7. Itaewon Class Vol. 1 (2024) by Kwang jin
The release instantly succeeds in building up Saeroyi Park as a morally righteous teenager who adheres to a family code, setting his life on a difficult but admirable path. The most straightforward route with revenge tales is to make a detestable ‘villain’ deserving of hatred, eliciting a quick emotional response. Thankfully, “Itaewon Class” blurs the line ‘good vs evil’ enough that the focus becomes entirely on establishing Saeroyi. Notably, the story encompasses much of Saeroyi’s youth before and after his father’s death, yet it does so with a clear direction that hits key points with a strong emotional focus. In addition, the headstrong and upbeat Sooah Oh comes across as charming and sincere, making the potential romance between them as exciting a prospect as the potential revenge.
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8. Gannibal Vol. 1 (2024) by Masaaki Ninomiya
In an era where zombie and body horror have never been more popular, “Gannibal” stands out as a distinctive take on the genres. From the opening pages, Ninomiya begins to paint a vivid picture of the Kuge Village dynamics and the strange veil that appears to shade the residents to the antics of its most suspicious family, the Gotos. While it’s clear to both the readers and Daigo that there’s more to his new assignment than meets the eye, the mangaka makes sure to weave just the right amount of action, gore, and mystery throughout every scene to maximize the suspense and keep readers wondering just who, or what, the real villain is. It creates the type of ominous, foreboding tone that keeps you consistently turning the page for more without relying on overutilized scare tactics or unsatisfying reveals. Like most genuinely captivating horror stories, every moment, act, and outcome answers just enough questions to keep you invested without giving everything away at the same time. There are no wasted interactions or jump scares just for the novelty of it. (Nubia Jade Price)
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9. Adults’ Picture Book New Edition Vol. 1 (2024) by Kei Itoi
The lack of emotion and a focus on duty could change throughout the series, but as an initial draw, it does more than intrigue the reader to try to piece together how this odd family of three came together. There is a naive innocence to the characters that is utterly endearing, and the minimal push to reveal their reasoning gives the story an almost serene flow. As such, “Adults’ Picture Book New Edition” almost feels better suited for cinema than comics, as one would gain more from viewing the pauses and mannerisms than trying to piece together both Souchi and new mother Fusako as individuals. Specifically, why they may have willingly taken on parenthood despite both having a cold exterior could be hinted at in subtle actions towards Kiki.
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10. God Bless the Mistaken Vol. 1 (2024) by Nakatani Nio
The execution of the concept behind “God Bless the Mistaken” is deceptive in how the ever-changing environment (bugs) takes central focus, but it is character development that makes up the backbone of the story. For example, one ‘bug’ that causes the entire world to be able to walk upward in the air gives Kon the chance to see the world from above and offers a rather picturesque view of childhood wonderment. Still, his compassion brings him back down to spend the evening watching the sunset with Kasane instead, showing his empathy for her being able to tap into the phenomenon, overriding his own desires.
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11. Uncanny: The Origins of Fear (2024) by Junji Ito
A mash-up of auto-biography with art, Junji Ito’s “Uncanny: The Origins of Fear” offers a perfect mix of manga and introspective musings from the number one purveyor of horror in the medium. This gives insight with panel examples of how Ito came to envision some of his greatest creations, like the ever-vigilant killer “Tomie” and his madness-inducing Uzukmaki. A multipurpose novel x manga, Uncanny: The Origins of Fear is as insightful into the mindscape of Ito as it is inspirational for any aspiring manga creator.
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12. Tokyo These Days (2024) by Taiyo Matsumoto
Besides the beautiful covers of each volume, “Tokyo These Days” was one of the best series to collect in 2024. Focusing on the real struggles of publishers and creatives within the manga industry and showcasing the landscape of Tokyo, it was perfect for physical media buyers to support. The art is also realistic and personal, resonating with the charm of classic Gekiga manga in both visuals and flow. Highly personal stories interwoven with one another, Taiyo Matsumoto, reminded us that the power of the medium is at its best when conveying the beauty and hardships of real life.
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