Best Philosophical Manga

Key Takeaways

• Manga like Vagabond and Berserk delve into the depths of human nature and the search for purpose, showcasing the lengths characters go to find meaning.
• Pluto and Yokohama Shopping Log explore the concept of humanity and what it means to be alive, challenging readers’ understanding of life and emotion.
• Works like Blue Period and Goodnight Punpun tackle themes of self-discovery and the transition from childhood to adulthood, delving into issues like identity and mental health.

The joy of art is its variety. People go into various genres for different reasons. Some might use it as a means of escape from the harsh realities of life, while others go into it to have more understanding and introspect, and some just venture into various aspects for fun.

The beauty of it all is how manga could change one’s life. Thought-provoking manga can move a person out of their shell to do greater things. Conversely, there are many notable manga with philosophical themes that have the power to touch readers’ lives by helping them find their passion. Some include Blue Period and Berserk, emphasizing the different sides of human nature.

Updated October 12, 2024, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: Unlike most genres that focus mainly on plot and action, philosophical manga goes beyond that. It uses its characters and their struggles to go into existential themes, causing readers to reflect on their beliefs and perceptions. It dives deep into profound themes like the search for purpose, the nature of power, the human mind, free will, and so on, challenging readers to reflect on life, existence, and the human condition. This genre of manga not only provokes thought and evokes introspection, but it offers a unique perspective on what it means to be human, leaving a lasting impression on those who seek more than just entertainment.

17 Saltiness

Navigates The Harsh Realities Of Modern Society

• Japanese Title: Saltiness
• Genres: Comedy
• Chapters: 44

Life is so unexpected that no individual can be fully prepared for whatever life throws at them. Confined to the four corners of his room, Takehiko thought he had what it took to overcome whatever life throws at him, but little did he know. Takehiko runs away to Tokyo, thinking he has life all figured out, but soon realizes that life is not as he imagined and people are not as kind as he expected. Broke, hungry, and far away from home, Takehiko tries to navigate through the harsh realities of life.

This manga is considered philosophical because it explores the struggles of Takehiko as he navigates the complexities of modern life. Saltiness deals with issues such as alienation, self-identity, and societal expectations.

16 Sanctuary

Nature Of Power

• Japanese Title: Sanctuary
• Genres: Drama, Suspense
• Chapters: 108

Change starts from within, and Akira and Chiaki are determined to change Japan from within. These two young men want to create a Japan free from corruption and apathy. Conquering the country is not going to be an easy task, but these men are up for it, and they set out on two different paths to achieve their plans. Akira plans to dominate the criminal world while Chiaki pursues a career in politics, contesting for the position of Prime Minister. Their plan is that with these two worlds under their control, they can seek reform and make Japan a sanctuary for every citizen.

The manga has many philosophical themes. The main one is the nature of power, how power is gained, and its potential to bring about change or perpetuate corruption. Akira and Chiaki’s relentless pursuit of power raises questions about the ethics of their methods and whether the ends justify the means.

15 Homunculus

Hidden Depth Of The Human Mind

• Japanese Title: Homunculus
• Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural
• Chapters: 166

Nakoshi’s story can be described as a grace-to-grass tale. This middle-aged man went from a career as a salaryman to being homeless, living out of his car. Disappointed about his situation and looking for a means to earn money, Nakoshi accepts an offer from someone named Manabu, after initially rejecting it. Manabu is a young medical student looking for human subjects willing to submit themselves to him for a price to perform a risky medical procedure called trepanation. This procedure involves drilling a hole in the skull to bring out a person’s sixth sense.

Because of the hefty monetary reward attached to it, Nakoshi accepts, and Manabu performs the procedure on him. Soon after the procedure, Nakoshi bears the painful consequences, as he can now see distorted humans, also known as Homoncunli. This manga is philosophical in nature because of how Nakoshi questions what he can now see. He questions the nature of his perceptions, and the manga delves into themes of the human subconscious, challenging the reader to reflect on the nature of consciousness and the hidden depths of the mind.

14 No Longer Human

Social Alienation

• Japanese Title: Ningen Shikkaku
• Genres: Slice of Life, Drama
• Chapters: 24

This manga delves deep into the life of Ōba Yōzō as he journeys through life. Ōba finds it difficult to fit in and to make friends. Because of this, he resorts to clowning around to establish and maintain relationships with those around him. This facade can only go on for so long, and after befriending Takeichi, who introduces him to art, Ōba leaves being the funny guy to being an artist, communicating his feelings through art.

