8 March is celebrated as International Women’s Day. People around the world celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in various fields, including the creative industries. In the world of manga, female mangaka also played a vital role in shaping the medium, producing stories that range from heartfelt slice-of-life narratives to thrilling adventures.
To mark the occasion, we have put together a list of recommended manga created by female mangaka. From beloved shounen titles to relatively unknown titles, here is the list of recommended manga created by female creators
Kekkaishi by Yellow Tanabe
Synopsis: Yoshimori and Tokine are heirs to rival clans of Kekkaishi (barrier masters) who have protected the sacred land of Karasumori from supernatural threats drawn to the land’s power. As their relationship grows and the secrets of Karasumori are gradually uncovered, various conspiracies interested in the land unfold that would shape the ultimate fate of Karasumori.
It might be easy to think of Kekkaishi as just a generic battle shonen series. But the main characters using a power that seems to be conceptually defensive are developed in interestingly intricate ways throughout the series. The scope of the main cast’s primary concern is pretty localised, as the clans prioritise safeguarding a piece of land and making sure innocent bystanders aren’t hurt and don’t get involved. But the entanglement of various external factions provides intriguing twists and turns over the course of the story. And through facing various threats and challenges side-by-side, the development of Yoshimori and Tokine’s relationship is also enjoyable to follow. (Halimun – The Indonesian Anime Times)
Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
Synopsis: Fullmetal Alchemist follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, two young boys who attempt to bring their deceased mother back to life using the forbidden art of human transmutation. The ritual goes horribly wrong, with Edward losing an arm and a leg, while Alphonse loses his entire body, leaving his soul bound to a suit of armour. Determined to restore their bodies, the brothers set out on a journey to find the legendary Philosopher’s Stone.
When it comes to shonen manga written by women, Fullmetal Alchemist is certainly a must-read. Telling the adventures of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, Arakawa has crafted an action shonen series with emotional depth. It features action, humour, tragedy, and even discussions about ethics. The manga is also filled with memorable characters and morally complex antagonists. (Dany Muhammad – The Indonesian Anime Times)
Beastar by Paru Itagaki
Synopsis: Set in a world where anthropomorphic animals live together in a complex society, Beastar follows Legoshi, a quiet, gentle grey wolf who studies at Cherryton Academy. Despite his intimidating appearance, Legoshi struggles with his own identity and the instincts that come with being a carnivore. After a herbivore student is mysteriously murdered at the school, tensions between carnivores and herbivores rise dramatically, and Legoshi becomes involved in the investigation and forms a complicated relationship with the timid dwarf rabbit Haru.
If you think a female mangaka can only write a bright, fluffy romance, Paru Itagaki’s Beastar is the opposite of that. It tells the story of a complex world where society seems peaceful, but is actually divided and fragile. It’s a dark and nuanced exploration of identity, instinct, and the difficulty of living together in a divided world. (Dany Muhammad – The Indonesian Anime Times)
Snow Angel by Haruka Chizu
Synopsis: The pristine white snowfall that marked Muku Shirosaka’s wonderful childhood had abruptly ceased in the winter of his father’s passing, gradually melting into a suffocating ocean of endless caregiving tasks that are always unappreciated, frustrating job hunts, and dreams crushed under ruthless criticisms and bitter reality. Muku loves her family, but she can’t stop her beloved people from sinking her down. Exhausted with a life she has no control over, she begs to escape with her childhood friends, who have suddenly returned to their town. For the first time in ten years, Muku refuses to drown in this stifling deep sea they call “familial love”.
Blood is thicker than water, but Snow Angel portrays the painfully realistic scenario when the blood you share with family becomes the very same water they drown you in. Living in an almost-all-women household, Muku has to juggle between her work (or lack thereof, as her company recently closed down) and the role of her grandfather’s caregiver, forced down on her, and all Muku ever gets in return is her grandmother constantly berating her or throwing passive-aggressive remarks at her. In her grandmother’s eyes, Muku is merely an unreliable woman who “understandably” struggles to get by in life without the presence of a man.
Snow Angel is a frustrating reflection of how women are often expected, or even forced, to step up into the role of caregivers and put family above all. Sometimes, just like Muku, they are also asked to support the family financially and pushed to find a proper man to improve their lives. This work, delivered by a female author, conveys the unfortunate yet common struggles of a woman burdened with these heavy demands, mistakenly perceived as what women should “naturally” do. (Shayna A. – The Indonesian Anime Times)
The Witch’s Best Friend by Asako Yuzuki (story) and Ayuko (art)
Synopsis: Lisa is a witch from the magical realm sent to the human realm to search for the princess of the magical realm. The princess was exiled to the human realm two centuries ago because she was born from her mother’s relationship with a human, but now the magical realm needs her back to resolve their magical energy crisis. Searching for a girl with a special lotus flower in her heart that marks her as the princess, Lisa enlists the help of an ordinary schoolgirl named Soyo, who accidentally discovered her secret.
