What are the best manga of all time? This is a question that often leads to passionate debate among fans. While many people think of manga as the comic book art form that gained prominence in the 20th century, it actually dates back to the 19th century in Japan. Its development is tied to Japanese drawings that appeared as early as the 12th and 13th centuries. The wildly popular manga comics have now become a billion-dollar industry and include every genre imaginable, from comedy to science fiction to romance.
To create our list of the top 50 manga of all time, we looked at several factors, including critical acclaim, popularity, and longevity. We hope you enjoy our list!
Manga is for everyone – regardless of age or background. These comics are enjoyed by people all over the world, both in Japan and beyond. If you’re new to manga and not sure where to start, don’t worry! We have some great lists to help get you started. Just remember to prepare yourself for reading from right to left!
The Best Manga of All Time According to Reddit
Reddit is a popular resource for all things manga. With more than one million members, it’s a great place to discover new favorites or discuss classics. You can find lists of the top 100 manga of all time, so you’ll always have something to read!
If you’re still not convinced that manga is for you, consider the immense variety of genres it covers. Manga runs the gamut from stories that explore important historical aspects of Japanese culture to others that tackle relevant modern issues, such as bullying, LGBTQ rights, or natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. No matter what your interests are, there’s sure to be a manga out there for you.
The Many Different Genres of Manga
As one recent article pointed out, manga is aging with its population: new stories aimed at older readers account for the fact that these readers want to see themselves in stories, not just as characters on the periphery. Perhaps in time it will be named its own category, but for now the types of manga you should familiarize yourself with as you search its genres are:
- Shonen: manga targeted to an audience of “tween” boys
- Shojo: manga targeted to an audience of “tween” girls
- Seinen: manga intended for adult men
- Josei: manga intended for adult women
- Kodomomuke: manga for younger children
Manga sales have been seriously impacted in recent years by piracy. There is an entire industry based on scanning the pages of physical books and making them available online without authorization. This has had a serious impact on manga sales, and in turn the bottom line for the publishers
8 Manga Classics
We’ll start with 8 Manga classics that everyone should read, covering a wide range of themes and interests:
1. Naruto, by Masashi Kishimoto
The message in Naruto is an appealing one that will resonate with many readers. It tells the story of an orphan boy who dreams of becoming the best ninja. We root for him in his quest, just as we would for Annie to win the heart of Daddy Warbucks!
2. Sailor Moon, by Naoko Tekeuchi
Sailor Moon tells the story of Usagi Tsukino, a magical warrior who is charged with protecting the earth from evil forces. Usagi is determined and brave, and she always stands up for what she believes in – no matter what the odds are. She’s an inspiration to girls all over the world, and she shows that with enough heart and courage, anything is possible.
3. Astro Boy, by Osamu Tezuka
This is a must-read for anyone new to manga: Astro Boy is one of the most popular manga of all time. It tells the story of a scientist who is devastated by the loss of his son, so he replaces him with a robot.
4. Ace of the Diamond, by Yuji Terajima
Baseball is a popular sport in America and Japan. In fact, there is a manga series that tells a story about the sport. The main character, Weijun Sawamura, is recruited by a high school with a great baseball reputation. If you’re a fan of sports, then you’re sure to enjoy this manga series.
5. Akira, by Katsuhiro Otomo
Akira is a 1980s manga set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, focused on a biker gang. The title character is shrouded in mystery and the sci-fi action has made this one a fan favorite for generations.
