What is Contemporary Fantasy manga?

Contemporary fantasy, also known as modern fantasy or indigenous fantasy, is a sub-genre of fantasy, set in the present day. It is perhaps most popular for its sub-genre, urban fantasy.These terms are used to describe stories set in the putative real world (often referred to as consensus reality) in contemporary times, in which magic and magical creatures exist, either living in the interstices of our world or leaking over from alternate worlds. It thus has much in common with, and sometimes overlaps with secret history; a work of fantasy in which the magic could not remain secret or does not have any known relationship to known history would not fit into this subgenre. Occasionally certain contemporary fantasy novels will make reference to pop culture.Novels in which modern characters travel into alternate worlds, and all the magical action takes place there (except for the portal required to transport them), are not considered contemporary fantasy. Thus, C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where all fantasy events take place in the land of Narnia which is reached via a magic wardrobe, would not count as contemporary fantasy; on the other hand, the part of The Magician's Nephew, where the Empress Jadis gets to London, tries to take over the Earth and clashes with police and a crowd of cockneys, would qualify as such.Contemporary fantasy is also to be distinguished from horror fiction, which also often has contemporary settings. When encountering magical events and creatures, the protagonist of a horror novel is horrified, while the protagonist of a fantasy novel (contemporary or otherwise) is filled with a sense of joy and wonder. Horrifying events may happen, but the fundamental distinction is vital.In his preface to That Hideous Strength, one of the earlier works falling within this sub-genre, C.S. Lewis explained why, when writing a tale about "magicians, devils, pantomime animals and planetary angels", he chose to start it with a detailed depiction of narrow-minded academic politics at a provincial English university and the schemes of crooked real estate developers: "I am following the traditional fairy-tale. We do not always notice its method, because the cottages, castles, woodcutters and petty kings with which a fairy tale opens have become for us as remote as the witches and ogres to which it proceeds. But they were not remote at all to the men who first made and enjoyed the tales". The same is true for many of the later works in the genre, which often begin with a seemingly normal scene of modern daily life to then disclose supernatural and magical beings and events hidden behind the scenes.Source: wiki

Random Contemporary Fantasy Manga You might like

Majo to Houki to Kurobuchi Megane

7.43

Description:

This is the story of two girls. Rhianna and Noriko. One day Rhianna moves in next door to Noriko and they soon become friends. Rhianna comes from a family with a magical background, yet she struggles to do even the most basic spells. This leads Noriko to assume she’s just cosplaying as a witch. She also lacks everyday common sense and knowledge. Noriko on the other hand is pretty level headed, but likes... really likes cute things. (Source: Batoto)
Type

manga

Volumes

3

Chapters

45

Status

finished

Started

2011-04-22

Kamisama Drop

7.17

Description:

17-year-old Nowaki Asunaro has been forsaken by fortune since his birth. Every step he takes, bad luck awaits, whether it takes the shape of a falling bucket of water on his head or being blamed for crimes he never committed. Even for an exceptionally unlucky fellow like him, he still hopes to become friends with the love of his life: Hashihime Banri. The only problem lies in the fact that every time he almost gets close to her, his lack of luck blocks the way. On one typical day for him, filled with unfortunate accidents, he ends up having to protect himself from the rain in a forsaken and dilapidated temple. He becomes feverish from cold and hunger, but in desperation, he prays to the gods that he survive this day and become friends with Banri. Lo and behold, it seems like he accidentally summoned a God(?). Will this accident bring him the luck he never had? (Source: MangaHelpers)
Type

manga

Volumes

11

Chapters

44

Rating

Ecchi

Status

finished

Started

2012-12-06

Tokedase! Mizore-chan

(Melt Away! Mizore-chan)

7.53

Description:

Follow the antics of a snowman turned Yuki-Onna hellbent on destroying the sun with the help of a child named Himari and her Aunt Haru. (Source: MU) Includes 7 bonus chapters.
Type

manga

Volumes

6

Chapters

65

Status

finished

Started

2018-10-16

Gaikotsu Shotenin Honda-san

7.51

Description:

The story centers on a skeleton named Honda who works in a bookstore. Hilarity ensues daily in his work at the shop's manga counter. (Source: ANN)
Type

manga

Volumes

4

Chapters

35

Status

finished

Started

2015-08-27

Witch Hunt

(Witch Hunt)

6.87

Description:

