Best Manga That Will Never Get Finished By the Author

Writing a manga is not an easy job by any means. Over the last two decades, more and more issues have come to light, highlighting the challenges mangaka face. The biggest problem associated with writing a manga is that it takes a heavy toll on the author's physical and mental health.

Due to this reason, it has become increasingly common for authors to stop working on their manga. Over the years, this issue has become more and more common, with several authors taking indefinite hiatuses, leading to the manga remaining unfinished. However, this isn't the only reason why several manga remain incomplete. In fact, there are other factors that prevent a manga from reaching its conclusion.

8 Vagabond

• Author: Takehiko Inoue

Takehiko Inoue's greatest work is Vagabond. The manga began serialization in 1998, and it kept releasing chapters almost regularly. However, it went on an indefinite hiatus in May 2015. Inoue originally planned to end the manga in just a couple of years before he lost enthusiasm and decided to shelve the series completely. Currently, there is no indication that Vagabond will return anytime soon.

Vagabond is the fictionalized retelling of Eiji Yoshikawa's novel called Musashi. Inoue added several original ideas, and his artwork elevated the series to a whole different level. Vagabond dives into the life of Miyamoto Musashi, and it gives an insight into how he rose to the top.

7 Berserk

• Author: Kentarou Miura

Berserk is the magnum opus of the late Kentarou Miura. The author poured his heart and soul into creating the masterpiece, which is why it ranks above most seinen as well as shonen titles on aggregate websites. Unfortunately, Miura passed away in 2023, leaving the manga's fate hanging in the balance. Kouji Mori, Miura's closest friend, has made it clear that he intends to complete the story. While Mori's efforts are definitely commendable, for a lot of fans, Miura's absence is still strongly felt.

Berserk follows the life of Guts, a former mercenary who loses the people closest to him in a horrendous event. However, Guts makes a vow to bring the person responsible for the travesty to justice.

6 Hunter x Hunter

• Author: Yoshihiro Togashi

Often regarded as the best shonen manga of all time, Hunter x Hunter is a series that offers a truly unforgettable experience. One of the main things that separates Hunter x Hunter from the rest is the incredibly detailed power system. Yoshihiro Togashi has put a lot of effort into making a system that is easy to comprehend.

Back in 2009, the manga went on an indefinite hiatus because of Togashi's health. Since then, the author has released a few chapters, but then again, he hasn't been consistent. In fact, Togashi has already revealed the ending to Hunter x Hunter.

5 Duranki

• Author: Kentarou Miura

Duranki is not as famous as some of the other entries on the list, but that doesn't mean it's not a great title. The manga was written by Kentarou Miura, and as expected, the art was fabulous.

4 Frieren

• Author: Kanehito Yamada

Frieren is one of the most popular manga series in the world. It has earned a great deal of acclaim ever since the anime adaptation was released. The high-quality adaptation helped it to go mainstream, which directly improved the number of copies sold.

While Frieren Season 2 just wrapped up, the manga is still not back from its hiatus. Frieren has gone on extended breaks twice, and the most recent one has been going on for a few months. According to reports, the decision has been made with the author and artist's health in mind.

3 Nana

• Author: Ai Yazawa

Nana is among the few manga that the readers can resonate with frequently. Written by Ai Yazawa, the manga follows the journey of two girls, both of whom are named Nana. While their names are the same, their personalities are very different.

Unfortunately, the manga has been on an indefinite hiatus since 2009, and currently, there is no indication as to when the series might return.

2 One Punch Man

• Author: ONE

One Punch Man is a modern shonen masterpiece. It has a perfect blend of action, humor, and drama. With ONE working on the script and Yusuke Murata's divine artwork, it's almost impossible not to fall in love with One Punch Man.

Unfortunately, the manga's chances of finishing are taking hit after hit because of ONE's perfectionist nature. The author has already rewritten several important events. Obviously, ONE is free to handle his story however he likes. But it is slowing down the overall pace and lowering the manga's chances of ever ending.

1 Ranking of Kings

• Author: Sosuke Toka

Ranking of Kings follows the life of Bojji, a young prince who is mistreated by almost every single person in the kingdom. Despite the constant negative remarks, Bojji never falters.

The Ranking of Kings manga is still ongoing, which is a good sign. But fans should remember that the manga went on a major hiatus and only resumed in December 2023 after a long time. Hopefully, the author keeps up the pace and takes care of their health as well.