10 Manga With the Best Art, Ranked

In simple terms, Manga’s artistic element plays a crucial role in determining a story’s quality, as it is a visual form of storytelling. Just like other art forms, there isn’t one fixed way to create manga; many artists have pushed the boundaries of the medium with innovative techniques, unique styles, and more. Ranging from highly realistic works such as “Innocent” to minimalist pieces like “Paradise Kiss,” or even a blend of both like “Hunter x Hunter,” Manga boasts a vast array of artistic expressions that could leave readers overwhelmed if they choose to explore unfamiliar territories and embrace bolder manga creations.

In evaluating what constitutes “good” art in a manga, subjectivity plays a significant role. However, some of the most highly-regarded manga share common characteristics. A manga’s distinctive style is crucial, as is the artist’s ability to create an impact through visual storytelling techniques. Elements such as readability and compatibility with the series’ themes and messages are just as important in a manga’s visual aspect as the plot and character development.

10) Fire Punch by Tatsuki Fujimoto

In Fire Punch, Fujimoto’s artistic style truly shone the brightest. Although he is famously known for Chainsaw Man and Look Back, it was in Fire Punch where his distinctive facial expressions and character designs reached their zenith. The action was particularly brutal, but what stood out was the brilliance of his early manga work.

Fire Punch’s darkness and graphic elements are amplified to an extreme level in Fujimoto’s manga rendition, making it his most artistically impressive work and one of the most distinctive overall. One remarkable feature of Fire Punch’s art is its skillful transition between thrilling displays of power to tranquil moments that can be surprisingly serene yet unsettlingly calm.

9) Houseki no Kuni by Haruko Ichikawa

This recently finished fantasy manga combines a melancholic yet optimistic atmosphere with an exceptional and distinctive art style that creates an immersive and enigmatic setting for its story. The art could be described as a harmonious fusion of refined elegance and surreal minimalism. The series uses a stark contrast of black and white, with the strategic use of negative space enhancing its visually appealing aspects.

Additionally, Ichikawa employs symmetry in her design for an aesthetically pleasing environment found in the manga Houseki no Kuni. Notably, the work excels at creating an unsettling sense of body horror, further heightening its grim ambiance. Moreover, Ichikawa’s inventive use of contrast, gradients, and shimmering highlights lends a polished, distinctive style that harmoniously complements the series’ underlying themes.

8) Clover by CLAMP

Despite the challenge of picking a standout manga by CLAMP due to their exceptional artistry, the less frequently recognized Clover puts forward a persuasive case for why it should be part of the significant discussions on the topic. This brief yet profoundly moving four-volume series showcases the legendary collective’s unparalleled artistic talent and distinct signature style at its zenith, featuring visually stunning, awe-inspiring, and potent visual presentations that stand out among their extensive portfolio of work.

Despite the story not being fully concluded after so many years, the artistry of Clover remains as timeless, elegant, and deeply expressive as ever, making it an exceptional introduction and passageway into the vast, diverse, and exhilarating realm of CLAMP manga.

7) BLAME! by Tsutomu Nihei

In Tsutomu Nihei’s renowned work, “BLAME!”, the scarcity of dialogue and heavy reliance on art for storytelling create a unique and captivating manga experience. The intricate, ominous architecture, which is a signature style of Nihei, and its ability to convey an immense scale of the environment, is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The stunning designs of the mechs and technology, the sharply defined facial characteristics of the characters, and the unsettling character designs are all truly remarkable in the series, BLAME!. The combination of minimal dialogue and somber artwork creates a unique atmosphere that feels both lonely and unsettling. Currently, Tsutomu Nihei is publishing a new manga, and it’s just as visually captivating as his masterpiece.

6) Baki by Keisuke Itagaki

Expressing that Baki’s art style is something one needs to grow accustomed to is a modest assessment, but it’s indisputable how eccentric and excessively flamboyant Itagaki’s drawings are, adding an abundance of character and charisma to the one-of-a-kind, unashamedly outrageous narrative. The over-the-top musculature and anatomy, the comically absurd facial expressions, the imaginative and highly innovative paneling, and the breathtaking, awe-inspiring action sequences provide a genuinely distinctive reading experience for manga enthusiasts.

