Easy-to-read Manga: Our Top 8 Picks for Studying Japanese

Learning Japanese can be hard and frustrating at times. Especially if your native language is vastly different in terms of grammar and intonation. 

Fortunately, there are ways you can make learning a hard language more fun, and Japanese has a unique advantage in this regard. 

Manga is a style of Japanese comic that's world-famous for its quirky storytelling and distinct style that instantly captivates readers.

Reading manga can be a great tool if you’re learning Japanese. Thanks to the expressive art style, these page-turner comics not only give you words to read but also provide you with context via images. This allows your brain to make natural connections between words and objects or events, and form organic neural pathways, similar to how we learn our first language as a baby.

However, mangas are a dime a dozen in Japan. In fact, most manga series get a new installment every single week with hundreds of volumes available, which is why it may be hard to know which are the best and the most beginner-friendly ones at first sight.

So, if you want to dive into the world of Japanese comics and get started with some easy-to-read mangas for Japanese beginners, keep reading. I’ll share some of the best beginner-friendly mangas in Japanese, but also some more intermediate-level ones for those who have mastered the basics.

Without further delays, let’s get on with our list.

Pokémon: Adventures

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Le Wagon Tokyo Coding Bootcamp (@lewagontokyo)

Level of Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate

Best Choice For: Adventure lovers, ‘90s Kids, and pocket-sized monster enthusiasts.

If you can find a single person who doesn’t know what Pokémon is, there’s a good chance that they at least know what the beloved mascot of the series Pikachu looks like. 

The Pokémon manga series is the popular, long-running manga counterpart of the highest-grossing media franchise in the world, Pokémon. 

In fact, there are multiple Pokémon manga series, and the original one even predates the anime, which is arguably the more popular medium for the franchise.

While the original Pokémon manga series, simply called “Pocket Monsters”, did come before the anime series, a better, more beloved manga series came a year after the anime started in 1997, and it’s called Pokémon Adventures. This manga is still ongoing and is considered the best Pokémon manga among fans.

The series, just like the anime, follows young Ash Ketchum on his journey to becoming the best Pokémon trainer and, of course, catching ‘em all.

The manga is easy to read as it was originally meant for pre-teens and small children, making it great for beginners or anyone who grew up in the ‘90s and needs a good nostalgia boost.

The only potentially challenging part for beginners here is the Pokemon names and the strangely-named moves they use in battles. Still, this isn’t a big deal, and it’s even less of a problem if you’re familiar with the franchise or have played the games. The manga also has furigana text next to the kanji, which is great for beginners.

Doraemon

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Le Wagon Tokyo Coding Bootcamp (@lewagontokyo)

Level of Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate

Best Choice For: Lovers of cute mascots and cozy reads (and cat people).

It may not be as well known as some other franchises, but in Japan, Doraemon is life.

It’s arguably one of the most popular animes in the country, especially among children, and you’ll see the lovely mascot of the series everywhere. Much like many popular anime series in Japan, it also has a manga counterpart.

Doraemon is a common recommendation for beginner-level Japanese learners because its demographic is mostly kids. So, you can understand a lot of what’s being said, even if you have a small vocabulary. In addition, the level of grammar used is also quite simple.

The series follows Doraemon, a talking “robo-cat” from the future, and his buddy Nobita, a human boy. Each chapter usually focuses on Doraemon helping out Nobita and his friends in the daily struggles of being a pre-teen, so the chapter structures are somewhat predictable and the story is easy to follow.

A big reason why Doraemon is so popular in Japan stems from the fact that it’s a very old series and lots of people grew up with it. The series is also a big part of Japan’s popular culture, and reading the manga can help you understand cultural references you may be missing out on.

Doraemon’s Japanese version also includes furigana text in addition to kanji characters to help readers who can’t read Kanji, which is another reason why it’s great for beginners. In addition, there’s also an English version available with added Japanese text, but it’s only in Kanji characters.

Yotsuba&!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Le Wagon Tokyo Coding Bootcamp (@lewagontokyo)

Level of Difficulty: Beginner

Best Choice For: Escaping into a simpler world, lighthearted humor.

Yotsuba&! may not have easily recognizable characters like Pokemon or Doraemon, but is arguably the more popular option when it comes to beginner-friendly manga recommendations. 

This manga offers a slice of life in each of its chapters, and it’s surprisingly lighthearted and even downright hilarious at times. 

The story follows a little girl whom the manga is named after, Yotsuba, and her experiences through daily life. The childlike point-of-view and the charming cuteness of the character make this a joy to read, and the language is simple enough as Yotsuba is only five years old. 

As Yotsuba experiences life and learns new things, you learn with her. While the stories might be from the viewpoint of a child, adults can still enjoy this manga. In fact, you’ll find that despite it being less known outside of Japan, Yotsuba&! is very popular in Japan and is adored by people of all ages.

Like other mangas that have child main characters, Yotsuba&! also includes Furigana, which makes it an even simpler read for beginners. The manga has been running since 2003, however, unlike other popular mangas, there’s no anime counterpart to this series. All the more reason to pick up the manga!

