Manga Taisho 2025 and the Next Manga Award 2024—A Lineup of Prize-Winning Titles. Which Works Are in the Spotlight This Year?

Japanese manga, a key part of "Cool Japan," continues to capture attention from fans around the world. Every year, countless new manga are released, offering endless enjoyment for enthusiasts. But with so many titles, it's natural to wonder, "Which one should I read?" That's where manga awards can help. Works chosen through rigorous selection by expert judges are guaranteed to be top-tier. In this article, we’re checking out the winners of the "Manga Taisho 2025," the "Next Manga Award 2024," and the "Recommended Comics by Nationwide Bookstore Staff 2024."

*By purchasing or reserving products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.

A Complete Look at the 2025 Manga Awards

What is the "Manga Taisho"?

Overview of the "Manga Taisho"

This manga award was launched in 2008 by a group of volunteers. It was founded on the idea, "I want to recommend a manga I found interesting to someone, right now!" With that spirit in mind, manga lovers including bookstore staff and others have supported this award. The eligible works are those published between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year, and only titles with up to 8 volumes. This criteria shows the award’s goal of discovering hidden gems and introducing them to a wider audience.

What are the winners for 2025?

1st Place: "Arisu, Doko made mo Uchuu" ("Arisu, All the Way to Space") by Kiko Urino

2nd Place: "Robou no Fujii" ("Fujii by the Wayside") by Otto Nabekura

3rd Place: "Futsuu no Keion-bu" ("Ordinary Light Music Club") by Tetsuo Denai, Kuwahari

4th Place: "Toshokan no Daimajutsushi" ("The Great Magician of the Library") by Hikaru Izumi

5th Place: "Dokudami no Hana Saku Koro" ("When the Dokudami Flowers Bloom") by Shiho Kido

6th Place: "Shini Modori no Mahou Gakkou Seikatsu wo, Moto Koibito to Prologue kara (*Tadashi Koukan-do wa Zero)" ("Starting My Rewound Magic School Life from the Prologue with My Ex (*But Her Affection Level is Zero)") by Arin Shirakawa, Eiko Mutsuhana, Yugiri Akioka

7th Place: "Onna no Sono no Hoshi" ("The Star of the Girls' Garden") by Yama Wayama

8th Place: "COSMOS" by Ryuhei Tamura

9th Place: "Kono Yo wa Tatakau Kachi ga Aru" ("This World is Worth Fighting For") by Hatsumi Kodama

10th Place: "Doka Gui Daisuki! Mochizuki-san" ("Big Eater Lover! Miss Mochizuki") by Kamome Maruyonoka

What are the top two works about?

"Arisu, All the Way to Space" by Kiko Urino

Arisu Asahida, a beautiful and popular 6th grader, dreams of becoming an astronaut so she can get closer to the heaven where her parents reside. However, she struggles to keep up in class. People around her treat her like a spacey airhead or even a baby, but the truth is, due to an incomplete bilingual upbringing, Arisu has become a "semi-lingual," unable to properly grasp either language. The one who sees through this is a genius loner named Inuboshi. Their encounter begins to shine light into Arisu’s once-hopeless world. Can kids carrying emotional burdens still reach their dreams? This is the start of a fresh take on a coming-of-age story.

Buy the "Arisu, All the Way to Space" manga on Animate Online 👉 here

"Fujii by the Wayside" by Otto Nabekura

Fujii is a middle-aged man who, although diligent and sincere in his work, is seen as bland, unimpressive, and dull. Some even mock him. But in reality, Fujii is someone who lives life richly. He doesn't do anything particularly flashy—he strolls through parks, strums a guitar. Yet he doesn’t compare himself to others or try to dominate anyone. He simply follows what interests him, wholeheartedly. His lifestyle, though quiet, is full of richness. And this way of being slowly begins to influence and change the people around him who are bound by societal expectations. If someone like Fujii were in your life, you'd probably come to love him. Meet a new kind of hero, newly arrived in the manga world.

