Manga About People Doing Their Job Well

About a 17 year old professional shogi player.

One of my favorite manga of all time. It realistically portrays low moments in life such as stagnation, depression, self absorption, and tunnel vision. Even so, the manga is also very compassionate towards it MC, and encourages me to be more compassionate towards myself when I feel myself identifying with the MC's worst qualities. It's also is a great story about the journey of growing up and expanding one's world.

About a sadistic demon detective with an appetite for puzzles and his human assistant.

My favorite mystery manga of all time, and that's saying a lot since I love the genre. The art and mysteries are great, but what really sets it apart from other mystery mangas is that the characterization is very well developed. Although the manga is about the worst qualities of humans, it is also a larger meditation on the nature of humanity and its ability to change and grow. Also, the gags are great.

About a college-age playwright and director. A fairly realistic portrayal of the writing process. This year I was going through multiple revisions for one of my essays and I reread this manga to give me strength and ease my anxiety. This manga does a good job of conveying the magic of the theater to its readers, and the MC's passion for plays is infectious. Although the MC is understated, she is not a pushover. There are times when she is at a lost, but she always regroups, and tries again.

About a high school Koto club. Although most of the club members are not professional musicians, I still included this because it shows progress towards a common goal. The art and character design is stunning, and the writing is very good. What is most impressive about this manga though, is how well it conveys sound and the effects that music has on people's emotions and relationships.

A supernatural tale about an actress that steal beautiful faces with the help of magic red lipstick passed down from her mother.

A very effective horror, with a lot of intrigue and twists. The art is beautiful, and storyline compelling, and the characters twisted but sympathetic. My only real complaint is that sometimes the larger idea of what makes theater great (or not so great) gets lost in the plot.

Does a good job of explaining the historical context of what it was like to be a female artist in the 16th century. Although Arte (get it?) does face discrimination for her gender, she is still highly privilege considering she originally came from an elite family, a status she gave up to pursue art. Even so, the artwork is beautiful and the storyline compelling if episodic, and the MC is very likable. The master/apprentice relationship is much more interesting than the romantic overtones.

Although this is a reincarnation manga, it is hardly brought up other than to explain where the MC gets her brilliant ideas for ruling her duchy from. Honestly, might have been a more interesting story without the reincarnation aspect, and was just about an inspired woman who was in a position to make the world a better place. The friendships and romance is very sweet, and the characterization is very strong.

About a world-class bartender. I started reading this in middle school/high school way back when it first got translated, but fell off the wagon and have yet to finish. Might get back to it when I have time.

About two young cellists who care and compete with one another.
I like this manga because it combines two things I love: stories about people doing their job well x battle of wits (sort of). It shows the psychological toll of being a non-genius next to an actual genius. The manga openly and objectively states the distance between the MC and his goal, and forces the MC and the audience to acknowledge the distance he has to travel to reach his goal. Manga conveys sound and music really well.

About a girl who can see a ghost and wants to become an astronaut.
A touching story that conveys well what dreaming of space might mean to different people. The manga is quiet and understated, but very powerful. Despite its supernatural elements, it is realistic about the feasibility of dreams, and how they might change over time once we reach them or have to give them up. Although the MC is quiet and shy, she is undeniably strong. Manga also does a great job focusing on her friendships.