
Mangas are Japanese comic books that consist of various genres and detailed graphics. Japanese manga series have taken over the entertainment industry and have a massive audience. Originally written in Japanese, manga series get translated for and by its global audience, and this shows how dedicated the fans are towards manga. They leave a strong impression on readers and can be the starting point for a person to become a fan from a casual reader. Western comic books are different than manga because manga series are usually long and have multiple volumes. One Piece, Detective Conan, and Golgo 13 are a few series with more than 100 volumes and more than a thousand chapters and are still ongoing. It is easy to say that manga has had a tremendous impact on the world, and manga writers are some of the most accomplished writers. Here are some of the most iconic manga writers.
1. Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka is one of the most influential manga writers/artists and is often called the Walt Disney of Japan. Osamu Tezuka began a manga revolution in 1947 with New Treasure Island. He redefined many genres with his innovative work, and his art style inspired many artists. His works include Astro Boy, Phoenix, Black Jack, and Buddha. Tezuka was named as the Father of Manga.
2. Akira Toriyama
Akira Toriyama is a writer and game designer famous for his art style and iconic storytelling. His manga series Dragon Ball is one of the most iconic manga series ever. The Dragon Ball series took the world by storm as it introduced the West to Japanese entertainment, and almost every young kid and adolescent read the manga and watched the show. Dragon Ball was adapted into anime, movies, and games as well. Toriyama influenced many manga artists with his unique writing and art style.
3. Eiichiro Oda
Eiichiro Oda is the genius behind One Piece. One Piece is a highly popular manga whose anime began in 1999. He has a quirky art style, and his storylines captivate the readers. Oda idolized Dragon Ball manga by Akira Toriyama because of its character depictions. Oda said that Dragon Ball influenced One Piece more than any other manga. He has published over 100 volumes and 1000 chapters of the ongoing One Piece manga.
4. Hiromu Arakawa
Hiromu Arakawa is best known for her series Fullmetal Alchemist. The manga has 27 volumes and has many anime, movies, and video game adaptations that people watch regularly. People often call Fullmetal Alchemist one of the best manga series to exist, and she is famous for creating such a fun and fascinating manga. She focuses on the shonen, action, and fantasy genres but often experiments with her writing styles. She is critically acclaimed worldwide for her captivating art style and storytelling. Arakawa received the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. For a young audience, her works seem the most exciting. She is an iconic writer and artist.
5. Kentaro Miura
Kentaro Miura created the super dark fantasy manga Berserk. Berserk is known as one of the bestselling manga series ever written. Berserk is a treat for fans who love out-of-the-box stories. The story is dark and gory and has a lot of violence. Miura will drop your jaws with his plotlines and art at every twist and turn. Berserk went viral for leaving the readers speechless with how good of a storyteller Miura is. It is safe to say that he left his legacy and inspired many artists and writers.
6. Hajime Isayama
No manga fan does not know Hajime Isayama and his incredible skills. There is no doubt that Attack On Titan is one of the best manga series that all manga and anime fans know and read. It sold over 100 million copies and broke the internet with its story. Fans loved its anime adaptation and anticipated its storylines because Isayama's characters, Eren and Levi, are some of the best manga characters written. His other works include Orz and Heart Break One.
7. Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto is a manga that introduced the world to the wondrous world of anime. Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto is an iconic manga read and watched by every adolescent and is a staple read for every manga fan. With his creative and exciting ideas, he has some of the most fun characters in manga. Akira Toriyama was an inspiration to the artist. Kishimoto and his works are considered top-tier in the manga industry. He is known worldwide for his contribution to the manga industry. Naruto remains one of the most iconic manga and anime series created, and Kishimoto inspired many artists to pursue their talent.
8. Tite Kubo
Tite Kubo is a famous manga writer and artist. His manga Bleach went viral for being the perfect mix of action, fantasy, romance, and supernatural elements. A big inspiration for Kubo came from Masami Kurumada and Akira Toriyama and their well-known works. His writing and art style are very memorable, and Bleach became viral because of how addictive it was to read without getting boring. He has a fantasy and goth-based plot and art. Kubo stands out because he makes fantasy-based work still have realism and exciting plot twists that will keep the readers continuously curious and entertained. Zombie Powder, Burn the Witch, and Bad Shield United are some of his works that are very different in genre.
9. Junji Ito
Every horror and thriller genre fan knows Junji Ito. He is one of the best horror writers who writes compelling and terrifying stories with excellent plots and top-notch artwork. Ito's works are frightening and creepy but will have your attention till the end. He is famous for writing some of the best psychological thriller and horror mangas worldwide. His work is scary but exciting, and the duality of his works is surprising. Uzumaki is one of his most iconic mangas and is a must-read on every horror fan's list. His manga series Tomie, Lovesickness, Deserter, and A Diary of Embellished Patches are some of the scariest but best manga series for any horror fan.
10. Hirohiko Araki
Hirohiko Araki's talent and creativity have no limit. Araki and his work had a groundbreaking impact in Japan. His manga, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, became popular worldwide and influenced other famous manga writers. His aesthetic is a mix of modern-day fashion and classic elements of Japanese and manga writing. He won the Tezuka Award for Poker Under Arms, his first work, and collaborated with many fashion brands because he loves fashion. It is astonishing how he has some of the most unique and fun storylines. Araki and his work influenced and inspired many artists. He is known as an icon for his talent and uniqueness.