Top 10 Best Manga of All Time

Rewind to the Meiji Era, when manga first burst onto the scene. Fast-forward to today, and it's nothing short of a global sensation! We're talking sleepless nights of binge-reading, heated debates over the latest plot twists, and an unyielding fervor that only true fans get. Manga isn't just a pastime. It's a lifestyle.

So what makes a manga be considered one of the best? Sure, jaw-dropping art and twisty-turny plots are a must. But a truly epic manga has way more under the hood. Think about characters who feel like old friends, story arcs that have you gasping at each reveal, and pacing so tight you're practically levitating with every page flip.
The Top Ten
1 One Piece Monkey D. Luffy sets out on a journey to become the King of the Pirates, gathering a motley crew of misfits along the way and facing off against powerful enemies in this swashbuckling adventure.

This series is so unbelievably good that I often struggle to find the words to describe it. Once you start the series, you get a sort of nostalgic feeling, even if you've never read it before. You're introduced to the Straw Hats and their dreams, and although they may seem very generic at first, once you go on this voyage with the Straw Hats, you'll never dare to call their dreams cliché. After the East Blue saga, the adventure truly begins in the Grand Line!

You'll spend the first half of the series jumping from island to island, each one fully fleshed out with well-written characters, locations, and other unique elements. You'll go on a fun, and mostly carefree, journey with this incredible crew. Then, in the second half of the series, you'll visit fewer islands, but in exchange, each one is somehow even more fleshed out than before.

The story has many twists and turns, with new characters constantly being introduced and throwing off everything you thought you knew about this expansive, beautiful world. I truly believe One Piece is not only the best manga of all time, but also the best fictional story of all time. It has changed my life so much, without the help of fancy language or political ideologies. This show has taught me so much, all while keeping a single word and state of being in mind: freedom. Thank you, Oda, for the best experience of my life.

2 Naruto Naruto Uzumaki dreams of becoming the strongest ninja in his village, but his path is fraught with obstacles, including his own status as a social outcast and the mysterious Nine-Tailed Fox spirit that resides within him.

Naruto is a special manga to me for several reasons. One thing is that it always shows scenes from the past, so you won't forget what happened back then, especially since it consists of so many episodes. Another thing is that Naruto is not only an adventurous manga. It also gives us many signs of true humanity, and we often learn things from Naruto himself.

He also changes many of the characters' lives, including the enemies'. Lastly, it also shows a lot of touching scenes that really overwhelm me and make me cry. For instance, like the episode where it shows the story back during the invasion of the Nine Tails and Minato and Kushina's sacrifice for Naruto on the first day he was born. I cried for that, and it's one of the most touching scenes - no doubt there are more touching scenes.

I really love Naruto. This manga means so much to me.

3 Fullmetal Alchemist In a world where alchemy is a powerful form of science, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric attempt to use the forbidden technique of human transmutation to bring their deceased mother back to life, leading to a tragic loss and a quest for redemption.

Fullmetal Alchemist (the manga, not the original anime - Brotherhood was the better of the two) is probably the most emotional story I've ever gone through and stuck with. Originally, I wanted nothing to do with it because it was a mainstream choice and had a bad reputation due to the first anime version. However, when I went back and actually looked into it, I was sucked in.

The fact that it takes two almost anti-heroes and puts them through struggles similar to what adolescents face as they mature is not only remarkable but also eye-opening. The ultimate antagonist is by far the best I've come across. FMA (B) taught me that we cannot hope to be perfect - there's just no such thing. We must revel in being mortal while we live and appreciate the time given to us.

No matter how many times life knocks us down, we must push through. There is always a better day. While Naruto tops my own list, Fullmetal Alchemist quickly comes in right behind it. Go read it or watch Brotherhood now. If you haven't yet, you're missing out.

4 Dragon Ball Follow the adventures of Goku, a martial artist with incredible strength and determination, as he battles a variety of enemies and searches for the powerful Dragon Balls that can grant any wish.

Dragon Ball, which technically includes the Dragon Ball Z series up to volume 42, is one of the best post-modern pieces in not just manga, but in literature itself. This is especially true when compared to the Chinese folk tale of the Monkey King. I know this is an extremely bold statement, but the sophistication in writing and illustration are almost untouchable compared to other authors.

In addition, I believe that series like Bleach, Naruto, One Piece, and Fairy Tail are at the top primarily because of the age groups that grew up with them, especially in the US. Dragon Ball hit its peak of popularity in the US in the early 2000s. Even now, while I am in my twenties, I still have the same appreciation for the series that I did when I was ten and reading it for the first time.

