Best known for the 108-chapter epic that was Fullmetal Alchemist, Hiromu Arakawa has enjoyed a fruitful, eclectic career in manga. Primarily focused on the shonen genre, Arakawa’s style frequently alters to suit the storytelling goal at hand. While her penchant for action spectacle and fantasy has won her a loyal fanbase over the years, her occasional moves into more slice-of-life and coming-of-age fare have also garnered considerable acclaim.
The launch of Fullmetal Alchemist in 2001 propelled Arakawa’s standing and acclaim to new heights. A key entry in the shonen genre, the series holds many of the tropes she’s best known for. These include intense fight scenes, moments of slapstick comedy, grisly realism, and bittersweet character arcs. One of the most acclaimed manga artists and creators of her generation, Arakawa has plenty of great works to sift through.
6 Daemons of the Shadow Realm Is Arakawa's Latest Entry In The Fantasy Adventure Genre
One of Arakawa's more recent projects, this often-surreal shonen epic is set in a fantastical world where a select few humans are in charge of powerful Daemons. The series focuses primarily on long-lost twins Yuri and Asa, “the children who sunder day and night,” and their journey to find each other.
The twins are destined to rule over the Daemons, and the series follows their long-winding path to securing their birthright. Thanks to the interesting dynamic between humans and Daemons, there’s an impressive variety of superpowers and action on offer in this curious fantasy series. Arakawa’s artwork is exceptional in its detail and knack for capturing expression and emotion in its characters. The humorous side of the cast and their interactions also provides a light, likable touch to the often complicated and bizarre proceedings.
5 Hero Tales Lifts Inspiration From Wuxia For Its Epic Fantasy Tale
The tale of young Taitou discovering that he has the powers of a strange star is the main focus of this fantasy shonen epic. Inspired heavily by China’s martial arts-focused wuxia genre, the series focuses heavily on Chinese history and its mythologies.
Like many shonen anime, the aptly-titled Hero Tales emphasizes the importance of the hero’s journey in its lead protagonist. When the series starts, Taitou is oblivious to his own power and relatively inept in combat. As the story progresses though, he moves towards his true potential and encounters the other six characters with similar powers to his own. It’s a fun, action-packed journey through ancient empires, rebellions, and heroes coming-of-age and a must-read for shonen lovers.
4 Hyakushō Kizoku Sheds Light On Arakawa's Formative Years
Arakawa’s semi-autobiographical series draws from her experiences growing up on a dairy farm in Hokkaido. The art is clean-lined and relatively simplistic, providing some breathing room for the often humorous character expressions and mannerisms.
The most curious aspect of this light, slice-of-life story is Arakawa’s decision to draw herself and her family as anthropomorphic cows. The stories come via the artist’s often comedic narration to her editor Miss Ishii. The series delves deep into agricultural work and countryside lifestyles, all done with a gentle, almost sitcom-like stylistic touch. A tamer, more mellow series by the often action-packed standards of Arakawa’s work, Hyakushō Kizoku is her most personal, sensitive work.
3 The Heroic Legend of Arslan Provides An Intense Take On The Novels
Yoshiki Tanaka’s The Heroic Legend of Arslan fantasy novels started getting the manga treatment in 2013. The fantasy epic focuses on Arslan, the crown prince of the Persia-inspired kingdom of Pars. Arslan is run out of his own kingdom when Pars is invaded by the nearby nation of Lusitania. From there, readers get to follow Arslan’s grueling, epic journey to reclaim the throne.
The brutal invasion start opens this grand-scale saga on a dark, bleak note. Arslan’s quest for revenge, coupled with the series’ suitably ferocious action, often makes for intense, gripping reading. The colorful cast of supporting characters is another highlight of this series. From the mysterious, villainous Silvermask to philosophers, priestesses, and con men, the diverse cast on offer keeps this thrilling series going as an engaging, fast-moving read.
2 Silver Spoon Was A Hit With Slice-Of-Life Storytelling Fans
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This coming-of-age drama zeroes in on life at an agriculture-focused high school. The lead character Yuugo Hachiken decides to transfer to the school in a bid to get some space from his overbearing father. Despite having little interest in a farming life beyond school, Hachiken gradually becomes committed to learning as he grows close with some of his peers.
The series is greatly bolstered by its likable, relatable cast of characters. Hachiken’s fish-out-of-water situation as a city boy in the countryside makes room for plentiful character growth as well as some interesting cultural observations. For fans of Moyasimon: Tales of Agriculture, Silver Spoon touches on many of the same themes. Where Moyasimon emphasizes comedy, though, Silver Spoon commits to providing the reader a slice of lifestyle for its storytelling.
1 Fullmetal Alchemist Launched A Whole Franchise
Arakawa’s most famous work revolutionized the steampunk genre in manga. Set in a world where alchemy is a widely accepted and practiced science, the series focuses on Edward and Alphonse Elric. The pair are brothers looking for the philosopher’s stone due to damage sustained trying to resurrect their mother.
The series’ blend of extravagant action sequences, curious symbolism, and intriguing steampunk aesthetic have made it one of the best-selling and most popular manga of all time. Early chapters in the series were often criticized for being too conventional in their storytelling. Ultimately, the series grew into one of the most thoughtful and dark shonen manga of its generation. Themes such as corruption and the consequences of war pepper the plot with surprisingly hard-hitting moments. Overall, it’s a key installment in shonen manga that managed to transcend the genre.