A one-shot manga typically consists of a single chapter, with an average length of 50 to 60 pages, although it may occasionally be longer. Despite their brevity, one-shots can be surprisingly captivating. They can serve as a platform for aspiring mangaka and also allow established authors to test the reception of a new story among readers.
If so, the story may continue as a manga, which could potentially be adapted into an anime series, films, or even a live-action drama or movie. The opportunities are limitless.
To assist you in your search, I have compiled a list of 15 must-read one-shot manga. Without delay, let us now delve into the top 15 one-shot manga on this list.
15. The Gokuraku District’s Third Avenue Incident
The identified genre of the content is Action and Fantasy.
In the Gokuraku district, humans, beastmen, and mermaids live together. Tao and Alma are well-known for being the first ones called upon to solve any issues that arise in Gokuraku.
One day, Nene, a mermaid, seeks assistance. Nene and her sisters are being coerced into selling their bodies in order to repay the debts they accrued for purchasing medicines that allow them to maintain their human form.
Known as Troubleshooters and Troublemakers, Tao and Alma are free-spirited individuals who do as they please. If you appreciate this standalone story, you should consider picking up the serialized manga that follows it.
14 Leaves of the Deep Blue Tree
Category: Fantasy, Romance
Throughout her childhood, Akino stumbles upon a magnificent tree with deep blue leaves. It is here that she befriends a boy named Konoha, only to later come to the realization that he is the spirit of the tree and forever tied to it.
Additionally, she discovers that Akino can only appear in his boy form during the autumn season. Despite making a promise to visit the mountain that overlooks her hometown regularly, Akino’s yearning for Konoha intensifies. If you enjoyed reading Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light, you will certainly love this one-shot as well.
13-One-Armed Amy
The genre of the film is drama.
A man’s intense passion for creating dolls causes his wife and daughter to abandon him. Eventually, he crafts a doll that bears a striking resemblance to his daughter Amy.
After coming to life, the doll realizes that it is not a human but rather a living doll made of cloth and cotton. This leads her to question the purpose of her existence.
12-Pen-Pal-at-the-End-of-the-World
Category: Adventure, Drama
At the tender age of 6, Kasumi Arai bore witness to the world’s almost complete destruction. The planet was struck by earthquakes and pandemics, causing societies to collapse as the winter season extended indefinitely.
Despite the chaos, the young man found solace in his family’s stationary store, where he stumbled upon Kasumi’s drawings of her favorite anime character. As he reminisced about the past, when the earth was greener, he was reminded of the post-apocalyptic pen pals in Kasumi’s one-shot story. Their shared interests brought them comfort in a world filled with destruction, making it a must-read.
My Wife Whom I Loved Dearly
The genre of the story is Drama and Romance.
Despite being a carefree and joyous married couple, Subaru Takahashi and Chika Takahashi’s lives took a turn when Chika was diagnosed with cancer.
This one-shot portrays the 6 months following Chika’s cancer diagnosis and the impact it had on those in her life. It serves as a necessary reminder for those who may not fully appreciate the value of life.
10 Layers of Fear
Category: Horror
Professor Soya stumbles upon an excavation site in Junji Itou’s Layer of Fear, where he uncovers a series of layers resembling tree rings. These layers, similar to annual rings, are accompanied by the discovery of a child’s skull, revealing a dark curse.
Thirteen years after his passing, Reimi and Narumi, the two daughters of the deceased, are involved in a car accident. This leads to the discovery that Reimi’s body is made up of only skin layers, with no organs or bones. Concerned about Sho’s archaeological excavation from decades ago, Reimi’s mother takes extreme measures.
Goodbye, Eric
Category: Drama
Tatsuki Fujimoto has been consistently producing exceptional one-shots for several years now. One such one-shot, Goodbye, Eri, was published in 2022.
Yuta’s terminally ill mother asks her to document her final moments, capturing her daily activities until her passing. Following her mother’s death, Yuta creates a film using these moments, but chooses to include a literal explosion at the end.
Despite the backlash he faced, Yuta made the decision to end his own life. However, his encounter with a girl named Eri changed his perspective. She encouraged him to create a new film that would surpass his previous one and have an even bigger impact.
The Bus Takes You and Runs
The genre of the book is romance.
Bus Takes You and Runs is a compilation of short stories that revolve around the theme of romance at bus stops. Essentially, Bus Hasiru showcases the romantic relationships both at bus stops and in school.
