10 Most Influential Manga Of All Time

May 26, 2024, 11 p.m.

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10 Most Influential Manga Of All Time

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Summary One Piece surpasses iconic comic sales, influences creators globally, and stands as staple for shonen fans.

Akira's impact on anime, films like The Matrix, and the cyberpunk genre is undeniable and lasting.

Naruto's influence on anime mainstreaming, complex characters, and popular franchises is unmatched.

Manga has impacted comics and anime significantly, stepping across cultural barriers to become a global phenomenon. A few very special manga series have captured the attention of millions of readers while also breaking new ground in terms of storytelling, art, and genre innovation. From classics like Astro Boy to modern epics like One Piece, these works have influenced the medium and served as an inspiration to many fans and creators.

This medium of storytelling dates as far back as 1798, with Shiji No Yukikai being one of the first recorded mentions of the popular comic style. Over the years, the medium has gotten bigger and more people have come to appreciate this art form.

With anime adaptations of popular series giving more attention to the source material, the sky is the limit for manga as it continues to grow more popular globally with each passing year.

Related 15 Best Mangaka of All Time Over the history of the manga industry, these 15 creators have risen above the others for various reasons to be the best mangakas of all time.

10 One Piece Is One Of The Best Selling Comics Ever

Created by Eiichiro Oda

There will never be a manga quite like One Piece, competing with the biggest comics in the world and dominating in the entertainment industry. With more than 500 million copies in circulation, the series has sold more copies than icons like Batman and Spider-Man. The series has never been bigger, either, with the manga and anime entering the final saga and more than 20 years of serialization coming to an end.

One Piece is more than just its sales prowess, inspiring a whole generation of creators and mangaka, being one of the first and only examples of a successful live-action adaptation, and has undoubtly had a massive impact on anime and manga fans around the globe. The expert foreshadowing and worldbuilding that One Piece is known for will undoubtedly be a point of reference for new manga, and it will go down as the zenith of the fantasy genre.

One Piece Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a multimedia franchise that began as a manga series and follows the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates as led by Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy, an enthusiastic pirate with a thirst for adventure, is afflicted by a mysterious curse that gives him various powers he uses to protect himself and his friends. The manga eventually gave way to the anime series, with the two being some of history's longest-running anime and manga series. Along with over fifty video games made over the years, the series entered the live-action world with Netflix's 2023 adaptation. Created by Eiichiro Oda First TV Show One Piece (1999)

9 Akira Was A Masterpiece That Inspired A Cult Classic Film

Created by Katsuhiro Otomo

Akira was one of the biggest and most popular anime movies of all time, becoming a huge hit in the Western hemisphere and introducing many to the world of anime. The manga's intricate art, cinematic panels and brilliant designs were perfectly replicated in the adaptation, and Katsuhiro Otomo being both the directoe and creator of the manga made the film embody the spirit of the source material.

Akira crossed multiple thresholds during its release, and has been cited as an influence on works such as The Matrix, Watchmen, Avatar and more. Its mature narrative and dystopian setting inspired future creators, shaping the cyberpunk genre and leaving a lasting legacy on manga, anime, and popular culture worldwide.

8 Urusei Yatsura

Created by Rumiko Takahashi

Although Inuyasha is Rumiko Takahashi's biggest work in the West, Urusei Yatsura had such an incredible impact that it changed the anime and manga industries forever. This romantic comedy series is one of the best examples of a female main character done right in the shonen demographic that is dominated by male MCs, with Lum being one of the most iconic and recognizable characters ever created.

An anime remake of the manga is currently airing, produced by the studio behind Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and Undead Unluck.

Many creators have mentioned Urusei Yatsura's impact, including Hideaki Anno, creator of Evangelion, Hiro Mashima, the mind behind Fairy Tail, and CLAMP. From creating iconic character tropes still found in shonen romance today to pioneering how powerful blending traditional slapstick comedy and romance can be in manga, Urusei Yatsura easily became one of the biggest franchises in the 20th Century that left its mark on the industry.

