10 Masterpiece Manga That Have Zero Bad Arcs

Over the last couple of decades, the manga industry has taken the world by storm, reaching corners that were once thought of as inaccessible for such a niche hobby. Now, it is hard not to find these amazing stories in bookstores, enticing readers with their intriguing plots, lovable characters, and more often than not, the popularity that precedes them, especially in the case of the best Shonen ever.

Despite how beloved some series are, most fans agree that even the best manga are bogged down by lousy story arcs. It’s far too common for a series to have at least one or two arcs that can push members of the fandom away, for being either too slow, irrelevant to the story, or simply badly written. Among the thousands of series available, only a few manga can be hailed as genuine masterpieces, with no objectively bad story arcs.

10

Pluto is Perfect From Start to Finish

In Pluto, Gesicht, a humanoid machine hailed as one of the best detectives ever, becomes involved in a murder case revolving around 7 highly advanced robots and those who fight for their rights. Instead of a clean and cut case, the hero finds a conspiracy that threatens not only the lives of all robots on the planet but also Earth itself. More worrying than anything, the main culprit seems to be another robot, pushing violence against this group even further.

One of the best sci-fi stories ever written, Pluto is a dark and haunting tale of corruption, greed, and the dangers of hateful rhetoric. The story does not shy away from depicting how fear and the ambition of those on top lead to the destruction of not only society but human nature as a whole. Pluto is a manga that will stay with fans long after they put it down, as its morals and lessons are still relevant, even years after its release.

9

Vagabond is One of the Best Manga Ever-Written

Feudal-era Japan was a harsh and dangerous time to live in, more so for people like Takezo, whose violent impulses caused him to be shunned by his community. With only his friend Matahachi and a sword by his side, the hero enlists to fight in a deadly war, where only the two survive. After returning to his village, Takezo is labeled a criminal, which, added to the trauma of the war, pushes him to seek a new, more peaceful way of life.

Lamentably, a manga that is unlikely to ever be finished, Vagabond is a philosophical and thought-provoking tale of overcoming one’s nature to become something better. The series is based on a widely popular Japanese novel, which has fascinated readers all over the world. Vagabond will keep fans thinking about what makes humanity good, and most will wonder why such an amazing tale still has no anime adaptation.

When they were young, the Elric brothers, Alphonse and Edward, attempted to revive their mother via Alchemy. This action, considered a severe crime in the country of Amestris, caused Ed to lose his arm and leg, while his brother’s entire body was taken, forcing his soul to inhabit a suit of armor. With nothing more to lose and a burning desire to recover their bodies, the siblings will travel the world in search of the legendary Philosopher’s Stone.

Widely considered one of the best and most beloved Shonen of all time, Fullmetal Alchemist is an amazing example of high-quality storytelling. Each chapter serves a precise purpose, whether it is to advance the plot or give the characters an incredible and needed development. It is no surprise that a large majority of fans consider Fullmetal Alchemist one of the best written by a female mangaka.

7

Monster is an Addictive Read

Several years ago, the brilliant Dr. Kenzo Tenma was forced to choose between the life of an innocent boy and a politician. His decision to let the man die caused him to become a reject among medics, and his career slowly crumbled away. Now, after years of carrying the consequences of his actions, a string of murders caught his eye, as the boy he once saved might have become a cruel and calculative killer.

Considered by many fans as the epitome of psychological manga, Monster is a thrilling yet uncomfortable story that does not hold any punches. From the very beginning, Monster questions the morality and the systems that rule our world, pondering on the true meaning of humanity and the value of an individual. Monster is one of the best Seinen manga that fans have to experience for themselves.

6

Goodnight Punpun is a Must-Read Manga

Punpun’s life has never been easy; his family is as dysfunctional as they come, he is severely anxious, and his head is always full to the brim with questions about existence. As he grows, the life he once imagined for himself seems to drift away, leaving behind a dissatisfied husk whose trauma slowly develops into a cruel and monstrous version of the once innocent child.

