The simplest way to track your manga reading list is to keep one record per series with three facts: its status, the last chapter you finished, and where you left off reading. A notes app or a basic spreadsheet does the job. What matters is that you update it every time you stop reading.
If you read several series at once on MyReadingManga, you already know the problem. One series updates weekly, another goes quiet for months, and a third you dropped halfway and half-remember. A tidy list fixes all of that in a few seconds a day.
Key Takeaways
- Track every series with the same five statuses: Reading, Plan to Read, On Hold, Completed and Dropped.
- Always write down the exact chapter number you finished, not a vague “around the middle”.
- A spreadsheet suits large lists; a notes app suits short ones. Pick one and stick to it.
- Update the list the moment you close a chapter, and review it once a week.
Why a Reading List Is Worth Keeping
Manga, manhwa and manhua are serialized. Stories arrive in chapters, often over many years, and it is easy to lose your place. Memory is unreliable once you follow more than four or five titles.
A list also helps you read better, not just more. You can see which series you keep postponing, which ones you rush through, and which genres you actually enjoy. That makes choosing the next series far easier than scrolling aimlessly.
Even large institutions depend on careful cataloguing. The Kyoto International Manga Museum, a joint project of Kyoto City and Kyoto Seika University, organizes a collection of around 300,000 items. Your list is much smaller, but the principle is the same: a clear record beats a good memory.
The Five Statuses Every List Needs
Most readers settle on the same handful of categories. Using them consistently is what keeps a list readable after a year.
- Reading – series you are actively following right now.
- Plan to Read – titles you want to start later. Keep this list honest and prune it.
- On Hold – series you paused on purpose, for example to let chapters pile up.
- Completed – finished series, ideally with a short rating or one-line note.
- Dropped – series you stopped and do not plan to return to. Note why, so you remember later.
Some readers add a sixth status, “Caught Up”, for ongoing series where they have read everything currently available. It separates “I am behind” from “I am waiting for the next chapter”, which is useful when you check for new releases.
Choosing a Tracking Method
There is no single right tool. The best one is the one you will actually open. Here is how the common options compare.
| Method | Best for | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes app | Short lists (under 20 series) | Fast, already on your phone, syncs across devices | Hard to sort or filter as the list grows |
| Spreadsheet | Large or long-running lists | Sortable, filterable, easy to add ratings and dates | Slightly slower to update on a phone |
| Browser bookmarks | Jumping straight back into a chapter | One tap to resume reading | No status, rating or notes |
| Paper notebook | Readers who like a physical log | No screens, satisfying to fill in | No search, easy to misplace |
Many readers combine two methods. A spreadsheet holds the full record, while browser bookmarks point to the series pages they open most often.
A Simple Spreadsheet Layout
If you choose a spreadsheet, keep the columns few. Too many fields and you will stop filling them in. A practical layout looks like this:
- Title – use the name shown on the series page so you can find it again.
- Type – manga, manhwa or manhua.
- Status – one of the five statuses above.
- Last chapter read – the exact number.
- Date updated – when you last touched the row.
- Rating or note – a score out of ten or a single sentence.
Sort by status first, then by date. Your active series float to the top, and anything you have not opened in months becomes obvious.
Building the Habit of Updating
A list only works if it stays current. The trick is to make updating part of finishing a chapter, not a separate chore. Close the chapter, change one number, done.
Pair this with a regular reading routine. Our guide on how to build a daily reading habit explains how small, consistent sessions add up, and the same idea applies to keeping your list tidy.
Once a week, spend two minutes reviewing the list. Move stalled series to On Hold, clear out Plan to Read titles that no longer interest you, and check whether anything you are waiting on has updated.
Using Your List With MyReadingManga
Your list becomes more useful when it connects to where you read. When you finish a chapter, note its number, then bookmark the series page in the full manga library so you can return in one tap.
For ongoing series, the latest updates section is your best friend. Compare new releases against the “Last chapter read” column and you will know instantly which series have fresh chapters waiting. Long-running titles such as Spy x Family are exactly where a precise chapter number saves you from rereading or skipping pages.
If your Plan to Read pile is empty, our list of the best manga for beginners is a good place to refill it. You will find more reading guides like this one in the MyReadingManga blog, and our tech section covers devices and apps that make digital reading more comfortable.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Tracking too many fields. Ten columns feel organized on day one and abandoned by day ten.
- Vague progress notes. “Somewhere in the tournament arc” will not help you in six months.
- Never dropping anything. A list full of series you will never finish hides the ones you care about.
- Mixing titles. Some series have several names. Record the one used on the page you read from.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to start a manga reading list?
Open a notes app and write each series on its own line with its status and the last chapter you read. That takes a few minutes and covers the essentials. If the list grows past twenty or so titles, move it into a spreadsheet so you can sort and filter it easily.
Should I track manhwa and manhua separately from manga?
You can keep them in one list and add a simple “Type” column instead. One list is easier to maintain, and the column still lets you filter by Japanese, Korean or Chinese comics when you want. Separate lists only make sense if you read very different amounts of each format.
How often should I update my reading list?
Update the chapter number every time you stop reading, because that takes seconds and prevents confusion later. Then do a short weekly review to move stalled series to On Hold, prune your Plan to Read pile and check which ongoing series have new chapters available in the latest updates.
Is it okay to drop a series halfway through?
Yes. Reading should be enjoyable, and there is no rule that you must finish everything you start. Mark the series as Dropped and add a short note about why. If you change your mind later, the note and chapter number tell you exactly where to pick it back up.
