Best Manga Written By Kentaro Miura

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Best Manga Written By Kentaro Miura

Key Takeaways

  • Miura’s early works like Noa and Futatabi showed early character writing and art development.
  • Duranki and Giganto Maxia exhibit Miura’s imaginative brilliance in storytelling and artwork.
  • Berserk remains Miura’s magnum opus, showcasing his evolution as a mangaka with unforgettable storytelling.

As a long-time admirer of Kentaro Miura‘s masterful storytelling and breathtaking artwork, I must say that diving into his oeuvre is like embarking on a captivating journey through various realms of imagination. Each of these works showcases Miura’s unique vision and skill, offering fans an escape to extraordinary worlds filled with intriguing characters and thrilling narratives.

Kentaro Miura is recognized as one of the greatest mangaka ever, defying expectations with his masterful work on “Berserk.” The series gained immense popularity and left a significant impact on the dark fantasy genre, becoming a key inspiration for aspiring creators. Characterized by Guts’ complex anti-hero persona, his signature large sword, and arguably one of the most memorable arcs in manga history, “Berserk” has solidified its status as an iconic work in the annals of storytelling.

Beyond just “Berserk”, it’s worth noting that Miura has also contributed to several other manga series, some of which have met with varying levels of acclaim. While “Berserk” might be considered his greatest masterpiece, it doesn’t diminish the mangaka’s compact yet notable collection of works.

6 Noa

Kentaro Miura’s Debut That Is Rough Around The Edges But Has A Ton Of Heart

  • Release Date: 1985
  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
  • Status: Complete

Every mangaka has their beginnings, and Miura was no exception with the one-shot Noa. This standalone work introduces a distinctive future setting filled with captivating characters, all struggling to live in a post-apocalyptic world where survival becomes the ultimate goal.

Initially, Miura’s artwork might not stand out significantly, but his character development is evident from the beginning. Characters in his work have depth that many wouldn’t expect, and some panels are intricately detailed. Yet, it would take several more projects for this mangaka to truly polish his skills.

5 Futatabi

An Ambitious Attempt To Tell A Sci-Fi Tale

  • Release Date: August 21, 1985
  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
  • Status: Complete

Following the release of “Noa”, Miura shifted his attention towards intricate world-building within “Futatabi”. The world is skillfully developed, offering details gradually to prevent excessive exposition. Regrettably, the concise nature of this standalone piece slightly limits its overall impact.

Interestingly, the characters in this piece seem less memorable, indicating that they weren’t the primary concern for Miura when building this universe. Instead, it offers a brief, delightful journey that might not leave a permanent mark, but it effectively demonstrates Miura’s evolving artistic flair.

4 Berserk: The Prototype

Laid The Groundwork For What Would Become Miura’s Magnum Opus

  • Release Date: 1988
  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Status: Complete

Prior to delving deeply into Berserk, Miura initially crafted a captivating introduction to the series. It was within this prototype where the foundations for Berserk were laid, introducing intriguing alterations that dedicated fans might appreciate following closely.

Among several alterations, the character names and Guts’ appearance stand out as differences between the initial concept and the finished work. Surprisingly, even though it only lasted for one chapter, numerous elements from this early draft (or prototype) were further developed and expanded upon in an impressive manga series known as seinen manga.

3 Duranki

Presents A Unique Mythological World With A Mysterious Protagonist

  • Release Date: September 9, 2019
  • Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
  • Status: Discontinued

Due to Miura’s untimely passing, one of his ongoing projects, titled Duranki, had to be discontinued. This series boasted a rich mythological foundation that fans eagerly anticipated exploring further under the skilled hands of the mangaka. Regrettably, given the circumstances, fans can only savor a captivating sneak peek into an intriguing world featuring a protagonist who is androgynous and favored by the deities.

Miura’s remarkable talents shine brightly in this piece, as both readers and critics adore the daring backdrop of this series and the unpredictable narrative directions it explores. Although Duranki will not progress beyond its six episodes, it remains an exceptional manga that enthusiasts of the mangaka’s creations are bound to enjoy.

2 Giganto Maxia

Features A Futuristic Setting Where The World Is Populated With Bug Monsters

  • Release Date: November 22, 2013
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Status: Complete

Miura’s works are delightful due to the inventive ideas they explore, and “Giganto Maxia” serves as an excellent illustration of this trait. In this manga, readers encounter stunning artwork in a future-set series that takes place a hundred million years from now, featuring a gladiator named Delos and his companion, Prome, who possesses mystical abilities. As they unwittingly enter the territory of the Scarabaei, they are captured, leading to Delos being compelled to fight in an epic battle within the Colosseum against their champion.

What follows is one of the best one-on-one matchups Miura has drawn up, featuring good-ol’ fist-fighting with a couple of wrestling moves thrown here and there. Delos is so impressive that he earns the respect of his opponent, Ogun, and is asked to help out the Scarabaei in their conflict against the humans who are trying to invade and enslave them. Despite being a rather short manga that doesn’t make the most of its premise, Giganto Maxia is a roller-coaster ride that serves as perfect eye candy for fans of Miura’s artwork.

1 Berserk

A Legendary Dark Fantasy Manga That Is Easily Miura’s Best Work

  • Release Date: August 25, 1989
  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
  • Status: Ongoing

Following Miura’s development as a manga artist, from the initial chapter of Berserk right up to the last he wrote before his passing, has been an enchanting voyage that won over numerous fans with his captivating art and narrative. Initially, the early chapters of the series were somewhat rough and didn’t portray Guts favorably. However, everything dramatically transformed upon the arrival of the Golden Age arc. This phase delved into Guts’ tumultuous history, his interactions with Griffith and the Band of the Hawk, leading to a chilling climax when Griffith triggers the Eclipse, sacrificing his dearest companions in pursuit of his ambition.

Guts embarks on a quest for vengeance against Griffith, all while seeking a remedy for Casca’s psychological decline. The exceptional artwork and compelling narrative of “Berserk” have solidified its status as one of the best seinen manga ever created, and it speaks volumes about the series’ enduring influence that Miura’s companion is still crafting new “Berserk” installments. These chapters are guiding the story towards a fitting conclusion and honoring the mangaka’s masterpiece.

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2024-09-19 05:05