Great Series Written By A Female Mangaka

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As a seasoned manga enthusiast who has traversed countless worlds and realms within the pages of these captivating narratives, I must say that the list presented here is a veritable treasure trove for any fan of this genre. Each title offers a unique blend of action, adventure, and intrigue that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

In the world of manga creation, women have consistently played significant roles, accounting for over 70% of all mangakas. However, this industry unfortunately harbors a substantial amount of sex-based discrimination. Many female authors, particularly those specializing in shonen and seinen genres, choose to hide their gender by adopting male or gender-neutral pen names to avoid such prejudice.

It’s worth noting that many popular and classic series adored by all are penned by women. Although the majority of female manga creators work on Shoujo or Josei genres, there is a significant number who have made their mark in the male-dominated Shounen and Seinen categories too.

23 Black Butler

Mangaka: Yana Toboso

Contrary to popular belief, Black Butler is not categorized as a Shoujo manga; instead, it falls under the Shonen genre. Since its debut in 2006 in Monthly GFantasy magazine, this series has gained significant popularity. The story created by Yana Toboso remains unfinished, with volume 33 being the latest release. Not only does Black Butler have multiple anime seasons and movies, but it has also garnered a massive following, boasting over 34 million copies in circulation as of 2023.

In Black Butler, we follow the tale of Ciel Phantomhive, our protagonist, who shares his life with a demon masquerading as butler, Sebastian Michaelis. After suffering the loss of his parents, Ciel has struck a deal with the devil, promising to serve as payment for vengeance. In return, Sebastian is granted the freedom to consume Ciel’s soul upon its expiration.

22 The Rose of Versailles

Mangaka: Riyoko Ikeda

Titled either “The Rose of Versailles” or “La Rose de Versailles,” this classic Shoujo manga dates back to 1972, where it was initially serialized for a year until 1973 in the Margaret magazine. The creative mind behind this captivating work is Riyoko Ikeda, who was part of the Year 24 Group – a pioneering collective of female mangakas that significantly influenced and elevated the Shoujo genre during the 1970s, ushering in its Golden Age. Although newer generations of manga enthusiasts might not be familiar with her tale, it held immense significance during its era and continued to do so for many years afterward. A reboot of this series commenced in 2013 and concluded in 2018 within the same magazine.

The narrative of “The Rose of Versailles” primarily revolves around two key characters: the French Queen Marie Antoinette and Oscar François de Jarjayes. This tale unfolds in the time leading up to and during the French Revolution, offering a unique perspective on the actual historical happenings.

21 Revolutionary Girl Utena

Mangaka: Chiho Saito

Revolutionary Girl Utena, or Shojo Kakumei Utena, is a manga that was developed simultaneously with its anime version. Penned by Chiho Saito, this captivating tale appeals to both Shoujo and Josei audiences. The manga was published by Shogakukan, with its initial release spanning from 1996 to 1998. Since then, it has seen follow-ups, including Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena in 1999, and the most recent addition, Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution, which was published in 2018.

In this manga, the narrative unfolds across seven books, centering around the protagonist Utena Tenjou, who is on a mission to safeguard Anthy Himemiya, a character with immense power. This power, unique to her, has the potential to drastically alter the world.

20 Noragami

Mangaka: Adachitoka

Noragami: Wandering Deity is a Shounen manga that has been published in Monthly Shonen Magazine since its debut in 2010. Created by the duo of Adachi and Tokashiki, known collectively as Adachitoka, this ongoing series now spans 26 volumes. The anime adaptation based on the manga was also highly successful, contributing to its popularity. However, due to health issues faced by the authors, the manga has experienced numerous breaks in publication, which significantly slowed down its release and affected its overall popularity. Despite these setbacks, it has still sold over 6.3 million copies as of 2018 statistics.

This comic narrative revolves around Hiyori Iki, a young high school attendee, encountering Yato, an aimless deity wandering alone, who’s eager to establish a reputation among his fellow divine beings.

