Japanese manga legend Hiro Mashima (真島ヒロ) is already famous for his superhuman work ethic and insane time management. Not only does he consistently hit deadlines, but he often churns out two chapters a week – practically a "shame to the labor force" in the manga world! What's even wilder is that while serializing, he somehow blasts through games faster than most casual players.
Recently, he took to his X account to share his picks for the top 10 games of 2025 so far, and the gaming-obsessed manga maestro's list immediately grabbed the attention of fans and netizens alike.
Here's Mashima's list, in order:
1st Place: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
2nd Place: Light & Shadow: Expedition 33
3rd Place: Borderlands 4
4th Place: Octopath Traveler 0
5th Place: Dual Shadow Wonderland
6th Place: Ghost of Yotei
7th Place: Donkey Kong: Full Banana Power
8th Place: Hades II
9th Place: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
10th Place: BALL x PIT
He also mentioned his most anticipated games for next year: Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) and Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twin Dragons of Destiny!
But here's the kicker: Mashima is currently serializing two major works, FAIRY TAIL: 100 Years Quest (where he handles the original story and storyboards) and DEAD ROCK. Yet, he still finds time to play this many games – and seemingly finishes most of them! Plus, this list doesn't even cover *all* the games he plays. Fans are absolutely floored, wondering if their sensei is secretly a full-blown game critic!
Back in August, he also posted his "Top 5 Most Fun Games of H1 2025," with the following ranking:
1st Place: Death Stranding 2
2nd Place: Light & Shadow: Expedition 33
3rd Place: Donkey Kong: Full Banana Power
4th Place: Hundred Day War Chronicle -Final Defense Academy-
5th Place: Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
While some titles have shifted, the top two remain steadfast: Death Stranding 2 and Light & Shadow: Expedition 33.
So, if you're looking for some game recommendations, Mashima's list might be worth checking out. But seriously, his ability to manage his time is unparalleled. He's not just keeping up with his manga; he's practically a professional game reviewer on the side! He must truly be a man with a Hyperbolic Time Chamber or something!