In July, the Goo Ranking website asked the Japanese to establish their top 10 coolest manga heroes in the history of manga. The result has fallen and it has something to surprise us!
Superheroes are popular in Japan!
It is not the survey that will tell you otherwise. With no less than 1982 votes, it is Saitama, the superhero of One-Punch Man, who occupies the first place in the ranking. The crazy character has therefore made a place in the hearts of the Japanese very quickly, since the manga has only been published by Shueisha (Weekly Shōnen Jump) since 2012!
Not far behind, in eighth place, we find Izuku Midoriya, superhero in the making of the manga My Hero Academia. Another nugget of Shueisha, it was only born in 2014!
The two "new" superheroes of the famous Japanese publishing house would have already dethroned all the big names in manga!
Titles little known in the West
Despite the dazzling success of more recent titles, the Japanese have not forgotten the heroes of the 1990s. These, all from Weekly Shonen Jump, and although less known in France, occupy several places in the top 10 coolest manga heroes!
The second place goes to Ushio Aotuski, main character of the manga Ushio to Tora, published in the famous magazine from 1990 to 1996 and whose anime is available on DNA. Keiji Maeda, hero of the manga Keiji, published from 1990 to 1993, is in fourth place in the ranking. It is followed by Masaru Saiga, by Karakuri Circus, published from 1997 to 2006 (and expected this fall in anime). Finally, Kenshin, hero of Kenshin the Wanderer (るろうに剣心/Rurōni Kenshin), pre-published between 1994 and 1999, won the last place of the top 10.
A slightly more recent hero, Gash Bell, from the manga Zatch Bell ( Konjiki no Gash!! /金色のガッシュ!!), published in Japan from 2001 to 2007 by Shogakukan, ranked third.
Folk heroes downgraded?
We can think that in France, Naruto, Luffy and Son Goku would occupy a prominent place in the top 10. But what is really happening in Japan?
Edward Elric, famous protagonist of Fullmetal Alchemist, took sixth place in the ranking and is followed by Gintoki Sakata of the manga Gintama. If Monkey D. Luffy, hero of One Piece, is also in the top 10, Son Goku of Dragon Ball, narrowly misses it with an eleventh place, while Naruto is only in the 18th. Far behind, Eren Jäger and Ken Kaneki, respectively protagonists of Attack on Titans (Shingeki no Kyojin) and Tokyo Ghoul, share the 23rd rank.
It seems that the most popular heroes of recent years have experienced a small downgrade with the Japanese! This could have something to do with the very definition of "hero" considered by participants, as the Twittersphere suggested following the survey. If we vote for a "heroic" character first, superheroes Saitama and Izuku Midoriya would have more place in the top 10 coolest manga heroes, than a ninja or pirate. Nevertheless, the Japanese ranking may well surprise Westerners!
Top 10 Coolest Manga Heroes According to the Japanese
- Saitama (One-Punch Man)
- Ushio Aotsuki (Ushio to Tora)
- Gash Bell (Zatchbell/Konjiki no Gash!!)
- Keiji Maeda (Keiji)
- Masaru Saiga (Karakuri Circus)
- Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)
- Gintoki Sakata (Gintama)
- Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
- Luffy (One Piece)
- Kenshin (Kenshin the Wanderer)
And you, what would be your top of the coolest manga heroes?
