22 Saddest & Most Depressing Manga That Reflect The Depths Of Human Despair!

We’ve all experienced the curious urge to consume sad and depressing works that reflect the dark recesses of humanity and their experiences.

Even for us manga enthusiasts, this holds true. But I feel that not every manga with a “depressing” label accurately captures the emotional gut punch I particularly crave. A feeling of emptiness and hopelessness.

Take Homunculus for example – does it have an unsettling psychological premise? Yes. But did I find it truly depressing? Not quite.

While most recommendations left me with a melancholic sigh, the yearning for a truly hopeless pit to wallow in persisted. 

So, in the spirit of shared suffering, I present you with a carefully curated selection of depressing manga that may leave you staring into the existential void and yes, utterly sad. 

Consider it a gift for the fellow emotional masochists out there.

22 sad & depressing manga for you to check out!

Before we start, I’d like to make something clear. MOST of the manga in this list don’t offer any sense of catharsis or an outlet for emotions, which makes them all too grim. 

On the other hand, there are some titles that will leave you weeping!

So, if that is something you’re looking forward to reading, then here are my depressing and sad manga recommendations!

22. Downfall:

Author: Inio Asano
Status: Completed

Inio Asano’s Downfall is a short manga with only 8 chapters. However, in that short span, it managed to leave me with a very uncomfortable and hollow feeling. 

The plot is essentially a bleak portrait of a manga artist named Fukuzawa. Struggling to find inspiration after his past success, Fukuzawa gets consumed by depression.

With emotions of a failing marriage haunting him in the background, he spirals into self-destruction, seeking solace in fleeting relationships with prostitutes.

Downfall is not everyone’s cup of tea. You might like it or hate it depending on how you view the protagonist.

The unflinching portrayal of Fukuzawa’s downfall leaves a lasting impression, with themes of artistic fragility along with the allure of self-destruction touched upon.

No, Asano doesn’t try to justify what Fukuzawa does, but still, the atmosphere till the end is quite bleak, making me consider this one of the most depressing manga I have ever read! Let me know your thoughts once you have read the ending! 

21. My Broken Mariko:

Author: Waka Hirako
Status: Completed

My Broken Mariko might only be four chapters long, but in that very small span, author Waka Hirako lays down a raw and unflinching narrative that does not hold back on the emotional gut punches.

Fair warning – this manga deals heavily with suicide and abuse.

The plot follows Shiino, a young woman who is devastated by the sudden suicide of her best friend, Mariko. Mariko had suffered from years of abuse at the hands of her father, leading to deep emotional scars that ultimately drove her to take her own life.

Overwhelmed with grief and guilt, Shiino impulsively decides to steal Mariko’s ashes from her abusive father and embarks on a road trip to give her friend the peace and closure she never found in life.

The manga on the surface is an intense reflection of Shiino and Mariko’s friendship. However, as you read you understand that Shiino is trying to grapple with her inner guilt and her inability to do anything for her friend.

My Broken Mariko is not always heavy, however it does get you with its brutal and honest exploration of grief, guilt, and the helplessness that accompanies watching someone you care about suffer. The manga has a live action adaptation movie.

I read this manga while listening to The Fray’s How To Save A Life on loop.

20. Nijigahara Holograph:

Author: Inio Asano
Status: Completed

Seen Mulholland Drive or Enemy? Do you remember how you felt after watching these flicks? Well, you are in for something similar once you are done reading Nijigahara Holograph.

Nijigahara Holograph is a short manga by Inio Asano with only 15 chapters (including the 2 prologue chapters). However, in those 15 chapters, Asano manages to weave an interconnected story spanning over 10 years, about the people who live in a city.

The crux of the story? Its complex themes, dream-like surrealism, and dark setting, all of which are somehow connected to the Nijigahara embarkment of the city and a girl who met with an accident.

Asano paints the hellscape of humanity over the course of the 15 chapters, and by the time you finish reading this, you will end up questioning what you read and also be left with a hole in your heart.

