Warning, this article contains spoilers for the following mangaChainsaw Man,Jujutsu Kaisen,Hunter x Hunter,Vinland Saga, Bleach,Berserk, Dragon Ball,One Piece,Naruto,andJoJo’s Bizarre AdventureThemangamedium has spawned some of the best fictional series ever and produced some moments and scenes that have a huge impact. From the payoff of amazing buildup, stunning artwork, and entertaining panels that spawned hilarious memes, there are many reasons manga panels have become iconic. However, while there are plenty of manga panels that standout for a variety of reasons, only a handful have gone on to become truly legendary.
In order for a manga panel to achieve this mythic status among fans, it isn’t enough for the artwork to just be technically solid. Good linework is a must, but in addition to that, the atmosphere, tone, and storytelling all must be absolutely transcendent. The true masters of manga can, with one panel, charge enough of information and emotion into their art that fans just can’t stop thinking about it even decades after the original piece of art was made.
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Manis full of strange and captivating panels, but this one was extremely bizarre and made the appearance of the Darkness Devil that much more memorable. While the decimated praying space suits might look like they’re there for shock factor,they are a great symbol of human fearandare one ofChainsaw Man’smany elements likely inspired by a real-life tragedy.
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This amazing double spread, while more recent, is very popular and iconic, and perfectly represents the brilliance of Tatsuki Fujimoto. Part of what makes the panel work so well is the overwhelming sense of mystery that accompanies it. Fans of the manga will undoubtedly recognize the Darkness Devil at the center of the image, but even longtime fans still have no idea who those astronauts are or why they’re basically acting as heralds for the darkness devil. Fujimoto is a master of tone, and the Darkness Devil’s appearance is a perfect example of that.
Jujutsu Kaisen
WhileJujutsu Kaisenwas a very unpredictable series, one thing that was certain to happen from the first episode was the showdown betweenGojo Satoru and Ryomen Sukuna. The stage was set, and the Shinjuku Showdown arc took the manga community by storm when the two strongest sorcerers finally took each other. The panel that declared them the most powerful before jumping into the fight was truly unforgettable, and it spawned many memes across many communities and fandoms.
Few conflicts in manga history had been built up quite the same way as the one between Gojo and Sukuna. Fans had been waiting to seeJujutsu Kaisen’sstrongest sorcererface the series' strongest curse for some time, and with one panel, mangaka Gege Akutami sold just how epic their brawl would be.
Hunter X Hunter
After the series laid the groundwork for the Dark Continent expedition, the long-awaited fight between Chrollo and Hisoka started in Heaven’s Arena. The buildup was there in both the Yorknew Arc and Greed Island arcs, and with Chrollo not only removing the seal on his Nen but becoming even more powerful after acquiring the Bookmark ability that let him wield more than one stolen ability at once. After explaining how incredibly powerful his abilities are, Chrollo was perplexed at Hisoka still wanting to fight despite his huge advantage, which led him to drop the iconic quote.
The battle was a bloodbath that involved the manipulation of many spectators, and in the end, Chrollo defeated and killed Hisoka. Fortunately, Hisoka prepared a contingency to revive himself in the worst possible scenario. Furthermore, he kills Shalnark and Kortopi later and says he plans on finishing the rest of the Phantom Troupe.The conflict between Hisoka and the Spiders is one of theimportant plot points in the Succession War arc.
After going on a quest for vengeance, killing many, losing his purpose, and finally discovering a new one,Thorfinn finally understood what his father meantwhen he said he had no enemies. This moment solidified Thorfinn’s conviction, and the iconic line came after he took 100 punches from a hulk of a man. Not only did he meet Canute without restoring to violence but he also managed to talk him out of leaving the farm peacefully.
Vinland Sagais largely a series about the mental cost of living a life filled with violence, and here is finally the moment where Thorfinn rejects his past violent ways. In a way,everything inVinland Sagaup until that point was leading up to this exact moment where Thorfinn declares that he has no enemies. The image of a ragged and tired Thorfinn declaring he has no enemies is still one of the most powerful images in manga, making it instantly iconic.