Without getting the help he needs to navigate through his feelings, his trauma from sexual abuse, and a severe case of loneliness, Ōba’s life keeps going in a downward spiral. He gets involved in drugs, adultery, alcohol, and other bad vices. After his second failed suicide attempt, Ōba finds himself in a facility, but without the support of friends and family, he falls yet again into his pattern of seeking solace in drugs, this time in morphine. The manga poignantly explores themes of social alienation, depression, and addiction.

13 Solanin

Search For Purpose

• Japanese Title: Solanin
• Genres: Drama, Slice of Life
• Chapters: 28

Meiko and Taneda are still clueless about life and have no goals or ambitions for themselves even after graduating from university. Although it is perfectly normal to not have a clue about life and explore multiple available options, society does not allow for that, as there are bills that need to be paid. Meiko and Taneda are forced to take jobs they have no interest in so that they can pay their bills. Both unhappy with their predicament, they decide to take matters into their own hands. Taneda quits his job to pursue his dreams of being in a band, and Meiko follows suit to support him.

As these two try to pursue what seems to be their purpose, they meet failure and disappointment in the process. Life is all about trial and error, but there is not much trial one can do when bills are piling up, and after a month of trying to pursue a music career, Taneda decides to go back to his old job. Trying to desperately make himself believe that he made the right choice, Taneda, completely in his thoughts, ends up in a tragic accident, leaving Meiko to navigate life still without a purpose and with grief.

12 Holyland

Search For Identity

• Japanese Title: Holyland
• Genres: Martial Arts, Drama
• Chapters: 182

After being a victim of bullying for so long and without any friends, Yuu Kamishiro decides to drop out of school in search of a place where he will fit in and be accepted. Roaming through the streets, he realizes that he might just have found a place for himself in the world of street fighting.

They say violence is never the answer, but it is Yuu’s answer to finding a place for himself. He trains his fists, and when well-trained, he becomes a street fighter. After fighting so many street thugs and claiming victory, he builds a reputation and is known by many as the Thug Hunter. The more he fights, the more he becomes stronger, learning about the world he finds himself in and, more importantly, himself.

11 Vagabond

Search For Purpose

• Japanese Title: Vagabond
• Genres: Action, Adventure
• Chapters: 327

This manga tells the fictional version of the real-life tales of Mushashi Miyamoto, a legendary samurai on a quest to find unwavering strength beyond the physical. Mushashi, born Shinmen Takezo, wanders off to become a vagabond after surviving the battle of Sekigahara, fighting strong opponents and becoming stronger with each passing day.

As Mushashi embarks on this journey, he is exposed to life, death, strength, weakness, and much more. His journey focuses on self-improvement and finding purpose. Mushashi seeks to find meaning in his existence. Through his life, readers are exposed to the lengths and desires of a man to find purpose and grow in life.

10 Pluto

Humans & Robots

• Japanese Title: Pluto
• Genres: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense
• Chapters: 65

With the help of robots, this manga strives to question the reader’s understanding of humanity. This manga showcases a futuristic world where humans and robots exist. Gesicht is a robot detective tasked with the difficult case of finding a serial killer who has eyes on the seven greatest robots in the world, humans connected to them, and the International Robots Law.

Pluto presents robots as objects capable of moral thinking and emotions, as Gesicht, a robot, is a detective looking for a dangerous killer who turns out to be a robot. This manga questions what life is and shows that life is not limited to humans alone, as objects and artificial intelligence can feel what it means to be alive.

Passage Of Time

• Japanese Title: Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou
• Genres: Drama, Action, Slice of Life
• Chapters: 142

This manga takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where Alpha, an android, is in charge of running a coffee shop in the absence of her boss. The coffee shop barely has customers, which means Alpha has a lot of free time, which she uses to explore her surroundings and the people around her.

Alpha spends her time finding joy in the simple things—the ordinary aspects of life—even though her world is in decline. Humans are not in despair or focused on survival in this manga; rather, they are adapting to the change their world has been through, finding beauty in its damaged state. Due to the environmental disaster, the seasons, winter and summer, have changed and are less cold and hot.

8 Mada, Ikiteru

Sheds Light On The Challenges Of Life

• Japanese Title: Mada, Ikiteru
• Genre: Drama
• Chapters: 2

Mada, Ikiteru is a manga about survival, but it appears to be much deeper than that. This manga sheds light on the meaning of life itself and the challenges one unavoidably has to face. This manga tries to ignite hope in readers’ minds as it shows the transformation of Kenzou Okada, a tired man in his 60s looking for a permanent way to end his daily struggles and current predicament.

A failed suicide attempt led him to a more fulfilling life in the forest. Using his second chance more wisely, Kenzou becomes more hardened, the opposite of who he was in the city.

