Sure, there were some great manga nominated for an Eisner award in 2009 but what about the ones that didn't get the nod from the nominating committee? See the year's best manga that got missed by the Eisner Awards, but are still worth your money and attention, as recommended by some of the web's top bloggers, critics, and comics creators.
For fun, I noted the possible Eisner categories that these titles could have ran in, in addition to the manga-centric Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Japan category.
See the seven manga nominated for the 2009 Eisner Awards, and the 2008 and 2007 nominees.
31. Two Flowers for the Dragon - 1 nomination
RYU NO HANAWAZURAI © 2005 Nari Kusakawa / Hakusensha, Inc.
Author and Artist: Nari Kusakawa
Publisher: CMX Manga
Eisner Categories: Best Publication for Teens / Tweens
"The best work so far by one of the best shojo fantasy artists in years (Palette of Twelve Secret Colors, The Recipe for Gertrude, etc.). An Asian-themed fantasy romance, with dragons and magic and handsome swordsmen."
- Jason Thompson, Otaku USA, The Complete Guide to Manga
32. Uzumaki - 1 nomination
© 1998 Junji ITO / Shogakukan Inc.
Author and Artist: Junji Ito
Publisher: VIZ Signature / VIZ Media
Eisner Categories: Best Graphic Album- Reprint
"Uzumaki? Oh, the curls! Those super creepy spirals will never leave my brain no matter how many fluffy bunny comics I read as brain cleansers. Just walking past someone with long hair on a windy day makes me jump back in fear."
- Eva Volin, No Flying No Tights, ICV2 Guide to Manga
33. With The Light - 1 nomination
© Keiko Tobe / Akita Shoten
Author and Artist: Keiko Tobe
Publisher: Yen Press
Eisner Categories: Best Continuing Series, Best Reality-Based Work
"Tackles a serious topic (in this case, autism) and presents it in an educational yet entertaining way. An emotionally powerful manga unlike anything out there right now."
- Scott VonSchilling, Anime Almanac
34. We Were There - 1 nomination
© Yuuki Obata 2002 All rights reserved.
Author and Artist: Yuki Obata
Publisher: Shojo Beat / VIZ Media
Eisner Categories: Best Publication for Teens / Tweens
"Once more people read more of the series, they'll realize it's much better than that other "slice of life" shojo series. ;) I'm hardly impartial anyway...."
- Nancy Thistlewhite, VIZ Media Editor
35. Mechademia - 1 nomination
© Mechademia, University of Minnesota Press
Author and Artist: Various
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
Eisner Categories: Best Comics-Related Periodical / Journalism
"In short I would say that Mechademia is providing the much need academic research to help serious fans appreciate the history of anime and manga and their contributions to Japanese culture."
- Ed Sizemore, Comics Worth Reading
36. Anime News Network - 1 nomination
Authors: Various
Publisher: Anime News Network
Eisner Categories: Best Comics-Related Periodical / Journalism
"ANN has proven themselves to be the leading authority for anime and manga news reporting, their encylopedia is the best single single source for information on anime and manga."
- Ed Sizemore, Comics Worth Reading
