Anime and Manga
This AniMay, dive into anime and manga and decide your vibe: page or screen? Hoopla has vast collections of manga and anime, and Hoopla makes it easy to explore both for free with your library card.
What Is Manga vs. Anime?

Manga refers to Japanese comics, often read right to left, with detailed art. Anime, on the other hand, happens on a screen instead of the page, with voice acting, music, and motion. There are lots of long-running manga series and anime series, with more being created all the time.
Kids’ Manga and Comics

Astro Boy Vol. 1 and 2
written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka
Astro Boy was one of the first manga turned into an anime, and it became a global hit. Think of him as anime’s Mickey Mouse—but a super-strong, jet-powered robot hero fighting evil robots and aliens. This two-volume collection captures his fun, emotional, classic-style adventures.

Sonic the Hedgehog Vol 1: Fallout
by Ian Flynn and illustrated by Tracy Yardley, Adam Bryce Thomas, Jen Hernandez, and Evan Stanley
Dr. Eggman may be beaten, but Sonic’s work isn’t done. Rogue robots are still causing chaos in villages worldwide, so Sonic teams up with Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and some new allies. This collection by Ian Flynn shows Sonic in action like never before. Gotta go fast!

Everything Pokémon! There are 10 different comics in this collection, ranging from early readers to chapter books to comprehensive handbooks of all your favorite pocket monsters.
Teen Manga and Comics

Cat + Gamer Vol. 1
written and illustrated by Wataru Nadatani
Riko, a 29-year-old office worker obsessed with video games, keeps to herself. No overtime, no happy hours. But when she adopts a stray cat, her routine flips. Clueless about pets, she relies on gaming instincts to care for it, while the cat tries to make sense of her quirky habits.

Attack on Titan Vol. 1
written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama
In this post-apocalyptic sci-fi world, giant humanoid Titans have nearly wiped out humanity. No one knows where they came from, just that they eat people. Survivors hide behind massive walls until a huge Titan suddenly shows up and proves those defenses might not be enough.

Mob Psycho 100 Vol. 1
written and illustrated by ONE
How does he bust ghosts so cheap? Easy! He’s a total fraud, and his underpaid assistant Shigeo is the real psychic. Shigeo’s a kind but awkward kid keeping his emotions in check. Reigen uses him, but also mentors him, because if Shigeo hits 100%, things could get seriously out of control.

Fairy Tail Vol 1.
written and illustrated by Hiro Mashima
Lucy, a cute wizard, dreams of joining Fairy Tail but ends up captured by shady pirates instead. Her only hope is Natsu, a weird guy who gets motion sickness, eats nonstop, and hangs with a talking cat. Honestly, with help like that, is she any better off?

Flying Witch Vol. 1
written and illustrated by Chihiro Ishizuka
Makoto Kowata, a beginner witch, moves to rural Aomori in northern Japan with her black cat familiar to live with distant cousins. She’s there to finish her training and become a full-fledged witch while adjusting to a quiet new life.

Ultraman Vol 1: The Rise of Ultraman
by Kyle Higgins and illustrated by Francesco Manna
Ultraman arrives at Marvel! Kaiju monsters threaten humanity, with the United Science Patrol standing in their way. Shin Hayata and Kiki Fuji uncover a decades-old secret that leads them to a mysterious alien warrior. As Ultraman and Man clash, both must unite, or neither will survive.
Adult Manga

My New Wife’s Fake Smile Vol. 1
written and illustrated by Kengo Matsumoto
They’ve been married a month, but Chiyo keeps up a polite smile and barely opens up, making Soijiro worry she regrets their arranged marriage. He vows to be better for her, unaware she’s actually crazy about him and just trying to hide it to stay proper.

City Hunter Omnibus Vol. 1
written and illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo
Like James Bond meets Lupin the Third, City Hunter follows Ryo Saeba, a sharp shooter and lovable mess who cleans up ‘80s Tokyo nightlife. From bodyguard gigs to shady hit jobs, he tackles underground cases with action, humor, and a surprisingly big heart.

Cat’s Eye Omnibus Vol. 1
written and illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo
By day, Rui, Ai, and Hitomi run a café; by night, they’re the art thief trio Cat’s Eye. Hitomi’s secret gets tricky since she’s dating the cop chasing them. They’re stealing works by their missing father, but a dangerous art syndicate and rising risks make every heist more intense.

Crying Freeman Vol. 1
written and illustrated by Kazuo Koike
Yo Himomura is a deadly assassin for the 108 Dragons, the Chinese mafia, known as Crying Freeman. He kills on command but sheds tears for his victims. A hypnotized killer and talented artist, he’s caught in a dark, violent, morally complex world of crime and remorse. (This title is for adults only.)

My Little Monster Vol. 1
written and illustrated by Robico
Mizutani is a perfectionist obsessed with top grades, while Haru is a hot-headed brute who solves problems with violence. After getting suspended for brutally beating bullies on day one, Haru meets Mizutani when she brings him school materials, and he decides they’re friends, sticking to her despite her annoyance.

Street Fighter Classic Vol. 1
by Ken Siu Chong and illustrated by Alvin and by Arnold Tsang
New fighters step into the ring! Meet Cammy with her high kicks, kung fu expert Fei Long, wild beast Blanka, the mysterious old master Gen, and other World Warriors. This collection includes Street Fighter issues 7–14.
Highlights from Hoopla’s Anime Collection

Watch Pokémon seasons 6–13! Start with Ruby & Sapphire as Ash and Pikachu take on Hoenn and the Battle Frontier, or jump into Diamond & Pearl with Sinnoh adventures alongside Brock and Dawn. With 380 episodes, it’s all about battles, rivals, and getting closer to Pokémon Master status.

Check out a curated lineup of Golden Age anime—retro favorites and hidden gems alike. Catch first-time English releases or revisit classics like Yu-Gi-Oh! and The Twelve Kingdoms. From Astro Boy nostalgia to Martian Successor Nadesico, there’s something here for every anime fan.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Series
Based on Hirohiko Araki’s hit manga, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure follows the Joestar family across generations as they take on all kinds of wild, over-the-top evil.

Girls Band Cry Season 1
Nina Iseri drops out and moves to Tokyo alone. She’s inspired by Momo Kawaragi singing and decides to start a band. She teams up with Subaru, who hides her feelings, Tomo, abandoned by her parents, and Rupa, a lonely girl with no family.

Flying Witch Season 1
When she turns 15, a witch has to move out and start training. Makoto Kowata moves in with relatives to begin her journey. Set in scenic rural Aomori, she and her familiar discover a peaceful, charming new life that’s even more magical than expected.
Read or Watch? Why Not Both?
Many popular anime start as manga, so you can enjoy the same story in two ways. Manga often goes deeper with extra details, while anime adds visuals, soundtracks, and action that hit differently.
Stream and Read on Hoopla
Looking for online manga or wondering where to watch anime? Hoopla has both. Borrow titles anytime—no ads, no subscriptions. It’s one of the easiest alternatives to typical anime sites and manga websites that have subscription fees, ads, or questionable legality.
Hoopla’s anime collection and manga collection are the best you’ll find anywhere, free and legal. And it’s all included with your library. Whether you’re team manga, team anime, or both, enjoy your AniMay!
*Titles may vary by library
