10 Best Seinen Manga Of All Time, Ranked

Defining seinen manga is tricky. Though intended for adults, like some shonen manga that appeal to older teens, seinen titles can often be enjoyed by younger readers too. Sometimes a manga is labeled seinen simply because it was published in a magazine geared towards adult men.

Seinen manga is consistently popular with both readers and critics due to its wide range of stories and styles. Many find it a refreshing alternative to shonen manga, which can sometimes feel formulaic. Several seinen titles particularly stand out as excellent examples of what makes this demographic so appealing.

10) The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You

Rikito Nakamura and Yukiko Nozawa’s manga, The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You, centers around Rentaro Aijou. After being rejected 100 times, Rentaro is promised by the God of Love that he’ll find 100 soulmates in high school. However, he must learn to love them all equally, or they will die due to the lack of a reciprocal connection.

While harem anime and manga often spark debate, 100 Girlfriends stands out. It’s funny and full of parody, but what really makes it special is its surprisingly sweet portrayal of love and friendship – something you don’t often see in this type of show. It’s a truly unique harem series, and fans will be happy to hear that a third season of the anime is currently being made!

9) Kingdom

Yasuhisa Hara’s Kingdom tells the story of Li Xin, a general who will eventually serve Qin Shi Huang, a famous Chinese emperor. Similar to historical events, their bond played a key role in bringing an end to the Warring States period and unifying China under the Qin dynasty—a hugely significant time in Chinese history.

For years, Kingdom has consistently been a hugely popular manga worldwide, and it’s clear why – the art is fantastic, and the characters are even better. Kingdom is truly unique, and now that it’s officially available in English, it’s the perfect time to start reading!

8) Record Of Ragnarok

In the manga Record of Ragnarok, created by Shinya Umemura, Takumi Fukui, and Azychika, the gods have decided to destroy humanity. However, the Valkyrie Brunhilde steps in, proposing a tournament called Ragnarok where 12 of history’s greatest humans will battle the 12 most powerful gods. This gives humanity a chance to earn survival, and the gods a chance to prove once and for all that they are superior.

From the beginning, Record of Ragnarok has consistently offered exciting action and beautiful artwork. The story is surprisingly complex and keeps readers engaged. While the anime adaptation has been somewhat controversial in terms of its visuals and presentation, the manga itself is truly exceptional.

7) Bocchi The Rock!

The anime Bocchi the Rock! follows Hitori Gotoh, a shy girl who starts learning guitar hoping to overcome her social anxiety and find friends. While her initial attempts don’t work, she eventually joins the band Kessoku Band and, years later, finally manages to build friendships through her involvement with the group.

Though Bocchi the Rock! is widely known for its anime adaptation, the original manga is also fantastic, boasting charming artwork and a story many can relate to about dealing with social anxiety. The second season of the anime will cover parts of the manga where the story really shines, and hopefully, that will encourage even more people to discover this excellent series.

6) Delicious In Dungeon

I’m totally hooked on Ryoko Kui’s Delicious in Dungeon! The story kicks off with a really wild premise: Laios’s sister, Falin, gets eaten by a dragon during a dungeon crawl. So, naturally, Laios and his team have to go back into the dungeon to save her. But here’s the cool part – they’re super low on supplies, so Laios suggests they start eating the monsters they defeat! Apparently, he’d been wanting to try monster cuisine for a while, which is hilarious.

I’m completely hooked on Delicious in Dungeon! The art is fantastic, sure, but it’s the characters and the incredibly detailed world that really make it special. Honestly, I think it’s one of the best fantasy manga series we’ve seen in years. I’m so excited for season 2, which will cover the rest of the story, and I really believe it has the potential to become a true classic!

5) Goodnight Punpun

Inio Asano’s Goodnight Punpun centers around Punpun Onodera, a shy boy uniquely represented as a bird, while other characters appear as normal people. The story follows Punpun’s journey from childhood to adulthood, and becomes increasingly intense and bleak as he grows up.

Many seinen manga are known for being grim, and while that’s often an exaggeration, Goodnight Punpun truly stands out. It’s a deeply unsettling and insightful story about what it means to be human, beautifully illustrated throughout. It’s a challenging read, but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful – many consider it Inio Asano’s greatest work.

4) Pluto

Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki’s Pluto reimagines Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga, Astro Boy. The story follows robot detective Gesicht as he investigates a series of murders targeting the world’s most powerful robots, a case that quickly becomes more complex and shocking than he ever anticipated.

I’m a huge fan of Naoki Urasawa – he’s a legend in the world of seinen manga! And if you want to see exactly why, you have to check out Pluto. It’s got incredible art, thrilling action, and a really thoughtful story that digs into themes of war and what it means to be human. It’s brilliantly reimagined from Astro Boy, but honestly, even if you didn’t know that connection, Pluto would still stand on its own as a total masterpiece.

3) Vinland Saga

Makoto Yukimura’s Vinland Saga tells the story of Thorfinn Karlsefni, the first Viking to establish a significant settlement in North America, known as Vinland. Initially driven by a desire to avenge his father’s death, the story evolves into Thorfinn’s search for meaning, redemption, and his place in the world.

I’ve always been struck by how beautiful Vinland Saga is, both in its art and how seamlessly it moves between thrilling action and thought-provoking moments. It’s easily one of the best seinen manga ever created, and it absolutely lives up to that praise. Now that the manga has finished its incredible 20-year run, I’m certain it will be remembered as a true masterpiece for generations to come.

2) Berserk

Kentaro Miura’s Berserk follows Guts, a warrior whose life was shattered when his closest friend betrayed him and became a demon. Now armed with a massive sword, Guts journeys across a darkening world, seeking revenge against the demonic group responsible for his pain, as they scheme to corrupt everything around them.

With its dark story, incredibly detailed art, and surprisingly grown-up themes, Berserk has become one of the most famous manga ever created. Remarkably, it remains compelling even after nearly 40 years. Though the author, Kentaro Miura, sadly passed away before finishing the story, its impact would still be immense, even without Kouji Mori and Studio Gaga continuing his work.

1) Vagabond

Takehiko Inoue’s Vagabond tells a fictionalized story of Musashi Miyamoto, considered Japan’s most skilled swordsman. The manga follows Musashi’s journey from a boastful young man to a thoughtful seeker of true strength, alongside the development of those around him, especially his ultimate rival, Sasaki Kojiro.

Many consider Vagabond to be the best manga ever created. Its beautiful artwork and thought-provoking story make that praise easy to understand. Though it’s been discontinued for a long time and likely won’t continue, it remains a masterpiece and the greatest seinen manga of all time.

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/best-seinen-manga-artists/embed/#

2025-11-04 03:14