The 16 Best Mangaka of All Time, Ranked (2026)

The best mangaka of all time shaped not just manga but global pop culture. These are the artists and authors whose imagination, draftsmanship, and storytelling created the medium’s defining works. This ranked guide counts down the sixteen greatest mangaka in history — from the founding fathers to modern legends — and points you to their masterpieces and full biographies.

⚡ TL;DR — The best mangaka of all time, ranked. The greatest manga artists and authors in history — from Osamu Tezuka to Eiichiro Oda — and their masterpieces.

What Makes a Great Mangaka?

A mangaka (漫画家) is a manga artist and author — usually the same person, responsible for both the writing and the art. The greatest mangaka are double threats: masters of visual storytelling who can also craft characters and plots that resonate for decades. The very best go further still, innovating in ways that permanently change the medium.

This ranking weighs influence, artistic skill, commercial success, and cultural impact. You can explore every creator’s full story in our mangaka biographies collection, and discover overlooked legends in our guide to female mangaka you should know.

1. Osamu Tezuka

Known as the “God of Manga,” Osamu Tezuka is the foundation on which the entire medium stands. Creator of Astro Boy, Black Jack, and Phoenix, he pioneered the cinematic paneling and expressive character work that define manga today, producing an astonishing 700+ volumes.

Osamu Tezuka influenced virtually every artist on this list. Without him, modern manga as we know it would not exist.

2. Eiichiro Oda

Eiichiro Oda is the most commercially successful mangaka alive, creator of One Piece — the best-selling manga of all time. His boundless imagination, intricate world-building, and ability to plant payoffs decades in advance make him a generational talent.

Eiichiro Oda has sustained a single masterwork at the top of the industry for over 25 years. Start his epic with the box set below.

3. Akira Toriyama

Akira Toriyama created Dragon Ball, the most influential action manga ever made, plus Dr. Slump and the designs for the Dragon Quest games. His clean, dynamic art and inventive action choreography shaped the entire shonen genre.

Akira Toriyama is arguably the most globally recognizable manga artist of all. His passing in 2024 was mourned worldwide.

4. Kentaro Miura

Kentaro Miura created Berserk, the pinnacle of dark fantasy and home to the most detailed artwork in manga history. His obsessive linework and tragic storytelling set a standard no other artist has matched.

Kentaro Miura left behind an unfinished masterpiece that continues to influence artists across the world. Experience his art in the Deluxe Edition.

5. Naoki Urasawa

Naoki Urasawa is the master of the mystery thriller, creator of Monster, 20th Century Boys, and Pluto. His cinematic storytelling, complex characters, and slow-burn suspense are unmatched in the medium.

Naoki Urasawa elevated manga as serious literary fiction. Begin with the Monster Perfect Edition.

6. Takehiko Inoue

Takehiko Inoue is one of the finest illustrators in manga, creator of Slam Dunk (the best-selling sports manga ever) and Vagabond. His brushwork and anatomical mastery are widely regarded as the most beautiful in the medium.

Takehiko Inoue proved manga art could rival fine art. A true draftsman’s draftsman.

7. Rumiko Takahashi

Rumiko Takahashi is one of the best-selling and most influential mangaka of any gender, creator of Inuyasha, Ranma ½, and Urusei Yatsura. Her career spans decades of beloved, genre-defining hits.

Rumiko Takahashi is a pioneer who proved a single artist could dominate across generations.

8. Hirohiko Araki

Hirohiko Araki created JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, famous for its flamboyant art, fashion-inspired character designs, and the genre-defining “Stand” battle system. His style is among the most distinctive and imitated in manga.

Hirohiko Araki built one of the most enduring and stylish franchises in the medium.

9. Masashi Kishimoto

Masashi Kishimoto created Naruto, one of the “Big Three” shonen and a global phenomenon. His emotional storytelling, found-family themes, and iconic rivalries defined a generation of manga fans.

