect him. They soon encounter Shirogane, a girl who controls her own puppet and claims she was sent from France by Masaru's deceased grandfather to guard him. Their paths cross and diverge, weaving two tales: one of puppets and one of performers, bound together by sorrow and joy. The bizarre circus of living dolls spreading Zonapha Syndrome, the human puppets called the Shirogane, and the puppeteers driven by an eternal vendetta orchestrate this dual performance.

In "Master Keaton," the narrative follows Taichi Hiraga Keaton, an archaeology professor who also works as an insurance investigator. Known for his distinctive and effective investigative techniques, Keaton relies on his varied background—the son of a Japanese zoologist father and an English noble mother, he studied archaeology at Oxford and was formerly an SAS soldier. He merges his scholarly expertise and military training to reveal hidden facts, stop illegal actions, and seek justice.

The "Undying," beings created from the remains of fallen soldiers, are nearly immortal entities built solely for combat. When the war concluded, they were deemed unnecessary, prompting the Church to launch the Undying Hunt, a systematic campaign to eliminate these creatures. Eighty years later, only a handful of Undying survive, still relentlessly pursued and destroyed by the Church. Kieli, an orphan enrolled in a religious boarding school, has a unique gift: she can see spirits. Ostracized by her peers, she spends her days conversing with Becca, the ghost of a girl who once lived in Kieli's room. One day, Kieli encounters Harvey, a distant and enigmatic Undying, one of the few still alive. After an unexpected incident, Harvey saves Kieli from a train accident, risking his own life in the process. Driven by curiosity about Harvey, Kieli chooses to join him on his journey to fulfill a promise made to the Corporal—the spirit of a fallen soldier now inhabiting a radio—to return his mortal body to him. As they travel together, Kieli comes to see that beneath Harvey's aloof exterior lies a kind and caring soul tormented by memories of war. Through their interactions and growing bond, a lasting connection forms between them, offering Harvey a chance to rediscover the humanity he had lost.

For four decades, Golgo 13 has stood as the embodiment of the ideal mercenary assassin—hired to either resolve personal vendettas or shift the trajectory of world affairs. Though his fame is extensive, his real name and past stay shrouded in secrecy. Renowned for his flawless precision, G13 makes certain he never crosses paths with his clients again after finishing a mission... ...unless they try to trick him!

The series Otherside Picnic follows Sorawo Kamikoshi, a weary university student, who crosses paths with Toriko Nishina right after she narrowly escapes a terrifying run-in with "that thing" in the Otherside. This pivotal meeting completely upends Sorawo's ordinary life. The Otherside is a strange dimension that overlaps with our world, harboring dangerous entities like the Kunekune and Hasshaku-sama—creatures drawn from real ghost stories. Spurred by scientific curiosity, a need for money, and the search for a missing person, Toriko and Sorawo set out on a perilous expedition. An aspiring sci-fi author weaves this tale of the pair's surreal adventures and their battle for survival.

After the deadly Sword Art Online incident trapped over ten thousand players in a dangerous virtual world, virtual reality technology has advanced rapidly. The Augma, a cutting-edge augmented reality device, has become popular for everyday use and as the only way to play the MMORPG Ordinal Scale. Blending reality and fantasy, Ordinal Scale quickly draws Kirito and his friends into the game. However, things take a strange turn when Kirito finds proof that SAO bosses are appearing in this new digital world.

In this prequel to .hack, Albireo, a lone adventurer, explores the depths of The World, a revolutionary online fantasy game. During his travels, he encounters Lycoris, a mysterious child found in a dungeon. At first, he thinks she might be a simple system error. But as they venture deeper into The World, Albireo notices Lycoris defying every established rule of the game. Slowly, he begins to believe she holds a dangerous secret—one that could unravel the entire digital realm and impact the real world as well.

Makoto Edamura is young but already one of Japan's top swindlers. That changes when he crosses paths with Laurent Thierry, a French con artist with ambitious schemes. Soon Makoto finds himself in Los Angeles, reluctantly teaming up with Laurent to cheat a major movie producer who also deals drugs. Laurent's strategy is solid, but Makoto wonders if he can truly rely on him.

In the realm called The Vertical World, which extends downward from the sky, a young boy named Ruska lives, endlessly curious about the secrets concealed below. His life changes dramatically when he witnesses a girl falling from the heavens, descending toward the unknown depths. This incident sets him on a journey to reveal the mysteries surrounding the Falling Maiden.

In the age of exploration, European travelers returning from far-off lands brought back strange specimens never before seen in Europe. These items were displayed in private collections known as Wunder Kammer, or Chambers of Wonder. Over time, efforts grew to combine these collections and make them available to the public, which eventually led to the founding of the British Museum. In the 19th century, research into these artifacts began, revealing their secrets through scientific investigation. Queen Charlotte of England chose three distinguished researchers, granted them knighthood, and gave them rings called C.M.B., named after Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar—the three wise men who followed the star to the newborn Christ. The C.M.B. rings provide their holders with unlimited funding for research, plenty of time, and unrestricted access to global research materials. Traditionally, each of the Three Wise Men passes their ring to their most gifted student. Currently, all three rings are held by Sakaki Shinra, the adopted son of the former Three Wise Men. He eagerly looks forward to uncovering the hidden wonders within the Wunder Kammer, but to delve deeper, one must pay the price.

A young girl begins experiencing intense dreams, waking up in a room that looks just like her own reality. Inside, she finds many doors that lead into different dream worlds. These worlds range from calm and beautiful to terrifying and nightmarish. By collecting special items called "Effects," she unlocks access to new areas and continues her aimless wandering through the dream realm. After waking from each dream, she writes down her experiences in a journal before falling asleep again. As she tries to understand what these dreams mean, she starts to suspect she might not be traveling through her subconscious alone—someone seems to be watching both her and the dreams she enters.