Those who have experienced Aku No Hana may have encountered the challenging task of searching for a comparable manga that captures much, if not all, of the essence of Shuzo Oshimi’s psychological masterpiece.
If that rings true, you are not alone.
Aku No Hana narrates the tale of Takao Kasuga, a middle school student who is influenced and manipulated by Sawa Nakamura.
This friendship leads him to explore his identity and his relationship with his crush, Nanako Saeki.
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Manga like Aku no Hana (Flowers of Evil):
It’s clear that manga similar to Aku no Hana are quite rare.
But don’t worry, I have searched extensively to uncover manga that share similarities with it. Now, without further ado, let’s check out our list!
If you’re just here to scroll through the list, you won’t be disappointed either. Trust me!
1. Chi no Wadachi
Author: Shuzo Oshimi
Status: Completed
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For those acquainted with Shuzo Oshimi’s works, the first manga that would come to mind regarding similarity to Aku No Hana/Flowers of Evil would definitely be Chi No Wadachi.
Chi no Wadachi is a psychological thriller that explores Seiichi Osabe, a high school boy engulfed in an unhealthy obsession with his mother. YES, IT GETS VERY UNSETTLING!
As the story unfolds, their relationship becomes increasingly twisted, and that’s just me toning it down.
You’ll discover many moments in the manga that examine power dynamics, manipulation, taboo topics, and blurred boundaries between Seiichi and his mother as she gaslights and shapes each aspect of his life to her will.
Yes, it may resemble the experience of many Asian kids, but trust me, Seiko cranks it up to another level. Don’t believe me? Read it and see for yourself.
The comparison of Chi no Wadachi to Aku no Hana lies in their portrayal of complex relationships with blurred boundaries, complemented by haunting visuals. Both also delve into the psychological depths of their characters.
Since they share the same author, both utilize unconventional storytelling methods to create intense and haunting atmospheres that draw readers into unsettling narratives in remarkably similar ways.
2. Onanie Master Kurosawa
Author: Ise Katsura, Yoko
Status: Completed
Onanie Master Kurosawa, penned by Ise Katsura and illustrated by Yoko, narrates the tale of Kakeru Kurosawa, a high school student leading a double life. During bathroom breaks, Kakeru engages in a secret act of self-gratification – yes, that’s right!
However, his life takes an unexpected twist when a classmate, Aya Kitahara, catches him and blackmails him into aiding her revenge scheme.
The premises of both manga are remarkably alike, showcasing introverted students hiding sinister secrets that only an unusual, loner girl in their class discovers and exploits for her gain.
Once more, a female character holds sway over the protagonist’s life. Yet, Aya’s personality differs significantly from that of the female character in Aku No Hana, and Kurosawa possesses more depth than Takao.
While Aku no Hana dives deeper into darker psychological themes, exploring how guilt and a yearning for love can haunt the mind, Onanie Master Kurosawa highlights the value of appreciating social connections.
The theme of redemption is also present in both manga, and honestly, I believe Onanie Master Kurosawa is the closest you’ll find to Aku no Hana.
Each work serves as an outstanding psychological drama that genre fans will surely appreciate.
3. Sundome
Author: Kazuto Okada
Status: Completed
Those acquainted with the manga Sundome might mistakenly assume it focuses solely on fetishes and blue balls moments.
However, once you delve into it, you’ll realize it’s much more than that.
Written and illustrated by Kazuto Okada, the storyline revolves around Hideo Aiba, who initially has never fallen in love. But everything changes when he sees transfer student Sahana Kurumi for the first time and falls head over heels for her.
Yet, for their relationship to resemble anything normal, it wouldn’t earn a spot on our list of manga like Aku no Hana.
When Kurumi joins the Roman club, Aiba discovers a different side of her. From that point, he allows Kurumi to steer their relationship mainly due to his fear of rejection and hurt.
Kurumi subjects Aiba to numerous challenging situations, which he endures due to her manipulative nature. She dangles perverted desires in front of him, and he willingly follows. In his words, Aiba becomes a puppet on her strings!
For fans of Aku no Hana, the parallels between the two manga should be evident by now. A sadistic and dominant female character manipulating and bossing around a submissive male.
However, Sundome leans more towards the perverse side while still addressing deeper and darker issues. Be prepared for emotional leaps that may leave you in tears. The story escalates in emotional intensity as it moves forward!
I’ll conclude this section with a quote from Sundome – Sometimes, hope can be a cruel thing!
4. Boy’s Abyss
Author: Ryo Minenami
Status: Completed
If you seek a dark, deeply unsettling manga that remains easy to read, look no further than Boy’s Abyss.
While the manga may be straightforward, the intricate characters trapped in a dismal town with no means of escape will weigh heavily on you.
Having provided that warning, let’s delve into the core of the matter.
Boy’s Abyss follows Reiji Kurose, a young man caught in a bleak countryside town. Reiji, burdened with family responsibilities, finds solace in watching an idol group, Acrylic.
However, an unexpected meeting with Nagi Aoe, an idol from his favorite group, triggers a series of scandalous events—including multiple double suicide attempts and affairs, including one with his teacher (somebody call 911)—turning his life upside down.
This leads Reiji into a maze of lies, obsession, and betrayal. As the narrative unfolds, it takes a dark twist while he navigates the abyss of sin he becomes enmeshed in.
