Japanese Literature

When imagining winter books, there are probably two images that come to mind: books set during winter, and books to keep you feeling warm and comfortable. There’s also a third image: something dark, isolating, possibly frightening. You’ll find all three kinds of books on this list. Some of these winter books are simply books set …

The world of fantasy fiction has been turned on its head in recent years by authors who are pushing boundaries and blurring lines. The distance between fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and fairy tales has been reduced, and it’s all for the better. Modern fantasy books are wholly unique and exciting stories for this reason. Exciting Modern …

Defining a read as an “autumn book” isn’t a simple thing. Autumn books are simply books that feel right to be read as the wind chills and the leaves change. They might be spooky or gothic novels that are perfect for Halloween and when the nights start drawing in. Or they might be heartwarming, cosy …

American author Stephen King is considered the undisputed master of horror, with as many published works as he has years on this Earth. But King is far from the only great horror author writing today, so here are some of the best horror books by writers far and wide. Essential Modern Horror Books Beyond the …

Manga is a medium that boasts a long and rich history of stellar sci-fi for readers of all ages. From Osamu Tezuka’s beloved Astro Boy to the pop culture-defining Akira, some of the best sci-fi ever written can be found in the world of manga. The Best Sci-Fi Manga to Read Right Now If you …

Lesbian authors are paving the way when it comes to genre and boundary pushing, writing dark and toxic love stories and unlikeable women protagonists. When looking at lesbian novels and the art put out by lesbian authors, you see the darkest kinds of gothic fiction, as well as the brightest dedications to love and kindness. …

Historical fiction is a genre that provides readers with fun from all angles, and that is especially true for historical manga. The genre is like a partially-painted canvas that comes already detailed with lore and language and aesthetics (architecture, costumes, inventions, traditions, and more). But using that canvas, authors and creators can layer whatever they …

Fantasy is one of the most exciting genres of fiction, whether that be across manga, prose, film, or TV. That said, fantasy manga (like all fantasy fiction) can fall into a formula if we’re not careful; a formula where certain specific tropes are expected to be found. This attitude towards fantasy manga isn’t particularly exciting, …

Mixing horror and comedy is nothing new, but with the Mieruko-chan manga, writer-artist Tomoki Izumi is doing something truly fresh and exciting. In manga and anime, horror is a well-trodden genre. In fact, the king of that genre, Junji Ito, is arguably the best horror writer working today (sorry Stephen King fans). But fans of …

Calling something adult manga or mature manga is a pretty broad church that can cover a lot of different genres, themes, topics, and stories. For that reason, this list is going to be exactly that: a broad church. On this list of adult manga, you’re going to find stories of all different genres and styles. …