Interest Stacks

All Manga (and novels) that were once in the 10 highest rated

Manga
byratliker63
Aug 31 2023, 4:57 PM | Updated Jun 5, 4:07 PM
Ranked by order of when they first got a spot in the top 10 (or were scored above a 9). Description will have the day they first entered along with the rank they attained and what score, along with the highest rank and score it attained. Note: The highest score isn't necessarily the score it had when it had the peak rank.

Found with the Wayback Machine. MAL didn't always have manga; the earliest crawl on the archive is on July 13, 2007.

Some things worth noting: In the span of 16 years, only four manga have had the #1 spot, with the lion's share of the time holding the title belonging to Berserk. Berserk has been in the top 10 since day one and has not left it once. One Piece and Fullmetal Alchemist have also spent the majority of the time in the top 10, however they were pushed out temporarily a few times.

There used to be rankings for Original English Language (OEL) manga, or western comics mimicking the style of a manga. All OELs were pruned from the database in 2016, likely due to them being difficult to define.

Light novels and non-light novels used to be rolled into one Top Novels section, however they split them up in early 2021.

While the Doujinshi tab has been there since 2008, a few years ago all of the doujins that were parodies of other series were removed, leaving just original hentai and BL works and scant few other entries. RIP to the days of the top doujins tab being half Naruto x Sasuke fanworks.

Of the 47 series on this list, 12 don't have an anime adaptation (though Battle Royale has both a live action and a manga adaptation), 15 have an incomplete one with little hope of receiving a continuation/remake, 9 that are currently being animated (including the Rurouni Kenshin remake), 8 with completed adaptations and the remaining 3 are manga adaptations of anime. I'm counting Jojo Part 7 as not having one since there's been no announcement yet (though it's only inevitable for it to be animated) and Nausicaa and Akira as incomplete despite their respective movies technically reaching the end of the source material due to how much they left out. Also worth noting that Fruits Basket and Fullmetal Alchemist initially had incomplete adaptations that were later remade into complete ones, along with Rurouni Kenshin, whose remake is currently being animated.

Of the 47 titles on this list, 11 are currently unfinished/still in publication. This is including Vagabond, which is officially on hiatus and will likely never receive a proper ending, and not including Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and Rurouni Kenshin, which are still being published through The Jojolands and The Hokkaido Arc, but are still their own separate series.

