Influential Shonen Manga Worth Reading Just For Their Importance to the Genre

As a passionate manga enthusiast with roots deeply embedded in Japanese culture, I can confidently say that the influence of these two iconic series, Dragon Ball and Slam Dunk, is nothing short of monumental.

Change occurs gradually over time, but sometimes it may not appear as such. It might be a progressive sequence of adjustments, similar to how rock music became increasingly heavy until it morphed into the fast-paced, extravagant genre of hair metal. However, something new can suddenly emerge and make everything that preceded it seem outdated, much like grunge did to hair metal in the early 90s.

The same is true in manga across its different genres. 1960s Shōnen manga were a completely different beast to the ones fans have today, and their changes came in a mix of gradual shifts and status-shattering explosions each introduced by different strips over the subsequent decades. These are just some of the shōnen manga that made the genre what it is today.

10 Astro Boy

Manga’s First True Hero

Influential Shonen Manga Worth Reading Just For Their Importance to the Genre

Creator: Osamu Tezuka.
Original Run: 1951-1968.
21 Volumes, 85 Chapters.
Available in English via Dark Horse Comics.

The tale of Astro Boy, a robot crafted as a substitute for the deceased son of its creator, embarks on a new journey with Professor Ochanomizu and combats wrongdoers and villains for tranquility, essentially marking the birth of the shōnen genre. In the 1950s, science fiction technology and robots were popular trends; however, Osamu Tezuka designed Astro with a more charming and Disney/Fleischer-inspired appearance to captivate young readers, as opposed to the ominous robots depicted in contemporary films.

The plan turned out splendidly, with people flocking to acquire the comic strip en masse to witness Astro defeating various robots. This triumph prompted Tezuka to transform it into an anime, marking a milestone as the first anime broadcast in the United States. Moreover, its narrative depth transcended mere action, delving into heavier topics such as morality and humanity. These deeper themes served as inspiration for numerous other works, including the Mega Man video games, and Pluto, a reinterpretation of one of Astro Boy‘s storylines by Naoki ‘Monster‘ Urasawa.

9 Speed Racer

A Demon on Wheels, A Success in Print

Influential Shonen Manga Worth Reading Just For Their Importance to the Genre

Creator: Tatsuo Yoshida.
Original Run: 1966-1968.
2 Volumes, 10 Chapters.
Available in English via Digital Manga Publishing.

Astro Boy paved the path for increased exposure of Japanese animation to global viewers, with series like Tetsujin 28 (also known as Gigantor) and 8-Man following suit. Notably, these shows predominantly aired in black and white, reflecting the common practice of television programming at the time. However, this monochrome era was soon to pass. Color was transitioning from being a novelty to an essential element, and shows had to seize the opportunity to showcase it effectively.

In this rendition, let’s introduce Speed Racer, or better known as MachGoGoGo. Despite its notoriety for the colorful anime adaptation and peculiar U.S. localization, the original manga also enjoyed popularity due to its thrilling high-speed racing scenes. It was a massive success for Shōnen Book, an early precursor to Shōnen Jump, which catapulted its creator, Yoshida, into founding Tatsunoko Production and creating iconic anime series such as Gatchaman and Tekkaman.

8 Ashita no Joe

The Birth of Boxing Drama in Manga

Creators: Asao Takamori and Tetsuya Chiba.
Original Run: 1968-1973.
20 Volumes, 171 Chapters.
Available in English via Kodansha USA from December 2024.

In addition to racing, numerous significant sports manga have played a crucial role in shaping the narrative structure of the medium. Manga like “Hajime no Ippo” and “Megalo Box” beautifully portray the emotional intensity that boxing can generate, although they all pay tribute to their forerunner, “Ashita no Joe.” In “Tomorrow’s Joe,” Joe Yabuki’s journey from a juvenile detention center to a professional boxing career is more realistic than “Speed Racer,” as the characters in it experience hardships and even death due to the demanding nature of their sport.

This struck a chord with readers, inspiring anime director Goro Taniguchi and animator Atsushi Wakabayashi to consider the way it used combat for its storytelling during the production of Code Geass and Naruto respectively. It even caught on politically, as Joe’s fight against the rich and corrupt appealed to working class readers, and even communist rebels, as the Japanese Red Army declared “We are Tomorrow’s Joe!” when they took part in the Yodogo Plane Hijacking in 1970.

