Recently, the respected news organization COURRiER Japan revealed the list of the 10 most influential mangaka of 2025. Surpassing many big names, Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of the hit Chainsaw Man, claimed the top spot. What makes this achievement remarkable is that Fujimoto outshined industry giants like Eiichiro Oda and masters such as Junji Ito and Gege Akutami.
The 2025 Top 10 Most Influential Mangaka list features an intriguing mix of living legends and era-defining creators:
1. Tatsuki Fujimoto (Chainsaw Man, Look Back)
2. Ryo Tatsuki (The Future I Saw)
3. Naoki Urasawa (Monster, 20th Century Boys)
4. Junji Ito (Uzumaki, Gyo)
5. Marina Lisa Komiya (On Their Frontlines)
6. Kamome Shirahama (Witch Hat Atelier)
7. Makoto Yukimura (Vinland Saga)
8. Gege Akutami (Jujutsu Kaisen)
9. Natsumi Aida (Switch Girl!!)
10. Eiichiro Oda (One Piece)
Surprises in the list: Shocking prophecy and notable absence
Ryo Tatsuki’s second-place ranking stands out as particularly fascinating. Her 1999 work The Future I Saw predicted a major disaster occurring on July 5, 2025. The impact of this prophecy was so strong that Japan’s tourism industry recorded a significant drop in visitors last July.
However, the ranking sparked controversy with the absence of Koyoharu Gotouge. Despite Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle being the highest-grossing film in Japanese history, the creator of the Demon Slayer series is completely missing from this year’s top 10, making way for artists with more unique artistic styles.
Why Tatsuki Fujimoto truly deserves the crown
Fujimoto’s influence extends beyond the success of the Look Back film and Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc movie. He is actively reshaping the manga industry.
Few know that many of Fujimoto’s former assistants have become superstar creators with their own highly successful works. The authors behind Spy x Family, Dandadan, and Hell’s Paradise all once worked under Fujimoto on major projects like Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch.
Each of these protégés carries Fujimoto’s signature style: a touch of madness, captivating sensitivity, and storytelling that breaks all conventional rules. Fujimoto’s ability to push manga forward and foster a new generation of creators is what makes him the most influential figure of 2025.