Manga like Suizou ga Kowaretara, Sukoshi Ikiyasuku Narimashita.

Look Back

Also known as Look Back.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

Fujino is a fourth grader who draws a manga strip for the school newspaper. Her art makes her the star of the class, but one day she's told that Kyomoto, a student who refuses to come to school, would also like to submit a manga for the paper...



Note: The one-shot was compiled in a special volume, released on September 3, 2021.

Tags: Drawing , Tragedy , Female Protagonist , Hikikomori , Primarily Female Cast , Coming of Age , Work , School , Autobiographical , Meta , Shounen , Primarily Child Cast

Sabishisugite Rezu Fuzoku ni Ikimashita Report

Also known as My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Ecchi , Psychological , Slice of Life

A hugely popular comic on Pixiv, My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness offers readers an honest and heartfelt look at one young woman’s exploration of her sexuality, mental well-being, and growing up in our modern age.



Note: Includes 1 extra chapter.

Tags: Autobiographical , Coming of Age , Non-fiction , Female Protagonist , LGBTQ+ Themes , Rehabilitation , Family Life , Disability , Yuri , POV , Philosophy , Drawing , Psychosexual , Primarily Adult Cast , Primarily Female Cast , Survival , Achronological Order , Urban , Nudity , Full Color , Denpa

Mikkakan no Koufuku

Also known as Three Days of Happiness.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological , Romance , Slice of Life , Supernatural

HOW MUCH IS LIFE TRULY WORTH?
Kusunoki used to believe he was destined for great things. Ostracized as a child, he held on to a belief that a good life was waiting for him in the years ahead. Now approaching the age of twenty, he's a completely mediocre college student with no motivation, no dreams, and no money. After learning he can sell his remaining years-and just how little they're worth-he chooses to divest himself of all but his last three months. Has Kusunoki truly destroyed his last chance to find happiness...or has he somehow found it?



Tags: Tragedy , Philosophy , Urban Fantasy , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Urban , Seinen , Hikikomori , Heterosexual , Writing , Suicide , Photography , Drawing , College , Mopeds , Autobiographical , Amnesia

Ningen Shikkaku

Also known as No Longer Human.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological , Slice of Life

Set in modern day Tokyo, Dazai's tale details the life of a young man originally from a well-off family from Japan's far north. Yozo Oba is a troubled soul incapable of revealing his true self to others. A weak constitution and the lingering trauma from some abuse administered by a relative forces him to uphold a facade of hollow jocularity since high school. The series is composed of three parts, referred to in the novel as "memorandums," which chronicle the life of Oba from his teens to late twenties.



Adaptation of the original work of Dazai Osamu.

Tags: Seinen , Classic Literature , Suicide , Tragedy , Philosophy , Primarily Adult Cast , Drugs , Psychosexual , Nudity , Autobiographical

RAINBOW: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological

Six minors (16-17 years) answering to the nicknames of Joe, Mario, Suppon, Baremoto, Heitai, and Kyabetsu are put into a reformatory for offenses such as aggravated assault, swindling, flight, etc. Their stay in hell begins immediately. Accommodated by a doctor pedophile, they are placed under the watch of a despotic and brutal crew. Cellmates with a certain Sakuragi (called Anchan), the tension rises between the band of buddies and their new "friend." A brawl breaks out, and our six prisoners are done rossés by the mysterious young man, thanks to his boxing talent.

The story will not only follow the lives of these seven characters surviving in their hellish environment, but also their disillusions due to the rejection by the outside world and by their close relations. This is about the extraodinary and invincible friendships between these young men.

Note: Won the 2005 Shogakukan Manga Award for seinen/general category.

Tags: Historical , Boxing , Tragedy , Coming of Age , Philosophy , Rehabilitation , Seinen , Heterosexual , Disability , Revenge , Prison , Gore , Ensemble Cast , Autobiographical , Primarily Male Cast , Drugs , Suicide , Fugitive , Crime , Male Protagonist , Time Skip

Kakukaku Shikajika

Also known as Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist's Journey.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

High schooler Akiko has big plans to become a popular mangaka before she even graduates, but she needs to get much better at drawing if she ever wants to reach her goal. Looking for an easy fix, she signs up for an art class, thinking all her problems will soon be solved. She’s in for a surprise: her new instructor is a sword-wielding taskmaster who doesn’t care about manga one bit. But maybe this unconventional art teacher is just what she needs to realize her dreams!



Notes:
- Kakukaku Shikajika is an autobiography detailing the life of author Akiko Higashimura.
- The manga won the Grand Prize at the 8th Manga Taisho Award in 2015.

