I confess I’m not the biggest reader of comics, manga, graphic novels, or anything really within that general style, but that doesn’t mean nothing ever catches my eye. Many of you who do love this world will probably laugh at my limited knowledge but I’m counting on you to help give me some recommendations because I’d love to read more!

Below I’ll share what I’ve enjoyed thus far from Webtoon to TV to graphic novels (listed in alphabetical order because I’m Type A like that haha) and hopefully you’ll find something new (doubtful since I’m such a novice that I only really know the mainstream lol) or have some ideas for what you think I’d enjoy next! The genres are a bit all over the place but then again it’s the same with all the books I’ve reviewed on here. Hey, I like variety, okay? 😜 (And please correct me if I’ve got any terminology or info wrong for anything because I’m not yet familiar enough with the different art styles, genres, etc. I’m still learning!) 

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Age Matters
Enjelicious
Webtoon
2020

My thoughts: My brain ever since I started reading this ‘toon: KISS DAMMIT. Haha okay not exactly but these characters and tropes hooked me, I admit it, and I’ve been devouring the episodes each week waiting for my endgame hopes to come true. Just a cute lil romantic story with some drama, some cuteness, some fun, and yes romance.

Avatar: The Last Airbender
Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko
TV Show/Anime
2005

My thoughts: I have a confession. I missed this train when it came out (clue: I didn’t have cable/”fancy TV” so I couldn’t watch Nickelodeon). I didn’t watch this show until last year. WHAT?! Yep it’s true. I might’ve seen bits and pieces over the years like during Saturday morning cartoons (the only time my basic/free TV service would show occasional episodes from Disney, Cartoon Network, etc.) and I knew the story/characters enough to pretend I’d seen it around casual fans, but yeah I’d missed the boat haha. But now that I have watched it, I think it was fun! Definitely something I would’ve loved as a kid and I had fun watching it even as an adult.

Beastars
Paru Itagaki
(Manga) TV Show
(2017) 2020

My thoughts: I’ve only watched the first season on Netflix. The concept is what had me intrigued, but it did get weird sometimes haha

Bloodlust & Bonnets
Emily McGovern
Comic
2019

My thoughts: I’m a Jane Austen fan, I like to laugh, I like comics, and I love when a creator combines all three haha. This was a fun read for sure and the historical aspect really caught my attention since it seems (to me but I could totally be wrong) less common and I happen to love historical fiction so this was a must-read on my list.

Devils’ Line
Ryo Hanada
TV Show/Anime
2018

My thoughts: Okay this was on the darker side of what I’ve generally stumbled across and at times it got weird haha but weird or not there was something about it that kept me watching and I finished the whole season and would honestly be down to watch more if they make it. There was just something to the grittiness, the paranormal-ness, and yeah even the couple that evolve from the story that caught my intrigue.

Enjoy the Show!
Jenna A
Webtoon
2020

My thoughts: This toon has me wanting to work at a movie theatre, work at Vegas, something, I dunno but can I be friends with these people?? Okay the mugging made me rethink things, but other than that I’m sold haha. Set in a modern day, real work setting, full of real life, fun, humor, and threads of mystery/drama to keep things interesting, this ‘toon has me coming back each week excited to read more.

Fangs
Sarah Andersen
Comic
2020

My thoughts: I want a graphic novel of this please! Haha it’s just so quirky and adorable how could I not? Each comic was witty, cute, fun, and I fell in love with the unconventional couple.

Fruits Basket
Natsuki Takaya
(Manga) TV Show
(1998) 2001/2019

My thoughts: I’ve only watched the 2019 TV show remake and I haven’t watched all of it, but of what I’ve seen I’ve enjoyed it for the most part. There were moments that are just classic anime that I struggled to vibe with but it was cute and something about it had me choosing it for a fun show to watch to pass the time. I love the shape-shifting aspect and the dynamics between the main cast of characters!

In the Bleak Midwinter
Kat/Ali
Webtoon
2020

My thoughts: Okay this ‘toon has an undeniable epic and intriguing idea but each episode brings more questions than answers and I desperately wish I could fast-forward time to binge the entire thing! I’d love to see this as a graphic novel or TV show for sure!

Jackie Chan Adventures
John Rogers, Duane Capizzi, Jeff Kline
TV Show/Anime
2000

My thoughts: Another childhood memory! This was a Saturday morning staple for me and I remember thinking Jade was so cool (Ooo a Halloween costume idea, perhaps?). Like the other shows I watched as a kid, I think I enjoyed the humor, the action, the cool magic/lore, and the characters as a whole. It was fun, exciting, and made learning martial arts that much better to my kid brain lol.

Lore Olympus
Rachel Smythe
Webtoon
2019

My thoughts: This was the very first Webtoon I ever read and the reason I downloaded the app. It was basically a gateway drug to Webtoon for me haha. The take on Greek mythological characters is fun, unique yet familiar, and it focuses largely on my favorite couple from those myths, Hades & Persephone, without making it some uber dark, uber sexy, uber dramatic concoction that most writers lean towards.

Midnight Poppy Land
Lilydusk
Webtoon
2019

My thoughts: I don’t care if you laugh at me, I swooned over Tora and die in agony each week waiting for the next episode haha (thank goodness for the Facebook fan group!). The cast, the concept, idk it just clicks for me and this is another story I wish I could binge and have a physical copy of. The downside to Webtoon is it’s a website/app and that requires a screen and screens make my eyes sob if I’m looking at them for too long. Can Webtoon expand to include paperback publication offers or something?? That would be AMAZING.

