We’re getting older (albeit still young)! We want to read manga with smart, relatable characters and thoughtful stories.
Here’s my list of manga that I’ve enjoyed reading as a daily reader heading towards 40. Most feature adult characters over 30, are well-paced, and includes a sense of humour.
My manga recommendations for women (30s & 40s):
(I’m not associated with any of the Amazon links in any way; it’s just an easy way to embed imagery without touching copy right.)
Nagatan to aoto (ながたんと青と)
Ichika is in her mid 30s, and after losing her husband of 2 months due to the war she had managed to work in a hotel restaurant. She then is made to marry a 20yo to save her family’s traditional restaurant and works against cultural norms in Kyoto becoming the head chef as a woman. It’s interesting to see the cultural shift from the ‘traditional’ Japanese to a modern-western way of thinking.
Somo somo uchi ni wa shibafu ga nai (そもそもウチには芝生がない）
This manga revolves around three women in their mid-40s. The selling tagline mentions “Tara-reba” but it’s actually nothing like the Tokyo Tarareba Girls manga, except for the fast-paced easy-to-read-ness. It’s light and funny but slightly depressing at the same time as it touches on things to ‘look forward to’ in our forties.
Hyper Midi Nakashima Hauko (ハイパーミディ中島ハルコ)
38yo freelance writer meets 52yo CEO and gets a glimpse into the lifestyles and problems of the wealthy. Haruko’s straightforwardness is refreshing and satisfying to read.
Ao no hana, utsuwa no mori (青の花 器の森)
This is a calm manga set in Nagasaki prefecture’s Hasami known for handmade and painted porcelain, featuring a 31yo girl working in a traditional potter. It’s amazing to see just how hands-on traditional artisans are.
Nagi no oitoma (凪のお暇)
I’ve never read an everyday life manga like this before. It exposes people’s twisted sides in a funny way without being scolding. Following 28yo Nagi who drops out of life to reset her life, every character has an interesting backstory and personality, making it a good read even for us slightly older folks.
Hi ni nagarete hashi ni iku (日に流れて橋に行く)
This story follows the development of a (fictional but realistic) major department store in Tokyo with western influences, and it’s interesting to see what Tokyo’s scenery and lifestyle might have been like around the 1910s; including working women and acceptance of western clothing.
Kugo 45 wa isshuu mawatte oikakeru (九後45は一周回って追いかける)
Featuring a 45yo woman, this love comedy is fast paced and loud. The main character is a little too childish to be relatable, but it’s funny and easy to read.
Shiawase wa tabete nete mate（しあわせは食べて寝て待て）
This is a clam slice of life manga about a 38yo girl who quit her full-time job and moved to an old apartment complex due to an autoimmune disease.
Namida ame to serenade (涙雨とセレナーデ)
While the main character is a teenager who time slipped into the 1940s, other characters are older and mature. So it’s not high school romance; it involves mature themes like human trafficking, opium, and murder while still being a romance manga.
Mystery to iu nakare (ミステリと言う勿れ)
Don’t Call It Mystery is, well, a manga that falls within the mystery genre unlike most titles on this list. I didn’t like the author’s previous titles “7 Seeds” or the popular “Basara”, but this one kept me reading as it’s set in the real world (although I can enjoy fantasy) and the main character’s analytical dialogs are interesting.
Bread & Butter (ブレッド＆バター)
This is a calm slice-of-life romance manga featuring a 34 and 39yo. Relatable to those who’ve worked for a while, the main character who had some hard time as a teacher has a sea change.
Anatano koto wa sorehodo (あなたのことはそれほど)
I guess as the target audience gets older, romance themes move on from dating to cheating. While reading this doesn’t make you feel good, because it’s about an affair and slightly crazy people, it’s written really well and hard to put down.
Nanatsuya shinobu no houseki bako (七つ屋志のぶの宝石匣)
Set around a pawn shop and a jeweler, this manga leans into adult life even though the main characters are 16 and 28. It weaves gemstones into the story without overdoing it, and it’s an easy, pleasant read that still keeps you engaged — while full of comedy, the central mystery is going strong even 20 volumes in.
#9 Musashi – Ghost and Grey (9番目のムサシ ゴースト アンド グレイ)
Musashi’s 5th season Ghost and Grey is engaging without knowledge of past seasons. (It made me want to read the past seasons, but the current one was most captivating.) Unlike the other everyday life mangas on this list, this one features a fictional CIA-like agency as well as super ex-assassins.
Uchyu kyodai (宇宙兄弟)
Life doesn’t work out as expected but Mutta, 31, finally decides to follow his childhood dream. It’s funny, relatable, and an inspirational read especially during a mini midlife crisis.
Hate no hoshi tsuushin (果ての星通信)
Something unexpected happened mid-way in this manga, it made me wonder how is this going to end in only 5 volumes. It’s more like space fantasy than science fiction, but there is enough suspense to pace through it.
Tenjou no niji (天上の虹)
This historical manga is set in ancient Nara and features the 41st emperor of Japan, from her birth to her death. It’s an intriguing way to learn about how Japan started to function as a country (although you need to keep in mind it’s fictional between the facts.)
Some younger manga are still great as an older reader
Did you find a new fave? Do you have recommendations? Please comment below 🙂
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