This list, but for anime: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/35061
Death Note
Manga, 12 vol, 2003 Me:- Author:8
First entered: July 13, 2007 (#1, 8.83)
Highest: #1, 8.89
Creator: Tsugumi Ohba (Story) and Takeshi Obata (Art)
Genre/Demographic: Mystery, Drama, Supernatural, Psychological, Crime, Shounen
One Piece
Manga, ? vol, 1997 Me:- Author:10
First entered: July 13, 2007 (#2, 8.80)
Highest: #2, 9.22
Creator: Eiichiro Oda
Genre/Demographic: Adventure, Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Shounen
Note: The highest rated a shounen manga has been on the database (deservedly so). Also, One Piece and Berserk are the only two series from the original Top 10 to still be currently publishing.
Claymore
Manga, 27 vol, 2001 Me:- Author:5
First entered: July 13, 2007 (#3, 8.79)
Highest: #2, 8.84
Creator: Norihigo Yagi
Genre/Demographic: Dark Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Horror, Shounen
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
Manga, 28 vol, 1994 Me:- Author:8
First entered: July 13, 2007 (#4, 8.71)
Highest: #4, 8.71
Creator: Nobuhiro Watsuki
Genre/Demographic: Action, Samurai, Historical, Romance, Shounen
Fullmetal Alchemist
Manga, 27 vol, 2001 Me:- Author:-
First entered: July 13, 2007 (#5, 8.69)
Highest: #2, 9.14
Creator: Hiromu Arakawa
Genre/Demographic: Drama, Action, Shounen
Fruits Basket
Manga, 23 vol, 1998 Me:- Author:-
First entered: July 13, 2007 (#6, 8.65)
Highest: #6, 8.65
Creator: Natsuki Takaya
Genre/Demographic: Romance, Drama, Supernatural, Shoujo
Berserk
Manga, ? vol, 1989 Me:- Author:8
First entered: July 13, 2007 (#7, 8.61)
Highest: #1, 9.47
Creator: Kentaro Miura and Studio Gaga (Posthumous Art)
Genre/Demographic: Dark Fantasy, Action, Horror, Drama, Psychological, Seinen
Note: First manga to reach a score of 9.00 on February 27, 2008, and has not sunk below that level since. Also the highest rated a seinen manga has been on the database.
Ouran Koukou Host Club
Manga, 18 vol, 2002 Me:- Author:-
First entered: July 13, 2007 (#8, 8.60)
Highest: #6, 8.67
Creator: Bisco Hatori
Genre/Demographic: Romantic Comedy, School, Shoujo
Vampire Knight
Manga, 19 vol, 2004 Me:- Author:-
First entered: July 13, 2007 (#9, 8.56)
Highest: #9, 8.59
Creator: Matsuri Hino
Genre/Demographic: Drama, Mystery, Romance, School, Horror, Shoujo
GTO
Manga, 25 vol, 1996 Me:- Author:9
First entered: July 13, 2007 (#10, 8.53)
Highest: #8, 8.96
Creator: Tooru Fujisawa
Genre/Demographic: Comedy, Drama, School, Shounen
Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä
Manga, 7 vol, 1982 Me:- Author:-
First entered: August 24, 2007 (#4, 8.73)
Highest: #3, 8.99
Creator: Hayao Miyazaki
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Note: The oldest manga to reach the top 10, having started publication on October 9, 1982.
Monster
Manga, 18 vol, 1994 Me:- Author:10
First entered: August 24, 2007 (#7, 8.67)
Highest: #2, 9.16
Creator: Naoki Urasawa
Genre/Demographic: Mystery, Drama, Psychological, Crime, Seinen
Note: Second manga to reach a score of 9.00 on June 13, 2008, and has not sunk below that since. Also the first manga added on the database.
Hajime no Ippo
Manga, ? vol, 1989 Me:- Author:-
First entered: August 24, 2007 (#10, 8.60)
Highest: #5, 8.82
Creator: George Morikawa
Genre/Demographic: Action, Sports, Coming of Age, Shounen
Note: Currently the longest manga on this list, with over 1400 chapters (130+ volumes) and counting. Yes, that's more than One Piece.
Vagabond
Manga, 37 vol, 1998 Me:- Author:6
First entered: August 25, 2007 (#9, 8.61)
Highest: #3, 9.26
Creator: Takehiko Inoue (Main creator) and Eiji Yoshikawa (Original novel writer)
Genre/Demographic: Action, Samurai, Historical, Psychological, Biography, Seinen
Note: The highest a manga based on a novel has been. Despite being so highly regarded today, Vagabond hasn't spent very long in the top 10. It first entered in 2007, but then fell into the top 20-30 for a long time until it solidified itself again in early 2018 and gradually went up from there.
Mushishi
Manga, 10 vol, 1999 Me:- Author:8
First entered: September 1, 2007 (#6, 8.70)
Highest: #4, 8.82
Creator: Yuki Urushibara
Genre/Demographic: Iyashikei, Supernatural, Historical, Seinen
20th Century Boys
Manga, 22 vol, 1999 Me:- Author:10
First entered: September 1, 2007 (#9, 8.64)
Highest: #1, 9.12
Creator: Naoki Urasawa
Genre/Demographic: Mystery, Drama, Adventure, Historical, Seinen
Note: 3rd manga to reach a score of 9.00. Also the first manga to knock Berserk out of the #1 spot.
Yotsuba to!
Manga, ? vol, 2003 Me:- Author:10
First entered: October 5, 2007 (#10, 8.65)
Highest: #6, 8.92
Creator: Kiyohiko Azuma
Genre/Demographic: Iyashikei, Slice of Life, Comedy, Shounen
Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou
Manga, 14 vol, 1994 Me:- Author:-
First entered: February 27, 2008 (#3, 8.88)
Highest: #3, 9.03
Creator: Hitsohi Ashinano
Genre/Demographic: Iyashikei, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life, Seinen
Suzumiya Haruhi Series
Light Novel, ? vol, 2003 Me:- Author:-
First entered: February 27, 2008 (#8, 8.80)
Highest: #8, 8.85
Creator: Nagaru Tanigawa (Story) and Noizi Itou (Artist)
Genre: Mystery, School, Supernatural, Sci-Fi
Note: First novel series to make it to the top 10.
Akira
Manga, 6 vol, 1982 Me:- Author:7
First entered: April 12, 2008 (#10, 8.75)
Highest: #9, 8.78
Creator: Katsuhiro Otomo
Genre/Demographic: Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk, Horror, Action, Seinen
Battle Royale
Novel, 1 vol, 1999 Me:- Author:8
First entered: December 4, 2008 (#9, 8.82)
Highest: #9, 8.83
Creator: Koushun Takami
Genre: Action, Suspense
Note: The first of two non-light novels to enter the top 10.
Kara no Kyoukai: The Garden of Sinners
Light Novel, 2 vol, 1998 Me:- Author:-
First entered: February 10, 2009 (#8, 8.83)
Highest: #8, 8.85
Creator: Kinoko Nasu (Story) and Takashi Takeuchi (Artist)
Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural
Sanctuary
Manga, 12 vol, 1990 Me:- Author:-
First entered: July 7, 2009 (#8, 8.85)
Highest: #8, 8.85
Creator: Buronson (Story) and Ryouichi Ikegami (Artist)
Genre/Demographic: Drama, Mystery, Crime, Seinen
Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan
Manga, 1 vol, 2008 Me:- Author:9
First entered: June 11, 2010 (#4, 9.07)
Highest: #1, 9.15
Creator: Sumomo Yumeka (Main creator) and Gong Ji-Young (Original novel author)
Genre/Demographic: Romance, Drama, Psychological, Crime, Tragedy, Seinen
Note: Second manga to knock Berserk out of the #1 spot. They fought back and forth for it for a few years, but ultimately stabilized back to Berserk. Also the shortest manga on this list, only having 1 volume, and the only manga based on a novel to reach the #1 spot.
Dengeki Daisy
Manga, 16 vol, 2007 Me:- Author:-
First entered: February 6, 2011 (#10, 8.86)
Highest: #4, 9.07
Creator: Kyousuke Motomi
Genre/Demographic: Romantic Comedy, Shoujo
Note: The highest rated a shoujo manga has been on the database
No.6
Novel, 9 vol, 2003 Me:- Author:-
First entered: November 22, 2011 (#8, 8.94)
Highest: #8, 8.94
Creator: Atsuko Asano
Genre: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Fate/Zero
Light Novel, 4 vol, 2006 Me:- Author:-
First entered: April 20, 2012 (#8, 8.97)
Highest: #8, 9.00
Creator: Gen Urobuchi (Story) and Takashi Takeuchi (Artist)
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
Note: Both SAO and Fate/Zero hit a score of 9.00 on July 15, 2012. The Wayback archives aren't as detailed around this time, so as far as we know these two are tied for the first light novels to hit a score of 9.00.
Sword Art Online
Light Novel, ? vol, 2009 Me:- Author:-
First entered: July 15, 2012 (#7, 9.01)
Highest: #7, 9.01
Creator: Reki Kawahara (Story) and BUNBUN (Artist)
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Isekai, Action, Romance
Chikan Otoko
Manga, ? vol, 2004 Me:- Author:8
First entered: January 12, 2013 (#9, 8.94)
Highest: #9, 8.94
Creator: Takuma Yokota
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama, Biography, Slice of Life
Note: The second biographical manga to enter the Top 10, after Vagabond.
Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria
Light Novel, 7 vol, 2009 Me:- Author:-
First entered: September 21, 2013 (#7, 8.96)
Highest: #2, 9.21
Creator: Eiji Mikage (Story) and Tetsuo (Art)
Genre: Action, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, School, Psychological
Note: The highest a light novel has ever been on the database. Also the most popular light novel, being the only one so far to cross 100k members.
Slam Dunk
Manga, 31 vol, 1990 Me:- Author:5
First entered: October 26, 2013 (#10, 8.91)
Highest: #6, 9.09
Creator: Takehiko Inoue
Genre/Demographic: Action, Sports, School, Shounen
Note: Takehiko Inoue, Naoki Urasawa and Takahiro are the only three authors to have more than one series in the top 10; Slam Dunk and Vagabond, Monster and 20th Century Boys, and Yuuki Yuuna is a Hero and Shiratori Utano Is a Hero, respectively.
Oyasumi Punpun
Manga, 13 vol, 2007 Me:- Author:8
First entered: January 22, 2014 (#9, 8.95)
Highest: #3, 9.08
Creator: Inio Asano
Genre/Demographic: Drama, Psychological, Seinen
Kingdom
Manga, ? vol, 2006 Me:- Author:-
First entered: May 6, 2014 (#10, 8.94)
Highest: #8, 9.01
Creator: Yasuhisa Hara
Genre/Demographic: Action, Adventure, Historical, Coming of Age, Seinen
JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 7: Steel Ball Run
