Entertainment
The 10 Greatest Manga Masterpieces of the Last 25 Years, Ranked
Everyone loves anime, especially now that the medium has become so much more popular with titles like Jujutsu Kaisen and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. But manga, on the other hand, is still rather underrated despite being the original version of many of these stories. Whether they are underappreciated or not doesn’t change the fact that manga contain some of the greatest stories ever.
The modern landscape for manga is only getting better, and that is why this list will rank the greatest manga masterpieces from the past 25 years, which is from 2001 to 2026. Based on aspects such as writing, art, detail, originality, popularity, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these ten series are the best of the best in the 21st century and will remain renowned for the next 25 years as well.
10
‘One-Punch Man’ (2012-present)
Masterpieces aren’t reserved for dramatic stories with intricate plots. Sometimes the best manga of the past quarter-century can be a simple but fun, action-packed adventure. One-Punch Man follows Saitama, the strongest hero in the world; however, nobody knows it. This gets him into hilarious misadventures, even on some of the most dangerous missions against the strongest opponents.
In terms of action, there isn’t a better manga than One-Punch Man, which wows readers with some of the best art they will ever lay their eyes on. Outside the striking manga panels and stunning character designs, this manga is also surprisingly funny, using its characters for hilarious moments and epic battle sequences. One-Punch Man is an action masterpiece that defines the genre of the past 25 years.
9
‘Grand Blue Dreaming’ (2014-present)
Comedy manga are vastly underrated in favor of their anime counterparts, but this list features a couple of sidesplitting classics of this century, including Grand Blue Dreaming. Iori moves to a seaside town for university, staying with his cousins. When he joins a diving club expecting something new, he is tricked into what is basically a drinking club, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have fun.
There are a lot of fantastic modern shounen manga, but seinen is where the best stories and comedies are, and the proof lies with Grand Blue Dreaming. The eccentric cast of characters and typical college humor is absolutely perfect, even if rare for manga, adopting a unique sense of comedy in comparison to others. Grand Blue Dreaming isn’t just senseless silliness, but it is also a moving story about maneuvering college life.
8
‘Golden Kamuy’ (2014-2022)
The anime of Golden Kamuy is coming to an end in 2027, but if fans can’t wait any longer, then they should pick up the manga, the superior version of the story. With rumors of a massive stash of gold hidden somewhere in the country, a soldier and an Ainu girl team up to find it. The map is tattooed, and dozens of escaped convicts are involved, and the only way is to capture them and put the pieces together.
There aren’t many manga that can switch between absurd humor and a serious plot like Golden Kamuy, which blends its ridiculous sense of humor and bizarre characters into a dramatic war story. From shocking plot twists to some of the weirdest moments in manga history, Golden Kamuy is a quirky series, but that doesn’t get in the way of its adventure and core themes, which drive the compelling story.
7
‘The Climber’ (2007-2011)
A lot of these manga are masterpieces in written form, but this medium is also acclaimed because of its art, and when it comes to that, barely any series beats The Climber. The protagonist doesn’t want to be bothered by others, but when he discovers the joys of climbing, he tries not to let them get in his way as he aims for the next highest peak after each successful climb.
Manga like Berserk are often claimed to have the best artwork, but The Climber might be reaching for the crown of the best art in manga history. The grounded aesthetic and realistic portrayal of characters are detailed to perfection, but the use of imagery creates hallucinatory visions that depict the character’s inner thoughts. The Climber is a distinct manga that revels in the beauty of being alone and doing what one loves.
6
‘Yona of the Dawn’ (2009-2025)
Most fans think that action anime is only for men, but there are plenty of woman-focused action stories out there, with Yona of the Dawn being one of the best shoujo manga ever. Once upon a time there was a dragon and his four guardians, but as time passed, that fact became legend. After the kingdom is taken over, Yona, the exiled princess, learns that in order to take her homeland back, she must find these fabled dragon warriors.
