Filled with metaphorical concepts, irony, and basically just an intriguing read that makes you rethink a lot of things. I think that Punpun and his family being in the shape of birds is a metaphor in itself. There are some really deep concepts in here. Though this is not my normal kind of manga, it's worth a try.

... Last updated on September 30th, 2009, 6:43pm

I have to say that after reading this and three of his other works, Asano Inio ranks as one of my personal favorites (probably second only to Takehiko Inoue). My opinion doesn't really matter, but I do hope that other readers who are venturing into the seinen genre check out Asano's works. From experience in reading his other manga, I have learned to read slowly and take everything in -- and Goodnight Punpun, from the first chapter onwards, is really impressive. The main character and the setting are truly bizarre, but the story is really funny and touching. I'm enjoying myself immensely, and this is something that I don't get from most manga that I read. I'm really looking forward to the release of the other chapters.

Best line so far:
"A piece of my brain just shot out of my weiner!"

... Last updated on April 26th, 2008, 11:59am

Its difficult cruel and unusual but if u can stomach it it will give u an experience i encountered very few times
Its gripping and unforgiving
Try it and have fun

Even in the first chapter you realize this isn't just a normal manga. The feelings he goes through is a portrayal of a normal kid that feels disillusioned in his society. It's kind of depressing and melancholy at times. And the expression of the adults are very spastic and insane. From the point of view from a kid it portrays their mistrust of adult motives and the arbitrary harshness of adults. This is one of the weirdest manga you'll read, but it's interesting.

as of ch. 110, there are a lot of arcs and stories, and some parts are more boring than others. But my personal favorite is Midori + the uncle and the most recent with Aiko.

... Last updated on August 14th, 2012, 9:50am

The art of Asano Inio is always welcomed. The story is quite realistic and deserves attention. It's quite difficult to predict what would happen next. And the surrealist touch really makes it more attractive (unfortunately, later on, the surrealism is toned down a lot, making it less idiosyncratic). On the flip side, one might feel that the main character might be too self-absorbed and weak-willed. Other characters are not quite well developed, much is focused on navel gazing rather than self searching or finding solutions - but that's just my own opinion. That doesn't really change anything, as long as the depiction is realistic. What actually happens isn't as much important as how the story is told, I think. Anyway, not perfect, but one really can't expect more.

Makes me depressed for a time, a hallmark of a great manga

People really hyped this up as being "the most messed up manga" ever, and I don't think it fully struck a chord with me. My fear of the experience really caused me to miss out on lots of little details, and the true horror of it all doesn't come from one specific moment. It comes from watching a series of poor decision that keep getting worse and worse as you progress through the series. Some of the subplots don't really make sense and because the Punpuns are drawn as cartoons that interferes with who and what these folks are doing, which isn't a problem but something to note. It's not a satisfying read in the way that glimmers of hope just don't really seem to exist for Punpun and it definitely just feels sad to read certain parts.

Well, i must say it the best Coming of age and Psychological manga i ever read.
It very deep in describ the change in Punpun after years and others.
One thing more, it break the old order in very special ways. for example, when describe the kiss ( etc...), other shoujo mangaka would focus on the kiss of the two, but Asano-sensei make it very large that i must find where the main chars are.


For anyone who hasn't read it before. i highly recomend..

it is really a good manga, sometimes i understand the main character, sometimes i don't ,it is really depressing but not like evangelion, this is a different kind of depression ,it is really good i must say and really admire the mangaka, this manga is awesome, at first i thought i wouldn't be standing the bird's but somewhere in the storyline just seem natural and it really didn't matter anymore, if u haven't read it, don't waste any more time and read this

Punpun is another great triumph of Asano Inio, further confirming his ability to write, well, anything, with nothing but the utmost excellence and superiority. Punpun is one of the smartest comedies out there- it's gutbusting, thought-provoking, disturbing, and heartwarming, often all at the same time. The highly-detailed art creates an excellent contrast with Punpun's cartoon visage, and the characters all prove to have interesting world outlooks. If you can deal with the sheer absurdity, you'd be doing yourself a huge disservice not to read this manga.