It’s a slow and meticulous deconstruction of the horrors that people can experience. The more you reread the series, the more you notice the unspeakable things hiding in the subtleties of Asano’s depictions.

But then, it’s not a reaction that I expect from everyone, because Asano has written this manga so fluidly that the interpretation of the themes and the characters’ motives, or even the roles they play in the larger picture is up to the reader. 

19. Bokurano:

Author: Mohiro Kitoh
Status: Completed

Torturing kids under the pretext of a grim game of despair making the story quite depressing and hard to read – that’ll be a perfect line to sum up Bokurano manga.

The narrative revolves around a group of high school students who stumble upon a mysterious website allowing the children to play heroes by defending the earth from enemies. However, their joy soon turns to horror as they discover the game’s true cost: their lives. 

One by one, they are forced to pilot a giant robot and fight to the death, their every move dictated by a cruel and enigmatic entity. The battles become increasingly grotesque and disturbing, highlighting the utter futility of their struggle.

If it is a given that your life will end no matter what, and that all efforts you put in amount to nothing, how will that change your outlook? Would you still find any meaning in life? Bokurano is a manga which touches upon this theme quite well.

At one point I felt that the pattern of the story felt repetitive, because essentially Bokurano strings together stories of each child, one after another. 

But then, there is no denying the fact that whatever they experience is absolutely traumatic. The art adds to the depressing tone, and it is certainly a manga you should pick up if you don’t want to read something happy!

18. Sundome:

Author: Kazuto Okada
Status: Completed

We have mentioned this before, but Sundome is lot more than a blue balls inducing fetish manga. You might have read it as an edgy teenager, but I am pretty sure you came out of the journey a new person – if you actually read it that is!

Okada surely wanted readers to experience a range of emotions while going through this work. However, the pervy acts border or cynicism sometimes and can be off-putting for some.

The plot of the manga follows Hideo Aiba who had never fallen in love with any girl at first. However when he lays eyes on the transfer student Sahana Kurumi for the first time, he ends up falling heads over heel for her.

When Kurumi ends up joining the Roman club, Aiba gets to see a different side of her. From that point on, Aiba lets Kurumi be the master of their relationship, mostly because he is scared of rejection and being hurt.

Sundome presents its readers a lot of pervy scenes under the pretext of a sadistic and dominant female character manipulating and ordering around a wimpy guy.

However, the underlying darker themes of the manga start rearing its head as the series progresses. Amidst all the scattered cringe, ecchi and club activity moments, Sundome slowly peels away the layers of Aiba and Kurumi’s toxic relationship.

The best part about the manga is also their toxic relationship (platonic? gratifying?) and how it evolves parallelly with Aiba’ character. The ending is widely debated, but surely it’s impactful (that’s all I will say).

It’s really a journey – filled with ecchi stuff and pantsu shots, but yeah, this manga delivers as we go deeper (something Aiba never got to do)!

17. Gunjou:

Author: Ching Nakamura
Status: Finished

Gunjou, simply put, is a manga about two complex characters who are toxic for each other. The following scene should convey a good image about the raw and unflinching nature of the manga.

The story revolves around two unnamed women,(a blonde and a brunette), who are on the run after Blondie kills Brunette’s abusive husband at the latter’s request. 

Blonde does so because she loves Brunette a lot, however, the latter is straight and does not reciprocate her feelings. And so, their relationship is twisted and complicated, marked by dependence, obsession, and manipulation.

Keep no hope for romance or wholesome moments, instead treat this one as a purely psychological manga. Once you read it, I am pretty sure you’ll be torn between deciding whether the relationship between Brunette and Blonde was a tragic love story, or a toxic and destructive relationship.

It tackles many heavy themes, including domestic violence, sexual assault, trauma, and the complexities of love and desire. Definitely not a whimsical yuri romance! 

