Manga hardcovers are one of my favorite ways to collect series. Not only are they high-quality and sturdy editions, but they often come with extras or are updated versions of previous releases that feature new translations or lettering and new designs. Some of the manga hardcovers on this list are even full-color editions.
I am only including hardcovers on this list that I own or owned in the past, so I can say with certainty the quality of the editions firsthand. I have reviewed many of these editions individually on the site, but also on my YouTube channel. If I reviewed an edition on YouTube, I will add the video below if you’d like to check it out. The pictures I included in this post are of the volumes I own in my manga collection, so you can see what they look like in hand.
That said, here are the best manga hardcovers you can buy!
Thermae Romae: The Complete Omnibus
Thermae Romae: The Complete Omnibus is released by Yen Press and it collects all six volumes of the historical comedy series Thermae Romae by Mari Yamazaki. It tells the story of a Roman architect named Lucius, who is dragged through the bottom of the bath and finds himself 1,500 years in the future in modern-day Japan. After experiencing their bathing customs, he creates the most popular new bathhouse in Rome—Thermae Romae.
The Thermae Romae Complete Omnibus comes with a translucent blue slipcover, which protects the edition and makes it stand out even more on the shelf. Because it collects all six volumes of the series, the volume is rather large. That being said, it’s not easy to read in hand and it is best enjoyed when read on a flat surface, which may be a negative for some. This hardcover omnibus has an eye, which prevents gutter loss and enhances readability and is a must-have for a manga edition of this size. The quality, as well as the design of the edition, is great and the print quality is top-notch as well.
Yen Press has always impressed me when they release hardcover editions, like this one and the Highschool of the Dead Full-Color Editions. I really hope we see more hardcover releases from them in the future, because they release high-quality editions and the Thermae Romae Complete Omnibus is no exception.
Vinland Saga Hardcovers (Deluxe Editions and 2-in-1s)
Right now, you can collect Vinland Saga via the Deluxe Editions or the 2-in-1 hardcovers released by Kodansha. The Deluxe Editions feature better page and print quality, are a larger oversized format similar to the Deluxe Editions released by Dark Horse, and come with new material, including full-color art never before released in an English release, commentary with creator Makoto Yukimura, and more. I compared both in a video, which I’ve included below if you’d like to check it out, or you can learn more in our Vinland Saga Deluxe Editions review.
The Vinland Saga 2-in-1s are a standard release, much like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure or Fist of the North Star, but they are high-quality hardcovers that deserve a spot on this list as well. Even with the release of the Vinland Saga Deluxe Editions, the Vinland Saga volumes are still well worth picking up if you are looking to get into the series at a more affordable cost or prefer the look of the individual covers.
The cover designs are incredible and they look great on the shelf too. Not to mention the fact that you’ll get to experience one of the greatest seinen manga of all time no matter which edition you choose. The Deluxe Editions are the most premium release of Vinland Saga to come out so far, so if you want the highest-quality release overall of the series or prefer large formats, you’ll want to check these out.
Vinland Saga Deluxe Editions vs 2-in-1s Review Video
Uzumaki Deluxe Edition
The Uzumaki hardcover edition, published by Viz, is one of many you can pick up from horror legend, Junji Ito. Viz consistently publishes Ito’s works in slightly oversized hardcovers, allowing fans to collect a significant portion of his catalog in a uniform format. Uzumaki, Tomie, and Gyo all feature similar designs and for this list, I chose to highlight Uzumaki. The cover and spine art feature a mix of muted tones and vibrant red accents, and the combination of matte and glossy textures further highlight the edition’s finer details.
Upon opening Uzumaki, you’re greeted with trippy full-color illustrations inside both the front and back covers. This edition also features color pages throughout the volume. I love the look of Junji Ito’s color pages so I was happy these were included. Although this edition doesn’t include any extra content, it remains the highest quality option for collecting Uzumaki in English, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to start building their Junji Ito or horror manga collection.
Abara Deluxe Edition
Abara, a sci-fi horror manga by one of my all-time favorite creators, Tsutomu Nihei, was originally released as two separate volumes in Japan. Viz Media has since published the short series in a single, complete deluxe edition. This edition showcases some gruesome artwork on the cover which is enhanced by a mix of glossy and matte detailing. The spine features a minimalistic design that looks great on the shelf too.
