As we enter the new year, it is only right that we reflect on the most enjoyable moments of 2022. The year was filled with new anime, amazing movies, and unforgettable conventions. I was able dive into new hobbies and rediscover my love for old ones, but what I am most proud of is how much my manga collection has grown. I began reading Manga back in 2021 and have built somewhat of a mini collection with over 100 volumes as I close out the year. While I continue looking for new and exciting manga to add to the collection, there are a few that deserve shout outs.
I am an individual who can enjoy a story filled with crazy amounts of action, death, and chaos. I am also someone who loves a heartbreaking story or the cheesiest romance imaginable. This can make it hard to decide on which Manga to purchase when walking into a store like Barnes and Noble or BookOff. This year I was fortunate enough to stumble across several amazing manga that have made it into my mini collection; however, my top three remain “Given”, “Undead Unluck”, and “Kaiju No. 8”.
Given
“Given” was one of my first reads of the year and I honestly consider it one of my favorite Manga. The story centers around a group of young musicians attempting to make a name for themselves while also navigating through difficult and personal experiences. It does a wonderful job of introducing readers to each character and providing insight on each individual’s unique personality. It is filled with love, grief, stress, depression, and the everyday struggles many can relate to. The Manga was first released in 2013 and is ongoing with the English volume 7 expected to release January of 2023. There is also an anime adaptation, released in 2019, for those who want to experience this beautiful story in another format. If you need something to pull on your heart strings while sparking inspiration, this is the perfect Manga for your collection.
Undead Unluck
“Undead Unluck” was my most unexpected find of the year. After reading something as touching as “Given”, I wanted more of those same emotions. It was not until a friend shoved the book into my hands while browsing through the aisles of Barnes and Noble, that it even crossed my radar. I decided to give it a try and the rest is history. Within 24 hours of reading volume one, I was online ordering the next few volumes. The story is so different than anything I have ever read. It focuses on two individuals who meet by fate and end up realizing how much they need one another for very different reasons. I instantly fell in love with the two main characters and was swept away by how much chemistry they have. The manga was released in 2020 with 9 volumes available in English and the 10th expected to release in January of 2023. It was actually announced that the manga will be adapted into an anime series, so if you are one who prefers to read a manga before the anime, now is your chance.
Kaiju No. 8
“Kaiju No. 8” was one that came highly recommended from several popular blog sites. It is the perfect read to follow “Undead Unluck”, as it instantly throws its readers right into the action. The story focuses on a world in which large and destructive monsters known as “Kaiju” wreak havoc at random with the only source of protection being provided by a unit known as the Defense Force. I was instantly drawn to the main character “Kafka” and was rooting for him by the end of the first volume. I caught myself laughing pretty much the entire time while reading this book and it is definitely a must read for new manga readers. The series was released in 2020 and is ongoing with 4 volumes available in English and the 5th expected to release in January of 2023. It will be adapted into an anime series, which is more reason to dive into this action packed read.
2022 was an amazing year for anime and manga fans everywhere. The number of manga to choose from continued to grow with genres catering to every type of fan. I was fortunate enough to find some amazing reads and will continue to build my mini collection in the new year.