The manga has a depressing vibe throughout, mostly because of the characters and their dark thoughts. The interactions between the characters seemed forced to me at the beginning. However, it got better as the plot progressed.

The artstyle too is pretty unique and stands out from the pack. However, I am pretty sure it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

16. Tokyo Ghoul

Author: Sui Ishida
Status: Completed

“If you were to write a story with me in the lead role, it would certainly be… a tragedy.”

Tokyo Ghoul is a manga that needs no special introduction. The plot follows Kaneki Ken, a normal college student whose life takes a terrifying turn when he’s attacked by a ghoul and receives a ghoul organ transplant.

Now a half-ghoul, Kaneki struggles to survive in a world where humans and ghouls are at war. As he navigates his newfound powers and the dangers of the ghoul world, Kaneki grapples with his identity and the moral complexities of his existence.

Okay, so Tokyo Ghoul isn’t essentially categorized as a depressing manga. But, I love the themes that Ishida tackles in the series, and the overall philosophical tone it has. That said, there is no denying that Kaneki’s story is a tragedy for most parts.

He’s tortured, loses loved ones, and constantly struggling with his identity. On top of that the world that Ishida created is brutal – full of violence, prejudice, and a never-ending fight to survive.

It evokes a sense of nihilism, questioning the meaning of life and existence, and the possibility of happiness in such a bleak world.

15. Banana Fish:

Author: Akimi Yoshida
Status: Completed

If you have watched the anime already, you’ll take some time to get accustomed to the manga’s character designs!

Would you believe me if I told you the gritty action-packed Banana Fish was originally categorized as a shōjo manga? Despite its heavy themes of abuse, exploitation, and the criminal underworld, Banana Fish was classified as a shōjo series.

While often discussed for its yaoi subtext, Banana Fish is renowned as one of the saddest and most epic works in the genre.

The story follows Ash Lynx, a young gang leader with a traumatic past, who becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy involving the mysterious drug “Banana Fish.” Ash’s life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Eiji Okumura, a gentle Japanese photographer, and the two form a deep, complex bond amidst the chaos and darkness that surrounds them.

Author Akimi Yoshida has masterfully crafted a harrowing narrative with Eiji and Ash’s relationship at its emotional core. We witness our characters constantly struggling for survival, highlighting the cyclical nature of violence.

The story often leaves us pondering “what if” scenarios, imagining alternative paths that could have led to a happier ending.

Without these “what if” moments, the series’ unflinching portrayal of brutal realities makes the story even more painful. If you can read this manga a second or third time, I’d confidently label you a masochist.

14. SaiKano:

Author: Shin Takahashi
Status: Completed

Note to everyone: Do not confuse this manga with Saekano. They are poles apart!

SaiKano (She, the Ultimate Weapon), a frequently overlooked manga, deserves a place on the shelf of anyone seeking dark, depressing dramas – according to me atleast.

While it initially presents as a light-hearted teen romance, SaiKano is a far cry from such a description. Despite featuring perennially horny teenagers, this manga will leave you wallowing in despair.

The plot revolves around Shuji and Chise, whose relationship starts as a typical teenage romance. However, everything changes when Shuji discovers Chise’s horrifying secret: she has been transformed into a living weapon by the military.

As the war escalates, Chise’s humanity begins to erode, and her transformation into a weapon becomes increasingly pronounced. The manga’s depiction of her gradual descent into someone inhumane, set against the backdrop of a horrific war, creates an overwhelmingly bleak atmosphere.

A sense of hopelessness permeates the story as Shuji and Chise’s love is crushed by the weight of circumstances beyond their control.

Watching them struggle to maintain their love and connection despite the growing physical and emotional distance is heartbreaking.

For those who have read it, SaiKano is undoubtedly one of the saddest manga ever.

13. Chi no Wadachi:

Author: Shuzo Oshimi
Status: Completed

Chi No Wadachi is one of the most critically acclaimed works to come out of Shuzo Oshimi’s closet. This manga isn’t just depressing, it is also terror inducing at times.

