The original Excel Saga manga is very different from its more well-known anime. And in my opinion (despite also liking the anime), the manga is way better. The story starts simple enough: Excel is an agent of ACROSS, an organization bent on world conquest (starting with a single city), led by Lord Il Palazzo. On the other side, Dr. Kabapu and his municipal employees become the only force capable of combatting Il Palazzo's ideals. But rather than a simple good-vs-evil story, Excel Saga satirically makes the city's environmental defense department steeped in bureaucracy and corruption, whose "heroes" are just salaried workers doing their jobs for apaycheck.

The manga is a somewhat dense read. At 178 chapters, it's not the longest series in the world, but Koshi Rikdo writes in a very verbose, wordy style. While there is an ongoing, overarching plot, it moves pretty slowly. Most individual chapters are just character-focused without necessarily moving the story along - which I personally loved, as it developed the cast and made me more invested in them, but don't expect anything in Excel Saga to be resolved quickly. Just be patient and enjoy the ride.

I really think this manga is a hidden gem. Its corresponding anime is popular for a reason, but the manga is hilarious in its own right, while telling an interesting and very unique story. I give it my highest recommendation: Read Excel Saga!