7 Otoko Ippiki Gaki Daisho

How a Delinquent’s Big Dreams Inspired Future Shōnen Stories

Creator: Hiroshi Motomiya.
Original Run: 1968-1973.
20 Volumes, 152 Chapters.
Fan Translations only.

As a devoted fan, I must say that unlike many other series on this list, “Otoko Ippiki Gaki Daisho” (The Ideal Boy’s Gang Leader) remains relatively unknown outside Japan. This captivating tale follows the journey of Mankichi as he strives to become the ultimate gang leader in Japan. In essence, it sets the stage for other stories about a young protagonist aiming to be the best at their chosen pursuit. Just like Luffy from “One Piece” who dreams of becoming the pirate king, Giorno Giovanna from “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure” who aspires to become a ‘Gang Star’, and Ash Ketchum from “Pokémon” who yearns to be the greatest, Mankichi believes that his destiny is written in the stars.

As a gamer, I’ll put it this way: Mankichi wasn’t just about beating up bad guys. His rebellious storyline resonated with both male and female readers. It wasn’t enough for him to be strong; he needed to win over people to become a leader. This is why he had a solid crew, including his friend-rival Ginji and love interest Tomoko. This unique blend of action, emotion, and character development left an impact on other manga creators like Masami Kurumada, the genius behind “Saint Seiya,” and Yoichi Takahashi, the mastermind behind “Captain Tsubasa.

6 Ring ni Kakero

The Original Textbook For Battle Shōnen

Creator: Masami Kurumada.
Original Run: 1976-1981.
25 Volumes, 122 Chapters.
Fan Translations only.

Regarding Kurumada, while many may recognize his famous work “Saint Seiya” as a cult classic in English-speaking regions and a legendary series in Spanish-speaking ones, what might be less recognized is that his initial boxing manga, titled “Ring ni Kakero“, or ‘Put It All in the Ring’, was Shōnen Jump’s first massive success. This series was so popular in Japan that its sales were sufficient for Shueisha to finance building renovations on their own.

In my gaming world, Ryuji’s relentless pursuit to echo his legendary boxing dad’s steps revolutionized the battle shōnen genre with its captivating pages. His characters, brimming with flair, showcased unique abilities such as ‘Boomerang Telios’ and ‘Galactica Phantom’, rendering older, more grounded series seem antiquated in comparison. If it weren’t for this game-changer, we wouldn’t have witnessed the Bankais in Bleach, the Jutsus in Naruto, or the Kamehamehas in Dragon Ball.

5 Urusei Yatsura

Proved Shōnen Wasn’t Just About Boys

Creator: Rumiko Takahashi.
Original Run: 1978-1987.
34 Volumes, 366 Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media.

While Shōnen manga primarily caters to young male readers, it doesn’t exclude female audiences. Titles like Gaki Daisho and Astro Boy attracted a significant number of female fans as well. However, most Shōen manga during that period were intense, dramatic stories focusing on battles and ambitions, which are typically masculine themes. Yet, there was a need for lighter, more humorous content in the genre too.

The series “Urusei Yatsura” demonstrated that romance and everyday life dramas could appeal to both genders, thanks to its blend of feminine nuances and comical antics which made it highly popular. Its protagonist, Ataru, found himself engaged to Lum, an attractive yet clingy extraterrestrial lady. This manga paved the way for other stories like “Tenchi Muyo”, “Love Hina”, and Takahashi’s own “Ranma ½”, cementing the harem subgenre as a staple in manga culture.

4 Kinnikuman

From Satirizing Superheroes to Promoting the Power of Friendship

Creators: Yudetamago (Yoshinori Nakai and Takashi Shimada).
Original Run: 1979-1987, 2011-Present.
86+ Volumes, 445+ Chapters.
Fan Translations only.