At the first day of his school, Gamin saw something that he shouldn't have seen and from that day, his previously witch-less life became double double toiled and troubled. (Source: LINE Webtoon)
Type

manhwa

Volumes

0

Chapters

88

Rating

Status

finished

Started

2014-05-10

Mahou Shoujo Site Sept

(Magical Girl Site Sept)

7.38

Description:

Tsurara Takahashi is a middle school student who belongs to the Shinzen tennis club. However, she carries a great misfortune that she cannot confess to her friends: she met the mysterious Mahou Shoujo Site and was given a stick in the shape of an electric drill. (Source: MU)
Type

manga

Volumes

2

Chapters

13

Rating

VIolence, Profanity

Status

finished

Started

2017-10-26

Sentou Hakai Gakuen Dangerous

6.88

Description:

In this world, there exists individuals known as "Majin"—supernatural beings able to wield unique powers. They live among the normal human beings, but the rift created between the Majin and the normal human race is severe. There exists a school known as Dangerous, where the population ratio of Majin students exceeds that of any other high school. In this school, two groups known as the "Banchou Group" and the "Seitokai" face each other in war, but they have created a balance of power, resulting in a temporary peace. Now, with the inclusion of new students, this balance of power is about to collapse. One of the "normal" students, Ryouseiin Otome is forced to choose sides before the beginning of Armageddon. (Source: MangaHelpers)
Type

manga

Volumes

8

Chapters

43

Rating

Status

finished

Started

2011-12-19

Futanari no Elf

7.51

Description:

Daily life of a Futanari Elf.
Type

doujin

Rating

Smut

Status

current

Started

2019-02-17

Demon's Plan

(Demon's Plan)

6.19

Description:

What is it that you desire? Money? Love? Walk again? Be stronger? Whatever it is you wish for, you can get by asking the legendary and awe-inspiring "Demon's Plan"; a sacred object capable of granting anything to "the chosen ones." Included one-shots: Volume 1: Nigashi-ya Volume 2: Brain Breaker
Type

manga

Volumes

2

Chapters

14

Rating

Status

finished

Started

2016-11-21

Kokkoku

(Kokkoku: Moment by Moment)

7.11

Description:

Juri Yukawa lives with her NEET father and brother, her retired grandfather, her sister (a single mother) and her young nephew. One day, her nephew and brother are kidnapped for ransom. Having only 30 minutes to meet the demands of the kidnappers, Juri, who realizes there is not enough time to prepare the money, decides to head for their rescue by herself with knife in hand when her grandfather uses a mysterious stone passed on in the Yukawa family to stop time. In a world where everyone and everything are inert, Juri and her father and grandfather run to rescue the two. But at the kidnappers' hideout, they soon realize they are not the only ones who can move about in this still world... (Source: MU)
Type

manga

Volumes

8

Chapters

67

Rating

Status

finished

Started

2008-05-22

Haikei, Hannibal

(Dear Sir Hannibal)

6.78

Description:

Kibayashi Rento is a 'personification' of a supernatural being descended from a family of Ents (tree-oak people). One day, his arm got torn off trying to save a cat from a tree. While he's looking for the arm, he crosses a girl, Kurashina Saya, who finds his lost arm. Saya is Rento's crush, and actually a fellow 'personification' descended from a family of Ghouls, whose main characteristic is appetite for humanoid meat. Can romance blossom between the two supernatural beings? (Source: Batoto)
Type

oneshot

Volumes

0

Chapters

1

Status

finished

Started

2016-10-17

Kako to Nise Tantei

7.52

Description:

Satoru earned a name as a genius boy detective, and the police rely on his reasoning skills. His secret, though, is that he is able to see the ghosts of the dead, and they provide him with the hints that lead him to solving cases. Now that he's a teenager, he has attracted a strange "ghost" named Kako, who claims that she is actually a god. She goads him into taking more mysterious cases, in the search for a vengeful spirit that wants to kill humans. Now they are a team, where he solves the cases and she purifies the vengeful spirits! (Source: MangaHelpers)
Type

manga

Volumes

4

Chapters

38

Rating

Status

finished

Started

2014-06-05

Juunikyuu de Tsukamaete

(Zodiac P.I.)

