I feel like most of the suggestions that we are throwing out there tend to be older works lol

I second Eden - It's an Endless World! or the short story collection Endo Hiroki Tanpenshuu which are both from ENDO Hiroki

It seems you would like more psychological works but in case you would want abstract works there is Soil and Kono Sekai no Owari e no Tabi

One that has a very light presentation with dark themes is Mitsuami no Kami-sama

Lastly a couple of older works you might like are Ningyo no Mori and Pet Shop of Horrors

There are many suggestions on here that are great! And of course, I'm going to be the billionth person to tell you to read Urusawa lol
I hope you find some things you like!

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Some suggestions that I liked were:

Himegoto- Juukyuusai no Seifuku a personal favorite that I really like with both dark and mature themes.

The Flowers of Evil

Kuzu no Honkai a bit lighter but gives a dark view of a group of high school kids struggling with unrequited love also has very mature themes.

How about Kokou no Hito?
Also, Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou maybe? This one is light and dark and cheerfully depressing IMHO

Homunculus should fit your taste

Sounds neat, but I'm reading it apparently got cancelled, unfortunately.



Sounds interesting. I'll add it to my list.



Nothing wrong with the recommendation itself, it definitely fits, but I personally am not a big fan of all sorts of "survival game" scenarios, so I don't think I'll be reading that one.



A pretty interesting concept. Definitely caught my attention. I'll add it to my list.



I dunno, it technically fits, but at the same time doesn't really sound all that interesting to me. I'll consider it, though.



A bit too much to go through right now, but I'll definitely go through his works and see if any of it interests me.



Age doesn't really matter to me. Unlike anime, which can age to a varying degree over time, a good manga is timeless because the art quality is not going to be lost the older it gets.



Both sound awesome! I'll be giving them a read for sure.



I like abstract/surreal settings, but this one sounds too weird for my liking for some reason. Sorry, but I'll be giving that one a skip.



I've only been exposed to Rumiko Takahashi's more lighthearted works, such as Ranma 1/2 or Maison Ikkoku. Didn't really like them all that much. I'll give Ningyo no Mori a read, though, and see if Mrs. Takahashi is maybe a tiny bit better at writing horror than she is at romance.

As for Pet Shop of Horrors, it doesn't outright sound like something I wouldn't want to read, so I'll throw it on my list. Maybe some other time I'll be in a mood for it.



Not my kind of read. I don't enjoy stories about teenage problems.



I'll throw Kokou no Hito on the "maybe some other time" pile. The concept sounds kind of interesting, but I don't think I'm in a mood for that kind of story right now.

As for Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou, it's a slice of life, so I don't think I'd enjoy that manga very much.



It definitely does. I'll add it to my list.

Thank you all for the recommendations. You're being of really great help to me.


Last edited by ninja666 at 3:39 pm, Feb 22 2018

Probably my suggestions won't fit ALL your criteria, but they should be close enough. I tend to prefer works with a more positive outlook, so keep that in mind. I tried to pick the ones on my list which sound more up your alley, though.

First, I second Vinland Saga and Naoki Urasawa's works. Both fit very well, I think. (Aside from the fact Vinland Saga is not finished.)

Nobuyuki Fukumoto should be an interesting author for you. His art is... unique, and not for everyone, but his paneling and page composition works very well with his stories. He is most know for stories about gambling in underground worlds, such as Kaiji (not finished, but divided into parts) and Akagi, but he also has a more straightforward dramatic story of a 40-year old man in a life crisis, which is Saikyou Densetsu Kurosawa and thrillers such as Kokuhaku (KAWAGUCHI Kaiji) and Seizon - Life, in which he only made the story.

Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä is a classic work that deserves its status. The artwork and worldbuilding are fantastic, and it fits all your criteria with flying colors. It has moments of action, moments of conflict via dialogue, contemplative/reflexive moments and a profound and resonating narrative. It's not that depressing, though, even if it has its moments.

Spirit Circle, although having shounen-like art, is something you might find interesting, if the concept appeals to you. It has a very well-construced plot and deals with its various themes and scenarios with care.

Omoide Emanon is an one-volume work with honestly some of the best art I've ever seen and a thought-provoking concept. It's not a long story, nor is it plot-focused, but is extremely interesting.

