Short Manga You Can Read In One Sitting

While there is something isrewarding about catching up on a manga series like One Piece or JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, many long-running series begin as one-shots, making short manga a vital part of the industry. Still, even on their own, one-shots and short manga are great ways to introduce readers to complex, immersive stories without a lengthy time commitment.

From horror to comedy to sci-fi, fans of all genres can enjoy well-crafted short manga series with compelling art styles, characters, and plots in under six volumes. While there are many noteworthy short manga and one-shots readers can enjoy in one sitting, these are some of the hardest to set down.

Updated April 6, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Manga is an art medium that has birthed some of the most iconic pillars of pop culture that stand strong to this day. A huge part of what contributes to their prominence is the longevity of these serialized works, with some of the most popular manga around reaching chapter counts that span three digits with ease. But in a world of such long stories, there’s nothing better than discovering a manga that doesn’t overstay its welcome and gives readers a glimpse into a unique world, interesting characters, memorable concepts, or a combination of all three.

20 Tatsuki Fujimoto Before Chainsaw Man

2 Volumes, 8 Chapters

Chainsaw Man has become such a major hit that the name of Tatsuki Fujimoto is on the tips of most people’s tongues. The amazing panel work and unique artistic flair of the mangaka have garnered mainstream interest, making it easy to see why people would want to see his earlier work.

The title of this manga makes it immediately clear what the subject matter is. Fujimoto’s work is displayed across eight volumes, tackling bizarre concepts and fun short stories that show flashes of the brilliance that went into Chainsaw Man.

18 No Longer Human

3 Volumes, 24 Chapters

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No Longer Human is a novel written by Osamu Dazai, serving as a semi-autobiography of sorts. The protagonist is a despicable human being who ends up unable to reveal his true self to the world, slowly losing himself to a haze of drugs, alcohol, and debauchery until his life is nothing but a hollow shell.

It’s a tough read, especially knowing that the author took his own life soon after writing it. This haunting tale was adapted into a manga format by Junji Ito with unique additions of his own to make the story worth checking out for both fans of the novel and anyone who has yet to experience one of the most uncomfortable pieces of literature ever made.

17 Goodbye, Eri

1 Volume

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Tatsuki Fujimoto has become one of the biggest and most beloved names in the manga community, with many people loving this man for his surreal and bizarre work that is accompanied by some of the best framing ever seen in manga. It goes without saying that his work on Chainsaw Man is the reason why Fujimoto became so successful, but there are more stories by this mangaka that are great in their own right.

One such story is Goodbye, Eri, a tragic and heartfelt tale that can be hilarious when the situation demands it. It’s a great one-shot that is long enough to get readers invested in the characters and the events that they go through.

16 Remina

1 Volume, 7 Chapters

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Featuring shades of Lovecraftian horror (something that Ito is famous for) coupled with the dangers of mob mentality, Remina is another fascinating work from one of the best modern horror mangaka of all time. The complex themes explored in Remina make it a thought-provoking read that can unnerve readers at a moment’s notice.

The idea of a planet-sized organism wiping out anything in its path is nightmare fuel in and of itself. And to know that this creature is coming to Earth and there’s nothing one can do is even more horrifying. Humanity’s response to this approaching threat is horrifying in its own way. Most readers would agree that such reactions are very possible in real life if such a scenario came to pass.

15 Duranki

1 Volume, 6 Chapters

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The legacy of Kentaro Miura will forever be cherished. His work on Berserk shaped the dark fantasy genre, influencing it in many ways. Of course, given Miura’s impressive talent, it’s only a given that he also tried his hand at other manga as well, with Duranki being a great example of how detailed and evocative his artwork is.

Each and every panel of this manga is brimming with passion. It’s a shame that Miura’s untimely death led to this series ending prematurely. However, there’s still something to be said about reading through the pages of an artist, even if his work may remain unfinished.

