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A selection of titles from the gekiga scene, a short-lived yet influential artistic movement that flourished during the 1960s to the 1970s and maintains a prominent underground presence today. While mostly known as a pioneer of cinematic paneling and close attention to realism, it would be more accurate to consider gekiga as a counterculture. Surrealistic, autobiographical, and experimental works emerged as an alternative to the Tezuka school of aesthetics and paved the way for other artists to different modes of expression.

This is in NO WAY a comprehensive list and should be treated more as a starting point for diving into this movement. There are so many more important artists and titles in the scene that MAL unfortunately does not have entries for, and probably never will. Since I can't speak Japanese, there may also be some titles that I am unfamiliar with. The 50-title limit doesn't help either, but I hope this gets you started in this often-unexplored side of manga.

Note: Not all of these titles are available in English.
11/04/2022 Updated to include more underground artists.

If you enjoyed this interest stack and want to learn more about gekiga, feel free to check these other outlets:
The MAL Gekiga Club
Taniguchi Scanlations
Habanero Scans
Illuminati-Manga
Hox Scanlations
Stinky Scans
Ryan Holmberg's translations
Star Fruit Books
Glacier Bay Books
Koenji Shawn Reviews
The Comics Journal
Breakdown Press
Drawn and Quarterly
New York Review Comics
AX Volume 1: A Collection of Alternative Manga

What is the first thing you think about, when you think of Japan?
Samurai !!

In this stack I’ve listed all the samurai manga that I’ve read so far. Some are philosophical, some are childish, some are dark and some are pure action.

It’s a mixed bag. But they all revolve around samurai.

Another manga challenge, this time themed around Magazines. We found short stories for magazines starting with each letter of the alphabet (except x since there is no magazine beginning with x, so we substituted a symbol instead). Each magazine is listed with the manga. Rules for picking:
- Short (maximum length 5 volumes)
- Complete
- No erotica
- None of us had read it before

Since none of us have read them, caution is advised with regards to content.

If you enjoy, consider checking out some of our other challenges!

A variety of manga I've enjoyed and would recommend, that are each three volumes long. Give them a try!

"The line between good and evil is thinner than a razor’s edge."

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

More manga that have frogs and/or toads in them, can be real, can be items.

At least one main female character is physically strong, preferably the protagonist.

Physical strength applies both to hand-to-hand combat and proficiency in wielding weaponry (marksmanship, swordsmanship, archery etc.) as well as ability and talent in a physical sport.

No magical/supernatural power allowed unless it enhances physical strength.


Part 1 is here: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/39375

Compilation of manga that i find interesting, some aren't labelled yuri but I included them for the tension and vibes. I tried to make it as varied as possible :>

Complete list of the book 501 mangas to read in Spanish

I couldn't find the manga (Gekiga Mō Takutō-den) It is a manga about the life of Mao Zedong by Fujiko Fujio A.

I couldn't find the manga for (Samurai-tachi no México) which is about the first Japanese immigrants who went to Mexico. Hisashi Ueno, Konohana Sakuya, I'm not sure what part of the manga each did.

I couldn't find the manga either (Mibu - elBulli)