Manga Like Mao

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.

In a world of endless snow and ice, humanity clings to survival because of the mysterious Ice Witch. The unrelenting cold has driven people to extreme lows—cults, violence, and the persecution of the Blessed, those gifted with supernatural abilities. Agnia and Luna, orphaned siblings who are Blessed with the power to regenerate, try to live a quiet life in a small community of elders. Their bond offers a brief reprieve from the harsh surroundings. But this peace is shattered when army commander Doma arrives and sets their home ablaze, killing everyone, including Luna. Doma’s cursed flames keep burning until their target is completely consumed; Agnia’s regeneration keeps him in a constant state of agony. Nearly a decade later, Agnia has learned to withstand Doma’s relentless fire. His thirst for revenge burns as fiercely as the day Luna died. Traveling through the frozen wasteland, he vows to destroy Doma and avenge his sister.

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.

Susumu Nakoshi, a middle-aged man living a double existence between a luxury hotel and a park where the homeless gather, meets a mysterious stranger who proposes trepanation—a surgical procedure that involves drilling a hole into the skull. The stranger insists Nakoshi is the ideal candidate for their experiment. Despite initial hesitation, Nakoshi agrees after his car is impounded, arranging for 22-year-old medical student Manabu Ito to perform the operation for 700,000 yen. At first, there seem to be no effects from the procedure, with Nakoshi showing no signs of abnormality. However, his world takes a strange turn when he begins seeing homunculi, tiny humanoid figures, inside every person he encounters. Transformed by this new perception, Nakoshi must confront the challenge of dealing with these homunculi.

In the shadowy depths of the English countryside lies the Phantomhive estate, a place notorious for its cold and merciless reputation as the "Queen's Watchdog" and the leader of London's criminal underworld. Following a tragic incident that claims the lives of the Earl and his wife, their young son, Ciel, unexpectedly assumes the role of the new Earl. Though initially perceived as merely a child with peculiar servants, it soon becomes clear that defying Ciel and his enigmatic butler, Sebastian, is unwise. Set against the backdrop of the late 19th century, Black Butler chronicles the duo as they navigate numerous mysteries and threats that plague England and endanger the Queen, all the while piecing together the mystery surrounding the death of Ciel's parents.

Seventeen years ago, immortal beings called Ajin, or demi-humans, first appeared on battlefields in Africa, marking a major discovery for humanity. Though the government claims they are compatible with society, rumors persist that Ajin are hunted down for cruel, secret experiments. Kei Nagai, an aloof high school student aiming to become a doctor, just wants a normal life. His world shatters when he survives a car crash that should have been fatal. After reviving, Kei is immediately identified as an Ajin due to the bounty on his head, leaving him confused by his new immortality and unable to prove his innocence. Forced to go into hiding to escape both government pursuit and public hatred, Kei is approached by a rebellious group of Ajin who urge him to fight back against human authorities. As tensions between humans and Ajin escalate, Kei must face his own loyalties and decide where his true allegiances lie.

At Suzaku High, Ryuu Yamada is known as a troublemaker and delinquent. After getting a harsh scolding for his bad grades and behavior, he notices Urara Shiraishi, the top student in their year. As Shiraishi walks up the stairs, Yamada tries to provoke her but ends up tripping and pulling her down with him. When he wakes up in the infirmary, Yamada realizes he has swapped bodies with Shiraishi. Confronting her, he learns that their accidental kiss caused the swap. With this newfound power, Yamada's chaotic high school life is only beginning.

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."

