10 best ongoing manga for those looking to fill the My Hero Academia void

One of the flagships for the Shonen demographic for more than 10 years, Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia is also responsible for introducing a whole new generation to the world of manga.

But now that the series has reached its conclusion, many are left wondering what to read next. After all, is any other title capable of bringing forward the same feel as MHA? Here are the 10 best ongoing manga for those looking to fill the My Hero Academia void.

10. Gokurakugai

• By: Yuto Sano
• Demographic: Shonen
• Release schedule: Monthly

Set in a world where humans, beasts, and the supernatural go hand in hand, Gokurakugai follows Tao and Alma —the sole members of the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter Agency— as they take on odd jobs and work to eradicate the threat posed by the magas.

Pairing what I believe to be the most stylish character designs since Tite Kubo’s Bleach (as you can see by the image above), a solid narrative, and some of the most impressive visuals and creative paneling within its demographic, Gokurakugai is an easy pick for all looking to be impressed.

9. Make the Exorcist Fall in Love

• By: Aruma Arima (Story) / Masuku Fukayama (Art)
• Demographic: Shonen
• Release schedule: Weekly

Although a title that —like Chainsaw Man— treads the utmost limit of its demographic by touching sensitive topics and showcasing a high level of gore, Make the Exorcist Fall in Love brings forward a great mix of action and romance. In it, we follow the story of the world’s greatest exorcist, who is ordered to protect a famous artist targeted by Satan. Little does he know, however, that the one he must protect is an envoy of the demon lord. Her mission? Well, the title says it all.

8. SPY x FAMILY

• By: Tatsuya Endo
• Demographic: Shonen
• Release schedule: Weekly

The manga that started the global phenomenon, Spy x Family follows the story of Twilight, a secret agent tasked with forming a fake family as part of an infiltration mission that could change the world’s fate. But his mission won’t be easy, as both his daughter and wife also have secrets of their own.

Featuring way more similarities to a slice-of-life manga than an action-oriented one, Spy X Family can be seen as the ideal pick for those looking for a cozy title that can still shake you to the core when the time is right. On another note, the series’ slow pacing might make it a frustrating read for some after a while.

7. Chainsaw Man

• By: Tatsuki Fujimoto
• Demographic: Shonen
• Release schedule: Weekly

One of the most talked about manga in recent years, Chainsaw Man tells the story of Denji, an orphan whose life is ripped apart after a tragedy sees him become one with the Chainsaw Devil.

Considered by many as Tatsuki Fujimoto’s magnum opus (which says a lot given how well-received Fire Punch and his one-shots are), the manga pairs his unpredictable and unapologetic narrative style with merciless fighting sequences. That combination results in some of the most ruthless and out-of-pocket moments within the demographic, many of which will stay with you whether you like it or not.

6. One-Punch Man

• By: One (Story) / Yusuke Murata (Art)
• Demographic: Seinen
• Release schedule: Bi-weekly (Irregularly released)

A safe bet for all looking to dive into the hero world once again, One-Punch Man adapts the webtoon of the same name and follows the story of Saitama, a hero capable of defeating any threat with a single punch.

Although its premise might make any conflict seem pointless, the series makes it work by relying on a strong cast of supporting characters to build momentum. Yusuke Murata’s artwork is also a huge draw here, as the artist manages to showcase movement in a way I don’t believe any other in the market can.

5. Jujutsu Kaisen

• By: Gege Akutami
• Demographic: Shonen
• Release schedule: Weekly

To open our top five, we have Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen, which tells the story of Itadori Yuji, a student whose life changes after being tangled with that of the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna.

Already dashing toward its conclusion, JJK still stands strong as one of the pillars of the battle shonen sub-genre, given its strong cast of characters and tendency to throw curved balls at readers, for better or worse. Akutami’s creativity when the subject is special abilities also deserves a mention. You can learn more about them in our 10 strongest Cursed Techniques in Jujutsu Kaisen list.

4. Dandadan

• By: Yukinobu Tatsu
• Demographic: Shonen
• Release schedule: Weekly

Following the story of high school students Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, as they get dragged into all matters of the paranormal, Dandadan can be described as what happens when you pair some of the most out-there premises imaginable with great bits of action and an engaging romance story.

But that’s only the tip of the iceberg, as even if not perfect, the series also showcases a poignant narrative that does not pull any punches and knows when to slow down, the latter of which results in unique and beautiful moments. Dandadan’s great mix of fantasy, terror, and sci-fi also helps it set itself apart as one of the most unique shonen in the market.

3. Sakamoto Days

• By: Yuto Suzuki
• Demographic: Shonen
• Release schedule: Weekly

In Sakamoto Days, we follow the story of legendary assassin Taro Sakamoto, who, after leaving the hitmen world behind and raising a family, is pulled back in the most unexpected ways.

The series shines by pairing lighthearted comedy with high-quality storytelling and a good balance of over-the-top action, the latter of which is potentialized even further by its great fighting choreography and the way Suzuki manages to make readers stay grounded even when faced with the most absurd situations.

2. Kagurabachi

• By: Takeru Hokazono
• Demographic: Shonen
• Release schedule: Weekly

Maybe the biggest representative of the new era of shonen, Kagurabachi tells the tale of Chihiro Rokuhira, the son of a legendary swordsmith who embarks on a tale of revenge after his father is murdered and his six enchanted blades stolen.

Known for its impressive art style and paneling, Kagurabachi‘s biggest draw lies in its narrative approach, which always manages to keep its momentum going, even when in chapters where the action must take the backseat. That makes the series a great pick for those looking for a story that, although fast-paced, does not neglect character development. As an arguably new serialization, the title is also the easiest among the manga in our list to catch up to.

1. One Piece

• By: Eichiro Oda
• Demographic: Shonen
• Release schedule: Weekly

The best-selling manga series of all time and my personal favorite, One Piece follows the Straw Hat Pirates in their quest to fulfill their dreams and find the legendary treasure of the former King of Pirates.

As the definitive shonen, One Piece brings forward all you can expect through action-packed battles and a narrative capable of building up to moments like no other. The title also manages to avoid one of My Hero Academia‘s weakest points by excelling in connecting readers with most of its characters, no matter how minor they might be, all while never taking the spotlight out of the bigger names.