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Reading manga online is the easiest way to find a series you love. Owning it is different: a shelf of volumes you can lend to friends, re-read on a long train ride, or give as a gift. This guide covers what to buy first, when a box set makes sense, which editions are worth the extra space, and what to gift a manga fan.
A quick note: the book links in this guide go to Amazon.in. As an Amazon Associate, Indian Manga earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We only list books we would recommend anyway.
Start with a first volume
The safest way to start a collection is to buy Volume 1 of a series you already know you like. One volume is enough to tell whether the art and pacing work for you on paper, and if they do, the rest of the series is easy to follow. These are the first volumes we recommend most often:
- One Piece, Vol. 1: a rubber-bodied pirate sets out to find the greatest treasure in the world. Long, but the first volume alone shows why it is one of the best-selling manga ever.
- Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 1: a student swallows a cursed finger and is pulled into a school for sorcerers. Fast, dark and very easy to get into.
- Spy x Family, Vol. 1: a spy, an assassin and a mind-reading child pretend to be a normal family. The best pick for someone new to manga.
- Death Note, Vol. 1: a student finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. A thriller that is hard to put down.
- Demon Slayer, Vol. 1: a boy trains as a demon slayer to save his sister. Simple, emotional and beautifully drawn.
- Chainsaw Man, Vol. 1: wild, violent and unpredictable devil-hunting action for readers who want something different.
If you love action: three newer series
If you already know the classics, these newer series are where a lot of readers are right now. Each first volume sets up the whole premise, so you will know within one book whether to keep going.
- Blue Lock: survival-game football, where 300 strikers compete for one spot on the national team.
- Dandadan: ghosts versus aliens, with a lot of heart and a lot of chaos.
- Sakamoto Days: a legendary hitman retires to run a corner shop, until his past comes looking for him.
Buy Volume 1 first. If the art and pacing work for you on paper, the rest is easy.
When a box set is worth it
Box sets bundle many volumes into one purchase, usually with a box to keep them together and often a small extra like a poster or booklet. They make the most sense in two cases: you have already read the series and want to own it, or you are buying a gift for someone who loves it. They also often work out cheaper per volume than buying each book separately, so compare the box set with the single volumes before you decide.
- Naruto Box Set 1: Volumes 1 to 27 in one box, the whole first part of the story.
- One Piece Box Set 1: the first 23 volumes, covering the East Blue and Baroque Works arcs.
- Demon Slayer Complete Box Set: all 23 volumes, the entire series from start to finish.
Collector's editions: fewer books, bigger pages
Deluxe and omnibus editions collect two or three volumes in one larger book, usually hardcover with better paper. They take less shelf space than the same number of single volumes and the art looks better at the larger size, which matters for series known for their artwork.
- Berserk Deluxe Edition, Vol. 1: a large hardcover collecting the first three volumes of a legendary dark fantasy.
- Vinland Saga, Book One: a hardcover two-in-one of the Viking epic about revenge and what comes after it.
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 1: a collector's hardcover of one of the most loved manga ever made.
For readers who want to draw manga
If you or someone you know wants to draw manga, a good how-to book is a better first step than an expensive tablet. These two teach faces, figures and characters step by step, and both are good for beginners.
Once you have a few pages ready, you can publish them on Indian Manga for free and keep 70% of what readers pay to unlock your chapters, after taxes and payment fees.
Manga gift ideas for Diwali
- For a fan of one series: the box set of that series is the gift they will remember.
- For someone new to manga: Spy x Family Vol. 1 or One Piece Vol. 1, both easy to love on the first read.
- For someone who already owns a lot: a collector's edition of a series they love.
- For an aspiring artist: a how-to-draw manga book.
Order a few days early if the book needs to arrive before the festival, and check the edition and volume number on the product page before you buy.
Read before you buy
Not sure which story is for you? Indian Manga has original manga by Indian creators that you can start reading for free, from mythology and supernatural series to action and slice of life. When you find a story you love, the shop has the books to take it further.
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Written by
Indian Manga Team
The people behind Indian Manga, India's home for original manga by Indian creators.