Sailor Moon

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Le Wagon Tokyo Coding Bootcamp (@lewagontokyo)

Level of Difficulty: Intermediate

Best Choice For: Enthusiasts of magic, fantasy, and fierce demonstrations of girl power.

If you grew up in the ‘90s and want a hit of nostalgia, or need an introduction to the “magical girl” genre of mangas, this very influential hit manga series is definitely worth your while. 

Sailor Moon is a popular manga that ended its run in 1997, but its anime counterpart has received many installments since then and has run until as recently as 2016. 

As you can guess by the genre, Sailor Moon is about a young girl who’s trying to balance her mundane school life with her second, magical life. The main character, Usagi Tsukino, has secret magical powers and can transform into her alter ego “Sailor Moon”. She also leads a team of other magical girls with the purpose of finding an ancient relic.

The series is especially known for its over-the-top transformation scenes where Sailor Moon and the other magical girls in her group transform into their alter egos in a campy but charming fashion.

There are 52 individual chapters of the series, which were released in 18 volumes, so, it’s a relatively short read considering how long mangas can run for. 

The grammar structure and vocabulary used in the dialogues are also beginner-friendly. After all, the series is also about Usagi balancing her magical life with her simple high school life, which is easy to understand. Still, Furigana text is included as well for easy reading.

The Sailor Moon manga can also serve as a gateway drug to the anime series if you’re looking to get into the world of the Japanese art of anime. The anime series is abundant in new arcs and plots that push the manga’s story further, which you’ll enjoy if the manga leaves you wanting more.

Shirokuma Cafe

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Le Wagon Tokyo Coding Bootcamp (@lewagontokyo)

Level of Difficulty: Beginner

Best Choice For: A sudden rush of cuteness overload, good old-fashioned animal humor.

Shirokuma Cafe, also known as Polar Bear Cafe, is another “a day in the life”-type manga that follows a group of animals instead of humans.

This cozy, slice-of-life manga is a great recommendation for beginner-level Japanese learners as the vocabulary is very simple. Besides, there are no magical attacks or fantastic artifacts that may confuse a new Japanese learner here. 

The story follows a group of animals, more specifically, a polar bear, a panda, and a penguin, who run a cafe together. There are humans in this imaginary world as well, living in harmony with the animals.

If the setting itself doesn’t scream – or lightly shout – “entertaining” to you, the lighthearted and occasionally hilarious conversations between the lazy Panda character and the Shirokuma-kun just might hook you in.

There are four volumes of Shirokuma Cafe overall, which are all themed after different fruits and their respective colors, which makes the books even more charming. 

As the setting is quite simple, there is no advanced vocabulary or even slang words here. The sentences are also quite short and simple, which makes this one of the best beginner-friendly mangas out there. 

This is why even those who are at the very beginning of their Japanese learning journey can get started with Shirokuma Cafe. And on top of that, there’s also an anime counterpart if you like the series and want more.

Hello Kitty

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Le Wagon Tokyo Coding Bootcamp (@lewagontokyo)

Level of Difficulty: Beginner

Best Choice For: Anyone who adores cute bows, the color pink, and everything kawaii.

Hello Kitty needs no introduction as it very well might be one of the best-known Japanese multi-media franchises in the world. 

You’ll find the instantly recognizable, cutesy mascot slapped on every piece of merchandise you can think of, from stationary to food items, clothes, and more, which is a true testament to Hello Kitty’s popularity. 

So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Hello Kitty also has a manga. The story focuses on the adventures of Kitty White (the lesser-known real name of the iconic character) and was originally targeted at a younger girl audience. 

However, this works to your advantage as a Japanese learner, as the vocabulary and the grammar are pretty basic.

Besides, Kitty knows how to do an adventure right. Throughout the manga, you’ll follow her traveling through time and a strange, underground realm, scaling up the Himalayan Mountain, and even becoming an international spy at one point. 

If these stories aren’t enough to sell you on it, however, the manga also has Furigana text available. A good starting point is the Hello Kitty: Here We Go, which is the first collection of Hello Kitty mangas. If you like it, there are five more volumes you can enjoy that develop the story further.

Slam Dunk

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Le Wagon Tokyo Coding Bootcamp (@lewagontokyo)

Level of Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate

Best Choice For: Lovers of sports, basketball, team spirit, and a healthy dose of teen drama.

If you’re a basketball fan or a sports fan in general, you’ll love Slam Dunk. This is one of the greatest examples of the sports manga subgenre, and it’s a great option for beginners due to its common use of everyday language and the simplicity of the dialogues.

Slam Dunk tells a story set in the current day in a high school, which means that the vocabulary is very simple and the sentence structures are easy to understand.

Slam Dunk is about the story of the main character, Hanamichi Sakuragi, who gets transferred to a new school and joins the high-school basketball team. While he initially does this just to impress a girl, it’s revealed that he has a knack for the sport. 

So, throughout the manga, you’ll read about the struggles of the team, and how Hanamichi transforms from a troubled teen to a competent team player. Those who like the stories of the underdog being naturally talented at something (which is a common plot in mangas and animes) will especially love this manga.

