Popular Shonen Manga Series That Drastically Changed Art Styles

A shonen manga series should always boast an engaging plot, memorable characters, and pulse-pounding battle sequences to capture readers’ attention amidst fierce competition. However, what often catches fans’ eyes first is the artwork. While some manga creators maintain a consistent style throughout their series, others undergo significant changes in their artistic approach over the course of the story. Here are a few potential reasons for such transformations.

In one aspect, switching up the artistic style can effectively mirror the evolving tone of a shonen series, as these stories tend to grow darker and more mature over time. The artwork can serve as an expressive tool, highlighting the increasing gravity of the situation. However, it’s important to acknowledge that manga authors frequently face tight deadlines for their weekly work, which may impact character and environment designs. Let’s delve into some well-known shonen manga series that have experienced significant transformations in their art styles since their debut.

Bleach

From Cartoony Visuals To Sleek, Stylish And Moody Designs

Manga Artist: Tite Kubo

Tite Kubo, the creator behind the widely admired and impactful manga “Bleach,” consistently demonstrates an exceptional talent for crafting characters that exhibit a level of maturity and realism beyond what’s typical in many shonen manga. Despite this, during the initial arcs of “Bleach,” including up to the Hueco Mundo arc, there was a noticeable cartoonish visual style present, as evidenced by Ichigo and his friends. Kubo often incorporated humorous and whimsical facial expressions and poses into the series to add a touch of humor before it delved too deeply into darker themes.

As the pressure mounted, Kubo’s artistic approach evolved significantly. Upon closer inspection, it became apparent that he was aiming for a more detailed and sophisticated style reminiscent of the somber and stoic tone associated with mid-to-late Bleach. This shift is most noticeable during the Fullbring arc, which takes on a more mature, seinen manga feel due to the hyper-realistic portrayal of many characters. Kubo maintained this style consistently until the conclusion of the Thousand Year Blood War.

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

Araki Toned Down The Muscles To Lean Into His Own Unique Aesthetic

Manga Artist: Hirohiko Araki

Reflecting on the fact that JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has been airing for less than a decade, it might be surprising to know that creator Araki had already been working on the series for over 30 years by then, with no signs of slowing down. Given that JoJo’s debuted in the late ’80s, when Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) was at its peak and heavily influencing Japanese pop culture, it’s understandable why Araki’s characters often appeared as muscular, bulky individuals much larger than typical humans.

From Part 4 onwards, Araki shifted his artistic style, resulting in characters becoming leaner and more stylish compared to earlier protagonists such as Jonathan, Joseph, and Jotaro. A clear demonstration of this change can be seen in Giorno from Part 5 and the rest of Team Bucciarati, who have a more lifelike appearance due to Araki’s meticulous attention to body proportions. It’s worth noting that Araki’s artwork has significantly improved over time, making each chapter in Steelball Run feel like glimpses into a Renaissance artist’s sketchbook, while earlier chapters in Phantom Blood might appear somewhat rough due to their initial style.

Slam Dunk

Takehiko Inoue Became A Master At Portraying Fast And Fluid Movements With His Artwork

Manga Artist: Takehiko Inoue

The “Slam Dunk” series, celebrated for its endearing characters and motivational themes, has garnered acclaim not only for its storyline but also for its artwork. However, it’s worth noting that it took author Takehiko Inoue some time to refine his art style to reach the level of admiration it currently enjoys. This does not imply that the artwork in “Slam Dunk” was subpar initially; rather, like many manga artists, Inoue started with a simpler style that made certain characters appear more caricatured in their movements and court actions.

As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Inoue was putting a great deal of emphasis on making his characters appear realistic. This dedication led to stunning illustrations that were so detailed they seemed like real photographs, given the meticulous attention to the characters’ musculature and body proportions, aiming to portray them as authentic athletes. Today, Slam Dunk stands out as a series that improved over time, particularly in terms of its art style.

Attack On Titan

Isayama Really Stepped Up His Artwork When AOT Started Taking Off

Manga Artist: Hajime Isayama

Despite ongoing discussions about whether Attack on Titan fits the shonen genre due to its violent and dark nature, it initially appeared in a shonen magazine, making it technically eligible. The popular anime adaptation of Attack on Titan started strongly, but the manga’s artwork was hindering its widespread appeal. Even the creator, Isayama, admitted that his artwork, aside from the impressive two-page spreads, was relatively unpolished for a series with such grand aspirations.

As Attack on Titan gained momentum, Isayama’s artwork significantly evolved, especially noticeable in his characters that became more intricate and polished, and in his environments as well. For instance, the depiction of Marley later in the story was a testament to this improvement, transforming from mere rough buildings and trees into a believable, lived-in setting due to the meticulous attention to detail Isayama paid even to the smallest elements. Towards the conclusion of the series, Isayama’s work was filled with panels that were incredibly detailed yet horrifyingly accurate, effectively communicating the escalating gravity of the situation.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Some Theorize JJK’s Sudden Change In Art Reflects The Character’s Own Views On The World

Manga Artist: Gege Akutami

In the “Jujutsu Kaisen” comic series, one noticeable change in art style within shonen genre is quite striking, sparking numerous discussions about whether this evolution was for the better or worse. However, it’s undeniable that the artwork has significantly transformed over time. Initially, the comic featured a raw yet captivating visual appeal that made each Sorcerer and Curse distinct. Yet, there was a certain rigidity in some action sequences that occasionally gave them a sluggish or confused appearance.

Following the Shibuya Incident arc, there was a significant shift in the characters’ appearances, with Itadori becoming broader and appearing older than before. Although the static images of characters might not have been as captivating, the simpler art style enhanced the action sequences by making movements seem more fluid and natural. This transformation in artistic style could be attributed to Gege’s efforts to meet tight deadlines, or it could symbolize Itadori’s evolving perspective on the world, particularly his view of it becoming darker after the Shibuya Incident, as some fans have suggested.

My Hero Academia

By The End Of MHA’s Run, Horikoshi Had Become One The Best Artists In Shonen

Manga Artist: Kohei Horikoshi

In a unique twist for shonen series, My Hero Academia boasts exceptional artistry from the get-go, yet continues to surpass itself as it progresses. Initially, Horikoshi’s characters were marked by their large, wide-eyed and youthful appearance, lending the story a more playful, childlike feel compared to other shows of its time. However, this style evolved over time, as Deku and Class 1A moved beyond exams and confronted real-world villains; the artwork grew progressively darker and more intricate, particularly with respect to Deku’s character design.

Initially timid and inexperienced, Deku transformed dramatically over hundreds of chapters, sporting a more somber expression and a tougher outfit that mirrored his inner growth. Horikoshi also elevated his use of double-page spreads, particularly for the villains whose designs underwent substantial enhancements, most notably after the Overhaul arc – a period when the art style noticeably evolved.

2025-08-09 16:36