Marie no Kanaderu Ongaku is a very intelligent story, with well executed plot-twists which bring interesting questions, happening in a beautifuly drawn and fascinating world. I think it has its flaws, but is worth a read.

I could probably go on, but I think that's enough for now. I hope you find something you enjoy.

Although, and I don't mean anything bad by that, I do think your preferences are too narrow, and maybe you would think something to like in some of the genres you've written off. Hoshi no Samidare, for instance, is almost opposite to what you're looking for, but I do think you would like it anyway - it's a very good story anyway.

I'll let you know up front that it will be difficult for you to find a lot of manga that fit all of your criteria. Japanese taboos that get portrayed in media are primarily sexual/romantic. I find almost all dark action stories that deal with these edgy. Some stories will transgress political mores but they are more uncommon. Teen delinquency is a common topic but will always involve dysfunctional romantic relationships.

These fit well
For action manga that fit all of your criteria, I suggest "I Am a Hero" (and other works by Asano Inio) and I second "Soil." "Mirai Nikki" and "Shiki" are classics but aren't too philosophical. "Monkey Mountain" was a neat short work. "Franken Fran" doesn't have a long term story but otherwise fits. "Boku dake ga inai machi" is a really good mystery, but it takes place in a school, if that is a deal-breaker.

Political taboos but no action
Stories that challenge political conventions include "Dead Dead Demon's Dededededestruction" (though it's not finished) and "Kokumin Quiz." Both of these are Japan-oriented so they could come off a little odd, though I don't think it's a huge problem.

Just plain odd
If you want to take a plunge into odd artwork and dissociated themes, I suggest works by Nishioka Kyoudai. They can tend to be too artsy and unattached to the real world and they are not really action stories by any stretch, but they are certainly dark, grey in morality, and address taboos.

Teenage delinquency
If you can withstand dysfunctional teenage relationships (they aren't sappy, if that's your turn-off), these works are pretty good. "Oyasumi Punpun" is well-regarded but could be a little on the edgy side. The physical representation of the main character might bug you, as well. "Onani Master Kurosawa" seems to be a standard sex comedy at first but quickly gets dark and complicated. I really liked "Umibe no Onnanoko."

No overarching plot
I included these in case you don't need a long term plot in your stories and can tolerated a more laid-back feel. "Fugurumakan Raihouki" has pretty art and is only backstory. "Haruko Ichikawa Sakuhinshuu" is a collection of short stories by Haruko Ichikawa, who has a currently ongoing series that would be a good fit, "Houseki no Kuni," but since you don't want incomplete series just read the one I recommended. "Sabishisugite Lesbian Fuzoku Ni Ikimashita Report" is a non-fiction story about a depressed girl starting to work through her lesbian identity and get on her feet; I included this because it addresses two taboos: homosexuality and NEETs.

Well, he wants finished so if they are recent they are short, the best fit I find is Shuumatsu no Laughter but it's only one volume.

A quick look at my finished list gives me also Zennou no Noa that may mostly fail is the mary sue department but in part is because most chara are amnesiac.

Necromancer goes well with the gray morality, historical and mentioning others would be spoiler.

At the end all are short mangas, and as always giving names of what you enjoyed helps a lot.

Closest recs:
Kurozuka
Wolf guy - ookami no monshou
Japan tengu party illustrated
Rakia
Yaotsukumo
Blood sucker
Pupa
Wombs
Canaria-tachi no fune
Imperial guards
Blaster knuckle
ES
Genpei Tenshou Emaki Azamaru
Akoya Tsutaya
Night of the succubus
Heaven's Door (KOIKE Keiichi)
G (KOIKE Keiichi)
Hotel

Historical ones-
Shut Hell
Oldman
Innocent (SAKAMOTO Shinichi)
Innocents Shounen Juujigun
Saraiya Goyou
Bradherley no basha
Brigit's supper
Emerald

Honourable mentions i'm not 100% about recommending for your criteria, usually regards to the subject matter, atmosphere or plot:

