It’s that time again, this time we’re bumping up the numbers for this month, instead of “Top Five”, we’re going for the Top Ten! If you would like to check out the past Top Five Lists, click here; but for now, let’s see if your favorite made our list!
The Seven Deadly Sins (Nanatsu no Taizai)
Making their way on the Number Ten spot is Nakaba Suzuki’s Nanatsu No Taizai, also known to many as the Seven Deadly Sins. In the land of Britannia, A Band of Knights disbanded for planning a Coup of the Liones Kingdom. The Princess finds out the truth that the King’s Guards, the Holy Knights framed the Deadly Sins! The Seven Deadly Sins is one of the best selling Fantasy Manga in the world, it has been on the New York Times Best Sellers list for Manga, Oricon and was adapted into an Anime, which you can find on Netflix (Also includes the movie ‘Prisoners of the Sky’ as well!)
Death Note
Number Nine is the Supernatural Thriller known as Death Note, written by Tsugumi Ohba and art by Takeshi Obata, the story begins when a Teen Genius named Light Yagami finds a strange, mysterious notebook that belongs to a Shinigami named Ryuk; while Light uses the notebook and the alias “Kira” to create a utopia without crime, an elite task force of Officers lead by a mysterious international detective named “L“. With the success and popularity of the Manga and the Anime and eventually the Live-Action Films also includes scrutiny, there have been copycat crimes and eventually leading the Manga and Anime to be banned in China, almost being banned in New Mexico.
The Ancient Magus Bride
Our Number Eight spot finds us in the Dark Fantasy Realm of The Ancient Magus Bride, written and illustrated by Kore Yamazaki, The Ancient Magus Bride was originally published in Mag Garden and the Monthly Comic Garden Magazine; Our story begins with an Orphaned High School Girl named Chise Hatori, she was ostracized by relatives and society, so one day she decided to sell herself on Auction for someone to take her in and have a new place to call home. A mysterious seven-foot-tall humanoid with an animal skull for a head buys Chise and makes her his apprentice and one day, to become his wife. She begins her new life in a world brimming with Ancient Faerie Magic. This Book series also has a couple of Light Novels and was adapted into an Anime Series, Wit Studios produced the Animation, while Production I.G. was credited with Planning and Production.
The Promised Neverland
Taking the Seventh Spot is Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu‘s The Promised Neverland, The story follows three Orphans, Emma, Norman, and Ray along with other orphans that live together peacefully at an Orphanage, but that peace turns out to be a lie when the orphans realize that the Orphanage is really a farm where they raise the children to be fed to Demons! This story was serialized in the Weekly Shonen Jump since August 2016 and then was collected and published by the Company Shueisha. Since then it has won the Shogakukan Manga Award in the Shōnen category; it has been adapted into an Anime and soon to be a Live-Action-Film.
Naruto
Believe it! Naruto may be the Hokage but his Manga takes the Sixth Spot in our Top Ten; Written and Illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, it follows a young boy named Naruto Uzumaki who becomes a Ninja and seeks recognition from his peers, dreaming of becoming the top ninja, the Hokage. It has produced spin-offs (one including Boruto, we reviewed the first arc of the Anime), an Anime Adaption, OVAs, Films and Light Novels.
Ranma 1/2
Ranma and Akane Fought their way onto the list as Ranma 1/2 takes the Fifth Spot in our Top Ten; written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi (who’s known for her work on the Mermaid Saga and Inuyasha). Ranma 1/2 is about a Father and Son who were training in Martial Arts when one day, an accident happened during their Training Journey as Ranma became cursed when splashed with Cold Water he becomes a girl, then with Hot water turns him back into a boy! Will he break the curse? This action-themed romantic comedy has brought in countless films, OVAs, Video Games, a Live-Action Special. Some argue that it was one of the first “Harem” themed Manga that started it all, but that is arguable in most cases.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
ORA ORA ORA!! Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure bursts its way to the Number Four Spot, Written and Illustrated by Hirohiko Araki, the series is divided into eight parts, each protagonist carrying the Joestar Bloodline and carry the nickname “Jojo“. The first six parts have dealt with Supernatural conflicts with the Joestar Family members, and various villains. However, the latter two have followed a Continuity reboot, that takes place in an Alternate Universe with parallel plots to the original. The Manga series has gained a big following, it has sold over 100 Million Copies worldwide and is the best selling Weekly Shonēn Jump title of all time. If you’re interested in reading our Anime Review of the first three arcs, click here.
Beastars
Beastars takes our Number Three Spot in the Top Ten Line-Up, Written and Illustrated by Paru Itagaki, daughter of Mangaka Keisuke Itagaki (Creator of Baki The Grappler), Beastars is about a civilized society of Anthromorphic animals there is an uneasy tension between Herbivores and Carnivores; but of course, like our world, it is filled with Cherryton High School drama club member Legoshi is also delicate for being humble. Such a group drama starting as he is an adolescent with many animals! This is one of the breakout hits of 2019, with a successful anime adaption (which is getting another season) and a stage play too!
My Hero Academia
There is nothing to fear, I am Here! All-Might and the Heroes of UA have taken the Number Two Spot for this Top Ten countdown; written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi, about a Boy’s Journey to become the Symbol of Peace; who’s name is Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without a Quirk in a world where that has become common to have a quirk, but Izuku dreams of becoming a hero himself. One day, Japan’s biggest hero “All-Might” recognizes the boy’s potential and shares his Quirk with Izuku. MHA is one of the biggest Manga of all time, it was nominated for various awards, won a Harvey Award for Best Manga. It has two films currently, the second film was released recently in Japan opened at No. 3
One Piece
Well, Lightning might strike me down for this but One Piece is our Number One Manga of the Top Ten; Written and Illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece follows a Young man named Monkey D. Luffy who ate a Devil Fruit, a Fruit that grants a certain power to the one who eats it, in this case, he gained the properties of rubber. Luffy aims to become King of the Pirates and in search of the World’s Greatest Treasure known as “One Piece“. One Piece is the best selling Manga in History, it has been on top for twelve years until 2019, when Koyoharu Gotouge’s Kimetsu No Yaiba ‘Demon Slayer’ took the Number One Spot. One Piece’s Anime Adaption, Movies, and Video Games have been successful; including the latest film has dominated the Box Office both in Japan and US.
Thanks for reading! If you have any suggestions, news tips, or questions, email them to: webmaster@bigrednerd.com.
Red's Nerd Den 