The Most Underrated Manga, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the manga you think is the most underrated!

Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:58

In the world of manga, some gems often slip through the crowd, overshadowed by the heavy hitters that dominate headlines and bookshelves. These lesser-known works bring unique stories and innovative art styles that might not capture widespread attention but certainly deserve recognition. By ranking these underrated titles, we give them a moment in the spotlight and introduce them to a broader audience who may appreciate their distinct charm. This dynamic list is shaped by the votes of readers like you, who know that quality doesn't always come with fame. Your participation helps adjust and refine the rankings, bringing attention to excellent mangas that others might miss. It's an opportunity for community engagement and a way to share your passion for manga that others might not yet have discovered.

What Is the Most Underrated Manga?

1

78
votes
"Honey and Clover" by Chica Umino

This coming-of-age story about a group of college students navigating life, love, and career aspirations has a beautiful art style and nuanced characters. It explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the pursuit of one's passion.
"Honey and Clover" by Chica Umino in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most romantic manga
2

53
votes
"A Silent Voice" by Yoshitoki Oima

Yoshitoki Oima

This manga tackles the heavy topic of bullying, and its lasting effects on both the victim and the perpetrator. It's a poignant story about redemption, forgiveness, and the power of empathy.
A Silent Voice is a critically acclaimed manga written and illustrated by Yoshitoki Oima. It tells the story of Shoya Ishida, a former bully who becomes isolated and ostracized by his classmates as karma catches up to him. Years later, he sets out on a path of redemption and seeks to reconnect with Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf girl he once tormented. Through their complex relationship and personal growth, the manga explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the power of empathy.

Genre: Drama

Published By: Kodansha

Serialized: Weekly Shonen Magazine

Volumes: 7

Chapters: 62
3

29
votes
"Barakamon" by Satsuki Yoshino

Satsuki Yoshino

This heartwarming slice-of-life manga follows a calligrapher who moves to a remote island in order to find inspiration for his art. The characters are charming and the humor is delightful, making it a feel-good read.
Barakamon is a manga series written and illustrated by Satsuki Yoshino. It follows the story of Seishu Handa, a calligrapher exiled to a rural island after an incident. In his new surroundings, Seishu interacts with the quirky villagers and discovers new inspirations for his art. The series combines humor, slice-of-life elements, and personal growth.

Genre: Comedy, Slice of life

Published: 2009 - 2018

Volumes: 18

Chapters: 139

Anime Adaptation: Yes
4

20
votes
"Planetes" by Makoto Yukimura

Makoto Yukimura

This sci-fi manga explores the lives of a group of space debris collectors, and their struggles with work, relationships, and the search for meaning in a vast universe. It's a thought-provoking and visually stunning series that deserves more recognition.
"Planetes" is a science fiction manga written and illustrated by Makoto Yukimura. It was serialized from 1999 to 2004 in the magazine Weekly Morning. The story takes place in the year 2075 and follows a group of astronauts working for a debris collection company in space. While initially focusing on the daily struggles of the crew as they clean up space debris, the manga delves deeper into themes of humanity, dreams, and the pursuit of purpose in life.

Genre: Science fiction

Serialized: 1999-2004

Magazine: Weekly Morning

Setting: Year 2075, outer space

Themes: Humanity, dreams, purpose
5

17
votes
"Bungo Stray Dogs" by Kafka Asagiri

Kafka Asagiri

This action-packed manga follows a group of detectives with special abilities, who solve supernatural crimes in a gritty, noir-inspired world. The characters are complex and the plot is full of twists and turns, making it a thrilling read.
Bungo Stray Dogs is a manga series by Kafka Asagiri that combines action, mystery, and supernatural elements. Set in a world where certain individuals possess special abilities, it follows the story of a group of gifted detectives and their encounters with various criminals and organizations. The series explores themes of identity, friendship, and the pursuit of justice.

Genre: Action, Mystery, Supernatural

Publication: Young Ace (Kadokawa)

First release date: 2012

Volumes: 21 (ongoing)

Anime adaptation: Yes
6

12
votes
"Kokou no Hito" by Shinichi Sakamoto

Shinichi Sakamoto

This intense sports manga follows a high school student who becomes obsessed with mountain climbing, and the physical and mental challenges he must overcome to achieve his goals. It's a gripping and inspiring story that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
Kokou no Hito, written and illustrated by Shinichi Sakamoto, is a manga series that follows the life of Sakurai, a young man who finds solace in mountain climbing. The story explores Sakurai's journey as he grapples with personal demons and tries to find his purpose in life through the pursuit of mountaineering.

