20 Underrated Manga That Deserve Anime Adaptation Part. 1 (PG-13 & Mature Rated)
Let's start with strong and cute female leads in fantasy worlds with a bit comedy first. However, as the deeper you scroll down, you find more ruthless MCs and darker stories in the list, more explicit gore shown more often, and different types of verse. And every ruthless MC has his/her own reason why they behave the ways they do, from holding grudge because he/she was oppressed first or seeing people being oppressed to just considering crime is the best way to make living and survive. From thinking violence resolves issues better than diplomacy to thinking his/her own justice enforcement despite against laws really makes changes.
Here's the list!
1. Kenshi wo Mezashite Nyuugaku shita no ni Mahou Tekisei 9999 nan desu kedo!?
-Alternate Name
I Applied as a Swordsman, But My Magic Aptitude is 9999?!
-Debut
2016
-Author
Ijou (Art)
Nenjuu, Mugichatarou (Story)
iimAn (Art)
-Synopsis
Laura who had received special education to be a swordsman from her A-Rank adventurer father since a young age, enters the Royal Capital's Adventurer's school at the age of 9. Laura filled with expectation in her heart in hopes to make many swordsman friends. At the day of the entrance ceremony, Laura's sword aptitude value was measured at 107. Between normal students whose aptitude value is around 50-60, Laura was definitely a sword genius, but the magic aptitude that was measured after that was 9999! Laura was stunned, and while she didn't know what was even happening she was transferred to the Magic Department.
Contrary to Laura's will, she exerts her super-genius, and instantly becomes stronger than anyone in the school.
[Source: Paichun Translations, edited]
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2. Nina-san no Mahou Seikatsu
-Alternate Name
Daily Life of Sorceress Nina
-Author
Takanashi, Ringo (Story & Art)
-Synopsis
Three days dragon flight from the nearest town, deep, deep in the forest, then deeper still, lives a 'witch.' Nina the witch, also called "The world's strongest witch." Visiting her is the apprentice, Iris.
This is the record of the witch and her apprentice's peaceful days, in a remote forest that breathes illusions and magic.
[Source: Batoto]
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3. Koryuu nara Sude de Taosemasu kedo, Kore tte Joushiki ja Nai n desu ka?
-Alternate Name
I Can Defeat an Old Dragon With My Bare Hands. It's Usually Like This, Isn't It?
-Debut
2019
-Author
Hata, Ryousuke (Story)
Umehana (Art)
-Synopsis
Fil was picked up and raised by the Great Sage, who once saved the world. Fil, who was raised as the grandchild of humanity's strongest great sage, inherited his talent, chanted magic chantless, and defeated dragons with his bare hands. However, one day, the great sage summoned his grandchild and told him: "Fil, I was silent so far, but you're a female." Seriously!? By the way, what's a female? Fil's general knowledge didn't even contain gender. The great sage, who was concerned about his grandchild's future, decided to enroll Fil into the Royal Institute.
[Source: Shousetsuka ni Narou, translated]
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4. Akuyaku Reijou Level 99: Watashi wa Ura-Boss desu ga Maou dewa Arimasen
-Alternate Name
Villainess Level 99 ~I may be the Hidden Boss but I'm not the Demon Lord~
-Debut
2020
-Author
Tanabata, Satori (Story)
Nokomi (Art)
-Synopsis
A certain otome RPG takes place in the Varschein Kingdom, where dark hair is stigmatized to an abnormal degree. Eumiella Dolkness is the daughter of a count, hated from birth due to her pitch-black locks—and she is also the hidden boss! In a twist of fate, at five years of age, Eumiella recalls memories of her past life in Japan. Uninterested in the romance aspect of the original game, she begins to dedicate herself to training her rare dark-type magic.
Despite this, Eumiella's goals are clear: avoid becoming the hidden boss and stay out of the limelight. Upon entering the magic academy, however, she shakes the foundation of the kingdom when her level 99 status comes to light. Whether a physical brawl or magic duel, her abilities are unmatched, and coupled with her black hair, she sticks out like a sore thumb. To make matters worse, the original heroine begins suspecting she is the demon lord! Can the deadpan noble girl achieve her wish of a peaceful life?
