Looking for manga about abuse, mental illness, and/or the meaning of life (or the lack thereof)

[Killjoynik]

The first manga that come to mind are Oyasumi Punpun (of course), Homunculus, Boku wa Mari no Naka, and Sekai Oni. I'm also interested in the highly surrealistic, like what you'd imagine a fever dream to be like. I find Kyuusai no Hi and Totsukuni no Shoujo embody this perfectly. Keeping these 4 genres in mind, whether singularly or collectively, what would you recommend?

 

[DANDAN_THE_DANDAN]

She Doesn't Know Why She Lives is about depression if you're into that

Spoiler

Description:
Izumi Sumi, a 25 year old part timer struggles through anxiety and depression, pondering the meaning of her own life

 

[Ou_Ki]

- abuse
- mental illness
- the meaning of life (or the lack thereof)

--> https://mangadex.org/title/38175/asuperu-kanojo

 

[Killjoynik]

@DANDAN_THE_DANDAN I read it. It was fun!

@Ou_ki I'll probably pick it up when it's finished. It looks like something I'd like, though.

 

[Rhaptopia]

君と痛みを分かち愛たい
This a H about parental abuse it is very short tho.

 

[Ruiruru]

I checked your profile and you've probably read half of what I'll recommend but here we go. Hope this list helps a bit~

Abuse/Meaning of Life/Mental Illness
Highly Recommend:
[ul]
[*]God's Child. Story of a serial killer.
[*]Helter Skelter. A model's slow spiral towards madness and insanity. If you liked this, also try the author's other translated work: River's Edge.
[*]The Skyhigh franchise. Episodic but it pretty much got what you're looking for. There's around 5 titles in the franchise and they're all very good imo.
[*]Solanin. From the mangaka of Goodnight Punpun. I liked this story better than Punpun. Felt more grounded to reality and relatable. If you liked this, you should also check out his What a Wonderful World.
[*]My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness.
[*]Our Happy Hours.
[*]Copernicus' Breath. Some trigger warning: gay sex. But imo, it was a really good story.
[/ul]

Honorable Mentions:
[ul]
[*]Arigatou.
[*]Bradherley's Coach.
[*]Deep Love: The Story of Ayu.
[*]Memories of Emanon. Rather popularish introspective work.
[*]Ogeha. The MC here is a big fat assholesociopath who came across an alien on the way home.
[/ul]

Surrealish Works
[ul]
[*]Journey to the End of the World.
[*]Terrarium in Drawer. But it's leaning on comedy.
[*]Witches.
[*]Pure Trance.
[/ul]

 

[DANDAN_THE_DANDAN]

@Ruiruru You got good tastes

 

[Killjoynik]

@Ruiruru I've actually only read God's Child, Solanin, What a Wonderful World, and Journey to the End of the World. I'll be sure to check out the others you've mentioned, thanks a lot. Oh, and Merry Christmas

 

[Ruiruru]

@DANDAN_THE_DANDAN Thanks a lot! Actually, I haven't read She Doesn't Know Why She Lives but it seems fun so thanks! Bet you have good taste too.

@Killjoynik I hope you enjoy them! And merry Christmas!

 

[PantsMan]

Mental Illness

Himizu is a particularly neat take on this. Would recommend.