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7 Naruto Is The Face Of Anime

Created by Masashi Kishimoto

Millions of anime and manga fans around the globe will often name Naruto as being their gateway into the medium. It is one of the most recognized manga series ever, and inspired one of the most streamed anime adaptations ever. Furthermore, it inspired countless new series that went on to become popular, such as My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, Tokyo Ghoul, Black Clover, Kagurabachi, and many others. From the incredible action, complex characters, and inspiring journey, Naruto is the gold standard.

As one of the few manga and anime series during this time to go mainstream, Naruto's reach goes just beyond the manga world. Its incredible and amazing storytelling has been used in movies and TV shows, showing how impactful it was. With over 250 million copies sold and the most sold manga outside of Japan, the tale of Naruto Uzumaki will be forever remembered as one of the most impactful ones ever.

2:41 Related 10 Ways Naruto Changed Anime Forever Naruto is part of more than one generation of anime fans. Acclaimed and loved around the world, the 2002 series left a huge impact on the industry.

Naruto (2002) Naruto is an action-adventure anime series based on the manga series created by Masashi Kishimoto. The titular Naruto Uzumaki is a fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit sealed inside him, which once wreaked havoc on his village. Shunned by his community yet determined to earn their respect, Naruto dreams of becoming the greatest ninja, the Hokage. This series follows his journey through the Ninja Academy as he continues to train and grow, hoping to prove himself to his peers- and himself. Streaming Service(s) Netflix Writers Masashi Kishimoto

6 Doraemon Is One Of The Biggest Family Friendly Series In the Medium

Created by Fujiko F. Fujio

Doraemon is one of the most, if not the most, popular cartoons in Japan, and is one of the best-selling manga of all time. With games, anime adaptations, spin-offs, and movies, the series has managed to stay relevant since 1969. It was much deeper than the average cartoon as well, embodying values such as second chances, friendship, accountability, and more.

Doraemon was officially crowned as Japan's official anime representative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which speaks volumes about its reputation and popularity. It also has a museum dedicated to it and is an integral part of Japan's pop culture.

Doraemon (1969) Writers Hiroshi Fujimoto , Motoo Abiko Penciler(s) Hiroshi Fujimoto , Motoo Abiko Inker(s) Hiroshi Fujimoto , Motoo Abiko Publisher(s) Fujiko F. Fujio Pro

5 Sailor Moon Is a Staple Shojo Series

Created by Naoko Tekeuchi

Sailor Moon, alongside Dragon Ball and Pokémon, was one of the series that put anime on the map. Its impact is immense, and although Sally the Witch and Magical Princess Minky Momo were technically the first magical girl series, it was Sailor Moon that popularized and made the genre what it is today. It was one of Toonami's biggest series and is one of the most profitable anime franchises ever.

Sailor Moon will be remembered for its groundbreaking portrayal of strong, multifaceted female characters and its blend of action, romance, and fantasy elements. The series challenged traditional gender roles, empowering young girls worldwide. Its global success helped popularize manga and anime outside of Japan, inspiring future generations of creators and leaving a lasting legacy in pop culture.

The creator of Sailor Moon is married to the creator of Hunter X Hunter and Yuyu Hakusho, Yoshihiro Yogashi.

Sailor Moon (1992) Teenager Usagi Tsukino is an ordinary clumsy schoolgirl until she meets a talking cat named Luna, who transforms her into Sailor Moon, a soldier destined to save Earth from the forces of evil. Usagi must find the moon princess and protect Earth with other girls awakened as Sailor Soldiers. Together, they fight to prevent otherworldly and mystical forces from wreaking havoc, all while balancing the everyday challenges of being a teenager in school. Streaming Service(s) Hulu Creator(s) Naoko Takeuchi

4 Slam Dunk Popularized An Entire Sport In Japan

Created by Takehiko Inoue

From the legendary creator behind Vagabond and REAL, Takehiko Inoue's Slam Dunk took Japan by storm in the late 1990s and is one of the country's most beloved series. Arguably the best sports series of all time, Slam Dunk blended humor, riveting action, and a realistic depiction of basketball very beautifully. Such a masterful portrayal of the sport was in part due to Inoue's past, as his love for basketball was so strong that he wanted to become a professional player before he started making manga.