Initially, Kinnikuman started as a humorous comic series, mimicking the style of Ultraman and featuring its protagonist, who was often clumsy, facing various Chojin threats in Japan. However, over time, it evolved into a multiple-time wrestling champion’s journey, regaining his status as the Prince of Planet Kinniku by defeating Kinnikuman Super Phoenix. Drawing inspiration from Ring Ni Kakero, Yudetamago transformed the series into a shonen battle theme, but with an unusual twist: their characters were capable of performing moves that surpassed basic German Suplexes.

The show never abandoned its comedic foundation; Kinnikuman remained foolish despite his growing strength and abilities, paving the way for characters like Goku and Luffy who were dim but had golden hearts. Additionally, it emphasized the power of friendship, showing that even the wickedest villains could be bound by camaraderie. Remarkably, some of these villains transitioned into Kinnikuman’s trusted allies, rescuing him from perilous situations or preventing his annihilation altogether.

3 Fist of the North Star

Offering Ultra Violence And Its Emotional Consequences

Creators: Yoshiyuki ‘Buronson’ Okamura and Tetsuo Hara.
Original Run: 1983-1988.
27 Volumes, 245 Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media.

With the popularity of “Urusei Yatsura” in “Weekly Shōnen Sunday,” “Shonen Jump” contemplated adopting a more feminine approach to rival them. However, Hiroshi Motomiya, creator of “Gaki Daisho,” suggested they should continue with their action-oriented stories to offer a contrast to the growing number of romantic comedies. This strategy was crucial for two of his former assistants, as Buronson and Tetsuo Hara chose this hypermasculine approach for “Fist of the North Star.

The comic blended the flamboyant moves of Kakero, the strong camaraderie of Kinnikuman, the graphic violence of Violence Jack with the compassion for underdogs displayed by Tiger Mask. This strip later gave rise to edgy, bloody stories like M.D Geist. However, its softer aspects made it appealing to both readers and viewers. Ultimately, it paved the way for Kentaro Miura’s creation of Berserk, encouraged Hirohiko Araki to enhance Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and motivated Makoto Yukimura to start making manga with Vinland Saga.

2 Dragon Ball

The Strip That Needs No Introduction

Creator: Akira Toriyama.
Original Run: 1984-1995.
42 Volumes, 520 Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media.

The violent adventures in “Fist of the North Star” sparked additional testosterone-charged tales, such as “Sakigake! Otokojuku”. However, it was arguably more influential on mature comic series (seinen) than those aimed at boys (shonen), as its muscular heroes diminished in popularity after the 1980s. On the other hand, “Dragon Ball” offered more humor and eccentricities than violence, which resulted in numerous subsequent comics adopting its format, including “One Piece”, “Naruto”, “My Hero Academia”, “YuYu Hakusho”, among others.

Toriyama’s iconic comic series didn’t originate the concept of quirky main characters, signature abilities, the strength of camaraderie, or comedic everyday scenes. Instead, it skillfully combined these elements from earlier works to create a captivating tale that resonated with audiences who appreciate action dramas, humorous plots, fantastical realms, and science fiction. Given its wide range of appeal, it’s hardly surprising that it’s often considered the most impactful shōnen manga in its genre.

1 Slam Dunk

The Be-All and End-All of B-Ball

Creator: Takehiko Inoue.
Original Run: 1990-1996.
31 Volumes, 276 Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media.

Apart from “Speed Racer”, many sports mangas on this list feature fights. However, it’s important to note that there are other well-known and impactful sports comics beyond boxing and wrestling. For instance, “Astro Kyudan” and “Touch” are highly recommended for baseball enthusiasts, while “Captain Tsubasa” was a hit among Japanese soccer fans. Nevertheless, none of these compare to “Slam Dunk”, which set the bar for future sports mangas such as “Haikyuu”, “Eyeshield 21”, and “Kuroko’s Basketball”.

The narrative, centered around a troubled individual who develops a passion for basketball, intertwined romantic comedy elements with authentic sports tension. Inoue’s exceptional artwork portrayed basketball techniques as awe-inspiring as any from Dragon Ball. Despite not gaining widespread popularity in the US, Slam Dunk significantly increased interest in basketball across Japan during the 1990s. This surge in enthusiasm led numerous readers to pursue professional basketball careers, including Rui Hachimura of the L.A. Lakers.

2024-10-04 05:05