I couldn't find another topic like this, so here goes

i'm looking for manga where a character(can be a side character) goes in a downward spiral mentally. Their life may be perfect or whatever, but something's going on that causes them to destroy themselves. Maybe their boyfriend broke up with them and they do self harm, maybe they weren't sane to start with, etc. I just want to see the character going into a downward spiral. Extra points if you can just see the cracks forming in the character.

Can be any genre.

I guess naruto could work; you know, the sasuke thing. Also illumination. I don't really care how it ends or if they get better or kill themselves, i just want to see a downward spiral happening somewhere. thanks


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[img][/img] A senpai tried to violate me after hearing about my transfer. BUT I RAPED HIM INSTEAD.

I really can't remember if this falls under your description but maybe Himizu?

Well, in Knife most of the people self-destruct.

Last edited by VampireBanana at 8:21 am, Jul 29 2011

Death Note

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An instant or an eternity. Both are the same, in the passing of an instant lies the beauty of eternity.
-Ginen Shounen

"It is now time to leave-for me to die, and for you to live-though which of us has the better destiny is unclear to everyone, save only to God."
- Plato

Berserk. Somewhat of a spoiler, but necessary for the creator of this thread to read:

Death Note, as Light becomes increasingly more crazy as the manga goes on. Some people just can't handle the power.

Shamo, somewhat. Though it's more of a sudden mental snap than a gradual downward spiral.



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Wah, this is hard so my recommendations might be way off the mark, but hopefully I can think of something you will like.

Kokuhaku (KAWAGUCHI Kaiji) - This is an awesome short story (just 1 volume) which shows had an extreme situation can make even the sanest people spiral into insanity. This is probably the closest to what you're looking for that I know of.

Lovers, souls - This is part of a series, but you can start at lovers and souls since that is the beginning of Shinomiya Tooru's story, and he's the one who spirals down (though he was never really all there to begin with).

Let Dai - Dai drags Jahee into a downward spiral. This is a very sad, but beautiful manga which focuses a lot on the emotions of the two leads so you might like it.

Cut - Well this is more a spiral-up, but the manga starts when the two male leads are both mentally screwed in their own way. It's shows the back stories, so you know how they were screwed up, and is really good for dark, angsty emotion so might appeal.

Acid Town - I've only read the first 15 chapters so far, but Yuki could be consider as destroying himself for the sake of his brother. I think only up to chapter 6 is scanlated though (but Dangerous Pleasure are working on it) so the story hasn't really got going yet in the English scans.

Full Metal Panic! (Novel) - Compared to the earlier novels, Sosuke is definitely more reckless in the later novels. I don't know if this counts though. I would explain further, but then you would be all spoiled.

Asian Beat - Not really a downward spiral, but 2 short stories about screwed up teenagers and why they're so screwed.

Banana Fish - erm...kinda. It's really hard to explain without spoilers but Eiji changes from innocent boy to fit into Ash's gang world, and Ash's back story shows how he spiralled down from normal boy to gang leader. This is too epic a manga to do justice with a few sentences, but it's dramatic, action-packed, emotional and deep.

I hope this helps, some of them probably aren't what you're looking for, sorry, but I hope at least one is.

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The pen is mightier than the sword...and considerably easier to write with.

One of my favourite topics. Let's see:

Normal City
Freesia
Fire Candy
Hitsuji no Uta
Helter Skelter
SaiKano
After School Nightmare

Mildly unsure if the last two will work for you, but should do, I guess?

Watch the anime instead:
Uta-Kata
Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Dizziness should be a perfect fit.

i second normal city my favourite manga <3

Akira, in particular the character Tetsou.

A lot of the stories in Tatsumi Yoshihiro's collections have characters whose lives are in the gutter like that too. Pretty bleak stuff, mind.

These may somehow fit your description. I am not sure. They could be off, too.

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Himatsubushi-hen
There are a lot characters in there that are mentally broken. It is quite surprising to find out who they are and what led to them to become like this.

Mirai Nikki
The main girl has a dark secret. Because of this secret she is mentally unstable. It gets worse later on. Other side characters are like that, too.

Deadman Wonderland
One of the female side characters may fit your description. Though she is one of the "good" guys she is mentally unstable. It gets mildly worse later on.

Shiki
The doctor because of what he does to his wife.

School Days
You probably have heard of this already but two of the females fit somehow.

The first thing that came to mind was Baccano! (Novel), because of this quote from volume 1:


Most of the cast is "physically" going down the spiral, rather than "mentally", but the villains might count for what you're looking for. The spiral is a main, recurring theme in the story, so I think you might like it.

Melody of Iron - there's something of a remake version by another mangaka, longer and more detailed, I'll post if I find it.

Die

A Cruel God Reigns - very.

Shi ni Itaru Yamai

Hello Baby

Battle Royale

Kokou no Hito

Kimi no Knife

Present

Vitamin (SUENOBU Keiko)

Life

I second Onani Master Kurosawa. School Days, and Higurashi no Naku Koro ni