5 Berserk Guts, a former mercenary, sets out on a quest for revenge against his former best friend and commander, Griffith, after a betrayal that left Guts branded as a sacrifice for demonic forces.

I am not shocked to see that Berserk isn't number one. In terms of popularity, One Piece and everything else above Berserk are more popular and have been read by more people. I now offer advice to those of you who haven't read Berserk: READ IT! You will see why many consider this to be the greatest manga ever created. This manga excels in storytelling, writing, characters, art, and pacing. It could even be considered one of the greatest fiction works of all time. The dialogue is breathtaking, and the chemistry between the characters is so believable and touching that it builds up to what is probably the most horrific betrayal scene ever written or drawn on paper. I've read it many times, and it still sends shivers down my spine. If you like manga, you owe it to yourself to read this masterpiece. It's an experience you'll never forget.

6 Bleach Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student with the ability to see ghosts, becomes a Soul Reaper tasked with protecting humanity from evil spirits and guiding the souls of the dead to the afterlife in this action-packed supernatural series.

Most people play favorites when voting, so Bleach is down here. But of all ongoing manga, I do think that Bleach is the best. People have different tastes, but I believe that Bleach's story is much deeper than Naruto's or One Piece's. That's why most people can't grasp the full essence of its story. I'm not overrating it. It's the truth.

Although my favorite is Bleach, I can't deny that Naruto is still first because it's well-balanced. Naruto's story isn't hard to keep up with, and it's interesting. Bleach's story, as I said earlier, is more for an adult audience, and people might find it hard to keep up with. But if you can grasp its essence, then you'll find it to be the best ongoing manga - only applicable if you prefer a uniformly organized structure of literature.

Third is One Piece, because if you are an adventure lover, you'll like it. But because of its childish plot/story, you could even skip a few hundred episodes or chapters and still keep up with the story. It's not my preference, so I don't like it very much, but I still read its manga.

Simplifying everything: 95% of people in this world are idiots, and only 5% are level-headed. How many of those idiots and smart people are watching/reading anime/manga? I know you know where I'm leading with this. Do you think those low-headed people can grasp the essence of Bleach, which is deep and hard for them to keep up with? I'm not insulting any manga or people. It just irritates me when ignorant and stiff-headed people criticize but don't have the wisdom to do so.

7 Death Note Light Yagami, a high school student with a god complex, discovers a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone whose name he writes in it, leading to a game of cat-and-mouse with the enigmatic detective known only as L.

It's definitely "Death Note." I absolutely love this manga. The anime and the additional novels are amazing as well. The manga is the best I've ever read, and I've read a lot - from mystery to comedy, to romance, horror, slice of life, etc. This is the best I've come across. There's not another one of its kind.

The story is simply amazing and super intelligent - it still blows my mind when I think about it. The two main characters, L Lawliet and Light Yagami, work both against and together at the same time. It is just super thrilling. Once you read it, you'll either love L and hate Light or the other way around. You're really into this manga once you begin, and I swear: you can't escape the "Death Note" obsession that starts all too soon.

The whole plot is really worth reading and something different. You can kill people by writing their names in the special "Death Note," yet it's an intelligent story with rules you can also play with.

I really don't understand why people think these way-too-long manga series should be at the top. "Holy Shonen Trinity" - what? I'm not saying this just because I'm a girl (Death Note is a Shonen, too, by the way), but seriously, series like Naruto and One Piece are not as good, not as interesting, and just way too overrated.

...Yep.

8 Fairy Tail Natsu Dragneel and his guild of mages, known as Fairy Tail, take on dangerous missions and battle rival guilds in this fantasy adventure series full of magic and whimsy.

The attitudes and emotions of all the individual characters are realistic and unique. The storyline gets straight to the point. There's no messing around. Every chapter has a distinct purpose and feels like much more happens than in other manga series. It's far funnier than all the manga I've read, while being able to maintain a high level of seriousness when it counts. Most manga get this balance wrong.

All in all, this is my favorite manga because it prompts the right emotions in the reader at the right times. It combines the notions of fun, family, and community with badass fight scenes. It reminds me of when I was a kid wishing I was a Super Saiyan. Now, I wish I was a Dragon-Slayer. It's too good to be in the 8th spot on any manga list.

9 Dragon Ball Z Following the events of Dragon Ball, martial artist Goku faces even more powerful foes as he defends the Earth against intergalactic threats and uncovers the secrets of his own alien heritage.

