2011's Best Continuing Manga: 20 Picks, Including Best (and Worst) Series

Earlier this month, I rounded up my choices for the Best New Manga of 2011. Then I followed it up with my picks for the 25 Most Anticipated New Manga of 2012. As the year winds down, it's as good a time as any to give a few nods to the Best Continuing Manga Series of 2011.

While the Best New Manga list was limited to manga series or one-shots that made their debut in 2011, the Best Continuing Manga list is meant to honor ongoing series that had at least one new volume released in the past year, and had (well, at least in my opinion) really hit its stride, or hit new highs compared to the rest of the pack. This list also lets me call out a few other categories like Best New Art Book, Best Magazine/Anthology, and give out a few no-prizes for the two worst manga of the year, and the Biggest Disappointment of 2011.

So what kept hanging out in my 'must-read' pile over and over again this year? Many are faves that were on my Best Manga of 2010 lists that kept  me coming back for more, like Cross Game by Mitsuru Adachi and Ooku by Fumi Yoshinaga, while others kind of grew on me over time, like Kimi ni Todoke by Karuho Shina and Dorohedoro by Q Hayashida.

But what was my pick for the biggest disappointment of 2011? Last year this dubious 'honor' went to the Twilight graphic novels. This year, rather than singling out a disappointing book, I opted to call out a very, very disappointing event: The closure of TokyoPop.

So now that you've seen my choices for the best continuing manga series as well as my picks for the worst -- what are your picks? Which ongoing series captured your heart (and dollars) this year? What's your pick for the biggest disappointment of 2011? Add your comments below!

Image credits: © Mitsuru Adachi / SHOGAKUKAN