Buy the "Fujii by the Wayside" manga on Animate Online 👉 here 

What were some past winners of the Manga Taisho?

The following titles, now hugely popular through anime or live-action adaptations, were once Manga Taisho winners:

2016 1st Place: Golden Kamuy by Satoru Noda

2020 1st Place: Blue Period by Tsubasa Yamaguchi

2021 1st Place: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Sousou no Frieren) by Kanehito Yamada, Tsukasa Abe

Who won in 2024?

Overview of the "Next Manga Awards"

The Next Manga Awards (Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Taisho) were established in 2014 by the KADOKAWA Group. What sets this award apart is its user-driven format. Works that are predicted to be "next big hits" are submitted for consideration, and the most popular among them are announced as nominees. From there, users vote to decide the winners. There are two divisions: the Comics Division and the Web Manga Division, each recognizing standout titles with unique appeal.

Who will win the award in 2024?

〈Comics Division〉

1st Place: Kagurabachi by Takeru Hokazono

2nd Place: Mairimashita! Iruma-kun if: Episode of Mafia by Hirosha, Osamu Nishi

3rd Place: Ogami Tsumiki to Kinichijou. (Tsumiki Ogami and the Strange Everyday) by Miyu Morishita

〈Web Manga Division〉

1st Place: Futsuu no Keion-bu (Ordinary Light Music Club) by Tetsuo Denai, Kuwahari

2nd Place: Ruri Dragon by Masaoki Shindou

3rd Place: Vtuber Kusamura Shigemi Tooku ni Itte Shimatta Ki ga Shita Oshi ga Zenzen Tooku ni Itte Kurenai Hanashi by Sakamemegane (Vtuber Shigemi Kusamura: The Story of a Beloved Streamer Who Just Won’t Drift Away)

What are the top titles about?

Kagurabachi by Takeru Hokazono

Chihiro is the son of Rokuhira Kunishige, the most renowned swordsmith in the country. Under his father’s tutelage, he trains diligently, aiming to follow in his legendary footsteps. Kunishige’s famed swords are said to have ended past wars and saved countless lives. But one day, tragedy strikes Chihiro and his father. From that moment, Chihiro becomes a man driven by revenge. He sets out to reclaim all of his father’s cursed blades and destroy the sorcerers who wield them to bring harm. Wielding the powerful "En-ten" sword left behind, Chihiro cuts a path of destruction in an action-packed journey with the intensity of a blockbuster movie. His life, weighed down by sorrow but moving forward with fierce determination, is utterly gripping.

Buy the Kagurabachi manga on Animate Online 👉here 

Ordinary Light Music Club (Futsuu no Keion-bu) by Tetsuo Denai, Kuwahari

Chihiro Hatono, a high school freshman and music enthusiast, finally buys her long-desired electric guitar the day before school starts. Her goal is to join the "light music club." And so begins her high school music journey… or so she thinks. But reality doesn’t follow the sparkling teenage dream. As a naturally introverted person, even forming a band proves difficult. The club members are a bit unmotivated, and she even fails her first school concert audition. No dramatic twists here—just everyday life. And yet, it’s exactly this “utterly ordinary” vibe that captivates readers. Amid a chill, slow-paced atmosphere, where will Chihiro’s musical path lead?

Buy the Ordinary Light Music Club manga on Animate Online 👉 here 

Past Award-Winning Titles

Here are some of the past award-winning titles that went on to become major hits.

〈Comics Division〉

2021 1st Place: "Oshi no Ko" (Aka Akasaka, Mengo Yokoyari)

2022 1st Place: "Medalist" (Tsurumai Kakada)

〈Web Manga Division〉

2019 1st Place: "SPY×FAMILY" (Tatsuya Endo)

2022 1st Place: "Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You" (Jinushi)

What is the “Recommended Comics Selected by Nationwide Bookstore Staff” Award?

