First published by Shueisha in 1968, Weekly Shonen Jump quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the most influential manga magazines alongside Weekly Shonen Magazine and Weekly Shonen Sunday. Famed for its high-energy, action-packed, and often humorous stories aimed at young male readers, the magazine reached its pinnacle during the 1980s and 1990s, a period now remembered as its iconic “Golden Age.”
Many of the magazine’s most celebrated works from that era are now available on the Shonen Jump mobile app, launched in 2019, which continues to release weekly chapters of both classic favorites and new hit series.
Below are five standout manga from Shonen Jump’s 1990s catalog that are widely regarded as near-perfect from start to finish.
5. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable
Created by the legendary Hirohiko Araki, Diamond is Unbreakable ran from 1992 to 1995 in Weekly Shonen Jump. This fourth part of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure saga introduces Josuke Higashikata, a new Joestar bloodline hero living in the quiet town of Morioh in 1999.
Josuke is forced to confront bizarre and dangerous Stand users to protect his town, ultimately facing one of the franchise’s most acclaimed villains, Yoshikage Kira. The series is lauded for its unique art style, character-driven storytelling, and subversion of typical shonen tropes.
4. Yu-Gi-Oh!
Originally envisioned as a horror manga, Yu-Gi-Oh! by the late Kazuki Takahashi became a pop culture titan. The story follows Yugi Mutou, who solves the ancient Millennium Puzzle and is granted the title of “King of Games.”
Despite evolving into a card game-centered narrative, the manga retained darker psychological themes. It became a commercial powerhouse, selling over 40 million copies and winning Shonen Jump’s “Comic Product of the Year” award from ICv2 in 2002. Critics praised its originality and depth beyond mere game promotion.
3. Rurouni Kenshin
Penned by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Rurouni Kenshin follows Himura Kenshin, a former assassin seeking redemption by protecting others without taking lives. The series stands out for its strong themes of responsibility and atonement.
However, in 2017, the manga was overshadowed by controversy when Watsuki was arrested for possession of child pornography, resulting in the suspension of the series’ second arc. While some fans argue for separating the art from the artist, others firmly believe the scandal taints the legacy of the work.
2. Yu Yu Hakusho
Written by Yoshihiro Togashi, Yu Yu Hakusho tells the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a delinquent who dies saving a child and is later revived as a Spirit Detective to battle demons in the human world.
Initially starting as a supernatural action-comedy, the series grew darker and more complex, earning widespread acclaim. It won the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1993 and ranked 17th in TV Asahi’s 2021 Manga Sosenkyo poll of the top 100 manga of all time.
1. Slam Dunk
Slam Dunk, by Eisner-nominated Takehiko Inoue, is the best-selling basketball manga in the world. It follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a troubled high school student who joins a basketball team to impress a girl. Inspired by Inoue’s personal love for the sport, the series resonates with passion and authenticity.
Slam Dunk won the 40th Shogakukan Manga Award for Shonen in 1994 and was voted the No.1 manga of all time at the 10th Japan Media Arts Festival and the 2009 Media Arts 100 Poll. Inoue also launched the Slam Dunk Scholarship to support aspiring student-athletes in Japan.