Manga Like Scum’s Wish: 7 Recommendations for Fans of Emotional Drama and Complex Relationships
If you’re a fan of emotional depth and intense relationships, finding manga like Scum’s Wish can be a challenge. Scum’s Wish (Kuzu no Honkai) explores the complexities of love, desire, and heartbreak in a raw and unfiltered way. The characters often face difficult choices that lead to emotional turmoil, making it a gripping and relatable story. If you are looking for more manga that dives into complicated relationships and emotional struggles, these seven recommendations will resonate with you.
1. Flowers of Evil (Aku no Hana)
- Genres: Drama, Psychological, Romance
- Release Date: September 2009
- Studio: Kodansha
- Summary: In Flowers of Evil, Takao Kasuga gets involved with a manipulative classmate after a moment of guilt. The story explores deep emotions like shame and regret, much like Scum’s Wish. As the characters struggle with their desires and personal dilemmas, the emotional intensity mirrors what fans of Scum’s Wish have come to appreciate. Additionally, the manga uses psychological tension to deepen the drama, making it an engrossing read.
Flowers of Evil on myanimelist
2. Oyasumi Punpun (Goodnight Punpun)
- Genres: Drama, Psychological, Slice of Life
- Release Date: March 2007
- Studio: Shogakukan
- Summary: Oyasumi Punpun is about a young boy, Punpun, who struggles to understand the complexities of adulthood. His journey is filled with emotional highs and lows, just like in Scum’s Wish. As Punpun faces family issues and romantic confusion, the manga dives into personal growth and psychological challenges. Fans of introspective, character-driven stories will find this a gripping exploration of the difficulties of growing up.
3. Domestic Girlfriend (Domestic na Kanojo)
- Genres: Romance, Drama, School, Ecchi
- Release Date: April 2014
- Studio: Kodansha
- Summary: Domestic Girlfriend centers around Natsuo, who is torn between his teacher and his new step-sister, Rui. The love triangle, combined with emotional tension, closely resembles the intricate relationships in Scum’s Wish. Moreover, the manga explores forbidden love and the consequences of acting on desires, which fans of Scum’s Wish will surely appreciate. It’s a tale of heartbreak, confusion, and personal growth that mirrors the emotional weight found in Scum’s Wish.
Domestic Girlfriend on myanimelist
4. A Girl on the Shore (Umibe no Onnanoko)
- Genres: Drama, Psychological, Romance
- Release Date: July 2009
- Studio: Ohta Publishing
- Summary: A Girl on the Shore focuses on two teenagers, Koume and Isobe, who engage in a physical relationship to cope with their personal struggles. Just like Scum’s Wish, the story captures the emotional complexity of desire and its consequences. The manga is raw and unfiltered, providing an honest portrayal of adolescent confusion and the challenges of growing up. Furthermore, the psychological depth and intensity will appeal to fans looking for more dark romance stories.
A Girl on the Shore on myanimelist
5. Love and Lies (Koi to Uso)
- Genres: Drama, Romance, School
- Release Date: August 2014
- Studio: Kodansha
- Summary: Set in a world where the government assigns marriage partners, Love and Lies follows Yukari as he struggles between his assigned partner and his childhood love. The love triangle is full of emotional tension and drama, much like the tangled relationships in Scum’s Wish. Moreover, the themes of duty versus desire resonate with Scum’s Wish fans. Both manga explore how societal expectations can clash with personal desires, leading to emotional conflicts.
6. Perfect World
- Genres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
- Release Date: March 2014
- Studio: Kodansha
- Summary: In Perfect World, Tsugumi reconnects with her high school crush, now living with a disability. Their relationship is tested by emotional and physical challenges, similar to the complex love stories in Scum’s Wish. The manga explores the difficulties of navigating romance when life throws unexpected obstacles in the way. Readers who enjoyed the emotional depth of Scum’s Wish will appreciate the realism and character growth in Perfect World.
7. Happiness
- Genres: Drama, Psychological, Supernatural
- Release Date: February 2015
- Studio: Kodansha
- Summary: Happiness tells the story of Makoto, a high school student whose life is turned upside down after an encounter with a mysterious girl. While the supernatural elements differ from Scum’s Wish, the emotional intensity and psychological struggles are quite similar. The characters’ inner conflicts and desires are central to the story, making it a perfect recommendation for readers who enjoy darker, more introspective narratives.
Conclusion:
For those who loved the emotional complexity of Scum’s Wish, these seven manga offer similar themes of complicated relationships, personal struggles, and psychological depth. Each one delves into the darker side of love and desire, providing readers with an intense and thought-provoking experience.
If you’re a fan of emotionally charged stories and complex relationships, be sure to check out my post on the best romance anime recommendations for more heart-wrenching and captivating series!
