VagabondImage via Morning
By
Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck
Updated
58 minutes ago
Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts.
Sign in to your Collider account
Summary
Generate a summary of this story
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
20
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
Most popular movies and TV shows are based on or adapted from existing material, including some of the biggest films, such as those from Marvel. But when it comes to anime, almost every single series is adapted from a manga, including Attack on Titan or Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. While anime may get all the credit, most manga deserve more recognition for their impactful stories and gorgeous art.
Anime can ruin the source material due to poor pacing, production, and content cuts, making manga the definitive experience for many stories. This is why this list ranks the ten greatest manga of all time. It will base the rankings on writing, art, story, characters, fan opinion, critical acclaim, legacy, influence, and groundbreaking aspects. They may not move or have sounds and color, but manga is just as important as anime.
20 'Homunculus' (2003–2011)
Man drilling a hole into his skull in HomunculusImage via Big Comic Spirits
Seinen manga are generally more favored than shounen, even though the latter is more popular, and that is because they are more mature and thought-provoking. One excellent example of that is Homunculus, an excellent psychological dark thriller that explores the mind. When a homeless man by choice takes a sketchy operation for quick money, he can now see the inner truths of every person.
Homunculus is dark, disturbing, eccentric, philosophical, profound, and emotional, telling a relatable story about mental health with a touch of mystery, supernatural aspects, and a psychological focus. The premise is truly fascinating, and the plot only intrigues more as it goes on, increasing the tension, drama, and emotion to create a near flawless manga with an exceptional ending.
19 'Grand Blue Dreaming' (2014–)
Iori standing at the bottom of the ocean in Grand Blue Dreaming mangaImage via good! Afternoon
Comedy manga aren't usually considered among the best series, but this list presents two must-reads, starting with Grand Blue Dreaming. Lori moves to a seaside town for university, living with his cousins. However, when he is forced to join the diving club, his college life changes forever, learning the beauty of diving and the ocean while strengthening his bonds with his friends and relatives, mainly through drinking, a lot of drinking.
Too many manga are set in high school, which makes Grand Blue so refreshing, following college students and the wild adventures they get up to. It is wet, wild, hilarious, and motivational at times, establishing itself as the definitive college manga. Grand Blue is one of the best manga series of the 2010s, using its simple, but effective humor and dirty jokes to remain one of the funniest manga series ever.
18 'Billy Bat' (2008–2016)
A man staring at a cartoon bat coming out of a piece of paper in the Billy Bat mangaImage via Morning
Naoki Urasawa is one of the most renowned manga authors of all time, and fans will see another series of his not too far from now. However, one of his most recent series is also one of his best, Billy Bat. This manga follows a Japanese-American comic author who finds out he inadvertently plagiarized his most popular character, prompting him on a vacation to Japan, where he will learn about the character's dark and ominous history.
Urasawa is a master of mysteries, especially ones that span multiple eras, and Billy Bat is no different, set during numerous decades, slowly building the plot and mystery through each time. It is perhaps his most creative series, really spreading his wings and getting weird with the plot. No one can predict where this series will go, but fans can be sure they will love every second of this legendary 2000s manga.
17 'Dorohedoro' (2000–2018)
Cast of Dorohedoro in a manga panelImage via Gessan
While it may be one of the most underrated anime series of all time, manga readers know just how good Dorohedoro is. The hole is a dark, decrepit, and grimy place, but the worst part is the wizards and mages who experiment on its residents, leaving them permanently disfigured. Caiman is one such experiment, with the head of an alligator and no memories, but he plans to find who did this and get his memories back.
Dorohedoro is one of the most unique manga series of all time, displaying a distinct and striking art style along with its messy, yet purposeful style. Managing to blend dystopian horrors and silly humor, Dorohedoro is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, cementing itself as a masterpiece. It is chaotic, funny, dark, mysterious, engaging, and a blast from start to finish.
16 'Nana' (2000–2009)
Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu in NANAImage via Madhouse
Some manga get a nice ending and others never properly conclude, but no series had it as bad as Nana, which has been on hiatus for over a decade, ending on one of the biggest cliffhangers. One girl wants to rekindle the relationship with her boyfriend, and another girl pursues her dream of music. The two have nothing in common, except that they have the same name, are on the same train to Tokyo, and will be roommates from here on out.
Fans know there is no hope of the series returning, but even if it never comes back, the manga thus far is still flawless and deserves to be on this list. The two main characters have a perfect dynamic and chemistry, resulting in one of the best manga relationships. Not to mention Nana is grounded, realistic, and emotionally complex and intelligent, portraying authentic feelings in every panel.
15 'The Climber' (2007–2011)
Buntaro holding helmet in The Climber mangaImage via Young Jump
The Climber has an interesting history, starting with an author and an artist, but after the writer left, the artist picked up the series without any previous writing experience. However, he would create one of the most gorgeous manga stories ever. The protagonist is a loner, but when he discovers climbing, he learns he needs to have a partner for safety.
Some may find the protagonist annoying, but his subtle growth and development make up for any complaints. The Climber is best known for its jaw-dropping art with incredibly detailed panels, realistic character designs, and stunning backgrounds. This profound story is mesmerizing and moving, combining to create one of the best manga series of this century.
14 'Monster' (1994–2001)
Monster anime drawing with Kenzo Tenma and Johan.Image via VIZ Media
As mentioned, Urasawa is an iconic manga author with multiple award-winning series, but his magnum opus is arguably Monster, a dark mystery thriller. When Dr. Tenma saves a child instead of the mayor, that child grows up to become a serial killer, prompting Tenma to take matters into his own hands. However, Tenma slowly learns Johan's dark truth and history.