A manga that has the sole purpose of destroying readers emotionally, Goodnight Punpun is a tragically realistic depiction of how trauma, unresolved emotions, and unchecked behaviors can drive someone insane. Goodnight Punpun does not rely on any supernatural aspects to shock the reader, as it is quite aware that human nature can accomplish this fact. Goodnight Punpun is an extremely disturbing story with an almost perfect final arc that fans will never forget.

5

20th Century Boys is Naoki Urasawa’s Magnum Opus

As children, Kenji and his friends swore that, if the worst ever came to happen, they would be the heroes to save Earth from destruction. Years later, the once-carefree children have grown into dull and average adults, their days of glory long forgotten. Yet, when strange crimes begin to take place all around a symbol they created in their infancy, it might be time for the heroes to fulfill their promise.

Arguably one of the best manga of the 90s era, as well as the last couple of decades, 20^th Century Boys uses a non-linear approach to keep fans guessing what might come next. 20^th Century Boysuses the industry’s typical tropes and blends them with mundane heroes that do not have anything inherently special about them. 20^th Century Boys is an inspiring tale that has no doubt gained its place among the best Seinen sci-fi manga ever.

4

Berserk is the Greatest Seinen Manga of All Time

Across the land, legends speak of a powerful yet aloof warrior whose ability with the blade can overcome any monster. This man, known by many as the Black Swordsman, is none other than Guts, a tragic orphan who has suffered the worst the world has to offer. While things seem to be going better for the man, as he was recruited into the celebrated Band of the Hawk, destiny might have many more obstacles for him to encounter.

A true classic of the Seinen genre that has kept audiences engaged for more than 3 decades, Berserk is not a story for the faint of heart. Berserk relies heavily on the worst humanity has to offer, showing it through the eyes of the noble yet damaged Guts. Berserk is a tragic tale that has no real winners, but there is something about its tragedies and the way in which its main characters deal with the trauma that keeps fans reading.

3

Akira is Even Better Than the Movie

Years before the Akira began, a mysterious explosion caused most of Japan to fall into chaos. It took years for things to become better, and although the world is at a tentative peace, it has become quite hostile for regular people. The situation only becomes worse when Kaneda, the leader of a known motorcycle gang, discovers one of his friends, Tetsuo, has developed telekinetic powers that could put the world in danger again.

Few series throughout time have been as successful and beloved as Akira, as it has inspired not only millions of fans, but the industry as a whole. Akira is a pillar of the sci-fi genre, and there are many good reasons why. Akira‘s plot is incredibly entertaining without becoming too convoluted, and the characters are relatable and realistic, which creates an overall amazing experience for readers.

2

Uzumaki is Junji Ito’s Single Greatest Work

Kurouzu-cho was once a peaceful yet boring town, at least that is what the protagonist Kirie used to believe. Her boyfriend, Shuichi, has asked her for years to run away with him, as something is unsettling about their home. His suspicions become a reality when strange occurrences begin to take place around town, all involving spiral shapes in some way.

Coming from the master of horror manga, Junji Ito, Uzumaki is a terrifying story about a twisted and traumatic world where not even home is safe anymore. Uzumaki has been praised for years because of its amazing use of well-known tropes to tell an adventure that will haunt readers even after the manga is over. The genuinely horrific and unsettling art style of Junji Ito’s panels has made Uzumaki give audiences nightmares for years.

1

Akane-Banashi is the Best Manga Everyone Should Be Reading

For many years, Akane greatly enjoyed seeing her father practice and compete in the traditional Japanese art of rakugo, where a single performer uses limited props to create a compelling story. Woefully, this joy was stripped away when her father was expelled right before being granted the rank of master. Since then, Akane has had one purpose in life: to achieve the goal her father couldn’t: to avenge him and his comedy style.

Shonen fans have never seen anything like Akane-Banashi, a series that recently received an anime adaptation in April 2026. Akane-Banashi takes a unique strategy to tell an exciting and competitive story where an ancient and beloved art style becomes a device to show the will and might of its characters. Akane-Banashi is considered one of Shonen Jump’s best-running manga, and has contentiously enchanted fans ever since it came out in 2022.

Release Date

2004 – 2004-00-00

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  Vic Mignogna

  Edward Elric

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  Aaron Dismuke

  Alphonse Elric

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  Rie Kugimiya

  Riza Hawkeye