Inside the front and back covers you’ll find large black and gray artwork as well as a few color pages at the beginning of each chapter, which looks great in Nihei’s signature style. The Abara Complete Deluxe Edition also comes with some great extras, including two foldout posters—one in the front, displaying the same artwork as the cover, and one near the back, showcasing artwork from Nihei’s one-shot Digimortal, which is also included at the end of the volume.
Although this edition has been out of stock for some time, with aftermarket prices often surpassing $100, it is an essential addition to any Tsutomu Nihei fan’s collection. I also really hope Viz decides to give Biomega the same deluxe treatment in the future!
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is currently the longest-running manga in a hardcover format and with the series still ongoing and several arcs behind the Japanese source material, this edition will continue to release for many years to come. These hardcover releases from Viz feature newly drawn cover art as well as color pages throughout the volumes.
The first three arcs released feature similar cover art and spine designs, but once Diamond is Unbreakable begins, the cover and spine designs hit another level. The cover designs from Part 4 are some of the most eye-catching that Viz has released, so these are likely to just get better and better with Part 6, Stone Ocean, arriving in 2023.
Viz also recently released the spin-off series Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe, featuring vibrant cover art, color illustrations, and commentary from Hirohiko Araki after each episode. All of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure editions feature high-quality paper that has an eggshell-like texture. The pages feature high-contrast artwork and the original Japanese sound effects, with the English translation directly on the page.
These editions are a must-have for any JoJo’s fan or any manga collector looking to get into one of the most bizarre shonen manga of all time.
Fist of the North Star
Fist of the North Star by Tetsuo Hara and Buronson has been released with English translation before, but they stopped printing them before the full series could be released. It’s been many years since then, and for the longest time it felt like we’d never get a full release of the series, but Viz has finally picked it back up again. This time around, releasing Fist of the North Star in a new hardcover format with a design based on the 2013 Ultimate Editions. With these, they even made some new design choices, including raised and textured elements, such as a translucent Big Dipper and some blood splatter details.
Not only are they hardcover releases with a new design as mentioned prior, but the sound effects are translated, a first for an English-translated release of the series, they open up with a couple of full-color pages, and they also have updated translation. Also, these volumes are read in the original right-to-left reading format, which I love.
The Ghost in the Shell Deluxe Editions
Kodansha released Deluxe Editions of The Ghost in the Shell, which can be collected individually or in a complete box set. The box set, in my opinion, is the way to go, because it allows you to collect all of the Deluxe Editions at once and it comes with a lithograph and box you can display them in. I really appreciate that the Deluxe Editions read in the original reading format and that they have the original hand-drawn sound effects too.
Kodansha recently released The Ghost in the Shell Fully Compiled Edition, which is a hardcover as well. I actually think that you can’t go wrong either way with Deluxe Editions or the Fully Compiled Edition depending on which one you prefer.
The Fully Compiled edition collects the entire series in one hardcover, so it’s the most compact edition and the design as well as the artwork featured on the cover is beautiful. It’s also the cheapest way to collect The Ghost in the Shell right now. The Deluxe Editions are slightly better in terms of print and page quality, though, and both have updated translation and lettering.
Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Editions
The Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Editions, which can be collected individually or in the Battle Angel Alita Manga Box Set, one of the best manga box sets to release to date, does the iconic cyberpunk manga Battle Angel Alita by Yukito Kishiro justice.
If you decide to pick up the Deluxe Editions, I highly recommend the box set. There’s just something about being able to pick up a box set when a manga is complete that’s just so satisfying. In addition to collecting all five volumes of Battle Angel Alita in 5 new hardcover editions, the box set also comes with a new book of short stories and two high-quality prints that feature artwork by Alita‘s creator.
The print quality of the panels in these hardcover editions and the quality of the hardcovers themselves is much better than any other manga release of Battle Angel Alita to release with an English translation so far, including the individual paperbacks and the omnibuses. You can buy the hardcovers individually, but it is cheaper to buy them in the box set. The Battle Angel Alita Manga Box Set is one of the best manga box sets to release so far, because of the hardcover editions themselves but also because of the extras that come with it.
