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Summary

  • Slice-of-life manga offers heartwarming, comforting stories without supernatural elements or high drama.
  • Series like “A Man And His Cat,” “Azumanga Daioh,” and “Nodame Cantabile” focus on realism and personal growth.
  • These slice-of-life stories show the beauty in ordinary life, the importance of connections, and the complexities of human emotions.

Watching a teenage hero reach his peak abilities to annihilate the major villain, a band of superheroes protecting all existence from an ultimate danger, or magical girls using their bond to defeat wickedness results in amazing conclusions. However, as one continues to witness grandiose scenes, it can lose its initial excitement, leaving them craving something more relatable and grounded instead.

A ‘slice-of-life’ style in media like manga often presents scenarios that are everyday and relatable, focusing on ordinary life and its challenges. Unlike genres featuring superheroes or fantastical beings, it doesn’t include characters such as mutants, Saiyans, or Sailor Guardians. Instead, you’ll find humorous situations, personal growth, romantic entanglements, and even apocalyptic events. Contrary to its seemingly ordinary nature, ‘slice-of-life’ can be surprisingly captivating, as proven by some exceptional manga.

10. A Man And His Cat

As Straightforward As It Sounds

  • Creator: Umi Sakurai
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.29
  • 14+ Volumes, 115+ Chapters
  • Available in English via Square-Enix Manga

When someone mentions “slice-of-life” stories, they may envision manga such as “A Man and His Cat“. This series follows Fuyuki, an elderly gentleman, who takes in a cat he affectionately names Fukumaru. In essence, it’s like a gentler version of Garfield, as the duo enjoy their days together without the usual complaints about Mondays or cravings for lasagna. This could be why it’s also widely appreciated as a soothing, healing comic strip.

In this particular subgenre, stories are crafted to provide a soothing read that doesn’t provoke tension. The closest thing to drama is found in the bond between Fuyuki and the large cat, which resembles the meeting of kindred spirits. Initially overlooked due to his size and lack of cuteness at the pet store, Fukumaru was often bypassed for smaller, more adorable kittens. Similarly, Fuyuki found himself alone following his children’s departure and the passing of his wife. This shared solitude sets the stage for their heartwarming journey together.

9. Azumanga Daioh

Finding The Insane In The Mundane

  • Creator: Kiyohiko Azuma
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.37
  • 4 Volumes, 69 Chapters
  • Available in English via Yen Press

As a cat lover, I must confess that Azumanga Daioh isn’t always straightforward to categorize as a typical slice-of-life comic strip, given its occasional bouts of wildness. Case in point: when Chiyo’s father transforms into a towering yellow feline capable of playing baseball, dodging bullets, and barking English phrases like “I WISH I WAS A BIRD!”. However, this extraordinary cat only appears in the dreams of Chiyo’s classmates, Sakaki and Ayumu “Osaka” Kasuga. Essentially, it revolves around a group of humorous schoolgirls engaging in amusing day-to-day antics.

In the same way that Sakaki attempts to win over a cat’s affection, but is instead bitten, Chiyo endeavors to cook something edible but ends up creating an incomprehensible dish. Similarly, Ayumu receives her “Osaka” nickname due to people expecting her to conform to stereotypes. Despite the absurdity of these situations, there’s a hint of authenticity that grounds their antics.

8. Nodame Cantabile

Making A Mismatched Couple Feel Real

  • Creator: Tomoko Ninomiya
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.40
  • 25 Volumes, 150 Chapters
  • Available in English via Kodansha Comics USA

Romance stories often appear ordinary due to the fact that many people have experienced love in some form. However, they seldom mirror the adorable first encounters depicted in manga. Instead, they can become more challenging and uncomfortable, similar to the narrative found in Nodame Cantabile. This story presents a unique take on a meet-cute situation, where the refined musician Shinichi Chiaki is forced to collaborate with the unconventional pianist Megumi “Nodame” Noda.

Instead of the conventional “opposites-attract” narrative, they collaborate to support each other in overcoming personal challenges, musically and otherwise. Shinichi discovers an appreciation for unconventional music through Nodame, while she conquers her stage fright thanks to Shinichi’s guidance. Their relationship, built on mutual growth and perseverance, feels more genuine compared to many other portrayals of romance.

7. Barakamon

Narcissistic Calligrapher Gets Sent To The Sticks

  • Creator: Satsuki Yoshino
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.43
  • 20 Volumes, 150 Chapters
  • Available in English via Yen Press

In the story of Nodame Cantabile, Shinichi chose to challenge himself and assume risks in order to grow as an individual. Conversely, in Barakamon, Handa was forced into a similar situation when his arrogance led him into trouble. Overestimating his skills in calligraphy, he allowed pride to cloud his judgment, and when a critic disparaged his award-winning work as dull, events took an unfavorable turn for him.

Instead of punishment, his father exiles him to reside on the remote Goto Islands, situated far from Nagasaki Prefecture. Here, Handa is compelled to adapt to a rural lifestyle devoid of urban luxuries. As he adapts and interacts with the locals, their boisterous children, and the rustic environment, he becomes more humble and refines his calligraphy in fresh, captivating manners.

6. Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou

Happiness In Humanity’s Twilight

  • Creator: Hitoshi Ashinano
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.65
  • 14 Volumes, 142 Chapters
  • Available in English via Seven Seas Entertainment

One significant theme in the series Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou revolves around cherishing moments and items, as they are temporary and will eventually fade away. This idea is often referred to as “mono no aware” (“the sensitivity to ephemera”) in Japanese literary circles, a concept deeply rooted in Japanese literature dating back to the Heian Period (794-1185 CE). It typically emerges from contemplations on time’s passage, memories of childhood, or adjusting to life changes.

