Top 10 Stories That Define Our Childhood

Dragon Ball – The Seven Dragon Balls tells the story of Goku, a boy with a monkey tail, found by an old man living alone in the forest who treats him like his own grandson. One day, Goku meets a girl named Bulma while fishing, and together, they set off to search for the seven magical Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs hold the secret to summoning a dragon that grants a wish to whoever possesses them.

Dragon Ball follows the journey of Son Goku from his childhood to adulthood, featuring his adventures, his quest to find the Dragon Balls, and his encounters with new friends and villains seeking to use the dragon’s power to dominate the world.

The story’s heart revolves around the values of friendship, combat, and triumphant victory. As the plot unfolds, it emphasizes kindness, peace, and the growth of its characters through countless battles, victories, losses, and crucial life lessons. With each challenge, Goku and his companions grow stronger, both in martial arts and in character.

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Naruto is one of the most iconic manga series in Japan, first published in April 1997 by creator Kishimoto Masashi. Apart from its print and illustration success, Naruto was adapted into an anime that aired starting April 3, 2002. The story follows Uzumaki Naruto, a loud, energetic teenager who strives to prove himself and earn the respect of others, with the ultimate goal of becoming Hokage—the leader of the ninja village, revered by all.

The plot centers around Naruto’s backstory, where twelve years earlier, the village was attacked by a Nine-Tailed Fox. The Fourth Hokage sealed the creature within Naruto, and as he grew up, the villagers feared that one day, the seal would break, unleashing destruction. Isolated and feared, Naruto’s childhood was shrouded in darkness. As he grows older, he joins the Ninja Academy, where he makes friends and mentors who help him discover his true potential.

Energetic and outspoken, Naruto defies expectations, proving to the village that he is not the cursed child or the monster they fear, but an individual capable of great things. His greatest dream is to become Hokage, and to achieve that, he must grow even stronger. Naruto teaches the importance of love and forgiveness, which empower you, while hatred and greed only serve to bind you. Embrace your path, even if the end is uncertain, because it is your chosen journey.

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The Genius of Vietnam is a popular Vietnamese children’s comic series. The first volume, titled The Sorcerer Calls the Grapefruit, was published by Nhà xuất bản Trẻ on February 16, 2002. The story follows Trạng Nguyên Lê Tí and his friends Sửu, Dần, Mẹo, Thìn, and more, with most of the characters being young children.

Tí is known for his honesty and his willingness to fight against injustice and bullies who use their power to torment the villagers. He is also a devoted child who takes care of his family. His striking appearance and intelligence attract the attention of several girls, like Sửu Ẹo, Thiên Thân, and Phương Thìn. Each volume highlights Tí’s sharp intellect and the humorous adventures of his friends. This is a beloved series in Vietnam, praised for its educational value in fostering children’s development.

As the longest-running and most successful Vietnamese comic series, the story emphasizes Tí’s quick thinking and the clever ways he handles challenges, along with his companions Sửu Ẹo, Dần Béo, and Cả Mẹo. Most of the major events in The Genius of Vietnam are based on real Vietnamese historical events and stories.

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Released over 6 years with 31 volumes, Slam Dunk is a high school sports manga centered around a basketball team at Shuhoku High. The series, first published in weekly comic magazines, sold over 100 million copies in Japan. Hanamichi, who holds the world record for heartbreaks, is known for his fiery temper and red hair. He falls in love with the sweet and kind-hearted Haruko, which leads him to join the school's basketball team. Rukawa, a rival for Haruko's affections, joins the team at the same time, and the two quickly become fierce competitors.

The manga had a significant cultural impact, influencing basketball trends in Japanese middle and high schools. Basketball became one of the most popular sports in Japan. Slam Dunk is a sports manga with a realistic approach, where characters aren’t born with natural talent, but must work hard to succeed. Shuhoku doesn’t always win, and Hanamichi’s growth is gradual, showcasing his perseverance to achieve greatness.

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Tí Quậy is a series of comics by Đào Hải, published by Kim Đồng Publishing House from 2003 to 2012. The series, spanning nine volumes, follows a clever, mischievous boy named Tí and his daily life—from school to home. The funny and heartwarming stories about the life of Tí and his best friend Tèo in school and at home bring laughter and valuable lessons to generations of Vietnamese students.