Genre: Drama

Publication: 2007 - 2013

Volumes: 17

Chapters: 170

Serialized in: Afternoon
7

6
votes
"Mushishi" by Yuki Urushibara

Yuki Urushibara

This supernatural manga follows a wandering "mushishi" who investigates strange occurrences caused by supernatural creatures called "mushi." The atmospheric art and storytelling create a haunting and immersive reading experience.
Mushishi is a critically acclaimed manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Urushibara. Set in an ancient world inhabited by ethereal creatures called Mushi, the story revolves around a travelling expert named Ginko who investigates and solves issues caused by these mystical beings. Each chapter delves into Ginko's encounters with various people and their unique encounters with Mushi, exploring themes of humanity, nature, and the balance between the two.

Genre: Supernatural, Mystery

Published: September 1999 - August 2008

Volumes: 10

Magazine: Afternoon Seasons Zōkan (1999), Monthly Afternoon (2000-2008)

Anime Adaptation: Yes
8

8
votes
"Yotsuba&!" by Kiyohiko Azuma

Kiyohiko Azuma

This lighthearted manga follows the daily adventures of a quirky and curious young girl named Yotsuba, and her interactions with her friends and family. It's a charming and funny series that will put a smile on readers' faces.
Yotsuba&! is a heartwarming slice-of-life manga series created by Kiyohiko Azuma. It revolves around the daily adventures of a bright and cheerful five-year-old girl named Yotsuba Koiwai. Through Yotsuba's perspective, readers experience the simple joys, innocence, and curiosity of childhood.

Genre: Slice-of-life

Publication: 2003-present

Volumes: 15+

Chapters: 107+

Original run: 2003-2018
9

10
votes
"Vinland Saga" by Makoto Yukimura

Makoto Yukimura

This historical manga follows a Viking warrior who seeks revenge against the man who killed his father, but ultimately finds a new purpose in life. It's a brutal and epic tale with stunning artwork and well-developed characters.
Vinland Saga, created by Makoto Yukimura, is an epic historical manga series set in medieval Europe. It follows the story of a young Viking named Thorfinn, who embarks on a journey of revenge against the man who killed his father. However, as Thorfinn becomes involved in the fierce conflicts of the Viking Age, he begins to question the true meaning of war and violence. Vinland Saga explores themes of redemption, honor, and the pursuit of a peaceful life.

Genre: Action, Historical, Drama

Publication: 2005 - present

Serialized in: Weekly Shonen Magazine

Number of volumes: 25 (ongoing)

Main protagonist: Thorfinn
10

5
votes
"Haikyu!!" by Haruichi Furudate

Haruichi Furudate

This sports manga follows a high school volleyball team as they strive to become the best in the nation. The characters are endearing and the action is intense, making it a thrilling and emotional read for fans of sports manga.
Haikyu!! is a popular manga series written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate. It follows the story of Shoyo Hinata, a determined and short-statured aspiring volleyball player, as he navigates through the world of competitive high school volleyball. Despite his small size, Hinata has remarkable jumping ability and endurance. Inspired by a championship match he watched on TV, Hinata joins Karasuno High School's volleyball team to pursue his dream of becoming a star player. The manga showcases the team's challenges, growth, and strong bond as they compete against rival schools.

Awards: Winner of the 61st Shogakukan Manga Award

Genre: Sports, Drama

First Published: February 2012

Number of Volumes: 45+

Main Protagonist: Shoyo Hinata

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Discussion

Ranking factors for underrated manga

Storyline

The plot, pacing, and depth of the story should all be taken into account. Is it unique and compelling? Is it executed well?
Characters

The development and relatability of the characters is an important aspect of any manga. Are they well-rounded and memorable?
Artwork

The quality and style of the artwork can greatly impact how well a manga is received. Is it visually appealing and distinct?
Cultural relevance

Some manga may not be as popular outside of Japan due to cultural differences. However, a manga that is able to connect with a wider audience despite those differences should be recognized.
Impact

A manga's influence and legacy should also be considered. Has it inspired other works? Has it made a significant impact on the industry or readership?

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most underrated manga. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or manga is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2121 views
237 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each manga once every 24 hours. The rank of each manga is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most underrated manga

Manga, the Japanese style of comic books and graphic novels, has gained immense popularity across the world in recent years. With its unique art style and diverse range of genres, manga has something for everyone. However, there are some manga titles that go under the radar, despite their quality storytelling, unique characters, and captivating world-building. These underrated manga titles often don't receive the recognition they deserve, despite their devoted fanbases. From action-packed adventures to heart-warming romances, the most underrated manga titles have the power to surprise and delight readers. In this article, we'll explore some of the most underrated manga titles and why they deserve more attention.