In today’s fast-paced world, keeping up with the long running manga seems to be a big task and often turns out to be annoying. Seeking a captivating manga experience that can be enjoyed in a single sitting is something every reader wants and the stopping point to all these problems is – one shot manga.

These standalone stories stands as a testament to the artistic and storytelling prowess of manga creators, showcasing their ability to craft complete narratives within a limited space. In today’s article, we’ll take a look at some of the best one shot manga. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

10. Hero Killer

Hero Killer is a dark, gritty, and violent one shot manga that takes place in a world where artificial humans known as Bioroids are created to fight off crimes. Young Shioso Ishinami aspires to become a hero as well by having his body modified but his father refuses him by saying he’s a human after all.

After his family gets killed off, Shioso goes into hiding and years later returns with the purpose of killing the heroes responsible for his family’s death. Hero Killer shares a setting close to the popular Shōnen Jump “My Hero Academia” where the entirety of the idea is layered out in less than 60 pages.

9. Unlucky Boy Undead Girl

Unlucky Boy Undead Girl presents a love story of a zombie girl and an immortal man cursed with bad luck. The manga follows an average office worker, Tsukasa who seems to be the unluckiest guy on the planet as life-threatening events occur around him all the time.

Thanks to his regeneration powers, he survives these events most of the time. One day, he bumps into a zombie girl and together they dream of having a normal life! Unlucky Boy Undead Girl explores an uncanny dynamic leaving the readers wanting for more.

8. Can You Fall In Love With The Skeleton?

Can You Fall In Love With The Skeleton? is a thought-provoking one shot manga that raises questions about the nature of love and whether it is truly based on appearances. The series explores the idea that true love transcends superficial aspects and can be found in unexpected places and forms.

The story is about a man and his encounter with a heroine who happens to be a skeleton. Despite her unusual appearance, the man finds himself drawn to her. As they spend more time together, a unique and unexpected romance begins to blossom between them.

7. Look Back

Coming from the author of the comedy horror “Chainsaw Man”, Look Back is a provocative exploration of the creative process, the importance of friendship, and the challenges of growing up. The story follows Ayumu and Kyomoto, two teen girls who bond over a shared love for drawing.

However, the two girls eventually drift apart after Ayumu started getting jealous and insecure about Kyomoto’s knack for drawing manga. Years later, Ayumu runs into Kyomoto again, and they look back on their artistic journey while talking about their abridged friendship.

6. Gokuraku District’s Third Avenue Incident

Gokuraku District’s Third Avenue Incident is a battle-based shonen series that started publication last year but originally debuted as a one shot manga in 2020. Critically acclaimed for its well-crafted art style and top-notch action sequences, the manga follows the fun protagonist duo of Tao and Alma.

The pair are an unknown odd-job worker who fixes problems for clients in exchange for money. One day, they are tasked with rescuing a group of mermaids from a human trafficking ring in a lawless Gokuraku District that is home to all sorts of illegal activities.

5. A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice is a globally recognized romantic anime film however, before being a theatrical hit it originated as a one shot manga. The shorter version of this beautiful story offers a much grittier and more emotional narrative leaving the audience with a strong sense of hope for their future.

The story is about the developing relationship between high school students, Shouka Nishimiya and Shoya Ishida. As a child, Shoya bullied Shouka for being deaf which resulted in his expulsion. Years later, they meet again, and this time Shoya tries to make it up to her by forgetting all the past mistakes he did.

4. Henshin Ganbou!

Henshin Ganbou is a short but sweet romantic one shot manga about Sunaki, a backup player on the baseball team who finally gets the courage to confess his feelings to the idol of the school and places a love letter in her locker hoping for the best.

The next day, Sunaki is candidly rejected by the class Madonna. Heartbroken over the girl, he meets Ichizono who tries to cheer Sunaki up by listing him all his flaws and convincing him to become the best baseball player there ever was!

3. Yuusha Goikkou no Kaerimichi

Generally, one-shots don’t deliver a solid story with well-rounded characters and narrative in a limited time frame however, Yuusha Goikkou no Kaerimichi manages to pull it off. The story follows a hero’s party and their final journey back home after confronting the Demon King.

Led by the talkative mage of the group, Nina, they head to the other heroes’ hometown of Pocca. On their way back, Nina reflects on her past and philosophical exploration while wondering about the villagers’ reactions to their long-awaited return.

2. Tokidoki

From the prolific mangaka of “Nisekoi: False Love”, Tokidoki is another bittersweet high school romance drama that follows Hatsu Takagi, a girl with a rare heart disease called Kokuhaku which weakens the heart eventually leaving the victim with fewer heartbeats and a shorter lifespan than normal.

One day, a classmate of hers named Hato Iijima learns about this condition and her true desire to freely and wholeheartedly experience every second she has left. After discovering her wish, Hato swears to help her enjoy life to the fullest and make her feel alive for one last time.

1. Goodbye Eri

Fiction doesn’t have to be real to be impactful, reality is stranger and crueler than fiction – the resonant storytelling of Goodbye Eri proves it to be true. It captures the life of Yuta Ito, a high school student who is asked by his dying mother to film her last moments before she passes away.

After her passing, Yuta compiles her life into a movie to screen at his school which catches the attention of a girl named Eri. Together, they set out to make a new film blurring the lines between fact and fiction! The heartfelt and meta-story of Goodbye Eri makes it a worthwhile read.

Which one of the following one shot manga is your favorite? Feel free to comment down your thoughts and make sure to recommend some other manga like the ones listed above, also don’t forget to share this article with your fellow otaku friends.

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