In today’s fast-paced world, keeping up with everything that goes around while also following a popular manga series that is seemingly impacting a large population can be unnerving sometimes. Hence, ComingSoon has devised a list of seven of the best short manga which are just as impactful as those with plenty of chapters.
A Silent Voice (7 volumes, 64 chapters)
Koe no Katachi, famously known as A Silent Voice, is a Shōnen manga series, written and illustrated by Oshitoki Ōima. The Weekly Shōnen Magazine published it from August 2013 to November 2014 and Kodansha USA published the English version of the manga. Later, the manga received an anime film adaptation in 2016.
The plot of A Silent Voice revolves around Shoya Ishida, a student at an elementary school who is infamous for being notorious. So much so, when he comes across his new deaf classmate, Shoko Nishimiya, he bullies her. Fortunately, she eventually gets transferred to other schools.
However, when the school authorities discover his bullying, he ends up being isolated. With guilt tormenting him for years, Ishida decides to make a truce with Nishimiya, starting a path of redemption.
Dororo (4 volumes, 19 chapters)
Osamu Tezuka crafted the Dororo manga series and serialized it in Shōnen Sunday from August 1967 to July 1968. The manga explores intricate mythological themes while taking readers on an adventure consisting of action, fantasy, and horror, in a samurai world. The manga inspired a Japanese live-action movie and two anime television adaptations in its wake.
Dororo features Hyakkimaru, a young man whose father, greedy for power, brutally sold his body parts to 48 demons when he was an infant. The infant is then dumped into a river, only to mysteriously survive.
Not only that, he survived with spiritual senses flowing through his body, allowing him to get through the world without his body parts. Later in his journey, he finds Dororo, an orphan, and the two are set on a collective venture together.
Look Back (One-shot)
The famous Chainsaw Man’s author, Tatsuki Fujimoto, wrote and illustrated Look Back, a 142-page-long one-shot manga, in 2021. Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ published the manga, and it is soon getting an anime film adaptation which will premiere in June 2024.
The story unfolds with two young students, Fujino and Kyomoto, who aspire to become manga artists. However, when Fujino receives praise for her manga at school, Kyomoto’s arrival makes things salty for her. The school appreciates Kyomoto’s manga, sparking envy in Fujino. Soon, she makes it her goal to outshine Kyomoto.
However, she soon gives up on the dream, only for her to eventually meet Kyomoto on Graduation Day. Their unexpected meeting paves the way for a journey neither of them would have imagined.
All You Need Is Kill (2 volumes, 17 chapters)
For readers who enjoy science fiction, All You Need Is Kill is one of the best short manga to read. Ryosuke Takeuchi and Yoshitoshi Abe created the manga, based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s light novel series of the same name. The Weekly Young Jump magazine published the manga from January 2014 to May 2014.
When extraterrestrial creatures, Mimics, invade Earth, it calls for action. Hence, humankind forms the United Defense Force. Keiji Koriya is recruited in the Defense Force and trusted to protect humanity. However, soon after he goes on his first mission, the protagonist dies.
Unfortunately, that’s not the end for him and he gets stuck in a time loop, reliving the day of his death over and over again. Eventually, after reliving his death more than a hundred times, he puts the time loop to use. As such, he uses his memory and information against the enemies and becomes an unwavering soldier.
Shuna’s Journey (1 volume, 6 chapters)
Based on Tibetan folklore, the veteran Hayao Miyazaki’s Shuna’s Journey is a watercolor graphic novel. Though it was first published in June 1983, Amazon released the manga’s English version in 2022. Furthermore, it incorporates themes of adventure and fantasy, making it one of the best short manga to finish in one sitting.
As the name suggests, the manga revolves around Shuna, who is a prince of a small kingdom. He witnesses his people dying due to famine right in front of his eyes. Although the kingdom accepts its fate and strives to live through the harsh conditions, Shuna believes something needs to be done.
Fortunately, a kind traveler on the brink of death gives him the way to save his kingdom. Hence, Shuna begins a journey to the West to find the cure – a bag of dead golden seeds. While many obstacles try to waver his determination, Shuna does not budge and continues to find the only way to protect his people.
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (2 volumes, 17 chapters)
Also known as “Let Me Eat Your Pancreas”, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a novel by Yoru Sumino, which later got serialized as a manga adaptation by Idumi Kirihara. This coming-of-age drama later received a live-action film in July 2017, and an anime film adaptation in August 2017.
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas tells the story of an unnamed narrator from high school who stumbles upon his classmate’s diary at a hospital. After reading the diary, he learns that his classmate, Yamauchi Sakura, is battling a terminal illness in her pancreas.
Moreover, the protagonist discovers that Sakura has a handful of months to live, driving him closer to her despite his introverted disposition. Being the only person apart from Sakura’s family to know about her drastic condition, the narrator decides to spend Sakura’s remaining months with her, weaving an existential tale of friendship and loss.
The Gods Lie (1 volume, 5 chapters)
Kaori Ozaki fashioned The Gods Lie manga, crafting a story that starts as a traditional summer romance but later becomes a tragedy. The manga was serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon magazine from March to July 2013. Later, Kodansha compiled the six chapters into one volume and published it in September 2013.
The manga series revolves around a young Natsuro Nanao who lives with his mother. Although he lives without a father, he is a generally cheerful person who aspires to be a professional soccer player. However, despite his jolly nature and excellence in soccer, he finds it difficult to befriend girls.
His world changes when his classmate, Rio Suzumura, speaks to him, enchanting him in the very first interaction. After rescuing a cat, Natsuro proposes to Rio and her brother, Yuuta, to take care of the abandoned cat together, which they agree to. However, when Natsuro visits their house, he discovers something unimaginable that turns this coming-of-age story into one of loss and catastrophe.
