Looking for some manga

[Dist]

I'm looking for some manga .. The only requirement is a good story that pulls you in. I hardly read manga so I have no idea what is out there. However, do not suggest a manga if anime version exists of it as with 99% probability I have seen it.

The manga has to be (obviously) translated but it doesn't have to be official translation. I'm going to be reading these on my phone with PocketManga app.
However I must express strongly that if you're going to suggest a scanlation the translation MUST be good. I just finished reading Rave Master and although I really liked the series itself, the '' translation '' (only available, and can hardly be called translation..) hardly let me enjoy the series :x

Also instead of just giving a huge list of names please explain a lil about the manga/your opinions so I'll know which ones to try out.

Thanks & cookies to those who reply.

[Flower]

Hmm ... I will hop in with Yotsuba. It is a comedy from the same author who did Azumanga Daioh, but I have come to really like the characters - esp the main chara Yotsuba. Sort of like a Japanese version of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes except more innocent and naive and less devious and plotting as Calvin himself. I have found the series to be quite refreshing.

May not be your taste, though - are there any genres you like (or do not like) in particular?

[MisaoFan]

I really liked Sayonara Piano Sonata : it's a heartwarming romance manga with some music and an excellent translation, though it wasn't finished (although it's based on a finished 4-volume LN).

[MUAHAHAHAHAHA]

Let's see...copy and paste and here it comes:

Originally Posted by MUAHAHAHAHAHA

I recommend Bitter Virgin. Daisuke Suwa is attracted to a girl in his high school, who has a dark secret. Once he discovers her secret, he finds himself falling for her. This manga is pretty heavy IMO because it deals with some pretty mature topics, such as abortion, rape, teen pregnancy.....This manga is finished and only 30 chapters long. Both the hero and heroine are not characters that would exactly make you go "Wow", cause they are ordinary. Yes, ordinary. This is what I like about them. They are not characters with exaggerated skills that seem to be the case for some romantic comedy titles. I was not impressed with them initially, but these two people slowly grew on me. About the ending, I am not sure if you will like it 100% but I will just say here beforehand that it is a realistic ending.

The translator for this manga is Solaris-SVU. They have translated many mangas in the past, and I have been their loyal follower. I can assure you will not be disappointed by their work.

[MeoTwister5]

Are you familiar with Adachi Mitsuru's work?

[Dist]

Originally Posted by Flower

Hmm ... I will hop in with Yotsuba. It is a comedy from the same author who did Azumanga Daioh, but I have come to really like the characters - esp the main chara Yotsuba. Sort of like a Japanese version of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes except more innocent and naive and less devious and plotting as Calvin himself. I have found the series to be quite refreshing.

May not be your taste, though - are there any genres you like (or do not like) in particular?

As I said, I am looking for manga with a good story that pulls you in. Frankly I don't think Yotsuba is anywhere close there. Any comedy / 4-koma manga probably does not fall into what I am looking for if that's all they are. If it was action w/ comedy that would be different, however.

When it comes to anime I can watch almost anything except mecha but I'm not too sure on manga yet .. So for now I need story-driven manga that keeps me interested in it.

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

Are you familiar with Adachi Mitsuru's work?

I forgot to mention that I need something fairly new. For anime I usually look for anime that is made only in 2000's. For manga it can be older since even some old manga can look good. What's important that I do not like the '' old look '' of anime/manga, which for example, Cross Game falls to even though it is fairly new. Say what you will but I just can't read/watch old stuff.

[Flower]

Ah ha ... okay. That's a little more specific then.

To be honest I was drawn in to the Yotsuba manga, but you want something a little more ... erm ... "energetic" I guess? That's a problem for me as I tend to like the slower paced series that explore human behavior or relations between people and whose charas I really come to care about - whether slice of life, comedy, drama, romance, sci fi or fantasy settings I look for those elements.