Qwan-Not sure about this one for you...its genres fit but not sure the tone is going to be what you want. Worth trying to see if you like it anyways.
Kazan-it is about as mature as it gets for an adventure manga involving two kids but possibly still isn't enough.
Dogs-its longer running series is ongoing but this oneshot was the forerunner. It has rich characters but possibly too dramatic. Fine line with that one.
3x3 eyes-honestly haven't read much yet so just can't guarantee that its uber dark, It is a classic though and fits your genres well.
Black★Rock Shooter: Innocent Soul-has a smattering of romantic subplot and pretty short but the atmosphere is very dark.
Shamo-Didn't read much of it, told from the POV of a murderer so ticks your 'no clear goodie/baddie divide' box but these ones can gain overblown drama elements later down the line, so I'm putting it here.
Denmu Jikuu-Read it too long ago to properly remember the tone but I think it had a relatively sober atmosphere, at least worth reading for the unusual sci fi plot.
Nanase-complex characters, the right tone but not sure the plots what you're after.
The sea of fallen beasts-Collection of one shots, mostly about sea monsters.
Yokokuhan-maybe on the dramatic side and set in modern japan but does do depraved and taboo pretty well.

And you should make a note of To you, the immortal, Kokukoku, Land, Yorukumo, Dorohedoro and Guin saga for reading when they get completed cos they're right up your street.

Seconding:
Ares, Billy Bat, houseki no kuni, Shiki, Omoide emanon, Wolfsmund, mother Sarah, Ayeshah's secret, All you need is kill, 7 seeds and basara. I don't think you're going to like Pandora hearts.

If you want to find more you can use the search engine to your advantage because you have such well defined categories of what you want and don't want.

Like:
Sienen+Dark ambience, completely scanned or
Sienen excluding all the genres you didn't want, completely scanned

My advice would be to try wolfsmund or korozuka first, then Mother Sarah, Billy bat or pluto. Or go for some shorter ones first, like Hotel, which is one of my favourite oneshots, very deep and unusual. Probably don't start with Ares, definitely try it- but shouldn't be the first port of call because at the start its more of a mix of happy/sad steadily growing depressing in the last half.

Your criteria reminds me of Oyasumi Punpun. It's a pretty well-known psychological manga though, so you may have read it already. It is a slice of life, but I really suggest reading it because it's not your cutsey moe girl slice of life. I'll keep adding as I think of more

I second Homunculus
To You, The Immortal sounds perfect for you
Yuki ni Tsubasa Kind of?
Holyland but it is a mature martial arts shounen. It's not the ORAAAA and KORAAAA martial arts stuff
Akumetsu is going out on a limb but who knows you may find it fun. It's not my type at all but I still enjoyed the hell outta it.
Destroy and Revolution from what I remember would be up your alley as well.


NO WAY THAT MANGA IS LIKE SO NOT KNOWN AT ALL! It was my first manga that really brought me to the world of manga. I bought the full raw series lol. It's not that great of a story looking back, but it was good enough to bring me in OP if you haven't read it yet though, I second it.

Last edited by Noburo at 4:39 am, Feb 26 2018

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Currently getting my life together~ (unsuccessfully)

Wow, this thread is still going? At first I had doubts because all the recommendation request threads had little to no replies, but in the end I'm glad I asked here. On MAL I would've been told over and over that my criteria are too rigorous and nothing covering it even exists. Meanwhile over here I'm getting so many recommendations I barely can keep up with checking them all out. I'd like to thank you all once again. You're awesome!

You might enjoy Sanctuary, a true classic. While lacking the morbid atmosphere you are seeking, it does cover a fair number of your other criteria.

Vagabond, Homunculus and Eden - It's an Endless World! are other great suggestions in this thread. Especially Vagabond. don't miss out on that one.

I'm reading it's a manga by Buronson. Can I really trust someone, whose most recognizable work is a simplistic action manga about an overpowered, nigh-immortal Gary Stu, who kills people by literally touching them with his finger, with writing a complex political story?

Hey, you're almost coming off as if that's a bad thing

Many artists start off by making pornographic doujins. Would you write off their subsequential work because of that? The man can write for different audiences. It's still flashy, sure, but the plot is good.

I'm a little pissed no one suggested

Last edited by Dalkr at 8:06 pm, Aug 26 2021