Which is your favorite manga ever? Lots of popular manga series are categorized as adventure, which tell the growing-up story of protagonists through adventurous experiences. He/She gets more powerful training with friends and fighting against opponents.
To select the greatest manga series, this list introduces 10 best adventure manga of all time recommended to both beginners and advanced readers. You can enjoy a variety of exciting adventures from the ninja training journeys to the pirates’ voyages.
For each manga, there is a brief note from me, the author, as a book review. Please use it as a reference when selecting and evaluating manga.
Let’s embark on a great adventure with cool and gorgeous characters!
1. One Piece
Quite a few masterpieces are categorized as adventure, and One Piece is the one to list up in priority to any other titles. One Piece is looked on as the best manga series in the modern day and even of all time worldwide. Written by Eiichiro Oda, it has been serialized on the most popular Japanese manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump since 1997 and adapted into the successful anime series since 1999. This living legend finally reached the volume 100 in September, 2021.
One Piece follows a young man named Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate team callled the Straw Hat Pirates. Following his respected pirates, Luffy sets a maiden sail on the sea and meets several unique crews including a cool swordsman Zoro, a fighting chef Sanji, a professional theft navigator Nami and so on. Battling out lots of powerful opponents who have special powers of Devil Fruits, they seek the hidden supreme treasure known as One Piece.
Manga artist: Eiichiro Oda
Published: From 1997
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
Who would miss the chance to watch every episode of the greatest ongoing anime series One Piece on a real-time basis? Mo[…]
2. Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師), one of the most popular manga in the 2000s, should be picked up on this best adventure manga list. The dark-fantasy adventure manga is known as the best work of Hiromu Arakawa, who is also famous for Silver Spoon (銀の匙 Silver Spoon) and The Heroic Legend of Arslan (アルスラーン戦記). After serializing for about a decade, it completed the story with the 27th volume in 2010. There are two versions of the anime adaptation based on it.
Fullmetal Alchemist focuses on an exciting venture of alchemist brothers: Edward and Alphonse Elric. The talented young alchemists violate a taboo by using alchemy to revive their dead mother, which brings about the loss of Edward’s right arm and left leg and Alphonse’s whole body. To recover their bodies, they travel around the world in search of the philosopher’s stone.
Manga artist: Hiromu Arakawa
Published: 2001-2010
Serialized on Monthly Shonen Gangan
There are a bunch of high-quality anime series categorized as fantasy and adventure, and Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師) is[…]
3. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
For both classic and present manga fans, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (ジョジョの奇妙な冒険) should be added to their best recommendations. The fantasy adventure manga started with the first part Phantom Blood in 1987 and the latest ninth part The JoJoLands started in 2023. It has been made into the high-quality anime adaptation by a Japanese anime studio David Production since 2012.
The part one titled Phantom Blood is set in England in 1988 centering on a wealthy noble named Jonathan Joestar and his adopted brother Dio Brando. The following parts of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure also concentrate on the stories of the Joestar Family and their battles with supernatural power called Stand.
Manga artist: Hirohiko Araki
Published: 1987–1988 (Part 1: Phantom Blood)/1988–1989 (Part 2: Battle Tendency)/1989–1992 (Part 3: Stardust Crusaders)/1992–1995 (Part 4: Diamond Is Unbreakable)/1995–1999 (Part 5: Golden Wind)/2000–2003 (Part 6: Stone Ocean)/2004–2011 (Part 7: Steel Ball Run)/2011–2021 (Part 8: JoJolion)/2023- (Part 9: The JoJoLands)
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump (From Part 1: Phantom Blood to Part 7: Steel Ball Run)/Ultra Jump (From Part 7: Steel Ball Run to The JoJoLands)
4. Hunter × Hunter
As the manga that international fans have a strong attachment for the most, Hunter × Hunter is one of the best adventure manga of all time. The greatest ongoing adventure manga was launched in 1998 by the famous manga artist Yoshihiro Togashi, who is also known for his another masterpiece titled YuYu Hakusho (幽☆遊☆白書). It is also known that the serialization constantly stops due to the condition of the author, and it has been on hiatus since November, 2018.
Hunter × Hunter places an emphasis on a young protagonist Gon Freecss, who takes off on a journey to see his lost father Ging Freecss again. His adventure begins with the Hunter Exam to get a Hunter License, which makes hunters travel more smoothly. He grows up meeting stimulating friends such as a professional assassin Killua Zoldyck, the survivor of the Kurta clan Kurapika and a medical student Leorio.
Manga artist: Yoshihiro Togashi
Published: From 1998
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
The living legend Hunter x Hunter has attracted a great number of fans of manga and anime all over the globe for a long […]
5. Fairy Tail
Hiro Mashima, who is also famous for Rave Master and Edens Zero, completed his greatest manga series Fairy Tail between 2006 and 2017. The fantasy adventure manga consists of 63 volumes, which were adapted into three seasons of the anime series from 2009 to 2019.
