Top 23 Sad Manga That Will Make You Cry
Have you ever had your emotions downplayed? You should read this sad manga. Here are the top manga series that will give you an incredible experience, some with surprising turns and intriguing protagonists.
I can relate to this terrible sensation and comprehend it. What a struggle it is to wipe away a tear.
These comics have beautiful illustrations and fantastic storylines about friendship, family, betrayal, reality, and attempting to live as humans in a world that isn’t always fair.
Mangas are an excellent pain-inducing catalyst or trigger that may stain your reality with both color and pain.
These depressing mangas are for you if you want to explore a world of sadness regardless of the type of sorrow or sadness you choose to feel.
1. Deep Love–Ayu No Monogatari
食糧人類 – Shokuryou Jinrui
Another extremely dramatic manga that practically stops you in your tracks and makes you question whether these types of things genuinely do happen in real life.
Your brain will then remind you that, sadly, these things happen.
You will concur and consequently keep staring and reading as the events in this manga unfold in horror.
Make sure your heart and eyes are prepared for what you’re about to experience since the author here uses a lot of stuff that is normally shocking or dramatic to make her point.
The story revolves around Ayu, a 17-year-old girl without a future.
‣Volumes: 2
‣Chapters: 8
‣Published: 2004 to 2004
‣Genres: Drama
‣Authors: Yoshi [Story]+ Yoshii Yuu [Art]
‣Serialization/Other works: Bessatsu Friend
2. Orange
Oranges are wonderful fruits. Its colors are fantastic, although it can be classified as a gloomy manga.
Orange is a slice-of-life novel with equal parts romance and sadness.
A letter from Naho Takamiya’s 26-year-old future self is presented here.
The message tells her information about her regret-filled future life and about a new transfer student named Kakeru Naruse, who appears to commit suicide during her academic year.
With these facts in hand, Naho attempts to alter both Kakeru’s and her own futures. Be prepared for some heartbreak since this comic is beautifully bittersweet.
‣Volumes: 6
‣Chapters: 31
‣Published: 2012 to 2017
‣Genres: Drama – Romance – Sci-Fi
‣Authors: Takano Ichigo [Story & Art]
‣Serialization/Other works: Monthly Action
3. Hoshi No Koe: Voices of a Distant Star
ほしのこえ – Hoshi No Koe
Despite having a sci-fi backdrop, this manga’s narrative is realistic, primarily concentrating on the traits, feelings, and thoughts of its two heroes.
Teenagers Mikako and Noboru are in love, but we ordered Mikako to travel into space and fight in the army.
They stay together, but as time passes, she travels farther from Earth, which lengthens the time it takes for them to communicate.
We showed the fragile relationship between two estranged lovers in this little sad manga through melancholy drawings and words that highlight the vulnerability of human emotions and how, despite it being easier for our hearts to end things, they sometimes won’t let us.
‣Volumes: 1
‣Chapters: 10
‣Published: 2004 to 2004
‣Genres: Drama – Romance – Sci-Fi
‣Authors: Yumeka Sumomo [Art] + Shinkai Makoto [Story]
‣Serialization/Other work: Afternoon
4. Your Lie in April
四月は君の嘘 – Shigatsu Wa Kimi No Uso
Kousei Arima learned how to play the piano from his mother, who insisted that he adhere closely to the musical notations on his music sheet.
Kousei won every tournament he entered by diligently following the notes and practicing every day.
One day, his mother passes away unexpectedly, leaving him speechless and unable to cope. He then gives up on performance altogether.
Two years later, his closest friends introduce him to Kaori Miyazono, an eccentric violinist who performs without using music notation.
As a relationship develops between the two, Kaori gradually infuses his monochromatic existence with color and exhorts him to pick up his instrument once more.
This manga is heartbreaking despite its endearing setting and story. Be prepared for happy times tinged with sorrow.
‣Volumes: 11
‣Chapters: 44
‣Published: 2011 to 2015
‣Genres: Drama – Romance
‣Authors: Arakawa Naoshi [Story & Art]
‣Serialization/Other work: Shounen Magazine (Monthly)
5. Bitter Virgin
ビターバージン
First off, the title of this manga is deceptive; the tale it tells is hauntingly sad rather than carnal.
The story follows high school student Daisuke as he develops feelings for Hinako, a student in his class who has experienced extreme brutality and suffering in the past.