It takes an incredible amount of popularity and influence to increase the number of participants in a sport, and Slam Dunk did exactly that. Basketball became much more popular in Japan, and the NBA's smooth transition into the country was in part due to Inoue's creation. Furthermore, many mangaka of other sports manga were inspired by Slam Dunk, most notably Haikyuu!! and Blue Lock. Non-sports manga such as One Piece, Bleach, Naruto, My Hero Academia, Toriko, Rurouni Kenshin, Death Note, and many others loved Slam Dunk and were inspired by it.

Related 15 Best Mangaka of All Time Over the history of the manga industry, these 15 creators have risen above the others for various reasons to be the best mangakas of all time.

3 Ashita No Joe Uplifted The Entire Nation In Trying Times

Created by Tetsuya Chiba and Ikki Kajiwara

Although this masterpiece isn't nearly as appreciated as it deserves to be outside of Japan, Ashita No Joe's incredible influence cannot be understated. It is one of the best if not the best boxing manga ever, and its splendid choreography and fights are still referenced today, with Dragon Ball, Naruto, Hajime No Ippo and more replicating the iconic double punch.

However, what makes Ashita No Joe truly inspirational is the impact it had on millions of Japanese people who were still recovering from World War II and the devastating economic recession. The series' main theme of preserving until tomorrow inspired countless people to keep living and fighting, and Yabuki Joe's constant struggle touched the hearts of many. Manga readers finally have the chance to appreciate and understand the importance of this series now that Kodansha is releasing an English publication this year.

2 Dragon Ball Is Peak Shonen

Created by Akira Toriyama

Fans truly saw how huge and influential Dragon Ball was in the wake of Akira Toriyama's tragic passing. Many prominent figures from across industries and the world shared how much the series impacted their lives and work. From video games, other manga, and movies, Dragon Ball was a global phenomenon and cultural reset, stealing the hearts of children and adults alike. Even presidents and officials of countries were sending their condolences.

Icons such as One Piece and Naruto wouldn't exist if it weren't for Toriyama's adventure series, and Dragon Ball changed the manga industry with its unique art style amid a formulaic but interesting style. With over 300 million copies sold, the series is still going strong, and with the upcoming Dragon Ball DAIMA anime and the new Dragon Ball Sparking Zero game on the way, it will continue to assert its dominance in multiple generations.

Related Dragon Ball Daima Release Window, Trailer, Story, & Everything We Know So Far Dragon Ball Daima is a new anime from series creator Akira Toriyama that stars Goku and Vegeta in an original story that is not what fans expect.

Dragon Ball Z (1989) Dragon Ball Z is the sequel series to Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball and continues the adventures of Goku. Along with his companions, Goku defends the Earth against various villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors to powerful androids and nearly indestructible creatures.

1 Astro Boy Was The Beginning Of It All

Created by Osamu Tezuka

Without Astro Boy, the anime and manga industry might not even exist. Known as the Godfather of Manga, Osamu Tezuka is widely created for kickstarting the manga industry, and his influence is still felt many decades later. The anime adaptation of the series was one of the first to be exported outside Japan, and for many, it was their introduction to country's early pop culture and entertainment.

However, simply popularizing manga isn't nearly all that Astro Boy has done. The shonen trope of the energetic and bubbly character was first seen in Astro, the popular style of wide eyes that is in series like Sailor Moon was created by Tezuka, and the series inspired many manga, most notably Naoki Urusawa's Pluto. Astro Boy is arguably one of the most iconic characters in the world, and the series laid a foundation for the medium that we love today.