ANN Manga and Novel Summer Reading List 2026

Sports

While many might prefer to watch the big game from the comfort of their local dive, there's something truly special about a great piece of sports fiction. Even if you don't give a rip about basketball, baseball, or hockey, everyone can appreciate a good underdog story—tales of those who've tangibly grown as people over time thanks to their chosen sport. But that special feeling isn't limited to players' stories; simply having someone to root for brings people together. This year's World Cup and Knicks' championship victory have made that truth exceedingly clear. The following titles represent the genre's very best modern offerings, including an ode to its origins.

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Dogsred

By Satoru Noda
VIZ Media
A disgraced junior figure skater gets a second chance on the ice when he falls face-first into Hokkaido's high school hockey scene. He might have a tough time holding a hockey stick, but his skills definitely aren't going to waste. Equal parts hilarious, thoughtful, and heartfelt, Dogsred is a masterful underdog story from the author of Golden Kamuy.

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Real

By Takehiko Inoue
VIZ Media
For this trio of teenage ballers, basketball is just as much about persisting as it is winning. Building on the thematic momentum of Slam Dunk and Vagabond, Takehiko Inoue explores the pain of life-changing trauma, the struggles that accompany it, and the process of learning to carry on through a shared love of basketball.

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Teppu

By Moare Ohta
Kodansha Comics
There's never been a sport that Natsuo hasn't naturally excelled at, but that all changes when she locks eyes with an MMA-loving transfer student from Brazil. Natsuo finally has a brick wall in her way, and she's looking to bring it down on her new rival. This modern cult classic is a no-holds-barred assault of angst, soul-searching, and buff girls alongside the occasional yuri uppercut.

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Ace of the Diamond

By Yūji Terajima
Kodansha Comics
Kodansha(K Manga Page for Act II)
When a young pitcher catches the eye of a prestigious high school baseball program, he packs his bags and heads for Tokyo. But when he gets to his new school, the kid quickly learns that earning himself a spot on the varsity team isn't going to be a walk in the ballpark. The manga that sparked Shohei Ohtani's lifelong love of baseball, Ace of the Diamond, is a fast-paced page-turner that makes for a great escape from the summer heat!

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Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow

By Asao Takamori and Tetsuya Chiba
Kodansha Comics
It's not a stretch to say that Ashita no Joe is one of the most influential titles of all time—blazing trails into anime and manga that persist to this day. Following Joe Yabuki's rise from postwar drifter to serious contender, this classic is an essential tale of tragedy and triumph. Once you've read this, you'll start seeing the code in the anime matrix.

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