In the vast world of manga, alongside celebrated masterpieces, there are works that leave fans wondering, “Why were these even published?” Whether due to weak plots, controversial content, or disappointing artwork, some manga have earned a spot among the worst in history.
Here are 8 manga heavily criticized by fans and critics alike, titles you probably never want to read:
1. Nice Prison by Tatsuya Suganuma
This gag comedy manga was heavily criticized for lacking humor, with jokes that didn’t even relate to its prison setting. On top of that, Nice Prison’s art style was considered unpleasant and failed to connect with readers.
2. Ichigoki’s Under Control!! by Seiji Hayashi
Described as a chaotic mess in both visuals and story, Ichigoki’s Under Control!! tried too hard to be funny but failed miserably. It was quickly canceled and became one of Shonen Jump’s least successful manga.
3. Super Ball Girls by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Akira Hiramoto
This manga faced harsh criticism for focusing almost entirely on fanservice and fetish elements in a way that many found uncomfortable. The main character was unpopular, and the illogical plot left readers unable to find any meaningful value.
4. Jujika No Rokunin by Shiryuu Nakatake
Jujika No Rokunin is seen as a bleak and painful story filled with excessive gore, sexual violence, and an inconsistent protagonist that readers couldn’t empathize with. The reading experience was heavy and uncomfortable.
5. Redo Of Healer by Rui Tsukiyo and Soken Haga
This manga sparked intense controversy for its dark revenge theme, featuring numerous scenes of sexual assault and violence. Portraying the protagonist Keyaru as a hero despite his horrific actions led to widespread condemnation for its problematic content and message.
6. U19 by Yuji Kimura
U19 was a typical Shonen Jump manga that failed due to poor pacing, uninteresting characters, and illogical world-building. It was quickly canceled and even inspired the term “U19 Club” to describe manga that end abruptly.
7. Lady Red by Akira Toriyama
Despite being from legendary creator Akira Toriyama, Lady Red, a mere three-page manga, was considered a failure. It attempted to parody superhero stories but twisted them into a dark comedy featuring sexual assault scenes and a grim ending, starkly different from Toriyama’s usual lighthearted style.
8. Cheat Slayer by Homura Kawamoto and Aki Yamaguchi
Cheat Slayer was seen as an extreme take on the isekai genre. The manga went too far by openly portraying main characters from popular isekai stories as despicable villains. This sparked outrage among fans and Japanese creators, leading to its cancellation after just one chapter.
Source: Screenrant