5. Hiroya Oku
Oku is a mangaka who created Gantz (2000 – 2013) and Inuyashiki (2014 – 2017). His manga is often featured explicit violence, gore, and sexual content. In 1988 he won the Youth Manga Awards. He’s also designed a character (Shura) for the Soulcalibur 4 fighting game.
4. Akihito Tsukushi
Tsukushi is the creator of the manga and anime series, Made in Abyss. The series follows an orphan named Riko, as she and her friend Reg explore the Abyss searching for her mother. Made in Abyss is known for its childlike characters that contrast with it’s more serious tone and narrative.
3. Hiromi Arakawa
Hiromi Arakawa is the writer and manga artist for the critical acclaimed Fullmetal Alchemist series. Set in a universe where alchemy is used for science and war, Fullmetal Alchemist centers on the brothers Edward and Alphonse. They aim to find the philosopher’s stone to restore their bodies that were destroyed after failing to resurrect their mother. Fullmetal Alchemist has sold over 70 million copies and has spawned two anime series.
2. Junji Ito
Ito is a horror mangaka, known for his series The Enigma of Amigara Fault, Tomie, Uzumaki, and Gyo. In 2019 he received the Eisner Award for his manga adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Ito has cited Hideshi Hino, Yasutaka Tsutsui, and H.P. Lovecraft as major influences. Many of his series feature body horror, societal breakdowns, and deep-sea organisms.
1. Yusuke Murata
Murata is best known for illustrating the series Eyeshield 21 and One Punch Man. Murata is a fan of Kinu Nishimura, the concept artist for capcom. He also claims Akira Toriyama as another influence. His art has been praised by many with June Shimonishi stating that “every inch [is] filled with details and no gag left unseen.” Deb Aoki stated that “his art not just there to look pretty – it’s there to tell a story.” Murata has also created several Spider-Man covers.
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