Are you seeking a captivating manga to enjoy without the commitment of a lengthy storyline? Look no further! Below, we’ve curated a list of exceptional completed manga series with 10 chapters or fewer. These manga selections offer concise yet engaging narratives, providing a satisfying reading experience in a shorter time frame. Dive in and explore these remarkable titles:
1. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
Author and Artist: Sumino Yoru, Kirihara Idumi
Status: Completed
Chapters: 10
Synopsis: “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas” is a poignant Japanese novel by Yoru Sumino, later adapted into a manga, anime film, and live-action movie, all receiving critical acclaim. The story delves into themes of life, death, and relationships, offering a unique perspective. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of a high school boy who discovers the diary of Sakura Yamauchi, a popular classmate secretly battling pancreatic disease. Their shared secret deepens their connection as they navigate Sakura’s final months.
2. Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms
Author and Artist: Fumiyo Kono
Status: Completed
Chapters: 3
Synopsis: “Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms” is an award-winning manga by Fumiyo Kono, portraying a multi-generational tale of a family that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. With its simple yet poignant artwork, the manga conveys a humane anti-war message. The story is divided into two parts, one set in post-war Hiroshima and the other featuring Nanami, the niece of the first part’s protagonist. Through their experiences, the manga explores the enduring impact of tragedy across generations.
3. The God’s Lie
Author and Artist: Ozaki Kaori
Status: Completed
Chapters: 5
Synopsis: “The God’s Lie” follows Natsuru, an 11-year-old boy admired by his classmates for his good looks. After rejecting a classmate’s chocolates on Valentine’s Day, Natsuru faces alienation and neglect. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Rio Suzumura and her younger brother Yuuta, leading to revelations about their hidden struggles and secrets.
4. Memories of Emanon
Author and Artist: Kajio Shinji, Tsuruta Kenji
Status: Completed
Chapters: 9
Synopsis: Based on Shinji Kajio’s award-winning novel, “Memories of Emanon” follows the enigmatic Emanon, a woman with a three-billion-year-old memory spanning the history of life. She embarks on endless journeys, retaining memories from past lives. The story intertwines her existence with a young man in 1967, offering a profound exploration of time and memory.
5. Sahara the Flower Samurai: Hana Samurai no Sahara
Author and Artist: Shibata Yuusaku
Status: Completed
Chapters: 4
Synopsis: Set in a post-war world where plants are scarce and colossal humanoid machines roam, “Sahara the Flower Samurai” features Sahara, a mysterious samurai wielding a flower sword. His quest is to restore the world to its former glory, making this manga an intriguing blend of action and adventure.
6. Afro Samurai
Author and Artist: Okazaki Takashi
Status: Completed
Chapters: 10
Synopsis:
“Afro Samurai” stands as a pop culture icon for several compelling reasons. Firstly, its main character, Afro, is an iconic figure—a samurai with a distinctive afro hairstyle. The story introduces an equally intriguing antagonist, a cowboy gunman. What adds an interesting twist to the series is the fact that it boasts an anime adaptation produced by none other than the renowned actor, “Samuel L. Jackson,” who also lends his voice to Afro, adding a surprising and captivating dimension to the series.
Afro, a remarkably skilled swordsman, experienced a harrowing childhood trauma as he witnessed his father’s decapitation. This traumatic event shattered his innocence and fueled an unrelenting desire for revenge. Consequently, Afro transformed into a cold-blooded killer, relentlessly pursuing the rank of “number one” in the samurai hierarchy. Along his path, he has slain many adversaries, motivated by both self-defense and vengeance in his quest to avenge his father’s brutal demise.
7. Downfall
Author and Artist: Inio Asano
Status: Completed
Chapters: 8
Synopsis:
Created by Inio Asano, known for his exceptional works such as “Goodnight Punpun,” “Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction,” and “Solanin,” “Downfall” is a manga series that delves into the darker aspects of life. It offers readers a thought-provoking exploration of themes like mental illness, societal pressure, and complex interpersonal relationships. What sets “Downfall” apart is its distinctive art style and Asano’s talent for crafting character-driven, realist narratives that captivate readers.
The story revolves around a manga author whose sole aspiration is to create a series that surpasses his previous hit in terms of sales. In his relentless pursuit of this goal, he inadvertently neglects his already fractured marriage and faces a deteriorating mental state.
