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Summary

Berserk: Unparalleled detail in horror and quiet moments captivate readers.
Kingdom: Epic scale and grand illustrations bring historic warfare to life.
One-Punch Man: Scrappy original art contrasts with impressive redraws for an over-the-top superhero tale.

Graphic novels, manga, manhwa, and manhua are all forms of storytelling that combine images and text, providing both a visual feast and intellectual nourishment. If not for this unique blend, it would be like reading a book illustrated with questionable artwork. Remarkably, some comic strips gain popularity despite their unconventional aesthetics; series such as “Crayon Shin-chan” and “Mob Psycho 100” are prime examples of this, as they capitalize on their distinctive appeal.

Not only is captivating artwork essential in making a comic an unforgettable reading experience, but it can also draw readers into its universe or simply leave them awestruck due to its exceptional attention to detail and visual power. Although shōnen and shojo manga have their own remarkable pieces, many of the most impressive demonstrations of artistic skill originate from seinen manga, as seen in these renowned comic strips.

1. Berserk

Awe-Inspiring & Horrifying In Equal Measure

Creators: Kentaro Miura (original story and art), Koji Mori and Studio Gaga (story and art from vol. 42 onward)
42+ Volumes, 395+ Chapters
Available in English via Dark Horse Comics

People well-versed in the world of seinen manga would expect Berserk to be included. While Kentaro Miura’s art could sometimes be distressing due to its portrayal of demonic creatures and graphic violence, his skill at detail and composition was exceptional, making even ordinary scenes striking. The terrifying sequences tend to garner the most attention, but even the quieter moments carry a touch of tenderness.

In a different phrasing, you might say: Just as Guts and Casca by the waterfall, or Guts admiring the sunset, have become iconic for portraying the weary warrior, so too does the series Berserk demonstrate a broader range of imagery than what one might expect from its eclipses or grand battlefields. And let’s not forget Puck, the mischievous companion, adding a touch of humor to the otherwise intense scenes of action and terror. In essence, these scenes illustrate that Berserk’s visual storytelling is richer and more diverse than it may initially appear.

2. Kingdom

Grand Illustrations For Grand Warfare

Creator: Yasuhisa Hara
75+ Volumes, 835+ Chapters
Fan Translations only. English volumes are due for release via Viz Media on November 11th, 2025

Discussing grand battlefields, it’s essential to include the realm of Kingdom. Yasuhisa Hara’s historical masterpiece is as grandiose in its artistry as it is in size. The tale follows Xin, an orphaned character striving to be the “Great General of the Heavens” during China’s Warring States era, and it shares similarities with Berserk in terms of armored combatants and brutality.

Rather than depicting Bosch-like nightmares, Hara’s attention to detail imbues grandeur upon more realistic landscapes. Cities carved into cliffs appear colossal, armies transform into an overwhelming tide of soldiers marching across the terrain, and their mounted commanders and leaders look formidable enough to shift the battle with a single swift strike of their spears.

3. Vagabond

The King Of Ronin Samurai Manga

Creator: Takehiko Inoue
37 Volumes, 327 Chapters
Available in English via Viz Media’s Viz Signature imprint

Takehiko Inoue showcased remarkable shōnen manga artistry in “Slam Dunk”, but truly excelled with seinen strips like “Real” and notably, “Vagabond”. The latter was particularly noteworthy as it brought a fresh perspective to the adventures of the Edo Period’s most renowned swordsman, whose story had been penned by Eiji Yoshikawa. After years of hiatus, one can understand why, given the intricate detail Inoue invests in each panel.

In various settings – from Musashi’s violent skirmishes to his peaceful roaming through the countryside, and gazing upon Japan’s seas and rivers – each scene seems perfectly suited for display in a frame, be it on a wall, in a book, or on digital platforms. It is not surprising, then, that these scenes have been transformed into posters and framed artwork for such purposes.

4. Vinland Saga

A Brutal Story With Beautiful Backdrops

Creator: Makoto Yukimura
28+ Volumes, 218+ Chapters
Available in English via Kodansha Comics USA

In the realm of dark fantasy and historical epics, Makoto Yukimura successfully matched the caliber set by Berserk and Kingdom with Vinland Saga. Unlike presenting ancient Chinese soldiers or roaming samurai, he delved into a more rugged world – that of the Vikings. While it shares a similar approach to Kingdom’s narrative, Vinland Saga offers a unique perspective on the topic.

To put it simply, while this story isn’t a strict historical reenactment or a faithful adaptation of the actual Vinland Sagas, it still manages to spin an engaging yarn filled with themes of war, vengeance, remorse, and adventure. Yukimura’s artwork, with its vivid depictions of bloody battles, warships, and powerful warriors against stunning landscapes and sorrowful expressions of weary regret, certainly contributed to its success.

5. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run

The Shōnen Series Goes Seinen & Takes An Artistic Leap

Creator: Hirohiko Araki
24 Volumes, 96 Chapters
Fan Translations only. English volumes are due for release via Viz Media on July 17th, 2025

Mentioning “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure” might seem like an understatement given its origins as a shonen manga. However, it deserves recognition because the art style of creator Hirohiko Araki significantly evolved from the first story arc featuring Jonathan Joestar vs Dio Brando, to the more recent one with Johnny Joestar racing against Diego Brando, particularly during the “Part 7: Steel Ball Run”. The series didn’t switch from shonen to seinen until around a year into “Part 7’s” run.

