Manga Like Kurumizawa's Folly

Long ago, humanoid creatures called Titans appeared, threatening humanity with their immense size and appetite for human flesh. To survive, humans built massive walls, creating a safe world within their confines. In this isolated world, peace has lasted for years, with no Titan attacks seen. Three young friends—Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert—dream of exploring the world beyond the walls, inspired by tales of the unknown. Their dreams are destroyed when a colossal 60-meter Titan breaches their defenses, revealing the harsh reality of their situation. Witnessing the devastation firsthand, Eren vows to eliminate all Titans, determined to reclaim freedom for humanity beyond the walls.

In Death Note, Ryuk, a shinigami, drops his Death Note into the human world for amusement. In Japan, Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student, discovers the notebook. It contains a rule: anyone whose name is written inside will die. Initially skeptical, Light tests the power by writing a criminal's name, and the criminal dies. Seeing the Death Note's potential, Light begins a systematic campaign to eliminate criminals under the alias "Kira," aiming to create a utopian society free of evil. As the killings draw attention, the police turn to L, a renowned detective, to uncover Kira's identity. Death Note unfolds as a tense psychological battle between Light and L, with humanity's future at stake.

At Grace Field House, the orphans lead what seems like a perfect life. Despite being without parents, they live with other children and a kind "Mama" who cares for them, fostering a tight-knit family environment. All children are well-looked after, as adoption is guaranteed by the time they turn twelve. Their days consist of intensive tests followed by outdoor playtime. However, there is one strict rule: they must never leave the orphanage grounds. One day, Emma and Norman, two of the highest-performing children, venture outside the fence and discover the terrible reality of their situation. With their quick thinking, the children must unite to alter the course of their destined futures.

A sudden beam petrifies all of humanity across the globe. After thousands of years, the earth is now overrun with vegetation, with ancient cities buried beneath dense forests. Among the first to awaken is Taiju Ooki, who discovers that his genius scientist friend, Senkuu, had anticipated his revival and has plans to restore civilization to its former glory. While Taiju longs to rescue the girl he loves, Senkuu focuses on understanding the cause of the catastrophe and rebuilding society. Their journey takes a turn when they revive Tsukasa Shishiou, a powerful figure intended to help them navigate the dangers of their new world. However, Tsukasa harbors his own ambitions, seeing the current state as an opportunity for a fresh start—free from the corruption and ruin brought by technological advancement. His determination clashes with Senkuu’s unwavering belief in science, leading to an intense conflict between their opposing ideologies.

After a catastrophic earthquake leveled Tokyo, Deadman Wonderland was built atop the ruins. It appears to be a theme park, but in truth, it functions as a prison where inmates are turned into attractions for public amusement. The general public remains unaware of the dark reality hidden beneath the surface. Ganta Igarashi, an ordinary middle school student in the post-earthquake world, manages to lead a normal life until a masked killer known as the Red Man slaughters everyone in his class. Ganta is knocked unconscious during the attack and becomes the sole survivor, only to be framed for the murders and sent to Deadman Wonderland. To survive, he must navigate the prison's twisted games. Meanwhile, Shiro, a girl who claims to be Ganta's childhood friend and is waiting for him inside the prison, may hold the key to the Red Man's true identity.

In the wake of the 39th Asian War, Montblanc, a revered Swiss robot celebrated for his environmental protection work, is violently killed. His death brings grief to humans and robots worldwide, as Montblanc had become even more beloved after the war. Gesicht, a robotic detective with Europol and a fellow war veteran, is assigned to investigate Montblanc's murder. As he probes the case, he finds evidence pointing to a mysterious figure called "Pluto" and uncovers a conspiracy targeting the eight elite war robots operating around the globe. Racing against time to protect the remaining robots, Gesicht struggles with his own memories, ethical questions, and a society filled with hostility, while trying to maintain the fragile balance between humans and their mechanical counterparts.

