Although “manga” loosely translates to “whimsical drawings,” it is much more than that. From Machiko Hasegawa’s Sazae-San (the first manga published in 1946) to more recent ones like Tatsuya Endo’s Spy x Family, Japanese comics have come a long way. Manga proves that various styles and genres can thrive in a two-dimensional medium.
As time passes, manga artists keep growing, and so does their art. Tight lines and loose shapes make for some of the best stories ever put to paper. From slice-of-life and romance to action and fantasy, the art in manga does justice to them all. Mangaka have successfully depicted various emotions and actions through their art, enthralling readers worldwide.
10 Moriarty The Patriot Brings A Fresh Perspective To The Table
Ryosuke Takeuchi and Hikaru Miyoshi’s Moriarty the Patriot follows the titular William Moriarty, an underdog who goes from rags to riches. A reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary work, this manga depicts Moriarty as the protagonist, someone who wants to abolish the ranking system.
Like a true anti-hero, Moriarty paints himself red, earning the scorn of society to unite them against him. Clean panels, sharp lines, and excellent contrast add to the depth of the story along with the otherwise expressive art. The illustrator exquisitely portrays Sherlock and Moriarty’s love-hate relationship.
9 Jujutsu Kaisen’s Character Design Is Noteworthy Throughout The Genre
Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen has garnered a brilliant response from both anime and manga fans. Akutami’s expertise shows in the busy fight scene panels throughout the manga. Yuji Itadori’s journey from being a mundane civilian to becoming a jujutsu sorcerer housing an ancient and powerful cursed spirit has kept fans hooked, leaving them wanting more.
Jujutsu sorcerers, their abilities, and cursed spirits have unique qualities, which the mangaka has portrayed with a careful hand. The impeccable character design is famous across the shonen genre.
8 Black Clover Puts Magic On Paper
Yuki Tabata’s Black Clover is another contemporary shonen giant. While many have criticized the manga and anime for taking too much from the Naruto franchise, Black Clover’s art pulls its weight. From Asta’s brute strength to Luck’s attitude while battling any opponent, Tabata depicts each change in expression with the utmost precision.
A story with elements of magic, Black Clover’s art style enhances the mystical details of the story. Beautiful lines, expressive eyes, and overpowered design put this manga high on fans’ favorite manga lists.
7 Dorohedoro Is The Perfect Mix Of Action And Comedy
Q Hayashida’s Dorohedoro is a one-of-a-kind manga. Part Isekai, this manga is the perfect definition of a well-written dystopia. A must-read for fans of magic and fantasy, Dorohedoro follows Caiman, half man and half reptile, on his mission to find the magic user who cursed him.
Precise detailing is just one of the manga’s many highlights. From the scales on Caiman’s reptilian head to the squalor in the Hole, Hayashida’s careful fingers have crafted a magnificent yet terrifying world where the powerful rule over the weak.
6 JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Fillers Are Also Exquisite
Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure features some of the most absorbing and out-of-the-box art witnessed in the genre. Following the members of the Joestar family, this manga series shows the protagonists dealing with dangers that jeopardize the world.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is not without fillers like many other manga and anime like Detective Conan and the Dragon Ball franchise. However, the mangaka has crafted these fillers with as much dedication as he did with the main story. Chiseled faces and uncommon color schemes are this manga’s trademark.
5 Gantz Showcases The Dark Side Of Resurrection
Hiroya Oku’s Gantz is one of the more gruesome manga out there. It is a strong contender in the horror genre, competing with Junji Ito’s more famous works. Oku accurately portrays the struggle between resurrected humans trying to save their homeland and lethal monsters on a rampage.
Despite the below-average anime adaptation, fans have applauded the story thanks to the manga. An intriguing narrative, Gantz rose to fame given its graphic action imagery and terrifying monsters. Its art is some of the most renowned in the seinen genre.
4 Sun-Ken Rock Follows A Lovelorn Young Man To Korea
Mujik “Boichi” Park’s Sun-Ken Rock is the story of Ken, a high school delinquent whose crush rejects him and moves to Korea. Ken follows her to Korea to become a police officer like her but fails, only to become a shut-in bum, eventually recruited by the head of a local gang.
Boichi justifies his focus on the overarching action panels in the two-page spreads in the manga. While fans enjoy some arcs more than others, the art style remains consistent throughout the manga. Boichi perfectly balances the amalgamation of contrasting genres like seinen, ecchi, and comedy.
3 Uzumaki Will Keep Readers Up All Night
Junji Ito’s Uzumaki is yet another exceptional piece of work. Ito is famous for satiating the needs of diehard fans of the horror genre. Uzumaki follows a couple, Kirie Goshima and her boyfriend, Shuichi Saito, who live in a town ravaged by terrifying supernatural incidents.
The young couple becomes more aware of their surroundings as the series progresses. Unsettling imagery, scary depictions of mob mentality and paranoia, and the effects of being scared out of one’s wits all come across realistically in Junji Ito’s Uzumaki.
2 Chainsaw Man Has Created The Most Hype For Fans
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man has made a lot of noise recently, with MAPPA releasing the trailer for the anime. The manga follows Denji, an orphan devil hunter who meets Makima and joins the Public Safety Bureau to fight devils. The detailed art enhances the gripping storyline and structured plot.
The depiction of action, isolation, and various devils is beyond excellent. The mangaka has focused on the characters’ eyes, portraying raw emotions like lust, anger, and fear, among others. Anime-only fans and manga fans are equally excited about the anime dropping this October.
1 Vagabond Is The Samurai Story Of This Generation
Takehiko Inoue’s Vagabond is a must-read for all manga fans, regardless of their inclination towards a particular genre or author. Inoue is the mangaka behind the famously successful sports manga Slam Dunk. He is famous for his impeccable character design and absorbing storytelling skills.
Vagabond further promotes the mangaka’s superior craftsmanship. While some readers want to see the manga adapted into an anime, most are hesitant, fearing the ruin of Inoue’s beautiful artwork. Fans praise Vagabond for being the best manga story with incredible artistry.
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