I wouldn't count Secret of Evermore part of the series, I believe I heard it came out the same time, if not was in development before Mana was. I even remember hearing that Mana stole from Evermore, that's why they are so similar.
But, I could be more then wrong, I'm going on, although be it professional, hear-say.
Yeah. Didn't that one use the 100% battle system, too?
Haven't played it in a while, but I don't remember it being as tedious.