For those who are tired of reading those light and cheerful mangas, the seinen animes and mangas are a real treat. These mangas always have a much more dramatic and heavy tone. This greatly impacts the reader, regardless of the emotion evoked.
But before anyone asks me why Boku no hero is on this list, let me clarify that this list is different. The mangas we will include here are the heaviest in the seinen genre. This list focuses on mangas, but fortunately, most of the works mentioned here also have adaptations into animes.
Where you will find many deaths, revenge, betrayal, struggle for survival, and things of that nature. Yes, that kind where almost every chapter features mutilations, deaths, or something similar. Liked it? Then we are two, let’s get to the list.
At the end of the article, we will list the Seinen Mangas available in Brazil for you to buy. Below we will provide a summary to facilitate your navigation.
Table of Contents
Berserk – one of the most well-known seinen mangas
Guts, a former mercenary now known as the “Black Swordsman,” is on a quest for revenge. He wanders through a medieval world killing demons, which are drawn to a demonic mark on his neck. For his aid, he possesses extraordinary strength gained from a harsh childhood spent with mercenaries.
He also wields a gigantic sword, has a left iron prosthetic, and the elf Puck. In his quest for revenge against the one who gave him the mark, he encounters many interesting people and creatures, influencing everyone’s life in some way.
Information about Berserk:
It is important to mention that this is one of the most well-known and respected mangas of all time and around the world. Its intriguing story and development without many clichés manage to attract the attention of all types of audiences.
Much of the original work has already been adapted into an anime. However, the latest adaptations have generated a huge uproar among fans due to their quality. In this case, the 3D adaptation was grotesque. But it is worth watching the earlier adaptations.
20TH Century Boys
With the end of the 20th century, people around the world are anxious as they perceive the world changing. The turn of the century could mean the end of the world. Kenji Endo is a normal convenience store manager with a normal life.
But he realizes that something is not right. After all, he discovers that one of his old friends has committed suicide, and that a new cult led by a figure known as “Friend” is gaining popularity. The whole world is also facing a danger that only friends have the key to stop.
This manga is on my list of mangas to read, but I haven’t had the time yet. So I won’t comment on it. Once I have an opinion about it, I can update. But the important thing is that it is a highly regarded manga in the industry, even though it is not as popular as the previous one.
Vinland Saga – meticulous revenge seinen manga
Thorfinn is the son of one of the greatest Viking warriors. He is among the best fighters in the mercenary group led by Askeladd. However, his goal is not plunder but revenge against Askeladd.
Thorfinn spends his childhood with the mercenary crew, honing his skills on the battlefield, waiting for the day of his revenge.
When Askeladd receives news that the Danish prince Canute has been taken hostage, he devises an ambitious plot. This will decide the next king of England and drastically alter the lives of Thorfinn, Canute, and himself.
My opinion on Vinland Saga:
For those who enjoy plots involving elaborate and careful revenge, this is certainly one of the best, and a great example of seinen mangas. You certainly won’t get frustrated with the protagonist for making mistakes.
The manga is set to have an anime adaptation in the July/Summer 2019 season. And I am looking forward to it, as it is one of the big hypes of the season.
Vagabond
In 16th century Japan, Shinmen Takezou is a wild and brutish young man, both in appearance and actions. He inspires fear and disapproval from his entire village. Then he and his best friend, Matahachi Honiden, flee to enlist in the Toyotomi army, yearning for glory.
The friends barely survive the battle of Sekigahara. Shinmen returns home to notify a family of their survival. Instead, he discovers that he is a wanted criminal for the supposed murder of his friend.
Upon being captured, he is hung from a tree and left to die. A wandering monk takes pity on him. Thus, he secretly frees him and gives him a new name to avoid pursuit by the authorities: Miyamoto Musashi.
Parasyte – Kiseijuu
The protagonist of the story is a 17-year-old male student named Shinichi Izumi. One night, worm-like creatures called Parasytes appear on Earth.
They dominate the brains of human hosts, entering through their ears or noses. A Parasite tries to crawl into Shinichi’s nose while he sleeps but fails. As the boy wakes up, it enters his body through his arm.
My opinion on Kiseijuu:
As one of the first seinen mangas I read, the impression was certainly favorable. Yes, I was led to read it because of the anime; I wanted to see if there were some more elaborate parts of the couple’s H hour in the series.
But it’s that old story we use for animes; every anime is good when we have no experience. It’s almost the same with mangas, making it hard to know their quality. But it is undoubtedly a good seinen manga.
Blame – the silent manga
Killy is a man of few words. He wanders, seemingly endlessly, through a solitary and gigantic maze of concrete and steel, fighting cyborgs and other futuristic nightmares, searching only for something called Net Terminal Genes.
