Summary
Some of the best manga fans can get their hands on didn’t exactly start as barn burners. Fans will be surprised to know that series that are legendary and iconic today needed some time to set things up before they got the ball rolling, which was a risky move on their part.
A mangaka’s job is a grueling one, and a series can get canceled at the drop of a hat. It’s a relief for fans that some of the greatest manga they can get their hands on didn’t get the axe because of a rough beginning, because not only did they turn it around, but they became some of the most iconic stories in the medium.
8Attack On Titan
The Art Style Was Hard To Get Used To But Improved Over Time
Attack on Titanis one of the greatest manga of all time, elevating Isayama’s name as one of the greatest mangaka ever. The amazing plot of this series was palpable from the get-go, but one area whereAttack on Titanconsistently disappointed fans was its art style.
The artwork of the series was particularly shabby in the early going, and it’s no secret why it took an anime adaptation for the series to finally start gaining some steam. Thankfully, viewers who caught up with the anime and switched to the manga after were greeted with vastly improved artwork that made the post-time skip narrative a joy to witness.
7Dr. Stone
Dr. Stoneisa unique shonen mangaabout science and how inventions can help the Earth after it’s forcefully thrust back into a Stone Age. At the heart of this tale is Senku, a character who overcomes his petrification and decides to save humanity with his genius mind.
The manga had a decent premise, but the first few chapters were a chore to deal with. It wasn’t until Senku essentially abandoned his friends and headed to a nearby village thatDr. Stonestarted impressing readers, and it never looked back.
6Berserk
The Black Swordsman Arc Is A Very Edgy Start That Makes Guts Seem Unlikable
The late great Kentaro Miura left behindan incredible legacy withBerserk. This dark fantasy series is iconic for its massive weapons, dark imagery, and multi-faceted characters who are a joy to read about.
However, most fans would agree that the introductory Black Swordsman arc can be too gratuitous. It’s hard to enjoy Guts' character when he comes across as deranged, and it’s not until the manga shifts to the lauded Golden Age arc that Miura gets to flex his creative muscles and give readers a more nuanced protagonist.
5Yu Yu Hakusho
It Took A Long Time For Yusuke To Get Reanimated
Yu Yu Hakushois one oftwo iconic shonen manga written by Yoshihiro Togashi. The manga established itself as a legendary shonen series before concluding on a disappointing note that reflected Togashi’s negative mindset at the time.
However, there was a chance thatYu Yu Hakushocould’ve ended way before its true conclusion, since the first few chapters did nothing to move the plot forward. In one of the rare instances of an adaptation cutting out manga content and making the plot better, these meandering storylines were removed from theYu Yu Hakushoanime and made for a better viewing experience as Yusuke became the Spirit Detective without wasting any time.
4Gintama
Plays It Safe Early On Before Leaning Into Its Wacky Comedic Writing
Gintamaisone of the funniest comedy mangaand is jam-packed with references and great background storytelling that helps each character come to life without losing their satirical edge. However, this isn’t apparent at the start of the series when this manga was testing the waters.
The jokes weren’t all that frequent and the short narratives could be grating after a point. It’s not until afterGintamaleaned heavily toward its satirical writing, along with some well-paced long arcs, that the series became something special that fans couldn’t get enough of.
3JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Phantom Blood Is A Rough Start, But Araki Finds His Groove Soon Enough
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventureisa wacky and iconic manga seriesthat is finally getting the love in the West that it deserves. Credit should be given to the anime adaptation, especially when it comes to how it adapted the weakest tale in the series.
Phantom Bloodwas a good starting point, but fans need only check out Araki’s first attempt at penning aJoJostory to see numerous cracks in his artwork. However, the mangaka only improved from there on out, quickly becoming one of the most talented and celebrated creators for his work on this magnum opus.
2Monster
A Thriller That Takes A While To Get Going
Monsteris one of the most riveting mystery thrillers readers can get their hands on, but they should be aware of one thing: While the story becomes amazing after a point, it takes a ton of buildup to reach this narrative payoff.
The slow burn may sit well with some readers, but others may lament the lack of action or meaningful movement in the plot. It can’t be stressed enough that this wait is worth it, and eventually, readers get to check out a thrilling manga that boasts one of the best antagonists in the medium.
1One Piece
Can Be Rather Generic Until Readers Reach The Arabasta Arc
Oda has enraptured the worldwithOne Piece, the only member of the Big Three still going strong to this day. Getting into this series as a beginner can be a daunting task, but readers who take the plunge won’t be disappointed. They’ll just need to stick with it through the first bit.
The first few mini-arcs can feel cliched, asOne Pieceticks every shonen trope, only for the Arabasta arc to give a glimpse of Oda’s brilliance. Things only improve from this point, with Skypiea, Thriller Bark, and Dressrosa showing whatOne Pieceis all about.
