Written by the legendary Naoki Urasawa, this story follows a group of friends who realize a cult leader is using a "Book of Prophecy" they wrote as children to destroy the world. 5. Sports (Spokon)

Ongoing Why it’s popular: The safest "everyone likes this" recommendation. A spy, an assassin, and a telepathic child form a fake family to prevent a war. The Recommendation: The anime is a huge production (Wit Studio + CloverWorks), so the action scenes are spectacular. However, the manga’s cover art and facial expressions are high art. Read it for the "Elegant" vibes.

: A critically acclaimed "slow-burn" fantasy that explores what happens to an immortal elf after the hero's quest is already over. Cowboy Bebop

Is One Piece still on your backlog? (Here is my advice: Read the manga, watch the "One Pace" fan edit, or skip to Episode 1000 for the current hype).

Whether you are looking for your next binge-watch or your next physical manga haul, this guide provides curated broken down by genre. We move beyond the absolute basics (though they are included) to give you the essential viewing and reading list for 2025 and beyond.