Best Action Manga of 2011

Lurking within the shadows of Tokyo are frightening beings known as ghouls, who satisfy their hunger by feeding on humans once night falls. An organization known as the Commission of Counter Ghoul (CCG) has been established in response to the constant attacks on citizens and as a means of purging these creatures. However, the problem lies in identifying ghouls as they disguise themselves as humans, living amongst the masses so that hunting prey will be easier. Ken Kaneki, an unsuspecting university freshman, finds himself caught in a world between humans and ghouls when his date turns out to be a ghoul after his flesh. Barely surviving this encounter after being taken to a hospital, he discovers that he has turned into a half-ghoul as a result of the surgery he received. Unable to satisfy his intense craving for human meat through conventional means, Kaneki is taken in by friendly ghouls who run a coffee shop in order to help him with his transition. As he begins what he thinks will be a peaceful new life, little does he know that he is about to find himself at the center of a war between his new comrades and the forces of the CCG, and that his new existence has caught the attention of ghouls all over Tokyo.

In 2011, childhood friends Yasuho Hirose and Joushuu Higashikata discover a naked man buried in the ground just outside the town of Morioh. The man has no memory of his name or previous life; the only thing he remembers about himself is how to use his Stand, a supernatural ability that takes the form of a humanoid creature. The stranger is quickly given a name, Jousuke, and Joushuu's father Norisuke decides to adopt him into the Higashikata household until he can find his own home. As Jousuke begins to investigate his past, it becomes apparent that he is no ordinary amnesiac. There is much more to his identity than he first suspected, and, as he is thrust into a series of high-stakes Stand battles, he soon begins unravelling a deadly conspiracy that encompasses the entire town.

The "God of High School" is a fierce competition held between Korean high school students to determine the best fighter among them. All styles of martial arts and weapons are allowed. The ultimate prize? The winner's deepest desire will be granted, no matter the cost. Jin Mo-Ri has been training in taekwondo under his grandfather from a young age. Obsessed with fighting, he enters the tournament to find and challenge stronger opponents. Along the way, he meets Han Dae-Wi, an expert in karate who is determined to become the champion to help his friend who is between life and death, and Yu Mi-Ra, a skilled swordswoman who wants to continue her family's legacy. Although this tournament seems simple, what more lies in store for Jin Mo-Ri and his friends? And will they be prepared to face what may come to pass?

In the crime-ridden city of Ergastulum, there exists a group of humans with super strength and speed dubbed "twilights." These twilights define the city with their constant tension with normal humans, and powerful factions of the town—the Corsica Family, the Monroe Family, the Cristiano Family, and the Paulklee Guild—use them as a means to maintain the fragile balance that exists within the city. Enter the charming human Worick Arcangelo and the deaf twilight Nicolas Brown, two long-time friends and business partners of the neutral group "The Handymen." Working as muscle-for-hire, they are willing to take almost any job asked of them in order to make ends meet. One day, they find themselves receiving a seemingly regular job from the police: kill a rival pimp and his prostitute. However, this job is not all that it seems, as it takes the pair down a dangerous path and triggers events that could change the very framework of Ergastulum forever.

Shortly after astrology predicts destruction to befall the Tang Dynasty, a coup d'état led by the crown prince Li's very own brother kills him and his wife and sons. Li's daughter, princess Yongning, manages to escape, but is soon declared dead alongside her family. Full of wrath, the princess swears to avenge them as she takes on the identity of a young man, Li Chang Ge, and moves to the Shou province to advance her goals. Li Chang Ge uses her wits to gain the trust of the Shou emperor and swiftly climbs the military ranks as a brilliant strategist. Captivatingly drawn, Song of the Long March portrays the feisty girl's adolescent journey toward countless unknown adventures, faithful comradeship, as well as formidable enmity awaiting her along the way.

The year is 2095. Magic has been tamed as another form of technology, and the practice of magic is now a rigorous discipline. Brother and sister Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba are just about to start their first year at the renowned First Magic High School of Japan. But the school's ironclad rules mean that the brilliant Miyuki enters the prestigious Course 1, while her older brother, Tatsuya, is relegated to Course 2—and that's just the beginning of their troubles!