19 NANA

Mangaka: Ai Yazawa

As a devoted fan, I eagerly await the return of the captivating manga titled “NANA.” Although it’s been on hiatus since 2009, its dedicated fans remain hopeful that creator Ai Yazawa will complete her masterpiece someday. This compelling story initially graced the pages of Cookie, a monthly shojo manga magazine by Shueisha, back in May 2000. Currently, the manga consists of 21 volumes and has also been brought to life through an anime adaptation that aired in 2006, spanning 47 episodes. The manga has garnered numerous accolades, such as winning the 48th Shogakukan Manga Award, and it undeniably ranks among the most beloved Shoujo mangas of all time.

The tale of “NANA” centers on two individuals named Nana – Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu. Despite having the same moniker, these characters exhibit distinct personalities, yet they remain friends regardless. However, their bond is strained in various ways as the narrative unfolds.

18 Mushishi

Mangaka: Yuki Urushibara

Mushishi is a renowned manga series penned by author Yuki Urushibara, also known as Soyogo Shima. This captivating work made its debut in 1999, spanning across 10 volumes published successively in Kodansha’s Afternoon Season Zōkan and later Monthly Afternoon magazines until 2008. The talented mangaka has garnered numerous accolades for her exceptional storytelling, including the Excellence Prize at the 7th Japan Media Art Festival and the Kodansha Manga Award in 2006. Her work ranks highly on Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs list of best manga, holding a prestigious 6th place position.

In the tale of Mushishi, we follow the protagonist Ginko, a resident of a world teeming with mysterious beings known as Mushi, which are typically invisible to humans. As a skilled Mushi Scholar, Ginko lends aid to those in his vicinity who are affected by these supernatural creatures, offering them relief and understanding.

Author Yuki Urushibara
Year of Release 1999

17 Fruits Basket

Mangaka: Natsuki Takaya

Fruits Basket, penned and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya, is a captivating tale that appeared in the Shoujo magazine Hana to Yume, published by Hakusensha from 1998 to 2006. This manga spanned an impressive 23 volumes during its run. Notably, it has achieved immense popularity not just in Japan but globally as well. For instance, its 15th volume ranked at the 15th position on USA Today’s Top 150 Bestselling Books list when released in English – a remarkable feat for any manga volume. Furthermore, the final volume also graced the New York Times best seller list.

The story follows Toharu as she goes from living in a tent after her mother’s death, to living with Yuki Sohma, her classmate. She discovers that the Sohma family is possessed by the spirits of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals.

16 Blue Exorcist

Mangaka: Kazue Kato

Blue Exorcist, originally titled Ao no Ekusoshisuto in Japanese, is a creation by Kazue Kato. This captivating manga was initially published in Jump Square magazine back in 2009 and continues to be serialized today. To date, the narrative has spanned across 29 volumes and continues growing. It’s noteworthy that with its 7th volume, the manga achieved an initial print run of a million copies, largely due to its anime adaptation.

In this captivating dark fantasy journey, we follow the protagonist Rin Okumara as he embarks on an adventure. Born to a human woman and Satan himself, he enrolls in the True Cross Academy with the goal of vanquishing his own father. Over time, he transforms into an exorcist, developing a unique skill – the ability to ignite into fiery blue flames.

15 Cardcaptor Sakura

Mangaka: Clamp Group

In “Cardcaptor Sakura” and other works from Clamp, you’ll find that they aren’t crafted by a solitary female mangaka but rather a collaborative team of four: Nanase Ohkawa, who serves as the leader, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi. This manga ran from 1996 to 2000 in Nakayoshi magazine, spanning 12 volumes. During its publication, it was among the top 5 best-sellers and garnered numerous accolades, including the Seiun Award for Best Manga in 2001.