On top of all that, the hardcover editions feature new cover designs, translations, and full-color pages. The full-color pages are absolutely beautiful to witness, but it’s the quality that really sets these apart from the rest.
A Silent Voice Collector’s Editions
The A Silent Voice Collector’s Editions are high-quality hardcovers and Kodansha released two volumes that fully collect the series. The first features the artwork of Shouko and Shoya that’s seen on the first single, but they split the art up like it’s a photograph that’s been torn apart, so Shouko is on one side and Shoya is on the other. I like the way they did this because it is somewhat symbolic of their relationship. The rest of it has a background graphic that looks like the top of Shoya’s desk. They also added a few glossy details on the front cover as well that look like droplets of water.
The Collector’s Editions have color pages in the front of the editions as well as new color illustration galleries to browse. The black and white pages of the Collector’s Editions are printed on higher-quality, premium paper. They are white with a smooth, glossy finish much like the Attack on Titan Colossal Editions. They have the same print quality as those, but the A Silent Voice Collector’s Editions are better quality overall since they are hardcover instead of paperback.
Another bonus is that the Silent Voice Complete Collector’s Editions each come with over 50 pages of new content you can’t collect in other editions. The first has the original 45-page short story, and this is the first time it’s been officially translated into English, never-before-seen interviews with Yoshitoki Ōima, a color art gallery, and more. Between the two editions, there’s going to be over 100 pages of new content that the individuals or box set do not collect, so it has the most extras and new material by far. The interviews, short story, and color art galleries are awesome additions.
All in all, the A Silent Voice Collector’s Editions have the most extra material by far. They also save you space on the shelf and they are the highest quality edition of A Silent Voice to release so far. They are premium editions that look great both on and off the shelf, they have awesome extras, and amazing page and print quality.
Blade of the Immortal Deluxe Editions
The Blade of the Immortal Deluxe Editions have the best print quality out of the three BOTI editions and they are the largest format, so the artwork looks the best in these editions. They also read the best and hold up the best over time, and they are a great value for their price, especially when you can find them on sale.
The Blade of the Immortal Deluxe Editions are high-quality and they are wrapped in gray pleather. The texture of the volumes is really nice. The color is a little muted in comparison to the other two deluxe editions, the Berserk Deluxe Editions, and the Hellsing Deluxe Editions, that have been released, but they are still high quality nonetheless.
The text on the volumes is inset and has a glossy finish. In the center, you have a sticker of the artwork that’s seen on the cover of Omnibus 1. It’s placed in an inset square, which not only serves as a border for added detail but protects the sticker as well. They may not be my favorite Deluxe Edition to release to date from Dark Horse, but they are an incredible edition nonetheless and they are the highest-quality edition of Blade of the Immortal to release so far.
Fullmetal Alchemist Fullmetal Editions
I enjoy the overall look of the Fullmetal Editions, especially in comparison to other versions of Fullmetal Alchemist‘s manga. Each cover highlights an individual character from the series, and while they all feature the same bold, metallic lettering, their colors are unique, which I really like. The lettering on the spine is also foiled, so they really stand out on the shelf. On the back of the volumes, there’s a glossy, opaque transmutation circle, which is a nice touch. This detail gives the book more texture in addition to the raised lettering.
The Fullmetal Alchemist Fullmetal Editions also have updated translation and new lettering and they come with new color inserts and behind-the-scenes character sketches by Hiromu Arakawa, which is a huge plus.
The only reason these aren’t higher on this list is because their spines and binding have a few issues. One is that some of the pages break away from the spine over time, usually the first few pages of the volumes. Another issue is that the eye is very small, making the volumes not all that flexible while reading. These are areas that really need to be improved upon, but there are still many positives about the Fullmetal Alchemist Fullmetal Editions that make them worth picking up.
I highly recommend going with the Fullmetal Editions over the individual volumes, box set, or 3-in-1s. They are sturdier, and while have some issues, like the binding, feature a better reading experience thanks to the updated translation and new lettering. Not the mention, they look incredible both on and off the shelf with their opaque details and metallic lettering.
