Best Manga Ever?

[Sir Jecht]

Sure, you guys seem to know your anime well enough, but what about Manga? In some ways, it can be better! And since no-one's got as far as a Manga thread, voila la thread officielle pour parle vous Manga favori! (Rough translation: here is the official thread for talking about your favourite manga!...or something like that...)

Personally, I'm torn between Akira and the Urotsukidoji series. They're both fantastic in their own ways: Akira was one of the inspirations for the matrix (I think), and Urotsukidoji is riddles with gratuitous violence and lots of demons! After Christmas we'll see if I can add Street Fighter II/Alpha and Ghost in the Shell to my faves.

Let the opinions comence!

[krazyk]

As far as things go, I'm extremely inexperienced in the realm of manga. But, I have to say, I've been delighted by the first volume of "One Piece" if only because it's so over-the-top and exaggerated.

I've heard Akira is wonderful and plan on reading it sometime (maybe after I graduate).

[Sir Jecht]

Yeah, Akira's good. Haven't actually read the comic, but the film's cool. Can't really say which you should look at first, but you should definitely see both.

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

Mine would be the Ah! Megami-Sama manga (for the Anime Series of the same name called Oh! My Goddess in America). Fujishima Kosuke is hands down my favorite Manga Artist (he did the character design for all the 'Tales' games, the 'Sakura Taisen' Games/Anime and also created You're Under Arrest).

Plus the story for Ah! Megami-sama is really nice as well. Its on volume 28 and has been going more than 10 years! And every volume his art seems to get better. If you look at is early work it looks really not so great....then compare it to todays and its AMAZING! A true artist.

Some examples of his style:

http://media.cube.ign.com/media/481/481670/img_1763483.html
http://www.animewallpapers.com/wallpapers/amg/full_38_1024.asp

[Jeice]

I'd have to put in my vote for Ranma 1/2. At the very least the storyline was much better in the manga than the show.

[synkr0nized]

Ranma and company in manga form is pretty amusing. I'll go with you on that one. I also hear that the Akira manga has an incredibly interesting amount of depth and story, very unlike the movie. Of course, I'll note that I may be biased, as I disliked that movie quite a bit.

For what it's worth, I actually only own the manga to Tenchi Muyo, El Hazard and working on Shin Seiki Evangelion and Excel Saga. The fist two are near and dear to me, the third something I am an infinite fanboy of, and the latter just damned funny.

A word of caution to anyone who has seen s.CRY.ed - the anime is great, but the manga are awful. A friend ordered them, having loved the series, and we agree that we would have been better off without the manga.

[Jeice]

You know what else has a better manga than series? YuGiOh!
In the the manga, there is no card game, the full on friendship crap is toned down quite a few decibels, and Yami Yugi is as evil as his name suggests. In the first volume he warps this guys mind so that he thinks leaves are money and leaves him sitting there for days. Heart of the cards, what a joke.

[ZieGDaRKeNHoRDe]

I've read a good amount of Manga, not a lot, but enough to know a good amount. Im kinda' torn between Ragnarok, and the Gundam Manga. Like said earlier, the Manga for the Original Gundam series is better than the TV series. Nonetheless, Gundam is the BEST!

......Except for G Gundam and SD Gundam. They can die.

[Ayan]

I love the Yu-Gi Oh! Manga AND series! Noah is so evil it's cool! And Yami Malik is awesome..trick is I need it subbed. Dubbed is all about the game and the "shadowrealm", subbed is death and the gates of darkness.

Hmmm...what else?

D.N.Angel- Dark Mousey is just so funny! Poor Daisuke though..

Get Backers- I just love them

Hellsing- the best thing that ever formed from a porno

[MC43]

Ranma 1/2 is actually the one that gotten me started on Manga in the first place,but I just started to Get Shoenen Jump magazine and I have been quite pleased with it. It had many titles that I already knew of, such as Yu-Gi-Oh and Dragon Ball Z, which I also think is a good Manga, but I can't really describe, I haven't seen too many episodes of the show. (Note: Krellin is my hero!)

Actually... I've been looking to get the manga for Shamen King which I have gotten hooked on, along with Nutaro. One Piece too caught my eye, but I haven't really had the urge to go out and buy the actual Manga for it.

The Yu-Gi-Oh manga is great, but actually... I think it could benifit from the card game. Of course... you have to understand that I'm addicted to the game, but again, another topic.