And he has a very powerful weapon, which he uses without hesitation whenever something dangerous raises its head. He seeks answers about who he is, the world he lives in, and the quarry he seeks.
There is a very good CG movie based on the manga. I remember watching it on Netflix, I recommend taking a look. One of the unique aspects of this manga is that it has almost no text. Perfect for the lazy who don’t like to read.
Kingdom – the unjustly overlooked manga
During the Warring States period in China, Xin Li and Piao are two young brothers who dream of becoming Great Generals, despite their low status as orphaned slaves.
One day, they encounter a nobleman who gives Piao the opportunity to take on an important duty within the royal palace state of Qin. The brothers separate, only to reunite upon Piao’s death. His last words set him in motion and lead him to find the young man about to become king of Qin, Zheng Ying.
My opinion on Kingdom:
Without a doubt, when I think that this manga is not so recognized, I almost cry from so much sadness. And worse, when I think about what they did to its anime, I risk dehydration if I don’t hold back.
To say little, this is the only manga I gave a 10 rating on MAL (My Anime List). And I don’t believe I will find another at this level anytime soon.
Monster – One of the classic seinen mangas
Dr. Kenzou Tenma is a renowned neurosurgeon of Japanese descent working in Europe. Highly praised by his colleagues as one of the great young minds who will revolutionize the field, he is blessed with a beautiful fiancée and is on the verge of a major promotion at the hospital where he works.
But all of this is about to change with a grave dilemma that Kenzou faces one night – whether to save the life of a small boy or the mayor of the city. Despite being pressured by his superiors to perform surgery on the mayor, his morals compel him to operate on the other critical patient.
A doctor is taught to believe that all lives are equal. However, when a series of murders occur in the surgeon’s neighborhood, all evidence points to the boy he saved, Kenzou’s beliefs are shaken.
(If you haven’t read this manga or watched the anime yet, you need to do it soon. Classic seinen mangas are must-reads for every otaku.)
Elfen Lied – blood, so much blood
Lucy is a special race of humans known as “Diclonius,” born with a pair of short horns and invisible telekinetic hands that make her a victim of inhumane scientific experiments by the government.
However, once circumstances offer her an opportunity to escape, Lucy, corrupted by confinement and torture, unleashes a torrent of bloodshed as she escapes from her captors.
During her flight, she suffers a debilitating head injury that leaves her with a split personality: someone with the mindset of a harmless child who has limited speaking ability.
In this unstable state, she encounters two university students, Kouta and his cousin Yuka, who inadvertently take the injured fugitive under their care, unaware of her murderous tendencies. This will change their lives, as they will soon be dragged into the dark world of government secrecy and conspiracy.
My opinion on Elfen Lied:
I don’t have much to say about this manga. But certainly, it is necessary to give the warning to be careful with the ending. There are some surprises and events that are kind of… Better not to spoil.
Oyasumi Punpun – one of the most depressing seinen mangas
Punpun Onodera is a normal 11-year-old boy living in Japan. Unexpectedly idealistic and romantic, Punpun begins to see his life take a subtle – though still surprising – turn to adulthood when he meets the new girl in his class, Aiko Tanaka.
It is then that the quiet boy learns how unstable maintaining a relationship can be, and the difficulties of transitioning from an innocent childhood to a complicated adult life.
When his father assaults his mother one night, Punpun realizes another thing: those he looked up to were not as impressive as he thought. As his problems escalate, Punpun’s shy behavior transforms into voluntary reclusiveness.
Instead of healing him from his problems and conflicting emotions, this only intensifies them, sending him down the dark path of maturity in this grim coming-of-age saga.
My opinion on Oyasumi Punpun:
If you get depressed easily, don’t read this crap. Certainly, the intensity you feel in School Days (an anime only for the strong) is nothing compared to what you will feel with this seinen manga.
Certainly, seinen mangas have a characteristic of pointing out problems in life, society, people, etc. That’s why they make us reflect and feel emotions that often bring us negative feelings.
But this one is certainly the champion of leaving people with that overwhelming feeling of loss. When we finish reading the manga, the “void” left in our soul is immeasurable.
So, be careful when reading this wretched manga. I marathoned it and ended up regretting it; the depression hit hard. My luck was my strong mindset; otherwise, the consequences would have been worse.
But if you wonder why I am recommending it. Simple, the heavier the seinen mangas, the more lessons they impart to readers. I believe we learn very little in happy times. In sad times is when we learn the most and develop.
Other famous seinen mangas and animes
Anyway, for those addicted who have read all these 10 seinen mangas. Here is a list of extras to enjoy as well.
- Tokyo Ghoul
- Gantz
- Hellsing
- Ajin
- Btooom!
- Goblin Slayer (light novel)
- Sun-Ken Rock
I hope you enjoyed the article. If you liked it, share it and leave your comments. Until next time!
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