Inio Asano has a miraculous way of crafting unique and groundbreaking series from A Girl on the Shore and Goodnight Punpun to Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction and his latest Mujina Into the Deep that push the envelope in every way. Whether it’s through his social commentary, satire, or themes, his works stand out in their genres.
You often find yourself following his characters in coming-of-age stories, but they have mature and thought-provoking themes that highlight society and humanity in ways you rarely see. His cynical and satirical tones aren’t for everyone, and his manga are an acquired taste—but this is exactly why I love them.
Before I get into all of his series and talk about the best Inio Asano manga for beginners, I first want to go over what you can expect from Inio Asano. I have a video going over all of this on YouTube if you’d like to check it out below as well.
What to Expect
Asano doesn’t try to cater to the masses; instead, he creates something raw and true to his vision. His style is instantly recognizable, similar to how I can spot a Naoki Urasawa manga instantly. He’s got this signature mix of psychological, drama, and slice-of-life elements, but he dives into new genres like sci-fi and supernatural.
While every Asano manga feels fresh, there are some common threads in his work—characters grappling with the harsh realities of life, whether that’s chasing dreams, dealing with trauma, or navigating complicated relationships, and he has a signature tone, somewhat similar to how A24 films have a certain vibe to them. His series often centers on pivotal moments in his characters’ lives, like childhood or young adulthood, exploring themes of self-discovery, change, and more.
His works make you think, and sometimes they make you feel uncomfortable. They’re not for the faint of heart, but for me, this is part of their appeal. They’re deep, complex reads that often show a more cynical side of humanity, but his characters are relatable, and you find yourself rooting for them even when life seems determined to hold them back. If you’re looking for a feel-good story, you won’t find that here, at least in the traditional sense.
Asano’s series are melancholic and tough at times, but there are sprinkles of beauty and happiness within the darkness. People often hesitate to get into his works because of their reputation for being sad—especially Goodnight Punpun—but they aren’t all doom and gloom, and titles like Dead Dead Demon’s have a good mix of humor and heartwarming moments that make them feel lighter than most.
Asano tackles the topics we shy away from, exposing personal and societal flaws in a raw, often brutal manner that rips the rose-colored glasses off our faces. He’s unafraid to be gritty and provocative, and while his stories are serious, they’re also full of genuine connections, flawed but lovable characters, and dynamics and life events that feel all too real, and in turn, relatable.
You’ll laugh, cry, and feel every emotion possible, even those that are hard to experience, but they have a lot to offer. He’s also what I’d describe as a next-gen artist, using tools like Unreal Engine to build detailed, immersive worlds.
His attention to detail is incredible, whether the painstaking work he puts into his settings or the little imperfections he adds to his character designs make them feel human. Watching him work on the TV show Urasawa Naoki no Manben gave us a glimpse into his meticulous process, from sketching to inking and adding textures that make his art feel less polished and more real.
It’s this level of care that brings his characters and stories to life. Inio Asano’s manga are explorations of the human condition filled with emotional depth, complex themes, and some of the most beautiful artwork I’ve ever seen. He’s not afraid to go places most creators wouldn’t and I truly believe that he’s one of the best creators of our time.
So far, eight of Inio Asano’s series are available in English, with Mujina into the Deep set for release in 2025. I’ll introduce each of his works next, highlight what makes them unique, and help you decide where to start if you’re new to Inio Asano’s works.
Inio Asano Manga Releases
Solanin
Solanin is a story about a group of 20-somethings living in Tokyo, including Meiko Inoue, who’s stuck in a soul-sucking job with a terrible boss, and her boyfriend Naruo, a freelance illustrator who crashes at her apartment because he can’t afford rent. The story follows their group of friends, made up of Naruo’s old bandmates and college buddies as they navigate life.
There is something inherently terrifying about your 20s. You are suddenly thrust from high school into college or the workforce, into a completely new world, often taking paths you think you should take for stability instead of doing what you love. I was guilty of this too, worried that pursuing a life as a creative would be too hard based on what society told me, so this one resonated with me. At first, the characters are just coasting through life, but something calls them to chase their dreams, which isn’t without its challenges. Of course, though, life doesn’t always go as planned, and Asano highlights this too.
The story shifts between each character’s perspective, diving into their lives and inner thoughts, showing how and why they got to where they are. Most of Asano’s stories feature multiple viewpoints but with one driving character at the center of the story. Many, however, have a main group that is the focal point of the story as seen in Solanin, and this makes his stories even more relatable because it’s easy to find someone within a group of people that you connect with in some way or another.
