Best 10 Dystopian Manga To Read - retoreview

Best 10 Dystopian Manga To Read

Dorohedoro by Q Hayashida

Hole a grim, decaying, and chaotic district where the strong dominate the weak and death is a common occurrence—lives up to its ominous name. This lawless realm serves as a testing ground for the magic users who rule it. Holding the highest status in their society, these magic users view the inhabitants of Hole as mere insects. They murder, mutilate, and experiment on the powerless residents without hesitation, filling the hospital's halls with their victims daily.

With unrestricted access to this cesspool and little opposition to their power, the magic users seem invincible to most except for a few. Caiman, more reptilian than human, is one such individual. Armed with a trusted pair of bayonets and an immunity to magic, he relentlessly hunts them, seeking answers to restore his life. Cursed by his appearance and plagued by nightmares, the magic users are his only clue. His female companion, Nikaidou, who runs the restaurant Hungry Bug, is his greatest ally, helping him overcome his biggest obstacle his hunger.

Set in a grim and hellish world, Dorohedoro balances comedy and lightheartedness with death and destruction. Through its many twists and turns, it follows the lives of Hole's residents, creating a unique, eerie world not for the faint of heart

20th Century Boys by Naoki Urasawa

As the 20th century draws to a close, a sense of unease spreads across the globe, with many fearing that the world is changing for the worse.

Kenji Endo, a regular convenience store manager, is just trying to make it through each day. However, his life takes a sudden turn when he discovers that his old friend, known as "Donkey," has unexpectedly committed suicide. At the same time, a new cult, led by a mysterious figure called "Friend," is gaining notoriety. Kenji starts to suspect that something is seriously wrong. With a few crucial clues left behind by his deceased friend, Kenji uncovers that this cult is far more dangerous than he had imagined. Not only is this enigmatic group targeting him and his childhood friends, but it also poses a severe threat to the entire world a threat that only Kenji and his friends hold the key to stopping.

Kenji's mundane life of scraping by is turned upside down when he reconnects with his childhood friends. Together, they must unravel the truth about how their past is linked to the cult, as the turn of the century looms with the potential for global catastrophe.

Eden: It's an Endless World! by Hiroki Endo

Amid the chaos of a global pandemic that claims 15% of the population and leaves many more debilitated, a covert group known as the Propater overthrows the UN and takes control of much of the world. Two children, a boy and a girl, who were raised in an abandoned virology research center and are immune to the virus, find themselves targeted by the Propater and manage to escape.

Fast forward twenty years, the boy has become the most influential drug lord in South America. Operating from the shadows, he assists his son, who, with the help of mercenaries from Nomad (some of whom are former Propater members), evades and ultimately battles the Propater. As the narrative unfolds, the focus shifts from the main character to numerous subplots involving terrorism, human enhancement, the plight of developing nations, and the power struggles between drug cartels and the Propater. Heavily influenced by Gnostic mythology, the major characters are named after Gnostic deities and assume corresponding roles.

Heavenly Delusion by Ishiguro Masakazu

Within the protective confines of the walls, children are nurtured in a nursery-like environment by robots. Although life there might seem monotonous at first glance, the kids brim with potential and curiosity. In many respects, it resembles a piece of paradise. In stark contrast, the outside world is a desolate wasteland, nearly devoid of anything mechanical and now dominated by strange, yet formidable supernatural beings.

Maru, with Kiruko's assistance, roams the remnants of what was once Tokyo in search of this heaven. However, after such an extensive quest, the idea of heaven seems more like an elusive dream than an attainable reality.

Biomega by Nihei Tsutomu

"Biomega" is set in a dystopian future where Earth has been ravaged by a viral outbreak known as the N5S virus, which transforms humans into zombie-like creatures called "Drones." The story follows Zoichi Kanoe, an agent of the Toha Heavy Industries, as he searches for humans who possess the ability to resist the N5S virus and hold the key to humanity's survival.

Zoichi is equipped with advanced combat skills and a powerful AI companion named Fuyu Kanoe, who assists him in navigating the dangerous, decaying world. He rides a high-speed motorcycle and uses a variety of weapons to combat the Drones and other threats.