14 Gyo

2 Volumes, 21 Chapters

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Gyo is a chilling manga with a ridiculous premise that could possibly make people laugh. After all, it’s hard to imagine fish walking on robotic legs to be scary in the slightest. However, the story is a testament to Junji Ito’s brilliance as a mangaka. He manages to not only immerse people in this weird concept, but genuinely make readers feel chills down their spine as they flip through every page.

The horror in Gyo builds up a slow burn before paying off in dividends. It’s a huge part of what makes Ito so special, and why his work is so difficult to adapt in anime. Even the great Ufotable couldn’t do justice to Gyo in their OVA, which is saying something given how they’ve single-handedly turned Demon Slayer into one of the greatest shonen shows of all time.

13 Look Back

1 Volume

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Fujimoto is a mangaka who really knows how to reel his audiences in, serving up great stories that are a joy to uncover. His artistic brilliance can be seen in Look Back, a genuinely heartfelt tale with an incredible gut punch that will grip readers with its narrative.

The friendship between Ayumu and Kyomoto is a beautiful thing, and readers will want the very best for both characters. It’s a simple yet great manga that is perfect for readers who are seeking out a brief one-shot to spend some time with.

12 Giganto Maxia

1 Volume, 7 Chapters

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Kentaro Miura is one of the greatest mangaka of all time, with his work on Berserk being legendary. The man established many elements of dark fantasy that have become commonplace, with Guts’ story being the stuff of legends.

Aside from Berserk, the late great artist has also worked on other shorter manga.Giganto Maxia is a great example. The unique world and fun fights present in this short manga series make for a fun time that readers can get through in one sitting.

11 Sensor

1 Volume, 7 Chapters

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Another Lovecraftian masterpiece from the hands of Junji Ito, Sensor focuses more on the mystery of the setting instead of trying to outright scare the reader. The results are phenomenal and make for a fresh change of pace from Ito’s usual deluge of horror.

Sensor‘s focus on a character-driven plot makes this page-turning mystery satisfying to read every step of the way. The story’s payoff hits even more if readers pay attention to the small details Ito has interspersed across the story.

10 Solanin

2 Volumes, 28 Chapters

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Two years after graduating college, Meiko is an unsatisfied office worker who pays rent for her boyfriend and herself because his part-time work as an illustrator doesn’t make enough to support them. However, feeling that life has more to offer, Meiko resigns and begins looking for another job as her boyfriend, Taneda, leans into his passion for music to make the most of their changing circumstances.

Solanin by Inio Asano tells a realistic story about settling into adulthood and the struggles of balancing work and life in two volumes. Their story may not shy away from the harshest moments of reality, but it doesn’t ignore the value of joy and companionship either.

9 The Gods Lie

1 Volume, 5 Chapters

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The Gods Lie by Kaori Ozaki tells the story of an unpopular yet outgoing sixth grader named Natsuru Nanao and his unlikely friendship with a classmate who has to raise herself and her younger brother in a worn-down home because their parents don’t live with them. Over summer vacation, Nanao skips his soccer club to visit his new friend, Rio Suzumura, and experience a young love filled with affection and dark secrets.

As Nanao does his best to make wholesome memories with Rio, their circumstances make the single-volume manga a quick and compelling read.

8 Paradise Kiss

5 Volumes, 48 Chapters

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Ai Yazawa’s Paradise Kiss follows Yukari Hayasaka, an average high schooler who tries to live up to her mother’s expectations until she meets a group of fashion designers from the nearby art school. Encouraged by their enthusiasm, Yukari decides to pursue modeling and agrees to perform at their upcoming show.

While her modeling debut, school work, and arguments with her mother already complicate Yukari’s life, she also seeks the attention and hard-earned affection of one of the designers. Paradise Kiss has five volumes, but its drama, romance, and stunning designs make Yukari’s transition into a model engaging from its unlikely beginning to its emotional end.