(Another note: Please Excuse my awful spelling. I am not Japanease, I am American, and I have trouble with that language in the first place. I have a double negative on me)

[Dante]

Mine would be the Ah! Megami-Sama manga (for the Anime Series of the same name called Oh! My Goddess in America). Fujishima Kosuke is hands down my favorite Manga Artist (he did the character design for all the 'Tales' games, the 'Sakura Taisen' Games/Anime and also created You're Under Arrest).

Plus the story for Ah! Megami-sama is really nice as well. Its on volume 28 and has been going more than 10 years! And every volume his art seems to get better. If you look at is early work it looks really not so great....then compare it to todays and its AMAZING! A true artist.



I don't deny that FK is a good artist... but Belldandy's sweetness had a reverse effect on me after a while. Probably underlying jealousy, but in any case I'm not really into sweetness.

That said, FK draws some of the best girls *EVER*. There can be no question about that. Plus, his costumes and deep interest in all things mechanical are evident in the way he draws. I'm learning to draw, and I'm trying to take lessons from him.

As for favorite manga... I'd have to say Bastard! and Naruto.

Bastard! is a very old manga (15 yrs+) about the great (and evil) wizard Dark Schneider, who was sealed into the body of a young child and released by a maiden's kiss. He wreaks all manner of hell once he's released, eclipsing even the power of BM with his magic. Admittedly the plot isn't all that fantastic, but his galaxy-sized ego and the incredible detail attention paid to the art details are both major draws. A lot of effort was put into the manga and it shows.

Naruto is a relatively new manga about Uzumaki Naruto, a young ninja with dreams of becoming the greatest of shinobis - the Hokage. The fight scenes and plotting are excellent, and the art is similarly good.

[Nakor]

Everybody who has not already done so should find and acquire at least the first graphic novel of Maison Ikkoku. I guarantee that at least 95% of people who read it will be hooked. It has to the the funniest thing I have ever seen in a long time. You will want more.

Another one that seems to be good, though I've only read the first graphic novel to it, is Celes. However, I would reccomend it only to those who are into that style of manga/anime. It is, however, very good.

BTW, going by the above post, are Naruto manga available in North America? I've been a bit out of the loop due to living in the most anime-less city on the planet (or at least in a 500km radius), and I hadn't heard anything. Most people I know are just into the anime end of things these days.

[Dante]

I think I saw a translated copy of the Naruto #1 TPB in a bookstore in my country, but I don't really buy the English version (I live in an Asian country, and they're all the way up to Book 18 now) .

[blulink]

i have seen the movie akira and started on the manga. As cool and as beautiful as the movie was the book is much greater by a hundred fold. the first two books would take up two hours if they didnt edit it at all. if anyone else but the writer and artist directed that movie than it would have been a complete flop.

other than that i say dragon ball is good manga read also.

[CountD]

One of my favorite mangas is Pet Shop of Horrors (of course). I just like the irony enclosed in each volume.
I'm also a fan of Sorcerer Hunters, One Piece, and Fushigi Yuugi. Plus various others.

[Hamelin]

Translating any written work into movie or TV is hard, they have to figure out what to keep, what to cut out, and sometimes if stuff needs to be added. Lord of the Rings had that problem, the Harry Potter movies did, many animes do. Ultimately it's up to the creators and such to determine what goes in.

[The_Phat_G]

I used to like Love Hina and Chobits, but then I realized that the only reason i wasn't getting any like the male characters in those was because i was too busy feeling sorry for myself to actually try and get a girl. So I stopped that. Now GTO is the shiznit. He's a fuggin beast-and-a-half, and the students are cool too.

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

I don't deny that FK is a good artist... but Belldandy's sweetness had a reverse effect on me after a while. Probably underlying jealousy, but in any case I'm not really into sweetness.

That said, FK draws some of the best girls *EVER*. There can be no question about that. Plus, his costumes and deep interest in all things mechanical are evident in the way he draws. I'm learning to draw, and I'm trying to take lessons from him.

Yeah, to some Belldandy seems too perfect but I like her in the Manga compared to the Anime (where she is perfect). She is much more 'rough' in the Manga and gets angry or even posessed. But that's one reason I absolutely love the Ah! Megami-Sama movie (one of the reasons) because she isn't perfect in it and they give her a non-perfect past. And in the movie she even gets angry and well....posessed. -_- My views of Belldandy changed alot once I saw the movie. But Skuld is still my favorite character. :D

http://g2g.iverse.com/AMG/Gallery/Skuld/skuld-v19c117b.jpg

Sorry, that is one of the best pictures I have seen in a Manga. I can't find a picture of his Motorcycles/Bikes and all his other machine oriented things (like cybernetics) from the Mangas. That is even more amazing. And have you ever seen someone draw hair better than him? And the eyes....wow.