We see ourselves in Tí and Tèo’s moments of mischief, failing exams, being scolded by parents... and in those moments when they realize their mistakes, growing up, and learning to love and respect their parents, teachers, and friends.

Perhaps that’s why the Tí Quậy series has such enduring popularity. After its release, the series received positive feedback from young readers and was quickly embraced, eagerly read daily.

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This work is a comic series by author Yoshito Usui, telling the adventures of a 5-year-old boy named Shin. The stories follow his escapades with his parents, younger sister, dog, friends, and other characters. With its simple drawings, the author captures the charm and cuteness of Shin.

Shin is a mischievous, lively, and energetic boy, constantly getting himself into funny situations with his family and friends. He has a soft spot for beautiful women, especially Nanako, and enjoys the company of his pig, Buriburi. This humorous story brings laughter and joy to young readers.

Shin’s carefree, innocent outlook on life often leads to hilarious situations for the adults around him. But beyond the humor, the Shin comic series offers light-hearted life lessons on parenting that make readers reflect deeply.

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This comic series tells the story of a blonde-haired American girl, the daughter of a wealthy family who is passionate about Egyptian archaeology. Due to her family's obsession with Egyptology, they find themselves cursed, causing her to be transported back to Ancient Egypt. Armed with knowledge from the modern world, she becomes a pivotal figure in ancient history. Her intelligence and beauty, which could make kings fall for her, lead her into a web of intrigue and power struggles between kingdoms.

The series has now been adapted into a stage musical to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the comic, proving that this story is still immensely popular.

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Doraemon is a beloved comic series that has been a part of many childhoods around the world, including in Vietnam. This timeless manga is often regarded as one of the greatest Japanese manga series of all time. Set in 1970s Japan, it follows the daily life of Nobita and his family and friends. Nobita is a boy with poor academic performance, often returning home crying after being teased by his classmates.

The story revolves around a robotic cat, Doraemon, who comes from the 22nd century to assist the clumsy Nobita. The episodes are short, easy to understand, humorous, and provide an optimistic view of the future, along with the development of science and technology. Doraemon has won numerous manga awards in Japan and was named one of Asia's top 22 most prominent characters by Time Asia magazine. Since its debut, Doraemon has not only become the most popular manga and character in Japan but has also become a cultural icon, beloved by children in many countries around the world.

With his magical gadgets, Nobita often goes too far, causing problems that weren't part of Doraemon's original plan. By the end of each story, those who misuse the gadgets or cause trouble must face the consequences, teaching readers valuable life lessons. Doraemon is published in Japan and many countries worldwide, making it one of the most popular comic series, especially in Asia.

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Detective Conan is a popular Japanese manga series in the mystery genre, written by Gosho Aoyama. It ranks fifth among the best-selling manga of all time, revolving around thrilling, intelligent investigations led by the young detective Conan. Readers follow Conan as he solves various cases, uncovers hidden secrets, and brings evil to light. This famous Japanese manga also sharpens the reader's ability to think, judge, and observe.

Most of us have at least once read Conan and joined in the exciting investigations and prominent storylines. The series follows the story of the high school detective Kudo Shinichi, who, after being discovered by two members of a criminal organization, is forced to ingest a poison, APTX 4869, which turns him into a child. He then adopts the name Edogawa Conan and lives with the bumbling detective Mori Kogoro. Throughout the series, Conan helps solve various cases while secretly working to track down the organization's members. The author Aoyama has been planning the conclusion of Conan since 2007, but the final chapter has yet to be released.

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One Piece is a manga series with over 100 volumes and shows no sign of ending soon. This long-running manga, which has been serialized for 20 years, continues to captivate readers. It has become popular not only in Japan but also in the U.S. and Vietnam. The story spans centuries, beginning with conflicts between various tribes from 5000 years ago.

One Piece has earned a Guinness World Record for the most copies published by a single author. It follows the journey of a boy named Monkey D. Luffy, inspired by his childhood hero, Shanks “Red-Haired”, as he sets sail to find the legendary treasure, One Piece, and become the Pirate King.

Another amusing detail is Luffy’s straw hat and outfit, which make him appear more like a rural country boy than a pirate. Many readers have humorously pointed out how odd it is for a pirate crew to be called “The Straw Hat Pirates.” One of the most appealing aspects of the story is the themes of friendship, teamwork, and dreams, all of which are portrayed with a perfect mix of humor and depth by the author Oda Eiichiro.

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