One of Japan’s major manga awards, Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2026 published by Takarajimasha, has announced its top ranked titles. The Men category No. 1 is Hon nara Uruhodo (JP: 本なら売るほど) by Kojima Ao from KADOKAWA, while the Women category No. 1 is Half Is More (JP: 半分姉弟, Hanbun Kyodai) by Fujimi Yoiko from LEED Publishing.

Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2026 selects the most noteworthy manga published in collected volume format between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025. The book features interviews with the creators who ranked first in both the Men and Women categories, along with a complete list of the top fifty titles for each category. Given the significant influence these rankings have on sales, the results attract extensive attention from publishers and bookstores alike.

Men Category No. 1 Hon nara Uruhodo

Hon nara Uruhodo originated as a five-part short serialization in the manga magazine Harta published by KADOKAWA. Set in the secondhand bookstore Jugatsudo, the series follows how a single book passed from one person to another becomes the thread that connects lives.
This human drama woven through used books earned strong support from readers, leading to a full serialization and ultimately securing the number one spot in this year's Men category by a wide margin.

Women Category No. 1 Half Is More

Half Is More (Hanbun Kyodai) explores the everyday experiences and often unspoken truths of people referred to as “half,” and quickly went viral on social media upon the release of its first chapter. The series claimed the top position in the Women category.

Author Fujimi Yoiko, who has a Spanish father, conducted extensive interviews with individuals from diverse backgrounds to authentically depict these perspectives.

Special 20th Anniversary Features

The ranking book Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2026, set for release on the fifteenth, celebrates its twentieth anniversary by bringing together previous first place winners. It includes exclusive commemorative illustrations and a special feature titled “We Ask Past No. 1 Creators: Kono Manga ga Sugoi!” where creators answer rare questions such as “The first manga you ever bought yourself,” “The manga you want to talk about all night,” and “A manga you would like to create a spin off or remake of.”

The book also continues its annual special sections, including “We Ask Popular Manga Creators: Kono Manga ga Sugoi!”, “The Most Impressive Scenes in Those Manga,” and “Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Selected by Famous Manga Lovers From Various Fields.”

Source : ORICON NEWS