Manga Like From Star Strings

Ash Lynx is a prodigy, a stunning young man—and a killer. Raised from childhood by mafia boss Dino "Papa" Golzine, he was molded into a ruthless weapon. Initially just a pretty plaything for Golzine's desires, the now seventeen-year-old Ash has broken away and rules his own gang with a merciless grip. Eiji Okumura, a young Japanese photographer, arrives in New York as an assistant to document the lives of street kids. There he encounters the teenage gang leader Ash and becomes captivated by him—while Ash, in turn, is intrigued by Eiji's unfamiliar world. Yet this is the grim underbelly of New York, where a string of recent murders shares only one link: the phrase "Banana Fish." With personal stakes in this shadowy conflict, Ash, Eiji, and their companions must uncover what "Banana Fish" truly is, its origin, and how to eliminate it—before everything they know plunges into turmoil.

The last thing Natsu Iwashimizu remembers about her family is sharing her favorite dishes with them. But when she wakes from that dream, she finds herself aboard a sinking ship, rescued by three strangers: Arashi Aota, a kind-hearted person with a quick temper; Semimaru Asai, who enjoys mocking Natsu's timid personality; and Botan Saotome, a capable woman who seems to understand what is happening. After escaping, the four sail to an uninhabited island. Unknown to them, this mysterious island is actually Japan. A meteorite struck Earth, wiping out humanity and drastically altering the environment. To restart the population, the government launched the "7 Seeds" project, dividing people into five teams—Spring, Summer A, Summer B, Autumn, and Winter—each composed of seven healthy young individuals and a guide. Natsu and her companions are part of Summer B, a group labeled as societal misfits. To secure more resources, the group must locate one of seven government-built shelters. In a hostile, unfamiliar world without loved ones to rely on, the four must learn to cooperate if they want to survive.

Guts, once a mercenary and now called the Black Swordsman, hunts for revenge. After a brutal childhood, he at last discovers someone he admires and thinks he can rely on, but everything shatters when that person strips Guts of everything he holds dear to satisfy his own ambitions. Branded for death, Guts is doomed to a fate where demonic entities chase him without mercy. Embarking on a bleak journey filled with misfortune, Guts—wielding an enormous blade and inhuman strength—allows nothing, not even mortality itself, to halt him until he can behead the one who erased his and his lover's humanity. Included one-shot: Volume 14: Berserk: The Prototype

Centuries ago, grotesque, human-like beings emerged. These mindless, colossal giants—known as Titans—posed an existential danger, devouring any humans they encountered to fuel an insatiable hunger. Unable to mount an effective defense, humanity retreated behind towering walls that encircled what might be the last safe haven on Earth. Now, life inside the walls enjoys peace, as the residents have not faced a Titan attack in years. Three children—Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert—dream of seeing the world beyond, inspired by tales of wonders outside their confines. But when a massive 60-meter Titan suddenly shatters that tranquility, they witness firsthand the world's cruelty. That day, Eren vows to eradicate every last Titan from the Earth, striving so that humanity may one day live beyond the walls without fear.

Thorfinn, the son of one of the greatest Viking warriors, has become a top fighter in the mercenary band led by the cunning Askeladd—an impressive feat for someone his age. But Thorfinn doesn't fight for plunder; he joined because Askeladd caused a terrible tragedy in his family, and the boy has sworn to kill him in a fair duel. Too weak to defeat him yet unable to abandon his vengeance, Thorfinn spends his boyhood with the crew, honing his skills on battlefields among the war-loving Danes, where killing is just another pleasure of life. When Askeladd learns that Danish prince Canute has been taken hostage, he devises an ambitious plot—one that will decide the next King of England and drastically change the lives of Thorfinn, Canute, and himself. Set in 11th-century Europe, Vinland Saga tells a bloody epic in an era where violence, madness, and injustice are inescapable, providing a paradise for the battle-crazed and utter hell for everyone else.

Alchemists are individuals blessed with knowledge and natural talent, allowing them to manipulate and transform matter through their craft. However, despite the vast potential of their art, alchemy is far from omnipotent as many believe. Human transmutation is a forbidden practice, and anyone who dares attempt it faces severe repercussions. Nevertheless, siblings Edward and Alphonse Elric choose to break this great taboo in hopes of bringing their mother back to life. Their attempt ends in failure, and they pay a terrible price for their hubris: Edward loses his left leg, while Alphonse loses his entire body. To make matters worse, Edward sacrifices his right arm to bind his brother's soul into a suit of armor. Years later, the young alchemists journey across the nation in search of the Philosopher's Stone, aiming to reclaim their original bodies using its power. Yet their quest for the legendary stone leads them to uncover far more sinister secrets than they ever anticipated.