His initial art pieces exhibited a blend reminiscent of “Fist of the North Star” and Antonio Lopez’s fashion images, where form took a backseat to aesthetic flair. However, by the time he reached “Steel Ball Run,” his figure work significantly improved, and his style expanded to incorporate multiple shading techniques and diverse landscapes due to its cross-country setting across America. Unfortunately, his new figures might occasionally exhibit the issue of same-face syndrome, but at least they were appealing ones.

6. One-Punch Man

Over-The-Top Art For An Over-The-Top Hero

Creators: ONE (story, original webcomic art), Yusuke Murata (manga art)
33+ Volumes, 209+ Chapters
Available in English via Viz Media’s Shōnen Jump imprint

One-Punch Man stands out as an unusual example, since the original webcomic by ONE demonstrated that you don’t need to be on par with Miura’s talent to achieve success in comic creation. Despite his art sometimes being rough and difficult to appreciate, his innovative framing, compelling storytelling, and unique concept of a superhero capable of defeating any opponent with a single punch made it an enormous success.

Undeniably, Yusuke Murata’s redrawn versions are awe-inspiring from my perspective. He transforms the initial monsters into colossal, Berserk-like titans that would likely bring even the bravest individuals to their knees just by their immense size. The composition is so powerful, it rivals only the series’ first season anime adaptation. However, he occasionally switches back to ONE’s original art style and expressions, providing a much-needed relief from the palpable tension.

7. Oyasumi Punpun

Funny-Looking Bird Boy Grows Less Funny Over Time

Creator: Inio Asano
13 Volumes, 147 Chapters
Available in English via Viz Media’s Viz Signature imprint

In the comic “Oyasumi Punpun,” the artist, Inio Asano, doesn’t only use contrasting styles for comic relief. He frequently creates characters and environments that look incredibly realistic, even photo-realistic for certain figures. However, these detailed images are juxtaposed with simpler, more childlike characters, such as those representing Punpun and his family. Even though the bird characters are drawn in a sketchy manner, they still stand out against the backdrop of the more complex, realistic scenes.

In the narrative, the juxtaposition contributes significantly to its storytelling, as the character Punpun undergoes transformations that are evident to the reader but remain obscure to those around him, who perceive him as ordinary and unremarkable, much like themselves. Despite his increasing malevolence, influenced either by an evil force or not, he consistently feels out of place, akin to a fish out of water, or a bird flying against the sky in this scenario.

8. Innocent

Son Of An Executioner Finds Work In The Family Business

Creator: Shinichi Sakamoto
9 Volumes, 99 Chapters
Available in English via Dark Horse Comics

While “Innocent” might not be as well-known as “Berserk” or “Vinland Saga” among the general public, manga enthusiasts are aware of its exceptional artistry. On a basic level, it’s a domestic drama revolving around Charles-Henri Sanson confronting his fate. In this role, he serves as the official executioner for both the French royal family and later the French Republic, following the revolution that caused a significant shift in power.

This piece of history is retold, yet Shinichi Sakamoto’s artwork imbues it with a surreal, dreamlike quality. His noble figures exude ethereal beauty that mirrors their ornate attire, while the commoners are less radiant. The hazy graveyards and gloomy skies appear as if seen in a trance, much like the characters’ visions of gruesome men, roads strewn with skulls, and petals dancing in the wind. It’s undeniably striking for its eeriness, yet there’s a chilling horror lurking beneath its aesthetic appeal.

9. The Climber

Manifesting The Mental Toll Climbing Alone Takes

Creators: Shinichi Sakamoto, Yoshio Nabeta (vol. 1-2), and Hiroshi Takano (vol. 3-4), based on a novel by Jiro Nitta
17 Volumes, 170 Chapters
Fan Translations only. English volumes are due for release via Viz Media on June 25th, 2025

Images of dismembered bodies on battlefields convey enough harshness without requiring additional exaggeration. However, when a manga aims to delve into the mind of an ardent mountaineer, it must employ creative liberties to depict what motivates someone to conquer some of Earth’s toughest peaks alone.

Prior to creating the manga Innocent, Shinichi Sakamoto teamed up to transform Jiro Nitta’s novel The Climber into a comic. His artistic abilities effectively portray the harshness and brutality of mountain climbing, using perspectives that trigger vertigo and scenes influenced by stress, as well as depicting the joy and relief of a successful summit through expansive, breathtaking vistas. Essentially, his art encapsulates both the highs and lows of mountaineering.

10. Usogui

High Risk In High Detail

Creator: Toshio Sako
49 Volumes, 541 Chapters
Fan Translations only

Several items on this list boast intricate backdrops that frequently highlight the protagonist’s state of mind or depict the vastness of their surroundings. Unlike Usogui, where Baku “The Lie Eater” Madarame gambles against the odds to seize control of an underground gambling syndicate, it doesn’t provide many opportunities for rural escapades, metaphorically speaking.

Rather than simply depicting it, the work vividly portrays Madarame’s high-stakes wagers by using various close-ups and interactions. Nothing is more audacious than Madarame’s hairdo; his tenacity is even more so, as he outwits his opponents. Toshio Sako masterfully captures these moments of bluffing. The atmosphere thickens, punches are thrown, and characters brush with mortality – an intensity that readers can sense solely from Sako’s artistic skills.

2025-05-22 08:41