A one-shot manga is one chapter long, ranging from 50 to 60 pages on average, sometimes a bit longer. One-shots are more interesting than you think. Sometimes, they work as a launching pad for newcomers, while experienced authors (mangaka) write one-shots to see if a certain story excites the masses.
If it does, a continuation follows in the form of manga, which might get adapted into anime series, movies, or even a live-action drama/movie at times. The possibilities are endless.
That is why I’ve curated this list of 15 one-shot manga you should read. So, without any further ado, let’s dive into the list of Top 15 one-shot manga.
15The Gokuraku District’s Third Avenue Incident
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Humans co-exist with beastmen and mermaids in the Gokuraku district. Tao and Alma are renowned as the go-to troubleshooters when a problem arises in Gokuraku.
One day, a mermaid named Nene asks for help. Nene and her sisters are being forced to sell their bodies to pay off the debts incurred to buy medicines that help them maintain their human appearance.
Troubleshooters by name and Troublemakers by game, Tao and Alma go all out and do what they want to. If you enjoy this one-shot, you might as well start reading the serialized manga it got soon after.
14Leaves of the Deep Blue Tree
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
During her childhood, Akino discovers a deep blue tree with blue leaves. There, she meets a boy named Konoha. She later realizes that Konoha is the tree’s spirit and is bound to it.
She also learns that Akino materializes in the boy form only in autumn. While she promises him to visit regularly the mountain that overlooks her hometown, Akino’s longing for Konoha deepens. If you loved Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light, you’ll definitely love this one-shot.
13One-Armed Amy
Genre: Drama
A man’s obsession with doll-making leads his wife and only daughter to leave him. Soon, he makes a doll identical to his daughter Amy.
Later, when the doll comes to life, it realizes it’s not a human but a living doll made of cloth and cotton. Soon, she starts questioning about the reason behind her existence.
12Pen Pal at the End of the World
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Kasumi Arai witnessed the world’s near destruction at the mere age of 6. Earthquakes and pandemics hit the planet, and societies crumbled when winter became eternal.
But she found peace in a stationary shop where she drew her favorite anime character. The store withstood the chaos. Reminiscing about the good old days when the earth was greener, a young man decides to visit his family’s stationary store, where he comes across Kasumi’s drawings. It’s a one-shot about post-apocalyptic pen pals who find solace through similar interests. It’s a must-read.
11My Wife Whom I Loved Dearly
Genre: Drama, Romance
Subaru Takahashi and Chika Takahashi are a happy-go-lucky married couple who goofed around and led a happy life until Chika was diagnosed with cancer.
This one-shot depicts the 6 months after Chika was diagnosed with cancer and how it affected those around her. It’s a much-needed reality check for those who take life for granted.
10Layers of Fear
Genre: Horror
Junji Itou’s Layer of Fear is a one-shot dealing with a curse. Professor Soya discovers an excavation site with a series of layers, just like tree rings (annual rings), along with a child’s skull.
Thirteen years later, after his death, his two daughters, Reimi and Narumi, get into a car accident. Following this, it’s discovered that Reimi’s body is composed of skin layers with no organs or bones. Reimi’s mother gets concerned about Sho’s archaeological dig decades ago and takes drastic steps.
9Goodbye, Eri
Genre: Drama
Tatsuki Fujimoto has been writing great one-shots for the past few years. This one-shot, Goodbye, Eri, was released in 2022.
Yuta is asked by her terminally ill mother to record her last moments, from her daily activities till her final days. After she passed away, Yuta compiles these moments into a film but decides to add a literal explosion at the film’s end.
Yuta faced backlash and decided to take his own life. But there, he met a girl named Eri, who asked Yuta to make another film that would overshadow the previous one, a more explosive one.
8The Bus Takes You and Runs.
Genre: Romance
The Bus Takes You and Runs is a collection of one-shots about romance around bus stops. At heart, Bus Hasiru highlights the romance around bus stops and in school.
