“Excuse Me, Do You Have Any Manga?”

I’ve been fortunate enough to work as a Youth Services librarian at the Hightstown Branch for the past 10 years. In that time, I’ve seen the rise of so many trends in teen literature, from vampire novels to dystopian stories to mysteries. I’ve enjoyed keeping up with these trends, including the newest one here in Hightstown – manga.

Manga is a form of Japanese storytelling through graphics and words. Think comic books and graphic novels, but read from right to left. Manga can be for readers of all ages and encompasses all kinds of subject matter; ranging from fantasy and romance to realistic fiction and horror/thriller to paranormal themes. In the summer of 2021, I began to get a lot of requests (mainly from teens) for various manga series. This is probably thanks in part to the fact that the anime version of many of these series can be found on streaming platforms.

Since manga and anime are fairly new to me, I did what any good librarian would do - I researched! I attended publisher webinars about upcoming series, looked into similar series to those being requested, and searched what manga our system already had. Then I began to build the branch’s collection of manga for teens and adults (a lot of series appeal to both age groups). Here are some titles that have been enjoyed by many readers (both Hightstown patrons as well as those from across the Mercer County Library System).

Blue Period by Tsubasa Yamaguchi

Yatora is the perfect high school student, with good grades and lots of friends. It's an effortless performance, and, ultimately... a dull one. But he wanders into the art room one day, and a lone painting captures his eye, awakening him to a kind of beauty he never knew. Compelled and consumed, he dives in headfirst--and he's about to learn how savage and unforgiving art can be...

Haikyu!! by Haruichi Furudate

Ever since he saw the legendary player known as 'The Little Giant' compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else? After losing his first and last volleyball match against Tobio Kageyama - 'The King of the Court' - Shoyo Hinata swears to become his rival after graduating middle school. But what happens when the guy he wants to defeat ends up being his teammate?!

I’m in Love with the Villainess by Inori

A reincarnated gamer pursues her villainous lady love at a fantasy girl's academy! When corporate worker Rei Ohashi finds herself reborn as the protagonist of her favorite dating sim, it's the perfect opportunity to do what she's always wanted--seduce the villainess! In her previous life, Rei had no interest in the princes the game had to offer; she only had eyes for Claire Fraṅois, her nemesis. Now, armed with her extensive knowledge of the game, and her undying love for Claire, will Rei finally be able to win over the woman of her dreams?

Jujutsu Kaisen by Gege Akutami

Yuji Itadori is resolved to save the world from cursed demons, but he soon learns that the best way to do it is to slowly lose his humanity and become one himself! In a world where demons feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryoma Sukuna were lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna's body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of Jujutsu Sorcerers who protect the precarious existence of the living from the undead!

Magical Boy by The Kao

Although he was assigned female at birth, Max is your average trans man trying to get through high school as himself. But on top of classes, crushes, and coming out, Max's life is turned upside down when his mom reveals an eons old family secret: he's descended from a long line of Magical Girls tasked with defending humanity from a dark, ancient evil! With a sassy feline sidekick and loyal gang of friends by his side, can Max take on his destiny, save the world, and become the next Magical Boy?

Penguin & House by Akiho Ieda

Pen the Penguin lives with his most favorite keeper in the world: Hayakawa the Human. But Pen's no ordinary penguin... He's a neat penguin! A proper penguin! Pen loves to daydream of Hayakawa's smile as he flips pancakes and folds the laundry with his teeny-tiny flippers. It's too bad Pen's human keeper is a hopelessly lazy university student – but, with a little nap and some helpful friends, Pen is ready to tackle the day!

Find MORE manga, their light novel counterparts, and anime in the Mercer County Library System (MCLS) catalog.

What are some of your favorite manga series? Comment below!

- by Miss Liz, Youth Services, Hightstown Memorial Branch