If you’re looking for the best manga to read then you came to the right place. We at Guthixtricks are pleased to provide you with our take on the best mangas, which you have got to read. Before we start let us clear out some basics which is vital for manga readers to know.
What is Manga?
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Manga is another name for the popular Japanese style of comics or animation stories. They are graphic novels as people also like to call it. Manga is simply more than a comic strip which people love, it is the base of many popular anime shows.
Are Manga and Anime the same?
No, manga and anime are totally different things. Manga is in the form of comic books or comic strips. While anime is in the form of anime shows and anime movies. However, there are numerous anime titles which have been derived from famous Mangas.
Why is Manga so popular?
Most popular mangas drive audiences crazy because of their graphics, unique storylines, plot twists or fancy characters. The characters can also be relatable for many readers, thus they feel connected to these mangas.
Other than that, most manga readers get to know about manga from their favourite anime. So excited to see what the manga version has in store for them readers are eager to check out the best mangas of all time. So, let’s check them out!
The Top 10 Best Mangas
1. FullMetal Alchemist
When someone asks you about some of the best mangas of all time, the FullMetal Alchemist series is quite obvious. This anime was much in talks after its launch and thus became a popular manga. This anime or manga lands on number 4 on MyAnimeList.
The manga weaves a story about the adventures of two brothers who are Alchemists. Alphonse and Edward Elric move towards the search of a magical stone called the Philosopher’s Stone. This stone, they wish to use for the revival of their dead mother.
Check out FullMetal Alchemist anime on Hulu along with other anime titles which may be interesting you.
- Genre: Adventure, Inspiring
- Ratings: 9.09
- Mangaka: Arakawa, Hiromu
- Volumes: 27
2. Berserk
This manga series has made its mark in the manga market to such an extent that Berserk can be tagged as the best manga to read. There is a protagonist in the story, named Guts. He is an orphaned mercenary warrior on his quest for revenge.
His misfortune is that he has to face a lot of hurdles in life which tests his patience and ability to overcome problems. He builds great strength from the circumstances he faces and he is the one who gives life to this manga.
Berserk is a good manga to read because of its characters and the lessons hidden in it. Its readers also rated it as one of the best manga to read because of various factors like; being exciting, intuitive and emotionally connecting.
- Genre: Action, Inspiring
- Ratings: 9.30
- Mangaka: Miura, Kentarou
- Volumes: 38
3. JoJo No Kimyou Na Bouken Part 7: Steel Ball Run
This is another popular manga, based in an Old West setting. Readers consider this as one of the top mangas of all time and usually call it by the name Jojo.
This long series follows the strange and unusual lives of the Joestar family. Each part focuses on a different family member and spotlights on the unusuality of each.
Part 1 talks about Jonathan Joestar and is set in Victorian England. Part 4 focuses on Josuke Higashikata and takes place in a small town in Japan. And so on.
Readers love the content representation of this manga and how the characters are so strangely displayed and their respective individual qualities. Once you start getting the hold of this manga, you’ll call it one of the best mangas.
- Genre: Adventure, Witty
- Ratings: 9.15
- Mangaka: Araki, Hirohiko
- Volumes: 7
4. Death Note
Death Note is a popular manga and a favourite one of many manga lovers. The anime movie of Death Note was also the top anime of all time. Believe it or not, this is the best manga to read.
The plot speaks about a brilliant high school student who finds a notebook dropped on the floor. That notebook reveals him the ultimate powers to put a full stop to the criminal life. He could kill anyone whose name he knows by writing that name inside the notebook he found.
With these freshly gained powers, he decides to put an end to the crime world. However, the road he chose for himself led to some other destination. This manga is full of excitement and awesome characters who try to solve the mystery of uncertain deaths in the world.
All of this makes Death Note one of the best mangas of all time. If you want to check out the Death Note anime on Netflix and other such shows, be sure to read our article.
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller
- Ratings: 8.60
- Mangaka: Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
- Volumes: 12
5. Dragon Ball
Hope you have already been familiar with this name, kids talk about it all day. Dragon Ball indeed is one of the favourite mangas or anime series for children, even teenagers.
They rate it as the best manga of all time for many reasons.
The plot talks about a protagonist named Goku, who is a strong native boy with excellent martial art skills. After his meeting with Bulma, he sets out to gather seven wish-granting Dragon Balls.
The story is filled with action and adventure as Goku follows the trail to achieve his goal.
Its larger than life characters give energy into the manga and make it the top manga of all time. Along with that, the action and thrill gives goosebumps to its readers. Undoubtedly, this is the best manga of all times.
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Martial Arts
- Ratings: 8.0
- Mangaka: Akira Toriyam
- Volumes: 42
6. Naruto
Naruto, like Dragon Ball, is also in the conversations of kids all the time. They discuss the amazing characters and how Naruto is the classic and the best manga. This is a good manga that talks about an orphan boy named Naruto, who dreams of becoming the best ninja in his village.
There is a story that illustrates the struggles and admirations of Naruto, in perfect picture and animation format. Readers get along with the flow while reading this best manga.
Furthermore, you witness a lot of action and ninja power skills in this manga. This is a classic and simply the best manga to read.
- Genre: Action, Adventure
- Ratings: 7.9
- Mangaka: Masashi Kishimoto
- Volumes: 27
7. Monster
Monster is a top manga of all time. This one isn’t a traditional manga, but it is actually the opposite of that. Be it any, it is known to be the best manga to read.
The story speaks about the moral and ethical dilemmas of Dr. Kenzou Tenma, who perhaps chooses to save the life of a child instead of that of the mayor in the story. This is the wise step of the Doctor towards clear display of humanity.