Chobits 20th Anniversary Editions
Chobits is a sci-fi romance by CLAMP that parodies harems. More specifically, this series is a parody of magical girl harems. It is commonly mistaken for a shojo, especially given its art style and themes, but it is not a shojo series. It’s actually a seinen and an ecchi manga, making it one of the most unique series by CLAMP.
As it currently stands, the best way to collect Chobits is the 20th Anniversary Editions released by Kodansha. Four 20th Anniversary Editions were released and they fully collect the series. The editions are baby blue in color and they have glossy details that make them stand out.
The pages are printed on high-quality white paper, so the quality of the edition carries onto the inside of the volumes. They even come with color pages, which are sprinkled throughout the volumes, as well as full-page color illustrations, which are included at the end of the volumes. The extras they come with are nice, but they are beautifully made too.
Parasyte Full Color Collection
Kodansha stated that the Parasyte Full Color Collection are premium-quality edition, and I definitely agree with that statement after getting the first volume in hand. The Full-Color volume covers are matte, but they added glossy details to the volumes, which add even more appeal. The contrast of the white covers and the red text and details make these editions pop. Parasyte is a horror sci-fi classic, but I really love the modern design they went with for the Full Color Collection.
The Parasyte Full Color Collection is going to collect Parasyte in 8 volumes. Each Full-Color Collection volume collects approximately 1 single. Each volume contains around 288 pages of content, so the chapters and content are split up about the same as they are in the individual volumes that are also released by Kodansha. The Parasyte Full Color Collection is printed on matte white paper. The quality of the paper itself is great, like the color pages you’d see in the Monster Perfect Editions. In addition to being full-color, the Parasyte Full Color Collection has a revised translation, new lettering, and color as well as revised sound effects.
I love the fact that they are fully colorized and the print quality is top-notch. The Parasyte Full Color Collection also has the best lettering and translation too, so this is something to keep in mind as well. Personally, I like the Full Color Collection the best of the two in-print editions of Parasyte. They are modern and sleek and have a cool design. They are beautifully made, high-quality volumes and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series all over again in full color.
Highschool of the Dead Full Color Editions
The Highschool of the Dead Full Color Editions are some of my favorite hardcovers in my collection and the fact that they are full-color is nice too. The hardcovers are omnibuses with the first volume containing 1-4 and the second containing volumes 5-7, so two hardcovers fully collect the series. Yen Press also released invidious volumes of the series, but the hardcovers are larger than the individual volumes. Their dimensions are approximately 7.5 x 1.75 x 10.5in whereas the individual volumes are around 5.1 x 0.9 x 7.55in, so they are bigger all around.
I really love the look of the Full-Color Editions and the designs of the covers. The dust jackets have a nice texture to them on the lettering and on the bloody handprints. The first volume features beautifully drawn art of Rei on the front and when you flip over to the back of Saeko while the second volume has art of Saeko on the front and Saya on the back.
One of the biggest positives to buying the omnibuses, of course, is their full-color panels, which really pop. Also, the paper is like what you see in comic book omnibuses and they have a glossy finish. The quality of the printing and the vividness of the colors is incredible and these are some of the most beautiful Full-Color Editions I’ve ever seen. I really enjoy the way his panels flow and I love the moments he chooses to emphasize.
You can just see so much more detail here and this manga really comes to life, especially the landscapes and settings, or looks even more dead, depending on what elements you are looking at in Highschool of the Dead’s manga. The Full-Color Editions also include extra material, such as illustrations, commentary from and interviews with the creators, concept sketches, and more.
If you are looking to read Highschool of the Dead, I highly recommend going with the Full-Color Editions over the individual volumes. They are phenomenally made, the colors are beautiful, and they are one of the best Full-Color Editions I’ve ever seen. The large format allows the art in this series to shine and they are beautifully designed. The extra material is also above and beyond what I’ve seen in many other Collector’s Edition manga and this makes the Highschool of the Dead Full Color Editions that much more of a must-have and the best way to experience this action-packed zombie manga by far.