It’s one of Inio Asano’s lighter, more easygoing reads, even though it still has sad moments, making it a great entry point for newcomers. It beautifully explores the bravery it takes to go after what you want in life, but also how life doesn’t always go according to plan. Music plays a key role in how the characters express themselves and the themes of the story, so if you like stories with musical themes, this is one you need to check out.
A Girl on the Shore
A Girl on the Shore, in my opinion, is Inio Asano’s most explicit work to date. The story follows Koume and Keisuke, two teens who form an intense, intimate relationship. Though their connection is complicated and sometimes toxic, both have been scarred by past experiences that lead them to one another in a time of need and they grow throughout the story.
I felt melancholic while reading A Girl on the Shore, but I feel like melancholy is a big part of growing up. Life is tough and bittersweet. Things don’t always turn out how we’d hope. We aren’t always the person people perceive us to be. And growing up is a messy and confusing thing. A Girl on the Shore explores this and more.
While some of the scenes in this one might put some readers off, they play a crucial role in this story, highlighting the messy reality of adolescence in a way that only Inio Asano can. He explores themes of melancholy, identity, and the bittersweet nature of growing up throughout this story. It’s one of my top picks by Inio Asano, but if you’re new to his work, it’s probably not the best starting point unless it speaks to you. It’s unflinching, graphic, and beautifully told and it’s a tough but worthwhile read.
Nijigahara Holograph
Nijigahara Holograph is one of Inio Asano’s earlier works, set in a town where butterflies fill the sky and rumors of a mysterious creature lurking in the tunnel behind the school spread among the children. After Arie Kimura’s mother is found dead near the tunnel, the legend feels all too real. The kids, believing Arie to be the cause of the curse, decide to sacrifice her by shoving her into a well leading to the Nijigahara tunnel. This violent act pushes Komatsuzaki, who harbors feelings for Arie, completely over the edge. But this is only a glimpse of the twisted events that occur in Nijigahara Holograph.
The story is told across two timelines, weaving together the lives of co-workers, teachers, students, aggressors, and victims who are all linked by their past actions. A decade later, they must face the consequences of what they’ve done.
It’s a psychological thriller with crime, mystery, and supernatural elements, somewhat reminiscent of series like Erased, but with a mind-bending twist that makes it feel like a David Lynch film. If you’re into puzzling psychological and dark supernatural stories, this is one you’ll want to check out.
What a Wonderful World!
What a Wonderful World! is a two-volume collection of short stories that, despite their differences, share a common theme: even when life gets messy and dark, there’s always a glimmer of hope. Asano explores life’s dualities, showing how it can be harsh yet beautiful. We follow characters facing everyday struggles—young adults unsure of their futures, people burned out by routine, and those who feel lost or stuck.
These stories highlight the bittersweet reality that happiness can be found even in the toughest times. Asano’s signature melancholic tone is present, but there’s a subtle beauty within the darkness, reminding us that it’s the little moments that make life worthwhile. What a Wonderful World! is out of print, but if you’re a fan of Asano’s full-length works, it’s worth seeking out. Short story collections give creators a chance to explore and experiment with different ideas, and What a Wonderful World! showcases his storytelling in a more condensed but impactful way.
Downfall
Downfall is a drama that explores the darker side of creative industries and the complexities of personal relationships. It follows Kaoru Fukusawa, a manga artist struggling with the disintegration of his professional and personal life. After his hit series ends, Kaoru finds himself stuck in a creative and emotional rut, under pressure to produce another success while his marriage crumbles. Asano delves deep into the human condition through the eyes of a struggling artist, examining how success impacts creativity, the challenges of working in a creative field, and the inevitable burnout and apathy that follow.
The story doesn’t shy away from showing Kaoru’s downward spiral, highlighting the painful disconnect between professional success and personal fulfillment. Watching his internal and external conflicts unfold is an uncomfortable, sometimes frustrating experience, but it’s a brutally honest portrayal of a struggling artist. Many of Inio Asano’s manga follow younger characters, but Downfall follows an adult who is solidified in his career, struggling with the personal aspects of his life, and this makes it unique. However, it is also incredibly sad, making it a challenging read. Definitely keep this in mind if this story intrigues you.
Goodnight Punpun
Goodnight Punpun by Inio Asano is a series I put off reading for months, because, time and time again, I was warned about how sad of a read it is. I don’t want this to put any of you off from reading the series, because it’s one of the best manga I’ve ever read, but you need to be in the right headspace before you get into this one. And if you picked this up thinking it’s a cute story about a little bird, you’re in for a shock. I know someone who did just that, and man, were they surprised. They ended up loving it, but it was not the heartwarming tale they were expecting.