Manga, 24 vol, 2004 Me:- Author:10
First entered: February 19, 2015 (#9, 8.95)
Highest: #2, 9.31
Creator: Hirohiko Araki
Genre/Demographic: Action, Adventure, Supernatural, Mystery, Historical, Seinen
Umineko no Naku Koro ni
Light Novel, 8 vol, 2009 Me:- Author:-
First entered: March 31, 2015 (#5, 9.05)
Highest: #5, 9.05
Creator: Ryukishi07 (Story) and Tomohi (Art)
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural
Note: The highest score a series based on a visual novel has scored on the database (on the manga side at least).
Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu
Light Novel, 26 vol, 2014 Me:- Author:-
First entered: June 23, 2015 (#9, 8.96)
Highest: #9, 8.96
Creator: Rifujin na Magonote (Story) and Sirotaka (Art)
Genre: High Fantasy, Adventure, Isekai, Coming of Age, Ecchi
Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru.
Light Novel, 18 vol, 2011 Me:- Author:-
First entered: June 29, 2015 (#9, 8.97)
Highest: #9, 8.97
Creator: Wataru Watari (Story) and Ponkan⑧ (Art)
Genre: School, Romance, Drama, Comedy, Psychological
Grand Blue
Manga, ? vol, 2014 Me:- Author:-
First entered: May 20, 2017 (#10, 8.99)
Highest: #7, 9.06
Creator: Kenji Inoue (Story) and Kimitake Yoshioka (Art)
Genre/Demographic: Comedy, Seinen
Made in Abyss
Manga, ? vol, 2012 Me:- Author:-
First entered: October 3, 2017 (#9, 9.01)
Highest: #4, 9.09
Creator: Akihito Tsukushi
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror, Drama
Note: The highest score a webcomic has had on the database.
Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru
Manga, 5 vol, 2014 Me:- Author:-
First entered: August 26, 2019 (#3, 9.16)
Highest: #3, 9.16
Creator: Takahiro (Story) and Touko Kanno (Art)
Genre: Magical Girl, Drama
Note: I genuinely have no idea why trolls selected these four series (Yuuki Yuuna is a Hero, Nogi Wakaba is a Hero, Sakura Quest, and A Place Further From the Universe) to score-inflate to the top 10. At least with something like Interspecies Reviewers or Pingu, it's obvious why trolls latched on to it, but I'm at a loss on the manga side here. If anyone knows, please send me a message, I'm very curious.
Sakura Quest
Manga, 5 vol, 2017 Me:- Author:-
First entered: August 26, 2019 (#4, 9.14)
Highest: #4, 9.40
Creator: Iroha Kohinata
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Note: On August 17, 2019, Sakura Quest had a score of 9.40 despite only being in 26th place. This score should've put it in the #1 spot, so I don't know if this is a bug in the Wayback Machine or if MAL's algorithm just didn't know how to process such a drastic score increase in a short amount of time. So for now, I'll keep the 9.40 listed as its highest score.
Nogi Wakaba wa Yuusha de Aru
Light Novel, 2 vol, 2015 Me:- Author:-
First entered: August 26, 2019 (#7, 9.07)
Highest: #7, 9.07
Creator: Takahiro (Story), Aoi Akashiro (Story) and BUNBUN (Art)
Genre: Fantasy, Magical Girl
Note: I noted on the Slam Dunk entry the three writers that have had multiple entries on this list, but in addition BUNBUN has contributed art to the light novel series for both Sword Art Online and Nogi Wakaba Is a Hero, and did the original character designs for Yuuki Yuuna is a Hero and Sakura Quest. Maybe he's the connective tissue here?
Sora yori mo Tooi Basho
Manga, 3 vol, 2017 Me:- Author:-
First entered: August 26, 2019 (#9, 9.06)
Highest: #9, 9.06
Creator: Meme Yoimachi
Genre/Demographic: Adventure, Drama, Cute Girls Doing Cute Things (CGDCT), Seinen
Note: Yuuki Yuuna is a Hero, Sakura Quest and A Place Further Than the Universe are the only three manga adaptation of anime to reach the top 10.
Solo Leveling
Manhwa, ? vol, 2018 Me:- Author:-
First entered: September 30, 2019 (#4, 9.09)
Highest: #4, 9.09
Creator: Chugong (Story), Sung-rak Jang (Artist) and Disciples (Posthumous Art)
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Note: The first (and so far only) manhwa to enter the top 10.
Vinland Saga
Manga, ? vol, 2005 Me:- Author:9
First entered: February 8, 2022 (#10, 8.99)
Highest: #7, 9.07
Creator: Makoto Yukimura
Genre/Demographic: Action, Historical, Psychological, Drama, Coming of Age, Seinen
Tian Guan Cifu
Novel, 6 vol, 2021 Me:- Author:-
First entered: May 25, 2024 (#6, 9.16)
Highest: #6, 9.16
Creator: Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
Genre: Action, Adventure, Boys Love, Wuxia, Historical
Note: The first (and so far only) Chinese series to make it to the top 10.
Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint
Novel, 20 vol, 2022 Me:- Author:-
First entered: May 25, 2024 (#10, 9.04)
Highest: #10, 9.04
Creator: sing N song
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

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