Seiichi Osabe is an only child living a quiet existence, engaging in ordinary middle school routines like forming friendships and developing a romantic interest in a classmate. His parents, particularly his mother, are highly protective, causing others to perceive him as excessively reliant on her. Initially, Seiichi does not challenge his mother's behavior, but a particular event gradually exposes him to the perilous extent of her obsessive affection. As he strives to escape her control, he discovers a truth far more sinister than the ordinary life he had previously known.

In 1999, a massive meteorite impact on Antarctica melted the ice sheets, causing global sea levels to rise dramatically and altering the world's climate, resulting in the deaths of over half of Earth's population. By 2015, the remaining human civilization faces new threats from mysterious beings called Angels—creatures of unknown origin that relentlessly destroy what is left of the world. Shinji Ikari, a 14-year-old boy, arrives in the fortified city of Tokyo-3, destined to fight these Angels. Recruited by his father's secret organization, NERV, Shinji is tasked with piloting an Evangelion, a colossal bio-mechanical robot built to battle the Angels. Bearing the burden of saving the world, Shinji must find the courage and resolve to protect both the future and himself. However, as the frequency of conflicts between Evangelions and Angels increases, the grim truth about their world slowly comes to light.

College student Nao Kanzaki is known for her unwavering honesty. When she receives an unexpected package containing one hundred million yen, she unknowingly becomes a participant in the "Liar Game," a competition where players must manipulate and deceive each other to win large monetary prizes, with the penalty of lifelong debt for those who lose. Desperate and without any other options, she seeks help from a professional trickster. At the same time, Shinichi Akiyama, a cunning con artist renowned for bankrupting a major corporation, is released from jail that same day. Having studied psychology, he possesses the skills Nao needs. Though initially reluctant to take on another illegal venture, Shinichi is ultimately persuaded by Nao's earnestness and persistence to assist her. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of the Liar Game, both Nao and Shinichi uncover deeper truths about the game and its players, while also discovering their own motivations for being involved.

In "Future Diary," Yukiteru Amano, an introverted middle school student, finds himself forced into a deadly competition arranged by the deity of space and time, Deus Ex Machina. The winner will inherit Deus's immense power. Among the twelve participants, including Amano, are people who regularly keep diaries, but these have transformed into "Future Diaries," each granting distinct abilities to foresee future events. Amano's "Random Diary" appears on his phone, offering precise details about his surroundings. Though he dislikes conflict, his will to survive pushes him to team up with Yuno Gasai, a classmate and diary holder who harbors an obsessive attachment to Amano. Throughout this harsh contest, shocking revelations emerge, drastically altering the course of this sinister game.

Kazuki Hoshino values his ordinary daily life above all else. His school days are filled with easygoing moments spent with friends—until the transfer student Aine Aya arrives and shatters that peace. The moment this cold, beautiful girl appears in his classroom, she speaks to him in baffling terms: "I've come to destroy you. This is my 13,118th transfer. After going through so many, I started getting bored, so this time I'll add some fun by making a formal declaration." With these enigmatic words, Kazuki's cherished everyday life descends into chaos and dread—Aya's sudden arrival hints at hidden secrets behind his seemingly ordinary friends, including the mysterious devices known as "boxes."

Yuuichi Katagiri has always faced financial difficulties but keeps a cheerful attitude thanks to his close group of friends. To fulfill a promise he made to them, he saves up money to join a school trip. However, the funds disappear, and suspicion falls on Shiho Sawaragi and Makoto Shibe, who were in charge of the collected money. Even though they are innocent, they accept the blame because no one else steps forward. A few days later, Yuuichi and his friends receive strange letters that lure them to a meeting. Once there, they are attacked and knocked unconscious. When they wake up in an unfamiliar room, they encounter "Manabu-kun," a character from a controversial children's show that was canceled due to its harmful content. Manabu-kun reveals that one of the group members has a large debt and arranged this gathering to resolve it through a "friendship game"—a series of challenges designed to test their loyalty and trust. As hidden secrets and betrayals come to light, Yuuichi must figure out which of his friends he can rely on and uncover the true person responsible for the betrayal.