This manga weaves together horrible realities of life with a coming-of-age romance, showcasing both the dark and ugly sides of human nature.
Bitter virgin will make you cry and is not for the weak of heart.
‣Volumes: 4
‣Chapters: 32
‣Published: 2005 to 2008
‣Genres: Drama – Romance
‣Authors: Kusunoki Kei [Story & Art]
‣Serialization/Other work: Young Gangan
6. Hotarubi No Mori E
蛍火の杜へ Into the Forest of Fireflies Light
This is one of the most touching, astounding, tear-inducing, and sorrowful mangas ever made, so be prepared to cry so much that you end up dehydrated and require IV fluids in the hospital.
You will encounter Gin, a woodland ghost, who aids Hotaru, 6, in escaping the jungle she got trapped in.
Hotaru visits Gin every year during her summer holidays after falling in love with his kind disposition and gentle remarks.
They both soon have intense feelings for one another, further solidifying their unbreakable link. However, there is a catch: Hotaru is not allowed to contact Gin.
‣Volumes: 1
‣Chapters: 4
‣Published: 2002 to 2003
‣Genres: Drama – Romance
‣Authors: Midorikawa Yuki [Story & Art]
‣Serialization/Other work: LaLa
7. To Your Eternity by Yoshitoki Oima
This comic will tear your body and your mind out. It all starts with an orb, a creature that can replicate the appearance of any substance.
It starts out as a stone and gradually takes the form of a living thing.
We observe as he takes on the look of a little boy, travels the nation, and develops a personality as he comes into contact with different people and experiences different circumstances.
This manga addresses themes of grief, friendship, and survival through the viewpoint of a character whose viewpoint you get attached to during the narrative.
I strongly suggest reading Yoshitoki Oima’s other moving manga, A Silent Voices, if you haven’t already.
8. Oyasumi Punpun
おやすみプンプン – Goodnight Punpun
Don’t let our protagonist’s peculiar character design turn you off; it’s all a part of the author’s psychological analysis of the character.
Oyasumi Punpun is a complicated story of a timid, shy youngster who learns life’s bitter facts as he navigates its difficulties: parents are fallible just like us, idols vanish overnight, and love and friendship aren’t things that last.
His timidity gradually gives way to reclusiveness as he matures, and his contradictory emotions become even more pronounced because no one seems to help him through this stage of development and help him understand them.
‣Volumes: 13
‣Chapters: 147
‣Published: 2007 to 2013
‣Genres: Drama – Slice of Life
‣Authors: Asano Inio [Story & Art]
‣Serialization/Other work: Big Comic Spirits
9. Three Days of Happiness
寿命を買い取ってもらった。一年につき、一万円で。 – Jumyou Wo Kaitotte Moratta. Ichinen Ni Tsuki, Ichimanen De.
At the ripe old age of 20, Kusunoki discovers he has lived his life without incident and needs money.
He learns of a business that specializes in the buying of life span, time, and health while he sells the rest of his possessions to a bookshop owner.
When Kusunoki arrives at the place he is given, he has just three months to live after selling 30 years of his life.
We follow the rest of these three months in “Three Days of Happiness” as he experiences a tornado of emotions, ranging from the exuberant joy he feels at having financial independence to facing all of his unresolved regrets.
This brief manga explores a variety of topics related to passing away, loneliness, emptiness, and satisfaction; it is thought-provoking yet straightforward and simple to read.
‣Volumes: 3
‣Chapters: 18
‣Published: 2016 to 2017
‣Genres: Drama
‣Authors: Taguchi, Shouichi[Art], Miaki Sugaru [Story]
‣Serialization/Other work: Shounen Jump+
10. Watashitachi No Shiawase Na Jikan
私たちの幸せな時間 – Our Happy Time
Juri Mutou is encouraged to meet Yuu, a death row inmate to whom she frequently writes letters, by her aunt Monica, a member of the church, following her third unsuccessful suicide attempt.
When they first meet, Juri and Yuu are confused by one another’s perspectives and outlooks on life.
Through conversations and letters, they establish a type of relationship that would spark many inquiries and introspections about life, death, love, and sorrow.
The mature and difficult dialogue in Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan, a wonderful short manga, will draw you into a compelling, emotional, and tragic universe.