One day in the 21st century, a gate opened in the middle of the Ginza district of Tokyo. Out of the gate poured soldiers and strange creatures, and they soon made Ginza look like an image of hell. The gate apparently connected Japan to another world, a world with a militant empire and many supernatural creatures. The Japanese Self-Defense Force decided to send a small group, led by a soldier who's also an otaku, into the other world on a reconnaissance mission. They're meant to learn what they can about the empire (and its plans), the world, and the people. They're hardly in the world yet, though, when they come across a village destroyed by a giant fire-breathing dragon. The only survivor is an unconscious elven girl they find hidden in a well. Now they feel like they must warn the nearby towns about the dragon, and do what they can to help. On the way, they'll meet more magical, female companions, and learn more about this dangerous new world.

After a long and treacherous journey, our Hero finally arrives at the Dark Lady's castle only to find himself being asked for help. The Hero explains how the war that the demons have brought upon the humans have killed thousands and put more in misery. The queen of demons however argues that this war has made the human society band together as one and showed empirical evidence how it has increased population, increased production, boosted economy and improved society overall. Furthermore, she explains to the Hero that ending this war will result in a civil war that will produce more bloodshed than there ever was. The Hero, convinced that the only way to bring peace, relatively speaking, is to join forces with the Dark Lady, agrees to help with her plans!Included one-shot: Volume 12: Level Hero!

Mahiru Shirota, an energetic 15-year-old, leads a simple life. However, that all changes, when he rescues a stray black cat he names Kuro. Seemingly an ordinary feline, Mahiru is taken aback when it transforms into a person! It turns out that Kuro is an outlandishly lazy and sluggish centuries-old vampire who does not drink blood and finds any kind of activity bothersome. Unbeknownst to him, the one thing Mahiru should not do is say Kuro's name aloud, but he does exactly that. It forms a bond between the two, meaning Kuro could become Mahiru's servant vampire—a "servamp." But as fate would have it, after a vicious attack arranged by a vampire called Tsubaki, Kuro drinks Mahiru's blood, thus sealing the deal, making Mahiru his master—"Eve." The mysterious vampire Tsubaki reveals Kuro's real name: Sleepy Ash, the sloth and oldest sibling of seven—each representing one of the deadly sins. Tsubaki, as the forgotten eighth brother representing "melancholy," wages war against all vampires and humans. To prevent bloodshed, Mahiru and Kuro now have to alert the rest of the servamps and their Eves before it is too late.

Having lasted merely two weeks, World War III has come to an end. Both Accelerator and Hamazura Shiage have returned home to the people they cherish most after overcoming their individual conflicts. The world is at peace and Academy City continues on as normal while the magicians focus their efforts on repairing the damage they took from the war. Among this tranquility, however, someone is missing. Someone who used his right hand to save a young girl while changing the tides of war along the way: the "Imagine Breaker," Touma Kamijou. However, the disappearance of the self-proclaimed ordinary high school student has not affected the majority of the world as the temporary peace is soon broken when new threats, both espers and magicians, emerge across the globe. Now, the heroes of World War III must step forth into battle once more, facing off against some of the most powerful enemies imaginable in order to protect the people they hold most dear.

Sixteen year old Emma finally arrives at the capital city Hawk Eye after escaping from being held captive for her entire life. But as soon as she arrives, every man in the city, including the king, falls madly in love with her. She is about to be forced into marriage, but is saved by a sorcerer. The sorcerer identifies himself as Shion, one of the youngest and most talented in the nation. They have met before, but Emma has no recollection. Shion explains to Emma that she is cursed with the Echidna, a mysterious magic that appears every 500 years where a girl is born with her heart packed with such powerful dark magic that it has the potential to destroy the world. With such power, one could rule the world, and Shion explains to Emma that people are going to try and hunt her down to get her heart. However, Emma is told that there exists a ritual that will rid her of the Echidna's curse but doing so will require a long and arduous process. The first of that being Emma and Shion will have to marry each other... Included one-shot: Volume 8: Karakuri Link

In 2036, a new axis was discovered in the 3D realm, creating the fourth dimension named Dimension W. Limitless power from Dimension W is supplied through devices known as "Coils," powering devices and machinery around the globe thanks to New Tesla Energy and the government's effort to harness its source. Kyouma Mabuchi, an illegal Coil collector, despises the use of this new technology. As an old-school junkie that has cars running on gas and pays for everything with cash, he is a lone wolf in a world saturated with technological advancement. However, while on the search to confiscate illegal Coils one day, Kyouma meets the gyroid Mira Yurizaki. Mira needs Coils to save her dying father, the founder of New Tesla Energy. Thus she joins the reluctant Kyouma on his duties, and together they begin solving the mysteries that lie behind the illegal modified Coils. Along the way, they also uncover the disturbing truth behind New Tesla Energy, as well as their own seemingly intertwined personal history.

