When people think about manga based on video games, they likely jump straight to Pokémon Adventures. The long-running series has an arc for every generation of mainline Pokémon games and is widely considered to be one of the best video game-based manga of all time. But, while Pokémon Adventures is an excellent series, there are many other video game manga out there -- and many of them are just as good, too.
Here are five manga to read when you want some time away from the console.
Monster Hunter Orage
The Monster Hunter franchise has come a long way over the years. It has moved from cult-classic status to being a major franchise, even spawning a major motion picture. Monster Hunter Orage moves the franchise into the world of manga with fantastic results.
The series was written by Mashima Hiro, the creator of Fairy Tail. The manga premiered in Monthly Shōnen Rival magazine in 2008. All four volumes of the manga were translated into English by Kodansha Comics between 2011 and 2012. The series follows a Monster Hunter named Shiki, who moves back to his master's old residence after his sudden death. After joining the local guild, he meets Ailee, the daughter of his former master. The pair decide to set out on a quest to fulfill the master's greatest goal: slaying the legendary dragon Myo Galuna.
The series is a great way to see a side of the Monster Hunter world you don't see in the games and the plot is captivating enough to make this fantasy adventure one you won't forget.
Mega Man Megamix
Capcom's blue bomber has been a hit ever since he first landed on the NES in 1987. Since then, the character has appeared in loads of different manga. However, the best has to be Mega Man Megamix. Mega Man Megamix is UDON's repackaging of 1996's Rockman Remix series, which tells the story of the first few Mega Man games, but massively expands on the world and characters. This series gives in-universe explanations of several of the game's core mechanics, including explaining why the robot masters are all weak to each other's weapons.
Hitoshi Ariga drew the series, and thus the whole manga is a visual treat, making this the perfect gift for any Mega Man fan. Even if you're not into the game, you'll find this retelling of the plot utterly engrossing as it turns Mega Man from a platformer into a fantastic sci-fi epic.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
The Ace Attorney series seems a natural fit for manga with its inventive and brain tangling whodunnits. And, the 2007 series of manga delivers everything you would expect and more. The series follows Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey as they solve crimes and get justice in the courtroom. From a murderer possessed by demons to murder at an eating competition, these cases are just as strange and fantastical as the ones in the games.
Kazuo Maekawa's illustrations strike a balance between looking like the game and working within the medium to create something that looks stunning. This, paired with Kenji Kuroda's writing, will keep you gripped right until the last page. The only downside is that these cases break the games' continuity somewhat, but unless you're an expert on the series and its timeline, you likely won't notice the difference as most of them are small details.
The Kodansha comics release of this manga is considered the best way to experience it.
Kingdom Hearts II
Kingdom Hearts II is the third game in the Kingdom Hearts series that sees Disney and Final Fantasy crossover in an epic RPG tale. The game came out on the Playstation 2 in 2005 and became an instant cult classic. The manga adaptation ran from 2007 to 2015, but it did have a short hiatus while the artist, Shiro Amano, worked on the manga adaptation of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.
The story follows Sora as he awakens from a Nobody-induced slumber and sets out to defeat the evil Organization XIII as well as trying to deal with the Heartless and several Disney villains. The manga adds some much-needed extra comedy, making it a quick and enjoyable read that helps you appreciate just how good the story is. It is also the perfect way to catch up with the story of Kingdom Hearts II, especially if you want a new perspective on it if you're already familiar with the game.
Yen Press has released the entire manga as a four-volume set.
Street Fighter II
Street Fighter is a legendary series that revolutionized the fighting game genre. While the franchise has a decent amount of lore, it often gets buried under the fighting. Street Fighter II was serialized in Family Computer Magazine between 1993 and 1994. It follows Ryu and Ken, who, while training with a mysterious man called Gouken, learn about M. Bison and his sinister organization Shadaloo, specifically their use of the brainwashing drug Doll. However, when Bison's men attack, Ryu starts a quest for revenge that takes him to the Street Fighter tournament. As the manga progresses, many of the game's other characters get spotlight time, fleshing out their backstories and motivations for fighting.
UDON re-released the manga as a complete edition and it acts as a time capsule of the early days of Street Fighter before the franchise became the massive behemoth it is today. It also tells a gripping story that feels much like a gritty '80s kung-fu movie, packed full of cool fighters who you can't help but root for. Masaomi Kanzaki's art is beautiful and is worth the price of entry alone.
