Goodnight Punpun by Inio Asano is one of those series people warn you about. It’s not an easy read, and you have to be in the right headspace before picking it up. But even with all that, it’s still one of the best manga ever made.
This is a story you have to reach for on the shelf without hesitation, knowing it’s going to be one of the toughest reads out there. And if it’s grabbed just because there’s a cute little bird on the cover, that shock is going to be real—this is far from the heartwarming story some might expect.
What’s Goodnight Punpun about?
Goodnight Punpun is a coming-of-age story that follows Punpun Onodera. His parents’ marriage is falling apart. His dad ends up in jail, his mom goes to the hospital, and Punpun has to move in with his uncle, who everyone sees as a failure. Along the way he falls for a girl tied up in a cult, turns to God for answers (who just ends up being a jerk), and hopes things might finally start looking up—but it all just seems to spiral.
The story follows Punpun as he grows from childhood into his teenage years and then young adulthood. It’s tough to read because it starts with him as a kid, and watching everything that happens slowly shape him over time hits hard.
The characters & how real it feels
What makes this series so powerful is how real it all is. It shows the ups and downs of friendships, how people drift in and out of life, and how they can leave you better or worse for it. It’s full of realistic settings and situations that capture the harshness of life in a way few other manga ever have.
Punpun and his family are drawn as bird-like figures, while everyone else is shown as normal humans. It’s a clever way to show how disconnected they feel from the world around them, or how those around them don’t really see who they are or what they’re going through. Asano even uses Punpun’s different bird forms to show his mental state, shifting based on what he’s feeling inside. It’s one of the most unique ways to capture emotion in manga, and part of why Goodnight Punpun stands out as such a genius work.
How it handles mental health & life’s small moments
Another reason Goodnight Punpun is so impactful is how it dives into mental health and the way small moments or choices can change everything. It captures that feeling of hoping things will finally turn around, only for life to keep piling on. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything—this is a series that faces depression, loneliness, and the messiness of growing up head-on.
It’s bleak and sometimes downright cynical, but that’s also what makes it such a good series. Few manga lay it all out like this, and even fewer do it with such honesty.
The art & how it hits
Inio Asano’s art is highly detailed and often beautiful, which almost feels at odds with how heavy this story is. There’s a contrast that exists between these gorgeous panels and the dark subject matter. The detail and level of care put into each page is astonishing as well.
Goodnight Punpun isn’t light or pretty—even though the artwork sometimes tricks you into thinking it might be. It’s harsh, unflinching, and tackles mental health in a way that few other series even try.
Final thoughts on Goodnight Punpun
Goodnight Punpun is a masterpiece that shows the cruel, dark side of the world through a raw, realistic lens. It’s not a feel-good series by any stretch, but it’s the kind of manga that changes how you see the medium entirely—and maybe even how you look at life itself.
It’s heavy and it’s not for everyone, especially if lighthearted stories are usually the go-to. But for anyone willing to take that on, it’s absolutely worth it. Few series leave this kind of lasting mark and it’s one of the best manga of all time.
Looking for more?
For more on Inio Asano’s works, check out the full Inio Asano guide. You can shop the series at one of the manga retailers listed below!