The reason this is far down the list is that Dragon Ball refers to the whole series, including Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super. I do agree that Dragon Ball Z is better than Dragon Ball, but it would still make sense to put them all together as they all tie to one another.

Dragon Ball Z is the best manga. It is so much better than its anime adaptation, which has too many fillers. There are a lot of time skips, but they play them by so smoothly. The Frieza saga was way better than the anime. It was much shorter and incredibly well-told. The anime version of the Frieza saga sucked. It spanned from episodes 87 to 107, and the "five-minute fight" is TEN EPISODES LONG.

10 Hunter x Hunter Young Gon Freecss sets out to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a Hunter, a highly skilled adventurer who seeks out rare treasures, dangerous creatures, and otherworldly experiences, but the journey is fraught with peril and betrayal.

This is such a gorgeous gem of a manga! It breaks so many shounen rules and yet delivers a brilliant, action-packed manga/anime. It's filled with deep, fascinating characters and villains you end up falling in love with. The arcs keep you on the edge of your seat, making you second-guess everything, and the battles offer chills and thrills. So much thought was put into the entire series, it's simply beautiful. You'll find yourself emotionally attached to it by the end. It's my favorite anime ever and my third favorite manga, after Berserk and Skip Beat, of course. If you've never seen it, then please consider watching it. It's such a waste to miss out on this one.

The Contenders
11 Vagabond Based on the novel Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa, this manga follows legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and martial arts mastery, encountering a wide variety of allies and enemies along the way.

I'm surprised this is so low on the list. Driven by perhaps the most well-developed protagonist in all of manga, Musashi, it excels in both seinen and shounen categories. The art is among the best in the industry, and the action-to-character relationships are solid and pull you in. It's a far better manga than One Piece or Naruto. This is the gold standard of samurai-themed manga, the nonpareil, if you may.

I've read quite a few mangas so far, and this one might not be the best, but it is absolutely a must-read! Sure, you have fighting, cool characters, and wonderful artwork. But aside from that, this manga has something I think no other has: you, as the reader, are so closely connected to the main characters that you learn, feel, and discover with them! That is, in my opinion, the greatest thing a manga can do for you. It's absolutely amazing! Read it, and you'll see the world and your life from a different angle.

12 D.Gray-man Allen Walker, a young exorcist with the power to manipulate a substance known as Innocence, fights against demonic creatures known as Akuma while uncovering a sinister plot involving a secret organization and an ancient artifact.

This manga is honestly one of the best I've ever read. Although it may seem a little innocent and not that serious at the start, things get VERY dark. I think it's amazing how the plot evolved and how the characters adapt to difficult situations. Something else I really like is how all of the characters are very deep in their own ways and show many sides throughout the manga. The art style is also beautiful, especially in the more recent chapters.

D. Gray-man was actually the first manga I ever read because the library had up to volume 13. I fell in love instantly, and I consider it a guarantee that anyone who reads this amazing work of art will too. The art is a bit sketchy in the beginning, but in the last chapters since the hiatus, everything is fabulous. This should be in the top ten, especially since it's set to resume on June 17, 2015.

13 Slam Dunk High school delinquent Hanamichi Sakuragi discovers a talent for basketball and joins his school's team, facing off against rival teams and overcoming his own insecurities in this classic sports manga.

Every time I read Slam Dunk, the feelings seem to be unchanged from the first time. This manga not only brings us joy but also teaches us many meaningful things like spirit and friendship, and how to stand up after being a loser. As each chapter passes, I can feel their emotions, their resolve, and their dream to become the greatest basketball team in Japan. I even laugh and cry with them. This manga was published before I was born, but it's worth reading for all generations. I've learned a lot from Slam Dunk.

This is my favorite manga above all. I'm not saying the others aren't good, but for me, it's simply the one that has made me cry, laugh, and feel the emotions during every match while I was reading and watching it. The art is not only amazing but also realistic and refreshing. You can see in their faces what they're feeling. It's simply too expressive. I find myself becoming more of a '90s manga lover. Sure, there are good mangas now, but that decade had some very good ones.

It's not surprising that this is one of the most beloved mangas in Shonen Jump and all of Japan. For me, it's a masterpiece.

14 Monster Renowned brain surgeon Dr. Kenzo Tenma faces a moral dilemma when he saves the life of a young boy over the mayor of the city, leading to a series of events that forces him to confront a monstrous serial killer and his own past.

