If you’re in the mood for more action-adventure manga that offers a similar vibe, fear not! We’ve gathered together 8 books/manga to check out when you’ve caught up to One Piece. Of course, if you feel we’ve missed any of your favorites, do comment below and let us know!
Naruto – Masashi Kishimoto
Similarities – Battle Shonen
If One Piece is the fan-favorite battle shonen in Japan, Naruto is the golden child in the west. It contains dramatic storytelling, fun fights, and memorable characters. This manga contains enough motivational quotes to fuel you on a saddened day. The story follows a goofball named Naruto who dreams of becoming his village’s Hokage. Naruto will have to win the hearts of his villagers, which can be difficult. This is because Naruto harbors the Nine-Tailed-Fox, a demon that laid waste to his home village, murdering the 4th Hokage and his wife. Regardless, Naruto must embark on a variety of missions, making enemies and friends alike. Like One Piece, Naruto strikes a wonderful balance between comedic and emotional storytelling. It emphasizes growth, struggle, and hardship. Some villains may be swayed by Naruto’s kind words, but many will need some physical convincing. If you adored the tragic pasts and mature themes of One Piece, you’ll adore what Naruto offers.
Soul Eater – Atsushi Ookubo
Similarities – Comedy & Themes
Soul Eater was a well-beloved anime and manga during the late 2000s era. Like One Piece, Soul Eater offers a unique art style and stance on comedy. The world may not feel as vast as One Piece, but it contains themes of friendship, exciting fights, and strongly-written characters to feel right at home. Soul Eater has a dramatic and comedic-driven structure, unlike One Piece which leans more into its serious action-oriented nature from time to time. If you can find some enjoyment from its drama and comedy, then you’ll enjoy your time with Soul Eater. This manga follows a group of students who tackle missions to protect their city from impending threats. With their weapon-changing companions called Death Scythesm, these students strive to become fantastic demon hunters. With its colorful characters, impressive setting, and distinct art style, you’ll enjoy yourself with Soul Eater.
Magi – Shinobu Ohtaka
Similarities –World-Building & Story
Magi is one of those underrated gems with a minimal following. Shinobu Ohtaka’s fantasy manga contains wonderful character development, incredibly vast and complex settings, and a compelling mystery. Our story follows a young magician named Aladdin and his human friend, Alibaba. They spend their lives exploring rare dungeons and visiting nearby kingdoms. As they travel to these multiple locations, they’ll realize their world might be in danger. This story follows the same rags-to-riches plotline as One Piece. The manga tightly follows the character’s journey to becoming wealthy individuals while also shedding light on their characteristics as the series progresses. Aladdin and Alibaba will encounter many dangerous foes. Each villain has distinct goals and complexities about them. Fans who enjoyed the islands Luffy and his friends visited in One Piece, will get a kick out of the kingdoms Aladdin and Alibaba traverse in Magi. Each kingdom has its own share of laws, agriculture, and structures that feel distinct and memorable. Fans searching for another manga with incredible world-building and storytelling should give Magi a shot.
Hunter X Hunter – Yoshihiro Togashi
Similarities – Action, Adventure, Characters
Hunter X Hunter has well-written characters, gorgeous animation, and emotional segments. To coincide with those aspects, the manga contains splendid fights and tension. Unfortunately, the manga’s artwork isn’t that neatly drawn in the earlier chapters. Characters appear stiff and rigid. It takes author Yoshihiro Togashi a while to hone his craft. When he does, fans will be delighted to compare his artwork for later chapters to earlier parts of the story. That said, the story doesn’t focus on the main cast as a group that often. Several arcs’ll highlight several members of the main cast as individuals. While this isn’t a terrible choice, it’s worth noting for those expecting to follow our whole cast throughout the entire manga. For those unaware, Hunter X Hunter highlights the adventures of Gon Freecss. He’s a young boy who dreams of reuniting with his father and becoming a professional hunter. Gon will meet and befriend three other individuals named Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua who all have distinct goals and personalities. With them at his side, Gon must overcome many trials his world places in front of him.
