It seems the Japanese manga industry has aced the art of keeping you hooked. Savoring completed series is no doubt, a thrill unto itself – the allure of devouring the story as leisurely as your pace allows you. However, sometimes there’s a peculiar buzz in being right on the edge of the seat with everyone else, eagerly anticipating the next release. Playing catch-up, then wait and banter.

Ever so often, a remarkable series gets the chop or goes dormant, but most of the time, it’s well worth your while to stay on track and eagerly await what’s due next. The creme de la creme of manga series generally have a good chance of a smooth sail till the end, devoid of sudden cancellations, which makes them a promising bet for inquisitive readers. Here’s our take on the top ten manga series that beautifully encapsulate this, guaranteeing a riveting ride that is likely to reach its inevitable conclusion in a couple of moons or a few more. Getting up to speed with these is undoubtedly a smart move.

10. Kakegurui: An Exhilarating Gamble With Supercharged Characters

The acclaimed gambling manga series Kakegurui has already spawned a handful of spinoff series, an anime version, and a live-action TV show. But the source material, the manga, remains in a league of its own. The West saw the release of volume 16, and 17 doesn’t seem far behind. Judging by the ongoing twists and turns of the student council election war, the end appears to be nearing.

This epiphany of an anime unearths a rare gem – a matrix where high-stake betting and cerebral games deftly waltz into the high school panorama. Picture shrewd teenagers locked in games of chance, a battlefield of wits, and a storm of psychological stratagems. Yumeku Jabami, a wild card who sneaks into the over-calculated school edifice, instantly turns the tables with her devil-may-care ploy.

9. My Hero Academia: The End Is Almost Here

Bring out the party hats and tissues because My Hero Academia is nearly finished in both manga and anime versions, a decade since author Kohei Horikoshi’s original manga debuted in Japan. The magnificently contrived narrative of Izuku Midoriya, a courageous child born Quirkless, yearning to mimic his idol superhero, All Might, has us biting our nails. Once he attains One For All, his journey to safeguard Japan from the clutch of villains kicks off, and it’s definitely not all sunshine and roses.

Viewers have seen the war against the monstrous Tomura Shigaraki well underway in the recent anime episodes. In the manga, this battle already has a winner. The aftermath is still settling in the manga as Deku, Shoto, and other pivotal characters tie loose ends, bracing themselves for their second year at UA. Only a handful of chapters are left, leaving the longtime admirers dreading the farewell.

8. Oshi no Ko: The Final Arc Is Here

While fans celebrate the second season of the anime version of Oshi no Ko, simultaneously unveiling the Tokyo Blade story arc and the intensifying Aqua/Kana/Akane love triangle, the author Aka Akasaka is closing in on the manga version’s finish line. If an unceremonious, eye-popping climax is your destination, then take the Oshi no Ko manga express.

7. Undead Unluck: God Himself Couldn’t Have Scripted It Better

The anime adaption of the Undead Unluck manga has recieved applaud for a single 24-episode run, introducing fans to the over-the-top dynamics of this unlikely action/comedy series. But the manga carries more arrows in its quiver, a worthwhile pursuit for enthusiasts ready to dive deeper.

The narrative launches when Fuuko Izumo and the deathless man Andy stumble upon each other, kickstarting droll escapades. Andy is keen to find the elixir that would finally bestow the sweet kiss of death after his interminable existence. Their pursuit would promptly land them into the Union organisation’s war against God Himself. Soon enough, the world hits the reset button and embarks on the next phase of this war.

6. A Fairy Tale: A Quest Awaiting In Uncharted Lands

In the Summer 2024 anime season, Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest graced the screens, serving up something fresh for the franchise’s anime-only community. The anime has shown promise, but the original manga takes the cake, narrated by Hiro Mashima and brought to life by a nascent artist. This duo ushers Natsu and his comrades into a new era.

