I was reading the latest chapters of Soil and Paranoia Street today, and was suddenly struck by the desire to look for similar titles.

I'd like a weird manga where the plot is seemingly random and characters' actions are very bizarre and over-the-top. If you have read either of the series I mentioned, you'll know exactly what I mean. (K no Souretsu is another good example)

Yes, I know about the 'surreal', 'non-stereotypical', 'weird characters' and 'odd occurrences/situation' categories. But I can't be sure whether the titles under those categories actually fit or not. (I've noticed lots of irrelevant tags) Also, since such manga generally have a smaller reader base, I'm sure there are some untagged series.

This time, I don't want any romance , BL or GL titles. (I'm getting tired of them. And a love story lowers the weirdness factor by a huge amount)
As usual, no hentai, shota/loli, smut, ecchi or manga with very graphic sex. (The level of sex/nudity in Soil is bearable)

So...any suggestions?

Last edited by cyclamen at 6:37 am, Mar 21 2011

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The Journey to the End of the World
Ryuguden
Fourteen
Milk Closet
FLCL
I am a Hero

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Durarara!!

I haven't read either of those series you mention, but if you want weird, this is your manga.

Franken Fran - weird

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currently reading: Nyotai-ka
please support me

Dead End

Revilenigma recommended some good stuff too above me.

Mushishi
just really quirky, and i think it works with what you want.

Edit: as far as weird characters go, you should check out Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro

Last edited by unusuallove at 4:27 pm, Mar 21 2011

Seconding Journey to the End of the World and I Am a Hero.

Usotsuki Mi-kun to Kowareta Ma-Chan Totteoki no Uso Short and nice. (Except the name.)
Houkago Hokenshitsu
Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge sorta, not really weird, unless you count the facial expressions.

...All three of the above have romance sorry, they should still fit the other requirements though. For something where te romance is the weird part, Yandere/Obsessive Love manga like

Koharu no Hibi might fit the bill.

Truthfully, this puts me in mind of Yume Nikki (it's a game.)

I also second all of revilenigma's recommendations (especially Ryuguden). Others that might suit you:
Japan Tengu Party Illustrated - I wouldn't exactly call the plot random, but it is certainly difficult to understand the motivations of most of the characters.
National Quiz - A parody series that's intentionally exaggerated for humorous effect; this series has the sort of quirky plot that's just fun to read.

These are all collections of unrelated oneshots - if you want an ongoing plot, feel free to ignore these suggestions:
Ranman
Heaven's Door (KOIKE Keiichi) - Some of these oneshots are pretty out there.
Brothers of Japan - Most of these oneshots are pretty out there.
The Lives of Eccentrics - Oneshots about unusual historical figures; may stretch the truth at times to make its subjects appear even more bizarre.

Um, Sargeant Frog,maybe?

Dance! Kremlin Palace (contains nudity)
Ultra Heaven
The Laughing Vampire (contains nudity and violence)
Keep on Vibrating (contains nudity)

Unfortunately, for you, most of the good crazy manga's have a lot nudity and graphic sex. Still you need to take some chances!

Maybe Halcyon Lunch.

Thank you all for the suggestions - they look great! (Especially the non-romantic ones)



I know, 'cause I've seen a lot of weird freaky hentai out there
I don't mind nudity, and I sorta like gore when it's tastefully done. But sex is a different matter - can't stand too much of it. I read Kami no Kodomo just now and though the scanlators have marked it as ero-guro, it really wasn't bad. And the art is so weird that the sex doesn't even look like sex, so it's all good.
See? You can't say I don't take chances!


Of course I'm quite greedy, so more is always a plus

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Leviathan is like one long, weird acid trip. I love it.

Homunculus is actually not random at all - very tightly structured and brilliantly-plotted - but it's still downright weird. Consider it a qualified recommendation. Same goes for Himitsu, which has very solid themes, but often has extraordinarily bizarre sequences and trippy imagery.

And then there's Paranoia Star. Which, well. Yeah.

Helter Skelter has a very definite theme, so, again, it's not random - but there's more than enough weirdness in the portrayal of that theme to suit you, I think.

Some of Hagio Moto's science fiction can be freaky-good in terms of weirdness, like A, A Prime or Marginal (which doesn't quite count as BL, since the lead is a hermaphrodite).

And you probably can't get much weirder than Apocalypse Meow, which has cats and rabbits fighting in the Vietnam War.

Wow, nice recs, tartufo! I've read Helter Skelter and Himitsu (not exactly what I'm looking for here, but brilliant manga!). The others I will try.

Oh, and I don't mind stories like Marginal. You know, BL (or GL / het romance) that aren't romantic AT ALL. I mean, none of those guys are actually in love with each other. They're just desperate because of the lack of women, which just adds to the weirdness of their personalities!

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Homunculus is pretty awesome.

I thought Kami no Kodomo was pretty good : )