A high school student who "has it all" feels empty until he discovers the world of oil painting. This is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt the struggle of pursuing a passion or the fear of creative failure. 4. Mystery and Thriller

: Frequently cited as one of the best-written series, it follows two brothers using alchemy to search for a Philosopher's Stone to restore their bodies. Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

On the anime front, stands as a benchmark for thriller writing. Set in post-Cold War Germany, it follows a Japanese neurosurgeon who saves the life of a young boy, only to realize years later that the boy has grown into a psychopathic serial killer. It is a cat-and-mouse chase devoid of supernatural elements, relying entirely on tense atmosphere and character psychology.

While anime brings in the crowds, manga (physical/digital comics) often tells the complete story without filler. Here are two popular manga that lack full anime adaptations worth watching.