Many fans probably want Monster higher on this list, but there are too many great manga to not be in the top five, plus Urasawa will have another series later on. Still, Monster is a masterclass of tension, mystery, and thrills, crafting a perfect story with one of the best hero-villain dynamics. This fascinating series is hailed as one of the best for a reason, proving Urasawa is a legendary creator.
13 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' (1986–)
Dragonia and Jodio from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: JojolandsImage via Ultra Jump
After the announcement of a Steel Ball Run anime, fans are about to witness the greatest part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. However, the manga as a whole is still incredible, as each part follows a new protagonist, story, and setting. From defeating a charismatic vampire to taking down a priest aiming to reset the universe, every adventure is out of the ordinary in this series.
Some fans may believe this is too low for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, but it takes into consideration every part, meaning the lacking parts like Phantom Blood hold back parts like Steel Ball Run. Regardless, this series is still remarkable, with one of the best art styles in manga and a zany story that is unpredictable. The newest part is one of the best modern manga, and the old series are some of the best from their time, meaning JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is one of the greatest manga series ever.
12 'A Bride's Story' (2008–)
A bunch of women sitting on a bed in A Bride's Story mangaImage via Aokishi
Jumping from serialization to serialization, fans can't seem to catch a break or a constant release schedule, but they are happy as long as A Bride's Story keeps running. Amir enjoys her simple life in the 19th century, but when she must marry someone younger than her, she is naturally wary. However, their relationship grows over the course of the series, as they learn about each other and their customs.
Some aspects may feel problematic, such as age gaps, but it accurately represents common practices back then, not shying away from awkwardness. A Bride's Story is an outstanding manga with some of the medium's best-written characters. This story is an intriguing look around the world and at different cultures, bringing viewers back to an old time that they can't read with modern biases.
11 'Kingdom' (2006–)
Image via Young Jump
Historical manga are more popular than ever; hopefully, that means more people will read Kingdom, a phenomenal action series set in the Warring States period in China. Xin dreams of becoming a great general, working his way up the ranks in every campaign. Every battle is gruesome and dangerous, but he and his comrades continue to push forward, hoping to unite every state.
Even though it just missed out on the top ten, Kingdom is still a monumental manga that has a lot to show off, as it has no end in sight. The battles are on another scale, using genuine tactics and strategy to create some of the most captivating fights in manga. Kingdom is a work of art with a masterful story and great development, making it one of the best action manga ever.
-
One Piece
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Reply / Post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation email Sort by: Popular Oldest Newest- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
Sep 8, 2025
The 25 Best Anime Series of All Time, Ranked
2 hours ago
The 10 Greatest Quotes in Pixar Movies, Ranked
10 minutes ago
The 3 Best Movies To Watch on Prime Video This Week (#3 Is a Divisive Christmas Flick)
5 hours ago
Can’t Wait for ‘Stranger Things 5’ Vol. 2? Here’s Where You Can Watch Its Very Connected Prequel ‘The First Shadow’
What To Watch
July 20, 2025
The 72 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
Trending Now
Will's Game-Changing 'Stranger Things' Reveal Has an Even Deeper Meaning for the Rest of the Show
New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Live-Action Remake Already Has a Release Date
The Highest-Grossing WWII Movie of All Time Is Still a Massive Streaming Hit
Usogui?
Kingdom ?
Jojo SBR?
???
2025-06-16 16:39:27 Upvote 5 Downvote Reply CopyJojo?
2025-06-14 21:41:54 Upvote 3 Downvote Reply CopyFinally one of these lists that is actually pretty based, all of these are masterpieces. I would change out 20th Century Boys for Monster but other than that I don't have many issues.
2025-06-17 22:54:33 Upvote 1 Downvote Reply 3 CopyGonna read Monster.. only read first volume so isn’t come as far that meeting of Johan Liebert as adult and then not further.. but have decided to read beside reading Berserk right now or something like that…!
2025-07-09 17:29:09 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyL take
20th century was same if not better than monster
It deserves to be in top 4
2025-07-14 05:37:28 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyL take
20th century is same if not better than monster I would put it 4th atleast
I bet u haven't read it
2025-07-14 05:39:07 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyKozure Okami - Lone Wolf and Cub ? This is the best of the best.
2025-07-07 14:00:03 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyBro , Everything is ok , but dragon ball is nostalgic and emotion . RIP 😭 😔 AKIRA TORIYAMA.
2025-06-18 22:07:06 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyFun Fact: This was made by an alien who doesn’t know anything about Seinen.
2025-08-22 15:20:04 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyI like demon slayer a lot. It was my first manga that i read. It opens my hobby in reading manga. I like Lion and the cub, boruto, naruto, zom 100, junji ito's manga and many more. I haven't read this list of manga yet but i planned in the future.
2025-06-19 11:26:06 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyI like one piece better than berserk, other than that it's perfect.
2025-11-29 06:22:26 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyKingdom not being here is crime
2025-07-13 05:00:42 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyTokyo ghoul??
2025-06-18 16:42:30 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyUmmm Gantz?
2025-06-15 02:18:38 Upvote Downvote Reply 1 CopyThank you. These lists are by noobs.
2025-07-11 16:12:32 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyWhat About
DRAGON BALL
without it half of these series
wouldnt exist
2025-07-05 08:11:59 Upvote Downvote Reply CopyPff How bout something that isn't a few decades old. That vintage stuff has terrible Art
2025-06-14 17:58:34 Upvote Downvote Reply 3 CopyTry jojos bizzare adventure because it's peak
2025-06-14 21:42:44 Upvote 2 Downvote Reply Copyit shows that you've never read a chapter of berserk in your life
2025-06-14 23:29:23 Upvote 4 Downvote Reply CopyBerserk? I didn't like the story at all, much less the old Art.
2025-06-15 09:43:39 Upvote Downvote Reply Copy