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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5. Seijo-sama? Iie, Toorisugari no Mamonotsukai desu!: Zettai Muteki no Seijo wa Mofumofu to Tabi wo Suru
-Alternate Name
Saint? No, Just a Passing Monster Tamer!: The Completely Unparalleled Saint Travels with Fluffies
-Debut
2020
-Author
Inumajin (Story)
Iida, Toi (Art)
-Synopsis
Kanata has always loved animals, however they've always feared her. In her young mind, she made a resolution. If getting close to animals was impossible, then all she had to do was become a monster tamer. Then, she'd finally be able to pet them to her heart's content. She worked with all her might to become one in the future... to the point it would be considered overkill.
The story of Kanata, 15 years old, as she becomes the strongest monster tamer while traveling together with her fluffy companions.
Demon Lord Zaphgiel (Zakkun) ←Bonded!
Divine Wolf Fenrir (Fenfen) ←Bonded!
[Source: Shousetsuka ni Narou, translated]
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6. Moto Kizoku Reijou de Mikon no Haha desu ga Musume-tachi ga Kawaisugite Boukenshagyou mo Ku ni Narimasen
-Alternate Name
Even Though I'm a Former Noble and a Single Mother, My Daughters Are Too Cute and Working as an Adventurer Isn't Too Much of a Hassle
-Debut
2019
-Author
Higa, Yukari (Art)
Taikoban (Story)
-Synopsis
A world where monsters run rampant. A noblewoman falls from grace and loses everything after being falsely accused. But, she started a fresh life as an "Immortal." She became an adventurer capable of defeating disaster-rank monsters and taking the heads off ancient dragons with a single swing of her blade. However, behind that cool exterior... beats the heart of a ridiculously over-indulgent mother!?
"What should I do, my daughters are just too cute!?"
She wields her deadly sword for the sake of motherly love! Ogres flee and dragons tremble at the sight of this overpowered adventurer! The fantasy adventure of the Doting Mother Sword Demon begins now!
[Source: TO Books, translated]
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7. Dandadan
-Debut
2021
-Author
Tatsu, Yukinobu (Story & Art)
-Synopsis
After being aggressively rejected, Momo Ayase finds herself sulking when she stumbles across a boy being bullied. Saved by her rash kindness, the occult-obsessed boy attempts to speak to her about supernatural interests he believes they share. Rejecting his claims, Ayase proclaimed that she is instead a believer in ghosts, starting an argument between the two over which is real.
In a bet to determine who's correct, the two decide to separately visit locations associated with both the occult and the supernatural—Ayase visiting the former and the boy visiting the latter. When the two reach their respective places, it turns out that neither of them was wrong and that both the occult and ghosts do exist.
This marks the beginning of Ayase and the boy's adventure, who shares a name with Ayase's favorite idol—Ken Takakura, as they attempt to fix the surreal supernatural and sci-fi elements around them to return to a normal life.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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8. Furyou Taimashi Reina
-Alternate Name
Bad Girl-Exorcist Reina
-Debut
2018
-Author
OTOSAMA (Story & Art)
-Synopsis
Reina Suzuno, a transfer student with a Sukujan, blonde hair and loose socks looks totally like a criminal. Is she a stalker? It turns out that Reina is not a stalker, she is actually an exorcist, an excellent exorcist, the intimidating behavior she has is actually a unique method of exorcism, which exterminates the evil spirits that roam the earth.
[Source: MU]
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9. "Omae Gotoki ga Maou ni Kateru to Omouna" to Yuusha Party wo Tsuihou sareta node, Outo de Kimama ni Kurashitai
-Alternate Name
ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!
Do You Think Someone like You Could Defeat the Demon Lord?
-Debut
2018
-Author
Minakata, Sunao (Art)
kiki (Story)
-Synopsis
Flum Apricot was never meant to be a hero. Despite zero stats across the board and a power she can't even use, she somehow finds herself included in a party of heroes. But Flum's life hits rock bottom when the party's renowned sage, Jean Inteige, decides that the useless girl is dead weight, and arranges to have her sold into slavery. Tossed to monsters to be feasted upon for her master's entertainment, Flum makes the desperate choice to reach for a cursed weapon... and something new awakens within her. A grimdark tale about one woman's blood-soaked quest to reclaim her life!
