6 Best Shonen Manga to Read If You’re Craving Another Chainsaw Man

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Chainsaw Man stands out from most action-packed shonen series. It’s notably more mature and explores difficult topics with characters who aren’t simply good or evil. While the ending in March 2026 was controversial, the manga is widely considered a groundbreaking and impactful work of the last ten years.

With the story finished, many fans are searching for a new series that feels similar. While nothing will be quite like Chainsaw Man, here are some recommendations that might satisfy those looking for something comparable.

Fire Punch

Serialization 2016–2018
Where to Read (USA) Shonen Jump service

If you loved Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man, Fire Punch is a great next read. It was Fujimoto’s first long-running series, published on Shonen Jump+ between 2016 and 2018, and collected into eight volumes. While Viz Media releases it in North America, and it’s available on the Shonen Jump app, it’s not on MANGA Plus in the US because of its mature content. Many fans hope it gets an anime adaptation, as it’s a series that would lend itself well to the format.

In a far-off, frozen future, after Earth is locked in an eternal winter, Agni and his sister Luna possess a unique ability: they can regenerate lost limbs. They use this gift to help the elders of their village by offering pieces of themselves as food. This fragile peace is destroyed when a stranger arrives, appalled by this practice. He burns the village to the ground, killing everyone but Agni. Now perpetually burning, Agni embarks on a dark journey to avenge his family and community.

Dandadan

Serialization 2021–ongoing
Where to Read (USA) MANGA Plus, Shonen Jump service

Dandadan is the latest popular series from Shonen Jump+, and it’s currently being released chapter by chapter, making it perfect for readers who enjoy following a manga weekly. The author, Yokinobu Tatsu, previously assisted on Chainsaw Man, and their work shares a similar blend of humor, supernatural elements, drama, and quirky moments that fans of Chainsaw Man will likely appreciate. Plus, there’s a fantastic anime adaptation available!

The story centers around Momo, who believes in ghosts but not aliens, and Okarun, who feels the opposite is true. To prove who’s right, they investigate haunted and extraterrestrial locations, only to find that both of them are partially correct – and partially mistaken. Now, they’re stuck dealing with both aliens and ghosts!

Dorohedoro

Serialization 2000–2018
Where to Read (USA) VIZ Manga

If you enjoyed Chainsaw Man, you’ll likely love Dorohedoro. It’s a dark fantasy manga with a quirky, often unsettling sense of humor and features similarly complex characters and a fast-paced, chaotic feel.

This story takes place in a ruined city broken into three distinct areas: the Hole, a polluted and dangerous slum inhabited mostly by humans; the Magic User World, a realm of sorcerers controlled by a criminal leader; and Hell, the afterlife for sorcerers, which appears later in the story and is ruled by demons. In this world, magical ability means power, and humans are often mistreated by sorcerers. Caiman, a man with reptilian features and a lost memory, is searching for the sorcerer who transformed him. His friend, Nikaido, helps him, but their quest attracts unwanted attention from very powerful magic users.

Zom 100

Serialization 2018–ongoing
Where to Read (USA) VIZ Manga

I’ve been really enjoying Zom 100. It’s a lot like Chainsaw Man in how it handles some pretty serious topics, but keeps things moving with a really energetic story and characters you genuinely like. It’s definitely more upbeat than Chainsaw Man, but it still has fast-paced action and a bit of horror. Plus, the comedy is fantastic – it’s a great parody and I found myself laughing a lot while reading it.

Akira Tendo is stuck in a terrible job when a zombie outbreak hits his city. Instead of panicking, Akira realizes this is his chance to finally live! With no more work to worry about, he decides to create a list of all the things he wants to do before he potentially turns into a zombie.

Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku

Serialization 2018–2021
Where to Read (USA) MANGA Plus, Shonen Jump service

Along with Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, Hell’s Paradise was part of a group of Shonen Jump series known for being darker and more mature. These shows featured complex characters, frequent deaths, and graphic violence. If you like the intense and gritty style of Chainsaw Man, you’ll likely enjoy Hell’s Paradise.

Gabimaru, a ninja sentenced to death, unexpectedly survives every execution attempt, baffling everyone. He’s offered a chance at freedom: find the elixir of life in a faraway land. Along with other prisoners, he accepts this perilous quest, hoping to earn a pardon.

Sengoku Youko

Serialization 2007–2016
Where to Read (USA) Not on subscription services (only paperback or ebook editions)

If you like complex and flawed characters like those in Chainsaw Man, you should definitely check out Sengoku Youko. Though set in a historical fantasy world, it has a similar fast-paced feel and features characters you’ll quickly connect with.

Like the world of Fujimoto’s stories, Sengoku Youko is set in a place where humans and supernatural beings called katawara are constantly at odds. But not everyone fits the mold – Tama is a katawara who dreams of peace between the two races, while her brother Jinka is a human who despises his own kind. Together, they journey across the land like wandering samurai, battling both humans and katawara who cause harm to others.

Chainsaw Man is available to read on MANGA Plus.

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2026-05-10 20:36