A mysterious light envelops Earth, turning all of humanity into stone statues. Millennia later, the world is overrun with plant life, forests covering the ruins of once-great cities. One of the earliest to break free from his stone prison is Taiju Ooki, who discovers that his friend Senkuu, a prodigiously gifted young scientist, has been planning for his awakening. While Taiju longs to rescue the girl he loves, Senkuu is determined to uncover the cause of the strange event and rebuild civilization to its former state. However, when they release the notoriously formidable Tsukasa Shishiou to gain an edge against the perils of this new world, they soon realize their new ally has his own agenda. Tsukasa views their situation as an opportunity for a fresh beginning—one free from the decay and ruin brought by technology—and he will stop at nothing to realize his vision. Unable to reconcile their opposing views, Senkuu’s unwavering faith in science collides with Tsukasa’s raw, instinctual force in what becomes an epic showdown.

Twenty-Fifth Bam lived in solitude for his entire life until he met Rachel. But now, Rachel has made up her mind to climb the Tower, and she is prepared to leave Bam behind to achieve that goal. After Rachel vanishes behind a curtain of light, Bam chases after her, determined to ascend the Tower in the hope of reuniting with her. However, the Tower is a perilous realm filled with ancient mysteries, terrifying monsters, and malicious people. Each floor is overseen by an Administrator who subjects the daring challengers to grueling trials that test their every limit. When he confronts Headon, the Administrator of the first floor, Bam discovers that he is an "Irregular"—someone who was not chosen by the Tower but managed to enter it on his own, an extremely uncommon occurrence within the Tower. Despite this revelation, his course remains clear. Whether it is wealth, power, glory, or even being reunited with Rachel, every desire can be fulfilled at the pinnacle of the Tower.

The Abyss is a chasm of unfathomable depth—one girl and a robot brave its perils to uncover the truth. The town of Orth is unique, built around the rim of the vast Abyss, a marvel that has never been fully explored. Those who descend too far never return, but those daring enough to journey into its territories are called "Cave Raiders" and are revered as legends. In this town lives a young girl named Riko, the daughter of one of the most renowned Cave Raiders of all time, who vanished on an expedition years ago. One day, Riko's life changes when she encounters a strange robot named Reg, who appears to come from within the Abyss. Taking this as a sign from her mother, who is trapped at the bottom of the Abyss, Riko ventures into its depths alongside Reg, prepared to face all the dangers that lie within.

The Demon King has been vanquished, and the triumphant hero party returns home before splitting up. The four—mage Frieren, hero Himmel, priest Heiter, and warrior Eisen—look back on their decade-long journey as the time to say goodbye arrives. But time flows differently for elves, so Frieren watches her companions slowly die one by one. Before his death, Heiter manages to pass a young human apprentice named Fern onto Frieren. Driven by the elf's enthusiasm for collecting all kinds of magic spells, the two set off on a seemingly wandering trip, returning to the places that the heroes of old once visited. Along the way, Frieren gradually faces her remorse over missed chances to build deeper bonds with her now-departed comrades.

Seiichi Osabe is an only child leading a quiet everyday existence. Like any typical middle schooler, he has his own circle of friends, a crush on a classmate, and parents who dote on him. However, the problem lies with his mother, whose extreme overprotectiveness makes others perceive Seiichi as a mama's boy. Though Seiichi himself doesn't find her behavior strange at first, a particular event gradually forces him to realize just how perilous her love truly is. As he attempts to escape her hold, he discovers that his life is far from the ordinary he once believed it to be.

In 1999, a meteorite struck Antarctica, causing the continent's ice sheet to melt and global sea levels to rise dramatically. This event altered the world's climate and wiped out more than half of humanity. By 2015, mysterious beings known as Angels—monsters of unknown origin—are laying waste to the remnants of civilization. In the fortress city of Tokyo-3, 14-year-old Shinji Ikari is fated to stop the Angels' attacks. Summoned by his father's covert group NERV, Shinji becomes the pilot of an Evangelion, a gigantic bio-organic robot built specifically to fight the Angels. Burdened with the fate of the world, Shinji must find the bravery and will to defend the future—and himself. Yet as battles between Evangelions and Angels grow frequent, the terrible reality of the world gradually comes to light.