Soul Eater Perfect Editions
When Square Enix Manga revealed that they’d be coming out with hardcover editions of Soul Eater by Atsushi Ohkubo, I was excited, to say the least. Not just as a collector, but as a long-time fan of the series as well. After getting them in hand, I couldn’t be happier with their quality.
The quality of the Perfect Editions is top-notch and they are visually appealing thanks to their modern style. When on a shelf, they look amazing thanks to the spine’s bright yellow coloring and bold font. Off the shelf, they look great with their covers that feature new art by Atsushi Ohkubo.
Since there are approximately 1.5 individual volumes in each Soul Eater Perfect Edition and 25 volumes complete the series, it is expected that 17 Soul Eater Perfect Editions will be released. The Soul Eater Perfect Editions are larger in size and they feature new design, lettering, and translation.
Yen Press also released individual volumes of the series, but if I had to pick between the original volumes and the Perfect Editions, I’d go with these all the way even though they are higher in price. Not to mention, $19.99 isn’t bad at all for a hardcover omnibus, particularly when it is one of this size. To compare, these books are similar to the size of the Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition volumes, and they sell at a similar price point.
All in all, the Perfect Editions are, as their name states, quite perfect when compared to the originals. If you personally like getting the individual covers, I completely get why you’d buy the single volumes, but the value for the price of the hardcovers can’t be beaten.
Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin Hardcovers
The Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin hardcovers are one of the most beautiful-looking and high-quality manga releases I’ve picked up to date. I highly recommend checking out Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin whether it be through the anime or the manga, but if you are wanting to read the series, I highly recommend checking out the Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin manga released by Vertical.
In 2013, Vertical began releasing the hardcovers of MSG: The Origin and they released a total of 12 volumes that completes the series. The hardcovers feature color pages, new cover designs, a 6.27 x 1.31 x 8.26in format, and they contain extra material. At the end of each volume, there are special contributions, whether it be drawings or commentary, from prominent mangaka or figures in the industry in addition to those who worked on Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin’s anime and manga.
One of the best things about the Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin hardcovers, though, is the color pages by Yasuhiko. These are not included in any other release of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, so you’ll only be able to experience the color pages in the hardcovers released by Vertical.
Appearance-wise, the Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin hardcovers are one of the most, if not, the most beautiful I’ve ever seen to date. The Dark Horse Deluxe Editions are up there as well in terms of quality, but with how striking these look both on and off the shelf thanks to their artwork, they are striking and stand apart from the rest. I really love the color palettes used on the covers, which transitions from oranges and reds and then to blues and purples in later volumes.
Whether you are a die-hard Gundam fan already, someone looking to get into your first series in the franchise or a manga lover who’s looking for a new series to get into, these are an incredible addition to any collection. The Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin hardcovers are one of the most beautiful-looking and high-quality manga releases I’ve picked up to date, so they are definitely worth picking up.
Hellsing Deluxe Editions
The Hellsing Deluxe Editions collect Hellsing by Kohta Hirano in 3 hardcovers with Deluxe Edition 1 collecting Volumes 1-4, Deluxe Edition 2 collecting volumes 5-8, and Deluxe Edition 3 collecting volumes 8-10. One of the most striking things about these hardcovers is their bold red color.
The Hellsing Deluxe Editions have a striking appearance and they are beautifully made. They are wrapped in red pleather, which is almost in this scarlet blood-red color. The Hellsing logo looks incredible and it really looks as though it’s been slashed and the cross in the center looks as if it’s embossed into the volumes. Everything on the spine is raised as well, so they look amazing both on and off the shelf.
When I opened up the Hellsing Deluxe Editions, I first noticed their print quality, which is absolutely top-notch. This is something I’ve come to expect from Dark Horse and the Deluxe Editions. Their print quality and the way Kohta Hirano’s art looks in these volumes due to their larger format are two reasons why I recommend these over the individual volumes. The paper quality too is much better than the individual volumes. The paper in the Deluxe Editions is brighter, so I prefer their look over other Hellsing manga releases.
If you want to experience Hellsing, I highly recommend going with the Deluxe Editions over the individual volumes. The sound effects are translated, the print quality is top-notch, they are nicely designed, are well-made, and the large format makes the art in this series look that much more amazing! Not to mention, the third Deluxe Edition includes all of the commentary and the Crossfire side story seen at the end of the individual volumes as well as extras never seen in the individual volumes before.
