Best Manga with Political Intrigue and Power Struggles
Introduction
Politics in manga isn’t just about elections or laws, it’s about power. Who holds it, who wants it, and what people are willing to do to get it. Whether it’s a battle of ideologies, war-torn nations, or power-hungry leaders, political manga gives readers a gripping look into human ambition, manipulation, and societal change.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Originally an anime, Code Geass also has manga adaptations that explore Lelouch’s revolution against the tyrannical Britannian Empire. It’s a battle of minds, ideologies, and political deception.
Why It’s Political:
Themes of rebellion, authoritarianism, and the cost of absolute power.
Kingdom – Yasuhisa Hara
Set during China’s Warring States period, Kingdom follows a young soldier’s rise alongside political leaders, generals, and monarchs shaping history through brutal war and sharp diplomacy.
Why It’s Political:
War tactics, court intrigue, shifting alliances, and ruthless rulers.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes – Yoshiki Tanaka & various artists
An epic space opera featuring a deep philosophical and political conflict between monarchy and democracy. Two brilliant tacticians battle across the stars with political ideology at the heart of it all.
Why It’s Political:
Explores governance systems, propaganda, and historical cycles of power.
Akumetsu – Yoshiaki Tabata & Yuki Yogo
In a dystopian Japan riddled with corruption, a masked vigilante named Akumetsu wages a violent war on political elites. Brutal, bold, and thought-provoking.
Why It’s Political:
Tackles corruption, justice, and revolution in a decaying political system.
Vinland Saga – Makoto Yukimura
While a historical Viking epic on the surface, Vinland Saga dives deep into war, leadership, and the rise and fall of empires. It’s not just about battles—it’s about legacy, rule, and reform.
Why It’s Political:
Explores conquest, diplomacy, and the ethics of leadership.
Otoyomegatari (A Bride’s Story) – Kaoru Mori
Set in 19th-century Central Asia, this richly detailed manga explores not only marriage customs but also political tensions across cultures and borders under imperial expansion.
Why It’s Political:
Insightful depiction of gender roles, empire, and cultural diplomacy.
Attack on Titan – Hajime Isayama
What begins as a survival story evolves into a layered critique of nationalism, historical revisionism, and ideological warfare. Behind the Titans lies a world of manipulation and military power games.
Why It’s Political:
Themes of propaganda, genocide, power shifts, and war crimes.
Ad Astra: Scipio to Hannibal – Mihachi Kagano
A manga based on the historical rivalry between two legendary military strategists—Scipio of Rome and Hannibal of Carthage. The focus is on tactics, diplomacy, and empire-building.
Why It’s Political:
True-to-history military and political maneuvering at its finest.
Historie – Hitoshi Iwaaki
A historical and political manga about Eumenes, a strategist and secretary to Alexander the Great. This series explores how intellect and ambition play into political movements.
Why It’s Political:
Depicts the formation of empire and the intellect behind major historical power shifts.
Sanctuary – Sho Fumimura & Ryoichi Ikegami
Two friends rise through the criminal underworld and political system simultaneously—one aiming to reform the yakuza, the other the government. A gripping tale of ambition, violence, and manipulation.
Why It’s Political:
Direct interplay between crime syndicates and national politics.
Final Thoughts
These political manga offer more than thrilling plots, they reflect real-world questions about power, justice, control, and leadership. Whether set in historical empires, dystopian futures, or fantasy worlds, they challenge readers to think critically about the systems that shape our lives.
