[Top 20] Best Fighting Mangas of All Time
By Chris Park
With combat-oriented mangas, the fight scenes are usually the make-or-break point for whether or not readers continue to follow the story. Whether it is a heroic standoff to defend the world against impending doom or villains tearing apart at each other for their own selfish desires, there are many amazing fights depicted in these various mangas. Here are the 20 best fighting mangas of all time, ranked!
20. Aiki
By: Isutoshi
Named after the Japanese martial arts principle, Aiki tells the story of Joukyuu Kunitoshi and his comedic martial arts adventures as the strongest known fighter. Even after his joints are dislocated and relocated to limit his power, Aiki continues to clear the floor in fights as he faces off against various foes and enemies, while training a group of women to fight against a larger evil.
19. My Hero Academia
By: Kōhei Horikoshi
In a world where some people are born with unnatural powers called quirks, My Hero Academia tells the story of Izuku Midoriya, a quirkless boy who inherits the power of the almighty All Might. As he attends an academy of students just like him, a dark organization of people who use their quirks for malicious reasons is on the rise. Filled with action-packed fighting scenes, the heroes of MHA must fight in order to save the world against evil.
18. One Punch Man
By: Yusuke Murata
In a world where powerful humans and monsters live amongst each other, but not always in harmony, trouble is inevitable. Luckily, there is a bald man named Saitama, who is able to defeat almost every single enemy with one swift punch, hence earning him the name One Punch Man. This manga follows his journey as he interacts with other people and monsters, along with amazingly drawn fights that definitely immerse the reader right into the story.
17. Black Clover
By: Yūki Tabata
In a world where magic is second nature to many and used every day, it comes as quite a shock when a boy named Asta claims he will become the next Wizard King, despite not possessing any magic himself. Black Clover tells the story of Asta and his brother Yuno, as they make their names known from a small village in the boonies to the magic capital itself.
16. The Breaker
Written by: Jeon Geuk-jin
Illustrated by: Park Jin-hwan
The Breaker is a Korean manwha series detailing the adventures of high school student Shiwoon Yi. Becoming a disciple of Chunwoo Han, a member of a secret martial arts society called the Murim, Shiwoon learns to fight as a ruthless group suddenly emerges and begins to terrorize the city while tearing the martial arts alliance apart. In an attempt to exact revenge for tarnishing his teacher’s name, Shiwoon promises to destroy the group known as SUC.
15. Riki-Oh
By: Masahiko Takajo and Tetsuya Saruwatari
In a post-apocalyptic future where warfare and global warming have left Japan in a state of heavy crime, a boy with inhuman strength named Saiga Riki-Oh is placed in prison after exacting revenge on a yakuza member. Following his action-filled adventure, Riki-Oh tells the story of Saiga as he goes around to search for his brother and avenge the death of his mother.
14. Shamo
Written by: Izo Hashimoto
Illustrated by: Akio Tanaka
What happens when a person does whatever it takes to grow stronger, but for the completely wrong reasons? Ryo Narushima is a martial artist responsible for the murder of his two parents. Committing crimes and going down a dark path, Ryo throws away his chances at redemption to become a Byronic hero. For those who enjoy a darker storyline with gruesome fights, Shamo is a manga that perfectly fits the criteria.
13. Veritas
Written by: Yoon Joon-shik
Illustrated by: Kim Dong-hoon
After being saved by a remarkably strong man called the Lightning Tiger, middle schooler Gangryong Ma becomes his disciple to learn the Enlightenment of Thunder and Lightning. This manwha tells the story of Gangryong as he must uncover mysteries about a mysterious group who claim his master has died, as well as being the sole practitioner of the Enlightenment of Thunder and Lightning.
12. The God of High School
By: Yongje Park
The God of High School is a manwha that tells the story of Mori Jin, who takes place in a national level competition in order to become a representative for the World Tournament. With different realms of existence and supernatural elements, the fights in this manwha are next level as it follows Mori Jin’s journey to assemble a team while uncovering the real reason this competition was started.