[Dante]

Incidentally, did you notice that Natsumi, Sumire and Peorth (from You're Under Arrest, Sakura Wars and Ah My Goddess respectively) all have very, very similar faces? The're all brunettes too, and they're not very high on common sense.

[Neverwhere]

whoa, did someone say Hellsing was spawned from a pr0n? I didnt know that... any evidence to refute or support that?

[Dante]

*refute

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

Incidentally, did you notice that Natsumi, Sumire and Peorth (from You're Under Arrest, Sakura Wars and Ah My Goddess respectively) all have very, very similar faces? The're all brunettes too, and they're not very high on common sense.

Well, I do know that there's the girl in Ah! Megami-Sama that has the glasses and is really young looking...and she looks exactly like the younger police officer in You're Under Arrest! And in both the respected animes, they are the same voice actress. -_-

But yeah, this artist does draw alot of characters similarly to other styles. But I don't really think Natsumi looks like Peoerth. That's just me though... And I haven't watched Sakura Taisen enough to know which Sumire is (I could recognize her by a picture though).

[MasterZero]

Please don't have me for this...but I have read the whole of Chobits and almost cried at the end when they got together finally. It is my favorite manga. I know it has some fan service in there, but oddly enough I enjoy the storyline enough to overlook it. Besides, Chi is SO cute!!!!

BTW, this is a guy that posted this. If you care to ridicule me, go right ahead.

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

Please don't have me for this...but I have read the whole of Chobits and almost cried at the end when they got together finally. It is my favorite manga. I know it has some fan service in there, but oddly enough I enjoy the storyline enough to overlook it. Besides, Chi is SO cute!!!!

BTW, this is a guy that posted this. If you care to ridicule me, go right ahead.

my only redicule is YOU TOLD ME THE END OF CHOBITS! GAH! SPOILER NOTICES PEOPLE!

Granted I thought that's how it would go but PLEASE!

[Resaith_Yeoress]

*points at random object* Hideki! :D

AAHHHH!!! KAWAII!!! Chobits is by far one of my fav animes... though I've never read the manga for it.. :\

Anyways, onto actual Manga that I have read, my favs go as follow:

Oh! My Goddess
Ghost in the Shell
Gunsmith Cats

GSC may not be the most common and most popular manga around (especially now that it's over... sniff, sniff), but it's still WAY up there on my favourite anime/manga series.

[Exploding Ostrich]

Well... Akira, Blade of the Immortal and GTO are all great stuff. What they're NOT is something to let your moralistic, censoring mother anywhere near.

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

Well... Akira, Blade of the Immortal and GTO are all great stuff. What they're NOT is something to let your moralistic, censoring mother anywhere near.

I looked at some of the GTO manga the other day in the store and I have to say I wasn't too fond of the art style. But I sappose I could just get use to it like I did the anime. The anime wasn't bad in the art, but it took a little getting use to (like Slam Dunk and a few other shows did). But eventhough it took some getting use to, GTO is easilly one of my favorite Anime shows ever, with some of my favorite characters ever (Onizuka, Tomoko, Uehara, yay!).

But what I ended up buying when I went to this store is the first two volumes of the Azumanga Daioh manga. Yeah....I love the anime....and the Manga is just about the same with more added. I HIGHLY suggest at least looking at it if you find it at a store sometime. Thy're set up like Peanuts comics in strips so reading them in the store won't be as hard as say Ranma or 3x3 eyes or something. Its just hillarious stuff.

Although ADV did do some annoying translation things but alas....that's getting technical with it (the Manga, as well as the Anime is VERY Japanese based).

[Mrflibble]

My favoriate. Blade of the Immortal. Really dynamic characters, and though gory, really well done.

[Dante]

My favoriate. Blade of the Immortal. Really dynamic characters, and though gory, really well done.

Yes, excellent comic, that. It's so damn fun to see Manji walking around all bad-ass and whatever and then get his ass humbled by Makie...

[Jeice]

I recently flipped through the first volume of Full Metal Panic, and it was pretty well done. The characters were well drawn, the comedy was great, and the story was pretty easy to follow. I think it's a great manga.

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

I recently flipped through the first volume of Full Metal Panic, and it was pretty well done. The characters were well drawn, the comedy was great, and the story was pretty easy to follow. I think it's a great manga.

That it is. Its also one of those where the Anime follows themanga really closely.

[Sir Jecht]

Whoa! I leave a thread for a few weeks and it spirals out of control! PANIC!

