Manga has been captivating audiences globally for a considerable amount of time with its varied storytelling, breathtaking illustrations, and complex character growth. Ranging from exhilarating action and heartwarming love stories to the genres of fantasy and science fiction, these stories deeply connect with followers and continue to attract new viewers as they are transformed into anime.
In this article, we will be delving into the top ten manga that are worthy of receiving an anime adaptation. These manga possess their own distinct and alluring qualities that could be brought to life through stunning animation. With the right studio and direction, these manga have the potential to become unparalleled masterpieces. So, without any delay, let us examine the intricacies of these exceptional works.
10. Movie: Real (1999)
Real is a manga created by Inoue Takehiko, known for his renowned work in Slam Dunk, which was adapted into an anime several years ago. While it may not reach the same level as Slam Dunk, Real remains an exceptional manga and serves as a great source of inspiration for any sports enthusiast.
This manga centers around three teenagers, each facing their own challenges: a high school dropout, an ex-sprinter who lost a leg, and a paraplegic man. It tackles a variety of themes, including social inequality and disabilities, but the common thread throughout is the characters’ shared love for basketball.
9 All You Need is Kill
The narrative centers on Kiriya Keiji, a soldier who makes a living by battling extraterrestrial beings… until his death on the battlefield.
If you found yourself trapped in a 24-hour time loop, what would your reaction be? Would you relive your favorite memories or fix all your errors? However, for Kiriya, this time loop presents a valuable chance to enhance his combat abilities. As he desperately strives to break free from the loop, he encounters Rita, another individual stuck in the same situation. Together, they uncover the secrets behind the time loop.
8. Homunculus
Homunculus is a popular manga created by Yamamoto Hideo. It follows the story of Nakoshi Susumu, a destitute man who spends his days and nights living in his car. In his moments of hardship, he is pursued by an unstable medical student. Eventually, the student approaches Hideo and proposes that he become a subject for a scientific experiment. Despite the tempting offer, Hideo’s sense of self-worth causes him to decline.
Eventually, as a result of unexpected events, Hideo’s truck was towed, and he had no choice but to agree to the student’s proposal in return for payment. As a result, he underwent a procedure where a hole was drilled into his skull, which was believed to enhance one’s sixth sense and grant them esper abilities.
At first, he did not notice any changes following the procedure. However, he soon began to notice significant differences in his environment. He became aware that his left eye was now capable of revealing something new to him: the Homunculus present within every human.
Billy Bat
Naoki Urasawa, known for his acclaimed works such as Monster and Pluto, has written and illustrated his latest manga masterpiece, Billy Bat. As with all of his other pieces, this is a must-read for any manga enthusiast.
Interestingly, the manga Billy Bat features the story of a man named Kevin Yamagata, who is a mangaka working for a publishing company. While creating his manga, Kevin unwittingly includes a character from a Japanese manga. Upon realizing his mistake, he travels to Japan to seek permission from the original author, but ends up getting entangled in criminal activities that closely resemble the events in his manga, Billy Bat.
6. Fire Punch
In a world frozen by the ice witch’s powers, there exists a group of people with extraordinary abilities known as “blessings.”Agni, the protagonist, and his sister Luna share the blessing of regeneration, which they use to help the elders in their village by providing nourishment through Agni’s severed arms.
One day, a man named Doma, who is considered to be blessed, arrives in the village and offers to take Agni to his city, Behemdorg. Doma, who is horrified by the villagers’ cannibalistic ways, unleashes his powerful flames upon them. Despite Luna having a slower regeneration, she also becomes a victim and urges Agni to “live”before her impending death.
5. The Chronicles of Yotsuba
The manga “Yotsuba To!”is created by Kiyohiko Azuma, who is also known for his work on “March Comes in Like a Lion”. It follows the story of Yotsuba, a lively and eccentric five-year-old girl whose unique actions surprise her father. Despite her lack of knowledge about everyday things like doorbells, escalators, and swings, her childlike innocence leads to comical scenarios as she explores and sometimes misunderstands the world around her.
Yotsuba and her adoptive father, Yousuke Koiwai, move to a new city at the start of the series with assistance from his tall best friend, Jumbo. Yotsuba’s daily escapades revolve around her interactions with these individuals and others, such as Torako, who is known as Tiger and is a friend of Asagi.
4 The Climber
On his first day at a new high school, Mori Buntarou was convinced by a fellow classmate to scale the school building. Despite the risks involved, he willingly accepted the challenge. When he finally reached the summit, he was filled with a sense of accomplishment. This invigorating emotion sparked his love for rock climbing.
3–20th Century Boys
One of Urasawa Naoki’s masterpieces, “20th Century Boys,”is a work of art, just like his famous work “Monster.”The story follows Kenji Endo, a regular convenience store manager, as he navigates through the end of the 20th century and the growing unease about the changing world. His world is turned upside down when he learns that his old friend, “Donkey,”has taken his own life.
As Kenji unravels the clues left by Donkey, he becomes increasingly alarmed by the rise of a dangerous cult led by a mysterious figure known as “Friend”. He comes to the realization that this cult is specifically targeting him and his childhood friends, and poses a significant danger to the entire world.
The monotony of Kenji’s life was suddenly disrupted when he joined forces with his former companions to uncover the link between their shared history and the cult, as the new millennium loomed closer and threatened to bring about a worldwide disaster.
2. Oyasumi Punpun
“Asano Inio is the author and illustrator of “Oyasumi Punpun,”a manga that chronicles Onodera’s journey from elementary school to adulthood. This coming-of-age tale deals with heavy themes such as depression, trauma, death, and isolation, making it unsuitable for those seeking lighter content.”
The manga portrays four distinct stages of his life, including elementary school, middle school, high school, and his early twenties. Throughout these periods, we witness his struggles and how he navigates through various challenges.
Despite coming from a troubled family with a suicidal mother and an abusive, alcoholic father, Punpun’s behavior throughout the story is greatly influenced by these challenging family dynamics. This ultimately leads to a spiral of self-hatred and a lack of understanding for others. It is a deeply emotional story and without a doubt, one of the greatest manga of all time with exceptional artwork.
Vagabond
Every manga enthusiast is undoubtedly familiar with “Vagabond,”a manga created by “Inoue Takehiko”(who is also known for his works “Slam Dunk”and “Real,”as previously mentioned).
The narrative revolves around Miyamoto Musashi, who was first known as Shinmen Takezo. He embarked on a journey to attain the title of the most powerful samurai from a tender age, after being banished from his hometown. Coming from a family of samurai where his father was highly esteemed, Musashi was motivated to master swordsmanship as a means to overcome the mistreatment he faced during his upbringing and his incapacity to defy authority.
Despite being labeled a demon child by his village due to his troubled nature, he finds solace in the forest and spends most of his time there. This is where he learns his unique swordsmanship, which is characterized by unconventional movements and a lack of formal style. The forest becomes his true home and the place where he is guided by his master.
Despite its slow pace, the story holds significant philosophical depth and may resonate with certain individuals. Additionally, it showcases one of the most impressive art styles among all manga.
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