Bleach
Ichigo makes a dramatic entrance after being absent from much of the early chaos of the Quincy invasion led by Yhwach. The Soul Society is in complete disarray, with numerous Shinigami injured or dead, and morale at an all-time low. With Byakuya bloody and defeated, he pleads with his former enemy to help his home.
What really makes this panel amazing is the harsh shading on Ichigo’s body and face, and the rain helps highlight the severity of the situation and the anger of Ichigo.An intense beginning to Ichigo’s entry into the war, this panel kicked offthe conflict between Ichigo and Yhwach, which was a highlight of the arc.
Berserk
After going through life and death together, Guts decided his time with the Hawks was up, and he set out on a journey to find his own dreams and goals after watching Griffith fight so hard for his. While everyone else said goodbye to him and wished him the best, Griffith refused to let him go and challenged him to a fight to decide whether he gets to stay with him, just like the first time Guts joined the band.
The two unsheathed their swords andprepared to take each other on in a stunning panel that showed the landscape and sunrise in the background. In the end, Guts defeated Griffith, and he went on his way, leading to a heartbreaking farewell. This moment is truly the turning point ofBerserk, the moment solidified the fates of Guts, Griffith, and the world, and Miura absolutely sells the moment’s weight.
Dragon Ball
The arc where Gohan took over and became the main character, the young Saiyan exceeded his limits and became the first Super Saiyan 2. Finally, on par with Perfect Cell, he takes this amalgamation of everyone powerful on, but his strength alone isn’t enough. While Goku was not there and had already been killed, the panel showed him and his son performing a final attack to take down Cell,the perfect symbolism to show how Gohan found strength within his dadand how important he was to him.
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The Cell Saga is often considered the pinnacle ofDragon Ball, as it felt like the culmination of everything that came before it. Gohan’s character arc from a timid child to the savior of Earth is finally complete, making the image of him channeling his father’s spirit to finally eradicate Cell all the more satisfying.
One Piece
The adventures of the legendary Pirare King, Roger, were finally shown for the first time in the Wano arc, and it did not disappoint. The backstory has multiple callbacks to islands and adventures that Luffy undertook, drawing even more parallels between the two. And finally, he acquired immense wealth, the truth about the world, and more, and his reaction? He laughed hysterically, as well as all his crewmates.
This incredible moment intensified the allure and charm of the One Piece and reminded fans of the destination of the series.One Piecefans still have no idea why exactly Roger laughed, making this moment enhance the mystery surrounding the series' central treasure.
Naruto
After taking down many of the Konoha residents, like Konohamaru and Kakashi, Pain flew into the air and declared he was about toexact the same pain onto the village that they did upon himand his village. Towering high in the sky, Pain unleashed his ultimate move and destroyed everything in sight. What made this panel legendary wasthe sheer amount of details in the background, and no matter how much readers zoomed in, the buildings were still clear.
Kishimoto admitted it took him 3 days just to draw this panel, and the efforts did not go to waste at all, as it remains one of the most iconic manga panels ever. As the leader of the Akatsuki, Pain had been hinted to be the series' biggest antagonist for quite some time. Showing him towering over all of Konoha truly sells his power, making him seem like a god and the village below him like his plaything. Never has a phrase been more apt than, “Konoha will know Pain.”
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
Besides the intense build-up of their rivalry throughout the series, the manga panel of Jotaro and Dio walking up to each other created one of the most iconic memes ever, transcending mediums and becoming a viral sensation.Jojo’s Bizarre Adventureshas very unique poses, which is one of the reasons the series has a certain charm no other series can replicate.
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Artistically, the panel is framed to showcase both characters as equals, each striding confidently toward their inevitable battle. The panel blowing up is fitting as it captures the essence ofJoJo’sdramatic, larger-than-life, and full of tension. It is undoubtedlya moment that perfectly encapsulates the series' distinctive style and storytelling.JoJois a manga that is all about aesthetic and look, which is why it’s so fitting that this hyper stylized panel of two men walking toward each other has become nothing short of the most iconic manga panel of all time.
