Best Noir Manga

Highlights

Noir manga explores moral gray areas, delving into dark human psyche with intricate plots and cynical characters.
Unique blend of crime and mystery in manga series, like Old Boy, showcases twisted narratives and psychological depth.
Cyberpunk genre in manga like No Guns Life tackles societal issues through action-packed, sci-fi storytelling.

As a seasoned anime enthusiast with over two decades of immersion in this captivating realm, I must say that these three crime-fiction gems truly stand out among the plethora of stories gracing our screens today.

In contrast to its captivating nature, the Noir style isn’t extensively utilized in Japanese entertainment, offering a rich terrain yet largely unexplored. This filmmaking approach is renowned for its complex narratives, pessimistic characters, and profound philosophical undertones. It further delves into the intricate layers of human psychology, probing the deepest recesses of morality and societal structures.

Manga with a noir style, reminiscent of classic film noir, has carved out its distinct niche by delving into the complex moral landscapes that leave audiences breathless and guessing. Here’s a list of some exceptional noir manga series that have graced our world.

10 Hard-boiled Stories From The Cat Bar

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.6 / 5

Author: Yourei Ono
Genre: Crime & Mystery
Number Of Chapters: 7

Unique sanctuary Kitty and Me is designed for a special group – tough-as-nails men who adore felines. Yet, this haven strictly ensures the wellbeing of its feline residents. Recently bereaved Undertaker, a hitman, finds himself in a tricky situation as he mourns the loss of his cherished cat, Cheriko.

In his upcoming job, he must take out a subject who also adores cats, making it significantly more challenging. As The Undertaker struggles with his internal conflicts, the harsh reality of his new operation slowly creeps up on him.

9 Benkei In New York

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.4 / 5

Author/Illustrator: Jinpachi Mori/Jiro Taniguchi
Genre: Crime Fiction
Number Of Chapters: 7

In New York resides a renowned work, titled “Benkei,” penned by Jinpachi Mori. This masterpiece comprises an array of short stories that delve into the everyday life of Benkei, a Japanese artist who chose to make New York his home. Yet, outside his artistic pursuits, he leads a clandestine life as an assassin, frequently entangled in criminal activities involving mafias and expansive drug cartels.

Overall, the narrative is often characterized as eerie, with scenes of bloodshed and mortality presented in a chilling yet composed style. Additionally, the brief storytelling method effectively conveys the tale more efficiently.

8 Old Boy

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.7 / 5

Author/Illustrator: Garon Tsuchiya/Nobuaki Minegishi
Genre: Action, Psychological, Thriller
Number Of Chapters: 79

As a reader who has traversed through countless novels, I find myself captivated by works that delve deep into the human psyche and challenge my understanding of reality. One such book that stands out is “The Boy Who Lived Twice” – a tale that masterfully twists the concept of a classic narrative.

Over time, isolating him in a single cell eroded his mental health, but his desire for vengeance was what preserved his identity. Once released, he started tracking down the individuals who had put him in that situation, and it appears they haven’t finished with him yet.

7 No Guns Life

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.5 / 5

Author/Illustrator: Jinpachi Mori/Jiro Taniguchi
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Number Of Chapters: 84

In the realm of cyberpunk manga, “No Guns Life” by Tasuku Karasuma stands out as one of the exceptional ones set in a future where many soldiers have transformed into cyborgs known as Extended. The aftermath of a major conflict left most of them unemployed, leading them to resort to criminal activities just to stay alive.

Juzo Inui opts to take up the role of a Resolver, responsible for resolving issues stemming from the Extended. But when an on-the-run Extended, accompanied by a child, barges into his office seeking assistance, confronted with this situation, he finds himself compelled to assist the Extended.

6 Yuureitou

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.8 / 5

Author: Nogizka Tarou
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Number Of Chapters: 80

In the 1950s, a shocking crime took place when an elderly woman was murdered on the face of a clock tower by her adopted daughter. As a result, two years later, this once magnificent structure became infamous as a haunted location, commonly referred to as the “Ghost Tower.”

