If not for Manga, there wouldn’t be any anime for people to enjoy. While there are original shows, the ones that become popular tend to derive from comics. Manga is a unique form of a comic. With distinct art styles and exciting page-turning dynamics, manga plays a crucial role in the anime industry and should be as well-loved.
We’ve read and looked through many incredible manga to give you all our picks of the best manga artists. From their impressive art styles to the way they capture the story’s moods, we’ve identified a nice list of manga artists who deserve everyone’s attention.
As usual, we would love to hear your thoughts about our picks in the comments below. If there is anyone we missed, we’ll try our best to get them added here when we can.
Inio Asano
Inio Asano is a proficient story writer and artist with an excellent track record. He’s produced many masterful works from the well-acclaimed Oyasumi Punpun to Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction. His stories are known for being emotional and character-driven, ranging from slice-of-life to psychological horror.
Asano has won a few awards for himself. In 2001, he won first prize in the GX competition for young manga artists. Many claims that his stories would be hard to adapt to animation. This is because Asano touches upon traumatic subjects that’d be too difficult for many audiences to handle. Furthermore, his art style is impeccable and realistic.
Fortunately, Solanin received a decent live-action interpretation. Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction will receive an anime adaptation down the line but nothing of it has surfaced at the time of writing. If you’re after stories with strong heartbreaking and heartwarming elements, give any of Inio Asano’s works a read.
Katsuhiro Otomo
Katsuhiro Otomo is a great Japanese manga artist, screenwriter, animator, and film director. He’s best known for creating the Akira manga and anime. Otomo grew up in a rural region that left him bored. He spent his days reading manga and drawing stories of his own. He’d develop an interest in movies in high school, which led to his ambition to become an illustrator or film director.
Otomo’s known for being able to create narratives that blend sci-fi and societal commentary. Akira was a stand-out hit because it has complex and mature themes like power, control, and human nature. Otomo’s ability to craft a gripping plot helped him secure a spot as one of manga’s finest artists and authors. Otomo’s illustrations are incredibly detailed.
His ability to create futuristic worlds and characters is unmatched. Otomo’s artwork is characterized by clean lines, bold shapes, and a great sense of movement. What makes Otomo’s style unique is his use of shading and tone, which effectively conveys mood and atmosphere. Overall, Otomo’s attention to detail and unique art style has solidified him as one of the best in the business.
Hiroya Oku
Makoto Yukimura
Makoto Yukimura has established himself as one of the greatest manga artists of his generation through his masterful storytelling asnd marvelous artwork. He is best known for creating the vastly popular Viking-themed manga Vinland Saga. Yukimura’s attention to historical detail helps immerse readers in its protagonist’s world.
His artwork is also outstanding, with attention given to everything from the intricate details of Viking armor to the wide layers of the rolling sea. Furthermore, Yukimura tackles issues such as war, politics, and the nature of heroism in Vinland Saga. This provides the series with captivating drama and makes it feel deeper.
Yukimura’s also created other fabulous works like Planetes. This series gives readers stunning depictions of space travel and will make them question the cosmos. With stunning artwork, fabulous storytelling, and colorful ideas under his belt, Yukimura’s one of the best manga artists out there.
CLAMP
CLAMP is made up of a group of women who are all known for their unique style, intricate storylines, and complex characters. It’s led by story writer Nanase Ohkawa and has three artists named Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi, whose roles shift per series. Although it started as an eleven-person group in the 80s, many members left for individual reasons.
CLAMP’s known for producing work like Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits, xxxHolic, and countless others. Some series often reference each other through Easter eggs. Their work is known for its blend of genres like romance, fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery. Each story has gripping and beautiful artwork that echoes the creativity found in each universe.
This group knows how to craft intricate plots with strong character development too. Although it consists of a whole team of distinct and talented individuals, CLAMP deserves to be recognized as one of manga’s greatest artists.
