I’ve always said that manga’s greatest strength is that there are so many different kinds of stories to pick up. There’s a manga series for everyone, no matter your age or preference. There are even standalone manga titles for people who don’t want to commit! Expand your horizons to include light novels — manga’s quick-read prose cousin — and the possibilities are endless. But because of that much-lauded variety, putting together a recommendation list can be tricky. For 2021, I wanted to curate a list that features selections that are significant, that have flown under the radar, that appeal to manga enthusiasts, that a casual reader can pick up, that are intense reads, and that are comforting reads. It’s a tall order! No single list can accomplish all of that, but we still must try. So to that end, here are some of the best new manga and light novels to add to your TBR pile. Many manga titles and light novels are released each month, so it can be overwhelming to choose. Not to mention, hard on your bank account. Hopefully, this selection of best new manga and light novels gave you a good place to start. Recommended for: LitRPG fans, readers who love gaming fantasies, and people who like seeing weak characters get stronger through hard work. Recommended for: shonen manga fans, aficionados of supernatural horror, and people looking for something like Demon Slayer. Recommended for: slice of life fans, casual manga readers, and people who love music and outdoor festivals. Recommended for: isekai fans who want a change of pace from the pervasive male protagonists and their harems, readers who like relatable heroines, and people who love cottagecore aesthetics. Recommended for: classic manga fans, readers who like post-apocalyptic stories, and people who love the Mad Max films. Recommended for: fans of mystery and court intrigue, readers who love prickly, quirky, and intelligent heroines, and people who like characters with secret identities. Recommended for: fans of cute romance manga, readers who love the “popular boy befriends an unpopular girl” trope, and people who like stories where the guy has been in love with the heroine from afar for a long time. Recommended for: everyone. Previous recommendation lists: 2019, 2020