Post the war against the Spriggan 12, Team Natsu embarks on an untraversed quest on the continent of Guiltina, signaling a fresh start for everyone involved. Their mission is to locate and seal the five Dragon Gods at all costs, a daring task provided by the age-old man-dragon Elefseria. This voyage presents Team Natsu with novel allies, formidable enemies, and marks their arrival at an alien world, an exciting prospect beyond Guiltina’s borders.

5. One-Punch Man: One Man, Multiple Punches

The One-Punch Man manga has been standing tall for a few years now, its impeccable artwork only getting better as this parody series escalates in the 2010s. Though the anime tripped up in Season 2, much to the fans’ disdain, no such hiccups have tarnished the manga, which is comfortably cruising with volumes in their 20s.

The manga is a tongue-in-cheek spin on the superhero and shonen realms, the spotlight on Saitama, a deceptively simple hero who crushes any fight with one punch. Or so it was before powerful adversaries like Boros and Garou began to withstand his might in duels. Later volumes of the manga introduce a plethora of fascinating characters and up the stakes yet again with Saitama’s limitless power.

4. One Piece: The Final Chapter Is Loading

Eiichiro Oda’s legendary pirate manga, One Piece, is known for its impressive length, with the final story arc just getting started. Surprisingly, there’s still time for new fans to get acquainted or for old fans to reconnect. More likely than not, it’ll be a few more years before this manga wraps up and finally reveals the enigmatic One Piece treasure.

The anime has recently embarked on the Egghead story arc, and the manga has already forged much further ahead. Luffy has already gone head-to-head against Rob Lucci, Admiral Kizaru, and the Five Elders in a thrilling showdown on Future Island. At the same time, Dr. Vegapunk unveils some startling facts about the days of yore. If Luffy plays his cards right, he may escape with the Giant Warriors Pirates and live to fight the Five Elders again another day.

3. Jujutsu Kaisen: An Ode To Memorable Characters Amidst Shocking Twists

Despite recent developments in Jujutsu Kaisen’s manga have left a chunk of shonen manga fans disgruntled, a sizable measure of fans is having the time of their lives with this manga. And they’re eagerly awaiting Yuji Itadori’s journey to conquer Ryomen Sukuna, the curse king.

The recent anime arc explored the epic battle for the Shibuya ward, which saw Satoru Gojo being sealed away and Yuji’s death sentence resurrected. Manga enthusiasts have had a ringside view of the consequences of these two shocking developments, alongside Yuji facing lethal games against never-before-seen foes in an ultimate survival of the fittest.

2. Chainsaw Man: A Promising New Chapter

For now, Chainsaw Man’s anime adaptation has just given a tantalizing preview of what this unpredictable franchise is truly capable of. The upcoming Reze movie and the astounding International Assassins story arc in the manga are sure to keep fans on their toes. And as the final showdown against Makima unfolds, the intrigue escalates.

With the Public Safety saga wrapping up, one chapter of Denji’s life concludes as he embarks on another journey. Dejected and lonely, Denji navigates his life with Asa Mitaka, a high schooler and the new host for Yoru, the War Devil. The altered dynamics present a novel saga teeming with fresh devils, the Chainsaw Man Church, and much more.

1. Spy x Family: The Unending Charm Of The Forger Family’s Quests

The predominantly thriving Spy x Family franchise has been dishing out back-to-back hits with two successful anime seasons, a non-canon movie, and the original manga series. It’s hard to predict how exactly Operation Strix will unfold. Still, somewhere in between all the chaos, Anya and Loid are giving it their best shot, while Yor continues to grapple with her conflicting roles as a nurturing foster mother and a deadly assassin.

In the recent manga chapters, Loid is on the hunt for a suitable beau, and a flashback into his post-war days in Westalis prepping him up to become WISE’s ace spy. Alongside Loid’s endeavours, Melissa Desmond, Donovan Desmond’s resilient and charming wife, makes an appearance. She shares a distinct, sometimes unsettling bond with her younger son Damian, one that Yor got to witness firsthand.