[Source: Seven Seas Entertainment]
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10. Semelparous
-Debut
2019
-Author
Ogino, Jun (Story & Art)
-Synopsis
Ever since they were young girls, best friends Yorino and Haruka have been training to become Bastioners—soldiers who battle in a walled area that protects humanity from the kaiju trying to break through. But when Haruka is killed during a routine exercise, Yorino must fight even harder to make sure she never loses someone close to her again.
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11. Sousou no Frieren
-Alternate Name
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
-Debut
2019
-Author
Yamada, Kanehito (Story)
Abe, Tsukasa (Art)
-Synopsis
The demon king has been defeated, and the victorious hero party returns home before disbanding. The four—mage Frieren, hero Himmel, priest Heiter, and warrior Eisen—reminisce about their decade-long journey as the moment to bid each other farewell arrives. But the passing of time is different for elves, thus Frieren witnesses her companions slowly pass away one by one.
Before his death, Heiter manages to foist a young human apprentice called Fern onto Frieren. Driven by the elf's passion for collecting a myriad of magic spells, the pair embarks on a seemingly aimless journey, revisiting the places that the heroes of yore had visited. Along their travels, Frieren slowly confronts her regrets of missed opportunities to form deeper bonds with her now-deceased comrades.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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12. Hachigatsu Kokonoka: Boku wa Kimi ni Kuwareru
-Alternate Name
August 9th: I Will Be Eaten by You
-Debut
2020
-Author
tomomi (Story & Art)
-Synopsis
In order to eat me, my enigmatic stalker is protecting me from other strange women?
A high school boy, Sakurai, has a secret he cannot tell anyone: he has been plagued by stalkers since he was a child. One day, his classmate, Ueda, suddenly transforms into a monster, revealed to be one of his stalkers. Miyako, who has always been closely following him, appears and saves him. She tells Sakurai that the monsters, commonly known as urban legends in Japan, are after him because they love him. What will be the fate of Sakurai who is loved by countless creatures disguised as beautiful girls?
[Source: Takeshobo, translated]
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13. Ninkyou Tensei: Isekai no Yakuza Hime
-Alternate Name
Yakuza Reincarnation: Yakuza Princess of Another World
-Debut
2019
-Author
Natsuhara, Takeshi (Story)
Miyashita, Hiroki (Story & Art)
-Synopsis
Focuses on an old-fashioned yakuza member who made a career in the underworld. When he is caught in a trap and loses his life, he is reincarnated as a princess in a fantasy world. While now a beautiful girl, the yakuza still retains the values tempered from a life in a world without honor and humanity.
[Source: ANN]
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14. Machigatta Ko wo Mahou Shoujo ni Shiteshimatta
-Alternate Name
Machimaho: I Messed Up and Made the Wrong Person Into a Magical Girl
-Debut
2016
-Author
Souryuu (Story & Art)
-Synopsis
While on the run from an evil Atsunmo, the divine entity Myu desperately searches for someone worthy enough to become a magical girl and defeat the horrible monster. Just as the demon catches up to Myu, he spots a high school student who looks like the perfect candidate. Pretty hair, a kind face—she has it all. But to his surprise, seconds after Myu gives this student the abilities of a magical girl, she pulls a cigarette out of her pocket.
The girl, named Kayo Majiba, is actually an aggressive delinquent with an attitude that betrays her appearance. She has no problem taking out the Atsunmo, defeating it in just a single punch. However, Myu is now faced with a greater threat: Kayo herself. Nonetheless, it is Myu's duty to guide Kayo toward the path of defeating evil. But can he carry out his responsibility when there seems to be more to Kayo's tough demeanor than what meets the eye?
