Widely considered one of the greatest dark fantasy stories ever written. It follows Guts, the Black Swordsman, in a brutal medieval world driven by fate, ambition, and trauma. The hyper-detailed, hand-drawn artwork is legendary.

It is a meditation on mortality. It is the highest-rated anime on MyAnimeList for a reason. It makes mundane moments (eating bread, finding a flower) feel as epic as a boss battle. Read the manga for the art, watch the anime for the ambient soundtrack.

A fast-paced action-comedy about Taro Sakamoto, an legendary hitman who retired, got married, gained weight, and now runs a convenience store. The manga is highly praised for its creative, cinematic panelling during fight sequences. 2. Seinen: Mature and Psychological