The Best Long-Running Manga of All Time | TheReviewGeek Recommends

Best Long-Running Manga of All Time

Although many people cherish watching anime, they often forget that most anime serve as adaptations of the original source material. While there are some instances where the anime is better than the manga, those instances are few and far between.

With the amount of manga released on a daily basis, it could be hard to cut through all those books to find the “Best of” for any chosen topic.

Well, we’re here to help celebrate and shine a spotlight on some of the latest, greatest, and unforgettable manga through the years. For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best manga, we’d like to highlight the best long-running manga of all time. From the multiple cases in Detective Conan to the vast world of One Piece, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite.

Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!

One Piece – Eiichiro Oda

One Piece, created by Eiichiro Oda is undoubtedly one of the best long-running manga series of all time. With its impressive world-building, intricate plotlines, and memorable characters, One Piece has captured the hearts of readers worldwide for many decades. Oda has created a vast and diverse universe with imaginative islands, unique cultures, and intricate political structures.

One Piece’s universe feels alive, with its rich lore and interconnected story arcs. The intricate details and history of each island, combined with its conflicts and alliances, contribute to its depth. Moreover, this tale blends action, humor, suspense, and emotional segments in a way that keeps readers coming back.

With fantastic foreshadowing skills and hidden mysteries, One Piece will remain one of manga’s best long-running series today.

Hajime No Ippo – George Morikawa

Hajime No Ippo is a classic boxing that’s still alive and thriving. With its compelling story, fabulous character development, and thrilling boxing matches, it continuously puts a smile on readers’ faces today. George Morikawa’s incredible boxing knowledge and handling of his characters’ raw emotions make this a standout work in the sports genre.

The manga follows Ippo, a timid boy who strives to become a fabulous boxer. He’ll get into many difficult yet exhilarating bouts and develop new techniques along the way that’ll entice readers to continue reading. Furthermore, he’ll develop close ties with several opponents and friends, regardless if they’re into boxing or not.

With fabulous illustrations and motivational sequences, Hajime No Ippo remains one of the best long-running sports manga today.

Detective Conan – Gosho Aoyama

Surprisingly, Shinichi Kudo still hasn’t gotten his body back. However, that shouldn’t stop you from checking out the cases he solves in Gosho Aoyama’s Detective Conan manga. With its intricate mysteries, brilliant detective work, and slightly grim world, Aoyama continues to delight his audience with his story after several decades.

Each chapter features a new case for Shinichi Kudo (Conan Edogawa) to solve. Aoyama weaves complex plots, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The mysteries are well-crafted and carry enough suspense and often supernatural occurrences to maintain viewer engagement. Conan is an intelligent character with enough deductive skills and intelligence to delight audiences.

If you love murder mystery tales that are episodic and fun, check this out.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure – Hirohiko Araki

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is as the title suggests, a bizarre adventurous narrative. With its unique art style, creative storytelling, and imaginative characters, Hirohiko Araki has left an indelible mark on the anime and manga community. With his innovative mindset and willingness to break traditional conventions, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has become a powerhouse in the industry.

Araki’s bold and dynamic illustrations are a sight to behold. His characters exaggerated features set them apart from most modern manga released today. His attention to detail in depicting the characters’ fashion and accessories creates a visually stunning reading experience that has become interchangeable with the tale too.

On top of having a unique storytelling structure that spans multiple generations of the Joestar family lineage, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure had to be mentioned here.

Kingdom – Yasuhisa Hara

Kingdom may not have the best anime, but the manga’s still incredible in its own right. With its grand historical setting, intense action, and political intrigue, it has captivated audiences for a long time. Yasuhisa Hara’s expert storytelling, research, and handling of his cast make this action-packed epic a must-read.

Set during the Warring States period of ancient China, this manga takes readers on a rousing trip through war. Hara masterfully incorporates elements of real historical events, figures, and tactics, giving the tale an organic feel to it. Additionally, the battles are intense as characters use their physicality and intelligence to outwit and overpower their foes.

If you love historical series about war, this is worth a read.

