Let’s revisit our childhood with these 10 classic Japanese manga series.

Candy Candy

First published in April 1975, the story of "Candy Candy" centers around a blonde girl named Candice "Candy" White Audrey, who lives in an orphanage where she meets a young man whom she calls the “Prince of the Hill”. 

By the time she hits thirteen, Candy gets adopted by the Lagan family and is sent to attend the prestigious St. Paul's College. There she meets the rebellious Terry Grandchester, where then a love-story triangle between her, the "Prince of the Hill" and Terry begins.

Cardcaptor Sakura

The manga "Cardcaptor Sakura" was first published in the monthly manga magazine Nakayoshi in Japan in 1996. Twelve volumes later, the story of 14-year-old Sakura Kinomoto, who receives magical powers after accidentally releasing a set of magical cards, ended in 2000. 

However, in July 2016, Nakayoshi reportedly would publish a sequel to this famed manga focusing on Sakura’s life as a junior high school student.

Kung Fu Boy

Also known as Ironfist Chinmi, this manga was created by Takeshi Maekawa and originally ran from 1983 to 1997 comprising 35 volumes. 

The lead character, Chinmi, has a talent in martial arts. One day, a senior martial artist from the Dairin Temple witnesses Chinmi defeating thugs at his sister’s restaurant, where then arrangement for Chinmi to go to Dairin Temple to receive training.

Sailor Moon

“I am Sailor Moon, champion of justice! On behalf of the moon, I will right wrongs and triumph over evil, and that means you!” this quote taken from the manga series Sailor Moon is arguably the most well-known line in the manga world. 

Sailor Moon was first introduced to readers in 1991 by the Nakayoshi magazine. The 18-volume comic ended in 1997 and had been adapted into an anime series under the same name.

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Doraemon

Our friendly 22st century cat-robot Doraemon along with his friends Nobita, Shizuka, Giant and Suneo have been entertaining not only 90s kids but also the millennials as well. 

The popularity of this long-running series that spans from comic book to anime TV series has made Doraemon a cultural icon of modern Japan.

Detective Conan

The story that follows a high-school detective, Sinichi Kudo, who transforms into a child after his meeting with the black organization was first written and illustrated by Gosho Aoyama in 1994. 

Up until now, the story has not yet (nor nearly) finished along with several movie adaptions and animated TV series.

Kobo Chan

A manga about the story of a boy called Kobo Chan and his everyday life with his family was first published in the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun in 1982.

Later in December, the story was made into a book form and an animated series soon followed in 1990.

Captain Tsubasa

The manga that has inspired many young kids to become a professional soccer player, Captain Tsubasa is perhaps more popular in Indonesia from its long-running animated TV series that aired on our local TV channel. 

The story focuses on the soccer captain Tsubasa Oozora’s relationship with his team mates, rivals, training sessions, competitions and awe-inspiring football moves.

Inuyasha

This complicated yet humorous love story between half-demon Inuyasha and a 15-year-old school girl Kagome Higurashi was so popular among children as seen by the 56 volumes of its comic book and 167 episodes of its animated TV series. 

Inuyasha was written and illustrated by Rumiko Takashi, the manga artist behind another popular manga Ranma 1/2.

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Dragon Ball

Who doesn’t know the popular phrase “Kamehameha”? It is most used finishing attack in the story Dragon Ball and is also the signature technique of lead character Goku.

Since its first release back in 1984, Dragon Ball has become one of the most successful manga and anime series of all time that even Hollywood made a movie adaptation out of it.

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