The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Deluxe Editions
The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Deluxe Editions are beautiful editions. Out of all the hardcovers I own, these editions are one of the best-looking, both on and off the shelf. The volumes have gold metallic details, which look striking on the black pleather that they are wrapped in, and the artwork featured on the covers is great too.
I can’t stress enough how beautiful the gold details are, especially the gold and elaborate frame, which adorns the artwork on the front cover. On top of having a striking design and being a high-quality release, the Deluxe Editions come with color inserts and the print quality is amongst the best I’ve seen in a hardcover release.
The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Deluxe Editions is the best way to experience The Girl From the Other Side by Nagabe, one of the most unique fantasy manga of all time. The art in The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún is minimal, but it doesn’t lack impact or beauty, and it’s incredible experiencing the series in this new Deluxe Edition format.
Berserk Deluxe Editions
The Berserk Deluxe Editions are some of the most beautiful hardcover manga editions I’ve ever purchased. Not only do they collect my top manga of all time in a large format (7 x 10in), but they are also premium quality editions. Each volume collects three individual volumes of Kentaro Miura’s Berserk. To give you an idea of how large these volumes are, the first Berserk Deluxe Edition is nearly 700 pages long. At the end of each volume, the original cover art is included as well. Another nice touch is the black ribbon bookmark, which is included in each volume.
The Berserk Deluxe Editions look amazing and are of high quality, and as of now, they are my favorite special edition manga release to come out in recent years. The outside is covered in black pleather, which gives the book a nice texture and overall appearance. The lettering of the cover and spine has a metallic red foil look to it that shines in the light and really pops. The Brand of Sacrifice is also embossed on the front cover. They feel great in hand, stand out on the shelf, and embody the dark and gritty style of Berserk well.
I’m so happy they made these Deluxe Editions hardcovers and that they have an eye, which gives some space between the spine and the binding and allows the book to lay flat while reading. Because of these choices, the Berserk Deluxe Editions don’t have the same reading issues, such as words being obstructed by the centerfold, that I experienced with other larger format manga editions, such as the Attack on Titan Colossal Editions.
I also love the pages which are thick, and as a result, aren’t see-through. They also have a paper white color to them that is easy on the eyes and pleasing to look at. Everything is just so crisp and clean in these volumes and they are one of the best special editions in terms of quality and look that I’ve ever purchased. They are beautifully made and, in my opinion, they are the best way to experience and read Berserk by far.
Akira Hardcovers (35th Anniversary Box Set)
The Akira hardcovers, which are collected in the Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set, are one of the highest-quality hardcover manga releases to release to date. Not only does the box set come with six hardcover volumes of Akira, which completes the series, but it also comes with the hardcover Akira Club art book and an exclusive patch featuring the pill design.
These hardcovers come with slipcovers, which feature the same cover art as seen on the English paperbacks, but their overall design and style all-around are nearly the same as the Japanese release. They also feature different art on the volume cover’s themselves, so they look great with the slipcovers off as well. These volumes are unique because, unlike the other English releases of Akira, the sound effects were left untranslated, so the original, hand-drawn sound effects are included with the Box Set volumes. The hardcover editions are also printed in the original right-to-left reading format. This is the first time this has been done for an English release of Akira.
On top of all that, the Akira hardcovers feel amazing in hand and I love the look of the pages, which are printed on high-quality paper. These hardcovers have an eye, so the binding is flexible, which makes all of the panels easy to see and read throughout the volumes. When you open up each volume, there are a few color pages, which is a nice addition. I particularly love the montage pieces, which contain moments and memorable scenes from the volumes included in each hardcover. Apart from the few opening pages, which are in color, the remainder of the pages are in black and white.
As it currently stands, the Akira hardcovers are the best way to collect Akira’s manga. Not only is it a high-quality, collector box set that celebrates the series, but it offers one of the best reading experiences and the hardcovers included within it are some of my favorite, if not my favorite, to release to date in addition to the Berserk Deluxe Editions.
These are my favorite manga hardcovers to release so far! As I get more manga hardcovers in, I will continue to update this post as needed.
