Wednesday, 28 April 2021 20:30

10 Manga Series We Can’t Believe Are Still Ongoing (& How Long They Are)

Written by Tristan Jurkovich
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Some manga series can stretch out for a long, long time. We absolutely can't believe that these are still ongoing.

It’s hard to believe but after twelve years, Attack on Titan is finally complete. It ended in a relatively satisfying way although the fanbase is split between on it. The anime directors certainly have time to fix any issues since that won’t be done until next year. That may cause another uproar though. 

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As momentous as this occasion is, it’s still incredible that there have been longer running manga series before Attack on Titan. Some, in fact, are still going on and have been since the 80s. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular selections out there to put things into perspective.  

10 Detective Conan

Detective Conan started as a manga in 1994 and currently has 1,069 chapters. That’s ninety nine volumes of the comic in twenty-seven years. This isn’t even counting the anime which just passed a thousand episodes. It should be noted that in North America this detective series is known as Case Closed. The anime only got a little over a hundred episodes localized but the manga is still on track. 

9 One Piece

One Piece started as a manga in 1997 and currently has 1,010 chapters. That’s ninety-eight bound volumes in twenty-four years. The anime currently has 960 episodes and it started in 1999. The creator, Eiichiro Oda, has teased several times about the manga being close to wrapping up. However, it’s kind of like how Hideo Kojima said he wouldn’t direct another Metal Gear game upon every new release. The point is One Piece could be eternal. 

8 Super Mario-kun

Super Mario-kun started as a manga in 1991 and currently has 56 volumes. Every arc is based on a specific game. For example, the last two major arcs in 2020 were adaptations of Luigi’s Mansion 3 and Super Mario Odyssey. After 30 years of Japanese exclusivity, Viz announced they would be bringing over a select set of issues, in a limited run, as of last year. The reason why they never came over is a mystery although these comics are more risqué than one would imagine based on the seemingly family friendly plumber. 

7 Pokemon Adventures 

Pokemon Adventures started as a manga in 1997 and currently has 58 volumes. Every arc of the manga follows a new set of heroes, each based on whatever new generation of Pokemon has started in the games. The first arc followed the adventures of Red, Blue, and Green as in those are the character names based on the first games. The next arc then follows Gold and Silver for example. The manga is also much darker in parts as compared to both the games and anime

6 Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure started as a manga in 1987 and currently has 129 volumes. Even though it has been going on for 34 years, the manga has been broken up between distinct arcs and characters.

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As of right now there are 8 with the latest, JoJolion, starting in 2011 with its end presumably within reach after ten years of publication. For the anime, part 6 was just announced to get adapted which is called Stone Ocean

5 Golgo 13

Golgo 13 started as a manga in 1968 and currently has 639 chapters. It is the second longest manga of all time in Japan spanning 53 years and 200 published volumes. It is seemingly the perfect setup for a comic as it is about an assassin. Like the video game equivalent, Agent 47 via the Hitman series, there will always be a new job for hired guns. 53 years does seem like forever though. 

4 Crayon Shin-chan

Crayon Shin-chan started as a manga in 1990 and currently has 58 volumes. There is a distinction between the mangas though as the original run ended in 2010, but was then reissued as New Crayon Shin-chan, also in 2010. Like Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, it never really ended then. This series is also a case of being a hit around the world as any language can seemingly enjoy children antics in a mature world. 

3 Berserk

Berserk started as a manga in 1989 and currently has 363 chapters. That is a span of 32 years with 40 published volumes. There have been several anime series and movie adaptations of the original work, spaced out to give the manga room to breath. In this way, the manga is easier to pick up without having to worry about figuring out which adaptation belongs to which arc in the comic. 

2 Baki The Grappler

Baki the Grappler started as a manga in 1991 and currently has 137 volumes. It is another example like Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure wherein the series has been spaced out into separate named arcs in its 30 years of existence.

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As of right now there are 5 parts and there have been several anime adaptations as well. The latest is scheduled to debut sometime this year on Netflix. Think of it like an even more intense Dragon Ball.

1 Duel Masters

Duel Masters started as a manga in 1999 and currently has 62 volumes. Many may have viewed it as both a card collecting copycat to Yu-Gi-Oh and a monster collecting clone to Pokemon but its fanbase is huge. It has to be to have existed for 22 years. It is also broken up into several parts with the latest arc in the manga starting in 2020 as Dual Masters King. The first anime ran from 2002 to 2006, but several more adaptions have happened since. 

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