I'm looking to find something that explores trauma/psychological themes but isn't super dark, something with a little light at the end of the tunnel. I'm currently browsing through psychological + slice of life but I'm not sure that's gonna lead me where I want. I can't really think of a good example either to help direct any recommendations. What sparked this sudden desire was ReLife actually, and thinking about Kaizaki's issues surrounding his neck being touched, and I got to wondering if I could find other manga's that deal with trauma in some way but aren't a total depressing mind f*ck (not that those aren't fun).

Thanks!

I'd suggest Aku no Hana, Annarasumanara, Bokura no Hentai, Eensy-Weensy Monster, Gisou Honey Trap, Heptagon, Houkago Hokenshitsu, In Full Bloom (YON Jae-Won), My Heart Is Beating, The Friendly Winter and Zebra.

Good luck

Not all of these deal with trauma, but they all explore various psychological and social issues in a less depressing/twisted fashion than usual:

Genkaku Picasso
Palepoli
Ano Ko no Ie
Goggle -- The title story.
Ame no Furu Basho
Anywhere But Here
Aoi Uroko to Suna no Machi
Black Coffee
Beautiful People -- Some of the stories in this fit, though I can't really remember which ones. The whole collection is worth a read, though.
Bouken Shounen
Haruka na Machi e
Shounenshoujo Ryouryuuki
Danza
Henshin no News
Ito Meguri no Sobyou
Kinderbook
Not so Bad
Sora ga Haiiro dakara
Sumikko no Sora-san
Yoru no Taiko

Seconding Annarasumanara and The Friendly Winter.

Last edited by calstine at 3:01 am, Mar 28 2017

Inai Boku wa Hotarumachi ni Iru fits just about perfectly.

I'd also recommend reading some of Matsumoto Taiyou's psychological works. Maybe starting with Kanai-kun, or otherwise whichever plot most piques your interest.

Noragami
The main character is a victim of long term emotional abuse, and it is treated in a very realistic way. However there is quite a bit of humor as well. In fact it takes a while before one realises that the MC's humor simply exists to mask his hurt. Yet despite it all. YOu can't help but feel there is, as you put it, a light at the end of the tunnel.

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Thanks everyone!

I've watched the anime for Noragami, do they diverge enough to warrant reading the manga?