Top Manga for Adults: Must-Read Series from Japan’s ‘Morning’ Magazine

“Morning” is a weekly Japanese seinen manga magazine published by Kodansha.
Launched in 1982, it primarily features works targeted at businessmen and general adults.
As a result, the content is relatively serious, but it includes a variety of genres, from humor to love stories.
It contains many works that are recommended for those who say, “I’m getting older and can’t immerse myself in mangas for kids as much as I used to.”

And please forgive us if the English is uncomfortable because it is written by a Japanese person.

• Planetes
• Space Brothers
• Hyouge Mono
• Vagabond
• Giant Killing
• Forest of Piano
• Police in a Pod (Hakozume: Tatakau! Koban Joshi)
• Give My Regards to Black Jack
• Naniwa Kin’yudo
• Dragon Zakura

Planetes [Completed]

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Set in the late 2070s, this work features a space debris collector as the protagonist. Serialized from 1999 to 2004, it was adapted into an anime and both the original and the anime adaptation won awards. The story intertwines the circumstances of near-future space with human relationships, allowing readers to enjoy a realistic worldview.

Space Brothers

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The story begins with two brothers who decided to become astronauts when they were young. As adults, while one brother has already become an astronaut, the other recalls their dream and aspires to become one as well. This popular work has been adapted into a TV anime, an animated film, and a live-action film. As of 2023, it has sold over 31 million copies. The manga is based on various interviews and technical supervision, including interviews with several people who have undergone astronaut training. Reading it makes the realm of space, which can feel distant, seem much closer.

Hyouge Mono [Completed]

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This manga features the Sengoku warlord Furuta Oribe as the protagonist. He is said to have succeeded Sen no Rikyu in the art of tea ceremony. While battles are depicted, the focus is more on the art and cultural elements of tea ceremony and tea utensils. It’s a unique historical work that offers a different perspective on the Sengoku period, which many Japanese people may have encountered in some form of story.

Vagabond [On Hiatus]

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Based on the novel “Miyamoto Musashi” by Eiji Yoshikawa, which was serialized in the Asahi Shimbun before World War II, this work is illustrated by Takehiko Inoue, the creator of “Slam Dunk”. It has won numerous awards and sold over 82 million copies. While it is a historical manga set in the late Sengoku period with Miyamoto Musashi as the protagonist, it is characterized by its themes of “life” and “philosophy”.

GIANT KILLING [Ongoing]

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A soccer manga where the protagonist is not a player but a coach. He leads a weak Japanese professional team with the goal of winning the league. The coach’s unique and talented strategies are not only thrilling but also the individual characters of the players are charming.

Forest of Piano [Completed]

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The story of a boy who played with a discarded piano as a toy since he was little, and as he grows up, his talent is recognized and he takes off into the world. It’s a work that offers drama, relationships, and emotions, leaving readers with a feeling of happiness after reading.

Hakozume: Tatakau! Koban Joshi

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This popular work, which has been adapted into a drama and an anime, depicts female police officers working at a police box. It portrays the challenges of police work and the position of female officers, allowing readers to enjoy a realistic worldview. The work also resonates with working adults, making it a light and accessible read.

Give My Regards to Black Jack [Completed]

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This work has been a topic of discussion outside of the manga, such as transferring to “Big Comic Spirits”, liberalizing secondary use, and the author establishing an e-publishing company. It’s a popular work that has also been adapted into a TV drama. The enthusiastic protagonist confronts issues in the medical and insurance systems, and grows through various conflicts. After reading, your perspective on hospitals and doctors may change. The author offers it for free on his website, making it a must-read work.
Densho Bato – Give My Regards to Black Jack Free Download Page (English version also available)

Naniwa Kin’yudo [Completed]

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Serialized from 1990 to 1996, this is a relatively old work. However, sequels were also drawn in the 2010s. The story, which deals with the importance of money in society, is very educational and is something one would want to read before entering society. The content is extremely interesting, and it would be a great gift for high school students. I don’t have kids, though.

Dragon Zakura [Completed]

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The story of a teacher who comes to a school full of underachieving students and aims to get them into the University of Tokyo. The drama adaptation was very popular. Due to this work, the number of applicants to the University of Tokyo increased at the time. The drawings may not be particularly skilled, and while the content is mostly study know-how, it’s still engaging to read. The techniques are practical; for example, I still walk around and vocalize when I memorize things. However, reading it as an adult might make you feel it’s too late. It’s a work that would be great for upper elementary to middle school students to read.