Tags: Drawing , Coming of Age , Otaku Culture , Teacher , Autobiographical , Josei , Female Protagonist , Tragedy , Non-fiction , College , Time Skip , Meta , Work , Writing , Primarily Adult Cast , Rural , Swordplay , Philosophy , Educational , Mopeds

Sunny

Also known as Sunny.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological , Slice of Life

The story of an orphanage, the children who live in it, and the beat-up old Nissan Sunny 1200 which provides them with a means of escape from their boring everyday lives.

Note: Winner of the Best Manga of the Year award at the 2016 Shogakukan Manga Awards.

Tags: Family Life , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Child Cast , Seinen , Estranged Family , Tragedy , Autobiographical , Rural , Episodic , Adoption , Cars , Delinquents , Heterosexual , Baseball , Time Skip

Hitori Koukan Nikki

Also known as My Solo Exchange Diary.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological , Slice of Life

Struggling with the idea of living alone and adjusting to the effects of her previous book’s success, this follow-up to the award-winning autobiographical comic continues the author’s quest for self-acceptance and love.



Note: Includes 3 extra chapters and the one-shot “Chika-chan no Yuuutsu”.

Tags: Autobiographical , Female Protagonist , Rehabilitation , Non-fiction , Coming of Age , LGBTQ+ Themes , Family Life , Yuri , Primarily Female Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Suicide , Drawing , Disability

OUT

Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Adventure , Slice of Life

17-year-old Iguchi Tatsuya has just been released from juvenile detention and is on probation. He's been relocated to a new area, away from the bad influence of his old friends, and is under the care of his aunt. He is determined not to be sent back to lockup, and he works hard in his aunt's restaurant. However, he still has the same personality, the same tendency to violence, and still falls in with the same sort of people. It's going to be difficult for him to stay out of trouble.

Tags: Delinquents , Seinen , Gangs , Autobiographical , Gore , Conspiracy , Philosophy

Itou Junji no Neko Nikki: Yon & Mu

Also known as Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu.

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

Hell-o-kitty!

Master of Japanese horror manga Junji Ito presents a series of hissterical tales chronicling his real-life trials and tribulations of becoming a cat owner. Junji Ito, as J-kun, has recently built a new house and has invited his financée, A-ko, to live with him. Little did he know … his blushing bride-to-be has some unexpected company in tow—Yon, a ghastly-looking family cat, and Mu, an adorable Norwegian forest cat. Despite being a dog person, J-kun finds himself purrsuaded by their odd cuteness and thus begins his comedic struggle to gain the affection of his new feline friends.



Tags: Animals , Autobiographical , Family Life , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Seinen , Non-fiction

Bakuon Rettou

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Psychological

In the 80s, the parents of Kaze Takashi move to a quiet area of ​​Tokyo in order to save the young man from the bad influence of his friends. In class, Takashi does not take long to make new friends and they soon invite him to meet with their gang, the Zeros. Takashi comes to love motorcycles and gets involved with the gang. What has he got himself into and is he ready to face the consequences?

Tags: Gangs , Delinquents , Coming of Age , Motorcycles , Seinen , Autobiographical , Tragedy , Yakuza , School , Revenge , Class Struggle , Anti-Hero , Prison , Bullying , Criminal Organization , Drugs ,

Boku ga Otto ni Deau made

Also known as Until I Meet My Husband.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

From school crushes to awkward dating sites to finding a community, this collection of stories recounts the author’s “firsts” as a young gay man searching for love. Dating isn’t ever easy, but that goes doubly so for Ryousuke, whose journey is full of unrequited love and many speed bumps. But perseverance and time heals all wounds, even those of the heart.



Tags: LGBTQ+ Themes , Autobiographical , Boys' Love , Male Protagonist , Coming of Age , Non-fiction , School

Genjitsu Touhi Shitetara Boroboro ni Natta Hanashi

Also known as My Alcoholic Escape from Reality.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological , Slice of Life

Nagata Kabi’s downward spiral is getting out of control, and she can’t stop drinking to soothe the ache of reality. After suffering from unbearable stomach pains, she goes to the hospital, where she is diagnosed with pancreatitis—and is immediately hospitalized. A new chapter unfolds in Nagata Kabi’s life, as she struggles to find her way back to reality and manga creation in the wake of her breakdown.



Note: Includes the prologue.

Tags: Autobiographical , Rehabilitation , Disability , Non-fiction , Female Protagonist , Medicine , Josei , Drawing , Drugs , Philosophy

NHK ni Youkoso!

Also known as Welcome to the N.H.K..

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Psychological , Slice of Life

Tatsuhiro Satou, a university dropout entering his fourth year of unemployment. He leads a reclusive life as a hikikomori, ultimately coming to the bizarre conclusion that this happened due to some sort of conspiracy. One day just when his life seems entirely unchanging, he meets Misaki Nakahara, a mysterious girl who claims to be able to cure Tatsuhiro of his hikikomori ways. She presents him with a contract basically outlining that once a day they would meet in the evening in a local park where Misaki would lecture to Tatsuhiro in an effort to rid him of his lifestyle. During these outings, many subjects are discussed, though they almost always pertain in some way to psychology or psychoanalysis.

