Hey, just because these are just such fun topics and I don't have enough of them in my life already, I want to read manga where a main character either had anorexia, bulemia, or they have depression and or anxiety or self harm.

Despite the categories I am after, I would like the characters to be realistic and have a sense of humour about it what they suffer from. I also want it to have hope, not just utterly depressing and miserable all the way through, but to have an ending that isn't going to make me feel like the world has come to an end. Romance is very welcome as well, but if there are good ones without romance, then that is cool too.

What I mean by comedy is sick jokes or black humour. Such as if someone who self harms because of a bad situation, says to their friend 'yeah, this whole situation is really cutting me up.'

Last edited by RattixEmpire at 3:48 am, Jan 29 2013

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We work in the dark, we do what we can, we give what we have, out doubt is our passion and our passion is our task, the rest is the madness of art. Henry james

If it can be counted as depression (there is a depression category, and it's in it btw), I think Welcome to NHK! fits quite well your request. I'd have said it's more paranoia than depression though. I also want to point out that I didn't enjoy the manga as much as the novel and the anime.
The only manga I know which really deals with depression is imho Shi ni Itaru Yamai. It's not overly sad, but it's not exactly a happy read too. And there is no humour, so I don't know if you can enjoy it, but since I don't think you'll get gazillions of suggestions I wanted to point it out anyway.

Depression category: http://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?perpage=100&c ategory=Depression&orderby=rating
(Some of them are very good read like Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan and Oyasumi Punpun but imho they don't exactly deal with depression).

Anxiety category: http://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?category=Anxiety& orderby=rating

I didn't read any manga about anorexia/bulimia, so sorry I can't help you for it.

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What I like in Trivial Pursuit style. Pick your category:

Thanks for your help, I did have a look in the anxiety and depression categories, but they didn't portray anxiety very well, it was what people think anxiety is, but actually isn't and so many of the manga's abut depression are just so depressing. Ha ha

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We work in the dark, we do what we can, we give what we have, out doubt is our passion and our passion is our task, the rest is the madness of art. Henry james

Lonely Wolf Lonely Sheep

Mahoroba no Hibi I suggest not reading the tags before you read this one, it'll spoil it. And this one addresses the grief that caused the depression rather than the depression itself.

These were the only two I could think of that have a bit of a lighter atmosphere.

Cut deals with self-harm and PTSD in a realistic way, but has a couple of pretty graphic gay sex scenes (the first one in particular is pretty intense and it made me think this was mindless porn, but it got really good so don't give up.) It is also hopeful and a humourous as well.

I second Watashi no Shiawase na jikan. It is amazing.

I know a few more, but they are unfinished, so I have no idea how they will turn out.
Zankoku na kami ga shihaisuru - Is amazing, deep, realistic, but extremely sad and tragic. There is the odd light hearted moment, but in general this is pretty depressing. It is excellent though! Very well done.

Loveless - A little more light hearted, but not as realistic. It deals with amnesia, abuse, and grief. I can only think of a handful of characters who aren't damaged in someway. Not necessarily what you are looking for, but you may like it.

Hope this helps.

Last edited by CuthienSilmeriel at 1:57 am, Jan 30 2013

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

I have seen Watashi no Shiawase no jikan, but i am worried about how it is going to end, because, well, someone on death row, is on death row. I don't want it to have an ending like, he is dead now, but it is ok, I can do this.

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We work in the dark, we do what we can, we give what we have, out doubt is our passion and our passion is our task, the rest is the madness of art. Henry james

Jisatsutou- I realize its not in a realistic setting, but it has everything you asked for.......except the sense of humour about themselves. They have fun and laugh, but not through those means....although i have a feeling some react in that way...can't entirely remember.

Last edited by Tsubamex at 5:32 am, Jan 29 2013

Helter Skelter and its semi-prequel River's Edge

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Oyasumi Punpun Is the closest you can get for your request. Tons of dark humor and dark themes.


Most works by ASANO Inio Are great and realistically dark.

Deep Love - Ayu no Monogatari is also a great read if your looking for depression any other psychological issues. It's pretty depressing through out the story but there is romance. Your closest bet is Oyasumi Punpun.

Without spoiling it, the ending is beautiful, hopeful and sad all at once. Honestly though, any other ending would have ruined the entire story. The ending is perfect and very well done in my opinion.

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

Running on Empty. It's shounen ai and manhwa. Really sad one.

http://myanimelist.net/manga/10805/Running_on_Empty

might not fit exactly what you look for, but you could give them a try i guess
Himizu
Kizu (KIYOHARA Hiro)
Shino-chan wa Jibun no Namae ga Ienai
Koe no Katachi
Shounenshoujo Ryouryuuki

The Book Girl (Bungaku Shojou) light novels touch on these themes. They are well written and do have romance and a bit of fantasy.

I didn't read past chapter one, but "Sickness unto Death" got high ratings.