Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World
Kino's Journey: The Beautiful World

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Here are some of the series that have heavily used a philosophical approach to make readers think about many things. These manga cover topics like metaphysics, ethics, hedonism, stoic and cynicism

Manga that pose philosophical questions to the reader in low stake settings. The best manga of this genre are able to do this in an unpretentious way; conjuring up the feeling like:-
- a dazed shower thought
- taking a long walk at sunset and pondering the why.
- child like curiosity of the world
- things that make you go ‘Hmmm’.

tags: philosophy, existential

Manga written to make you think, reconsider, or feel a strong sense of pondering.
Typically the characters are also questioning things and have long conversations about many topics.

Literally a compilation of non romance series with a CANON LGBT+ character

"It's not a matter of good or evil; it's simply not possible to do it any other way."

Noir is characterized by such elements as cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, frequent use of flashbacks, intricate plots, and an underlying existentialist philosophy.

The isolation from society of the typical noir hero was underscored by the use of stark high-contrast lighting. Classic images of noir included rain-soaked streets in the early morning hours; street lamps with shimmering halos; flashing neon signs on seedy taverns, diners, and apartment buildings; and endless streams of cigarette smoke wafting in and out of shadows.

The inherent subjectivity of Expressionism is also evident in noir’s use of narration and flashback. An omniscient, metaphor-spouting narrator frequently clarifies a characteristically labyrinthine noir plot or offers a subjective, jaded point of view. Tension and suspense are increased by the use of all-knowing narrators and flashbacks, in that the audience is always cognizant of impending doom.

The heroes of noir generally share certain qualities, such as moral ambiguity, a fatalistic outlook, and alienation from society. They also exhibit an existential acceptance of random, arbitrary occurrences as being the determining factors in life. Such compassionless pragmatism is found in the most noble, as well as the most tarnished, of noir heroes. The weakest of such characters exhibit an abundance of tragic flaws.

Noir villains are often characterized as homme fatales or “spiders”; in the words of one critic, they are “comfortable in the world of cheap dives, shadowy doorways, and mysterious settings.” They cunningly and ruthlessly manipulate their counterparts to gain power or wealth.

Nevertheless, the noir villains often evoke sympathy, as they are frequently victims of emotional or physical abuse, with such victimization providing impetus for their vengeance. They are trapped in passionless or violent bonds of contract/servitude and resort to murder as a means of escape, usually destroying their conspirators in the process.

Source: Britannica - list will be kept updated

Female characters that possess mental fortitude and don't break under pressure. They must have great resilience in the face of difficult or dangerous situations or even tragedy. They don't have to be super smart or geniuses, mental fortitude/stoicism is what matters. Preferably physical strength isn't their main characteristic but their mental fortitude.

For Physically Strong Women in Manga: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/39375

Queer manga published through Kodansha (some under Vertical Inc).

Transgender (binary trans, non-binary, and/or intersex) manga with official English (at least partial) translations. Organized roughly by release order in Japan.

(My definition of a trans manga is one that has a main trans character. Them being transgender may or may not be a big impact on the story.)


Not on MAL:

"Onna" toshite Idakaretai... Seitenkan Shite, Hatsukoi wo Mou Ichido./Hold Me, Baby, As a Lady... -First Love Again in the Body of a Woman.
Sanae Takahashi (trans woman) (protagonist)
Machiko (trans woman) (supporting)

Kamisama, Boku wo Koroshite Kudasai - Otoko no Karada de Umareta Jigoku/The Pain of Living in a Male Body
Subaru Kawase (trans girl) (protagonist)

Even more non-binary/x-gender characters in manga.

Part 1: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/28860
Part 2: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/37987