Takehiko Inoue
Takehiko Inoue is a talented manga artist and author. He’s known for creating realistic and jaw-dropping works of art. Many critics claim it’d be impossible to translate most of his tales into animation due to his realistic-looking art style. Inoue’s tales often reflect on humanity’s internal and external issues. Each project feels more intricate than the last and offers compelling mysteries.
Inoue earned many awards for himself during his time. Many include the 40th annual Shogakukan Award in 1995 for his basketball manga Slam Dunk and the Grand Prize of the 6th Osamu Tezuka Culture Awards in 2002 for his creation Vagabond. If you’re looking for stories that will grip you with their plot, characters, and artwork, Takehiko Inoue won’t disappoint you.
Kentarou Miura
Kentarou Miura, unfortunately, passed away not too long ago. If you cherish video games like Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Bloodborne, and others like it, you have Miura to thank for his contributions to the entertainment industry. His dark fantasy epic Berserk left a major impact on many people in the industry. This story tackles mature subjects and offers a story that’s brutally beautiful.
It delves into topics like death, betrayal, and trauma excellently. Many argue Miura’s characters have fabulous personalities, receive great development, and embark on unfathomable journeys. As with any writer, Miura’s cited Buronson, Tetsuo Hara, and Go Nagai as major influences on his craft. Based on Berserk’s content, you’ll be able to see where these authors’ influences lie. If you’ve never read Berserk and love games, films, and tv shows with dark, medieval settings, check this out.
Junji Ito
Junji Ito is one of the best horror manga artists today. His creepy visuals and chilling takes on ordinary life will give anyone long-lasting nightmares. A notable aspect of Ito’s work is his uncanny ability to transform normal activities into something uncomfortably traumatic experiences. Others argue that Ito’s takes on the body and cosmic humor also make him proficient at telling a nice, chilling story.
Gyo, Tomie, and Uzumaki are three of Ito’s best works. These stories feature creative and engaging narratives and mind-numbing visuals that’ll terrify anyone. He has earned a few awards for himself over the years. In 2019, he received the first Eisner Award for his adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Ito would earn two more Eisner Awards for his works Remina and Venus in the Blind Spot. Although Ito’s work has received several live-action and anime adaptations, most don’t close to capturing the eerie tension found in Ito’s drawn material. Fortunately, the upcoming Uzumaki anime adaptation looks to be a possible home run based on the clips that have been presented online so far. Hopefully, it will deliver an experience Ito’s fans have been waiting years for.
Tetsuo Hara
We touched upon Tetsuo Hara a little bit during Miura’s passage on this list. He’s known for being one of the greatest manga artists of all time due to his unique style and exceptional storytelling ability. He has created many popular manga series that captivated fans across the world. One of his most famous works, Fist of the North Star, is a great example of his mastery of the medium.
It’s about a warrior who fights for justice in a post-apocalyptic world. Hara’s artwork in this series is well-detailed, and he excels at depicting tense action scenes that leave a lasting impression on readers. Additionally, Hara’s known for his muscular character designs. His characters are always unique and memorable, with each one having their own distinct personality and appearance.
His works have inspired millions of artists and writers. From Kentarou Miura to Hirohiko Araki, there are many manga artists who owe a lot to Hara for his contributions to the industry.
Rumiko Takahashi
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the most renowned manga artists in the industry, recognized worldwide for her fun storytelling and unique art style. Her works portray relatable characters, often with a touch of humor and supernatural elements. One of her famous works, Inuyasha, is an isekai involving a girl named Kagome and a canine and human hybrid named Inuyasha.
Through her storytelling, Takahashi masterfully builds character relationships and world-building, drawing readers deeply into her stories. Her work in character design is equally impressive, with each character having its own unique look and personality. She is known for her ability to convey emotions through her art, allowing readers to understand her characters’ perspectives.
Takahashi’s works have inspired a generation of female manga artists, and she’s often cited as one of the pioneers of the shonen-romantic comedy genre. Her success in this industry has opened doors and opportunities for other talented female creators. Even though some of her works don’t always hit with everyone, Takahashi’s a talented artist that should never be forgotten.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best manga artists of all time!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!