That being said, you might try 7 Seeds. It is a post apocalyptic survivalist story storyline that I have enjoyed quite a bit thus far. I believe 21 volumes have been tl'd thus far?
You also might try the manga of Elfin Lied. It is way darker than the anime, I am told, but I was very moved by it. These may fall into the category of "old look" for you, though.... Hmm.

While it is not "action'y" in the sense of martial arts or mecha or such, you also might try The World God Only Knows. They just finished a long arc and I have really enjoyed it thus far. There are 191 ch tl. I have also really enjoyed Gakuen Alice. They are up to 165 ch tl I think, and while the story starts out feeling like it is aimed at a younger audience it gets serious pretty quick.

Also, as an aside, does it have to be the manga format? What about novels?

[MisaoFan]

Originally Posted by Flower

Ah ha ... okay. That's a little more specific then.

To be honest I was drawn in to the Yotsuba manga, but you want something a little more ... erm ... "energetic" I guess? That's a problem for me as I tend to like the slower paced series that explore human behavior or relations between people and whose charas I really come to care about - whether slice of life, comedy, drama, romance, sci fi or fantasy settings I look for those elements.

That being said, you might try 7 Seeds. It is a post apocalyptic survivalist story storyline that I have enjoyed quite a bit thus far. I believe 21 volumes have been tl'd thus far?
You also might try the manga of Elfin Lied. It is way darker than the anime, I am told, but I was very moved by it. These may fall into the category of "old look" for you, though.... Hmm.

While it is not "action'y" in the sense of martial arts or mecha or such, you also might try The World God Only Knows. They just finished a long arc and I have really enjoyed it thus far. There are 191 ch tl. I have also really enjoyed Gakuen Alice. They are up to 165 ch tl I think, and while the story starts out feeling like it is aimed at a younger audience it gets serious pretty quick.

Also, as an aside, does it have to be the manga format? What about novels?

Aside Yotsuba& and 7 Seeds, the other titles you suggested are adapted into anime, so read the OP post : he want to read manga that aren't adapted into animes.

[Classified Info]

Since noone suggested it so far, here you go:
Onani Master Kurosawa: it's about a guy that has the habit of masturbating in girl's bathroom, at school, until one day he's discovered by a girl who makes a pact with him. Now, i won't go further in the details, but i do understand that with only this little synopsis, you'll surely be mislead, and so i'll warn you: this manga isn't an ecchi and comedy title, and despite the introduction, that may seem a little funny, it really is serious (It's a seinen). It's the first title that really made me feel the same emotions of the protagonist, and once again, i assure you that you'll like it.

Sadly the intro is too much misleading, and people at the beginning tend to see it as "Fap Note" (and you'll get why), but that's only it: an introduction. The story will soon turn into a serious romance and... can't say anymore. Just enjoy it, as i did, and don't mind the fapping.

EDIT
It hasn't got an anime adaption, and can easily be found translated online

[Flower]

Originally Posted by MisaoFan

Aside Yotsuba& and 7 Seeds, the other titles you suggested are adapted into anime, so read the OP post : he want to read manga that aren't adapted into animes.

Oops! Missed that ... my bad.

In that case let's just stick with 7 Seeds, then.

[Elegance]

Angel Densetsu(completely translated)-a funny manga with some romance here and there. Its about a nice and honest boy who likes to help people, but only one thing goes against that. He has a scary deliquent face which everyone is afraid of. He transfers into a new school and many misunderstandings made him look and sound like a terrible person. Good story.

Denpa Kyoushi(28 chapters translated)-i loved this one. Its like a mix of Great teacher onizuka and the world god only knows with a bit of technology. It is about a neet who loves anything about anime,manga,figurines,all that. He use to be a genius in physics, but does nothing but stay home. Thats when his sister gets tired of it and got him a teaching job. A very funny and really interesting manga

Holyland(completely translated)-its about a boy who use to get picked on alot but loves going into the streets. Its known as his holyland. Throughout this manga you will see how he will protect his holyland and meet characters along the way. Really loved this manga if u like some realistic fighting.