College student Nao Kanzaki has always lived up to her name's meaning—"foolishly honest." But after receiving an unsolicited package containing one hundred million yen, she inadvertently enters the "Liar Game," a tournament where contestants are urged to betray and deceive each other for massive cash prizes, while losing results in a lifetime of debt. With no other options, she turns to a con artist for help. On the same day, the notorious swindler Shinichi Akiyama is released from prison. A former psychology student infamous for bankrupting an entire company single-handedly, he is Nao's only hope. Initially hesitant to risk another crime, he ignores her pleas. However, moved by her desperation and persistence, he eventually agrees to aid her. In this world of deception, Nao and Shinichi each have their own reasons for participating. But soon, they begin to see the true nature of not just the game, but everyone involved.

In a war-torn world, a young boy travels a desolate road after his mother's death. Along the way, he sees military tanks, corpses, and his once-beloved city reduced to rubble. With grief clouding his eyes, he forces himself to keep going. One morning, he encounters a girl inside an abandoned bus where he had slept. Right after they meet, the area erupts into battle, and the two flee into a long-forgotten alley. These strangers decide to journey together to the road's end, starting a bond that will spark new life in their withered hearts.

A mysterious immortal being known as It is sent to Earth devoid of emotions or identity, yet capable of assuming the forms of those around it who possess a strong driving force. It starts as a sphere, then mimics a rock. When snow falls and temperatures drop, It inherits the moss. As a wounded lone wolf limps by and lies down to die, It takes the wolf's shape. Gaining consciousness, It travels across the barren tundra until encountering a boy. The boy lives by himself in a deserted town, abandoned long ago by adults who set off in search of a paradise rumored to exist beyond the endless white tundra. Their efforts proved futile, and now the boy lies in critical condition. Assuming the boy's form, It begins an everlasting journey in pursuit of new experiences, places, and people.

Kazuki Hoshino treasures his mundane routine above anything else. He spends his school days carefree with his friends, until that uneventful bliss is shattered when the aloof beauty Aya Otonashi transfers into his class and immediately delivers a cold, dramatic statement to him: "I've come to break you. This is my 13,118th transfer. After so many times, it's starting to grate on me, so this time I'm spicing things up with a proper declaration of war." With those puzzling words, the ordinary days Kazuki loved so much become a cycle of turmoil and fear—Aya's sudden appearance signals the unraveling of unseen mysteries surrounding his seemingly normal friends, including the discovery of strange devices known as "boxes."

A reclusive high school student named Cha Hyun spends his days shut away in his room playing video games. After losing his entire family in a tragic car accident, he is forced to leave behind his home and carefree lifestyle, moving into a new apartment by himself. His annoying neighbors and lack of money quickly become the least of his concerns as people around him suddenly start transforming into terrifying monsters, throwing the world into apocalyptic chaos. The situation grows even worse when Hyun realizes he himself is slowly turning into a monster, all while a mysterious voice in his head becomes louder and more persistent. With time running out, Hyun must cooperate with his fellow tenants to uncover the cause of the outbreak and find a way to survive in this hopeless new world, all while fighting to hold onto his humanity.

In feudal Japan, Manji is a notorious swordsman known as the "Hundred Man Killer" for slaughtering one hundred innocent people. Yet what is even more terrifying than his dark reputation is that he cannot die—a condition given to him by the eight-hundred-year-old nun Yaobikuni, who placed bloodworms inside his body that can heal nearly any wound. Seeking atonement for his past crimes, Manji decides to slay one thousand evil men. Yaobikuni agrees to this plan, promising to lift his curse of immortality if he succeeds. Shortly after making this pledge, Manji encounters Rin Asano, a sixteen-year-old girl who begs him to help her kill the murderers of her parents. At first, Manji refuses Rin's desperate request. But seeing how weak she truly is, he changes his mind and agrees to protect her for four years. With their pact sealed, the two set out on a dangerous journey filled with bloodshed, vengeance, and redemption, each striving to achieve their own life's purpose.