Pokémon Adventures – Hidenori Kusaka

Bet you didn’t expect Pokémon to appear on this list. The Pokémon Adventures manga series is known for giving fans a darker look at the Pokémon world. Nonetheless, this story can be enjoyed by people of all ages, like the video game series it’s based on. With its dynamic storytelling, favorable world-building, and fun characters, this is a Pokémon product that won’t disappoint you.

Unlike the Pokémon anime series, this manga follows a continuous and interconnected narrative. The manga presents readers with a captivating storyline that expands upon the lore established in the games. It explores new and familiar territories, introduces new characters and challenges, and waves together multiple storylines.

The artwork is great alongside its world-building. Pokémon will get into brutal confrontations, similar to scenarios found in spin-offs like Pokémon: The Origin.

On top of giving readers a wonderful spin on iconic Pokémon protagonists like Red, Blue, Brock, etc., this is a Pokémon tale you don’t want to write off.

Golgo 13 – Takao Saitou, Kazuo Koike, Saitou Production

Golgo 13 is one of the best long-running series of all time. With its gritty and unapologetic approach to storytelling, complex cast, and engrossing plots, it has gained a decent following worldwide. Thanks to the combined effort of all three authors featured above, Golgo 13 is still alive and well. The manga follows the arcane assassin Duke (Golgo 13), as he takes on high-profile assassination contracts.

Each story arc is well-researched and crafted, with plotlines that’ll keep you guessing. Golgo 13’s blend of action, suspense, and psychological depth gives it a unique edge over others, as it constantly pushes boundaries.

With its detached protagonist, remarkable consistency, and gritty story beats, Golgo 13 is a classic series that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.

Crayon Shin-chan – Yoshito Isui & UY Studio

From assassins to rambunctious toddlers, we have to highlight Crayon Shin-chan. Known for its unique brand of humor and colorful protagonist, Crayon Shin-chan has been pleasing fans for decades. The authors of this property infuse every situation with a mischievous and lighthearted charm that allows Crayon Shin-chan to stand out from other slice-of-lifie properties.

The story follows the misadventures of Shinnosuke (Shin-chan), a quirky 5-year-old, who enjoys traveling. The authors’ wit and comedic timing bring Shin-chan’s relatable experiences to life. Whether he’s dealing with school or exploring the neighborhood, Crayon Shin-chan’s humor never grows stale.

Alongside some fun supporting characters and excellent approaches toward social and cultural issues, Crayon Shin-chan is a notable manga worthy of praise.

Berserk – Kentarou Miura & Studio Gaga

Berserk is a beloved dark fantasy epic from the late Kentarou Miura. His unparalleled attention to detail and ability to explore the depths of human nature sets Berserk apart from many seinen manga today. The story follows Guts, a lone mercenary who embarks on a quest for revenge, in a brutal and unforgivable world.

Miura blends elements of horror, fantasy, and tragedy to give readers an exciting series to indulge in. The intricate plot, coupled with masterful pacing and foreshadowing, keeps readers guessing and excited for more content. Through Guts’s harrowing experiences, the manga delves into themes of fate, destiny, and the consequences of one’s actions.

On top of having favorable side characters, antagonists, and glorious visuals, Berserk is a must-read for anyone who craves a brutally, mature tale.

Baki The Grappler – Keisuke Itagaki

From one action tale to another, we’d like to highlight Keisuke Itagaki’s Baki The Grappler. Known for its martial arts action and memorable cast, Baki has carved a place for itself in the world of martial arts manga. Itagaki’s ways of capturing the raw nature of combat, along with his attention to detail, establishes Baki as a standout in the manga industry.

Itagaki’s understanding of martial arts is apparent through the different combat techniques and strategies found in the manga. The fight scenes are well-drawn. Even the characters’ training regimes are beautifully illustrated and add a layer of realism to the tale. Moreover, Baki the Grappler features some standout characters from its protagonist to the foes he faces during his journey.

On top of exploring man-ly themes like strength, the pursuit of greatness, and determination, Baki The Grappler deserves a spot on this list.

So, there we have it, our picks for the best long-running manga through the years!

What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!