Initially living a solitary existence, a young fellow unexpectedly finds himself teetering on the edge of a towering structure, mirroring the impending doom experienced by an elderly woman. Fortunately, in the nick of time, a hero, known as Tetsuo, materialized from obscurity to thwart the grim prophecy that loomed over the young man and set the narrative in motion.

5 Akira

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.3 /5

Author: Katsuhiro Otomo
Genre: Gore
Number Of Chapters: 120

As a long-time fan of manga and someone who grew up reading Japanese comics, I can attest that this post-apocalyptic cyberpunk masterpiece has truly been a game-changer in the world of manga. Being one of the first works to be fully translated into English, it played a significant role in breaking down language barriers and making Japanese work more accessible to readers like me who are not fluent in Japanese. This manga, with its intricate political themes and captivating storyline, has left an indelible mark on my life and the manga industry as a whole. It’s a must-read for any fan of the genre.

In a futuristic version of Tokyo, known as Neo-Tokyo, the narrative centers around two primary characters: Kaneda and his childhood friend, who possesses destructive power capable of leveling the city and unleashing Akira, an ancient being with tremendous psychic prowess. This groundbreaking anime introduced the cyberpunk genre and incorporated themes such as corruption and politics to enrich its narrative.

4 Sanctuary

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.1 / 5

Author/Illustrator: Buronson/Ikagami Ryouichi
Genre: Political Thriller
Number Of Chapters: 108

In this manga series penned by Sho Fumimura, we follow the lives of childhood friends Akira Hojo and Chiaki Asami. Despite choosing divergent paths in life, they make a vow to reunite at the pinnacle. Their resilient nature and strong survival skills are a testament to their challenging upbringing.

In my gaming world, I, Akira, embark on a path of power and crime, joining the formidable ranks of the Yakuza. Meanwhile, Asami seizes an opportunity in the political sphere, striving to become the youngest legislative figure in Japan’s government. The narrative unfolds as we navigate through challenges, growth, and ultimately, a heart-wrenching conclusion.

3 Pluto

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.3 / 5

Author/Illustrator: Urasawa Naoki/Tezuka Osamu
Genre: Crime Fiction
Number Of Chapters: 65

Drawing inspiration from the acclaimed manga, Astro Boy, the renowned manga artist Naoki Urasawa’s work Pluto stands as one of his masterpieces. This manga unfolds the sci-fi escapades of a detective named Gesicht, who works for Europol in a world where humans and robots coexist harmoniously.

A string of killings, motivated by hate towards robots, has occurred, with the perpetrator gruesomely displaying the victims’ heads post-attack. Now, a humanoid robot named Gesicht must confront his past to track down the murderer and halt their actions in order to uphold International Robot Laws and protect his fellow robots.

2 Psycho-Pass

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.9 / 5

Author/Illustrator: Hashino Saru
Genre: Crime Fiction
Number Of Chapters: 27

Psycho-Pass is another captivating dystopian cyberpunk series by Gen Urobochi, which introduces us to Kane Tsunemori, a fresh inspector who joins the elite Division One of the Public Safety Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Department.

They’re responsible for probing into and resolving crimes, alongside secret government agents called Enforcers. People are evaluated based on a numerical Crime Score, which predicts their probability of wrongdoing. The relationship between the Enforcers and Investigators is quite intriguing.

1 Monster

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.5 / 5

Author/Illustrator: Urasawa Naoki
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Number Of Chapters: 162

Naoki Urasawa’s renowned work, Monster, stands among the darkest and most gripping manga ever created. The story revolves around the life of Dr. Kenma Touzo, an exceptional surgeon, who made a fateful choice to operate on a young boy instead of a politician. This decision set in motion a series of events that irrevocably altered his destiny.

After that event, he encountered a shadow that took the lives of his peers and potentially endangered those nearby. Kenzou fell from grace within the medical community as well, but he gradually regained his position through multiple challenges and had to deal with the repercussions of his decisions.

2024-08-14 12:34