High school student Ryouhei Arisu frequently escapes the boredom of everyday life. One night, after spending time at a bar with his close friends Daikichi Karube and Chouta Segawa, they wait for the early morning train. A sudden, spectacular display of fireworks appears, with one massive, blinding firework causing them to lose consciousness. When they wake up back at the bar, covered in dust, they find the city has become a desolate wasteland. Rather than feeling despair, Arisu gains a new sense of vitality and enjoys the freedom of this empty city. This feeling is short-lived when the three carelessly enter a festive venue, mistaking it for a dream while unknowingly stepping into the arena for their first deadly game. As they journey deeper into the mysterious Borderland—a dangerous place where each game threatens their lives and a single mistake means certain death—Arisu and his friends face the perilous challenges ahead.

In "Sweet Home," Cha Hyun, a high school student who prefers being alone and playing video games, experiences a major change after losing his family in a car accident. Moving to a new apartment, he deals with money problems and annoying neighbors. But these issues become minor when he sees people around him turning into monsters, throwing the world into chaos. Hyun soon realizes he himself is starting to change into a monster, with a growing voice in his head. Running out of time, he must join forces with other residents of the building to find the cause of the transformation and fight to survive in this grim new world, while trying to keep his humanity.

Exiting a convenience store, Subaru Natsuki finds himself in a lively town inhabited by both humans and demi-humans, where dragons and carriages serve as modes of transport. Realizing this is not modern-day Japan, Subaru assumes he’s now a protagonist in a fantasy world with immense magical abilities. His hopes are soon dashed when he encounters a group of attackers. A silver-haired beauty named Satella comes to his rescue while looking for her lost insignia. Feeling indebted, Subaru decides to help Satella in her search, leading them to a pawn shop. Expecting to recover the insignia, they instead face a deadly encounter with an assassin, resulting in their demise. Miraculously, Subaru doesn’t find himself in the afterlife but instead returns to the same spot in broad daylight, as though nothing had happened. Thus, his existence in this alternate world begins anew, a mystery he must unravel.

In this annual event, a randomly chosen class is transported to an isolated area to participate in a lethal competition where only one can survive. Shuuya Nanahara and the other students from Shiroiwa Junior High's Class B believe they are embarking on a routine school trip until they discover their true destination: the battleground known as The Program. When they awaken, the 42 students find themselves trapped on an island, each equipped with a metallic collar that will detonate if certain rules are broken. Their objective is to eliminate every other participant to win their release. While each student devises their own strategy, Shuuya aims to both escape the island and abolish this murderous game altogether.

In the middle of Japan's severe economic collapse, Shiina Nagasawa turns to prostitution to support her family after her father's bankruptcy. At a gathering of influential government officials, she finds herself exploited by these powerful men. Suddenly, a masked figure bursts into the event, and she recognizes him as her classmate, Shou Hazama, who calls himself "Akumetsu." He confronts the former finance minister, accusing him of various crimes before violently killing him and dragging the body to the lobby. Despite being shot, Akumetsu mysteriously removes his own head. The next day, a confused Shiina returns to school and sees Shou Hazama alive and well in class. How can he be alive, and what does he intend to do now?

In a world devastated by a pandemic that kills 15% of the population and weakens many others, a secret organization called Propater takes control over most of the planet, overthrowing the United Nations. A young boy and girl, immune to the disease, grow up in an abandoned virology lab and barely escape an attack by Propater. Twenty years later, the boy has become the most powerful drug lord in South America. He secretly supports his son's efforts to avoid Propater while the son joins forces with Nomad mercenaries, some of whom are former Propater agents, to fight the organization. The story unfolds through multiple subplots involving terrorism, human enhancement, the struggles of developing nations, and the conflicts between drug cartels and Propater. Heavily inspired by Gnostic mythology, the main characters are named after Gnostic deities and fulfill corresponding roles.