Noblesse(238 chapters tranlated) -this a webcomic manwha about a person who has "awakened" in a casket. He has been asleep for a long time and civilzations has changed. He goes into school and meets one of his underlings the principal at the school. This a action packed manga that is really good.

Tower of God(100 chapters translated) -another webcomic manwha about reaching the top of the tower. The main character, Baam, is a lonley person with only one friend. That one friend wanted to go up to the tower leaving baam. He didnt want that so he tried to follow her. He goes through obstacles and meets new friends along the way. Many twists and turns happens. Love the second arc of it.

Tired of Explaining ;l
Onani Master Kurosawa(i second it and fully translated)-parody, psychological, comedy
Eden: Its an Endless World!(fully translated)sci fi, mature
Superior(fully translated)-romance, fantasy, action, comedy
Bambino!(fully translated)-cooking, drama
Ubel Blatt(chapters 104 translated)-action, tragedy
Kangoku Gakuen(also known as prison school chapters 40 translated)-comedy, ecchi

Now i deserve a cookie

[Dist]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, though do keep them coming.

Also thanks to the kind anonymous person who left a negative rep for my previous post. It is always nice to see that I'm not allowed to reject suggestions and explain why in my own thread -_-. If the person happens to read this, it would be nice to know how exactly am I supposed to explain and narrow down suggestions based on my likes if I'm not even allowed to say why I would not like a certain manga -_-.

[creb]

A story that sucks you in and doesn't have an anime adaption is an awfully broad scope to try to come up with suggestions for.

However, here goes with three story-driven manga:


Eden: It's an endless world!

Taken from tvtropes:

Eden: It's an Endless World! is a cyberpunk manga by Hiroki Endo set in the aftermath of a global plague that has radically altered the social and economic stature of the world, and tells the story of Elijah, the son of freedom fighter Enoah Ballard, who opposes Propater, a global pseudo-religious organization that tried, more or less successfully, to launch a coup d'etat on the entire world. Not entirely successful, they kidnapped Elijah's mother and sister to keep Enoah from opposing them too much. Elijah fled Propater by escaping to South America with his father's combat robot for protection. Over the course of the story, he meets and joins forces with a variety of different, well developed characters, all with their own motivations, problems, morals and ethics, relationships and agendas.

The story deals heavily with relationships, especially family relationships, religion, drug abuse, death and morality. The complex relationships between characters avoid many forms of easy classifications, and many of the characters fail to fall into stereotypical molds.

Still here? OK, let's dig in a bit deeper. The series is perhaps best described as Ghost in the Shell turned up to 11. Eden is extremely violent, filled with explicit sex and nudity, lots of philosophy, even more religion, and moral ambiguity in ways that would make Alan Moore proud. Characters are regularly killed off, beaten, wounded, tortured, crippled, and raped by villains and heroes alike; and The Messiah, despite the religious overtones, is a minor character.

All I'll add to that fairly succinct description is that the story really evolves over the 18 volumes it spans, and it's quite a journey when you finally finish. And, it's completed, so you don't have to deal with catching up and then anxiously waiting for the next release.


Vinland Saga.

Vinland Saga is set in Dane-controlled England at the start of the 11th century, and features the Danish invaders of England commonly known as Vikings. The story combines a dramatization of King Cnut the Great's historical rise to power with a revenge plot centered on the historical explorer Thorfinn, the son of a murdered ex-warrior.

Unlike so much of Japanese manga/anime that deal with other cultures, there's little to no Asian spin to to this story (not that there's anything wrong with that). If I didn't know better, I'd never have known it was a Japanese author in the first place.

The only downside is that the manga is still ongoing, so once you catch up, you'll have to suffer the painfully slow updates.


Gunslinger Girl

Technically, an anime (two) has been done, but it only covers the first 1/4 of the manga, so I'm going to go ahead and include it.