In this comic tale, Sakura Kinomoto’s journey centers on her mission, accompanied by Cerberus or Kero, to gather the Clow Cards which she inadvertently released. She must triumph over each card using her magical abilities and eventually lock them away once more.

14 A Silent Voice

Mangaka: Yoshitoki Oima

As a passionate gamer, I’ve had the privilege of diving into the captivating world of “A Silent Voice,” also recognized as “Koe no Katachi” in its native Japanese. This masterpiece was penned by the incredibly gifted mangaka, Yoshitoki Ōima, who not only wrote but beautifully illustrated it. Initially published as a one-shot in Kodansha, it later graced the pages of Weekly Shonen Magazine weekly for about a year from 2013 to 2014. However, what truly skyrocketed its fame was the launch of the movie adaptation in 2016, sharing the same name, which garnered massive success and even clinched the title of Best Animation of the Year at the Japan Movie Critics Awards.

This manga narrates the tale of Shoya Ishida, once a school tormentor, who targeted a deaf girl named Shoko Nishimiya. However, as time passes, he develops feelings for her and strives to come to terms with his past.

13 Kimi ni Todoke

Mangaka: Karuho Shiina

Hey there! I’ve been deeply engrossed in “From Me to You,” a heartwarming Shojo manga penned by the talented Karuho Shiina. It’s her most renowned work, having captured countless readers since its debut. This masterpiece even clinched the Best Shojo Manga award at the 32nd Annual Kodansha Manga Awards! Not only that, but it’s been transformed into a complete anime series with two seasons, a movie adaptation, and even a TV series. Karuho Shiina has crafted numerous standalone stories throughout her career, but “From Me to You” is her magnum opus, spanning an impressive 30 volumes from start to finish. There’s also a spin-off titled “From Me to You: Soulmate,” which aims to bring closure to the tales of both “From Me to You” and “Crazy For You,” another lengthy series she penned.

The narrative focuses on Sawako Kuronuma, a girl often misjudged due to her unlucky looks, and Shota Kazehaya, her popular classmate who eventually becomes her long-distance lover. As they navigate their relationship, they encounter various friends and foes in the process. While the romance between Sawako and Shota is significant within the storyline, it’s her authentic interactions with other characters and relatability that make Sawako a captivating character, inspiring readers to cheer for her success.

12 Ouran High School Host Club

Mangaka: Bisco Hatori

The Manga “Ouran High School Host Club” is the masterpiece of renowned female mangaka Bisco Hatori. It was first published in September 2002 and concluded in November 2010 in the prestigious Shojo manga magazine, Lala. This series has had a significant impact on its genre and serves as an excellent example of humorous parody. As of 2011, over 10 million copies have been sold. The story has been adapted into various forms including an anime, a serialized audio drama, a visual novel, a live-action TV series, a film, and even a stage musical.

The anime “Ouran High School Host Club” centers around Haruhi Fujioka, a fresh female student at a school where she unintentionally becomes part of an all-male host club. To blend in, she assumes a male persona while participating in the club’s activities alongside its other members. The narrative primarily focuses on Haruhi and the other host club members as they navigate their shared escapades.

11 Violet Evergarden

Mangaka: Kana Akatsuki

Initially penned by Kana Akatsuki as a light novel, “Violet Evergarden” clinched the Grand Prize in the Novel Category at the 5th Kyoto Animation Awards. As a result, it made its debut as a manga in 2015 and quickly drew appreciation and accolades. Finally, in 2018, the eagerly anticipated anime adaptation with 13 episodes was released, receiving widespread acclaim.

The tale revolves around Violet Evergarden, our protagonist, as she embarks on a journey post-war, seeking meaning in life so she can comprehend the last words of her deceased guardian.

10 Beastars

Mangaka: Paru Itagaki

Beastars is a popular Shonen manga that ran from 2016 to 2020 in Weekly Shonen Champion, published by Akita Shoten. The creator of this series, Paru Itagaki, is the daughter of well-known manga artist Keisuke Itagaki. She received numerous awards for her work, including the Manga Taisho in 2018 and Japan Media Festival awards, among others.