Izayoi Sakamaki, Asuka Kudou, and You Kasukabe have tremendous psychic powers and are bored with the regular world. An envelope arrives for each person, and when each opens their envelope, they are stunned to see the scenery around them change to a world they had never encountered before. They've been summoned by the Black Rabbit to help the community "No Name" to overthrow the Devil King.

Captain Kwang-nam Jang of guard tribe who safeguards the city. After he passes away from mysterious car accident, stories unfold in this life and the next.

The year is 2001. Through the sacrifices of many in Part 5—Golden Wind, Giorno Giovanna and his team have defeated the boss of the crime syndicate Passione. However, for one member who split off from the team halfway, Pannacotta Fugo, his story is far from over. Giorno, who now leads Passione, wishes to clean up the negative legacy left by the former boss by eliminating the organization's drug branch. He assigns the job to Fugo, who can either accept the shot at redemption or face the consequences.

Every three hundred years, the Evil God's awakening foretells destruction and despair. To prevent this from happening, heroes known as the Braves of the Six Flowers are chosen by the Spirit of Fate, and marked with a crest as the saviors of the world. No matter what, there are always six heroes—but this time when the chosen convene, seven arrive. Adlet Mayer, self-proclaimed "strongest man in the world," is one of the seven Braves. Among others, there is also first princess Nashetania Loei Piena Augustra, loyal knight Goldov Auora, feline-esque assassin Hans Humpty, childish yet deadly Chamo Rosso, the stern Mora Chester, and loner Fremy Speeddraw. Though all are likely candidates for being Braves, there is only one explanation for the extra hero—the seventh is an infiltrator attempting to sabotage their mission and tear apart the Braves from within. With all evidence pointing to him, Adlet becomes the prime suspect, and finds himself on the run, desperately attempting to prove his own innocence. But as the clock continues to tick down, and as the Braves turn on each other, the Evil God's minions restlessly await its return.

The sequel and the continuation of Feng Shen Ji.

Hunted almost to extinction by monstrous humanoid creatures called "Titans," humanity found refuge by hiding within walled cities. However, with the passing centuries, ignorance fell upon the masses who forgot the Titan menace and have grown perfectly content to live within their fortresses. Angel Aaltonen is no different until, after witnessing the Titan's devastation firsthand, he starts to realize how fragile mankind's safe haven is. Resolved to protect his friends from the threat, the craftsman sets out to create a device powerful enough to fight the Titans. Over a decade later, Kuklo—who was discovered in Titan vomit as a baby and henceforth dubbed the "Titan's son"—finds himself freed from the cage that has held him since infancy. Aware that his life is now in his own hands, the boy soon finds a cause to live for: to meet a Titan face to face and understand why humans have only ever seen him as an object of fear. Thus Kuklo decides to join the Survey Corps, unaware that he may be the person the stagnant military unit has been looking for. Shingeki no Kyojin: Before the Fall tells two separate yet connected tales which detail humanity's struggle, loss, and determination to transcend the role of helpless prey and strike back against the Titans.

A novel centered on Dio.

In the 3rd century BC, after the First Punic War, Carthage suffered a devastating naval defeat at the hands of the Roman Republic. While the general of the Carthaginian army, Hamilcar, was forced to accede to a humiliating peace treaty, his son Hannibal Barca—an unemotive 6-year-old with an unmatched genius—was prophesied by the Carthaginians to be the destined conqueror of Rome. Years later, an adult Hannibal leads an army of 50,000 into Hispania—a peninsula under the protection of Rome—thereby triggering the Second Punic War. The Roman senate is dumbfounded, as their opponents' chances of success are thought to be slim; however, the young and prodigious Publius Cornelius Scipio quickly recognizes the threat posed by the gifted Carthaginian general. As a result of Hannibal's invasion, Scipio rallies a Roman army of 100,000 in preparation for a fateful confrontation. Based on ancient historic events, Ad Astra: Scipio to Hannibal follows two remarkable military commanders and a battle that could make or break their empires.

