Thorfinn in the anime, Vinland Saga
Over the past 10 years, the number of anime and manga released has increased exponentially, as both media become more popular each year. New series such as Kagurabachi prove there are still endless possibilities.
However, for every new manga that debuts, there is an equal number of series endings, such as Jujutsu Kaisen. Some of the biggest stories ended within the past decade, which is why this list will rank the ten greatest manga series that concluded in the past 10 years, from 2016 to 2026. Based on writing, story, art, originality, popularity, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these ten manga series were ahead of their time and made a strong impact with their conclusions, ensuring their legacy in the medium. 10 ‘Attack on Titan’ One of the biggest events of the past decade was Attack on Titan’s ending, meaning it is only natural for it to be placed on this list. After the Titans destroy his village, Eren vows revenge, only to get the ability to turn into a Titan himself. With his newfound ability, he leads humanity outside the walls to face their real enemy. Although regarded as one of the best anime series of all time, the manga is much more polarizing, with many fans upset with the now-controversial ending. Still, Attack on Titan is a remarkable series with one of the best stories and most in-depth worldbuilding. The action is riveting, the mystery is thrilling, and there are enough plot twists to keep the audience on their toes. 9 ‘The Fable’ Most of the manga featured on this list are well-known, but The Fable is arguably the least popular, which means more fans need to remember its name. When a hitman is too good at his job, he and his assistant are forced to take time off. However, trouble seems to follow wherever they go, getting involved with yakuza, scam artists, and any other lowlife. The Fable is one of the most unique blends fans will experience, masterfully handling everything from action and drama to suspense and comedy. From silly misunderstandings to an out-of-touch hitman trying to be low-key, the comedy in this manga is constant but severely underrated. However, the tension and dramatic crime thriller elements steal the show. 8 ‘Kaguya-Sama: Love is War’ It isn’t hard to find a good romance manga, but it is rare to read something as distinct as Kaguya-Sama: Love is War. The president and vice president of the student board are obviously in love with each other, but they refuse to be the first one to confess. So naturally, the only other option is psychological warfare, and trying to force the other to confess. There aren’t a lot of manga with as unique a story as Kaguya-Sama, which only made it more difficult to say goodbye. The comedy is top-notch, providing a fun set of battles with wacky outcomes. However, beneath this incredible comedy lies a subtle drama that explores the budding romances of all the characters. In other words, come for the romance shenanigans but stay with the intricate character drama that unfolds. 7 ‘Dungeon Meshi’ 2024 was an excellent year for anime, with the best being Dungeon Meshi. When a party loses a key member to a dragon in the depths of a dungeon, they must travel back to save her with no food, money, resources, or enough party members. However, by cooking and eating the monsters down there, they can kill two birds with one stone. There isn’t a fantasy manga like Dungeon Meshi, which somehow weaves a gourmet sense of culinary creativity with a sprawling adventure and intriguing mystery. The character designs are fabulous, and the party's personalities are diverse and a breath of fresh air, exactly what one wants from a fantasy tale. Dungeon Meshi only gets better the deeper fans explore, promising food, worldbuilding, and monster anatomy. 6 ‘Billy Bat’ Naoki Urasawa is one of the greatest manga authors of all time, with his magnum opus being Monster. However, his most recently concluded manga is just as good. Billy Bat follows an author who realizes he may have unknowingly plagiarized his most iconic character. This revelation prompts him to visit his birth town and investigate the mysterious history of the character. Urasawa is a master of his medium, and Billy Bat is yet another masterpiece and one of the best mysteries fans will ever read. Spanning over multiple time periods, the drama, suspense, and plot have something new in store at every corner. Billy Bat is surprisingly underrated, given that it is by a legendary author, but it is nonetheless a landmark of the last decade for the manga medium. 5 ‘Yona of the Dawn’ After recently announcing a second season after decades of radio silence in the anime department, the manga of Yona of the Dawn ended in 2025. When history becomes legend, a princess must journey to find four legendary warriors who will help her save the kingdom from disaster. Shojo manga deserve more recognition, and Yona of the Dawn is one of the most touching stories, delivering exhilarating action and profound character development. Although far from easy to instantly understand, the story here is worth the effort. There are fascinating political and social dynamics that enhance the overall story while allowing plenty of room for the adventure and romance to stand out. 4 ‘Golden Kamuy’ The historical genre is making a quiet statement, having some of the greatest manga series of recent memory, including Golden Kamuy. A soldier and an Ainu girl team up to find her father's hidden gold. However, the map to it is tattooed on dozens of escaped convicts, and to make matters worse, the army and revolutionists are also searching for it. Manga is known to be weird, but Golden Kamuy is a whole other category of bizarre, and for the better. Its distinct sense of humor is one-of-a-kind, but not lost among the plethora of engaging characters, dramatic action, and stellar plot. Golden Kamuy is a fever dream that fans won’t want to wake up from, but unfortunately, the manga is over, and the final season of its TV adaptation is one of Crunchyroll’s biggest anime this year. 3 ‘Land of the Lustrous’ Second seasons are never a given, but no one can explain why Land of the Lustrous doesn’t have one. However, the absence of an anime follow-up just means fans will have to read the manga. Creatures from the moon hunt humanoid gems for their precious bodies, but one fragile gem makes it her mission to stop them. Subscribe for deeper coverage of manga finales Hungry for deeper takes on manga finales and their legacies? Subscribe to the newsletter for in-depth analysis, curated reading recommendations, and context that connects concluded series to wider anime and manga trends. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Initially a gorgeous and fun series, Land of the Lustrous takes a dark turn that will traumatize viewers, but also provides one of the best examples of character development in manga. The art is stunning, and the story is a dark character study that sees the innocent protagonist turn into a shell of her former self. It's a tough but worthwhile experience, especially for those who like their stories with a little more bite. 2 ‘Dorohedoro’ After half a decade, Dorohedoro is getting a second season, one of the most anticipated anime series of 2026. However, if fans can’t wait, the manga is even better. The Hole is a decrepit place where Wizards test their powers by experimenting on the citizens of this grungy city. Caiman is one such experiment, with the head of a crocodile and no memories, he hunts down Wizards to find who did this to him. Despite being grimy and dark, Dorohedoro has a certain charm that fans can feel through its endearing, compelling characters, each with distinct personalities, motivations, and dynamics. The art style may be messy, but that only adds to the atmosphere, worldbuilding and unique vibe. Dorohedoro is an outstanding mystery with plenty of action, adventure, plot twists, and a twisted sense of humor. 1 ‘Vinland Saga’ Attack on Titan may have been the biggest ending event on this list, but no other series is as critically acclaimed as Vinland Saga. When the Vikings kill Thorfinn’s father, he joins their crew in hopes of taking revenge. However, as years pass, he gets a new outlook on life when his goal is taken from him, leaving him empty and aimless. Vinland Saga is one of the greatest manga series of all time, and it didn’t end without first leaving a lasting legacy. It offers one of the most outstanding examples of character development, taking fans on a journey across the Viking Age through the lens of revenge, grief, forgiveness, redemption, and pacifism. Vinland Saga is a profound masterpiece, giving fans 20 years of greatness before its inevitable but cathartic conclusion in 2025. Cast Yûto Uemura, Mike Haimoto, Shinya Takahashi, Alejandro Saab, Hiroki Gotô, Aleks Le, Kaiji Tang, Michael C. Pizzuto Creator Makoto Yukimura Seasons 2 Powered by Expand Collapse
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