In addition, the anime adaptation of “Beastars” has spanned over three seasons. This captivating tale unfolds within a contemporary setting populated by anthropomorphic creatures, where the populace is segregated into carnivores and herbivores.

9 Witch Hat Atelier

Mangaka: Kamome Shirahama

Witch Hat Atelier, penned and illustrated by Kamome Shirahama, is an ongoing series in the Seinen genre. Originally published in 2016, it has garnered 10 volumes to date from Kodansha. Although no anime version exists as of now, there’s an upcoming adaptation. The manga won a Harvey Award in 2020. This captivating story revolves around Coco, who dreams of becoming a witch despite the fact that only those with magical abilities can do so in her world.

Author Kamome Shirahama
Year of Release 2016

8 Inuyasha

Mangaka: Rumiko Takahashi

Inuyasha, penned by the immensely skilled Rumiko Takahashi, is a timeless Shonen manga that was published in Shogakukan’s Shonen Manga Magazine from 1996 to 2008. With over 50 million copies sold globally, this captivating series has made an indelible mark on the world of manga.

This show chronicles a journey through time from contemporary Japan to the Sengoku era, centering around a teenage girl named Kagome Higurashi, who encounters Inuyasha, a being part-demon dog and part-human.

7 Ranma 1/2

Mangaka: Rumiko Takahashi

Rumiko Takahashi is the creative force behind and illustrator of the captivating tale of “Ranma 1/2,” a classic manga initially published in 1987. This manga continued its run for 38 volumes in Weekly Shonen Sunday until 1996. Additionally, she penned “Inuyasha” and is recognized as one of the most prominent mangaka, earning the Medal with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese Government in recognition of her significant contributions to the arts.

1/2 Ranma is just one of the numerous well-known mangas she’s created, and in this particular series, we follow Ranma Saotome, a young man who accidentally fell into a cursed spring where a girl had previously drowned. As a result, he can now transform into a female form when near cold water and revert to his male self with hot water contact.

6 Demon Slayer

Mangaka: Koyoharu Gotouge

Demon Slayer, undeniably, ranks among the top Shonen series currently. The author and artist behind this work, Koyoharu Gotouge, is widely speculated to be female, after maintaining anonymity about their gender for years. From 2016 to 2020, it was published weekly in Shonen Jump, and its popularity skyrocketed so much that it became the highest-grossing franchise in 2020, contributing significantly to Japan’s tourism as well.

This manga chronicles the journey of Tanjiro Kamado, who is determined to become a “Demon Slayer” following the tragic killing of his family by demons. His objective is to transform his sister back into a human, as she was turned into a Demon during the same attack.

5 Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Mangaka: Shinobu Ohtaka

The Magi series is a popular manga created and illustrated by author Shinobu Ohtaka. It was originally published in Shogakukan’s Shonen Manga Magazine from 2009 to 2017. To date, the franchise has seen two main anime seasons, along with one season dedicated to a spin-off manga.

The tale of the Magi begins with Alibaba and Aladdin, two individuals who set out on a quest to seize a colossal tower that emerged from the earth more than a decade ago, promising both riches and dominance.

Author Shinobu Ohtaka
Year of Release 2009

4 D.Gray Man

Mangaka: Katsura Hoshino

D.Gray Man is a continuous shonen manga that has been published across several magazines from 2014 up to the present day. The creator and artist behind this series is Katsura Hoshino, who infuses his work with a darker tone compared to many other shonen titles.

The narrative centers around Allen Walker, in a 19th-century-style universe, where a band of exorcists called the Black Order battle against the Millennium Earl, using a unique element referred to as Innocence.

Author Katsura Hoshino
Year of Release May 31, 2004

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2024-11-03 23:18