Hiromu Arakawa is a revered manga artist celebrated for her masterful storytelling, which seamlessly blends thrilling action, laugh-out-loud humor, and profound emotional depth. In her magnum opus, Fullmetal Alchemist, she created a tightly plotted epic that explores complex themes of sacrifice, family bonds, and the consequences of ambition, all grounded by one of the most beloved sibling relationships in fiction. Her work is distinguished by its intricate world-building, morally complex characters, and an unwavering humanism that shines through even in the darkest moments.
If you are a fan of Arakawa's unique ability to balance epic stakes with heartfelt character journeys, you will be captivated by these 15 manga creators who share her spirit.
These authors are masters of creating vast, imaginative worlds with their own unique rules, cultures, and histories, much like the meticulously crafted world of Amestris and its principles of alchemy.
Eiichiro Oda is a legend of world-building, creating a sprawling, vibrant, and incredibly detailed world for his epic series. He shares Arakawa's talent for weaving a grand, overarching plot through countless smaller adventures, all while exploring themes of justice, freedom, and found family.
His masterpiece, One Piece, follows Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew on their quest for a legendary treasure. If you love the sense of a grand journey and a world with a deep, hidden history, Oda's work is an essential read.
Yoshihiro Togashi is known for his complex power systems and morally ambiguous characters. He shares Arakawa's flair for strategic, intelligent battles and for creating a world where the rules are as important as the action itself, forcing characters to win with their wits as much as their strength.
In Hunter x Hunter, he follows a young boy named Gon on a quest to become a "Hunter." The series is celebrated for its intricate "Nen" power system and its thoughtful, often dark, exploration of humanity's potential for both good and evil.
Hajime Isayama created a story that, like Fullmetal Alchemist, starts as an action-packed adventure and slowly reveals itself to be a complex political and historical mystery. He shares Arakawa's talent for tight, foreshadowed plotting and for exploring the brutal consequences of war and ideology.
His series Attack on Titan presents a dark world where humanity battles gigantic creatures. What begins as a fight for survival evolves into a thought-provoking and devastating examination of freedom, hatred, and the cycles of violence.
The late Kentaro Miura was acclaimed for his incredibly detailed artwork and the dark, sprawling fantasy world he created. He shares Arakawa's willingness to explore profound and often painful psychological themes, grounding his epic fantasy in the raw, emotional struggles of his characters.
His legendary series Berserk is a gritty and powerful exploration of ambition, betrayal, and the human will to struggle against a seemingly hopeless fate, perfect for readers who appreciate the more mature themes in Arakawa's work.
These creators excel at balancing high-octane action with laugh-out-loud comedy and genuinely touching emotional moments, a signature combination that Arakawa perfected.
A legend in the industry, Rumiko Takahashi is known for blending comedy, romance, and mythological adventure with relatable, charmingly flawed characters. She shares Arakawa's incredible talent for creating a perfect mix of humor and deeper human emotion.
In her classic series Inuyasha, she tells a fantasy adventure about a modern girl and a half-demon. If you enjoy Arakawa's balance of tone, Takahashi's endearing storytelling will be a perfect fit.
Masashi Kishimoto is a master of crafting adventure stories that center on strong friendships, emotional struggles, and dynamic action. He shares Arakawa's focus on characters who mature through adversity, especially the powerful bond between rivals and brothers.
His iconic manga Naruto follows a young ninja who dreams of recognition while grappling with loneliness and destiny, offering a similarly heartfelt and epic journey to that of the Elric brothers.
Kohei Horikoshi blends exciting superhero action with optimistic and heartfelt character development. He shares Arakawa's ability to create a large, memorable cast and to balance thrilling fight scenes with genuinely funny and touching moments of friendship and mentorship.
His series My Hero Academia follows an enthusiastic young hero attending a specialized school, exploring ideas of duty, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be a hero.
The legendary Akira Toriyama created fun, imaginative worlds filled with humor, adventure, and unforgettable characters. He is a master of adventure and comedic timing, a spirit that fans of Arakawa's more lighthearted moments will instantly recognize.
His iconic series Dragon Ball perfectly combines martial arts battles with comedic storytelling, introducing epic quests and a beloved cast of characters who grow from children into powerful heroes.
These artists are known for their distinctive visual styles and for stories that, like Fullmetal Alchemist, delve into conspiracies, supernatural mysteries, and complex moral questions.
Tite Kubo is known for his incredibly stylish artwork and his detailed exploration of life-and-death themes. He shares Arakawa's talent for designing a large, memorable cast with unique abilities and for crafting well-choreographed, high-stakes action sequences.
His series Bleach is about a teenager who gains the powers of a Soul Reaper, and its long-running plot of conspiracy within a spiritual bureaucracy will appeal to fans of FMA's military intrigue.
Sui Ishida is known for his dark, psychological stories with disturbing themes and deeply emotional storytelling. He shares Arakawa's focus on existential questions of what it means to be human, though with a much darker and more tragic tone.
In his manga Tokyo Ghoul, he examines concepts of identity and morality through the eyes of a young man caught between the human world and the world of flesh-eating ghouls.
Yana Toboso's manga is stylish, dark, and intriguing, filled with memorable and complicated characters. She shares Arakawa's talent for detailed artwork and for creating rich historical settings that hide dark secrets just beneath a refined surface.
Fans of FMA's government conspiracies may enjoy Black Butler, a series about a young aristocrat who makes a pact with a demon to solve grim mysteries in Victorian England.
Atsushi Ōkubo creates energetic manga filled with distinctive, stylized art and imaginative worlds. He shares Arakawa's ability to combine dynamic action sequences with strong themes of friendship and personal growth, all wrapped in a unique aesthetic.
His series Soul Eater, which follows students at a school for weapon meisters, will appeal to fans of Arakawa's strong character designs and beautifully illustrated action scenes.
The emotional core of Arakawa's work is often the family—both biological and chosen. These creators share her talent for crafting lovable, quirky characters who form deep and meaningful bonds.
CLAMP, an all-female manga team, is known for their elegant artwork and rich, emotional storytelling that often centers on fate and interconnected relationships. They share Arakawa's talent for creating deep character bonds and exploring how personal sacrifices affect a wider community.
Their series xxxHolic explores supernatural mysteries and personal growth through the experiences of a young man who works for a wish-granting witch, focusing on the connections between people.
Yuki Midorikawa writes gentle, heartfelt stories that explore friendship, loneliness, and empathy. If you were moved by the quieter, emotional side of Arakawa's storytelling, you will appreciate Midorikawa's subtle and sensitive style.
Her manga Natsume's Book of Friends features a lonely teenager who can see spirits, exploring his journey toward acceptance and the found family he builds with both humans and yokai.
Known for his quirky art and sincere, character-driven storytelling, ONE shares Arakawa's incredible talent for balancing humor and heart. His work often features deeply endearing characters who find strength and purpose through their connections with others.
If you love Arakawa's humor and themes of self-improvement, you must read Mob Psycho 100, a manga about an absurdly powerful psychic teen who just wants to be a normal, decent person.