From breathtaking landscapes to intricately designed characters, manga is a canvas where talented artists bring their visions to life. Some manga will be forever remembered simply for their breathtaking art styles. It’s safe to say that no matter how good the plot is, no one will care about a manga series if the art isn’t appealing in one way or another.
Trailblazers like Takehiko Inoue and Tsutomu Nihei are famous for their captivating art, although they are fantastic writers too. One of the most important aspects of a successful manga is how appealing the panels are, and it is easy to observe that every manga in the top ranking is visually appealing.
10 Ajin: Demi Human
Written and Illustrated by Gamon Sakurai
Kei is a hardworking student who aspires to be a doctor, but his dreams are shattered when he discovers that he’s an Ajin, an immortal human with the ability to recover from any injury upon death and summon a black ghost, which are mechanically similar to the Stands in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. Ajins are a rare minority in the world and are often hunted down by governments and used for experimental purposes. Nagai is faced with a dilemma of choosing between siding with Ajins who fight for their rights or living with the consequences of their actions, which could be considered terrorism. This manga is packed with action and is enhanced by the stunning artwork, which at times explodes in quality in various manga panels.
Buy Now On Kodansha
9 Kingdom
Written and Illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara
The Kingdom manga has a lot going for it: the plot, which is set during one of the most interesting points in Chinese history, the rich and diverse characters, and Shin’s incredible and inspiring journey as he gives it his all for his dreams. The story follows Shin, an orphan who joins the army in order to become a Great General after his friend is killed. What truly sets Kingdom apart from other manga series is that it accurately depicts war as the evil and bloody thing it is, and uses incredible and often disturbing art that’s impossible to look away from, no matter how uncomfortable it makes readers.
8 Jagaaan
Written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Illustrated by Kensuke Nishida
Jagaaan is an incredibly underrated manga that has been improving its art quality at a rapid pace. It’s a dark shonen series that is written and illustrated by an unknown author. The story is set in a world where tiny aliens possess humans and go on a rampage. Each alien’s abilities manifest differently according to its host. The main character, Shinatarou, has an alien that possesses his hand and gives him the power of a gun. Unfortunately, he is forced to kill his girlfriend after she is possessed by an alien. The only way to revive her is to kill all the other aliens. Thus, he embarks on a brutal and gory path to bring back the one he loves.
7 Vinland Saga
Written and Illustrated by Makoto Yukimura
The manga that gave birth to one of the best anime in decades, Vinland Saga once again got attention after a successful anime adaptation. Alongside Kingdom, the manga is a pioneer in the historical genre, beautifully balancing historical accuracy and creative freedom. Revolving around Thorfinn Karlsefni, the first European to set foot in North America, Vinland Saga follows his journey but also focuses on his path from a bloodthirsty avenger getting revenge for his father’s death to a pacifist who tries to atone for his sins and all the suffering he’s caused.
Buy on Kodansha
6 Naruto Shippuden
Written and Illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto
Although the Naruto manga featured breathtaking art, Kishimoto’s brilliance really shined when he started working on the story’s timeskip. It picks up right where Naruto left off, as he is trying to get stronger to bring back his best friend Sasuke and defend himself from the villainous Akatsuki who seeks to harness the power of the Nine-Tails that is inside of him. Naruto’s art style isn’t as realistic but is just as gorgeous and detailed, and the fact that the series was consistent for 700 chapters is even more astonishing.
Read on Manga Plus
5 One-Punch Man
Written ONE and Illustrated by Yusuke Murata
It’s a running joke within the One-Punch Man fandom that whichever studio will handle the animation of future chapters will be overwhelmed, and as humorous as it is, there’s some truth to it. Coming close to the photo-realistic art of Yusuke Murata, and doing hundreds of frames is impossible, and the manga’s art will always manage to one-up the animation team. One-Punch Man‘s action-packed story is elevated by the expressive and realistic art that is burned into your memory just by how gorgeous it is.
Read Now On Viz
4 Berserk
Written and Illustrated by Kentaro Miura
Kentaro Miura’s contribution to the manga industry through his dark fantasy series, Berserk, will forever be remembered as a remarkable work of art. His magnum opus takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, especially when focusing on the main protagonist, Guts. The story plunges this warrior into unimaginable horrors that leave him with a life that is nothing short of tragic. The artist’s use of dynamic and ultra-detailed art vividly captures Guts’ emotions, making the panels memorable for their mind-blowing art. Berserk is an incredible work of art that leaves an unforgettable impression on its readers.
Buy Now On Dark Horse
3 Gantz
Written and Illustrated by Hiroya Oku
Most manga usually have better art as the chapters go on, but Gantz is an exception. From the beginning, the quality of the art was one to behold. This sci-fi thriller follows Kei Kurono, who is killed in a train accident and is summoned to a room alongside others who also died. They are forced to take part in deadly missions against aliens to accumulate points, and when they reach 100 points, they’ll be fully revived and freed from the missions. Aiding them in the missions are suits and other futuristic weapons. Gantz is a dream come true for sci-fi fanatics and will surely jump to the top of your favorite manga.
Buy Now On Dark Horse
2 Oyasumi PunPun
Written and Illustrated by Inio Asano
In the manga Oyasumi PunPun, the story revolves around a young boy who is portrayed as a bird and his journey through life. While the initial premise may not sound as thrilling as other popular shonen and seinen manga, it would be a grave mistake for fans to pass over this masterpiece. The artwork in the manga is not the only realistic aspect: Punpun’s life, and the challenges he faces, are depicted so realistically that it sometimes feels like an actual biography. The emotional weight and rawness of the story are palpable, making it a truly unforgettable read.
Read Now On Viz
1 Vagabond
Written and Illustrated by Takehiko Inoue
Takehiki Inoue has always been an incredible artist and storyteller, but his greatest work, Vagabond, elevated his name to great heights. The series is a dramatized biography of Masashi Miyamoto, a Japanese swordsman and philosopher from the 15th century. The story follows the path of a troubled and violent man to an enlightened and kind philosopher as he battles other swordsmen to become the strongest under the sun. Art that seems surreal and out of the ordinary has the power to convey strong emotions and meaning, even in the absence of any written or spoken words.
Read Now On Viz
