The 90s was a golden age for shonen manga, with an abundance of titles that captured the hearts of readers around the world. In this blog post, we'll be taking a look at the top 90's shonen manga of all time, as voted by fans and critics alike. Not only will we explore the unique features of each title, but we'll also dive into the impact they had on the industry and how they still resonate with readers today. So, buckle up and get ready to relive some of the most epic adventures in manga history!
1. Dragon Ball Z
Akira Toriyama's epic masterpiece, Dragon Ball Z, is a widely celebrated shonen manga franchise. It follows Goku and his allies as they combat powerful foes and save the world from destruction. With its iconic characters, intense battles, and epic storytelling, Dragon Ball Z remains a cultural phenomenon that has set the bar for the shonen manga genre.
2. Yu Yu Hakusho
Written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi, Yu Yu Hakusho is a classic shonen manga that chronicles the adventures of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who becomes a spirit detective and must solve supernatural crimes. With its blend of action, humor, and character development, Yu Yu Hakusho became a fan favorite and inspired a successful anime adaptation.
3. Rurouni Kenshin
Created by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Rurouni Kenshin is a historical fiction manga set in the Meiji era of Japan. The series tells the story of Kenshin Himura, a former assassin who has vowed to protect the innocent and atone for his past sins. With its blend of action, drama, and historical fiction, Rurouni Kenshin has become one of the most beloved shonen manga series of all time.
4. Slam Dunk
Takehiko Inoue's Slam Dunk is a sports manga that follows the story of Hanamichi Sakuragi, a delinquent who joins his high school basketball team in order to impress a girl. With its humor, character development, and intense basketball action, Slam Dunk quickly became one of the most popular shonen manga series in Japan and inspired a successful anime adaptation.
5. Hunter x Hunter
Written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi, Hunter x Hunter is a fantasy adventure series that follows the adventures of Gon Freecss, a young boy who sets out to become a Hunter, a special breed of warrior who seeks out rare and exotic treasures, as well as dangerous creatures. With its intricate world-building, memorable characters, and creative powers, Hunter x Hunter has become a fan favorite and inspired multiple adaptations.
6. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a unique series that follows the adventures of the Joestar family, who possess unique powers and must battle supernatural forces. With its eccentric characters, creative powers, and over-the-top action scenes, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has become a cult classic and inspired multiple adaptations.
7. Trigun
A classic sci-fi western series that was written and illustrated by Yasuhiro Nightow, Trigun follows the adventures of Vash the Stampede, a skilled gunslinger who is both feared and revered as the "Humanoid Typhoon." With its unique blend of genres, memorable characters, and entertaining action scenes, Trigun has become a cult classic and inspired a successful anime adaptation.
8. Shaman King
Written and illustrated by Hiroyuki Takei, Shaman King is a supernatural adventure series that follows the story of Yoh Asakura, a shaman who can communicate with spirits and seeks to become the Shaman King, the ultimate shaman who can commune with the Great Spirit and gain ultimate power. With its imaginative world-building, unique characters, and spiritual themes, Shaman King has become a fan favorite and inspired a successful anime adaptation.
9. Saint Seiya
Written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada, Saint Seiya is a classic shonen manga that follows the adventures of the Saints, powerful warriors who protect the goddess Athena and battle against evil forces. With its intense battles, memorable characters, and mythology-inspired themes, Saint Seiya has become a beloved classic and inspired multiple adaptations.
10. Yu-Gi-Oh!
Written and illustrated by Kazuki Takahashi, Yu-Gi-Oh! is a popular card game-based series that follows the adventures of Yugi Mutou, a high school student who becomes involved in a dangerous game involving powerful magical cards. With its engaging characters, exciting duels, and strategic gameplay, Yu-Gi-Oh! has become a cultural phenomenon and inspired multiple adaptations.
11. Fist of the North Star
Written and illustrated by Buronson and illustrated by Tetsuo Hara, Fist of the North Star is a post-apocalyptic martial arts series that follows the adventures of Kenshiro, a powerful warrior who must battle against evil warlords in order to bring peace to the wasteland. With its intense action, memorable characters, and iconic catchphrases, Fist of the North Star has become a cult classic and inspired multiple adaptations.
12. Flame of Recca
Written and illustrated by Nobuyuki Anzai, Flame of Recca is a martial arts fantasy series that follows the story of Recca Hanabishi, a young ninja who must battle against powerful opponents in order to save his friends and unlock the secrets of his past. With its creative powers, intense battles, and memorable characters, Flame of Recca has become a fan favorite and inspired a successful anime adaptation.
14. Fullmetal Alchemist
Written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa, Fullmetal Alchemist is a fantasy adventure series that follows the story of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who use alchemy to search for the Philosopher's Stone in order to restore their bodies after a failed attempt to resurrect their mother. With its complex themes, intricate world-building, and memorable characters, Fullmetal Alchemist has become a classic in the shonen manga genre and inspired multiple adaptations.
In summary, the 90s was a decade filled with some of the most iconic and beloved shonen manga series of all time. From Dragon Ball Z to Rurouni Kenshin to Yu-Gi-Oh!, these titles have left a lasting impact on the industry and continue to inspire new generations of readers. With their unique characters, epic storytelling, and unforgettable moments, these series are a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the shonen manga medium.