Set in a fantasy world where wizards guilds show their presence, Fairy Tail tells the story of Fairy Tail, one of the most powerful guilds. A protagonist Natsu Dragneel, who is also known as a Dragon Slayer, meets a 17-year-old elestial wizard Lucy Heartfilia. They travel the Kingdom of Fiore as a member of Fairy Tail fighting against strong opponent wizards.
Manga artist: Hiro Mashima
Published: From 2006-2017
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Magazine
6. Made in Abyss
Beginning serialization in 2012 in the webcomic magazine Web Comic Gamma, Made in Abyss (メイドインアビス) is a manga series penned by Akihito Tsukushi. Its hauntingly beautiful illustrations and intricate world-building have earned it critical acclaim. The story, set around an enormous, mysterious abyss, blends fantasy, adventure, and dark themes, making it a standout in its genre. The renowned fantasy adventure has been adapted into anime series and movies by Kinema Citrus since its first season was released in 2017.
Riko, an aspiring cave raider, discovers a robot boy named Reg in the Abyss’s upper layers. Drawn by tales of her mother being at the Abyss’s deepest part, the duo embarks on a perilous descent. However, the Abyss has a malevolent curse that affects ascendees with increasing intensity per depth. As they dive deeper, they confront not only the Abyss’s nightmarish creatures and challenges but also unsettling truths about the nature of the Abyss and Riko’s own origins.
Manga artist: Akihito Tsukushi
Published: From 2012
Serialized on Web Comic Gamma
The popular modern dark-fantasy adventure anime Made in Abyss has received lots of attention from manga and anime fans a[…]
7. Naruto
Naruto is a globally acclaimed manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014, the series spans 72 volumes. The narrative combines action, fantasy, and coming-of-age elements, earning it immense popularity both in Japan and internationally. Its success led to various adaptations, including a hit anime series, movies, and merchandise. Since 2016, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, its sequel focusing on Naruto’s son Boruto, has been serialized.
Orphaned as an infant, Naruto Uzumaki dreams of becoming the strongest ninja and the leader of his village, the Hokage. However, his journey is complicated by the fact that he’s the vessel for the Nine-Tails fox demon, which once attacked his village. Facing prejudice and loneliness, Naruto seeks recognition and camaraderie while mastering ninja arts, unraveling mysteries of his past, and confronting formidable enemies.
Manga artist: Masashi Kishimoto
Published: 1999-2014
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
Naruto, one of the most famous and popular manga and anime series of all time, has been an introductory anime title reco[…]
8. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Without a doubt, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (鬼滅の刃) is one of the best adventure manga series of all time, penned by Koyoharu Gotouge. Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2016 to 2020, the story extends across 23 volumes. This dark fantasy action-packed tale quickly gained immense popularity both domestically and internationally, which has been made into an anime series and movie by Ufotable since 2019.
In Taisho-era Japan, a young boy Tanjiro Kamado’s life is upended when his family is slaughtered by demons, leaving only his little sister Nezuko alive but turned into a demon. Vowing revenge and to cure Nezuko, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps, battling manifold malevolent demons while pursuing the kingpin of demons, Muzan Kibutsuji, and unraveling the mysteries of the demon realm.
Manga artist: Koyoharu Gotouge
Published: 2016-2020
Serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump
What do you think the best modern anime series is? In terms of name recognition and commercial success, Demon Slayer: Ki[…]
9. Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku
Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku (地獄楽) is a dark-fantasy adventure manga series written and illustrated by Yuji Kaku. It started its serialization in Shonen Jump+ in 2018 and concluded with the 13th volume in 2021. Jigokuraku was first adapted into an anime series by Mappa in 2023.
Gabimaru, a once-feared ninja assassin, seeks the ultimate prize: a pardon for his past sins and a chance to reunite with his wife. To achieve this, he must venture to a mystic island filled with deadly challenges and bizarre creatures, competing against other deadly criminals in a perilous quest for the elusive Elixir of Life, said to grant immortality.
Manga artist: Yuji Kaku
Published: 2018-2021
Serialized on Shonen Jump+
The anime Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, which was broadcasted in the spring of 2023, initially scored a big hit on the po[…]
10. To Your Eternity
To Your Eternity (不滅のあなたへ) is a profound manga written and illustrated by Yoshitoki Oima, the creator behind the acclaimed A Silent Voice. Serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine since 2016, this work stands out with its unique storytelling and deeply emotional narratives, weaving together themes of life, death, love, and the essence of humanity. To Your Eternity has been made into an anime adaptation by Brain’s Base and Drive since 2021.
The tale follows an immortal entity, which has the ability to take on the shape of things it encounters. Beginning as a mere orb, it morphs into a rock, a dying wolf, and then a boy. Throughout its existence, the entity experiences various lifetimes, cultures, and relationships, consistently learning the depths of human emotions and the impermanence of life.
Manga artist: Yoshitoki Oima
Published: From 2016
Serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine
It's a mysterious and grand adventure fantasy. The story of To Your Eternity is narrated from an omniscient perspective […]
You can enjoy exciting adventure stories in the anime, too: 15 Best Adventure Anime of All Time.
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