Anyways, I recommend Urotsukidoji: Legend Of The Overfiend to anyone who's old enough and sick-minded enough to buy it. Lemme give a quick run-down of the plot:

Despite the belief of humans there are three worlds: theirs, the world of demons (makai), and the world of man-beasts (jiujinkai). A legend states that one day a "Chosen One" (I know it's a cliche but it works) will appear through the body of a human. This chosen one is the Chojin, or Overfiend, and he will unite the three worlds into one world of peace and harmony. A Jiujinkai called Amanojaku has spent centuries on Earth searching for the Chojin, and he thinks he has found him in the form of weedy Mr. Unpopular Nugumo. The two first meet outside a classroom during a school basketball match, inside which the token beautiful girl Akemi is being raped by a demon. Amano defeats it and runs off leaving Akemi believing that Nugumo saved her. They promptly fall in love (aah). Amano must teach Nugumo and his new girlfriend the truth about his existance and destiny while fighting off a demon who likes the world just the way it is. However, when Amano discovers the truth about the Chojin it blows him away...

And so the stage is set for three more Urotsukidoji movies, the first of which is set somewhere in the middle of Legend (very confusing). I've only seen these two unfortunately, but once I'm 18 I know exactly where I can find them all!

Take out the extreme overdose of rumpy-pumpy and re-work the plot to make up for this and you have a brilliant movie worthy of a 15 certificate. I recommend the series anyway.

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

Isn't that a Hentai....?

Probably why I haven't seen anything form it.

[CelesJessa]

Strangely enough, I'm probably one of those freaks that comes around once in a blue moon, that NEVER watches anime, but ONLY reads manga. (I am the manga queen ^^ )

Anyhoo... I'm really torn between so many mangas...

Planet Ladder is really good, Vampire Game is awesome... but I'd have to say the Inu-yasha manga is my favorite. ^^ I love the manga. I've seen some of the Inu-yasha anime, and they ruin some of the best parts. ^^ (at least to me they do. ^^;; ) Nothing could be better than a good ol' manga.

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

Strangely enough, I'm probably one of those freaks that comes around once in a blue moon, that NEVER watches anime, but ONLY reads manga. (I am the manga queen ^^ )

Anyhoo... I'm really torn between so many mangas...

Planet Ladder is really good, Vampire Game is awesome... but I'd have to say the Inu-yasha manga is my favorite. ^^ I love the manga. I've seen some of the Inu-yasha anime, and they ruin some of the best parts. ^^ (at least to me they do. ^^;; ) Nothing could be better than a good ol' manga.

Well, try watching some Anime as well. There's some that aren't Based off Manga by the way (Evangelion, DiGi Charat, 3/4 the Miyazaki Movies). For the last one, most of Miyazaki's movies aren't in Manga form as it is, only those screen cap story books (which are just the movie without seeing the awsome movement of the characters).

[CelesJessa]

Well, try watching some Anime as well. There's some that aren't Based off Manga by the way (Evangelion, DiGi Charat, 3/4 the Miyazaki Movies). For the last one, most of Miyazaki's movies aren't in Manga form as it is, only those screen cap story books (which are just the movie without seeing the awsome movement of the characters).

Yeah I know. I used to only watch anime, but I just like manga better. I mainly got into mangas 'cause you can pretty much read manga anywhere (like school ^^ ) whereas you need at least a TV or something like that to watch anime. And I'mweird... I don't watch TV very much at all. ^^ But I really do want to try and watch some of those animes you've mentioned, but I don't have any way to watch them unless I want to download them (which takes forever and a day, and is illegial I believe) or dish out money to buy the VCR or DVDs of them. >_<;; (but there is hope, Christmas is coming! ^_^ ) But yeah, I have hope for some animes, I heard Escaflowne and Evangelion were really good. But don't worry, I wasn't, like dissing animes. ^^ Just a lack of good experience with them for me.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention earlier, the manga "Dragon Knights" is one of the best (at least to me ^^ ) as well, but it's kinda confusing ^^

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

Yeah I know. I used to only watch anime, but I just like manga better. I mainly got into mangas 'cause you can pretty much read manga anywhere (like school ^^ ) whereas you need at least a TV or something like that to watch anime. And I'mweird... I don't watch TV very much at all. ^^ But I really do want to try and watch some of those animes you've mentioned, but I don't have any way to watch them unless I want to download them (which takes forever and a day, and is illegial I believe) or dish out money to buy the VCR or DVDs of them. >_<;; (but there is hope, Christmas is coming! ^_^ ) But yeah, I have hope for some animes, I heard Escaflowne and Evangelion were really good. But don't worry, I wasn't, like dissing animes. ^^ Just a lack of good experience with them for me.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention earlier, the manga "Dragon Knights" is one of the best (at least to me ^^ ) as well, but it's kinda confusing ^^

Well yeah. Manga is good and its all about what you like so keep readin'!