I'm not a fanboy. I enjoy a good story. I enjoy Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece to a point. Monster is an amazing story. From a very critical perspective (I'm critical of everything. I've never given anything a 10/10), Monster is not just the best manga. It's the best fiction ever written. Thank you for your time. I hope you decide to check out this amazing series.

I would have voted for either FMA, Attack On Titan, or Berserk until I saw Monster on the list. It is by far the most underrated manga (and anime). Though its start is really slow, after a few chapters you become obsessed with it. Urasawa's masterpiece has the best plot, easily surpassing other mystery mangas. The suspense is incredible, making it more enjoyable. Furthermore, its characters (both heroes and antagonists) are simply amazing, each one having a different personality. This is a must-read.

15 InuYasha Kagome Higurashi, a high school girl from modern-day Tokyo, is transported back in time to feudal Japan and teams up with the half-demon Inuyasha to collect the shattered pieces of the powerful Jewel of Four Souls and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

It's an actually good story... until it wears thin. Takahashi just doesn't know where to go after a great opening. This could have easily been cut in half and been the better for it. Still, you can't take away how great the characters are and the brilliance of the initial plot. This ranks as number 1 since its failings are the same that all long-running series have.

You can really tell the ages of those rating anime and manga. All the top stuff is for middle school kids. Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, One Piece all have their good points. Though I'm not so sure about One Piece, they are intended for simpler audiences.

16 Attack on Titan In a dystopian future where humanity lives within massive walls to protect themselves from giant humanoid creatures known as Titans, Eren Yeager and his friends join the fight against these monstrous foes and uncover dark secrets about their own society.

At first, I do agree that the manga is lacking in quality. However, once we get into the Clash of the Titans arc (now season 2), there is some badass art at the most epic moments. This becomes steadily consistent over the political arc that follows. When we reach the Shinganshina Arc, the quality is just fantastic. The story of Attack on Titan is untouchable by other manga, in my opinion. Just about all its characters are superb if people would just give them a chance and consider things from the character's view. Simply amazing, deserves the top spot. It has only been running for 8 years, while all the others have been going on for much longer.

17 Jojo's Bizarre Adventures Across multiple generations of the Joestar family, each with their own unique Stand abilities, our heroes battle against supernatural enemies and unravel a convoluted plot involving vampires, ancient artifacts, and cosmic forces.

It's not just about vampires. The story also includes ancient super-beings, a serial killer, Italian gangs, prison life, a transcontinental horse race, and amnesia. With eight separate protagonists and changing casts, the stories and themes never stagnate over the 121 volumes of JoJo awesomeness. Especially from part 3 onward, fights involve the supernatural power of Stands. These are physical manifestations of the soul, and each user has a unique ability. This forces our protagonists to use their minds instead of their fists to defeat the enemy, leading to inventive and creative resolutions to bizarre battles and circumstances.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is one of the most beautiful and fabulous artworks I've seen and is an essential read for all manga lovers.

18 YuYu Hakusho After being killed in an accident, delinquent Yusuke Urameshi is given a chance to return to life as a Spirit Detective, tasked with investigating supernatural cases and fighting against powerful demons and other foes.

This deserves to be in the top ten! I absolutely love the excellent artwork, interesting characters, clashing personalities, unique fighting styles, a hint of romance, irritating suspense, good humor, and awesome storyline. It was also the first manga I've ever read. This manga is epic!

Yu Yu Hakusho is epic! The storyline, characters, and artwork are the best. I love the main characters, their fighting styles, and personalities so much! The suspense, romance, and humor really got to me. I could create an endless list of things I like about this series. The only downside was finishing a page and realizing that the series was over.

19 One-Punch Man Saitama, a bald and unassuming hero with the power to defeat any opponent with a single punch, battles against increasingly powerful foes while grappling with his own ennui and the hero-worship of others.

Well, in the end, good wins almost every time against evil (Naruto, Death Note, M arc, Dragon Ball). Just thinking of inventing a manga based around that, and ending it with just one punch, is absurd and iconic. One Punch Man is pure genius! In many aspects, it's much better than any action/fighting manga, as it easily ends up with just a punch. The manga is entertaining and amazing - absolutely a top 10.

Great manga. It belongs in everyone's top 10. Great comedy, amazing action, superb story, and some of the best artwork that I've ever seen in my life. It has the greatest manga potential and is so addictive. Put all this together and add the regular but completely overpowered protagonist, Saitama, and you've got something amazing. Everyone must read!

20 Pandora Hearts In a gothic fantasy world, young nobleman Oz Vessalius uncovers a web of conspiracies and betrayals surrounding his family and a mysterious organization known as Pandora, aided by the enigmatic Chain Alice and a host of other allies and enemies.