In Bungo Stray Dogs, Atsushi Nakajima, on the verge of death after being thrown out of his orphanage, finds himself without shelter or food until he saves a man named Osamu Dazai from drowning. Despite initial annoyance from Dazai's partner, Doppo Kunikida, Dazai takes in Atsushi, gives him food, and explains that they belong to the Armed Detective Agency, a group of gifted individuals who handle cases beyond the reach of ordinary law enforcement. Dazai and Kunikida then recruit Atsushi's help in tracking down a supernatural tiger that has been causing chaos in the city. Reluctantly, Atsushi joins their mission. After resolving the tiger incident, Dazai invites Atsushi to become a member of the agency. However, their situation grows even more perilous when the Port Mafia, a notorious criminal syndicate, begins targeting them. Caught between opposing factions, Atsushi must learn to control his newly discovered powers to protect himself, his new allies, and the entire city.

In the world of "Mushishi," mushi represent the most fundamental forms of life, existing without purpose or morality, simply as they are. These entities appear in countless forms, mimicking everything from plants and illnesses to natural phenomena like rainbows. Although mushi are widespread, they remain largely unknown to most humans, leaving information about them scarce. At the heart of this mysterious phenomenon lies the central question: What are mushi, and why do they exist? This question drives Ginko, a Mushishi who studies these creatures to understand their role in the complex web of life. Ginko constantly searches for clues and accounts of mushi activity, guided by the belief that understanding mushi could reveal the deep essence of existence itself.

In "Erased," Satoru Fujinuma, a 29-year-old part-time pizza deliverer, struggles to make ends meet after his dreams of becoming a mangaka failed to materialize. Despite his current state, Satoru harbors a unique ability that propels him back in time just prior to a potentially fatal situation. He refers to this power as "Revival," and it compels him to intervene and save those in danger. Satoru’s world turns grim when someone close to him is killed, and he is falsely accused of the crime. Driven by the need to clear his name and understand his circumstances, he is suddenly transported back 18 years to his elementary school days, right before the mysterious disappearance and death of his classmate, Kayo Hinazuki—a tragedy that has long shadowed him. Returning to his younger self, Satoru must now piece together the events leading up to Kayo's demise, aiming to prevent her tragic fate and uncover the identity of the killer. As he delves deeper, he wonders how Kayo's death is intertwined with the recent events in his adult life.

Following the death of his parents, high school student Kimihiro Watanuki lives alone and possesses a unique ability to perceive supernatural beings that constantly target him. These spirits relentlessly torment him, and he longs to escape their influence. While fleeing from a group of these entities, he takes refuge in a peculiar shop where he meets Yuuko Ichihara, the shop's mysterious owner, who claims she can grant any wish at a cost. Kimihiro agrees to work for Yuuko to accumulate the payment needed for his wish. Guided by her, he must venture deeper into the world of spirits and the mystical to ultimately break free. Will he be able to navigate the strange and enigmatic experiences that await him?

After World War II ends, Japanese-American veteran Kevin Yamagata creates the successful detective comic "Billy Bat." When it gains popularity, he realizes his hero, Billy Bat, already appeared in a Japanese comic before. Concerned he may have unconsciously copied art from his time in Japan, Kevin travels there to locate the original artist and ask for permission to keep using the character. While investigating Billy Bat's real origins, Kevin uncovers a disturbing chain of murders connected to the character he believed he invented.

In "The Summer Hikaru Died," Yoshiki and Hikaru have been inseparable since childhood, as the only two children their age in a remote village. Their seemingly perfect bond takes a dark turn after one particular summer. Though the person beside Yoshiki looks exactly like his friend, he feels something is fundamentally wrong—the Hikaru he knew is gone. When Yoshiki confronts this change, Hikaru reveals a monstrous form and warns that Yoshiki must accept him or face death, all while professing his love. Heartbroken but unable to let go of his closest companion, Yoshiki struggles with his emotions as he grows closer to this transformed Hikaru. Meanwhile, the village is shaken by strange events that bring growing chaos.

In "Monogatari Series: First Season," scars weave connections, monsters haunt, and deceptions abound. Koyomi Araragi's journey unfolds after a fateful encounter with an exceptionally powerful, blonde vampire known as "hot-blooded, iron-blooded, and cold-blooded," eventually identified as Shinobu Oshino. This tragic event leads to Araragi's transformation into a vampire himself. However, this encounter is just the beginning of his involvement with the supernatural. Driven by his noble nature, he becomes entangled in the lives of others plagued by paranormal occurrences. This is his relentless fight to restore a semblance of normalcy in a world overrun by sorrow, pain, and the inhuman.