11. Code: Breaker
By: Akimine Kamijyo
Martial artist Sakura Sakurakōji and supernatural assassin Rei Ōgami form an unlikely alliance after Sakura witnesses Rei burning people alive, only for him to transfer into her class the next day. Revealing himself as the sixth Code: Breaker, a string of assassins working for the government, Sakura’s world is turned upside down as she is introduced to this secret organization working underneath the government.
10. Beelzebub
By: Ryuhei Tamura
Oga Tatsumi is the strongest juvenile delinquent who attends Ishiyama high, full of students just like him. After finding a baby named Furuichi Takayuki, the two form a friendship and live their daily lives together both at home and the delinquent-filled school. With action-packed scenes and well-placed comedic breaks, Beelzebub is definitely a manga worth reading.
9. Cowboy Bebop
By: Kadokawa Shoten
In chase of a large cash reward, Spike Spiegel and his crew of bounty hunters land on Mars in search of an ex-military officer turned biological terrorist. With an amazing and unique story, Cowboy Bebop is not only a classic for many manga readers and anime watchers, but for those who enjoy fight scenes in mangas as well.
8. Hunter x Hunter
By: Yoshihiro Togashi
Gon Freecss grows up his entire life believing that his parents were dead. Learning that his father was still alive and a well-established hunter, Gon goes to take the Hunter examination in order to become a hunter like his father. Meeting many different people along the way such as a family of assassins to a deadly transmuter, Gon embarks on an epic adventure with many amazing fights to accompany the story.
7. Full Metal Alchemist
By: Hiromu Arakawa
In a fictional world where alchemy is the most practiced science, two brothers must embark on a journey in search of an item called the philosopher’s stone. This is a result of a failed alchemy experiment to bring their mother back to life, resulting in them losing their own bodies. With supernatural and alchemic abilities, the fights in this manga definitely do not disappoint.
6. Attack on Titan
By: Hajime Isayama
In an alternate world where humanity lives inside walled cities to protect themselves from large beings called titans, they must fight against them in order for their continued survival. This story follows Eren Yeager as he discovers a much deeper world proving there was just more than the large flesh-eating monsters.
5. Ubel Blatt
By: Etorouji Shiono
A young prodigal swordsman named Ascheriit is granted the title of Blade Master. Following his adventures, as he goes around to fight various powerful enemies, Ascheriit goes on a quest for vengeance against his comrades who betrayed him and were falsely praised by the people of the kingdom.
4. One Piece
By: Eiichiro Oda
Monkey D. Luffy is a young man who starts a pirate organization in hopes of eventually becoming the king of pirates. The manga depicts his adventures as he goes against other pirates, bounty hunters, and criminal organizations in order to achieve his goal. Being the longest-running manga to date, One Piece is definitely one of the best fighting mangas for manga readers to enjoy.
3. Dragon Ball
By: Akira Toriyama
Goku is a member of an alien race called the Saiyans, who wounds up on Earth after his home planet is destroyed. As he grows older, he awakens to new powers while facing various enemies and gaining unlikely allies. With enemies powerful enough to potentially end entire universes, the stakes are high and the fights are unforgettable as Goku and his allies must protect their friends and allies.
2. Naruto
By: Masashi Kishimoto
Following Naruto Uzumaki and his adventures to become the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Naruto tells an amazing story about growth, change, and redemption. With many unique fighting styles used by these ninjas, there is never a dull moment or battle scene in Naruto’s manga.
1. Jujutsu Kaisen
By: Gege Akutami
Jujutsu Kaisen tells the story of high school student Yuji Itadori and his experience in the world of curses and sorcerers, which he is brought into after becoming the host for high-grade curse Ryomen Sukuna. With many unique characters and powers set in modern-day Japan, this manga series will most definitely deliver many fight scenes that are worth the read.
