In Japan, people of all different ages read manga. On the contrary to comics in the US which are targeted at teenagers, mangas are not mere storytelling entertainments but often grow into complicated and mammoth franchises that can dominate the Japanese popular culture. Here are some of the best mangas in my opinion.

1. Naruto

What it's about: A tragic epic about war and peace, love and hatred, nationalism, different ideologies of the world, family, and friendship. Years before the story started, a mysterious man released the Nine-Tails Beast that wrecked havoc on the Leaf Village. The Fourth Hokage, the leader of the ninjas, sacrificed himself sealing the beast into his own son to save the village. Naruto grew up being an outcast but never ceased chasing his dream of becoming the Hokage someday. The story is about his constant transformation while the dark secrets from the beginning of the world unfolded and threatened the existence of everything.

Key Ideas: Hatred bears hatred, but only love and forgiveness can resolve it. Constant efforts will pay off.

What's so great about it: Myriads of intricate characters, different plot lines intertwining, some great plot twists and cool quotes about the world.

What's not so great about it: It was dragging for too long, so when the mangaka (author) decided to end it, he failed to create a satisfying resolution. The climax was built up perfectly but it ended in a very lame note so I felt like failing from the zenith of the sky down to the nadir of the ocean. Also, too many cliches and fan services were very disappointing.

2. FullMetal Alchemist

What it's about: A great story about losses, sacrifices, brotherhood, friendship, responsibilities, and the meaning of life. When their mother died, the Elric brothers, both were powerful alchemists at their age, used a forbidden technique in an attempt to revive her. The ritual went wrong and they had to pay the prices: Edward lost one arm and leg while Alphonse lost his entire body and had to stay in a metal armor. In the search to reverse these consequences, they discovered an evil plan from hundred years ago that would again cost the lives of everyone in the nation.

Key Ideas: All is One and One is All. The law of equivalent exchange means that you have to pay for what you get. Letting go of one's desire will help one achieve it.

What's so great about it: Only one word: perfection. The manga was long enough to build up a very complicated world and ended on a very high note. The resolution of the climax was surprising and satisfying. The characters' emotions were real and human. The humor. Also, the context was very interesting to those who are fond of stories relating to alchemy.

What's not so great about it: Nothing. This is among the two best mangas I have ever read that I cannot complain anything about.

3. Inuyasha

What it's about: An epic taking place in the mythical Japan where priests and priestesses fought against demons and ghosts. The Jewel of Four Souls was a powerful object in which good and evil battled against one another for eternity, so it would be pure in good hands but tainted in evil hands. When the priestess Kikyo died guarding the Jewel, it traveled through time with her soul and came back into the world with Kagome, Kikyo's reincarnation, but got broken and spread all around the world. Kagome and Inuyasha, a half-man half-demon who was Kikyo's former lover, along with their friends and allies, had to retrieve and destroy the Jewel before it fell into the hands of evil demons.

Key Ideas: Human's twisted desires can generate the most malignant of all demons.

What's so great about it: The mythological background and atmosphere.

What's not so great about it: Sometimes too melodramatic, especially the love triangle between Inuyasha, Kagome, and Kikyo. Also, the linear plot line could have been better extended.