The plot follows Seiichi Osabe, a seemingly ordinary boy ostracized by his classmates and trapped in a dysfunctional family dynamic. Seiichi remains oblivious to the fact that his helicopter mother is very controlling and emotionally abusive, until a certain incident makes him question her behavior.

The story only gets darker and more suffocating after this point!

Relationships in Chi no Wadachi are a minefield of manipulation and abuse. Using Sei’s gaslighting mother, Oshimi has crafted a harrowing narrative rooted in the human psyche, which is raw and realistic. 

The experiences that Sei goes through is no less dark than the other manga in this list and definitely makes it one of the most disturbing and depressing manga to read!

The artwork is great and the paneling makes this manga quite easy to read – two points that are always the highlight of an Oshimi work.

12. Boy’s Abyss:

Author: Ryo Minenami
Status: Completed

Welcome to the town where every character just wants to commit suicide! Boy’s Abyss is a manga that is both depressing AND frustrating at the same time. If that interests you, then you should definitely give it a try!

The story is essentially about how our protagonist, Reiji Kurose, just wants to leave the gloomy countryside town he grew up in. However, he is never able to do so, especially because he doesn’t want to leave his mother alone.

But it’s not just Reiji, each character in the manga carries a deep-seated pain, a personal abyss they desperately try to outrun, but fail to do so. And this cage they feel trapped in, is perfectly personified by the town they live in, teeming with gossip, betrayals and some unspoken secrets.

Like Chi No Wadachi, the relationship between the characters is a minefield of abuse and manipulation.

Boys Abyss is sick, it is explicit, deeply twisted and morally ambiguous. The story will unfold in ways you don’t even expect it to, as we see Reiji and the others getting trapped again and again in the undercurrents of their past, pulling them into more despair.

However, the characters and the choices they make are so frustrating at times that you just feel like throwing away the book and keep wondering what could have been. Like I said, if you don’t mind the frustrating parts, then the manga is one hell of a depressing read!

The manga recently concluded, so at least you won’t have to endure the pain of having wait one week after every frustrating cliffhanger. So, pick it up and breeze through all the toxicity!

11. Takopi’s Original Sin:

Author: Taizan 5
Status: Completed

Takopi’s Original Sin was a short yet depressing read for me. It starts off in a deceptively cute manner – an adorable pink alien on a mission to spread happiness. But behind this whimsical premise lurks a story that can tear your heart to shreds.

Takopi’s ‘mission’ takes him to Shizuka, a girl who I felt was the embodiment of depression. With unwavering optimism, Takopi decides to use his powers to try and rewrite her unhappy experiences. 

However, each of Takopi’s attempts ends in tragedy, as the cute alien ends up discovering more about the person he wants to make happy.

Despite the premise, the character you’ll end up feeling bad for the most is Takopi, thanks to his sheer innocence and his flawed understanding of human beings’ happiness. 

Takopi’s cuteness and his optimism acts as a foil to the overall tone of the story. As each of his failures strengthens the feeling of helplessness surrounding the situation, it only fires him up to try harder.

This manga can get pretty dark alright, dealing with sensitive themes like suicide, domestic abuse, and bullying. So yeah, definitely a depressing manga you should check out!

The title also has a deeper meaning, and it only becomes clear after a certain part of the story. Not gonna lie, but that part actually hit me hard.

10. I Sold My Life For 10,000 Yen Per Year:

Author: Sugaru Miaki; Art: Shouichi Taguchi
Status: Completed

I Sold My Life for 10,000 Yen Per Month, also known as Three Days of Happiness, is a manga manages to be both depressing and sad. However, in the end, it is a title that leaves you feeling empty and lonely!

To be honest, this is a manga that won’t be known to the mainstream masses, however, it is fair to say that this hidden gem has a dedicated fan following!

