Short manga are a great way to pass time. They’re also a good way to read a variety of manga without committing to reading hundreds of chapters. But if that’s more your style you can check out these articles: 10 Best Completed Manga & 10 Manga You Need to Start Reading this 2025.
(I didn’t add any one-shot manga to this list; however, I hope to give them their own list in the future!)
My Broken Mariko
1 Volume | 6 Chapters
Drama, Psychological
Tomoyo Shiino has stood by her friend Mariko through years of abuse, abandonment, and depression. However horrific her circumstances, their friendship has been the one reassuring constant in Mariko’s life-and Tomoyo’s too.
That is, until Tomoyo is utterly blindsided by news of Mariko’s death. In life, Tomoyo felt powerless to help her best friend out of the darkness that ultimately drove her over the edge. Now, Tomoyo is determined to liberate Mariko’s ashes for one final journey together… to set free her dear, broken Mariko. (Amazon)
TW: abuse
The synopsis may sound really bad, however it’s a story of a beautiful friendship. Furthermore, as a reader you can tell that the characters really cared for each other. If you have ever lost anybody unexpectedly this manga may resonate with you. A Live Action is also available if you want to watch it instead.
The Summer You Were There
Kimi to Tsuzuru Utakata
6 Volumes | 32 Chapters
Drama, Romance, Psychological
Shizuku is a shy girl who hardly talks to other people. Instead, she loses herself in creative writing, crafting a novel that she never plans to show anyone. But when Kaori–Shizuku’s cute, popular classmate–gets her hands on Shizuku’s manuscript, everything changes.
Kaori is a huge fan, and suggests that Shizuku can get inspiration for her writing if the two of them start dating! Can these very different young ladies create their own love story together? (Bato)
The Summer You Were There gave me Bloom Into You vibes when I read it. The story was kind of predictable but it was good either way. This is yuri so if that isn’t in your interests, you should skip this one.
I think the only bad thing about this is that it was a little rushed. But I can see this being adapted into an anime film.
I Sold My Life for Ten Thousand Yen Per Year
Jumyou wo Kaitotte Moratta. Ichinen ni Tsuki, Ichimanen de.
3 Volumes | 18 Chapters
Supernatural, Drama, Romance
A twenty-year-old with little hope for the future discovers a shop that buys lifespan, time, and health. This is a story dealing with the ensuing consequences. (Goodreads)
I don’t know why most of the short manga on here are sad, but this is another sad story. The story was originally a light novel, and adapted into a manga. On this list this is probably my favourite short manga.
This needs to be adapted into an anime film as well. I think a lot of people would love it.
The Golden Sheep
Kin no Hitsuji
3 Volumes | 17 Chapters
Drama, Slice of Life
Winter of junior year. Not quite able to become adults, we couldn’t stay as we were as children, either. Our tale explores a group of teenagers and their impatience and rebirth. “They say if you write down your wish, bury it under Sheep Tower and then dig it up after 7 years and 7 months, your wish will come true… “
Tsugu Miikura, a high schooler who loves to play guitar, had moved away due to family circumstances from the rural town where she spent her childhood. After several years, she’s back in her old hometown. She reunites with her childhood friends—Sora, Yuushin, and Asari—the friends she’d buried a time capsule with back in elementary school. Tsugu is overjoyed to be with her friends once more, but the bonds that she thought would never change have in fact started to grow major cracks… (Kodansha)
I recently read The Golden Sheep. I saw a TikTok on it, and decided to give it a chance. And I finished it in one sitting.
It’s a story about a group of friends that drifted apart because one of them moved away. A lot of people can relate to this. I loved this story as well, I would recommend this one too.
Will You Remarry Me Again If You Are Reborn?
Umarekawatte mo mata, Watashi to Kekkon shite kuremasu ka?
4 Volumes | 25 Chapters
Romance, Drama
Toranosuke falls in love with his servant Kaoru.
Over the course of 22 years, their love grows little by little, and they become a married couple: a clumsy Showa-era husband and a gentle but muscle-brained wife.
The couple spend a lot of time together, and in Toranosuke’s hospital room, Kaoru begins to reminisce.
This is the fond memory of a couple who spun a deep love. (Pixiv)
Will You Remarry Me Again if You are Reborn? This short manga will tear you up. This short manga is the only manga in recent memory that made me tear up. Not sad tears but happy tears, anything involving grandparents usually gets me in the feels.