‣Volumes: 1
‣Chapters: 8
‣Published: 2008 to 2008
‣Genres: Drama – Romance – Slice of Life
‣Authors: Yumeka Sumomo [Story & Art]
‣Serialization/Other work: Comic Bunch
11. Ningen Shikkaku
Ooba Youzou wears a mask to school, and he adopts the persona of a joking, joyful, and fun young guy while he is around his peers.
He puts on the act of a brilliant youngster who doesn’t stand out while he’s with his instructors.
He cannot be himself with other people because of the pain of prior abuse and current sentiments of hatred and loneliness.
Because of his fear of other people, he gradually acts and thinks sociopathic. Many individuals will identify with some of the gloomy manga’s themes.
The extremely disturbing topics will render some people speechless, which will affect many people. There are no pleasant moments in this tragic tale.
‣Volumes: 3
‣Chapters: 12
‣Published: 2009 to 2011
‣Genres: Action – Mystery – Horror – Psychological
‣Authors: Furuya Usamaru [Story&Art] Dazai Osamu [Story]
‣Serialization/Other work: Comic Bunch
12. My Girl
イガール
Through the perspective of 23-year-old Masamune Kazama and a daughter he was unaware he had, the film My Girl tackles the themes of loss, family, and motherhood.
He suddenly juggles fresh duties, emotions, and the uncertainties and concerns that come with being a single father, and we flip his routine existence upside down.
A variety of emotionally sour and sweet scenarios and circumstances, colored with a forceful theatrical execution, portray the complexity of everyday life with his daughter.
In order to develop as a parent, son, and human, Masamune will need to understand what makes life valuable, what makes him happy, and how to behave among the people he loves without harming or alienating himself from them.
13. Attack on Titan
Eren Yeager lives in the Shiganshina District with his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman and her best friend Armin Arlert.
The third and outermost circular wall, Wall Maria, protects humanity from the Titans, who are rumored to have massacred all other humans a hundred years ago.
Shiganshina and Wall Maria were destroyed by the Colossal Titan and Armored Titan, and when the oncoming Titans attacked, they forced the humans to take cover in Wall Rose.
When a Titan devours his mother while his father disappears, Eren enlists in the military alongside Mikasa and Armin out of a desire for revenge.
14. Bokura Ga Ita
チェンソーマン – Chensō Man
In Bokura Ga Ita, romance, drama, and a slice of life coexist.
The standard naïve girl who falls in love with a bad male plot line opens this manga, but it soon becomes clear that it has far more depth than other shojos.
First love is tarnished by discoveries of a turbulent background, family secrets, cheating scandals, abusive habits, and death in this ten-year-long agonizing and heartbreaking narrative.
Bokura Ga Ita is packed with drama and sadness, yet because of how genuinely it structures its subjects, it avoids excess or clichés.
15. Can’t See Can’t Hear but Love
There is a lot of gratuitous suffering shown here, and many of the supporting players act in abhorrent ways.
The plot isn’t really profound or creative but it does an excellent job of emotions and tear ducts.
A manhwa artist loses his sight because of his employment, and a deaf woman falls in love first with the manhwa and later with the artist.
‣Volumes: 6
‣Chapters: 83
‣Published: 2010 to 2011
‣Genres: Comedy – Drama – Romance – Slice of Life
‣Authors: Go Yeong-Hun [Story & Art]
‣Serialization/Other works: Daum Webtoon
16. Life
ライフ
All the tags are included in this comic. Scroll down for something more uplifting if you have a sensitive soul and don’t want it to wind up in the garbage.
Read this comic, my friends, if you enjoy having your heart broken in ridiculous, over-the-top ways.
The bulk of the time, it will seem like the author simply searched “tragic things that can happen to a teenager” and added them all throughout her chapters.
This isn’t a profound or well-crafted work.
The drama will seem a little out there, but if the past several years have taught us anything, it’s that yes, things can get worse; even if you’re already in Dante’s inferno, hell has plenty of circles.
‣Volumes: 20
‣Chapters: 80
‣Published: 2002 to 2009
‣Genres: Drama – Slice of Life
‣Authors: Suenobu, Keiko [Story&Art]
‣Serialization/Other works: Bessatsu Friend
17. Fumetsu No Anata E
不滅のあなたへ- to Your Eternity
Our protagonist transforms into the items and things he encounters after beginning as an unidentified relic created by a deity from a different era.
