These standalone stories are a testament to the artistic and storytelling skill of manga creators, demonstrating their ability to create complete narratives within a limited space. In today's article, we'll take a look at some of the best one-shot manga. So, without further ado, let's get started.

10. Assassin Hero

Hero Killer is a dark, gritty, and violent manga set in a world where artificial humans known as Bioroids are created to fight crime. Young Shioso Ishinami also aspires to become a hero by having his body modified, but his father rejects him, saying that he is, after all, human.

After his family is killed, Shioso goes into hiding and returns years later with the goal of killing the heroes responsible for his family's death. Hero Killer shares a similar setting to the popular Shōnen Jump "My Hero Academia," where the entire idea is laid out in less than 60 pages.

9. Unlucky Boy, Undead Girl

Unlucky Boy Undead Girl tells the love story of a zombie girl and an immortal man cursed with bad luck. The manga follows an ordinary office worker, Tsukasa, who seems to be the unluckiest guy on the planet, as life-threatening events constantly occur around him.

Thanks to his regenerative powers, he survives these events most of the time. One day, he bumps into a zombie girl, and together they dream of a normal life! Unlucky Boy Undead Girl explores a strange dynamic that leaves readers wanting more.

8. Can you fall in love with the skeleton?

Can You Fall in Love with a Skeleton? is a thought-provoking manga that raises questions about the nature of love and whether it's truly based on appearances. The series explores the idea that true love transcends superficial aspects and can be found in unexpected places and forms.

The story is about a man and his encounter with a heroine who happens to be a skeleton. Despite her unusual appearance, the man is drawn to her. As they spend more time together, a unique and unexpected romance begins to blossom between them.

7. Look back

Coming from the author of the horror comedy “Chainsaw Man"Look Back" is a provocative exploration of the creative process, the importance of friendship, and the challenges of growing up. The story follows Ayumu and Kyomoto, two teenagers who bond over their shared love of drawing.

However, the two girls eventually drifted apart after Ayumu became jealous and insecure about Kyomoto's manga-drawing talent. Years later, Ayumu meets Kyomoto again, and they reminisce about their artistic journey while recounting their brief friendship.

6. Gokuraku District Third Avenue Incident

Gokuraku District Third Avenue Incident is a battle-based shonen series that began publication last year, but originally debuted as a one-shot manga in 2020. Critically acclaimed for its well-crafted art style and high-level action sequences, the manga follows the entertaining protagonist duo of Tao and Alma.

The duo are unsung workers who solve clients' problems in exchange for money. One day, they're tasked with rescuing a group of mermaids from a human trafficking ring in the lawless district of Gokuraku, home to all sorts of illegal activities.

5. A silent voice

A Silent Voice is a globally acclaimed romantic anime film, but before becoming a theatrical success, it originated as a one-shot manga. The shorter version of this beautiful story offers a much grittier and more emotional narrative, leaving audiences with a strong sense of hope for the future.

The story follows the developing relationship between high school students Shouka Nishimiya and Shoya Ishida. As a child, Shoya bullied Shouka for being deaf, which resulted in her expulsion. Years later, they reunite, and this time Shoya tries to make amends by forgetting all the mistakes he made in the past.

4. Henshin Ganbou!

Henshin Ganbou is a short but sweet and romantic manga about Sunaki, a reserve player on the baseball team who finally gets the courage to confess his feelings to his school idol and puts a love letter in his locker hoping for the best.

The next day, Sunaki is openly rejected by Madonna's class. Heartbroken by the girl, he meets Ichizono, who tries to cheer Sunaki up by listing all his flaws and convincing him to become the greatest baseball player who ever lived!

3. Yuusha Goikkou no Kaerimichi

One-shots typically don't deliver a solid story with complete characters and narratives in a limited amount of time, but Yuusha Goikkou no Kaerimichi manages to do just that. The story follows a hero's party and their final journey home after confronting the Demon King.

Led by the group's talkative mage, Nina, they head to the other heroes' hometown, Pocca. On the way back, Nina reflects on her past and her philosophical exploration while wondering about the locals' reactions to her long-awaited return.

2.Tokidoki

From the prolific mangaka of “Nisekoi: False Love,” Tokidoki is another bittersweet school romance drama that follows Hatsu Takagi, a girl with a rare heart disease called Kokuhaku, which weakens the heart, leaving the victim with fewer heartbeats and a shorter-than-normal lifespan.

One day, a classmate of hers named Hato Iijima learns about this condition and her true desire to freely and wholeheartedly experience every second she has left. After discovering her desire, Hato vows to help her live life to the fullest and make her feel alive one last time.

1. Goodbye, Eri

Fiction doesn't have to be real to be impactful; reality is stranger and crueler than fiction—the resonant narrative of Goodbye Eri proves this to be true. It captures the life of Yuta Ito, a high school student who is invited by his dying mother to film her final moments before her passing.

After her passing, Yuta compiles her life into a film to be shown at his school, which catches the eye of a girl named Eri. Together, they decide to make a new film that blurs the lines between fact and fiction! The heartfelt, meta-story of Goodbye Eri makes it well worth reading.

Which of the following one-shot manga is your favorite? Feel free to comment and recommend any other manga like the ones listed above. Also, don't forget to share this article with your otaku friends.