However, people around him start getting murdered and everyone looks with suspicious eyes towards the little boy. This is a compelling story with plot twists and also is a popular manga. Truly, it is the top manga of all time.
- Genre: Crime, Thriller
- Ratings: 9.0
- Mangaka: Big Comic Original
- Volumes: 18
8. Kingdom
Kingdom is known to be a good manga to read. It is a story that actually occurs in ancient China. It is about the naive dream of young Shin, who dreams of becoming the greatest general in all of China.
The hardships faced by the Shin makes this story very much emotional and connecting. His struggles, both physical and emotional, are extremely real and relatable.
The manga also focuses a lot on internal and external political aspects of various Chinese kingdoms involved, which makes this the best manga.
Since the story takes place over a period of several years, it also showcases how many of its characters gradually grow and evolve into becoming more mature human beings.
It holds deep lessons within, which is why it is rightly a popular manga among avid readers.
- Genre: Drama, Thriller, Action
- Ratings: 8.92
- Mangaka: Hara, Yasuhisa
- Volumes: 30
9. Vagabond
Another best mangas of all time is Vagabond. The anime was also very popular as its manga. This is the perfect amalgam of suspense, drama, action, even emotional confrontations. All these emotions blended together give rise to the best manga of all time.
This manga speaks about the life of Japanese teenager Musashi Miyamoto, whose initial goal was to become Japan’s most famous swordsman. Later he realized the importance of picking one’s battles, as well as the value of bonds created with other people.
This manga contains gore and bloodshed so it might not be the best fit for everyone, but it truly is the best manga of all times for the people who read it.
- Genre: Thriller, Action, Gore
- Ratings: 8.98
- Mangaka: Inoue, Takehiko and Yoshikawa, Eiji
- Volumes: 37
10. Made in Abyss
This is a fantastic and popular manga series about a hole in the ground. You read that right! However, the premise is much more interesting than it sounds.
The Abyss is a wide opening in the grounds of the Earth, and no one survives going too deep inside.
Some people we may call as the brave cave explorers try to map this place out and discover the mysteries inside the grand hole. Riko is a girl who meets a robot who came from the depths of the abyss.
She believes her mother is alive at the Abyss bed and thus Riko decides to let herself deep down. This is a story that fascinates readers and they rate it as the best manga to read.
- Genre: Adventure, Mystery
- Ratings: 8.91
- Mangaka: Tsukushi, Akihito
- Volumes: 8
11. Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling is a collection of Korean comic strips, based on Chugong’s web novel series of the same name. Solo Leveling is the best Manga to be Korean-based.
It is an excellent story that talks about a weak protagonist who finds himself bestowed with power with every quest he conquers.
The characters are not larger than life, but they are rather simple. But their goals and motivations are understandable and grand.
The way that the characters are relatable, the readers love this manga and tag it as a good manga to read.
Although this manga is not a popular manga, but, surely it has a hidden lesson within, which attracts readers and fans.
- Genre: Adventure
- Ratings: 8.93
- Mangaka: Jang, Sung-rak and Chugong
- Volumes: 14
12. Grand Blue
This is a sports manga series, it’s all about swimming. Although the name is grand blue, but, the creators worked well in making swimming look really good in black and white print of this popular manga.
The main character of this best manga is Lori Kitahara. He is a fine swimmer and he moves into his uncle’s scuba diving shop. The shop is named as Grand Blue.
However, the plot twist comes when he’s soon dragged into a wild and comical world of drunken party boys, and he joins along with them. While he is enjoying the party, he hopes to make something of himself, too.
The story holds much more to itself. Certainly Grand Blue is one of the best mangas of all time.
- Genre: Adventure, Drama
- Ratings: 8.99
- Mangaka: Inoue, Kenki, Yoshioka, Kimitake
- Volumes: 32
13. Oyasumi Punpun
After a long list of the best mangas of all time, this manga is a strange one. It’s not often one comes across nihilistic undertones in a manga, where every character is morally repugnant to such an extent that it’s impossible to like them for who they are.
The story itself is intensely disturbing, as it deals with serious issues like domestic abuse, violence, suicide and rape. So, it is definitely not suitable for all age types.
- Genre: Adult, Witty
- Ratings: 8.99
- Mangaka: Asano, Inio
- Volumes: 13
14. One Piece
One Piece is a popular manga, it is another in the list of the best mangas of all time. It has a simple and sober plot, which is why it is much likable.
The plot is as follows: Monkey D. Luffy is on a quest to find treasure that is buried inside an ocean. The story follows a dramatic and adventurous tone and keeps you tied up all along as the story trails. Clearly, One Piece is the best mangas of all time.
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy
- Ratings: 9.09
- Mangaka: Oda, Eiichiro
- Volumes: 96
15. 20th Century Boys
This is another great manga, although it is not a very popular manga. However, people who read it really start to build a liking for it.
The plot of the story goes as follows: The character Kenji Endo is the name of an unassuming convenience store manager in the 1990s, and he’s sure that his life will never change.
However, there’s a twist waiting for him outside the door!
He hears of the recent suicide of a childhood friend, and he soon realizes that a deadly cult led by a figure named Friend may be involved.
Kenji has a strong feeling that all his friends are being targeted, including himself.
This is a good manga to read, as it holds down a lot of mysteries and personal thoughts of Kenzi.
- Genre: Adventure, Mystery
- Ratings: 8.96
- Mangaka: Urasawa, Naoki
- Volumes: 22
With that we conclude our list of the best mangas of all times which are a must read! Check out our other articles and be sure to follow us on GuthixTricks- Facebook for further updates!