This coming-of-age story follows Punpun Onodera, whose parents’ marriage is falling apart, his dad ends up in jail, and his mom is in the hospital. He moves in with his uncle, who’s seen as a failure and falls for a girl involved in a cult. Punpun turns to God, but God’s no help. You watch him grow up, facing one hardship after another, and see how everything he goes through shapes him from childhood into young adulthood.
What makes this series so powerful is how real it feels. The ups and downs of relationships, the way people drift in and out of your life, and how some can change you for better or worse—it’s all here. Punpun and his family are drawn as bird-like figures, setting them apart from everyone else, which brilliantly shows how disconnected they feel from the world. It’s also a clever way for Asano to represent Punpun’s mental states, with each form reflecting what he’s going through inside.
Inio Asano’s series are cynical, harsh, and bleak, so if you are someone who prefers to read lighthearted series, Goodnight Punpun is not for you. It dives into difficult topics and explores mental health in a way that few other series have ever done before. It isn’t a pretty series by any means–even though the highly detailed and beautiful panels often make it feel like one.
It’s a masterpiece that showcases the cruel dark nature of the world through a realistic lens, and while it isn’t an easy-to-read, feel-good series, it’s a masterpiece that will change the way you think about the world as well as manga entirely.
Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction
Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction is one of Asano’s most unique series because it blends sci-fi, slice-of-life, and dark humor and it’s set against the backdrop of an alien invasion. It is filled with social and political humor that hits hard, exploring humanity’s actions in a way that feels all too real and unsettlingly possible. The characters’ pessimistic view of society and their use of humor as a coping mechanism makes the story relatable too. While it has Asano’s signature melancholic tone and impactful moments, it’s lighter than his other works, so it is one I always recommend to new readers.
Dead Dead Demon’s is set in Tokyo, where the citizens live under the looming presence of an alien mothership, which stirs fear and division among those seeking peace and those ready to use force. At the heart of this story are high schoolers Koyama Kadode and Nakagawa Ouran, trying to live a normal life amidst the chaos. It has profound societal commentary and it’s a wonderful coming-of-age story as we follow our characters, who are trying their best to live a normal high school life in the midst of all that’s going on.
Asano always surprises us, but this series sees him stepping out of the box more than ever before, which makes it not only one of the best sci-fi and slice-of-life manga I’ve ever read but also a standout in his work.
Be sure to check out the anime as well if you have yet to do so! Inio Asano has worked in anime before as the character designer for The Perfect Insider, but Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction is the first of his series to be adapted.
Mujina into the Deep
Mujina Into the Deep is the latest of Inio Asano’s manga to be licensed and it’s set in a near future where human rights are bought and sold. Without rights, you’re a mujina—living without protection, laws, or limits. It’s a brutal world where, if the rules don’t apply to you, you can do anything you want, as long as you’ve got the skills. The story follows a young assassin carrying a katana, slicing her way through the city of Tsukumo, and the people she meets along the way.
Asano dives into new territory with this one, which is a series that features intense action and is yet again unlike anything he’s done before. It blends brutal, bloody combat and thought-provoking themes, exploring what it means to choose your own family in a world where nothing is guaranteed and more.
With each release, Asano seems to push his art to even higher heights, and Mujina Into the Deep is no exception. The dynamic and detailed panels bring this harsh world of assassins to life, showcasing some of his best panels. This is his most action-forward series to date, and it’s one to keep an eye out for when it releases in February.
Where to Start with Inio Asano
That said, where should newcomers start with Inio Asano? I’d recommend starting with Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction or Solanin. Solanin is just one volume, making it easy to dive into, and I feel it beautifully introduces Inio Asano’s works. The characters are relatable, navigating their mid-20s. It’s one of his best explorations of the human condition and a compact, impactful read.
Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction is another great starting point. While it still has Asano’s distinct melancholic tone, it’s one of his lighter reads and has a unique sci-fi twist. I feel like there’s a balance in this one, while others like Downfall take you deep into despair, Dead Dead Demon’s has ebbs and flows that make it more accessible to new readers. It’s got a nice balance of serious and comedic moments, making it one of his most accessible to date.
But if you don’t find yourself pulled into Asano’s world with these, definitely give Goodnight Punpun a read—it’s his best work to date, in my opinion, and a must-read. If you enjoy those, definitely dive into his others, like A Girl on the Shore, Nijigahara Holograph, What A Wonderful World, and Downfall, and be sure to check out his new series Mujina Into the Deep, one of my most anticipated new manga releases of 2025.
You can shop Inio Asano’s manga now at a manga retailer!