The Witch’s Best Friend is a classic magical girl tale that adheres to the tradition of depicting ordinary humans as having their own ‘magic’ too. Through the contrast between Lisa’s supernaturally endowed abilities and magical realm perspectives with the everyday struggles of the humans she encountered in the search for the possible incarnation of the princess, the story narrates coming into terms with the limitations you face and accomplishing something you’re passionate about through your effort is something more magical than magic. The Witch’s Best Friend is a lovely short manga series among Elex Media’s licenses in the late 2010s. (Halimun – The Indonesian Anime Times)
Pop Corn (Seito Shokun!) by Yoko Shoji
Synopsis: Seito Shokun!, also known in Indonesia as Pop Corn, is a manga created by Yoko Shoji, originally written in 1977. The story follows Naoko Kitashiro, also known as Nakki, who has just moved away from her hometown. At her new school, Satomi Junior High School, she forms a mischievous gang with her friends. The manga tells the story of Nakki and her companions as they experience life together, sharing joy and sorrow, sweet and bitter moments, jokes and laughter, while gradually growing up along the way.
Pop Corn can truly be considered a masterpiece. Nakki’s life with her friends from their junior high school days, through high school and university, and even into their plans for the future, is told in a coherent narrative, with strong relationships between the characters and well-developed conflicts and dynamics. Nakki begins the story as an energetic and mischievous transfer student and a natural leader, but it is later revealed that she carries a complex and painful past. Various life problems, ranging from jealousy to the longing for familial warmth, from romance and dreams for the future to issues surrounding children and societal expectations, are faced not only by Nakki but also by nearly every member of the delinquent gang, each of whom has their own struggles.
The characters’ maturity is clearly reflected not only in their attitudes and stories, but also in the artwork and character designs as they grow older. One interesting fact is that Nakki may also be considered one of the “ancestors” of the “miracle teacher” archetype who guides troubled students, a theme that later became popular in the world of anime and manga, seen in works such as GTO and Gokusen. Unfortunately, the sequel series that tells the story of Nakki in her adulthood has never been published in Indonesia to this day. (Dody Kusumanto – KAORI Newsline)
Replica by Karakara Kemuri
Synopsis:Â Manji is a bodyguard who is considered a cold-blooded killer and is nicknamed “Red Dog”. His distinctive features are a scar across his face, red hair, and always carrying a black sword. When faced with a mysterious creature intent on slaughtering humans, Maji is saved by a young man named Cal. The meeting with Cal opens a new destiny for Manji. A great destiny that involves AAA, a genius who kills for fun.
Whether it’s Donten ni Warau or Replica, both works by Karakara Kemuri offer readers her own interpretations of the referenced works. In Donten ni Warau, the readers delve into the legend of Orochi (Yamata no Orochi), the 8-tailed serpent in Japanese mythology. While in Replica, Alice in Wonderland became the foundation of every plot point. Karakara Kemuri’s manga always portrays a strong bond between each character, as they desire to protect each other and help each other go through difficult times. The manga she writes shows that love has all kinds of forms in all kinds of relationships. (Vina Nurziani – The Indonesian Anime Times)
Delicious in Dungeon (Dungeon Meshi) by Ryoko Kui
Synopsis: Delicious In Dungeon (Dungeon Meshi) is a Manga by Ryoko Kui. The story follows Laios and his band of misfits embarking on a Dungeon Dive to revive his sister, who was eaten by a Dragon inside a dungeon. With no money, provision and with only their current equipment, they will embark on the dungeon dive while harvesting, cooking and eating monsters to sustain their journey to save Laios’s Sister before she becomes dragon excrement.
Delicious In Dungeon has fascinating world-building as its foundation. The people in the world always think dungeon exploration means a lot of preparation to be done. Laios and co, unfortunately, do not have said luxury. They are rushing to dive into the dungeon once again to save Laios’ sister before she ends as dragon excrement. In their journey, they will find out that monsters are edible, even Delicious! Their journey sometimes got sidetracked because Laios is curious about what a certain monster tastes like.
This manga is finished and has 97 chapters, compiled into 14 volumes. They are also available in Indonesian Bookstores. Plus, they have a 24-episode anime on Netflix with a second season coming soon. Both the anime and the manga are a good way to spend time leisurely (and stave off hunger) while waiting for iftar. (Naufal B.P – KAORI Newsline)
Those are the list of our recommended manga created by female mangaka. Do you have any other recommendations? Please write in the comment!
Also read:
The Indonesian Anime Times