Through “Downfall,” Inio Asano sheds light on the harsh realities of the manga industry. It portrays the immense pressure that mangaka (manga creators) endure daily. While increased sales may bring fame and recognition, it often comes at the cost of their mental and physical well-being, strained personal relationships, and a fading love for manga, which initially sparked from pure passion and genuine excitement. Whether you’re a manga enthusiast or simply appreciate a compelling story, “Downfall” by Inio Asano is a worthwhile addition to your reading list. Furthermore, this series has inspired a live-action film adaptation scheduled for release in March 2023.
8. Our Happy Hours
Author and Artist: Gong Ji-Young, Sahara Mizu
Status: Completed
Chapters: 8
Synopsis:
“Our Happy Hours” is an adaptation of the novel “Our Happy Time” by Gong Ji-Young, one of South Korea’s most celebrated female novelists. The narrative follows Juri Mutou, a beautiful, affluent, and intelligent young woman who finds herself confined to a hospital bed while recovering from her third suicide attempt. During this challenging period, a transformative encounter occurs when her pragmatic aunt, a nun, suggests that Yu-Jung accompanies her on a charitable visit to death row inmates.
Initially resistant at her lowest point, Yu-Jung reluctantly agrees to the visit. At the prison, she encounters Yuu, a convicted murderer awaiting execution. Despite being repulsed by the nature of his crimes, Yu-Jung is inexplicably drawn to the depth of his suffering. As they meet week after week, their interactions gradually unveil the dark secrets of their respective pasts and the hidden traumas that have shaped their lives. Through these encounters, they form a profound and unbreakable bond, helping each other confront their inner demons.
However, their happiness is marred by the reality of Yuu’s incarceration, with his hands perpetually in cuffs and prison officers ever-present in the background. Their time together remains tragically brief, marked by the constant reminder of their limitations.
9. Ne Ne Ne
Author and Artist: Otousan, Hagiwara Daisuke
Status: Completed
Chapters: 7
Synopsis:
“Ne Ne Ne” is an age-gap romance manga created by the artist of “Horimiya.” It tells the story of a mature man and a young girl striving to bridge the gap between them and navigate the complexities of love, all while wrestling with their inexperience and shyness.
Koyuki, at the age of 16, finds herself wedded to Shin, a man 21 years her senior, as part of an arrangement intended to benefit their families. Despite the significant age difference, both Koyuki and Shin are novices in matters of love, often unsure how to act around each other. To complicate matters further, Shin is forbidden from engaging in physical intimacy with Koyuki until she reaches the age of 20.
With Koyuki now married to a man two decades her senior, she embarks on a journey into the unknown. Her situation is so enigmatic that she has never even glimpsed her husband’s face. As they navigate the intricacies of married life, they soon discover that, despite their age gap, they share commonalities in their naivety and inexperience. Will these two innocents manage to overcome their awkwardness and bridge the gap between them? Only time will reveal the outcome of their unique union.
10. My Broken Mariko
Author and Artist: Waka Hirako
Status: Completed
Chapters: 4 + Epilogue
Synopsis:
“My Broken Mariko” is an award-winning short manga that explores themes of suicide, abuse, and the complex emotions surrounding the loss of a loved one. The narrative centers around Mariko Ikagawa, who has endured abuse and depression from a young age and has found solace in her friendship with Tomoyo Shiino.
Shiino, now a 26-year-old office worker, is shaken when she hears a news report announcing Mariko’s suicide. Initially skeptical, Shiino accepts the painful truth as she fails to contact Mariko and begins to question the circumstances leading to her tragic decision.
Driven by a desire to free Mariko from her abusive father, Shiino embarks on a daring mission to retrieve Mariko’s remains. Their reunion takes them to a specific location that held significance for Mariko, allowing Shiino to reminisce about their cherished memories together. As they confront Mariko’s troubled past, “My Broken Mariko” provides a touching exploration of friendship, trauma, and healing.
11. I Married My Best Friend to Shut My Parents Up
Author and Artist: Kodama Naoko
Status: Completed
Chapters: 3 + Epilogue
Synopsis:
“Machi Morimoto” is a young woman expected to follow the traditional path of settling down, getting married, and becoming a stay-at-home mother. However, she neither comprehends nor holds any interest in love, leaving her parents persistent in their pursuit of a suitable suitor. In a bold move to regain control of her life and thwart her parents’ interference, Machi decides to marry her best friend, Hana Agaya.
Hana, openly attracted to women and harboring a long-standing crush on Machi since high school, eagerly accepts the proposition.
