Tag: The Flowers of Evil

This beautifully written and illustrated series follows Rei Kiriyama, a 17-year-old professional shogi player who struggles with loneliness, depression, and self-worth after a traumatic event in his childhood. The story delves deeply into Rei’s mental health struggles as he learns to find solace and healing through his relationships with others.

This manga focuses on Tatsuhiro Satou, a 22-year-old recluse who thinks the world is conspiring against him. As the story progresses, the manga delves into his struggles with social anxiety, depression, and his crippling sense of isolation. Welcome to the NHK is a raw look at mental health issues in the modern age and how one can begin to face their fears and insecurities.

This emotional rollercoaster follows Kousei Arima, his life changes when he meets a spirited violinist, Kari Miyazono, who helps him rediscover his love for music and his ability to connect with others. The manga explores how grief and mental health can manifest in different ways, but also shows the power of healing through relationships.

This powerful and heart-wrenching manga follows Shoya Ishida, a boy who bullied a deaf girl, Shoko Nishimiya, during elementary school. After bullying her to the point where she transferred schools, Shoya is filled with guilt and becomes an outcast himself. The story explores redemption, self-forgiveness, and the journey to make amends.

Blue Period follows Yatora Yaguchi, a high school student who excels academically but feels a lack of fulfillment in his life. The manga beautifully portrays the internal conflict of trying to find one’s true purpose in life and the emotional toll that the search for meaning can take. It’s an inspiring story about personal growth, mental health, and the transformative power of art.

Solanin is a deeply emotional manga about the struggles faced by a group of young adults as they transition from college life into the “real world.” The protagonist, Meiko Inoue, is a 23-year-old who feels stuck in a job she doesn’t care about and is facing the realities of adult responsibilities. She, along with her boyfriend Taneda, a former musician, is searching for something meaningful to give their lives purpose.

This deeply psychological and unsettling manga follows Takao Kasuga, a high school student who becomes obsessed with his classmate Nana Oosaki after accidentally stealing her gym clothes. The story explores his inner turmoil, self-doubt, and the consequences of his actions as he’s drawn into a dark relationship with Nana. The Flowers of Evil examines the effects of repression, and the intensity of adolescent emotions.

In Orange, Naho Takamiya receives letters from her future self, warning her about the tragic events that will occur to a classmate, Kakeru Naruse. This manga beautifully portrays the importance of mental health awareness and how small actions can lead to positive change, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Goodnight Punpun is a dark coming-of-age manga that follows Punpun Punyama as he navigates the struggles of growing up, dealing with family trauma, depression, and the emotional weight of existential questions. The story offers a brutally honest portrayal of mental health and emotional pain, tackling topics like abuse, isolation, and the difficulties of finding meaning in life.

Fruits Basket follows Tohru Honda, a high school girl who gets involved with the Soma family, a family cursed to turn into animals when they’re hugged by the opposite sex. While on the surface it appears to be a lighthearted series, the manga delves into deep emotional struggles, family trauma, grief, and the power of forgiveness and acceptance.