The gripping story captures your attention from the first page, mirroring how the town ensnares its residents.
Despite differing storylines and settings, Boy’s Abyss and Aku no Hana share an unsettlingly similar atmosphere.
5. Nozoki Ana
Author: Honna Wakou
Status: Completed
Nozoki Ana centers on the lives of Tatsuhiko Kido and Emiru Ikuno. After relocating to a new apartment, Tatsuhiko discovers a peephole that allows him to observe Emiru’s room.
Curiosity leads to interaction, and a complex bond develops between them. As they navigate their connection, they face numerous challenges, including jealousy, trust issues, and their individual inner demons.
Nozoki Ana addresses themes of voyeurism, sexual exploration, guilt, and unconventional affection.
The similarities between Nozoki Ana and Aku no Hana are striking. Their names rhyme? Both manga probe into the darker aspects of human nature and delve into taboo themes and intricate relationships.
These works encourage readers to question societal norms and explore the intricacies of human relationships in a way that leaves a lasting impact.
6. Welcome Back, Alice
Author: Shuzo Oshimi
Status: Completed
Welcome Back, Alice (Okaeri, Alice) is another creation by Shuzo Oshimi that fits this list alongside Aku no Hana/Flowers of Evil.
It explores the lives of three childhood friends—Yohei, Kei, and Yui. Yohei is a reserved boy with a massive crush on Yui. His best friend Kei encourages him to embrace his sexual feelings and learn about masturbation.
However, upon witnessing Yui kissing Kei, everything changes, especially after Kei relocates to Hokkaido. Yohei, Kei, and Yui reunite in high school, leading to a seemingly standard love triangle. But dynamics shift as Kei returns presenting as a girl.
Once again, both Welcome Back, Alice and Aku No Hana feature a female character holding influence over the protagonist, affecting the lives of the main characters in engaging ways.
If you’re interested in more works by Shuzo Oshimi, then consider checking out Inside Mari, a gender-bender manga.
7. Scum’s Wish
Author: Mengo Yokoyari
Status: Completed
Scum’s Wish is a manga created by Mengo Yokoyari. It stands out in this list due to its popularity, bolstered by its anime adaptation.
The narrative focuses on Hanabi Yasuraoka and Mugi Awaya, two high school students entangled in a complex and mutually manipulative relationship. Despite harboring unreciprocated love for others, Hanabi and Mugi use each other as emotional substitutes.
Like the previously mentioned titles, this manga explores raw emotions—unreciprocated love, loneliness, and the tangled web of human desires—that can leave readers feeling uncomfortable at times.
It reveals the vulnerable hearts of its characters yearning for solace in unconventional bonds, exploring forbidden love and the destructive essence of manipulation.
Scum’s Wish resonates psychologically, much like Aku no Hana, with the plot taking dark, twisted turns.
Both works depict characters navigating intricate relationships and engaging in manipulative actions while exploring themes of loneliness, longing, and the damaging outcomes of unreciprocated love.
I believe that fans of Aku no Hana will find themselves drawn to Scum’s Wish for its portrayal of complex relationships.
8. Girl on the Shore
Author: Inio Asano
Status: Completed
Girl on the Shore, a manga by Inio Asano, shatters traditional romance and shoujo tropes, challenging our unrealistic expectations.
However, its strength lies in demonstrating that not all attractions come with innocent intentions. They can be purely sexual, stemming from various reasons, such as betrayal by a partner or a desperate need for validation.
Girl on the Shore details the tumultuous relationship between high school students Koume Sato and Keisuke Isobe. As they navigate adolescent complexities and burgeoning sexual desires, they engage furtively in a turbulent physical affair.
The story examines themes of love, loneliness, and the search for connection amid youthful confusion.
Asano’s distinctive artistic style and introspective storytelling immerse readers in the emotional landscapes of the characters, offering a candid examination of teenage sexuality, societal expectations, and the ramifications of their choices.
The parallels between A Girl on the Shore and Aku no Hana are glaring, showcasing the ‘outsider teenagers seeking comfort in each other’ trope while maintaining themes of manipulation and toxicity.
9. Life
Author: Keiko Suenobu
Status: Completed
Life by Keiko Suenobu explores the darker elements of adolescence, peeling away the gloss of high school life to reveal unfiltered realities.
In contrast to the typical shoujo manga’s sugar-coated narratives, Life dives into troubling topics like bullying, self-harm, and the fierce quest for identity and acceptance.
The plot centers on Ayumu Shiiba, a high school girl who, after grappling with academic pressures, is drawn into a relentless cycle of bullying and emotional suffering.
When things go awry with a friend she tried to help, Ayumu’s life derails completely.
Her journey is one of survival as she confronts overwhelming despair, peer cruelty, and the profound isolation that ensues.
Life parallels Aku no Hana in its depiction of uncomfortable realities of adolescence—alienation, desire for control, and the toll of a toxic environment.
Additionally, Keiko Suenobu’s art style definitely deserves special mention!
Final Thoughts:
Aku No Hana represents a unique genre within manga. It involves manipulative characters, often female, imposing their will on others, typically male.
While it defies logic at times, the narrative journeys deep into the darker corners of the human psyche, offering compelling stories. I have carefully listed 9 manga similar to Aku No Hana (Flowers of Evil) that resonate closely with it.
Nonetheless, I welcome your suggestions for other titles that may belong on this list.
