Many popular manga are built around heroes who start the story with amazing, innate powers (ore tuee), genius talent, or some magical gift that instantly makes them special, despite no effort of their own.

There are some manga, however, that choose a different, more powerful path. They show the hero struggling, failing repeatedly, and having to make difficult decisions where there is no clear right answer. In my personal experience, it’s these stories that are truly inspiring. They give us a moment to reflect on our own challenges and setbacks, showing us exactly how we can choose to act when we face hard times.

The following is a selection of manga that I’ve found genuinely motivating, that make us want to try harder, and that I wished I could have read when I was growing up.

1. Silver Spoon (銀の匙) by Hiromu Arakawa

This is a great manga for so many reasons. The core story follows Hachiken, a student who enrolls in an agricultural high school with absolutely no background in farming—much like the reader (assuming you didn’t grow up on a farm 😅).

When I first heard that Silver Spoon was about life on a farm, I honestly wasn’t interested, but I gave in following many personal recommendations and the trust I had gained from reading Fullmetal Alchemist by the same author. I have to say, no manga has quite surprised me so much with the sheer quality, power of storytelling, and how much it sucked me in.

It teaches us about how harsh life can be for those working in agriculture, giving us a first-person experience of the early mornings, the difficult labor of caring for farm animals, and the hard decisions that come with working with living creatures. The deep sense of realism comes from the author herself, who experienced life growing up on a farm. Watching Hachiken face and overcome these practical, difficult struggles makes you feel like you can also try a little bit harder in your own life.

2. Blue Giant by Shinichi Ishizuka

This manga is the story of Dai Miyamoto, a high school student who, by chance, becomes completely enamored with jazz and starts a journey to master the saxophone.

What is so inspiring about this story is that it shows us how the main character does not become a great player through innate talent or a special gift, but through continuous dedication and relentless hard work. Even after putting in plenty of hours, he still faces difficulties, failures, and has to make painful choices about his path forward. There has perhaps never been a manga that has inspired me as much as this one. It’s a pure, unadulterated testament to the power of persistence and following your passion.

3. Space Brothers (宇宙兄弟) by Chuuya Koyama

This is the story of Mutta, an engineer who gets fired from his company, and ends up following his childhood dream to become an astronaut. One of the best things this manga does is give the reader a clear understanding of just how difficult it is to become an astronaut, detailing the insane amount of requirements and work that applicants have to put in to make the cut.

We get to intimately know Mutta and all the struggles he goes through—from his relationships, his complexes, his strengths, weaknesses, and the vast range of emotions that go through his head on this difficult journey.

One thing that I found particularly inspiring about this manga is that Mutta begins the series at the age of 31 years old. The fact that he had the courage to start his life over from scratch at that age reminds us that it’s genuinely never too late to chase an ambition or make a change.

4. Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist's Journey (かくかくしかじか) by Akiko Higashimura

This is the true autobiographical memoir of Akiko Higashimura, a mangaka known for hits like Jellyfish Princess and Tokyo Tarareba Girls. We get to see how the young Akiko begins her journey as a young artist, taking many twists and turns before she really becomes a successful mangaka.

The story is deeply touching as it depicts the complicated, often abrasive relationship she had as an apprentice under her art teacher. It provides a great example of how success tends to not happen in a straight line, but rather features many failures, challenges, and second-guessing along the way. The fact that it’s a true story makes the entire journey—the struggle, the eventual success, and the reflection on mentors—all the more impactful.

5. A Silent Voice (聲の形) by Yoshitoki Ooima

This manga operates in a different light, focusing less on demanding goals and more on the complexity of human relationships, empathy, and consequence. We get to see the devastating aftermath of bullying, both from the perspective of the bully, Shoya, and the victim, Shoko.

It’s an incredible story that doesn't offer easy forgiveness or simple answers, but instead teaches us about accountability, the long-term impact of our actions, and the importance of being kinder and more accepting of ourselves and others. It’s the kind of complex, relationship-focused manga that truly prompts introspection about how we treat people.

So there you have it. Pick one that speaks to your current challenge. These manga prove that the most amazing stories aren't about achieving greatness instantly, but about the dedication required to move forward, one honest failure at a time.