7 Emanon: Memories of Emanon

The Discuss On Human Existence

• Japanese Title: Omoide Emanon
• Genre: Drama
• Chapters: 9

Omoide Emanon tells of the unforgettable encounter between the narrator and Emanon. Emanon is a mysterious young woman who has the memories of the whole world. Cursed with being immortal, she has been reborn numerous times with her memories still in check.

The captivating illustrations, the expressive colors used by Kenji Tsuruta, and the storyline could attract fans to this manga. Focusing on a gripping and thought-provoking theme, human existence, questions as to why and how Emanon can have such an ability could wander in the minds of readers.

6 From Now On We Begin Ethics

Morality In The Spotlight

• Japanese Title: Koko was Ima kara Rinri Desu
• Genre: Drama
• Chapters: Still Publishing

Dwelling on ethics and how it can be applied in the mundane world, Koko wa Ima kara Rinri desu shows readers the different ways in which Takayanagi’s students tackle their personal issues using what Takayanagi taught them in class.

Koko wa Ima kara Rinri desu, from a philosophical point of view, delves into morality. As a teacher, Takayanagi hopes to impart his students, and this is explored in detail in the manga. As a result, each chapter of Koko wa Ima kara Rinri desu is dedicated to his students while communicating this idea of morality.

5 Blue Period

The Search For Identity

• Japanese Title: Blue Period
• Genre: Drama
• Chapters: Still Publishing

Yatora Yaguchi is a high school student who craves genuine excitement and passion. Blue Period focuses on his journey, which is one most readers may relate to: the self-discovery of one’s passion. After he is drawn to an artwork in an art class, Yaguchi’s journey begins. He starts feeling more at ease and liberated as he gets drawn into the art world.

Doubt, fear, and anxiety creep in as Yaguchi considers pursuing his newfound passion. Struggling to get his mother’s support, readers may find the sincerity of this manga very humbling and refreshing. Blue Period delves into themes of introspection and self-improvement that may resonate with readers because of the universality of Yaguchi’s experiences.

4 Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou

Search For Identity

• Japanese Title: Blue Period
• Genre: Drama
• Chapters: Still Publishing

Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou is the survival story of Chito and Yuuri, two young girls exploring their city after the war, hoping to find life amid the ruins. On their journey, they experience life when they meet Kanazawa and Ishi in different places.

These encounters show the importance of purpose in one’s life. Kanazawa loses his sense of purpose after his maps get carried away by the wind, and Ishi loses her sense of purpose after her plane crashes mid-air. With both of them losing their will to live, these girls nevertheless continue their journey.

3 Goodnight Punpun

The Transition From Childhood To Adulthood

• Japanese Title: Oyasumi Punpum
• Genres: Drama, Slice of Life
• Chapters: 147

This manga shows the life of Punpun in the shape of a bird. Punpun is exposed to the harsh realities of life from an early age, ultimately shaping how he views people and life itself.

As he grows from an elementary student to a young man in his early 20s, Punpun transitions from a shy kid to an isolated young man. This manga tackles issues like mental health and human behavior as Punpun’s experiences in life take a massive toll on his emotions, and seeing his father assault his mother opened his mind to the duality of human beings.

2 Monster

Depth Of Human Nature

• Japanese Title: Monster
• Genres: Drama, Mystery
• Chapters: 162

Faced with a career-threatening choice, Tenma chooses what he believes to be ethically right by operating on a young boy with a gunshot wound instead of the mayor, who arrives much later after the young boy. This decision rightfully cost Tenma his job as a neurosurgeon, as he went against the hospital’s bias when it comes to treating political figures.

Tenma is back in the hospital nine years later but as Chief of Surgery. He discovers that his decision nine years ago is the cause of the brutal murders all over Germany and why he is Chief of Surgery. Johan, the young boy Tenma saved, is now a monster going around killing people, and he (Tenma) must try to stop him.

1 Berserk

Nature Of Evil

• Japanese Title: Berserk
• Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural
• Chapters: Still Publishing

This dark philosophical thriller focuses on themes like human resilience, human nature, revenge, and betrayal, among others. Readers are introduced to Guts and his traumatic upbringing. Born by a corpse and sold off to soldiers by his adoptive father, Guts grew up with trust issues, struggled all his life, and has been at the center of traumatic events throughout Berserk.

This brutal manga also shows the dark side of human nature as readers are introduced to Griffith and his Band of Hawks, whom he (Griffith) selfishly sacrificed to achieve his ambitions. Berserk is a thrilling manga with complex characters.