The Fable is a legendary hitman who has successfully carried out countless assignments for various clients. After his most recent contract, the number of his recent victims reaches a concerning level, forcing his employer to order him into hiding for a year. His handler suggests that blending in with ordinary civilian life could provide useful insights for future missions. Accompanied by his driver, the Fable takes on a new identity alongside her, posing as brother and sister. However, their superior warns them that if the Fable takes a life during this period, both of them will be executed. This marks the beginning of the one-year hiatus for Akira and Youko Satou from their criminal activities.

Ash Lynx, a strikingly handsome young man raised under the thumb of the powerful mafia boss Dino "Papa" Golzine, has grown from a mere plaything into the unyielding leader of his own gang. Once a tool for Golzine's amusement, Ash has broken away to carve his own path, wielding ironclad control over his criminal domain. Eiji Okumura, a young photographer from Japan, arrives in New York to document the lives of street children. There, he encounters Ash, the teenage gang leader, and finds himself captivated by the enigmatic youth, while Ash is equally intrigued by Eiji's unique outlook on life. The story unfolds across the shadowy streets of New York, where a series of brutal murders all bear the cryptic mark of "Banana Fish." With their own fates tied to this mysterious phrase, Ash, Eiji, and their allies are thrust into a perilous mission to uncover the truth behind "Banana Fish," tracing its origins and seeking a way to dismantle it before chaos consumes them all.

In "Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer," college student Yuuhi Amamiya meets a talking lizard named Sir Noi Crezant, who tells him about an upcoming danger: the sorcerer Animus intends to destroy Earth using his Biscuit Hammer, a massive device stationed in orbit. The only protection comes from the princess and her Beast Knights, whose duty is to guard the princess and stop Animus. Chosen as the Lizard Beast Knight, Yuuhi initially has doubts but is soon forced to fight a golem created by Animus. His neighbor, Princess Samidare Asahina, rescues him, and he swears loyalty to her. However, Asahina reveals her true plan: she wants to prevent Animus from destroying Earth only so she can carry out her own destruction of the planet. Together, they fight off Animus's golems while gathering the other Beast Knights and helping them master their powers. As Yuuhi's connection with Asahina deepens, he must decide whether to support her scheme or save Earth, ultimately reflecting on his real nature and priorities.

After losing his parents, Shinpei Ajiro was raised alongside the Kofune sisters, Mio and Ushio, before moving to Tokyo. When he learns Ushio drowned while saving Shiori Kobayakawa, Shinpei returns to the island to grieve. However, marks on Ushio's neck suggest something more sinister. As he investigates further, Shinpei begins uncovering hidden truths. The island harbors malevolent entities, and a spectral vision of Ushio pleads with him to protect Mio, her final wish. Convinced of a dark conspiracy, Shinpei realizes Ushio's death is tied to a larger mystery. Joined by Mio and others, Shinpei fights to secure a future where he, his friends, and his loved ones can survive. Yet, each step into the mystery reveals how difficult achieving that future will be. The darkness engulfing his home island threatens everything they cherish. How many trials must Shinpei endure to uncover the truth and protect everyone?

In "School-Live!", Yuki Takeya and the other members of the School Living Club treat Megurigaoka Private High School as their true home. Their primary goal is to live on campus around the clock, promoting self-reliance and taking part in a wide range of school activities. With Yuuri Wakasa's calm demeanor, Kurumi Ebisuzawa's reliability, Yuki Takeya's proactive attitude, and the support of their teacher Megumi Sakura, the club appears to be set up for success in theory. However, living at school brings its own set of difficulties. To graduate and move forward, the School Living Club must overcome daily challenges while making the most of their student life.

In a room overflowing with trash, 24-year-old Akira Tendou watches a zombie film with vacant, envious eyes. Having spent three grueling years at a ruthless company in Japan, his spirit is utterly crushed. He can't even find the courage to confess his feelings to his lovely coworker Ohtori. Then one morning, he witnesses his landlord eating lunch—which turns out to be another tenant! The entire city is overrun with zombies, and even as he flees for his life, Akira has never felt more alive!