Note: Includes one extra chapter.

Tags: Hikikomori , Philosophy , Primarily Adult Cast , Rehabilitation , Male Protagonist , Otaku Culture , Conspiracy , Autobiographical , Drugs , Denpa , Tragedy

Ashizuri Suizokukan

Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy , Slice of Life

panpanya’s debut one-volume work.

Ashizuri Suizokukan is a recompilation of panpanya’s Ashizuri Suizokukan and ASOVACE series, which were independently published in 2010 and 2011, respectively. It includes a collection of newly written travelogues and an abundance of color pages.
Ashizuri Suizokukan was published by Ichigatsu to Shichigatsu on August 30, 2013.



Note: Nominated for the 7th annual Manga Taishou Award.

Tags: Female Protagonist , Iyashikei , Episodic , Surreal Comedy , Anthology , Fishing , Denpa , Josei , Autobiographical , Travel , Animals , Artificial Intelligence

Hanayome wa Moto Danshi.

Also known as The Bride Was a Boy.

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Romance , Slice of Life

Drawn in the style of diary comics with an upbeat, adorable flair, this is a charming tale about Chii, a woman assigned male at birth. Her story starts with her childhood and follows the ups and downs of exploring her sexuality, gender, and transition–as well as falling in love with a man who’s head over heels for her. Now they want to get married, so Chii’s about to embark on a new adventure: becoming a bride!



Tags: LGBTQ+ Themes , Transgender , Educational , Autobiographical , Josei , Female Protagonist , Non-fiction , 4-koma , Family Life , Primarily Adult Cast , Chibi , Heterosexual

Hadashi no Gen

Also known as Barefoot Gen.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

1945, Japan. Gen Nakaoka is a spirited six-year-old boy who lives with his poor yet loving family in wartime Hiroshima. As the second World War rages on, Gen's father Daikichi stands among the few outspoken who are opposed to the emperor and stand for the innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the war. However, in a society with nothing but feverous support for their nation, Gen and his family are ostracized as traitors. Unbeknownst to them, a terrible fate awaits the people of Hiroshima...

One quiet morning, the US forces drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. In an instant, the city is completely destroyed, leaving thousands dead and many more exposed to radiation. Though Gen manages to survive the blast, he finds his life irreversibly changed. Regrouping with what's left of his family, Gen must now grapple with starvation, destitution, and an unsympathetic public who see survivors as little more than disease-ridden beggars.

Based on author Keiji Nakazawa's real-life experiences, Hadashi no Gen follows Gen and his fellow survivors in their struggle to survive in post-war Hiroshima. Gen resolves to soldier on with unwavering determination, while never forgiving those who caused the atrocity, never forgetting the pain of the bomb, and never letting his spirit be broken by the tragedy.

Tags: Tragedy , Historical , Delinquents , Adoption , War , Found Family , Autobiographical , Male Protagonist , Gore , Coming of Age , Body Horror , Shounen , Crime

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Over Heaven

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Supernatural

Written and presented as the lost transcript of Dio's Diary, featured in Stone Ocean. In the book, he reflects upon his battles throughout the original series, describes his ideals and plans for "obtaining heaven" and talks about the concept of death, as well as his unfortunate mother.

Tags: Philosophy , Autobiographical , Vampire , Super Power , Foreign

Magan he Danai

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

The funny, daily life of a young adult couple.

Tags: Female Protagonist , Yuri , Iyashikei , Episodic , Achronological Order , Full Color , LGBTQ+ Themes , Primarily Female Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Autobiographical , Family Life , Slapstick

Meisou Senshi Nagata Kabi

Also known as My Wandering Warrior Existence.

Status: Finished
Genres: Psychological , Slice of Life

The newest diary manga from the Harvey Award-winning creator of My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness.

Nagata Kabi’s groundbreaking autobiographical work has captivated audiences around the globe, starting with the viral online comic about identity that would become the graphic novel My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness. Readers from all backgrounds have been moved by the author’s ability to capture complex emotions through her art and text, giving insight into feelings they may have struggled to articulate themselves. Nagata Kabi’s memoirs, including the Eisner-nominated My Solo Exchange Diary and new release My Alcoholic Escape From Reality, have explored themes of physical and mental illness, sex and sexuality, family, and independence. Follow the newest installment of this trailblazing series with My Wandering Warrior Existence, Nagata Kabi’s exploration of longing for love and marriage.



Tags: Autobiographical , LGBTQ+ Themes , Non-fiction , Female Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Rehabilitation , Agender , Nudity , Family Life