The Best Short Manga To Read

There are quite literally thousands of manga out there, with many of them being quite long. Some manga seem to go on forever, with hundreds of chapters, while others remain incomplete. Because of this, it can be hard to find one that’s just right for you.

Here, we are going to take a look at some of the best short manga series out there. This will cover a wide array of genres, so you are bound to find something you like. It’s worth noting that ‘short’ is a bit subjective, so some of these may appear a bit longer than others. Thankfully, each one listed here is completed.

This list is in no particular order.

9

A Silent Voice

Many of us are familiar with the anime movie called A Silent Voice. The manga of A Silent Voice is on the shorter side, following Shoya and his redemption journey. This is a beautiful story that is spread over 62 chapters and seven volumes.

If you’ve already watched the movie, don’t worry! As with most adaptations, the manga for A Silent Voice has a bit more detail in terms of story and character development. As such, it won’t be too redundant of an experience.

8

Parasyte

Parasyte is a classic horror manga that is set in a version of our world where parasitic aliens fall down to earth and burrow inside people. Shinichi Izumi got lucky though; his parasite resides in his hand and has a separate consciousness from him.

This sounds weird, and it is. Still, Parasyte is a wonderfully horrific experience that focuses on a character who can relate to both humans and the aliens. In total, you can read 64 chapters of Parasyte.

7

Orange

If you are looking to shed a tear or two, then Orange is the manga for you. This story blends together young love, mental health, and the supernatural in a way that just works so perfectly. In this story, Naho receives a letter from her future self.

Orange gets surprisingly serious and emotional and although it’s less than 40 chapters, you will most likely end up forming some sort of connection with the characters that will leave you hanging on to every word.

6

All You Need Is Kill

Next up, we have All You Need Is Kill. This manga is only a measly two volumes, but it still has a great story that you’ll often see recommended around the internet. In this manga, you’ll follow along with Keiji Kiriya, who is stuck in a bit of a time loop.

Interestingly, All You Need Is Kill served as the inspiration for the Tom Cruise movie Edge of Tomorrow. While this isn’t a 1:1 adaptation, the basic story and vibe is still there.

5

Nijigahara Holograph

If you thought All You Need Is Kill was short, you’ve got to check out Nijigahara Holograph. This one-volume manga is a great mini psychological horror piece and honestly, no explanation really does it justice. You can expect amazing artwork, bleak storylines, and a look into multiple timelines.

Nijigahara Holograph is the type of manga that you will read, and then feel compelled to read again. The story feels a bit disjointed and out of order at first, but once you start to piece it together, it will definitely stick around after you’ve completed it.

4

Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka

Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka (or just Pluto) is a sci-fi mystery manga that follows a robot detective who has been assigned to investigate a string of mysterious deaths. Interestingly, this manga is based on Astro Boy (by Osamu Tezuka). This was written by Naoki Urasawa, which is where the ‘Urasawa x Tezuka’ comes in.

This isn’t just a closer look at an existing Astro Boy storyline; it’s a reimagining. As such, you can expect a gritty environment with a compelling mystery that will leave you hooked and most likely craving more after finishing all 65 chapters.

3

I Want To Eat Your Pancreas

I Want To Eat Your Pancreas is another entry on our list that received a movie adaptation. Rather than starting off as a manga though, it originally began as a novel. A few years after publication, it received a manga adaptation spanning just two volumes.

This story follows a high school boy who finds the diary of a female classmate and eventually learns that she has a serious pancreas-based illness (most likely pancreatic cancer). I Want To Eat Your Pancreas is emotional and tear-inducing, but it will definitely stick with you for a while.

2

Girls’ Last Tour

Girls’ Last Tour is a unique manga, as it combines a post-apocalyptic world with the Iyashikei genre. If you aren’t familiar, this is essential anime and manga that are ‘healing’ and overall, stress-free. In Girls’ Last Tour, you can follow along with Yuuri and Chito, who are just surviving.

Who knew a slice-of-life about two cute girls could work in this type of environment? If this manga interests you, then you can dive into a total of 47 chapters (with five of these being considered bonus chapters).

1

Paradise Kiss

Last but not least, we have Paradise Kiss. This manga was written by the iconic Ai Yazawa, who also created Nana and Neighborhood Story. Paradise Kiss follows Yukari Hayasaka, who lives a pretty average life until she meets a group of students from Yazawa School of Arts.

With just five volumes and 48 chapters, Paradise Kiss manages to pack in so much story. It also provides a realistic view of growing up and entering relationships. Additionally, Paradise Kiss involves some of the same characters from Neighborhood Story, so we recommend checking them both out!