The 10 Greatest Manga Masterpieces of All Time, Ranked

Image via Hakusensha Published Aug 26, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT 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 It is only natural for a word to lose meaning the more it is said, and this is especially true when describing everyone's favorite stories. Anime and manga, in particular, stand out for this, with series such as Solo Leveling and Demon Slayer often being called perfect. They are fun, action-packed, and generally well-written, but they are by no means a masterpiece, a title reserved for only the best of the best. However, what manga series actually deserves the title of masterpiece? This list will rank the greatest manga masterpieces of all time based on aspects such as writing, art, originality, influence, entertainment value, themes, consistency, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality. Not everyone will agree with this, but these ten manga prove to be the best in some shape or form. 10 'Blame!' (1997-2003) Image via Afternoon Tsutomu Nihei is a prolific manga author with a handful of hits, and while his newest series has potential, his best is undoubtedly Blame! It takes place in a dark and grimy dystopia where humans live in small factions, hiding away from the beasts that will annihilate them. Killy is the only brave soul who searches for the Net Terminal Gene, which is the only hope for saving this corrupt world. In terms of pure atmospheric design, there isn't a better manga than Blame, which creates a haunting and eerie world that is intricately drawn with detail and intentional messiness. Nihei lets the art and actions speak for his story, sometimes having chapters with no dialogue at all. Some might say Blame doesn't deserve to be on this list, but it is a renowned classic known for its worldbuilding and unmatched sense of scale. 9 'Vinland Saga' (2005-2025) Image via Afternoon Ending a manga is one of the most difficult things to do, and many fail right at the end. However, Vinland Saga not only stuck the landing, but excelled with it, proving why it is on this list. After the Vikings kill Thorfinn's father, he joins their crew in hopes of taking revenge, but he first needs to get stronger. However, after losing his goal, Thorfinn is aimless and finds purpose in creating a better world. These manga masterpieces are from a bunch of different decades, but Vinland Saga is the most recent to end, meaning it is fresh in everyone's minds. It cemented an iconic legacy with a fitting ending to its wonderful story. Boasting some of the best character development in the medium, it transformed an angry brat into a nuanced pacifist using profound themes, excellent storytelling, and unforgettable moments that prove it is one of the best seinen manga of all time. 8 'Dorohedoro' (2000-2018) Image via Gessan After six long years, fans finally got the second season of Dorohedoro, but the definitive way to experience this story is still through the manga. Set in the Hole, a dark world with depressed residents, mages travel to it in order to experiment on the citizens and practice their magic. Caiman is one such experiment, left with the head of an alligator and no memories, prompting him to kill every mage to learn who did this and reverse the spell. Dorohedoro is one of the most unique manga series of all time, using its distinct story and striking art style, which is purposely messy, to create a blend of dystopian horror and goofy humor. Dorohedoro is the definition of chaotic, yet it maintains a flawless and balanced mystery that is engaging and unpredictable. It has plenty of eccentric characters, each with a unique role in the story that enhances the mystery and plot. 7 'One Piece' (1997-present) Manga series are getting shorter for better or worse, yet One Piece is still going strong after 20 years. Monkey D. Luffy wants to become the King of the Pirates, but to do so, he must set sail and build a crew and a reputation. Setting sail, he and his Straw Hat Pirates make a name for themselves by challenging other pirates, defeating corrupt Marines, and toppling evil dictatorships. There aren't many manga better than One Piece, but because it is so long, it also has plenty of errors that restrict it from being any higher than this position. That being said, it is still a masterpiece for many reasons, from its renowned worldbuilding to endearing characters and political story. This timeless manga has already inspired a new generation of series, a feat fitting a masterpiece such as this, which will outlive the manga it influenced. 6 'Monster' (1994-2001) Image via VIZ Media Naoki Urasawa is a prolific manga author with many series that could have made this list, including his magnum opus, 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, will Tenma be able to pull the trigger when he learns of Johan's tragic past? Many fans probably want Monster higher on this list, but there are too many great manga to not be in the top five. As a masterclass of tension, mystery, and thrills, this manga has a relentless story that starts with a slow-burning pace, but evolves into an inferno no one can take their eyes off of. Monster is an intricate story with barely any flaws, if any, plus its hero-villain dynamic is one of the best in manga. 