From mangaka Inio Asano, Goodnight Punpun has become one of the most revered and celebrated works in the medium, currently ranked 12th place in popularity and seventh in overall rating on My Anime List. The story follows the life and struggles of Punpun Onodera. Each chapter in the character's life showcases his struggles; an anxious and uncomfortable childhood, depressed adolescence, and misguided determination of young adulthood.
While Asano's tactful exploration of mental health and strong character building speaks greatly to the success of the series. Fans know there are many nuances that make Goodnight Punpun such a definitive work. Whether it be the art of Asano that conveys emotion with profound beauty or the uncomfortable atmosphere he can create that borders on horror, fans have come to love the series. While no work can directly compare, there are plenty of manga that capture a degree of the same charm and do enough on their own to offer an equally rewarding experience.
10 Scum's Wish by Mengo Yokoyari
Hanabi and Mugi appear to have the perfect high-school romance, making their classmates jealous. But, the couple holds a secret from their admirers; they are in love with other people and only using the relationship to fill a void. They call this open contract the "scum's wish," and the temporary relief proves inadequate in hiding their heartbreak.
While lacking in any empathic characters, Scum's Wish explores the unhealthy coping mechanisms of its subjects with a perverse honesty. Adding to the drama is a number of odd love triangles that give the manga a strong dramatic tone that inevitably leads to a tragic outcome for most involved.
9 Flowers of Evil by Shuzo Oshimi
An introverted student gets caught doing the unthinkable, stealing the gym clothes of his crush in a moment of weakness. This event leads to him forming a contract with the one student who oversaw the event, one which turns his life into a waking nightmare.
Covering a large portion of the protagonist's life, Flowers of Evil is one of the few manga series that match the scope and emotional impact of Goodnight Pun Pun. Covering the difficulties of coming of age and the effect mental health can play on youth into adulthood, the series also boasts great visuals.
8 No Longer Human by Junji Ito
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Osamu Dazai, No Longer Human follows the inevitable downfall of Oba Yozo. Oba, aware of his loss of humanity, stumbles through life, leaving others dead or broken due to his own carelessness.
Master of horror Junji Ito is no stranger to adapting classic works of literature, having worked on such titles as Frankenstein. However, No Longer Human acts as his most successful adaptation, covering the desolation and melancholy of Oba. Despite not having any traditional "monsters," the release from Ito is one of his most unnerving and uncomfortable stories from the mangaka.
7 20th-century boys Naoki Urasawa
After the suicide of a friend, convenience store manager Kenji Endo comes to the conclusion that the passing was related to the growth of a new cult. With him and his childhood friends now targeted, the group comes together to try to protect each other and learn the reason why they are being attacked.
Wonderfully exploring how friendships evolve with time, 20th Century Boys balances mystery and character growth with great skill. Created by Naoki Urasawa, best known for the series Monster, the series has a strong narrative approach and stunning visuals fans will be familiar with.
6 A Lollypop or a Bullet by Kazuki Sakuraba & Iqura Sugimoto
Disconnected from others, Nagisa Yamada plugs through school and work with the goal of joining the military to support her family. However, when she meets new student Mokuzu Umino, the two form an odd friendship which makes Nagisa question her choices.
Leaning on a protagonist who struggles with opening up to others, A Lollypop or A Bullet is a complex series that explores themes of abandonment, poverty, social withdraw, disabilities, and abuse. Thankfully, the title approaches all these subjects with sensitivity and great care towards its subjects. The series might be a short and intense ride, but it is worthy of checking out for fans of psychological manga.
5 Not Simple by Natsume Ono
Ian, a young man from a troubled family background, backpacks across the world in order to find his sister. The story of Ian's life plays backward, starting with him found dead, unwinding a deeply tragic tale of a troubled existence.
The story of Ian and the abuse he suffered through his life makes for one of the most difficult reads in all of manga. However, his experience also conveys a profound request for empathy from the reader. Even in beginning with his death, the reader is drawn into the success of his quest to find his sister. Natsume Ono has proven her knack for jumping between genres, having also crafted the impassioned and highly rated Samurai series House of Leaves.
4 My Solo Exchange Diary by Nagata Kabi
The Follow up to My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness showed Kabi further exploring her own mental health issues through her work. My Solo Exchange Diary focuses on the creator's insecurity around the release of her debut series and her desire to earn respect among family and peers.
Honest and introspective, the work of Kabi has garnered a cult following in the way her work openly explores her own problems. Consequently, those who have had similar struggles can find solace in the mangaka's ability to make profoundly stunning and comforting work in the face of adversity.
3 My Broken Mariko by Waka Hiroko
After the suicide of her best friend Mariko, Shii-chan embarks on a quest to lay her ashes to rest away from her abusive father. After stealing the remains, Shii-chan heads to the ocean overwhelmed by the emotions and memories of her "broken" friend.
A modern standout for Josei manga, My Broken Mariko explores the void that can be left when losing someone dear. Consequently, the struggle of Shii-chan becomes a self-destructive trip that feels honest between two people who shared such a deep bond. Adding to the drama, Waka Hiroko's lush art style captures the heartache with an uncomfortable realism that few can achieve.
2 Solanin by Inio Asano
A 20-year-old couple face hardship when Meiko Inoue, the only one with a stable job, decides to quit her toxic tenure. Adding strain to the relationship, the two begin to aimlessly wonder and reflect on the choices they made and what the future holds for them.
While any work from Inio Asano is reflective of his series Goodnight Punpun, Solanin presents some of the most tragic characters the mangaka has created. Much like Punpun, there is a silver lining that shows the ability of the human spirit to overcome great tragedy. A deeply engaging work, it's an ideal next step for fans to further explore the world of Inio Asano.
1 Homunculus by Hideo Yamamoto
Living in his car and attempting to escape a troubled past, the once rich and affluent Susumu Nakoshi is running low on funds. When he is approached by a doctor interested in subjects for experimental surgery, he reluctantly decides to give it a try. The experiment, which involves drilling a hole in his head to reach enlightenment, gives him the power to see fears manifested as monsters.
At times disturbing and uncomfortable, Homunculus offers one of the most visceral experiences in all of manga. Part horror, part drama, it is hard not to come away from the series unscathed as Nakoshi's tragic downfall is steeped in regret and self-loathing. While it may be unnerving, the series wonderfully matches the intense atmosphere of Goodnight Punpun.