Top 7 Short Seinen That Leave a Lasting Mark

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Don’t always have time (or motivation) to commit to a 30-volume saga? Here are 7 short seinen gems, each 5 volumes or less, that will grab you from page one.

Get ready for some intense reads!

7. Oyasumi Punpun

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Author: Inio Asano
Published: 2007–2013 (Weekly Young Sunday) / Kana
Volumes: 13 (complete)

Synopsis:
The painful coming-of-age journey of Punpun, caught between escapist dreams and harsh disillusionment. A raw and poetic tale where childhood gives way to adulthood.

What makes it special:
A surreal and brutally realistic blend like no other seinen out there.

→ Read the full manga review

6. Planetes

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Author: Makoto Yukimura
Published: 2001–2004 (Big Comic Superior) / Kana
Volumes: 4 (complete)

Synopsis:
A team of space debris collectors facing grand ideals and the immense loneliness of the cosmos. A rare mix of science fiction and psychological introspection.

What makes it special:
Visual poetry and human depth — far beyond your average space opera.

→ Read the full manga review

5. Mushishi

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Author: Yuki Urushibara
Published: 1999–2008 (Afternoon) / Kana
Volumes: 10 (complete, one-shots)

Synopsis:
Mystical investigations into invisible creatures known as mushi, where each chapter reads like a poetic and contemplative tale.

What makes it special:
A serene visual style and philosophical depth in every story.

→ Read the full manga review

4. The Innocent

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Author: Shin’ichi Sakamoto
Published: 2013–2020 (Jump SQ) / Delcourt
Volumes: 8 (complete)

Synopsis:
A brutal historical drama set during the French Revolution, where loyalty and betrayal are a razor's edge apart, magnified by breathtaking artwork.

What makes it special:
Surgical aesthetics and tragic intensity rarely matched elsewhere.

→ Read the full manga review

3. All Rounder Meguru

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Author: Hiroki Endo
Published: 2002–2016 (Afternoon) / Delcourt
Volumes: 8 (complete)

Synopsis:
A young MMA fighter navigates pain, doubt, and self-overcoming, through victories and defeats alike.

What makes it special:
A raw exploration of physical and mental strength — far from clichés.

→ Read the full manga review

2. Solanin

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Author: Inio Asano
Published: 2005–2006 (Young Sunday) / Kana
Volumes: 2 (complete)

Synopsis:
A group of newly graduated friends struggle against the 9-to-5 routine, searching for meaning in life between music, dreams, and disillusionment.

What makes it special:
Honest writing and raw emotion — it feels like you're living their hesitation.

→ Read the full manga review

1. Ikigami – Death Notice

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Author: Motorō Mase
Published: 2005–2012 (Young Sunday / Big Comic Spirits) / Kazé
Volumes: 2 (complete)

Synopsis:
In a dystopian Japan, a law mandates the death of certain citizens at age 18. Each “ikigami” is a death notice — a chilling social and human shock.

What makes it special:
The unbearable tension and deep reflection on the value of every moment.

→ Read the full manga review

Keywords:
short seinen manga, must-read short manga, Ikigami, Solanin, Mushishi, Planetes, Goodnight Punpun, All Rounder Meguru, The Innocent, manga recommendations