Takarajimasha’s highly anticipated Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2026 (This Manga Is Amazing!) guidebook has officially announced its top-ranked manga for both male and female readers, with Ao Kojima’s Hon nara Uruhodo (The More Books We Sell) taking the number one spot for male readers and Yoiko Fujimi’s Half Is More (Hanbun Kyodai) leading the female readers’ list. The full guidebook, featuring comprehensive top 50 rankings and special anniversary content, is set to hit shelves on December 15th.
Hon nara Uruhodo Claims Top Spot for Male Readers
Ao Kojima’s Hon nara Uruhodo has been crowned the best manga for male readers in the 2026 rankings. The series, which originated as a five-part short serialization in KADOKAWA’s Harta magazine, quickly garnered significant attention. Set in the charming secondhand bookstore Jugatsudo, the narrative intricately weaves together human dramas, showcasing how a single book can connect various lives.
The manga’s compelling storytelling and unique premise, focusing on the everyday encounters of a bookstore owner with diverse customers, earned widespread support. This strong reader reception led to a full serialization and ultimately propelled it to the top position in this year’s male category by a considerable margin. Hon nara Uruhodo also notably topped Kadokawa Media Factory’s literary news magazine Da Vinci‘s 25th annual “Book of the Year” list.
Half Is More Leads Female Readers’ List
For female readers, Yoiko Fujimi’s Half Is More (Hanbun Kyodai) secured the top rank. The series delves into the poignant experiences and often unaddressed truths of individuals who are “half-Japanese” or mixed-race. Upon the release of its first chapter, Half Is More rapidly gained traction and went viral across social media platforms.
The manga, which launched on LEED Publishing’s Torch web platform in 2022, explores themes of resilience, hope, and the quest for coexistence in a society where mixed-race individuals like protagonist Kazumi often face microaggressions, misunderstandings, and a sense of otherness. Author Fujimi Yoiko, who has a Spanish father, conducted extensive interviews to authentically portray these diverse perspectives, contributing to the series’ critical acclaim and popular appeal. Viz Media is slated to begin publishing Half Is More next summer.
The Influence and Legacy of Kono Manga ga Sugoi!
The Kono Manga ga Sugoi! rankings are a highly influential annual event in the Japanese manga industry. Published by Takarajimasha, the lists are compiled through surveys of professionals within the manga and publishing industry, as well as students. This rigorous selection process lends significant weight to the results, often serving as a strong indicator of future sales success and critical recognition for the featured titles.
The guidebooks have historically been divided into categories for male and female readers, reflecting the diverse landscape of manga demographics. This year’s edition marks the 20th anniversary of Kono Manga ga Sugoi!, and to commemorate the milestone, the book will feature exclusive illustrations and a special section titled “We Ask Past No. 1 Creators: Kono Manga ga Sugoi!”. This special feature will include rare insights from previous top-ranked creators, discussing their first manga purchases, series they’d talk about all night, and manga they’d love to create a spin-off or remake of.
The full Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2026 guidebook, containing the complete top 50 lists for both categories and detailed interviews, will be available on December 15th.