The plot follows Kusunoki, a young man who feels hopeless and disconnected from life. Struggling with poverty and a lack of purpose, he discovers a shop that offers a bizarre service: the ability to sell years of one’s life in exchange for money.

Desperate, Kusunoki decides to sell 30 years of his life, leaving him with only three months left to live, in exchange for ten thousand yen per year.

With his remaining time, he reflects on the choices he’s made and what truly matters, while he keeps interacting with Miyagi, the observer assigned to watch over him.

It is quite haunting to watch how Kusonoki gives up on his life and is then forced to confront the emptiness of his existence. It is philosophical and thought provoking. As I mentioned before, there are lot of heartwarming moments, however, the gloomy and dark undertone really leaves you with a sad feeling as you read it.

It is a bittersweet read to the core!!

9. To Your Eternity:

Author: Yoshitoki Oima
Status: Ongoing

To Your Eternity is one of those manga which made me bawl my eyes out. This is yet another work by the Silent Voice’s creator which will hit you in the feels. And trust me, its hard to stop the waterworks in the initial arcs.

Like, keep those box of tissues handy!!

This epic tale begins with the arrival of a mysterious, immortal being sent to Earth. Initially taking the form of an orb, this entity can transform into anything it encounters, starting with a rock, then moss, and eventually a wolf.

After encountering a dying boy, the being takes on the boy’s form and embarks on a journey to explore the world, experiencing life, death, and the vast spectrum of human emotions.

If you blame Fujimoto and Akutami for putting their protagonists through a lot – you can say the same for Oima too as she subjects her immortal protagonist to heartbreaking experiences, forcing it to witness the fleeting nature of human life while it remains unchanged.

The manga establishes the inevitable nature of death, but it does so in a very heart wrenching manner. Just when you feel like a character has found meaning, love, and purpose, it will be cruelly taken away from them.

It makes you question the nature of existence, the importance of empathy, and what it really means to keep fighting on. It’s symbolic and philosophical on many levels and is definitely one of the saddest manga out there.

Some tropes do get repetitive at times in retrospect, but Oima’s story telling and art more than make up for it.

8. Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan:

Author: Mizu Sahara (Pen Name: Sumomo Yumeka)
Status: Completed

“In that moment…I was happy.” 

This manga, like To Your Eternity, is a heartbreaking masterpiece. Despite its brevity (8 chapters only), it packs an emotional punch that’s equally devastating.

Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan (Our Happy Hours), is basically a story about two deeply wounded souls who find solace in each other’s company.

But, somehow, a pervasive sense of doomed destiny hangs over their relationship.

Juri Mutou, a former pianist who has attempted suicide multiple times, feels disconnected from life due to a traumatic past. Her life changes when her aunt, a nun, asks her to accompany her on visits to a death row inmate named Yuu.

Yuu, who has been condemned for murder, harbors deep resentment and despair, believing that life holds nothing but suffering.

Initially resistant, both Juri and Yuu slowly open up to one another, sharing their painful histories and finding unexpected comfort in their growing bond.

The inevitability of Yuu’s fate and the tragic circumstances that brought both characters to their lowest points constitute most of the heart-wrenching moments in this manga!!

The conversations, heavy with a somber tone, are emotionally deep and will hit hard. I keep thinking about this manga, though its been a while since I read it, and it still leaves me with a lump in my throat.

7. Himizu:

Author: Minoru Furuya
Status: Completed

Himizu follows Yuuichi Sumida who wants to lead a very normal life, a life in which he won’t stand out at all. But he realizes that it won’t be that easy for him because of his circumstances (bad and non-existent parents), and also because of the demons that lurk within him.

Fate? Destiny? Call it what you may. But everything seems to work against Sumida over the course of the manga’s 43 chapters.

The story starts off in a rather light hearted way, with the cliched over-expressive reactions from characters eliciting a few good laughs. Shozo, for one, would make you feel you are reading an easy going slice of life manga. 

