Summary
The amount of work and effort that goes into becoming a serialized mangaka is astounding, with a lot of talented artists failing to turn their art into a means to sustain a livelihood. Aspiring mangaka must create something that impresses editors of reputed publications before they are afforded a contract that lets them develop their stories into something magical, and this is just the start of their journey.A manga that requires regular updatesimplores the artist to spend hours upon hours perfecting their craft and meeting deadlines, which is no joke.
Publishing even a single manga takes a lot of effort, so some of the most talented mangaka around should be celebrated for publishing numerous stories that capture the masses and end up being some of their most beloved works. For manga readers looking to truly invest themselves in a particular writer’s craft, here are some of thebest mangaka who have released more than ten different manga.
5Junji Ito
Notable Works: Tomie, Uzumaki, Gyo
One of the best horror mangaka ever, Junji Ito’s name has shot up to the stratosphere of popularity in recent times. The horror mangaka is celebrated by many as one of the most talented artists around, with the sheer amount of detail packed into every panel being a joy to witness.TomieandUzumakiare two of his most popular works that have captivated the masses time and time again, but there’s something to be said about his other pieces that are haunting in every way.
Theshort story format is where Junji Ito excels, providing tantalizing glimpses into his disturbed mind. From people going into holes that suck in and change their bodies to massive floating heads that try to hang their prey, there are many twisted machinations present in these stories that will send shivers down a reader’s spine.
4Shuzo Oshimi
Notable Works: Blood On The Tracks, The Flowers Of Evil, Welcome Back Alice
One of the most fascinating minds in the manga industry, Shuzo Oshimi’s works can range from puzzling to downright nightmarish, with the latter being evident inhis most popular work,Blood on the Tracks. The horror of being abused by an overbearing parent is something that many people are familiar with, and seeing Oshimi pen this trauma with his signature visual flair is something that will help many fans love the depths and complexities of this story.
What makes Oshimi such a fascinating mangaka is the way he captures the mundanities of daily life and adds a unique spin to it. Something as simple as a body switch storyline ends up becoming a fascinating look into the mind of a teenage girl burdened with expectations. Meanwhile, the story ofWelcome Back, Alicecaptures the nuances of gender dysphoria and how people deal with the idea of feeling like they’re born in the wrong body.
3Akira Toriyama
Notable Works: Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump, Dragon Ball Super
One of the best mangaka of all time, Akira Toriyama is one of the greatest names in the industry.His work onDragon Ballhas let many people experience one of the most iconic shonen manga ever made. Goku’s adventures to acquire the Dragon Balls transformed into a battle shonen series full of memorable power-ups and intense battles with earth-shattering consequences. While his work onDr. Slumpwas relatively engaging,Dragon Ballcatapulted his name to the stratosphere of popularity.
The fact thatDragon Ball Supercame out decades later to captivate the masses further showcases this man’s influence on the manga industry, with him working with Toyotaro to add more chapters to Goku’s enthralling journey. Aside from his magnum opus, Toriyama has penned many lesser-known stories likeJiya,Sand Land, andNeko Majin, which are worth checking out for fans who want to experience some of the more experimental stuff done by this mangaka.
2Hirohiko Araki
Notable Works: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan, Baoh
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventureis one of the most beloved long-running manga of all time. The creative mind at the helm of this popular project is Hirohiko Araki, a mangaka whose works has evolved to become something magical. Araki’s artwork is off the charts and brings every panel to life, and the immense success ofJoJohas led to the creation of several manga spin-offs that enhance the rich worlds of this series.
Along with this,Araki has penned other lesser-known mangasuch asCool Shock B.T.,Baoh, andThe Lives of Eccentrics. All of his works are worth checking out for people who want to delve into the mind of this eccentric manga and the ideas that help bring some of the best parts ofJoJoto life.
1Osamu Tezuka
Notable Works: Astro Boy, Kimba The White Lion, Dororo
It’s only a given that the godfather of manga would stake a claim for being one of the most prolific mangaka of all time. Osamu Tezuka was a master of his craft and had a major influence on the industry, with some of his works beingthe iconicAstro BoyandBlack Jack, two of the most popular manga of all time.
The fact that many people believeThe Lion Kingis inspired by one of Osamu’s works shows the influence this mangaka had.Kimba, The White Lionfeatures a story that is quite similar to that ofone of Disney’s most popular movies, making these comparisons all the more prominent. Other works likeDororoandBuddhaare quite engaging in their own right and cement this man’s reputation as one of the most beloved mangaka of all time. His presence is sorely missed to this day.
