Summary
With every year comes a whole slew of new manga to read and enjoy. At the same time, there are just as many manga that end,whether it be a satisfying final conclusion or a sudden and abrupt end.
When it comes to manga, a medium that can often run for a very long time, it can be hard to remember when a particular series ends, especially for someone not following it. There are quite a few big series that ended this year, but even fans might not be aware of that. Here are the best shonen manga that ended in 2023.
8Tenmaku Cinema
MAL Score: 7.17
Born a sickly boy, middle schooler Hajime Shinichi has always been a massive fan of movies, though he has never considered making one of his own. That all changes when he gets possessed by Takehiko Tenmaku, a scriptwriter who claims he was working with the legendary filmmaker Ryu Shirakawa. Wanting to make movies again, Tenmaku pushes Hajime to make his own movie with a script of his own design.
Tenmaku Cinemawas a new mangaby the duo that createdShokugeki no Soma. It’s a fun work that dives into the world of filmmaking, and its artwork is incredible. It didn’t last long, but it still manages to tell a complete story with as few loose threads as possible.
7When Will Ayumu Make His Move?
MAL Score: 7.51
Urushi Yaotome has a problem: she thinks her shogi clubmate and junior, Ayumu Tanaka, has a crush on her. She tries her best to get him to admit it during their club activities, but the stoic Ayumu remains steadfast in denying it. Little does she know that Ayumu does plan on confessing to her, but only after he beats her in a game of shogi.
When Will Ayumu Make His Move?is a rom-com series by the author ofTeasing Master Takagi-san, and features the same kind of fluffy and wholesome interactions that series had. Fans ofTakagi-sanwill surely enjoy Ayumu and Urushi’s love story just as much.
6Darwin’s Game
MAL Score: 7.60
High schooler Kaname Sudo receives an invitation from his friend to play Darwin’s Game, a mobile game app accessible on his phone. When he starts the game, he is given a strange power and finds himself locked in a battle royale where losing means death.
Darwin’s Gameis a death game storythat makes use of the popular battle royale trope. Fans of series that force the protagonists to maneuver alliances, conduct strategies, and fight in life-or-death battles will enjoy this series.
5Mashle
MAL Score: 7.61
In a world where magic is commonplace and one’s worth is decided by their ability in magic, Mash Burnedead has no magic ability at all. Worried about his future in a world where he will be discriminated against and persecuted, his adoptive father has him train his muscles relentlessly, turning him into a muscle monster capable of feats even magic can’t accomplish.
Mashleis an action-comedy series where the focus is on the ridiculous things Mash can do with nothing but his ridiculously powerful muscles. There are a lot of cool fights and exciting action sequences as well,so battle shonen fans won’t be unsatisfied.
4Even If You Slit My Mouth
MAL Score: 7.62
Miroku is a slit-mouthed woman whose declining reputation puts her in danger of disappearing. To maintain her own existence, she ends up engaged to Koichi Sano, an heir to a clan responsible for managing urban legends. Since Miroku isn’t happy about the engagement, Koichi offers her a deal: if she scares him once before he turns 18 in a year, he’ll end the engagement.
Even If You Slit My Mouthis a classicrom-com series with a supernatural tinge. The series' main draw is waiting to see if the two main leads will end up falling in love with each other.
3Altair: A Record Of Battles
MAL Score: 8.02
On the continent of Rumeliana, Tugril Mahmut is the youngest Pasha to ever serve in the land of Turkiye. Mahmut wants to keep war from reaching the country, but the assassination of a politician and the growing influence of the Balt-Rhein Empire make that difficult.
Altair: A Record of Battlesis a fantasy series with large historical influences. Fans of political dramas and war epics will appreciate the sweeping story told here.
2Teasing Master Takagi-san
MAL Score: 8.09
Nishikata is always being teased and made fun of by his mischievous classmate Takagi. She’s constantly getting the better of him, and his one goal in life is to outsmart her in some way. Little does he know that Takagi’s motives for playing with him are romantic in nature.
Teasing Master Takagi-sanbecame incredibly populardue to its lighthearted nature and cute romantic moments. Considering its slow and episodic updates, it’s likely a surprise to many of its fans that it has actually ended.
1Bakemonogatari
MAL Score: 8.51
Koyomi Araragi is a normal high school student, except for one fact: over spring break, he became a vampire. Though he’s since turned back, parts of his biology remain inhuman, and to pay back a benefactor for his help, he is obliged to help him investigate various supernatural cases.
Bakemonogatariis a manga adaptation of the first part of Nisio Isin’s incrediblypopularMonogatarilight novel series. It is illustrated by Oh! Great of Tenjo Tenge and Air Gear fame, whose artwork elevates the story to another level.
