The 90s was a golden era for manga, with a plethora of titles that are still popular today. In this blog post, we'll be taking a look at the top 90's 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 dive into the nostalgia!
1. Dragon Ball Z
This series needs no introduction, as it's widely regarded as one of the greatest anime/manga franchises of all time. The series, which was written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama, follows the adventures of Goku and his friends as they battle powerful villains and save the world from destruction. With its iconic characters, intense battles, and epic storytelling, Dragon Ball Z set the standard for shonen manga and remains a cultural phenomenon to this day.
2. Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon was a game-changer for the magical girl genre, as it introduced a new level of complexity and depth to the genre that was previously unseen. Created by Naoko Takeuchi, the series follows the adventures of Usagi Tsukino, a clumsy and carefree girl who discovers she is the reincarnation of the moon princess and must protect the world from evil forces. With its blend of action, romance, and humor, Sailor Moon became an instant hit and inspired a generation of young girls to embrace their inner strength and femininity
3. Yu Yu Hakusho
Written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi, Yu Yu Hakusho is a classic shonen manga that follows 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 quickly became a fan favorite and inspired a successful anime adaptation.
4. Rurouni Kenshin
Set during the Meiji era of Japan, Rurouni Kenshin tells the story of Kenshin Himura, a former assassin who has sworn to protect the innocent and atone for his past sins. Created by Nobuhiro Watsuki, the series features a unique blend of historical fiction, action, and drama, and remains one of the most beloved manga of all time.
5. Slam Dunk
Written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue, Slam Dunk is a sports manga that follows the adventures of Hanamichi Sakuragi, adelinquent 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 manga in Japan and inspired a successful anime adaptation.
6. Neon Genesis Evangelion
A groundbreaking series that redefined the mecha genre, Neon Genesis Evangelion was written and illustrated by Hideaki Anno. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the series follows teenager Shinji Ikari as he is recruited to pilot a giant bio-machine called an Evangelion to fight mysterious beings known as Angels. With its complex characters, psychological themes, and philosophical undertones, Evangelion has become a cultural touchstone and is considered one of the most influential anime/manga of all time.
7. Fruits Basket
A heartwarming and emotional series that captured the hearts of readers around the world, Fruits Basket was written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya. The series follows Tohru Honda, an orphaned high school girl who discovers that the members of the Sohma family are cursed to turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac when they are hugged by someone of the opposite sex. With its themes of love, friendship, and family, Fruits Basket has become a beloved classic and inspired a successful anime adaptation.
8. Cardcaptor Sakura
A classic magical girl series that was written and illustrated by Clamp, Cardcaptor Sakura follows Sakura Kinomoto, a young girl who discovers she has magical powers and must capture magical cards that have been scattered throughout the world. With its charming characters, beautiful artwork, and captivating storytelling, Cardcaptor Sakura remains a beloved classic that has inspired multiple adaptations and spin-offs.
9. Berserk
A dark and violent series that explores themes of human nature and morality, Berserk was written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura. The series follows the story of Guts, a mercenary who seeks revenge against his former friend and leader, Griffith, after he sacrifices their comrades to become a powerful demon. With its brutal violence, complex characters, and mature themes, Berserk has become a cult classic and inspired a successful anime adaptation.
10. One Piece
A series that needs no introduction, One Piece has become one of the most successful manga franchises of all time. Written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, the series follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew of pirates as they search for the ultimate treasure known as the One Piece. With its unique characters, imaginative world-building, and epic storytelling, One Piece has captured the hearts of fans around the world and continues to be a global phenomenon.
11. 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.
12. Hellsing
A dark and violent series that explores the supernatural world of vampires and ghouls, Hellsing was written and illustrated by Kouta Hirano. The series follows the story of the Hellsing Organization, a group of vampire hunters who are led by the powerful Alucard. With its mature themes, stylish artwork, and intense action scenes, Hellsing has become a fan favorite and inspired multiple adaptations.
13. Detective Conan
A beloved mystery series that was written and illustrated by Gosho Aoyama, Detective Conan (also known as Case Closed) follows the adventures of high school detective Shinichi Kudo, who is transformed into a child after being poisoned by a mysterious organization. With its intriguing cases, clever deductions, and charming characters, Detective Conan has become a cultural phenomenon and inspired multiple adaptations.
14. Ranma ½
A classic romantic comedy series that was written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi, Ranma ½ follows the story of Ranma Saotome, a martial artist who is cursed to turn into a girl whenever he is splashed with cold water. With its humorous situations, charming characters, and entertaining martial arts action, Ranma ½ has become a beloved classic and inspired multiple adaptations.
15. Great Teacher Onizuka
A hilarious and heartwarming series that was written and illustrated by Tooru Fujisawa, Great Teacher Onizuka follows the story of Eikichi Onizuka, a former delinquent who becomes a high school teacher in order to seduce girls and have an easy life. However, he soon realizes that being a teacher is not as easy as he thought and sets out to become a great teacher who can inspire his students. With its humor, drama, and inspirational messages, Great Teacher Onizuka has become a fan favorite and inspired multiple adaptations.
In conclusion, the 90s was a decade filled with an incredible amount of diverse and groundbreaking manga titles that continue to be loved by fans today. From classic series like Trigun and Ranma ½ to more recent hits like One Piece and Detective Conan, the 90s truly was a golden era for manga that helped shape the medium into what it is today.