But with each passing chapter, we stumble across something that is dark and from there it’s a slow spiral towards hopelessness. After chapter 10, events take a nosedive into depressing territories and there is no turning back from that point. 

Like Nijigahara Holograph and other manga, Himizu too is deconstructing the human psyche, but within a social construct. It raises some profound questions, and is bound to make you feel hopeless and depressed for a while. I certainly felt so.

On top of that, the protagonist’s struggles to overcome his inner demons as he jumps from one goal to another felt very relatable to me. That’s one of the reasons this manga ranks so high in my recommendations.

If you are looking for a sad and depressing manga, you should definitely give Himizu a try!

6. Bokutachi Ga Yarimashita (We Did It):

Author: Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Art: Hikaru Araki
Status: Completed

Lemme start by saying this, Bokutachi ga Yarimashita is a manga that Hajime Isayama loved. Will that testament be enough to make you pick this one up? No?

The plot of the manga revolves around four friends who accidentally blow up the building of their rival school while in the process taking revenge on some delinquents who had bullied one of them. This incident leaves 10 students dead, and makes the four of them fugitives.

What follows is a dark and depressing tale, which focuses on the four of them trying to escape not just justice, but also the guilt and emotional turmoil in their mind, each in their own way. 

It’s easy to understand why Isayama loved this one. Kaneshiro’s plot realistically and unflinchingly captures characters’ struggle with guilt, shame, and the profound sense of alienation they feel.

As they attempt to escape and have a shred of normalcy in their lives again, everything just keeps falling apart, leading all four of them, and especially Tobio, whose POV we are presented for most of the series, into a sad and hopeless spiral.

Despite the weird panels and the dark humor, the story has managed to portray the psychological trauma of its main characters quite well.

Bokutachi ga Yarimashita had a lasting impact, and left me with a lingering haunting feeling. Paisen needs more love is all I will say now!

5. Not Simple:

Author: Natsume Ono
Status: Completed

Before you start reading this manga, I just wanna point out one thing – don’t let the artstyle of Not Simple make you drop this series.

Because if you are really looking for a messed up depressing manga, then this one definitely fits the bill.

In Not Simple, Natsume Ono managed to portray a tale that is steeped in fractured family ties. The relationship between the characters might come across as a bit not simple (heh) at first, but it gets easier to figure things out, as the story progresses.

The plot follows Ian, who is wandering from place to place in search of his sister. However, his chance encounter with Irene, who is looking to secretly run away with her boyfriend, does not end well for him. And that’s just the prologue.

From that point on, we see the story of Ian unraveling from the POV of a journalist, who planned to make a novel out of it. It’s a narrative that piles on the tragedy and sadness with each passing chapter, especially when it comes to Ian and his family who abandoned him. 

Peppered with triggering subjects, the manga is quite a heavy and distressing read. 

Essentially, you’ll be reading the story of a man who was never able to catch a break his whole life. So if that is something that interests you, then definitely read Not Simple.

4. A Cruel God Reigns

Author: Hagio Moto
Status: Completed

Nope. Not a supernatural series.

A Cruel God Reigns, also known as Zankoku na Kami ga Shihai Suru, is a deeply depressing and dark manga, which deals with sexual abuse and the subsequent trauma a victim suffers.

The plot follows Jeremy, whose suicidal mother remarries after the death of her husband (his father). However, much to Jeremy’s shock, his step-father blackmails and sexually abuses him. 

In order to make sure that his mother doesn’t kick the chair, Jeremy complies to his step-father’s wishes, all the while experiencing some deep trauma and setting him down on a very dark path – which eventually ends in him plotting his step-father’s death!

At certain points the manga became too hard for me to read. I persisted somehow.

The character interactions might seem a bit clunky at first. But, Hagio Moto has done a grim and realistic portrayal of a boy’s descent into a world of isolation, fear, and self-loathing. IT WILL BREAK YOU!!