Overview of the “Recommended Comics Selected by Nationwide Bookstore Staff”

This comic award is based on a survey of bookstore staff across Japan, asking them to nominate manga they’d most like to recommend to others. Since these staff members interact with countless titles daily at their stores, the results carry a strong sense of credibility. Many past winners have gone on to be adapted into anime or become long-selling hits, making this award a must-check for anyone looking for truly entertaining manga.

Winners of the 2024 Award

1st: "I’ve Gotten Used to Being Alone. Currently Ignoring My Fiancé!" (Meguru Haruta, Yahiro Arase)

2nd: "Phantom Busters" (Neoshoko)

3rd: "To Walk the Universe With You" (Inuhiko Doronota)

4th: "Fall in Love, Deceptive Angels!" (Coco Uzuki)

5th: "Ordinary Light Music Club" (Tetsuo Detsunai, Kuwahari)

6th: "Mochizuki-san, Who Loves to Gorge Herself!" (Kamome Maruyonoka)

7th: "The Haunted Rental Property" (Esu Omori)

8th: "The Mouse's First Love" (Riku Oseto)

9th: "Fujii by the Roadside" (Otto Nabekura)

10th: "Host and Office Worker" (Mitsuru Kawashiri)

11th: "Ogami Tsumiki and Her Bizarre Daily Life." (Miyu Morishita)

12th: "RAI RAI RAI" (Yoshiaki)

13th: "My Neighbour, the Cat, and My Clueless Love" (Akinoko)

14th: "Super Patrol! Senpai Chojou!" (Shun Numa)

15th: "It Just Won’t Show Up in the Photo!" (Konoshima Ruka)

What’s the No. 1 Title About?

"I’ve Gotten Used to Being Alone. Currently Ignoring My Fiancé!" (Meguru Haruta, Yahiro Arase)

Lady Nicole, the daughter of an earl, is engaged to Chaos. However, he always prioritizes his childhood friend, Princess Caroline. Tired of being sidelined, Nicole decides to visit the market alone one day—and realizes, "Being by myself is actually fun!" She enjoys browsing, eating, and spending her time freely without constraints. Thus begins her carefree “solo life,” while still technically engaged. Naturally, Chaos isn't too happy about it... This unique twist on the “noble lady” trope explores the joy of living life on one’s own terms.

Buy the I’ve Gotten Used to Being Alone. Currently Ignoring My Fiancé! manga on Animate’s online👉 here.

“Recommended Manga by Comic Editors from Other Publishers” Ranking

1st: "It’s Just a Story About a Peacock." (Motoki Koide)

2nd: "Akuta’s Last Moments" (Mariko Takeya)

3rd: "I Want to Fall in Love That Helps Me Forget You" (Yuu Yuki)

4th: "Thank You for Taking Care of My Daughter, Mari" (Chitose Kaido)

5th: "Goodbye, Miniskirt" (Aoi Makino)

What’s It’s Just a Story About a Peacock. About?

"It’s Just a Story About a Peacock." (Motoki Koide)

Yakurou Kuji, a high school teacher, is dumped by his girlfriend of five years for “not being manly enough.” But isn’t the world embracing gender freedom now? Just as he begins to doubt himself, he meets Akano, the head of the biology club. Using the example of how peacocks evolved their extravagant feathers, she explains the relationship between attraction and biology. Her brutally honest truths crush Kuji, but she also proposes a plan to help him get back together with his ex. This offbeat romantic comedy blends biology and love in unexpected ways.

Buy the It’s Just a Story About a Peacock. manga on Animate’s online 👉here 

Past Award-Winning Titles

With picks chosen by both bookstore staff and professional manga editors, many of the past winners have gone on to major success.

2016 1st Place: "Delicious in Dungeon" (Ryoko Kui)

2019 1st Place: "Jujutsu Kaisen" (Gege Akutami)

2022 1st Place: "Dandadan" (Yukinobu Tatsu)

Keep an Eye Out for the Next Big Hit

Manga writer Dai Igarashi has introduced the latest winners of Japan’s three major manga awards. One of these titles may soon be adapted into an anime or live-action film and become the next big hit—so be sure to check them out now while they're still fresh!