Kind-hearted Syaoran has been close friends with Sakura, the princess of the Clow Kingdom who possesses a unique power that can alter the world. When a mysterious figure tries to take control of Sakura's ability, her memories are scattered across different dimensions in the form of feathers. In order to save Sakura, Syaoran turns to the Dimensional Witch for help and encounters two other travelers—Kurogane and Fai D. Flourite. Kurogane, a skilled fighter and ninja, was exiled from his home world and desires to return. On the other hand, Fai, a magician from Celes, wishes to travel across dimensions to escape his home and past. As the cost for crossing dimensions, each of the three must offer their most treasured possession. For Sakura's sake, Syaoran agrees to sacrifice their relationship as payment to the Dimensional Witch. With strong resolve, Syaoran, Kurogane, and Fai set out on a journey through many worlds to battle their fated doom.

Leaving a convenience store, Subaru Natsuki steps into a bustling town filled with humans and demi-humans. With dragons and carriages serving as transportation, this place is clearly not the modern-day Japan he knows. But as someone who spends his time absorbed in comics and games, Subaru figures he must be a protagonist in this new fantasy world, wielding incredible magical powers. To his disappointment, that isn't the case, and things quickly take a turn for the worse when he runs into a gang of thugs. Fortunately, a silver-haired beauty named Satella rescues him, all while searching for her stolen insignia. Grateful for her help, Subaru offers to assist in the search, which eventually leads them to a pawn shop. Assuming the insignia was traded for money, Subaru enters the shop hoping to negotiate with the owner about the stolen item. But instead of the insignia, they find a brutal assassin, and the encounter ends in their deaths. However, rather than waking up in the afterlife, Subaru is stunned to find himself standing alone in the middle of daytime, as if he had never left the town at all. And so, his life in another world mysteriously begins for a second time.

Amid an economic crisis gripping Japan, Shiina Nagasawa turns to prostitution to support her family after her father's bankruptcy. She attends a party where high-ranking government officials are eager to indulge their desires. As Shiina endures this degradation, a masked intruder bursts in—and she recognizes him as her classmate Shou Hazama. Calling himself "Akumetsu," he confronts Japan's former finance minister, listing his misdeeds, then brutally murders him and drags the body to the lobby. When Akumetsu is shot, he somehow blows his own head off. Still in shock, Shiina goes to school the next day—only to find Shou Hazama alive in the classroom. How is he alive, and what does he intend to do?

A young traveling merchant named Kraft Lawrence has grown used to days of wandering and trading with few companions. That changes one unusual day when he finds a naked, wolf-like girl sleeping in his wagon. The beautiful girl, who calls herself Holo, claims to be a local wolf deity worshiped by the villagers as the God of Good Harvest. Year after year, she ensured bountiful harvests, but she has grown tired of fulfilling the wishes of the ungrateful locals. Holo strikes a deal with Lawrence: if he helps her escape the villagers, she will gladly assist him in his merchant ventures. Together, they travel from town to town seeking business, and Lawrence comes to learn both the benefits and hardships of traveling with a proud and cunning wolf goddess.

During a global pandemic that kills 15% of the population and leaves many others debilitated, a secret faction called Propater overthrows the UN and takes control over most of the world. A boy and a girl, raised in an abandoned virology research center and immune to the virus, are attacked by Propater and manage to flee. Two decades later, the boy has become the most powerful drug lord in South America. He covertly supports his son as the son avoids Propater and eventually, with aid from Nomad mercenaries—some of whom are former Propater agents—fights back against the organization. As the story unfolds, focus shifts from the main protagonist to numerous subplots involving terrorism, human enhancement, the struggles of developing nations, and the power struggles between drug cartels and Propater. Heavily inspired by Gnostic mythology, all major characters are named after Gnostic deities and fill analogous roles.

Kind-hearted Akira Fudou has always been easily taken advantage of. When he meets his childhood friend Ryou Asuka again by chance, Ryou reveals the terrifying truth behind his father's research: demons are real and intend to reclaim the earth. Wanting to help his friend protect humanity, Akira agrees to go to the Black Sabbath, a debauched and corrupt party, in order to attempt fusion with a demon. A brush with death leads him to merge with Amon, a demon feared even among his own kind. This union creates Devilman, a being that combines Amon's raw power with Akira's compassionate soul. After fusing with Amon, Akira uses his newfound abilities to battle the demons, desperate to prevent the collapse of all human civilization.