Throughout his journey, Zoichi encounters other characters, including a girl named Eon Green, who has the rare ability to resist the virus. Together, they must navigate the perilous landscapes, face off against the DRF (Data Recovery Foundation), a powerful organization with its own agenda, and uncover the secrets behind the N5S virus and its origins.

No. 6 by Atsuko Asano and Hinoki Kino

Life in the futuristic city of No. 6 seems perfect, especially for Shion, a top-ranking student. Since he was two years old, he has enjoyed a peaceful existence in his district, with a promising future ahead. But on the night of his 12th birthday, everything changes.

As Shion stands by his open window, a wounded boy his age suddenly appears and attacks him. Despite the danger, Shion chooses to help the injured stranger instead of turning him away. The boy, a fugitive named Nezumi, reveals unsettling truths about the seemingly flawless city. The next day, Nezumi vanishes, leaving Shion and his mother stripped of their elite status.

Four years after that pivotal night, a series of shocking events cause Shion to question the authorities who are supposed to protect his home. Wrongly accused of these incidents, he encounters Nezumi once more, who saves him from a life of imprisonment. Now fugitives, Shion and Nezumi must delve into the hidden truths of No. 6 and uncover its deceptive facade.

The Promised Neverland by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu

At Grace Field House, life for the orphans is idyllic. Despite lacking parents, the children, along with their affectionate caretaker "Mama," create a warm and joyful family. Each child is given special attention and is assured of being adopted by the age of 12. Their routine includes challenging tests, but they are rewarded with time to play outside afterward.

The only rule they must follow is never to leave the orphanage. However, one day, two of the brightest orphans, Emma and Norman, cross the boundary and uncover a chilling truth about their existence. Relying on their intelligence, the children must band together to defy their grim destiny.

Battle Angel Alita (Gunnm) by Yukito Kishiro

The utopian city of Zalem floats high above, casting a shadow over the landscape below. Directly underneath lies The Scrapyard, a grim expanse where the city dumps its refuse. Here, amidst the mountains of discarded waste, humans and cyborgs eke out a living by any means possible.

Dr. Daisuke Ido, a cyborg repair specialist, uncovers the head of a young female cyborg during his search through a pile of old android parts. He reconstructs her body and names her Gally. When she awakens, Gally has no recollection of her past life, but she feels content as long as she remains with Ido.

Soon, Gally learns that Ido has a secret life as a hunter-warrior, a bounty hunter for The Scrapyard’s authorities. Ignoring Ido’s cautions, she decides to follow the same path, which triggers a resurgence of her latent combat skills. With her newfound abilities, Gally is resolved to navigate the perilous streets of The Scrapyard and beyond, seeking to uncover pieces of her past and reclaim her true identity.

Blame! by Tsutomu Nihei

In a vast steel maze teeming with terrifying creatures, humanity huddles in isolated enclaves, living in perpetual dread of extinction. Amid this dystopian landscape, only a courageous young man named Killy ventures into its unforgiving expanses.

Endowed with extraordinary strength and wielding a rare Graviton Beam Emitter, Killy battles savage beasts and malevolent forces in his quest to locate a human possessing the elusive Net Terminal Gene—a genetic code that holds the key to restoring the corrupted world.

In the grim realm of Blame!, Killy encounters new allies, spills more blood, and edges closer to uncovering the Net Terminal Gene. Through these trials, the true nature of the world gradually unfolds.

Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo

In 1988, World War III devastates Tokyo with an unprecedented black explosion of mysterious origin.

By 2019, 31 years later, Neo-Tokyo has risen from the ashes of its predecessor. The cityscape is a dazzling blend of towering skyscrapers and cutting-edge technology, pulsating with a volatile mix of biker gangs, poverty, and revolutionaries. Within this dystopian metropolis dwell Tetsuo Shima and Shoutarou Kaneda, inseparable friends and fierce rivals in the same gang. Driven to prove himself to Kaneda, Tetsuo unwittingly triggers events that awaken a cryptic force—known only as Akira—a government secret poised to reshape Neo-Tokyo and the lives of its inhabitants forever.