Manga isn’t just about epic battles or high school drama. It’s a medium of endless stories covering infinite genres and genre mash-ups – from sports and fighting to gambling and romantic comedies, there’s something for everyone! One area that may seem less obvious is music. From heart-pounding rock performances to soulful journeys of aspiring musicians, music-themed manga hits all the right notes. So, let’s crank up the volume and dive into some of the most unforgettable Japanese manga that bring music to life on the page!
Beck
Harold Sakuichi
Publishers: Kodansha (Japan) / Comixology (US)
Fourteen-year-old Koyuki‘s mundane life is turned upside down when he meets sixteen-year-old Ryusuke Minami, a prodigious Japanese rock musician who has just returned from the United States. Ryusuke is on a mission to form a new band, and after seeing him perform live, Koyuki is inspired to pick up the guitar himself. This fateful encounter between an ordinary boy and a genius guitarist sets the stage for a thrilling rock ‘n’ roll adventure.
Beck is the story of an ordinary kid who can’t play the guitar, yet is determined to make a name for himself in the music industry. It’s a journey many of us have dreamed about. As teenagers, we all imagined what it’d be like to have the presence of Kurt Cobain, the skills of Jimi Hendrix, and the energy of Angus Young. Koyuki’s path to stardom offers a raw and inspiring take on the dream of becoming a rock star. The manga features visually impactful scenes that make us wish we could attend the depicted live shows. It’s also a deep dive into the history of rock, peppered with interesting musical anecdotes.
Recommended soundtrack to accompany your reading:
Nirvana – Nevermind
Beat Crusader –Beck: Animation Beck Soundtrack
PPPPPP
Mapollo 3
Publishers: Shueisha (Japan) / Viz Media (US)
The story of PPPPPP follows the musical journey of Lucky, the son of Otogami Gakuon, a genius pianist who has made his mark in music history. Lucky has siblings, all of whom became piano prodigies. However, Lucky did not. After his parents’ divorce, he chose to live a more ordinary life with his mother instead of performing alongside his talented family. As his mother lies on her deathbed, Lucky promises to become a pianist, setting him on a quest to outshine the rest of his famous family.
While the art style might not appeal to everyone – it features elongated, almost misshapen characters – and the plot may seem predictable to some, PPPPPP takes on the ambitious challenge of illustrating music in an almost-tangible way. The pages almost seem to vibrate with sound, making it a very unique reading experience. The manga also delves into the emotions of the musicians, capturing their intimate relationship with their craft, both on and off the stage. If you’ve ever wondered what music might “look like”, PPPPPP offers a visually rich story worth experiencing.
Recommended soundtrack to accompany your reading:
Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 26
Beethoven – Für Elise
Liszt – Mazeppa
Bastard!!
Kazushi Hagiwara
Publishers: Shueisha (Japan) / Viz Media (US)
In a post-apocalyptic world filled with magic and fantasy, the ancient wizard Dark Schneider is sealed within 15-year-old Lucien, who was raised alongside Yoko, the daughter of the High Priest of the Kingdom of Metallicana. The kingdom is attacked by the Dark Rebel Army, which seeks to resurrect the demon Anthrasax, forcing the High Priest must awaken the powerful wizard once again.
Wait a moment?! This one isn’t about music… Bastard!! may seem like your typical fantasy tale, but it has a hidden twist for heavy metal fans. The author, Kazushi Hagiwara, is a huge metalhead. The series is filled with references to iconic bands and musicians – the main character’s name is inspired by German singer Udo Dirkschneider; one his spells is called “Venom”; the kingdom is named Metallicana; and the main antagonist is named after the band Anthrax. Thanks to its heavy metal influences, the manga is subtitled ‘Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy’ in the US! So, if you’re a fan of both epic fantasy and metal, this one’s definitely worth a look! (Also, it’s one of my personal favorites, so I had to include it!)
Recommended soundtrack to accompany your reading:
It’s time to dust off your old boombox and your 70s/80s metal cassette tapes!
Nana
Ai Yazawa
Publishers: Shueisha (Japan) / Viz Media (US)
Nana follows the lives of two young women, both named Nana, who meet by chance on a train as they head to Tokyo shortly after turning 20 – one to follow her boyfriend and the other to pursue her dream of becoming a professional musician. Despite their starkly different personalities, the two Nanas later reunite and end up living together in the same apartment. There, they form an unexpected bond as they navigate their dreams, relationships, and personal growth.
This heartfelt masterpiece explores themes of friendship, love, and setbacks, following one girl’s pursuit of fame and the other’s search for romance. Set against the backdrop of the Japanese music scene, the manga draws heavily from punk culture and alternative fashion, with many of the character designs inspired by the Sex Pistols and Vivienne Westwood clothing. The story’s emotional depth pulls you in, making you empathize with the characters as they experience a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Unfortunately, Nana has been on hiatus since 2009 due to the author Ai Yazawa’s health issues. However, in 2022, she expressed interest in continuing the series if she ever regains the ability to do so…
Recommended soundtrack to accompany your reading:
The Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols
THE END – Nana Starring Mika Nakashima (Movie original soundtrack)
Me and the Devil Blues
Akira Hiramoto
Publishers: Kodansha (Japan) / Del Rey Manga (US)
They say that if you make a deal with the devil at a crossroads, all your wishes will come true. Set in the late 1920s Mississippi Delta, where most African Americans worked as tenant farmers on white-owned plantations, Me and the Devil Blues tells the story of RJ – an ordinary farmer who dreams of becoming a bluesman, despite not even being able to play the guitar.
Based on the life of the legendary bluesman Robert Johnson and named after his iconic song, the story delves into the depths of a man’s soul, raising the unsettling question of what one would be willing to sacrifice to make their dreams come true. With a focus on the characters’ life and environment, this manga offers a unique take on blues music through the lens of a Japanese artist. Unfortunately, the series has been put on indefinite hiatus. The author has since been busy with other projects, so it remains uncertain whether he will ever finish his story.
Recommended soundtrack to accompany your reading:
Robert Johnson – King of the Delta Blues Singers
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Manga Spotlight © Omniverse Comics Guide 2025
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