7 Go For It, Nakamura!

1 Volume, 11 Chapters

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Nakamura is a quiet, gay high school student who loves his pet octopus and his classmate Aiki Hirose. However, no matter how hard he tries, Nakamura fears he won’t be able to hold a conversation with his crush. Friendship, much less a relationship, seems like a distant possibility for Nakamura and Hirose, but guided by his feelings, Nakamura tries his best to close the distance between them.

While Nakamura’s romantic pursuits seem like they will continue until he has an answer for his feelings, Go For It, Nakamura! and its sequel by Syundei are light-hearted boys’ love manga well worth every moment it takes to enjoy them.

6 All You Need Is Kill

2 Volumes, 17 Chapters

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Adapted from a light novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, the manga All You Need Is Kill follows the story of a soldier named Keiji Kiriya in a war against extraterrestrials who want to conquer Earth. Kiriya dies shortly after taking down his first alien. However, he returns to life, entering a cycle of death and rebirth that allows him to become a stronger fighter alongside the leader of the U.S. Special Forces.

Memory, friendship, and determination are central forces in Keiji’s story, allowing readers to piece everything together before the end of the two-volume manga series.

5 Clover

4 Volumes, 20 Chapters

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Known as a “Four-Leaf Clover,” Sue is a young girl with the power to manipulate technology with speed and skill. After living most of her life in captivity to prevent others from taking advantage of her abilities, she receives a visitor, an ex-soldier named Kazuhiko. While Kazuhiko has orders to escort Sue to an abandoned amusement park, defending her and learning her story makes him care for her.

While Clover is an unfinished work of art, the CLAMP series has four volumes that highlight the story’s compelling setting, characters, and themes in a fulfilling way.

4 Dororo

4 Volumes, 19 Chapters

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Born without limbs and facial features as a result of his father’s deals with demons, a boy called Hyakkimaru uses prosthetics to earn his body parts back in battle. Along his travels, Hyakkimaru meets a young thief named Dororo, and together, they give each other the families they never had.

While Dororo received a retelling that expanded on the story, the original manga by the legendary manga artist Osamu Tezuka is only a four-volume read, making it one of the most influential short manga series of all time.

3 Uzumaki

3 Volumes, 19 Chapters

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Uzumaki is one of Junji Ito’s most horrifying and intriguing manga series. In three volumes, it tells the story of a town haunted by spirals and the couple who always seem to find its latest victims against their will.

Hesitant, the couple, Kirie and Shuichi, begin investigating the spiral-induced madness while trying to manage their growing fear. However, as spirals begin to consume every waking moment of their lives, Kirie and her boyfriend come face-to-face with the terrifying motif’s impact on their safety and security within the town, their homes, and their minds.

2 Tropic Of The Sea

1 Volume, 7 Chapters

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In exchange for bountiful waters and calm waves, Yosuke’s family guards mermaid eggs at the local shrine. However, as Yosuke’s town begins developing land, his father decides to use the egg to attract tourists and investors who don’t understand or respect its value. Determined to follow through on his ancestral duty, Yosuke does his best to recover the egg, pacify a mermaid’s concerns, and save his hometown by the sea.

Tropic of the Sea is Satoshi Kon’s first full-length manga from before he became one of the most well-recognized anime movie directors of all time. While the one-shot has many thematic differences from Kon’s work in animation, it is a fascinating read that highlights how Kon’s interests shifted alongside his career.

1 Shuna’s Journey

1 Volume, 6 Chapters

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Hayao Miyazaki is known around the world for his work with Studio Ghibli. However, outside of creating some of the most memorable and beloved anime films with the animation studio he helped establish, Miyazaki uses his storytelling expertise to write short manga series, such as Shuna’s Journey.

Shuna’s Journey follows a prince who seeks to end a famine plaguing his people by finding golden seeds that grow in a distant and dangerous land. On his travels, Shuna rescues others from being imprisoned and eaten by cannibals, even as he remains focused on the task at hand. While the one-shot manga does not have a Studio Ghibli adaptation, Miyazaki’s other media remains as compelling as his films.