As an observer, I witness a world transformed by environmental catastrophe, a state that YKK refers to as the end of the world. The once bustling cities and towns have become desolate, forcing humanity to retreat and adapt to simpler lives in the remnants of the countryside. Their numbers dwindle over time until they eventually fade away, leaving behind advanced robots like Alpha who run establishments such as coffee shops. Though I know nothing lasts forever, these fleeting encounters with fellow survivors and the connections forged make each moment meaningful in this transient existence.

5. Girls’ Last Tour

The Lighter Side Of Post-Apocalyptic Life

  • Creator: Tsukumizu
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.72
  • 6 Volumes, 47 Chapters
  • Available in English via Yen Press

In the setting of YKK, humanity is gradually disappearing, yet there remain pockets of people for Alpha to engage with. Unlike Girls’ Last Tour, where only Yuri and Chito are depicted as the last survivors. They traverse a post-apocalyptic winter landscape on their Kettenkrad (a tracked motorbike), searching for sustenance and supplies, occasionally encountering solitary survivors hidden among the wreckage of civilization.

Similar to Yuri and Chito, they are making every effort to survive and, when she repairs her airplane, will explore other cities such as Ishii. Despite the grim outlook for humanity in both GLT and YKK, it demonstrates that people can continue learning, forming new relationships, and living a life with meaning, even after the world has ended.

4. March Comes In Like A Lion

Shogi Player Leaves Home And Finds A Family

  • Creator: Chica Umino
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.85
  • 17+ Volumes, 214+ Chapters
  • Available in English via Denpa

In a refreshingly similar vein to the heartfelt tales of Nodame Cantabile and Barakamon, I find myself reflecting on March Comes in Like a Lion, a narrative that delves into the lives of gifted individuals grappling with personal struggles. As an observer, I can’t help but notice the parallels between these stories and the character of Rei, an exceptionally skilled shogi player who, beyond his professional prowess, carries a heavy burden of emotional turmoil. His past is marked by the tragic loss of his parents and younger sister in an accident, a wound that still runs deep. Amidst the pressure to meet the expectations of the shogi community, Rei is also grappling with the grief of his past, striving for balance between his personal life and his commitment to the game.

Following the event, he lived with a foster family, feeling that he was only adding to their difficulties, so he decided to leave and manage things independently, though without success. However, everything shifted when he encountered Akari, Hinata, and Momo, the Kawamoto sisters. Through their friendship and shared journeys, he gradually built up the courage to tackle his issues directly.

3. A Silent Voice

The Difficulty Of Earning Forgiveness

  • Creator: Yoshitoki Oima
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.85
  • 7 Volumes, 64 Chapters
  • Available in English via Kodansha Comics USA

I can’t help but empathize with Rei from March or Handa from Barakamon, both of whom experience their fair share of humility. However, pitying a bully like Shoya from A Silent Voice is quite another matter. Once a partaker in the torment of the deaf transfer student, Shoko, Shoya found himself on the receiving end when the situation reversed. The shame that followed him throughout his childhood was profound, leading to a life marked by suicide attempts and clinical depression as an adult.

I find myself determined to mend things with Shoko and tackle my past traumas head-on, before departing. This manga mirrors life’s grim reality in the way it portrays bullying, the hypocrisy of peers, and the arduous journey towards redemption – a path that may or may not be within reach. It can prove to be a challenging read, but its poignant events become increasingly heartwarming and inspiring as the story unfolds.

2. Yotsuba&!

A Little Girl Sees The Extraordinary In Ordinary Things

  • Creator: Kiyohiko Azuma
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.91
  • 16+ Volumes, 113+ Chapters
  • Available in English via Yen Press

It may come as a shock to some that while Azumanga Daioh is more widely recognized due to its anime adaptation, Kiyohiko Azuma’s subsequent work, Yotsuba&!, might be his most acclaimed. This comic strip revolves around Yotsuba, a 5-year-old girl, and her foster father, Yosuke, as they relocate to a new city, discover their surroundings, and make new acquaintances, including the Ayase family who live nearby.

Yotsuba finds inspiration in everyday items such as air conditioners, doorbells, and swings, making her world both simple and enchanting. The manga, praised with accolades like the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Grand Prize, has spawned a variety of merchandise. However, it lacks an anime adaptation due to Azuma’s belief that the manga doesn’t suit the medium well, which gives it a somewhat under-the-radar appeal in comparison to its more outrageous forerunner.

1. Oyasumi Punpun

The Dark Side Of Coming-Of-Age Tales

  • Creator: Inio Asano
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.99
  • 13 Volumes, 147 Chapters
  • Available in English via Viz Media’s Viz Signature imprint

Slice-of-life stories, such as those found in YKK, Yotsuba&!, and A Silent Voice, are not always ordinary; they can portray real life as surprisingly dramatic and painful, even more so than fantastical apocalypses. Some of these stories can be incredibly raw and emotionally resonant, striking a chord with readers that may feel uncomfortably familiar to their own experiences.

Instead of deliberately crafting a dismal narrative like “Oyasumi Punpun,” Inio Asano aimed to create a manga that mirrored real-life experiences. In this world, families may struggle with dysfunction but still find ways to stay connected, friendships might fray only to be rekindled, and individuals can exhibit harmful behaviors, yet have the potential for change and improvement. It’s not an unmitigated joy nor a constant sorrow; rather, it reflects the ebb and flow of life as it unfolds at times.

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2025-05-27 08:35