Recently, there have been many works published online and adapted from novels into manga, and there are now many more manga available to read than when I was a child. Even so, it's rare to come across an excellent manga that makes you think, "This story was great!" and make you empathize with it. This time, I'd like to introduce, in a ranking format, the manga I've read so far that I think have the best worldviews and stories! This time, I've only selected completed works, so if you have the chance to buy a lot of them or go to an internet cafe, please give them a read!
Completed Manga with Excellent Stories #10: Astra Lost in Space
The story begins on a planet where high school students are on a space training trip, when they are swallowed by a mysterious sphere and thrown into outer space. To be honest, at first I thought it was just a comedy manga, but as the story progressed, shocking truths were revealed. Like many others, I was fooled by the obvious foreshadowing, and didn't even notice the subtle hints that lay behind them, due to the protagonists' intentions. It gave me goosebumps countless times. It's scheduled for an anime adaptation in summer 2019. The fast-paced ending is irresistible.
Completed Manga with Excellent Stories #9: Erased
The story follows a protagonist with the ability to time-leap, who tries to avoid the tragedies that befall him and those around him. In order to avoid the tragedies, he gradually draws closer to the truth of the tragedies, creating a work with a strong mystery element. The protagonist travels back in time to avoid a certain tragedy. This time, he finds himself not in a world immediately before the incident, but 18 years prior. Contrary to the calm, beautiful illustrations, a somewhat cruel story unfolds. When all the plot twists are resolved, you'll sigh and think, "That was amazing!"
Completed Manga with Excellent Story #8: Karakuri Circus
This is a well-known, extremely popular work from Sunday. The art style is a bit cluttered, so it might not appeal to everyone. The story is truly tear-jerking. As it depicts the battle against the automatons, their ego and feelings of love are frequently explored. Read it and you'll understand! Even automatons have feelings. The story is incredibly wonderful, but perhaps due to the long serialization, some of the settings are retroactive and some small changes have been made along the way. Still, this epic work doesn't bother me at all. If you're not a fan of art... Be patient. Get used to it! You'll be deeply moved once you finish reading!
Completed Manga with Excellent Stories #7: Salaryman Kintaro
Of all the manga I've read, Salaryman Kintaro has many parts that resonate with me and are close to my everyday life. The story begins with Yajima Kintaro, a former member of a motorcycle gang, working for a major construction company. While I wouldn't go so far as to say that his dissatisfaction with his boss, infidelity, and adultery are symbolic of men in society, I read it knowing that I would encounter such situations as an adult. I don't recommend it for women. Perhaps it falls into the hot-blooded category. Still, each case, its background, and its resolution are all well-crafted, setting this work apart from simple slice-of-life stories.
Completed Manga with Excellent Stories #6: DEATH NOTE
The story follows Light Yagami, who has gained the power of a Shinigami and uses the Death Note to kill people at will. What originally began as a simple attempt to improve the country gradually becomes more powerful, reminiscent of the nature of modern religion. The great thing about this manga is that every volume is enjoyable. It's captivating from beginning to end. I absolutely love the ending. Plus, the illustrations are easy to follow. There are so many descriptions that it feels like a novel! But the more you read, the more enjoyable it will be!
Completed Manga with Excellent Stories #5: Dororo
The lord of a certain country suffering from famine and disaster makes a pact with a demon to enrich his country. In exchange, he bears all the misfortunes of his master's child. That child, Hyakkimaru, seeks to redeem his own misfortune. He defeats demons, but each time he defeats one, the country is hit by a disaster just like the one before it. A mother's love, love for one's country, brotherly love, and love for friends. This is a masterpiece by Osamu Tezuka, which depicts this form of love through the protagonist's own misfortune. It has been adapted into an anime and a live-action film, but I prefer the original.
Completed Manga with Excellent Stories #4: Fullmetal Alchemist
This is the story of two brothers who attempt to revive their mother through alchemy by performing a forbidden art. Having encountered this taboo, the two originally became state alchemists in order to reclaim their mother and their own bodies. The story follows their discovery of the truth, and as is typical of a shonen manga, it's full of battles. What sets this work apart from other battle manga is the clear power dynamics, the intention behind the battles, and the meaning embedded in each character. The brothers grow up in a world where victory is not the only thing that matters, and it's difficult to tell whether a battle is good or evil. The ending was also wonderful.
Completed Manga with Excellent Stories #3: Neon Genesis Evangelion
This is a story about piloting an Evangelion to prevent the invasion of the Angels. But it's not that simple. The story unfolds from the beginning to the middle, making it truly a sight to behold. The psychological portrayal of the children who pilot the Evangelions is troubling, yet they believe things should be this way, and change under the influence of those around them. It's a truly wonderful work that truly captures the lives of children of that age. Unfortunately, the ending left me with the impression that the story didn't neatly wrap up. Still, this work, which has been called a social phenomenon, is amazing!
Completed Manga with Excellent Stories #2: Your Lie in April
This is a bittersweet love story set against the backdrop of music. Yet, it's also a story that's impossible to read without shedding a tear. The depictions of the characters' expressions during the performances and the background are also excellent, making it stand out among works themed around music. And there's a lie in the title. If you read it, you'll understand, but this lie is incredibly heartbreaking. The illustrations are beautiful and can be enjoyed by both men and women. It's a story you'll want to read in your own quiet space.
Completed Manga with Excellent Stories #1: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Many Ghibli fans have probably seen the film. However, I highly recommend reading the manga version of Nausicaä of the Wind! The film only captures the opening chapters, and the God Warrior and other characters are completely separate. The story is well-crafted, with a historical backdrop, and the truth of this world becomes clear when you read it. Even the parts that appeared in the film, but you might wonder why, are all included in the manga. It's a highly recommended masterpiece that's well worth reading.
Completed Manga with an Excellent Story: Finally
Of course, there are also recommended works that aren't complete. I'll be introducing those next time! Thank you for reading!
Click here if you want to read it easily as an e-book!
If you want to read this work as an e-book, I recommend these three sites!
