5 Short Manga to Start Your Manga Reading Journey

In the present period, almost everyone is familiar with the word 'manga'. Simply put, 'manga' means Japanese graphic novels that target not only teenagers but also adults and more mature readers. With the continuous growth of its appeal, people are getting more and more intrigued by this fascinating form of fiction. But you as a beginner tend to feel puzzled about where to start, especially when there is a mountain of options to choose from. To ease your trouble, here are 5 short works to start your manga-reading journey —

1. Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata

Death Note is a page-turner crime thriller that will hook you from the first volume. It is a short and completed series, spanning only 12 volumes. It has been nominated for the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize (2007) and has won the Eagle Award (2008). The story revolves around a genius high school student, Light Yagami, who one day finds a notebook that has the capability of killing anyone whose name has been written in it. With a reformative mindset, Light takes on the burden of the world on his shoulders and sets out on a mission to eradicate the world of evil, by any means necessary. 

Although a little dialogue-heavy, it is a popular choice among beginners. Because of the high merit of its story, readers can grasp the richness of the medium called 'manga'.

2. A Silent Voice by Yoshitoki Oima

Have you ever felt suffocated by the world or by your own existence? Nominated for the Kodansha Manga Award (2015), Comic-Con International's Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia Award (2016) and winner of The 19th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize (2015), A Silent Voice is a work that will touch you to the core. It is a short and completed series, spanning only 7 volumes. The story centres around a guy named Shoya Ishida who used to bully a deaf girl named Shouko Nishimiya. When Shoya himself faces the same treatment he gave Shouko, a change occurs in him and he tries to find a way to correct his wrongs. The manga not only explores bullying issues but also delves deeper, exploring themes like alienation, redemption, forgiveness and acceptance. 

With a strong message of overcoming the pains of the past, this work will resonate well with every type of reader.

3. Parasyte by Hitoshi Iwaaki

What does it mean to be a human? What does it mean to have a heart and a soul? These are the kinds of questions Parasyte explores. Winner of the Kodansha Manga Award (1993), Seiun Award (1996) and Micheluzzi Award (2003), the story of Parasyte tells the tale of Shinichi Izumi, a kind-hearted high school student, whose body gets invaded and partially taken over by an extra-terrestrial parasite. As this alien being stays inside him, his personality and thoughts get affected by it and the story shows his journey with this coexistence towards the comprehension of his own changing identity. 

The narrative's appeal comes from its brilliant presentation of human emotions. The work is finished and is available in 8 volumes that, once read, will surely become the priced possession of any reader.

4. The Gods Lie by Kaori Ozaki

The story revolves around Natsuru Nanao, a 6th-grade boy, who develops a close bond with Rio Suzumura. She is an unexpectedly mature, independent and reserved girl from his class, who without any trace of her parents, lives alone with her younger brother. Over the course of summer their friendship blossoms and delves deeper until dark hidden truths creep in and catch up to them. 

Nominated at the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize (2015) and winner of the Kodansha Manga Award (2014), this single-volume work is the perfect one-sit read. It is infused with themes of responsibility, childhood burden, loneliness, connection and acceptance. The work shows how the world is not as kind and sweet as children think it to be and will feel like a bitter-sweet delight to the readers.

5. Uzumaki by Junji Ito

A manga recommendation list is always incomplete without the master of Japanese horror, Junji Ito, whose fame lies in his ability to create horrific tales from simple and mundane concepts. Uzumaki is considered to be one of the best body horror manga. The work won the Japanese Horror Award in 2002 because of its original and outstanding contribution to the horror genre. It was also nominated for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia in 2003. The story of Uzumaki is set in a fictional town cursed by spirals ("Uzumaki" in Japanese). As the protagonist, Kirie Goshima, tells the tales, the spine-chilling and creepy chapters connect the erratic episodes that slowly drive the town into a hell of madness. 

Beautifully illustrated with Junji Ito's grotesque art, the work is available as a single-volume deluxe hardcover and will satisfy any horror fan's hunger. 

Although there are many popular choices like One Piece, Naruto, Berserk, Tokyo Ghoul and others, these are either still ongoing or are too long to be suitable for a beginner. This small list offers a variety of choices that are of high merit and will ensure that the reader grasps the greatness of the medium. So, choose any one or two you like and enter the wonderful world of manga!