50 Essential Manga for Libraries

Author: Tetsu Kariya
Artist: Akira Hanasaki
Publisher: VIZ Signature / VIZ Media
Compare prices for Oishinbo Vol. 1: Japanese Cuisine

Dueling father and son gourmets Yuizan Kaibara and Shiro Yamaoka challenge each other's cooking skills and peerless palates as they trade insults (and culinary tidbits) about some of Japan's most popular dishes.

Robin Brenner: "This is a series that needs a lot of help! It appeals to a lot of readers, and could branch out to foodies and cookbook aficionados. This seven-volume series is great fun for anyone interested in Japanese cuisine, and it could do a lot to defy expectations about what manga is for many new readers. So YES, ask for this! It's only seven volumes, we can afford it!"

Author/Artist: Osamu Tezuka
Publisher: Dark Horse
Compare prices for Astro Boy Vol. 1 & 2

When Dr. Tenma loses his only son Tobio to a traffic accident, he vows to bring him back to life as an atomic-powered robot. While Tenma eventually rejects his robot creation as his son, Atom goes on to use his super-strength become a hero to the world.

Astro Boy is one of Osamu Tezuka's most famous and beloved characters. While these stories are over 50 years old, many of them have been adapted as animated films and reinterpreted for new generations. While it's not the latest manga sensation, Astro Boy is an important part of manga history that deserves a spot in every library.

Author/Artist: Koji Kumeta
Publisher: Del Rey Manga
Compare prices for Sayonara Zetsubou-Sensei Vol. 1

Nozomu Itoshiki is an emo educator who is constantly in despair. When his latest attempt to commit suicide is thwarted by his exceptionally cheerful student Kafuka, Itoshiki discovers that his class is filled with girls who are even more neurotic than he is.

Robin Brenner: "This is one that needs help if folks want to see it in their library. It's a tough sell to a casual reader who's not 1) already into manga, and 2) willing to engage with the in-jokes that make it funny. I purchased it for my library, but it's not a crazy circulator, so I'll likely get other more popular titles before I keep going with this one."

Author/Artist: Karuho Shiina
Publisher: Shojo Beat / VIZ Media
Compare prices for Kimi ni Todoke Vol. 1

Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine... for a horror movie. With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, she's often mistaken for Sadako, the ghost girl from The Ring. But Sawako isn't scary — she's just shy. So when one of the most popular boys in school befriends her, can this change how people see her?

Robin Brenner: "Of all the shojo series out there, this one is likely being lost in the shuffle of more recognizable names. I hate to say it but Japanese titles sometimes befuddles folks. Even if it is recommended verbally, it's harder to spell, so it gets confusing for librarians to track down a title."

Author/Artist: Kou Yaginuma
Publisher: VIZ Signature / Vertical
Compare prices for Twin Spica Vol. 1

At age 13, Asumi is an aspiring astronaut who has just won a spot at an exclusive space academy. But passing the written exam is only the first of many trials ahead of her. Asumi is not only small for her age, but she also must win the trust of her competitive classmates, and overcome her own fears, borne from a tragic event from her childhood.

Robin Brenner: "This is a relatively new title, so the fact that several libraries already have it in its collections is decent. Still, recommendations will always help boost this number."

Author/Artist: Kio Shimoku
Publisher: Del Rey Manga
Compare prices for Genshiken Vol. 1

When college freshman Kanji Sasahara decides to join "The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture" (a.k.a. Gendai Shikaku Bunka Kenkyūkai or Genshiken for short), he finds himself immersed in the strange and wondeful world of otaku culture, or the superfans who are obsessed with manga, anime, video games, toys and cosplay.

In the pages of Genshiken, readers are taken on an insider's tour of modern otaku culture. From the world's most intense fan-run comics festival Comiket (called "Comicfest" here) to the streets of Akihabara and beyond, Kio Shimoku gives readers a hilarious look inside the lives of some quirky but loveable otaku.

Author/Artist: Yellow Tanabe
Publisher: Shonen Sunday / VIZ Media
Compare prices for Kekkaishi Vol. 1

By day, Yoshimori Sumimura and Tokine Yukimura are childhood friends, neighbors and classmates. But by night, they're kekkaishi or barrier masters, who must fight against supernatural creatures who are attracted to their school, which just happens to be built above a sacred site that makes demons more powerful.

Kekkaishi offers something a bit different than most shonen manga: funny and likeable characters who interact with each other in interesting ways, other than just endless fights against ever-more-powerful opponents. The Kekkaishi anime series is now airing on Cartoon Network, which only adds to its appeal with readers.

Author: Miyuki Kobayashi
Artist: Natsumi Ando
Publisher: Del Rey Manga
Compare prices for Kitchen Princess Vol. 1

Najika is an orphan who loves to cook. When she leaves her home in rural Hokkaido to attend the exclusive Seika Academy, she has but one thing on her mind: she wants to find the "Flan Prince" of her childhood, a boy who cheered her up by giving her a cup of custard flan. Najika finds that her "prince" is one of her classmates — but can she find the right recipe to win his heart?

Kitchen Princess is a sweet and satisfying shojo manga story filled with fantasy, romance, drama and tasty recipes that even beginners can try to create culinary magic in their kitchen.

Author/Artist: Fumi Yoshinaga
Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Compare prices for Flower of Life Vol. 1

Harutaro Hanazono is a happy-go-lucky high school student who's the new kid in class. He missed a year of school due to a bout with leukemia, but he's too upbeat to dwell on the past. As he settles in, he finds that his class is full of interesting characters, including an aspiring comics creator, a super otaku and his "kind of gay" homeroom teacher.

Robin Brenner: "I'll never quite understand why this Yoshinaga series is not collected by more libraries, although the long gap between Volume 3 and Volume 4 may have to do with why Volume 4 is not nearly as represented, even in libraries that have volume 3."

Author/Artist: Jiro Taniguchi
Publisher: Fanfare-Ponent Mon
Compare prices for A Distant Neighborhood Vol. 1

Middle-aged salaryman Hiroshi Nakahara accidentally takes a train ride back to his old hometown to visit his mother’s grave. Then for reasons he can’t explain, Hiroshi is transported back in time, and discovers that he’s an 8th grader again, but with all of his adult memories intact. Can he, or should he try to change the decisions he made before? But more importantly, can he find his way back to the present day, or is he stuck in the past?

This Eisner Award-nominated story is complete in two volumes, so its easy to collect. It's also a satisfying mid-life crisis manga for older teens and grown-ups alike.