Taken from Fanboy Review:

Yes, as the first few pages of the comic will tell you, this story revolves around little girls who have been rebuilt as cyborgs so they can be used as assassins for the Italian government. The organization in charge of all this is known as the “Social Welfare Agency,” and on an official level, exists to help children who are disabled, either since birth or due to accidents. What everyone else doesn’t know is that after allowing these little girls to walk again with their advanced cybernetic enhancements, the agency then brainwashes them and turns them into unstoppable killing machines.

This all seems sort of…well…villainous, I suppose, but most of the girls seem happy enough. One of them, Rico, is incredibly grateful to have a working body for the first time in her life. But I suppose this becomes creepy in its own way; it’s definitely odd to read a story where these happy little girls laugh together and are grateful to be working for the Agency as they go around shooting bad guys and anyone else who endangers their mission. It can get a bit eerie how these girls can end a life without a second thought, like it’s something completely natural. And to them, who have no memories of their lives before becoming cyborgs thanks to the brainwashing, it really is.

The idea that a drug is needed to maintain the girls is introduced early on, and this serves as a hook when the reader is told that it will eventually cause memory loss. Indeed, all of the girls subtly exhibit memory loss throughout these three volumes, none more so than the original prototype cyborg, Angelica. This drug is needed for everything from the girls’ constant “conditioning” (i.e. brainwashing) to the physical repairs required whenever they’re injured, and it effectively shortens their lifespans each time it’s used. It’s pretty clear from this that there isn’t a happy ending in the future of any of these characters, which leaves me morbidly curious about where the story’s going to go.

Each cyborg girl is paired up with an older, so far always male handler. These pairs are referred to in the story as fratello—Italian for “brother”. Part of the girls’ “conditioning” (they always use the double quotes in the manga, so it’s not just me) makes them fiercely loyal to their handlers, to the point that it’s described as being similar to love. This leads to some interesting and varied relationships between the different girls and their keepers, depending on how their personalities mix.

Gunslinger Girl makes use of an ensemble cast, so even though Henrietta seems to stand out as the main girl, the story doesn’t revolve around her and her handler constantly. The first three chapters of the manga introduce the three main fratello one by one, and the story more or less sticks to this format of focusing on one pair per chapter throughout the book. This gives it a pretty good pace and lets it flesh out all of the characters nicely; I went from barely being able to tell some of these characters apart to seeing them all as very distinctive over the course of the three volumes. I think the structure really pays off when the chapters start forming one big plot instead of just being stand-alone stories, since it lets you see the mission through the eyes of different pairs one at a time. Pretty much every character has a role to play, and I tend to really like stories that can pull that off and make it work as well as this one seems to. It also makes the missions seem much bigger and more important, since the pairs are often in completely different locations to each other.

Overall, this manga can be quite brutal. It kicks off with little girls with tragic pasts, hints that their lives aren’t expected to last very long, and has them spend what time they have shooting people up. However, I can’t help but think the tragic nature of it all makes me want to keep reading, and a lot of the characters are surprisingly optimistic about their lot. I’m someone who, to be honest, didn’t understand much about the politics or missions in the story at all—another reason I’m not usually a fan of this sort of thing, I’m sure—but I still enjoyed it so much that I think I may buy and keep reading it as it comes out. I think that shows that this story can appeal on a few different levels.

All I'll add to that description is that it appears the manga is almost done, and I'll be very sad when it publishes its last chapter, as it's been my favorite read for the last few years.

[Mangakasan]

I'm Gunnar go with mahouka koukou no rettousei

[Kmos]

Shingeki no Kyojin - Humans aren't at the top of the food chain. Giants terrorize the lands and have the fewer, remaining humans walled up. It's got survival, mystery of giants, and some surprises.

I second Angel Densetsu.

What about mangas that had bad or incomplete anime adaptions but are still ongoing or expanded beyond anime? Like: Battle Angel Alita, Beelzebub, Claymore, Kuragehime, Needless.

[Clarami]

When you have time why don't you give Immortal Rain & Orange Marmalade a shot if you're interested.