Besides, in the center of the plotline are the impactful basketball matches where the stakes get increasingly higher, making this an excellent page-turner.

While the manga isn’t running anymore, Slam Dunk is still known as one of the most popular sports mangas out there. The series started in 1990 and ended in 1996, and also has an anime adaptation. There are 31 volumes available, which you’ll breeze through once you get hooked.

Oh, and Furigana text is available as well, which makes it especially great for Japanese learners.

Dragon Ball

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Le Wagon Tokyo Coding Bootcamp (@lewagontokyo)

Level of Difficulty: Intermediate

Best Choice For: Mystery and fantasy lovers, and those who want to know what a Super Saiyan is.

If you like adventure stories and a lot of action in your mangas, why not try one of the best in the genre, Dragon Ball?

Dragon Ball has a cult following, and there are a whopping 42 volumes to read up on if you get hooked.

The manga series began its run in 1984 and was finished in 1995. However, an anime adaptation was released later, with many spin-offs, so, there’s tons more content to devour if you find yourself engrossed in the world of Dragon Ball.

Essentially, Dragon Ball tells the story of Goku, who’s a young boy at the time the story begins. Goku is a martial arts trainer and he goes on adventures in search of the legendary Dragon Balls, which are magical artifacts that can summon a powerful dragon.

Of course, the story then expands. In fact, the manga is separated into two parts: Dragon Ball, which tells the story of Goku as a child, and Dragon Ball Z, which tells the story of Goku as an adult. 

While this manga can be a bit long, it’s one of the best mangas ever created. So, if it feels too daunting to get into, you can also give Dragon Ball SD a try. This is a condensed version that was released later and has two volumes. It can even be the better option for you because it’s even simpler and easier to understand as a beginner.

Lastly, as is the case with many Shonen Jump classics, Dragon Ball also includes Furigana text for easier reading that helps Japanese beginners.

Honorable Mention: One Piece

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Le Wagon Tokyo Coding Bootcamp (@lewagontokyo)

Level of Difficulty: Intermediate

Best Choice For: Enjoyers of top-notch stories and worldbuilding, pirate adventures, and an endless amount of content.

No article about mangas would be complete without the mention of One Piece, one of the best mangas ever. One Piece has been running as a manga since 1997, and there’s also an animated series accompanying it that’s still running. 

One Piece follows the story of Monkey D. Luffy becoming the king of the pirates with the support of his crew. Together, they encounter many quirky characters and go on countless adventures in their endeavor to find the “One Piece”, the ultimate treasure that was left behind by a legendary pirate. 

In addition to being a great beginner manga, One Piece also stands as a masterclass in creativity and quirky humor, as well as creating loveable characters, making it a must-read for anyone. 

While it can be tough for absolute beginners due to the Shonen characteristics it has and the convoluted and oftentimes made-up attack names, it’s still aimed at a younger audience, so, it can be a great choice for intermediate learners. Besides, the manga includes Furigana text as well.

Navigating Easy Mangas To Read in Japanese: Know Your Genres

In this post, I presented you with a variety of mangas that may be the most suitable for Japanese learners both in terms of readability and the story. That being said, while these mangas are all top-notch and are great examples of their respective genres, you may want to have other options.

I’m happy to say that there are plenty of mangas out there, and among these are many others that may be great for beginners. Of course, some of the mangas I didn’t mention here might be more to your liking in terms of story, which is arguably the biggest factor in forming a good manga reading habit, so I encourage you to research other beginner-friendly mangas yourself.

In general, one of the safest ways to tell if a manga is beginner-friendly or not is by the genre. Genres such as sports mangas and the ones that offer slice-of-life-type stories are, without a doubt, the easiest genres to read. 

Humor is another good genre for beginners, as mangas in this genre, along with sports and slice-of-life mangas, are usually set in the current day and in the real world. Going with these genres will help you avoid mangas with complex vocabulary. You’re also more likely to learn relevant words and sentence structures you can use in real life.

Japanese mangas can get quite complex, after all, especially the ones that are heavy on sci-fi or fantasy tropes. These mangas don’t just include uncommon words that won’t really be useful in daily life, but also lots of made-up vocabulary that you won’t even be able to translate.

In addition to picking the right genre, however, you can also look for Furigana text in your mangas.

Ending Note: Easy-to-Read Manga for Japanese Beginners With Furigana

As I mentioned a few times throughout this post, the addition of Furigana text makes mangas especially great for beginners. 

I have also shared this in my post about the cost of Japanese mangas, but these include a text called Furigana in addition to the Kanji text, which helps children and Japanese beginners who might not know how to read certain Kanji characters find out the right pronunciation of words. 

The addition of Furigana text not only helps you learn how to pronounce certain unfamiliar characters but also how to look them up in the dictionary. 

So, Furigana support in these animes can be a great resource in your learning journey, and choosing titles with Furigana can be an especially good way to start out.

Usually, furigana is included in titles that are simpler or tailored towards children and in the Shōnen genre, which is especially targeted to kids, with titles like Pokemon or One Piece taking the lead. 

If you enjoy cultural references as a way to learn languages, you can also check out our post on the best anime phrases you can use in daily life.