As Jeremy’s innocence is shattered and his world comes crashing down, Moto doesn’t offer any convenient escapes from the harsh reality of abuse. Instead, the focus remains on the boy’s internal struggle as he grapples with the trauma, which I have to say is quite expertly portrayed.

Definitely not a title for the faint hearted! And certainly a very grim title to pick up if you are looking for something depressing to read!

3. No Longer Human:

Author: Usamaru Furuya
Status: Completed

No Longer Human does not need any particular introduction. It is one of Osamu Dazai’s most famous works. This manga is an adaptation of Dazai’s novel, but Furuya gives it a more modern twist to it.

It definitely doesn’t scale the same heights as Dazai’s literary marvel, however the dark and depressing nature of the story is not taken away at all in the manga adaptation, as it explores the protagonist Yozo Oba’s slow descent into an abyss of despair.

A hollow Oba is petrified of interacting with humans, and of the world in general itself. He deals with it by putting up a facade. However his flakey attempts soon get to him and his self-destructive tendencies only tend to push him further away from others.

It was sometimes hard to relate to Oba’s misanthropic, sexist and nihilistic way of life, however, I sure was left grappling with my own understanding of existence and purpose.

No Longer Human has a suffocating atmosphere, and a lack of catharsis or redemption adds to the bleakness of the story. It’s definitely one of the most depressing manga out there! If you really want to wallow in depression though, I’d suggest you pick-up the novel and read.

Note: The manga is read from left to right, and not in the traditional sense!

2. Fire Punch

Author: Tatsuki Fujimoto
Status: Completed

Remember the meme face from Fire Punch, and that sad, pitiable face belongs to the manga’s protagonist, Agni. Isn’t that enough to convince you this is one of the most dark and depressing manga out there?

The plot follows Agni, who is blessed with the power of regeneration. However, when a group of people one day murder his sister, and set him on fire, he vows to take revenge on them. 

The worst part? The flames that engulf him won’t go out until he dies. And a revenge filled Agni, would not give up on regenerating his body. So, fueled by the pain and thirst to kill his sister’s murderer, Agni walks on.

The constant struggle for survival strips away any semblance of right or wrong, leaving only despair and the desperate clinging to fleeting hope. 

Underneath its edgy shounen demeanor, Fire Punch is a metaphor. 

It holds a mirror to violence, religion and even society as a whole. It breaks it all down, and makes us wonder what all of it really means. It is not depressing in a psychological ‘seinen’ sense. But the suffering of Agni, along with the hopelessness and cruelty of the world left me with a hole in my heart.

It is definitely one of the most depressing manga I have read, and I urge you to pick it up and read it if you haven’t already!

1. Oyasumi Punpun:

Author: Inio Asano
Status: Completed

“Punpun was just fine again today!” THIS ONE QUOTE IS ENOUGH TO PULL ME BACK INTO THAT DESPAIR! And Aiko! WHO CAN FORGET AIKO?

Ahem, I need to gain back my composure for now.

Oyasumi Punpun is one of the most critically acclaimed manga out there. It is the first title that comes to mind, along with Fire Punch, when I think of suggesting a depressing manga.

The highlight of the story is definitely the main character, Punpun, who is depicted as a bird. The story follows him as he experiences the joys and sorrows of growing up. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not flowery or happy in any way. 

Punpun’s journey is quite convoluted. Inio Asano has laid it out in a very realistic and unflinching manner, and it manages to deliver quite a gut punch at times.

It is hard to read Oyasumi Punpun and not feel existential dread or depression. I was left with a huge f*cking hole in my heart, and quite hopeless and emotionless when I finished the manga. And it’s all for our boy Punpun Onodera.

Goodnight Punpun deals with a lot of mature issues, mainly domestic violence, abuse, isolation, depression and even sex to a certain extent. And Asano has given ample time to develop all of these aspects of the story.

At no point will you feel the story was rushed. And seriously, there is no way the manga, especially the final arcs, will not crush at least one small part inside you.

The most depressing manga out there? Yeah, this is the one!