Masashi Kishimoto turned an outcast ninja into one of the most recognizable characters on earth.

10. Hiromu Arakawa

Hiromu Arakawa created Fullmetal Alchemist, frequently cited as the most perfectly constructed manga ever made. Her tight plotting, balanced tone, and flawless ending set a gold standard.

Hiromu Arakawa is one of the greatest storytellers in manga, full stop.

11. Junji Ito

Junji Ito is the undisputed master of horror manga, creator of Uzumaki, Tomie, and countless nightmarish short stories. His meticulous, grotesque artwork has terrified readers worldwide.

Junji Ito is the rare artist whose name is synonymous with an entire genre.

12. Yoshihiro Togashi

Yoshihiro Togashi created Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter, the latter celebrated for its ingenious power system and willingness to subvert shonen conventions. His ambition and craft are legendary.

Yoshihiro Togashi is a genius whose influence far outweighs his (hiatus-interrupted) output.

13. Naoko Takeuchi

Naoko Takeuchi created Sailor Moon, the work that defined and popularized the magical-girl genre worldwide. Her impact on shojo manga and global pop culture is immeasurable.

Naoko Takeuchi created a feminist icon and a multi-generational phenomenon.

14. CLAMP

CLAMP is a legendary all-female collective behind Cardcaptor Sakura, Tsubasa, xxxHolic, and more. Their versatility across genres and their elegant, intricate art make them one of manga’s most prolific powerhouses.

CLAMP proved a creative group could produce a vast, beloved, interconnected body of work.

15. Tatsuki Fujimoto

Tatsuki Fujimoto is the boldest voice of modern manga, creator of Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch. His unpredictable storytelling, emotional rawness, and cinematic influences make him the most exciting artist of his generation.

Tatsuki Fujimoto represents the cutting edge of where manga is heading.

16. Tite Kubo

Tite Kubo created Bleach, one of the “Big Three,” renowned for its effortlessly stylish character designs and dramatic fight choreography. His sense of cool is unmatched in shonen.

Tite Kubo gave manga some of its most iconic visual moments.

Start With the Masterpieces

The best way to appreciate these legends is to read their defining works. Here is a quick guide to three essential starting points.

Mangaka	Masterpiece	Best Edition	CTA
Eiichiro Oda	One Piece	Box Set 1: East Blue	View on Amazon
Kentaro Miura	Berserk	Deluxe Edition Vol. 1	View on Amazon
Naoki Urasawa	Monster	The Perfect Edition Vol. 1	View on Amazon

Explore More Manga Legends

This list only scratches the surface. Dive deeper into individual careers in our mangaka biographies, learn about the most influential women in the industry in female mangaka you should know, and meet more of the artists shaping the medium in our guide to famous manga artists.

To see the works themselves ranked, visit our best manga of all time guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best mangaka of all time?

Osamu Tezuka is almost universally considered the best mangaka of all time. Known as the “God of Manga,” he created Astro Boy and Black Jack and influenced every artist who followed. Among modern creators, Eiichiro Oda and Akira Toriyama are the most dominant.

Who is the most popular mangaka today?

Eiichiro Oda, creator of One Piece, is the most popular and best-selling mangaka alive. Other hugely popular modern mangaka include Gege Akutami, Koyoharu Gotouge, and Tatsuki Fujimoto.

What makes a great mangaka?

A great mangaka excels at both art and storytelling, creating distinctive styles, compelling characters, and narratives that resonate across cultures. The very best also innovate and influence generations.

Who is the “God of Manga”?

Osamu Tezuka is called the “God of Manga.” He created over 700 manga volumes, established many of the medium’s conventions, and inspired nearly every mangaka who followed.

Who are the best female mangaka?

Rumiko Takahashi is one of the best-selling mangaka of any gender. Other acclaimed female mangaka include Naoko Takeuchi, CLAMP, Hiromu Arakawa, and Ai Yazawa.