At heart, Bus Hashiru depicts the sweet little interactions and exchanges in love, most of the time metaphorically. These stories are a quick read, but they will warm your heart.
- Sky-Winding Bus Stop
- Sakura Street Bus Stop
- Wasurena Hill Bus Stop
- Weather Forecast
- Dudleya Road
- The Glasses Thief
- Adult-Uniform
7Nee Nee, Nene-san.
Genre: Drama, Gourmet, Romance
Nene Arisugawa and Rintarou Kamioka are neighbors who live next door. They share a love for food: While Nene loves to eat, Rintarou loves to cook.
One day, during their conversation, Rintarou learns about Nene’s unhealthy and unsavory diet and decides to cook all her meals for proper nutrition. Eventually, they become close, but Nene can’t ignore that Rintarou is quite anxious around her. What’s Rintarou hiding?
6God of Children
Genre: Drama, Romance, Supernatural
The local shrine is the playground for Makoto Kaizuka and his friends, who were joined by a girl named Yukari. However, except for Makoto, his friends have completely forgotten Yukari’s existence. He discovers that Yukari is a god only visible to children.
Growing up isn’t something we can control, and that’s the only thing Makoto is trying to hold onto with his dear life so that he doesn’t forget Yukari. In middle school, Makoto refuses to grow up, but for how long?
5The Hero’s Party on Their Way Back Home
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
After defeating the Demon Lord, the four heroes are on their way home. Nina, the mage, is talkative. While on their way home, Nina is reminiscing about the days she was an orphan until she found her family consisting of the hero and his companions. Soon, she starts worrying about meeting the villagers with a piece of news, a not-so-pleasant one.
4Tokidoki
Genre: Drama, Romance
Hatsu Takagi has Kokuhaku disease, a rare heart condition better known as Hypertensive heart disease. This condition weakens the heart, resulting in a shorter lifespan. Hatsu has a device attached to his chest to count the remaining heartbeats.
One day, while Hatsu was changing clothes, Hato Ijima accidentally walked in on her. After that fateful encounter, Hato helped Hatsu fulfill her wish to enjoy every second of her remaining life without any regrets.
3Look Back
Genre: Drama
Ayunu Fujimo is renowned in her class for the four-panel manga she draws for the school newspaper. However, soon, she has to leave one of her slots for Kyomoto, a truant student. When Kyomoto’s manga appears, the class praises its detailed artwork making Ayumu jealous.
She refuses to lose to a truant and starts polishing her manga-making skills. But she soon gives up. On graduation day, they finally meet each other. What happens next is yours to read.
2A Silent Voice
Genre: Drama
You must have already watched the Kyoto animation’s adaptation of A Silent Voice. But it all started with a one-shot, following which it was green-lit for a manga adaptation, and then came the movie.
A Silent Voice revolves around Shouko Nishimiya, a timid girl with hearing impairment, and her bully, Shouya Ishida. Following her transfer into elementary school, Shouya and others start bullying Shouko so much that she has to transfer. But fate had other plans. Years later, both meet again, but Shouya has changed.
1Solanin
Genre: Drama, Slice of Life
23-year-old Meiko Inoue leads a rather monotonous life with a job she drags herself to. Meiko quits her job to find her true purpose in life and begin anew, and so does his boyfriend, Taneda.
Together, they rewind to their college days and decide to revive their band, Rotti. While they gather their friends with instruments and are ready to roll, life decides to halt their advances most unexpectedly. It’s a one-shot about the life of 20-year-olds who are stuck in the maze of adulthood.
Final Thoughts
The best for one person isn’t necessarily the best for the other, and one-shot manga(s) isn’t any different. With that in mind, I’ve added these titles that provide entertainment and value your time. I hope you found a name or two to read from this listicle. If you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to comment below.
No Comments on 15 Best One-Shot Manga to Read on a Time Constraint