The anime is soon to get a second season, but with the manga completed, it is the best way to experience the story. Yona of the Dawn is praised for its character development, which grows a spoiled and annoying brat into a reliable leader and resilient princess. Plus, the manga has a strong supporting cast that helps develop her while also having their own moments to shine.
5
‘Yotsuba&!’ (2003-present)
Grand Blue Dreaming is a hilarious manga, but one of, if not the greatest, comedy manga is Yotsuba&! The titular character just moved to a new town with her father, and while he is busy with his job, she can roam around town, make new friends, and have fun. There isn’t much to this manga, but the simple joys define the pure childlike wonder that it embodies.
Many people dismiss comedy manga, but it has so much more storytelling than many other genres. Yotsuba mixes life lessons into its hilarious plot. While it is well written, Yotsuba is beloved for its protagonist and comedy, which has her causing adorable chaos around town. From simple farm trips to playing with friends, every moment is hysterical for young and old fans, proving this series has what it takes to blow up as an anime.
Fullmetal Alchemist is considered the greatest anime series of all time, and while the manga doesn’t have the same status, it is still among the best ever. After brothers Edward and Alphonse lose parts or all of their bodies in a taboo experiment, they set out on an adventure to find the philosopher’s stone. However, all they uncover is a government conspiracy that threatens to consume the entire world if they don’t intervene.
Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the most complete manga ever, and by that, this list means it contains everything a manga fan could want, from great artwork and characters to an engaging story, riveting drama, mystery, action, worldbuilding, romance, and shocking plot twists. It is one of the best-crafted plots that works in adventure and drama seamlessly to create an outstanding and timeless manga legend.
3
‘Vinland Saga’ (2005-2025)
Some manga of the past 25 years are still going, but others have finished their stories, and Vinland Saga is the most recent manga to have concluded its grand adventure. After the death of his father, Thorfinn joins the crew of the Vikings who murdered him, hoping to get his revenge when he is stronger. However, years later, he has a crisis of faith, unsure of what direction he should take in a life that is defined by bloodshed.
When it comes to the greatest manga ever made, many fans bring up three specific works, and Vinland Saga is among them. It is hard to argue, because Vinland Saga boasts arguably the best character development in the medium, taking Thorfinn from an angry annoyance to a deep and nuanced character. There is a reason why it is considered one of the best seinen manga, proving it is among the best of the last quarter-century.
2
‘Goodnight Punpun’ (2007-2013)
A good manga makes people feel things, and Goodnight Punpun will make anyone break down and cry. The titular character is a normal boy living in a less-than-ideal situation, and this manga chronicles his life, from the good to the bad to the ugly. As a hopeless romantic, he wants nothing more than to fall in love, but this is where the root of his problems stems from.
A lot of fans don’t experiment outside their comfort zones, sticking to action or shounen series, but viewers should dip their toes into the ocean that is Goodnight Punpun. It may be an ocean of tears that will make viewers bawl their eyes out, but it is an incredibly profound and hard-hitting manga that will be relatable for some and tragic for all. It is a manga that will leave a pit in fans’ stomachs, but its realistic story is one of the most engaging of the past 25 years.
1
‘Kingdom’ (2006-present)
As mentioned, many of the manga on this list have come to an end, but some continue, further proving why they are the best of the last 25 years. Kingdom is about a young boy who dreams of becoming the greatest general in the Warring States period of China. One fateful day brings him into contact with the emperor-to-be, and thus begins the duo’s journey to unite the kingdoms and achieve their lifelong dreams.
Manga sometimes feature big stakes and flashy battles, but the grandeur of Kingdom is better than any other over-the-top manga. Its intricately crafted war sequences are a spectacle to witness, because not only are they gorgeous to look at through the art, but they also use genuine strategy. Kingdom is all about the battles, but it has plenty of endearing characters and political intrigue to prove why it is one of the best manga series of all time.
Kingdom
- Release Date
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June 4, 2012
- Directors
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Jun Kamiya, Akira Iwanaga, Kenichi Imaizumi, Kazuya Monma
- Writers
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Naruhisa Arakawa, Noboru Takagi
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