7.37

Description:

Lili is just like any other girl except she can foretell the future! This 'Zodiac PI' relies on horoscopes and astrology to help her solve crimes and track down criminals. When there's trouble a'brewing, she transforms herself into the magic Detective Spica and looks to the stars to guide her way. Before long, she is joined by her childhood friend, Hiromi, who dreams of becoming a detective as skilled as Lili. Soon, no astral investigation is too arduous for this dynamic duo! (Source: Tokyopop)
Type

manga

Volumes

4

Chapters

20

Rating

Status

finished

Started

2001-03-03

Ningyohime no Gomen ne Gohan

(The Mermaid Princess's Guilty Meal)

7.49

Description:

When Mermaid Princess Ela's fish friend is captured and turned into a delectable meal, she goes to land to mourn his death and aid his passing into the great beyond... If only that was the end of the story. Follow Ela as she discovers the wonders of seafood. (Source: MU)
Type

manga

Volumes

7

Chapters

41

Status

finished

Started

2017-01-11

Hiniiru

7.13

Description:

Ten years ago, a black shape appeared in the sky and destroyed the city below. Kagerou and Momiji were children when the destruction took place, and they have grown together into teenagers beneath the mysterious structure. There is an undeniable attraction between these two friends, but Kagerou is hesitant to confess his feelings because he feels that he is too weak to protect her. One day, the structure acts again, sending down strange balls that eat people and transform them into monsters. Kagerou and Momiji's encounter that day changes them forever. Kagerou is taken into an organization that explains to him that he is now an "ember," and Momiji is a non-human "dross," useful only as experimental material. Kagerou can't accept this, though, and is determined to do anything in his power to protect the girl he loves. (Source: MangaHelpers)
Type

manga

Volumes

5

Chapters

24

Rating

Status

finished

Started

2014-07-15

Hikidashi ni Terrarium

(Terrarium in Drawer)

7.12

Description:

A collection of odd (and often very short) one-shots on a wide variety of subjects. Most of them are at least somewhat humorous, however. Was nominated for the 7th annual Manga Taishou Award. (Source: MU)
Type

manga

Volumes

1

Chapters

33

Status

finished

Started

2013-01-01

Kyouki no Sanmyaku nite

(At the Mountains of Madness)

7.83

Description:

The story details the events of a disastrous expedition to the Antarctic continent in September 1930, and what was found there by a group of explorers led by the narrator, Dr. William Dyer of Miskatonic University. Throughout the story, Dyer details a series of previously untold events in the hope of deterring another group of explorers who wish to return to the continent. (Source: Wikipedia)
Type

manga

Volumes

4

Chapters

25

Rating

Status

finished

Started

2016-09-12

Ryuu no Kawaii Nanatsu no Ko

(Seven Little Sons of the Dragon: A Collection of Seven Stories)

7.32

Description:

Ryoko Kui, the master storyteller behind the beloved manga series Delicious in Dungeon, pens seven brand-new tales that will delight fantasy fans and manga devotees equally. Covering a broad range of themes and time periods, no two stories in this collection are alike! (Source: Yen Press) 1. Ryuu no Shoutou (竜の小塔) 2. Ningyo Kinryoku (人魚禁漁区) 3. Watashi no Kami-sama (わたしのかみさま) 4. Ookami wa Uso wo Tsukanai (狼は嘘をつかない) 5. Kanenashi Hakuroku (金なし白祿) 6. Ko ga Kawaii to Ryuu wa Naku (子がかわいいと竜は鳴く) 7. Inutanike no Hitobito (犬谷家の人々)
Type

manga

Volumes

1

Chapters

7

Status

finished

Started

2011-05-01

Inukai x Tribe

7.25

Description:

In this world, there are those who look like humans but are actually beings with supernatural power. In order to respond to crimes committed by these kinds of people, an organization that employs some of their number has been established. Kurohimeyama Eve is a member of this organization, and she is also a teenage girl that has "Oni" powers. One day, she goes to meet a new member, Ichizuka Senya, who is a boy with dangerous shadow powers and a bad personality. In front of the other girls in the organization, though, he seems to act perfectly nice. What's even worse, he's transferred into her private religious school! Kurohimeyama's once-peaceful life will never be the same! (Source: MangaHelpers)
Type

manga

Volumes

4

Chapters

22

Rating

Horror

Status

finished

Started

2014-10-16

Swimming Lessons for a Mermaid

(Swimming Lessons for a Mermaid)

7.93

Description:

Choa is a mermaid who can't swim! Discouraged, she trades the ocean for a pair of human legs. But when the star of the high school swim team finds out her secret, he offers her the chance to prove her family wrong: free swimming lessons for a mermaid!(Source: Line Webtoon)
Type

manhwa

Status

current

Started

2019-05-25

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