Slice of Life is an underrated genre of Manga. It’s a powerful genre because it’s solely based on characters and their realities. It hones in on the good and the bad of human nature and sheds light on the many unique situations we face in life. This list has tons of variety, with some romance, some hobbyist stories and even some mature themes. Look at this list as more of a Slice of Life manga list for beginners.
With that being said, here are the best Slice of Life Manga recommendations that you can check out right now.
Slice of Life Manga to Check Out This Year
Gokushufudou (The Way of the Husband) by Kousuke Oono / Buy in the US / Buy in the UK
This book is about a legendary Yakuza who goes by the moniker the Immortal Dragon. This might sound intimidating, but actually, this former Yakuza is retired and now the house husband of a successful career woman. But it’s not easy to walk away from the gangster life, and what should be mundane household tasks are anything but!
Beck by Harold Sakuishi / Buy in the US / Buy in the UK
Beck tells the story of a group of teenagers who form a rock group and the struggles they face with getting their music out into the world. The series has even spawned a real world album performed by the anime voice actors.
Nana by Ai Yazawa / Buy in the US / Buy in the UK
Nana Komatsu is defeated by her string of boyfriend problems so she decides to move to Tokyo to take control of her life. Nana Osaki, on the other hand, is cool, confident and focused. Osaki kicks down the doors of the underground punk scene to make a name for herself. Nana is the story of two 20-year-old women who share the same name. Even though they come from completely different backgrounds, they somehow meet and become best friends.
March Comes in Like a Lion by Chica Umino / Buy in the US / Buy in the UK
Rei is a young prodigy working in an adults world. After being an orphan, Rei must discover the intricacies of life and find close friends that he can depend on.
Beastars by Paru Itagaki / Buy in the US / Buy in the UK
Beastars is based on a school where students are divided into predator and prey. Friendships are fragile here. Who among them will become a Beastar—a hero destined to lead in a society naturally rife with mistrust? Beastars is a manga that examines both human and animal nature in the purest way.
Seven Days by Venio Tachibana / Buy in the US / Buy in the UK
Yuzuru Shino is a bored and disillusioned third-year high school student that hears a rumor that Tōji Seryō, a popular student at school, will accept anyone who asks him out at the beginning of the week and end their relationship after seven days of dating. Yuzuru decides to ask Tōji out as a half-hearted joke, but, to his surprise, Tōji accepts their date. What will happen when two males date, and how long will it last?
Hinamatsuri by Masao Ōtake / Buy in the US / Buy in the UK
Nitta is an over-achiever in a Yakuza syndicate. After a ending up discovering a young girl with formidable telekinetic powers, Nitta is forced to become roomies with the young girl. The story follows how this occurrence affects his life as a member of the syndicate.
Samurai Chef by mayamada / Buy in the US / Buy in the UK
Samurai Chef tells the story of a cooking show where dishes are judged by the Samurai Chef, with his samurai sword! It begins as a simple competition, but takes a twist when the chefs add special ingredients to turn each dish into food monsters and judging into a real battle. What follows is an escalating contest between the Samurai Chef and each new dish, eventually bringing the attention of more threatening opponents in this action-comedy epic!This is a story that consisting of anthropomorphic characters in a unique setting. The book is presented like a reality style TV show, with a Gordon Ramsay-esque critic.
Bakuman by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata / Buy in the US / Buy in the UK
Created by the duo that brought us Death Note, Bakuman is about two high-school kids with dreams of writing and illustrating their own manga. The manga is inspirational for writers and illustrators alike and shows the hard work and attention to detail that those must strive for. It also touches on how much sacrifice is needed to dedicate your life to such an art.
If you have more Slice of Life Manga recommendations then be sure to drop them in the comment section below!
