So let me start off by saying this is my first editorial so please forgive me for any grammatical issues and whatnot with this article. Secondly let me state that this is my personal list not a conclusive or concrete list that everyone must adhere to. If you disagree with my list that is fine put down your top 5 but please be civil no need to get angry. So without further ado here is my list beginning with some honorable mentions.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
-Vinland Saga Makoto Yukimura 2005-present
-Karakuri Circus Kazuhiro Fujita 1997-2006
-Katekyo Hitman Reborn Akira Amano 2004-2012
-Zatch Bell Makoto Raiku 2001-2007
-Gantz Hiroya Oku 2000-2013
-Rave Master Hiro Mashima 1999-2005
Now with my Top 5 favorite manga
Number 5 Yu Yu Hakasho Yoshihiro Togashi 1990-1994
The story of a delinquent junior high student named Yusuke Urameshi who much rather skip school and fight other punks is killed saving a little boy. Due to his sacrifice he is allowed his life back in return he becomes a Spirit Detective for the Spirit World and help in taking down rogue Demons in the human world. It's a great series with a lot of wonderful characters and some great fights. The Dark Tournament Arc where Urameshi and his friends are forced to fight against other teams all ending with the confrontation between Team Urameshi and Team Toguro and it is a great set of fights to read.
Number 4 Berserk Kentarō Miura 1990-present
The story of a man named Gutz who through events in his past lost his left hand and is marked by demons forever haunted by them. Now wielding his giant black sword hunts demon specifically the demon that marked him he travels the world killing every demon he meets. This is a great series with beautiful art and a very imaginative world along with great fights between Gutz and demons. I will give warning that if things like gore is not your thing or rape this may not be a manga for you. While there is not near as much rape as there is gore in the series rape is still somewhat prevalent in the series.
Number 3 Eyeshield 21 Riichiro Inagaki and Yusuke Murata 2002-2009
The story of a meek high school freshman named Sena Kobayakawa at Deimon High School who while very timid and scared has amazing speed. Though somewhat forced to join the school football team by the quarterback Yoichi Hiruma he uses his amazing speed as the team running back to help the school go to the Christmas Bowl the goal of all the high school teams in Japan. This is a series full of great laughs, blood pumping excitement, and crushing defeats. If anyone here has ever played on a high school football team like I did you will feel a connection to the Deimon Devil Bats during their highs and lows from victory to defeat. Yet even if you haven't you can still really feel the characters emotion as they go through the games.
Number 2 Fullmetal Alchemist Hiromu Arakawa 2001-2010
A story of two brothers named Edward and Alphonse Elric who lose their mother as young boys. Using the power of alchemy they perform the ultimate taboo of alchemy Human Transmutation a crime against god that brings untold punishment upon those who perform it. The two brothers forgo the warnings to bring back their mother. As punishment for this Edward the elder brother loses his left leg while Alphonse the younger brother loses his entire brother. Unable to lose his brother Edward sacrifices his right arm to bind Alphonse soul to a suit of armor. Yet even through all these sacrifices what they bring back isn't their mother but a deformed mass of a human that quickly dies. Given an automail arm and leg by his closest friends Winry's grandmother Edward and Alphonse set fourth on a journey to try and get back their old bodies. A wonderful series that has amazing characters and the connection of brotherly love between Edward and Alphonse is great. The series has great comedy, amazing fights, and heart wrenching drama and it is a great read for everyone.
Number 1 One Piece Eiichiro Oda1997-present
20 years prior to the story Gold Roger conquered the seas amassing a huge fortune as the Pirate King. Captured and to be executed by the World Government he tells the world that his treasure is gathered in "One Piece" and is there for anyone to find it. This sets into motion the Golden Age of Pirates sending thousands of men to the sea to find the One Piece. To the present day Monkey D. "Strawhat" Luffy sets off from his home town in order to find the One Piece and become the new King of the Pirates. As he gains new crew members along his journey ever closer to the One Piece. A cast of memorable characters, a truly wonderful and imaginative world that is filled with gut busting laughs, yell out loud fights, and tear jerking scenes. This is a series that is filled with it all that oozes with the creator's love for this series. This series is the number one greatest selling manga in all of Japan selling more then 300 million copies of the volumes in Japan alone.