The '80s exists as a heavily nostalgic period for many people, whether they experienced first hand or not. It is hard to deny the simplistic charm of the era that kicked off the romanticism of materialism within many cultures, bringing an aesthetic with it that worshipped mall culture, pop music, and bright design.
While comics and manga reflected a lot of the aesthetic of the decade, manga also stood out for another reason. The '80s marked one of the most progressive periods in the medium, introducing titles that would redefine the entire landscape of the genre for decades to come. Consequently, this list acts to showcase prominent series that capture the best of the decade, as expressed by the fans at My Anime List.
10 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 2: Battle Tendency by Hirko Araki (1987-89) Rating: 8.26
The second segment of the ongoing Jojo's Bizarre Adventure series, taking place in the 1930s and follows the misadventures of Joseph Joestar. Together he forms odd alliances to help defeat vampires and ancient super beings.
A vital series in establishing the lore of the Jojo universe, despite being void of the trademark 'stand' abilities. Despite taking place in the 1920's the series really brought the characters into a modern context, unlike the original series which acted largely as a period piece. Additionally, Hiroki's style became further defined to better showcase the 'machismo' that defines the series aesthetic. With the series still feeling stuck in the 80's aesthetic decades later, it acts as an ideal way to open up this list.
9 Daichouhen Doraemon by Fujio F. Fujiko (1980-2004) Rating: 8.35
In approaching fans of manga or anime, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who does not recognize the beloved robot cat. Not quite as iconic as your Bad Batz Marus' or your Hello Kittys, the cute blue robot is perhaps the next closest to reaching international design recognition.
Consequently, it is not surprising to see him on this list, with the manga serving as a branching point towards films, and other written projects. By far the most wholesome and lighthearted entry in the list, featuring on of manga's most beloved figures, makes this a quaint addition.
8 Touch by Mitsuri Adachi (1981-1986) Rating: 8.35
A Shounen story about two twin brothers, the girl next door, and their desire to make a career of baseball. Mitsuira Adachi's Touch is one of the many series from the famous mangaka that balances equal parts of romance and sports with delicate precision.
Further complemented by a soft and welcoming visual approach, Touch has the ability to draw in fans of various genres with the idyllic tale of friendship, love, and sports.
7 Parasyte by Hitoshi Iwaaki (1989-1994) Rating: 8.41
With the invasion of a small alien species, a young student named Shinchi Izumi finds he has been inhabited by the same creature. However, the only part of his body that becomes possesses is his arm forcing him and the parasite to work together.
The only horror series to make the list, Hitoshi Iwaaki's Parasyte definitely made an impact on release with many heralding it a masterpiece. At the time, the combination of horror and comedy told at a fast pace and with style in abundance made it a very notable series to close out the 80's.
6 Kyou kara Ore wa!! by Hiroyuki Nishimori (1988-1997) Rating: 8.49
Takahsi and Shinji, both from the same small town, make the decision to purposely come delinquents. This quest is not as simple as it seems, and the boys learn many hard lessons in what it means to reinvent yourself and fully embrace the lifestyle of a deviant.
Manga and anime focusing on delinquents are few and far between, certainly, they are a staple of many series but not so much the key focus. Kyou kara Ore wa!! stands out as one of the few of its kind, but is largely hyped for being one of the best comedy series of all time. It is crude, over the top and really well written, ensuring a lot of laugh out loud moments.
5 Bannana Fish by Akima Yoshida (1985-1994) Rating: 8.56
The oddly titled Banana Fish rests as a major key example as to ingenuity within the '80s. The series offers a slightly different take on the Shoujo genre is within a more mature aesthetic that focuses on realism over the more glitzy style that dominates the genre. Additionally, the manga approaches some slightly darker subject matter.
The story, in many ways, is a tale of revenge and of overcoming a dark past. However, there are many nuances that make the experience somewhat subversive. It may not be to all tastes, but it is an intriguing entry for those wanting to experience more of the Shoujo genre and the different ways it can be approached.
4 Hajime no Ippo by George Morikawa (1989-Ongoing) Rating: 8.68
Arguably the best manga about combat sports ever released, Hajime no Ippo has been running strong since 1989. The series follows the titular character Ippo and his journey to become one of the world's greatest boxers (in his respective weight class, featherweight).
Ippo has become an iconic title among fans of not just sports manga, but also of combat sports. This comes from a sincere approach to the subject and the deep understanding that every match holds a great deal of importance. As a result, each fight is undeniably intense, heightened by the wonderful artwork that makes every punch landed become felt by the reader. An amazing series worth investing in, even when faced with such a long run.
3 Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo (1982-1990) Rating: 8.72
While landing third on the list, it is hard not to acknowledge Akira as the most influential and important entry on this list. The manga, and by extension anime, brought critical acclaim to the genre and showcased it as a medium for a more mature subject matter to be explored.
If any entry on this list can make claim to have shaped the landscape of 80's attitudes towards the medium, it would be hard to argue another title, although the next entry may be able to make a similar claim. Regardless, both the anime and manga are classics utilizing elements of dystopian, cyberpunk, and horror to create a truly unique experience.
2 Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki (1982-1994) Rating: 8.86
As eluded to in the previous entry, Nausicaa exists as one of the most important works to come out of the '80s, if not just for it being the precursor to Studio Ghibli. Undeniably the series acted as a catalyst into one of the most beloved film studios to date, with many notable films released through the company.
Not to overshadow the manga, the series does offer a deeper look into the inventive and colorful world crafted by Miyazaki. This marks the series as a must-read title for those looking to expand and better understand the brilliance of its creator.
1 Berserk by Kentarou Miura (1989-Ongoing) Rating: 9.34
Just sneaking in at the tail end of the '80s, Berserk is not just the best manga of the '80s but it currently holds the number one spot of any manga, the closest a title has ever come to getting a perfect score on the site.
Consequently, there is no better way to end this list, acting a true testament to the strength and staying power of the manga of not just it's a decade, but all time.