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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15. Yuwakashi Yuusha no Fukushuutan: Mizu wo Oyu ni Suru Koto shika Dekinai Yuusha dakedo, Subete wo Ubatta Omaera wo Korosu ni wa Koitsu de Juubun da
-Alternate Name
The Tale of the Teapot Hero's Revenge
-Debut
2019
-Author
Non B (Story)
Ori (Art)
-Synopsis
A Hero is someone chosen by God to receive a supernatural "gift." A unique existence, only one Hero can exist at a time, with a new one being chosen upon the former's death. This generation's Hero is a ordinary villager girl named Kyrie whose gift is merely being able to boil water. When her family and friends are slaughtered, Kyrie is backed into a corner and learns the true value of that boiling hot power, and how well it could be used to fan the flames of revenge that burned inside of her.
[Source: Square Enix, translated]
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16. Shinigami ni Sodaterareta Shoujo wa Shikkoku no Ken wo Mune ni Idaku
-Alternate Name
The Little Girl Raised by Death Hold the Sword of Death Tight
-Debut
2019
-Author
Matsukaze, Suiren (Art)
Ayamine, Maito (Story)
-Synopsis
Olivia should have died that day, wrapped in a cloth at the Gate to the Underworld. But by the death god Zed's whim, she survived and was raised by him until she came of age. Then, one day, he disappeared, leaving behind only three things: a brilliant red jewel, a letter, and an ominous black sword. Carrying these with her, Olivia left to join the war.
On the continent, a bloody war between the Kingdom and Imperial armies has ensued for years. For two years, neither country could gain a strong enough foothold to secure victory, and the bodies continued to pile up. But the Kingdom is now on its last legs, backed into a corner with only a single main line of defense remaining.
However, their ray of hope comes in the form of Olivia, whose innocent appearance can barely contain the killer inside. The blood-soaked girl raised by death will change the tides of war, leaving a trail of beheaded bodies, dismembered limbs, and rotting corpses in her wake.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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17. Joou Heika no Isekai Strategy
-Alternate Name
Her Majesty's Swarm
-Debut
2020
-Author
Dai-616 Tokubetsu Jouhou Daitai (Story)
Minamoto, Akira (Art)
-Synopsis
In her first life, she was obsessed with the "Arachnea," a spider-like race in the video game she adored. As an evil-aligned faction, they sought nothing but victory; the more they conquered, the more they grew, using the bodies of their enemies as fuel to multiply and expand the ever-growing swarm.
When she awakens, she is in a body younger than her former one and finds herself surrounded by the Arachnea, who call her "Her Majesty." She soon realizes that she too is connected to the hivemind, and her precious Arachnea still wish for victory—over who and for what ends, that is unclear, but their lust to win is undeniable.
To fulfill their desires, she leads the Arachnea, destroying all who are vile in the world. From the religious zealots who murder those unlike them, to the immoral slavers who deal in the lives of others, none are free from her path of carnage. You can plead, weep, or beg, but she has no mercy—the swarm of the Arachnea lives only for victory and to serve Her Majesty.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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18. Akai Kiri no Naka kara
-Alternate Name
From the Red Fog
-Debut
2020
-Author
Nohara, Mosae (Story & Art)
-Synopsis
This work is a story about a boy, Rwanda, whose mother is a vicious murderer, set in England at the end of the 19th century. Rwanda, who has long been confined in the basement, grew up and left the house after a certain incident. Eventually, he arrived at the town and was picked up by a staff member of the nursing home and decided to live in the facility. But peaceful everyday life is only boring for Rwanda...
[Source: MU]
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19. Brutal: Satsujin Keisatsukan no Kokuhaku
-Alternate Name
Brutal: Confessions of a Homicide Investigator
-Debut
2019
-Author
Koga, Kei (Story)
Izawa, Ryou (Art)
-Synopsis
Handsome, successful, and talented, detective Hiroki Dan has it all. Each investigation solved is another good deed to add to his pile of closed cases. However, while his work is fulfilling, there are still times when he becomes frustrated; the police are helpless when vile people are beyond the reach of the law. It is for this very reason that Hiroki takes matters into his own hands.
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, Hiroki exacts twisted justice on the dredges of society, one "good deed" at a time.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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20. Pumpkin Night
-Debut
2016
-Author
Hokazono, Masaya (Story)
Taniguchi, Seima (Art)
-Synopsis
A deformed school girl escapes from a mental hospital in order to hunt down her former schoolmates who cruelly pranked and bullied her.
[Source: MU]