Baki’s artwork stands out uniquely in the manga world, boasting a flair that is not only technically exceptional but also singularly extraordinary. The artistic style of Itagaki also doesn’t stay stagnant; it continues to grow and dramatically improve from Part One to Son of Ogre, reaching its zenith there and consistently maintaining a high standard of quality.

5) Nana by Ai Yazawa

Ai Yazawa’s masterful shojo work, “Nana,” is renowned for its stylish and emotionally impactful manga illustrations. The unique and graceful art style of this comic, along with Yazawa’s exceptional skills in presentation and design, sets its visuals apart as some of the best in the genre.

In the anime titled “Nana“, the characters’ styles effortlessly combine luxury fashion with everyday attire. The subtle yet impactful facial expressions carry intense emotional depth. Furthermore, the masterful use of high-contrast black-and-white and distinctive background hues create a visually stunning effect. With Yazawa hinting at a return and demonstrating that her art still captivates, fans are eagerly looking forward to something truly remarkable.

4) Blade of the Immortal by Hiroaki Samura

Hiroaki Samura’s samurai action manga stands out for its innovative approach, combining intricate pencil work with traditional ink artistry. This manga is widely recognized as a benchmark in paneling due to its cinematic composition and layout, which remain among the best even today. Other popular mangas like Naruto, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Chainsaw Man often refer to Samura’s work for inspiration regarding their panel design.

The Blade of Immortal series showcases an exceptional level of coolness for any manga, with its designs that stand out against the backdrop of the period, featuring stunning style and pencil artistry at its finest. While the density of pencil artwork may lessen in later installments due to the demanding nature of the process, Samurai masterfully weaves in significant moments that are, in many aspects, some of his most impressive works as a manga creator.

3) Sunny by Taiyo Matsumoto

In a league of their own, few mangaka can match the mastery over the manga medium demonstrated by Taiyo Matsumoto. His extensive portfolio, ranging from “Ping Pong” to “Number 5,” clearly shows he stands among the greats. Although some may find his simplistic art style or the somewhat irregular line art off-putting, it is all part of Matsumoto’s exceptional artistic skill, which allows him to create captivating work that remains endearing.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at Matsumoto’s extraordinary craftsmanship in both narrative structure and artistic execution. He masterfully exploits the intricacies unique to manga, creating works that feel otherworldly to behold. His entire collection is nothing short of breathtaking, but it’s his masterpiece, Sunny, that truly shines, elevating itself above an already impressive oeuvre. The color art in this piece is simply exquisite, conjuring up feelings of warmth that are rare and difficult to find elsewhere.

2) Berserk by Kentaro Miura

It’s no wonder that Berserk often comes up when discussing the greatest works in manga, yet it still doesn’t receive the complete and well-deserved accolades one would expect. Beyond its stunningly intricate illustrations and meticulously designed settings, what truly sets Berserk apart is Miura’s exceptional storytelling skill, a talent he developed by studying classic shojo manga. This results in an unexpected beauty and grace within the series, even though the world it portrays is deeply dark, violent, and grotesque.

In “Berserk,” Miura masterfully blends a diverse array of visual components such as varying line weights, intense shadowing, stunning double-page spreads, and many more elements to create one of the most breathtakingly drawn comics ever produced. The Falcon of the Millennium Empire arc, in particular, stands out as the manga’s artistic pinnacle, with Griffith’s heroic stand against Ganishka in the capital being an unparalleled highlight that remains memorable to this day.

1) Vagabond by Takehiko Inoue

The graphic novel “Vagabond” boasts a breathtaking visual aesthetic, with a stunning level of detail, immaculate presentation, and captivating action. Inoue’s choice to employ brushes rather than pens in its creation gives it a unique touch, as the brushwork lends fluidity to the characters’ clothing, hair, landscapes, and more, elevating the overall experience.

The extraordinary care and dedication Inoue put into this work, aiming for perfection at every turn, ultimately resulted in his exhaustion and a temporary break from publishing the manga. This devotion is evident, as no one could mistake that Inoue’s love for ‘Vagabond’ isn’t reflected in the art.

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2025-08-19 19:24