Bus Hashiru at its core portrays the endearing moments and gestures of love, often using metaphors. These tales are short and easy to read, yet they have the ability to touch your heart.
- Sky-Winding Bus Stop
- Sakura Street Bus Stop
- Wasurena Hill Bus Stop
- Weather Forecast
- Dudleya Road
- The Glasses Thief
- Adult-Uniform
No No, Nene-san
The genre of the story includes elements of drama, gourmet cuisine, and romance.
Nene Arisugawa and Rintarou Kamioka are neighbors who reside next to each other. They both have an affinity for food: While Nene has a passion for eating, Rintarou has a passion for cooking.
During their conversation, Rintarou discovers Nene’s unhealthful and unpleasant eating habits. He then takes it upon himself to prepare all of her meals in order to ensure she receives proper nutrition. As a result, their relationship grows closer. However, Nene cannot help but notice that Rintarou seems nervous and guarded in her presence. What could he be keeping from her?
The God of Children
The genre of the story is Drama, Romance, and Supernatural.
The local shrine serves as a playground for Makoto Kaizuka and his friends, with the recent addition of a girl named Yukari. However, Yukari’s presence has been erased from the memories of Makoto’s friends, leaving him as the only one who can see her. He soon learns that Yukari is a deity only visible to children.
We cannot control the process of growing up, and that is Makoto’s only concern as he desperately clings onto his memories of Yukari. In middle school, Makoto stubbornly resists maturing, but for how much longer can he maintain this stance?
The Hero’s Party on Their Way Back Home
Category: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
After vanquishing the Demon Lord, the four heroes begin their journey home. Nina, the mage, can’t stop chatting. As they travel, she reflects on her past as an orphan and how she eventually found a sense of family with the hero and his companions. However, she can’t help but feel anxious about sharing a certain piece of news with the villagers, one that is far from pleasant.
4. Tokidoki
Category: Drama, Love Story
Hatsu Takagi suffers from Kokuhaku disease, also known as Hypertensive heart disease, a rare heart condition that weakens the heart and reduces lifespan. To track the remaining heartbeats, Hatsu has a device implanted on his chest.
During a moment when Hatsu was changing her clothes, Hato Ijima unintentionally entered the room. From then on, Hato assisted Hatsu in achieving her desire to savor every moment of her remaining life with no regrets.
Look Back
The genre of the story is drama.
Ayumu Fujimo is well-known in her class for her four-panel manga, which she creates for the school newspaper. However, her slot is soon taken by Kyomoto, a truant student. When Kyomoto’s manga is published, it receives high praise from the class for its detailed artwork, causing Ayumu to feel jealous.
Despite refusing to lose to a truant, she begins to focus on honing her manga-making skills. However, she eventually abandons this pursuit. On the day of graduation, their paths finally cross. The events that unfold after are left for you to discover.
2-A-Silent-Voice
The genre of the film is drama.
You are most likely familiar with the Kyoto animation’s adaptation of A Silent Voice. However, it all began with a one-shot, which led to a manga adaptation, and eventually resulted in the creation of the movie.
The story of A Silent Voice follows the relationship between Shouko Nishimiya, a shy girl with a hearing disability, and her tormentor, Shouya Ishida. After Shouko is transferred to a new elementary school, she becomes the target of bullying by Shouya and his peers, leading to her eventual transfer. However, fate has a different path in store for them. Years later, the two cross paths once more, but Shouya is a changed person.
Solanin
The genre of this story is Drama and Slice of Life.
23-year-old Meiko Inoue lives a mundane life, dragging herself to a job she finds unfulfilling. However, both Meiko and her boyfriend, Taneda, decide to leave their jobs and start fresh in search of their true passions and purpose in life.
As a team, they reminisce about their university years and make the decision to resurrect their band, Rotti. After gathering their friends and their instruments, they are all set to start playing again. However, life throws a curveball and unexpectedly puts a stop to their plans. This is a story about 20-year-olds navigating the complexities of adulthood.
Final Thoughts
While one person’s preference may not be the same as another’s, this also applies to one-shot manga. With this in mind, I have curated a list of titles that are both entertaining and worth your time. I hope you have found at least one name to add to your reading list from this listicle. If you have any suggestions or recommendations, please feel free to share them in the comments section below.
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