Top Five Manga if You Don’t Read Manga

Written By Stephanie Broder

If you’re interested in making comics, it’s imperative that you read a wide variety. Manga are comics from Japan, and while shonen giants like Dragon Ball and One Piece may be all you know, the world of comics in Japan is enormous.

Even if the big, action titles don’t tickle your interest, I guarantee a manga exists for you. After all, it’s weird to write off a whole country’s comic output just based on the most famous works, right? Japan is known for comics for a reason, and incredible artists create incredible and groundbreaking works every day.

Check out these five manga I recommend if you usually don’t read manga:

Sunny by Taiyo Matsumoto

Summary: Sunny by Taiyo Matsumoto is a touching manga that revolves around a group of children living in a foster home in Japan. The story primarily follows a boy named Sei, who, along with his friends, grapples with their troubled pasts and the complexities of childhood. Each character has their own unique background and struggles, creating a tapestry of emotions and experiences.

Every manga Matsumoto creates is beautiful. No artist is creating work like him, with scratchy lines and gestural characters that are somehow both cute and odd at the same time. But Sunny is one of my favourite series by Matsumoto, perhaps because he was influenced by his own childhood in a foster home. This work feels deep and intimate while still showcasing the resilience and joy of childhood.

the gods lie. by Kaori Ozaki

Summary: The Gods Lie by Kaori Ozaki is a haunting manga that follows the story of Natsuru Nanao, a sixth grader who lives alone with his mother. Natsuru strikes up an unlikely friendship with the reserved and driven Rio Suzumura. Natsuru plays hooky from soccer camp over the summer and spends all his time with Rio and her kid brother at their rickety house, where a dark secret threatens to upend their fragile happiness.

This one might make you cry; be warned! A sweet and sad story in equal parts, this beautiful manga is full of small moments and interactions between characters that drive the story. You’ll find yourself cheering for these kids, too young to face the struggles they face.

In This Corner of the World by Fumiyo Kuono

Summary: In This Corner of the World by Fumiyo Kouno is a poignant manga set in Japan during World War II. The story follows Suzu Urano, a young girl from Hiroshima who moves to the seaside town of Kure after marrying a local man, Shusaku. As the war escalates, Suzu navigates the challenges of daily life, including food shortages and air raids, all while trying to maintain her love for art and her spirit in the face of adversity. The narrative beautifully captures her resilience, the impact of war on civilians, and the bittersweet moments of beauty in her everyday life, emphasizing themes of hope, loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Despite the heavy backdrop, this manga is gentle and uplifting. The art is simple, with emotive line quality and elaborate hatching. It also provides an extraordinary glimpse into historical Japan with lovingly rendered scenes of daily life.

No Longer Human by Junji Ito (original novel by Osamu Dazai)

Summary: Plagued by a maddening anxiety, the terrible disconnect between his own concept of happiness and the joy of the rest of the world, Yozo Oba plays the clown in his dissolute life, holding up a mask for those around him as he spirals ever downward, locked arm in arm with death.

You may recognize Junji Ito’s name - after all, he is the foremost horror manga artist and even did a collaboration with Sanrio. But even if horror is not for you, this beautifully illustrated rendition of one of the most famous Japanese novels is well worth the read. Dark, disturbing and with all the grim character you’d expect from Junji Ito, this is still an immortal story about mental illness and anguish and the foreboding sense of being incurably different.

My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness by Nagata Kabi

Summary: This autobiographical tale captivated the internet with the frankness with which author Nagata Kabi discussed being a 28-year-old who has never had sex and seeks her first encounter with a sex worker. Dealing with depression and lack of direction in life, Kabi nonetheless bravely embarks on her first sexual experience in humble and sweet detail.

This book contains a bit of mature content but is not overly heavy-handed, considering the subject matter. I always recommend this book to folks looking to understand the variety of subject matter, writing and art styles in manga. It’s heartfelt, frank and charmingly illustrated. And if you’re as entranced by Kabi’s honesty as her millions of readers, you’ll be pleased to know there are sequels.

Stephanie Broder
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