He gradually develops conscientiousness through making connections with people and animals.
He can experience a sea of emotions and sentiments through these many connections that, at first, he cannot express.
As he discovers himself through the eyes of the individuals he encounters, stealing their characteristics and ultimately developing his own, the narrative will chronicle his literal development and maturation into various things.
Your heart will throb with both sympathy and grief because of this original and compelling narrative, which will sweep you up in a tornado of feelings.
‣Volumes: 21
‣Chapters: 82
‣Published: 2016 to Ongoing
‣Genres: Adventure – Drama – Supernatural
‣Authors: Ooima Yoshitoki [Story & Art]
‣Serialization/Other works: Shounen Magazine (Weekly)
18. Haikyuu by Haruichi Furudate
Hinata Shoyou, a fan of volleyball, is the subject of Haikyuu. It won’t stop him despite his little stature and lack of playing experience.
He joins the Karasuno high school volleyball team, and that is where his quest really starts.
With a little slapstick humor thrown in, this comic truly helps you experience the intensity of the games, the commitment the players make to bettering themselves, their grief when they lose, and their delight when they win.
I suggest to manga fans this comic book about volleyball, friendship, and self-improvement. An excellent anime adaptation of it is also available.
19. Futatsu No Spica
Asumi, Kei, Marika, Fuchuya, and Shu are elementary school kids who enroll in the prestigious Tokyo Space Academy hoping to become astronauts in the novel.
The difficulties they face on their trip, both physically and mentally, frequently touch about dreaming.
As some of them finally give up on their aspirations, others will struggle to cling on by every thread they can find, optimism and sincerity are combined with desperation and sorrow.
We capture the nostalgia we feel as young people as our romantic and idealistic dreams come into contact with the excessively harsh reality of life in Twin Spica.
20. The Promised Neverland by Kaiu Shirai & Posuka Demizu
Young Emma, who lives in the Grace Field orphanage, is an orphan who enjoys a calm existence while waiting impatiently to be adopted.
The orphans’ realization that they are living in a demon world human breeding farm and will be adopted and fed to demons when they reach adulthood, however, causes things to take a nasty turn.
It is a perilous voyage for Emma and the orphans as they attempt to leave the orphanage and make their way to the outside world.
21. Akame Ga Kill by Takahiro & Tetsuya Tashiro
A crew of assassins gets together to protect their nation from internal danger.
This manga isn’t your normal sentimental “hero saves the day” tale, either, because the combat is brutal, and holds are not permitted.
This graphic novel leads you on a crazy voyage replete with horrific historical accounts, ruthless adversaries, and bloody and sad fight scenes.
22. Bokurano
ぼくらの – Bokurano: Ours
In this manga, a group of middle school kids are charged with controlling Zearth, a mecha that resembles a human being, to protect their city from attacks by monsters.
Don’t let the sci-fi components deter you; Bokurano’s main concern is psychological damage.
As each student has a turn controlling the mecha, the author delves deeply into their psyche, breaking down important events in their life and fleshing them out to where every important detail is shown in the panels, despite how brutally it is depicted.
We investigate the meaninglessness of existence through a variety of gut-wrenching stories that will seize and break your heart.
‣Volumes: 11
‣Chapters: 66
‣Published: 2003 to 2009
‣Genres: Drama – Sci-Fi
‣Authors: Kitoh Mohiro [Story&Art]
‣Serialization/Other work: Ikki
23. Half & Half
Shinichi Nagakawa and Yuuki Sanada were unrelated strangers who were murdered in an accident one day.
When they reach the transitional stage between this world and God extends their lives by another seven days.
They must decide who will remain alive after that time and who will pass away.
God makes it impossible for them to walk away from each other by connecting their bodily and emotional feelings in order to prevent them from just murdering one another.
You’ll definitely appreciate this one if you’re seeking a quick read with elements of romance, comedy, and melancholy.
‣Volumes: 2
‣Chapters: 14
‣Published: 2020 to Present
‣Genres: Romance – Supernatural – Ecchi
‣Creator: Seo Kouji [Story&Art]
‣Serialization/Other works: Bessatsu Shounen Magazine
I hope you enjoyed these few sad manga books. You can check our page for more exciting manga books.