The art is good, and the characters are multi-dimensional and diverse. Morality is complicated. It's not just black and white, which is fantastic. The plot is complex, interesting, unique, and incredibly well-planned. Seriously, you notice so many things when rereading it. It's ridiculous. And the plot twists - holy crap! Did I mention the characters are great? Because they are. This story messes with your emotions in so many different ways. Honestly, pretty much everything about it is excellent. It's not just in my top favorite mangas. It's basically among my top favorites in everything, which includes a ton of stuff. End rant/rave.

21 Rurouni Kenshin Set during the Meiji Restoration, former assassin and wanderer Kenshin Himura attempts to leave his violent past behind and protect his newfound friends and allies from dangerous enemies, all while grappling with his own code of honor and morality.

Rurouni Kenshin demonstrates that strength isn't just about being able to hold one's own in a fight or being the last man standing in battle. There's courage in finding the will to keep living, no matter how hurt one has been in the past or how unworthy they find their own lives.

Kenshin is a very human character. He has made some grievous errors in his past. Everyone makes mistakes or has done something they regret. However, instead of letting it drive him to ruin, Kenshin finds the strength to help the people around him as some measure of atonement for his past. As the story progresses, the reader can really appreciate how different some characters' lives might have been if Kenshin had never been involved in their lives.

The emphasis on how great change can happen when simple citizens choose to act, and the appreciation and value for life, make this manga something that will always hold a special place for me.

22 Hajime no Ippo High school student Ippo Makunouchi discovers a talent for boxing and trains under the guidance of legendary coach Kamogawa Genji, facing off against a variety of opponents and striving to become the featherweight champion of Japan.

Simply outstanding. My blood gets pumped just reading it. The tenacity and the ever-evolving characters can actually teach you a thing or two about life. The mangaka has managed to infuse his work with a soul that makes Hajime No Ippo immortal for all its fans. It's the only manga that makes me want to burn through it as quickly as possible, yet also savor each page as long as possible.

As this manga has over 900 chapters, one can say it's simply good because it was never canceled. That has to mean something. Furthermore, the story of the weak Ippo keeps you reading until you want to know what happens. You are enlightened by Ippo's trainer's words: Off to the world, brat.

23 Parasyte After a race of alien parasites invade Earth and begin to take over human hosts, a high school student named Shinichi Izumi becomes one of the few humans to successfully resist their control, and must use his newfound abilities to fight against the parasites and protect his loved ones.

I'm surprised Parasyte is all the way down here! This is one of my favorite manga and had me on the edge of my seat as much as laughing my way off of it. I recommend it to all Tokyo Ghoul fans. (And if you haven't read Tokyo Ghoul, I highly recommend that too!)

Creepy science fiction story similar to Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This thriller will not let you go until the very end.

24 Gantz After being killed in a train accident, Kei Kurono and his fellow victims are resurrected by a mysterious black sphere known as Gantz and forced to participate in a deadly game of survival against a variety of powerful and monstrous foes.

I can't get enough of this manga! Yes, it's dark, it's gory, and it deals with death, sex, and violence - but that's just part of what makes it such a fascinating manga. The characters are intriguing and deeper than you might expect. There's mystery, epic fight scenes, some romance, sci-fi, monsters, and even vampires. It has a surreal quality, with some comic relief and extremely detailed artwork. I especially love the Tokyo street scenes and the inventive sci-fi gear. Very slick.

The best manga to showcase the worst side of humanity, it generally questions our purpose in life. We're fighting aliens, and yet there's still a very relatable main character. Lots of fan service. Although it's a cheap manga designed to appeal to fans, I still love the heck out of it. Don't get attached to any characters. Life is short and fleeting. It's one of my Top 5, although it has a lousy ending.

25 The Breaker: New Waves In this martial arts action series, former martial arts student Shi-Woon Yi must learn to defend himself and those he cares about from a variety of powerful enemies, aided by his teacher Chun-Woo Han and a host of other skilled fighters.

This manga is literally the most amazing manga out there. I've read Gantz, Naruto, HotD, Bleach, Monster - you name it, and I've had the free time to grind through chapters. The prequel to this is what caught me: "The Breaker." In the beginning, it seems very boring because if you haven't read the prequel, then you have no idea what's going on. BUT! The creator of this manga deserves AWARDS. I literally have nail-biting, thought-riveting, daily panic attacks just waiting for the next chapter of this series. The story is so deep, and the manga itself is unrivaled.

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