Zatch Bell – Makoto Raiku
Similarities – Comedy, Story Structure, Action
Zatch Bell is one of those Toonami anime that came and went, which is unfortunate. While the series has an audience, it didn’t gain as massive appeal as other shonen-themed series. That said, the anime fails to adapt everything the manga has to offer, making it the definitive way to experience one of Makoto Raiku’s greatest works. Like One Piece, this manga follows a protagonist who wants to become a king. He must team up with a human ally to overcome various rigorous battles with others like him to achieve this goal. As the series continues, our characters will grow in maturity and strength. They embark on several journies, visiting different settings to challenge people. While the manga has its serious moments, it’s not afraid to tone things down to get a laugh out of readers. The comedy ranges from witty jokes and well-timed slapstick. If you’re looking for another incredible manga with epic fights, likable characters, and an enjoyable world, check out Zatch Bell.
Black Clover – Yuuki Tabata
Similarities – Characters, Action, Adventure
Black Clover is one of the new-age shonen manga that has attained popularity over the years. While it may not be as huge as My Hero Academia or Chainsaw Man, Black Clover delivers a magical medieval setting, likable characters, and fights that will satisfy many One Piece fans. Our tale revolves around Asta, a young boy who dreams of becoming his world’s Wizard King. Despite having a lackluster upbringing, Asta’s determined to become a formidable warrior many people can appreciate. As with Luffy, Asta must challenge many difficult opponents who are after the crown. He’ll have to overcome some mental hurdles that’ll plague his mind most of the time too. He doesn’t journey alone as he’ll be accompanied by other characters, aiming to assist him. This shonen manga emphasizes friendship and teamwork like One Piece. Black Clover leans more into magical territory than One Piec, though. However, Asta shares the same underdog status as Luffy does in his story. Fans searching for another compelling manga with a great adventurous atmosphere should give Black Clover a shot.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn – Akira Amano
Similarities – Characters & Themes
Katekyo Hitman Reborn explores themes of devotion, growth, and friendship like One Piece does. Akira Amano’s artwork is stylish and appealing. You’ll adore seeing the manga’s various detailed fights and character growth for its cast. This tale follows Tsuna, a bumbling nerd who wants to make it in life. One day, his life takes a dramatic turn when he meets a hitman named Reborn. Reborn wants to help Tsuna become the Vongolla Mafia Family’s new boss. After accepting Reborn’s offer, Tsuna embarks on a journey of hardship and maturation. Readers will enjoy seeing Tsuna evolve from being a wimp to a leader. To do so, Tsuna will take part in many world-ending circumstances that’ll force him to forgo his nervous demeanor in favor of feeling confident. The side characters receive equal development. Everyone receives a shining moment that’ll make you smile and cheer. The fights are comparable to the bouts you’d find in One Piece. Readers searching for another manga that features heartwarming themes including family, friendship, and teamwork will cherish Katekyo Hitman Reborn.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure –Hirohiko Araki
Similarities – Action, Comedy, Adventure
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and One Piece took a while to gain the massive following they have now. Both stories contain emotional sequences, incredible action, and a slew of memorable characters. This series feels more masculine dominant than One Piece. While it offers some well-written female characters, they are few and far between. Like One Piece, this work contains fighters of multiple styles. From iconic hand-to-hand combat to skilled swordsmen, readers can expect a slew of different themed fights to occur in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. The fighters can be as minuscule as a puppy and a bird. The series later introduces Stands, which serve as one of its most alluring aspects. The Stands grow in power and concept as you continue reading. From summoning purple vines to stopping time, the possibilities are endless with JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Fights aside, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure knows how to handle mature themes like grief, betrayal, and death wonderfully. You’ll find yourself tearing up and sympathizing with the struggles that plague our heroes’ and villains’ pasts. Readers searching for excellent action and adventure manga with well-executed humor will adore JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. So there we have it, our 8 books/manga to read after you read some One Piece. What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!