Pokémon the Series: Indigo League
Takeshi Shudo
TV Show/Anime
1997

My thoughts: Okay this is my CHILDHOOD! YAS! This was my first introduction to anime and I watched through the show again a few years ago in college and still loved it. Anime can be really hit or miss for me but Pokémon is cute, fun, funny, and it has the major nostalgia factor going for it. Do I still own my Pokédex? YES I DO. Do I still own all of my cards? YOU BETCHA. Maybe I’ll make my dog a Pokémon next year for Halloween…hmm…

Purple Hyacinth
Ephemerys/Sophism
Webtoon
2020

My thoughts: This ‘toon gets right down to business with cops, organized crime, conspiracies, vengeance, and two MC’s that I ship for now and always haha. More dark, less cute, but still with funny moments for levity, the plot is twisty, beautifully illustrated, and I’m always impatient for the next episode.

Strange Planet
Nathan W. Pyle
Comic
2019

My thoughts: Freaking funny, relatable, and adorable yet simple. I couldn’t resist buying the book and I don’t regret it. An absolute delight.

Stray Souls
Maf
Webtoon
2020

My thoughts: This one I get lost/confused with sometimes and that could partly be because I have to wait each week for the next episode and the story includes a complex fantasy world to keep up with. Regardless it has similar vibes to a lot of fantasy books I’ve enjoyed and so far this one is just as epic. I know I’m a broken record with these Webtoons but dammit I just really want completed, physical versions of all of them!

SubZero
Junepurrr
Webtoon
2019

My thoughts: Love the lore, love the concept (who doesn’t love dragons??), and yeah I’m down for the romance part of it as well. Does the FMC have weirdly large boobs? Yes, she does. That aside I love the art, the story, and the characters. A good balance of action and romance.

Third Shift Society
Meredith Moriarty
Webtoon
2019

My thoughts: I love these two! This ‘toon has been on pause for months and it’s killing me because I want more! I have so many questions about Mr. Pumpkin Head (not his name lol), but each episode is a fun adventure with a bit of spooky, a bit of quirky, and a bit of adorable. Gimme more, dammit! Haha

V for Vendetta
Alan Moore
Graphic Novel
1990

My thoughts: I watched the live action movie adaptation before I read the novel and to be honest I prefer the movie but the dystopian story is dark, thought-provoking, and epic in either medium.

Yu-Gi-Oh!
Kazuki Takahashi
TV Show/Anime
2000

My thoughts: Another classic of my childhood! Saturday mornings meant Pokémon, Jackie Chan, and Yu-Gi-Oh! I have fond memories of playing the game, watching the show, and yeah it was sort of badass and cool and I still dig it.

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ON MY LIST

These stories are already on my radar, I just haven’t had a chance to read/watch them yet. Let me know your thoughts! Did you like it? Should I go for it? Pass on it? I’m all ears!

Beastars
Paru Itagaki
Manga (TV Show)
2017 (2020)

My Thoughts: I watched the show…I liked it though it had its weird moments haha. Even so I wanted to try reading the original manga since I’m trying to read more stories in this style hence its place on this list.

Charlotte
Jun Maeda
TV Show/Anime
2016

My Thoughts: To be honest I know nothing about this show except that Dylan from dylanisintrouble on YouTube recommended it during one of his sponsored Crunchyroll ads and it caught my eye so I put it on my to-watch list. Let me know if you’ve ever seen it!

City Monster
Reza Farazmand
Graphic Novel
2020

My thoughts: I follow these comics on Instagram and had to buy the book! I cannot wait to read it when it arrives in the mail!

Code Adam
Atterozen
Webtoon
2019

My Thought: I’ve actually read the first couple of episodes already (when I was trying to decide if I wanted to add it to my Webtoon list or not) and was definitely getting hooked but I had so many other things I was trying to keep up with that it ended up falling to the wayside but it’s on my list and I’m definitely interested in picking it back up!

The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 1: Apocalypse Suite
Gerard Way
Graphic Novel
2007

My Thoughts: I watched the 2019 live action TV show adaptation and really enjoyed it. I’ve heard some people loved the original comic just as much and others felt disappointed…regardless I’d like to read it for myself and give it a try. What did you think?

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OTHERS

There are probably other shows, Webtoons, etc. that I’ve read or seen that I’m forgetting, some I’m just not as dedicated to and pick up whenever I remember them, and some just got either a bit too, um, weird or I confess sometimes even annoying for me to continue with lol. I remember trying to read manga in fifth grade but didn’t have access to anything beyond the one book I bought at the Scholastic Book Fair (BEST TIME OF THE YEAR BABY!) so that never really took off for me…I can’t even remember what the book was but I do remember being VERY confused at first until I realized you read them right to left haha. Anyway, this list is of what came to mind when I decided to create this post so they’re clearly the ones that have stuck out to me the most for whatever reasons (most of them basic AF I know haha).

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Seriously, I’d love to know what you’d recommend I read or watch next! It’s probably pretty obvious that I’m a novice in this genre but I’m down to keep exploring. Drop your suggestions in the comments below!

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