I was just suggestin' some stuff for ya. Personally I like Anime a little more than Manga so I can easily see how it can go the other way. And for me, I kinda think Manga in the states is really expensive. I use to buy Manga from Japanese import stores for oh....5-10 bucks. Now I see the same volumes of those mangas being sold here for 10-15, even 20 bucks. I wanted to buy some Ah! Megami-Sama manga....the same Manga I bought for 505 Yen + Import (around 9.50) a few years ago costs....18 bucks? Um....no. The cheapest I see good manga volumes here are 10-12 bucks, which have been the only ones I have bought so far translated (Azumanga Daioh and Angelic Layer respectively). I mean....for 18 bucks I can almost get 2 DVDs of Anime on half.com.

So yeah, I'm kinda waiting for the day when I learn Japanese and can read all these Mangas without paying a fortune (and getting some really whacked up translations).

[Kino]

There is a Manga series about a young detective that, whenever he's stuck with 5-6 strangers in a house or area, these strangers start dying. He solves the mystery and defeats the badguy. Anyone know what I'm talking about? ISsue one was about the Phantom of the Opera, number two was about some dead mummies and three was about a TV show that was being filmed.

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

There is a Manga series about a young detective that, whenever he's stuck with 5-6 strangers in a house or area, these strangers start dying. He solves the mystery and defeats the badguy. Anyone know what I'm talking about? ISsue one was about the Phantom of the Opera, number two was about some dead mummies and three was about a TV show that was being filmed.

Detective Conan? If its like the Anime, he was a teenager that was transformed into a 10 year old boy and didn't know who did it. But he was brilliant in school and could figure anything out so he went around solving mysteries hoping he would come accross his 'attackers in black'. And yeah....from what I've seen, everywhere he goes, people basically end up dying. I'd be scared if I was him....

[batgirl]

I don't read all that much manga, but now that I've strated reading more Shonen Jump, I would have to say that I like Naruto and One Piece. Both are well done and amusing to read. They are also very original.

[Dante]

I don't read all that much manga, but now that I've strated reading more Shonen Jump, I would have to say that I like Naruto and One Piece. Both are well done and amusing to read. They are also very original.

Do you know which is the latest Japanese tankoubon for Naruto? I'm only up to 19 here...

[TheZeroMan]

I think I'm old...

But the Battle Angel Alita is among my favorites...

and the Dirty Pair by Adam Warren but that doesn't really count....

[eliak]

It has to be berserk. Its like, the better, deeper and most violent manga out there (notice i'm a girl). The characters are really well defined, and the art is great. You HAVE to read it. Also check
-20th century boys
-Love Hina
-Hunter X Hunter
-Naruto
-One Piece
-Inu Yasha
-Minto na bokura
-Marmalade Boy
-Devil & DEvil
to name some, that I like!
=) (too much manga fries your brain)

[CelesJessa]

with the coming of the holidays came some new mangas for me to read, and I would have to say .hack//Legend of the Twilight is really really good. Also Demon Diary! (you've GOT to love a manga about the villains for once)

[Dante]

Demon Diary? Must track... What's it about?

[Truce]

Probably an angsty story that sounds cool. Should I check it out?

You know, I like the Yu Yu Hakusho manga as well as the Naruto series. Also, I do not find manga prices to be too high, most I find are about 5-8 (usually 7) dollars. 'Course, the ones I'm talking about are not all too hard to find.

[CelesJessa]

It's about this boy, Raenef, who was endowed with the demon lord's power, so he is now supposed to become an evil demon lord. Buuut.... well, Raenef is NOT evil material. His evil minion, Eclipse, is trying to teach him how to be evil, but it isn't going to be easy with knights coming, hoping to slay a demon lord, especially when Raenef is the ditziest and most gullible Demon Lord in the land.

It's hilarious.

"Will Eclipse live to see the day when his lord eagerly strikes terror in the hearts of his subjects? ...Eclipse will probably count himself lucky if Lord Raenef doesn't prance about merrily... HELPING people."

But just a warning if some of ou get offended by such stuff: I've only read book 1, and I'm pretty sure this series has a little bit of Shonen Ai (boy love) in it.

but all in all, it's a great book if you want a different, serious story, along with some laughs as well.

(Edit: ah, here's my favorite quote from the manga so far:

"You will reign in terror weither you like it or not!!")

[IHateMakingNames]

Sounds like Disgae...