A near future, where humans have been defeated by the viral parasites named Gastrea. They have been exiled into a small territory and live in despair, side by side with terror. In this world trapped in darkness— Rentarou, a boy living near Tokyo and member of the "Civil Security"—an organization specializing in fighting against the Gastrea—is used to accomplishing dangerous tasks. His partner is Enju, a precocious young girl. They fight thanks to their peculiar powers until one day, when they receive a special assignment from the government. This top secret mission is to prevent the destruction of Tokyo... Set in a near future, this thrilling heroic-action story... starts now!

Set in Western Europe during times of war, Eleanor "Ellen" Vertalia, one of the Vanadis of Zhcted, leads the battle into Brune. There are, in fact, seven Vanadis, named for having each received a powerful weapon from the dragon to individually reign over seven territories. The power of the Vanadis invokes dread and fear from their enemies. An earl in the service of the country of Brune, a young archer by the name of Tigre, experienced the Vandis's power firsthand after being defeated on the battlefield by Ellen. However, Ellen chose to spare his life after witnessing his skills, but in exchange, he is asked to serve her.

The old anonymous group chat consisting of some of Ikebukuro's most peculiar residents receives a sudden addition: Saika, a cryptic user who occasionally pops up and sends messages that make little sense. Although everyone simply discards it as spam, a curious connection between Saika's messages and a recent string of slashing assaults soon forms. Dubbed the "Slasher" by the media, their rampage continues. At the same time, Anri Sonohara is advised to stay away from a teacher with a history of dating minors. Although she now has friends, Anri still suffers from bullying; during one incident, she comes face-to-face with the Slasher, becoming the first person to survive the encounter unscathed. Meanwhile, a reporter following a story about the so-called strongest man in Ikebukuro is viciously attacked by the Slasher. As the number one contender for the title of strongest man, Shizuo Heiwajima sets out on a hunt to find the mysterious aggressor. In his latest uncovering, the infamous information broker Izaya Orihara reveals that the Slasher might just be Ikebukuro's next supernatural threat.

He never asked for this power. Kojou Akatsuki used to be an ordinary high school boy—but that was before he became the Fourth Primogenitor, the most powerful vampire of all time. Worse—he doesn't even remember how it happened. Middle schooler Yukina Himeragi, meanwhile, is the Attack Mage sent to observe him—and to stop him if he gets out of control. But was it really a good idea to send a cute girl to observe a massively powerful vampire boy whose abilities activate whenever he gets aroused? And on an artificial island populated with all manner of demonic individuals, each with their own designs on the Fourth Primogenitor—?!

After Oz Vessalius plummets into the hellish Abyss on his 15th birthday, he emerges ten years later and finds only a short time has passed for him. Having forged a contract with a Chain named Alice—a being from the Abyss—he now sets out to unravel the secrets behind why he was sent there and his own past. The path towards his destination is not clear. For Oz and those he meets, it is a caucus race—a race without end. Between the various dukedoms in the past and present, many stories come to light. Whether tales of realization or woe, Pandora Hearts: Caucus Race follows many of the side characters of the original Pandora Hearts, delving into their hidden lives and motivations.

Giancarlo "Gian" Bourbon del Monte lives life at his own pace. It matters not if he is thrown in prison, because rest assured, he can leave whenever he wants to. As he is still deciding whether to give up his life of leisure behind bars, the unthinkable happens—four out of five captains of CR:5, the Italian mafia he belongs to, are arrested and incarcerated near-simultaneously. Gian knows of the captains—Bernardo Ortolani, Ivan Fiore, Luchino Gregoretti, and Giulio Di Bondone—but is familiar with only one, given that he holds a much lower rank in their organization. Therefore, it seems like a joke to be told that he has suddenly been promoted to their level. Furthermore, if he can successfully jailbreak the entire group, then he will become the next CR:5 boss. In spite of his confusion, Gian does not lack ambition, and he is not called "Lucky Dog" for nothing. He has no doubts about the future that awaits him once he brings his new friends to freedom.

Born into a world beyond imagination, imprisoned for a crime he never committed. Young Riku's life couldn't sink any lower...or so he thought. Determined to survive no matter the circumstances, Riku now faces the impossible task of outliving a prison sentence in Earth's worst penitentiary.

5 extra stories of Rin and others.

Side-story novel to the Index/Railgun. Misaka Mikoto is invited to Russia to demonstrate the abilities of Level Five in a shopping mall. There she meets a girl named Lessar.