A recent fan poll from the manga’s native country, Japan, ranked the “most interesting manga of all time” (via Ranking.net), and the result that came out from it was rather surprising: One Piece and Naruto, two of the most well-known manga series, failed to find their places in the top three. Even though both series enjoy massive popularity and success worldwide, Japanese fans placed them behind the titles that are rather known for their tighter storytelling.
The top spot in the “most interesting manga of all time” poll was claimed by one of the most iconic sports manga, Takehiko Inoue’s Slam Dunk. The following spots were claimed by Attack on Titan (2nd) and Hunter × Hunter (3rd), suggesting that “interest” in this context goes beyond the sales numbers.
Japan’s Top 10 Manga Ranked: One Piece and Naruto Missed the Top 3
Credit: Toei Animation
Credit: Studio Pierrot
Credit: Toei Animation
Credit: MAPPA
Credit: Toei Animation
Credit: Madhouse
At first, seeing One Piece in 5th position might feel surprising, especially when we consider its record-breaking sales numbers and decades-long legacy. However, Japanese fans seem to have a different preference. According to a recent poll ranking in Minna no Ranking (Everyone’s Ranking) on “most interesting manga of all time,” over 38,247 Japanese fans rated their favourite manga.
Topping the list is Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue, a series often praised in Japan for its grounded storytelling and realistic character growth. In the second spot, Attack on Titan is coming with its intense and philosophical story. Hunter × Hunter is grabbing the third position, a series that has built a reputation for its unpredictability and deep psychological arcs.
Akira Toriyama’s classics like Dragon Ball are coming in fourth position, followed by Eiichiro Oda’s masterpiece One Piece. In the complete ranking, we also see popular series like Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist (7th) continue to hold strong positions. Masashi Kishimoto’s famous series Naruto is coming in 9th position, while comedy-heavy and genre-blending works like Gintama (8th) and Spy × Family (10th) continue to show their dominance.
Here is the complete Top 10 ranking along with authors and their My Anime List manga ratings.
RankMangaAuthorManga Rating (MAL)1Slam DunkTakehiko Inoue9.09 / 102Attack on TitanHajime Isayama8.56 / 103Hunter × HunterYoshihiro Togashi8.78 / 104Dragon BallAkira Toriyama8.46 / 105One PieceEiichiro Oda9.21 / 106Assassination ClassroomYusei Matsui8.25 / 107Fullmetal AlchemistHiromu Arakawa9.04 / 108GintamaHideaki Sorachi8.65 / 109NarutoMasashi Kishimoto8.09 / 1010Spy × FamilyTatsuya Endo8.46 / 10
The key takeaway from the above list is pretty simple – Japanese fans value how engaging a story feels, more than how big and popular it is in terms of sales numbers.
Spoiler Alert !!!This section contains some spoilers from One Piece manga.
One Piece‘s Elbaf Arc Could Change Its Ranking Among Japanese Fans
Monkey D Luffy from the One Piece anime. | Credit: Toei Animation
Even though One Piece may have missed the top three positions in this particular ranking, it does not mean that it cannot bounce back in the future. Currently, One Piece’s manga is going through one of the most-awaited parts with the recent face reveal of Imu in One Piece Chapter 1179 and Prince Loki and Imu’s direct confrontation in One Piece Chapter 1181.
The current developments are hinting towards an even more highly anticipated clash of Monkey D. Luffy and Imu. At the same time, the One Piece anime has also started premiering the Elbaf arc storyline from April 2026. With both the manga and anime in the final saga, Oda may reveal some long-awaited mysteries that will interest fans worldwide.
Thus, if Eiichiro Oda successfully delivers on the fan expectations surrounding the Final Saga, there is a huge possibility that One Piece may climb higher in similar future rankings. After all, we have to remember that it is a series that blends world-building, emotional storytelling, and long-term payoff in such a way that very few series can match.
What made Slam Dunk highly rated?
Slam Dunk is often viewed as one of the finest sports manga, with realistic characters, good pacing, and emotional storytelling that is enjoyed by fans throughout.
Are rankings created using sales or popularity?
No, the ranking is based solely on Japanese fans’ interest.
Can One Piece still become number one in future rankings?
Yes, absolutely, particularly with the introduction of the twists in the recent Elbaf arc.
So, now the big question – Do you agree with Japanese fans placing One Piece outside the top three, or do you believe it deserves the top spot? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
One Piece manga is currently available to read on Manga Plus by Shueisha.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