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 a strange occurrence, the ghost of a young woman is discovered alone in the abandoned building of Seikyou Academy. First-year student Teiichi Niiya is the only one who can see her spirit. Resolved to solve the mystery, they set out on a quest to uncover the truth behind her death and the circumstances that preceded it.

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.

In a world where most people are born with an "Iris"—a special ability often expressed through visual cues, ranging from lie detection to predicting danger—high school student Tooru Mizushima stands out as an "Iris Zero," lacking this unique power. This rarity makes him a target for bullying, leading him to maintain a quiet and inconspicuous lifestyle. His world turns upside down when Koyuki Sasamori, a popular and outgoing schoolgirl, enters his life. Koyuki possesses an Iris that enables her to identify the ideal person for any task, and she believes Tooru is the perfect match to assist her in selecting the next student council president. Initially reluctant due to his preference for solitude, Tooru is eventually persuaded by Koyuki’s relentless and optimistic approach. As he becomes entangled in various social circles and uses his sharp analytical skills to unravel mysteries, Tooru's once solitary life as an Iris Zero starts to transform.

In the shadowy backstreets of Los Angeles' Chinatown, there exists a peculiar pet shop brimming with unusual and docile creatures. The proprietor of this establishment is the cryptic youth known as Count D. Count D welcomes those seeking solace and comfort, providing "love, dreams, and hope" through the extraordinary pets in his care. Each sale involves a unique agreement and specific guidelines, though he cautions that he cannot be held accountable for breaches of these terms. Hot-headed detective Leon Orcot links multiple criminal activities to Count D and his so-called "Pet Shop of Horrors." Driven to expose the Count as a lawbreaker, Leon starts frequenting the store.

In "Inu x Boku SS," Shirakiin Ririchiyo, born into the illustrious Shirakiin family, struggles with a profound fear that she cannot manage on her own. Determined to show her self-sufficiency, she moves into Ayakashi Kan, a residence that only accepts individuals who pass a challenging entrance exam. Each resident is assigned a Secret Service (S.S.) agent for protection. Although she initially resists this system, Ririchiyo discovers that her designated S.S. agent is the very Fox Spirit she once rescued.

Every year, the Ushiromiya family gathers on Rokkenjima at the request of their eccentric patriarch, Kinzou, whose health is failing. Most relatives believe his time is running out. As a fierce typhoon batters the island, tensions over inheritance and succession escalate within the family. Battler, Kinzou’s grandson, returns after six years away, expecting a peaceful reunion. Instead, Kinzou devises a peculiar game, challenging the family to find his hidden treasure, with the winner gaining control of the family. The game takes a dark turn when participants are threatened as sacrifices to revive the legendary Millennial Witch, Beatrice. Despite being a staunch skeptic, Battler must confront the possibility of supernatural forces or a murderer among them as the body count rises.

This narrative explores the consequences of choices, where admissions of feelings can result in either acceptance or rejection, and decisions often require sacrifice and sadness. Following his decision to save a blonde vampire and become entangled with the supernatural, Koyomi Araragi's humanity ends and he is reborn as a monster. However, this event is just one of many tragedies and critical choices he will encounter. He begins to understand that even his most resilient, painstakingly formed bonds are not eternal. As more strange occurrences unfold around him, he must grapple with difficult decisions—whether to sever ties with those he loves or remain in the realm of monsters and spirits, risking the destruction of the world. The choice to accept or reject a confession and to sacrifice everything for others also looms heavily. Both options may lead to heartache and separation. The story delves into Koyomi Araragi's realization of the gravity of his actions. This installment represents the second season of the Monogatari Series.