5 'Nana' (2000-2009) Image via Madhouse Manga masterpieces aren't reserved for shounen and seinen titles, as there are plenty of incredible shoujo and josei series, including Nana. Two girls meet on a train to Tokyo; one wants to rekindle the relationship with her boyfriend, and the other girl pursues her dream of music. The two have nothing in common, except that they have the same name and are soon to be roommates. Nana went on indefinite hiatus after a gruelling cliffhanger, but that pain doesn't take away everything else that it built. The two main characters have a perfect dynamic and chemistry, resulting in one of the best manga relationships. Not only that, but Nana's grounded, realistic, emotionally complex and intelligent story is authentically portrayed in each panel. 4 'Slam Dunk' (1990-1996) Image via Shounen Jump Some of the most influential manga are from the sports genre, and one standout classic is Slam Dunk, made by Takehiko Inoue, who may have another series later on in this list. Hanamichi just wants a girlfriend, and he sees his chance to land a cute girl by joining the basketball team. However, he will need to learn the sport and work together with equally stubborn teammates if he wants to impress his crush. Slam Dunk isn't just a fun manga; it single-handedly started the basketball craze in Japan, a feat and influence not many other series have. This remarkable accomplishment alone is worthy of making it a masterpiece, but if fans want more, then they can simply experience the magnificent artwork and moving storytelling. The final chapters innovate with visual prestige and experimental storytelling to create a memorable ending that cements it as a masterpiece. 3 'Goodnight Punpun' (2007-2013) Image via Big Comic Spirits Manga and storytelling in general are meant to evoke emotions in their viewers, and that is exactly what Goodnight Punpun does. This poignant drama chronicles the life of its titular protagonist, a hopeless romantic who does his best just to get by. From high school drama to life-altering tragedy, his life is a bleak journey that is marked by some triumphs, but mostly hardships. If fans want to cry, then look no further than Goodnight Punpun, which is a phenomenal tale of life itself, but it's best to read only once. It has the potential to blow up as an anime, but it is unlikely it will ever get an adaptation. This deeply human story is emotionally complex and relatable, effectively portraying the worst of humanity and the bleakness that can come with it. 2 'Vagabond' (1998-2015) Image via Morning Miyamoto Musashi is history's greatest samurai, and Vagabond, made by the same author as Slam Dunk, is arguably the best take on the legend. With the desire to become the strongest under the sun, Musashi and his friend Matahachi set out on a journey of strength, only to come to two drastically different experiences and outlooks along the road. Only some of the greatest manga of all time can have the best art and writing, but that is exactly what Vagabond accomplishes. Drawing in viewers with its outstandingly detailed artwork, it keeps them reading because of the profound philosophical discussion. Despite tone shifts and new priorities, readers will embark on a transformative journey in Vagabond and come to understand what is truly essential in life. 1 'Berserk' (1989-present) Image via Hakusensha Crowning the best series in a medium should be an impossible task. Cinephiles, for example, are always undecided on the best film. However, when it comes to manga, almost every fan can come together and say that Berserk is the best of all time. Born from a hanging corpse, Guts has lived through trauma since birth, only finding hope in life when he joins the Band of the Hawk. However, after a betrayal leaves him scarred and his friends dead, he sets out on a blood-fueled quest for revenge. Berserk is the undisputed king of manga, thanks to its well-written characters, emotionally charged story, and magnificent art. Despite Kentaro Miura's tragic passing, Berserk's legacy has remained strong, captivating fans with its mature tale. It isn't just a masterpiece; it is a life-changing manga that is the pinnacle of the medium in both art and writing. It has inspired other manga, video games, and movies, using its dark yet awe-inspiring artwork and masterful character writing to become the best manga series of all time. Berserk Release Date 1997 - 1998-00-00 Cast Nobutoshi Canna, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Yuko Miyamura, Tomohiro Nishimura, Unsho Ishizuka, Akira Ishida, Akiko Yajima, Masuo Amada, Tomoe Hanba, Ryuji Mizuno, Toshiko Sawada, Shouto Kashii, Kazuhiro Nakata, Kan Tokumaru, Eken Mine, Ikuo Nishikawa, Takashi Irie, Masashi Sugawara, Kenji Nomura, Ikuya Sawaki, Masaaki Tsukada, Atsushi Ii, Norio Wakamoto Creator Kentaro Miura Seasons 1