Those who have read Aku No Hana might have all gone through the desperate struggle of finding a similar manga that would contain all of, if not most of the essence of Shuzo Oshimi’s psychological masterpiece.
If yes, then you’re not alone.
Aku No Hana follows the story of Takao Kasuga, a middle school student who becomes influenced and manipulated by Sawa Nakamura.
His friendship with her leads him to explore his identity and relationship with his crush, Nanako Saeki.
Manga like Aku no Hana (Flowers of Evil):
It’s not hard to fathom that a manga like Aku no Hana has very few peers.
But fret not, I have scourged high and low to unearth manga that are similar to it. Now without further ado lets checkout our list!
If you’re here to just scroll through the list, you won’t be disappointed either. Trust me!
1. Chi no Wadachi
Author: Shuzo Oshimi
Status: Completed
For those familiar with the works of Shuzo Oshimi, the first manga that would pop into their head when they think about a manga similar to Aku No Hana/Flowers of Evil would without a doubt be Chi No Wadachi.
Chi no Wadachi is a psychological thriller manga that delves into the story of Seiichi Osabe, a high school boy consumed by an unhealthy obsession with his mother. YES IT IS GETS VERY UNSETTLING!
As chapters go by, you’ll notice their relationship becoming increasingly twisted, and this is just me toning it down.
You’ll find lots of instances in the manga that explores power dynamics, manipulation, taboo subjects, and blurred boundaries between Seiichi and his mother, as she gaslights and molds every step of his life to the way she wants.
I mean yes it sounds like the story of every Asian kid, but trust me Seiko just takes it way up a notch. Don’t trust me? Read it and see for yourself.
The reason why I say Chi no Wadachi is similar to Aku no Hana is because both manga depict complex relationships with blurred boundaries, with equally haunting visuals. It also explores the psychological depths of its characters
Since they are created by the same author, both of them employ unconventional storytelling styles by creating intense and haunting atmospheres that immerse readers in unsettling narratives in largely similar ways.
2. Onanie Master Kurosawa
Author: Ise Katsura, Yoko
Status: Completed
Onanie Master Kurosawa, written by Ise Katsura and illustrated by Yoko, tells the story of Kakeru Kurosawa, a high school student who leads a double life. During his daily bathroom breaks, Kakeru engages in a secret act of self-gratification – fapping it is!!
However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he is caught by a fellow student, Aya Kitahara, who blackmails him into participating in her revenge plot.
The premise of both manga are remarkably alike, as you can see. Each features an introverted student harboring a sinister secret that only an unusual, loner girl in their class discovers and exploits for her advantage.
Once again, a female character is in control of the protagonist’s life. However, Aya has quite a different personality than that of the female character in Aku No Hana. And Kurosawa has more of a personality than Takao.
While, Aku no Hana delves deeper into the darker psychological aspects, exploring how guilt and the yearning for love can haunt the human mind, Onanie Master Kurosawa emphasizes the importance of appreciating the comfort of social connections.
The themes of redemption too are present throughout both these manga, and to be honest, I feel Onanie Master Kurosawa is the closest you can get to Aku no Hana.
Both comics are exceptional psychological dramas that I’m sure the genre fans will undoubtedly enjoy.
3. Sundome
Author: Kazuto Okada
Status: Completed
Those who are familiar with, or heard of the manga Sundome, but not read it, might make the mistake of assuming that it is a fetish manga with a lot of blue balls moments.
But once you read it, you realize that its a lot more than just that.
Written and illustrated by Kazuto Okada, the plot of the manga follows Hideo Aiba who had never fallen in love with any girl at first. However when he lays eyes on the transfer student Sahana Kurumi for the first time, he ends up falling heads over heel for her.
But then, if their relationship were to have any semblance of normalcy, it wouldn’t have made it to our list of manga similar to Aku no Hana.
When Kurumi ends up joining the Roman club, Aiba gets to see a different side of her. From that point on, Aiba lets Kurumi be the master of their relationship, mostly because he is scared of rejection and being hurt.
Kurumi puts Aiba through of lot of tough spots, and he goes through them thanks to the manipulative nature of Kurumi. She dangles perverted desires in front of him and he willingly follows. In his own words, Aiba had become a monkey on her strings!
For Aku no Hana fans, the similarities between both the manga should be clear by now. A sadistic and dominant female character manipulating and ordering around a wimpy guy.
However, Sundome stays more on the perverted side even while it explores some deeper and darker themes. And also be ready for some emotional gut punches that will leave you bawling your eyes out. The story does get very high on the emotional quotient as it progresses!
Allow me to end this section with a quote from Sundome – Hope can be a cruel thing sometimes!
4. Boy’s Abyss
Author: Ryo Minenami
Status: Completed
If you’re looking for a dark and depressing AF manga, which is uncomfortable yet an easy read, then look no further, Boy’s Abyss.
Although the manga may be an easy read, the complexity of the characters trapped in a gloomy town where there is absolutely no escape will weigh heavily on you.
Now that I’ve warned you let us get to the main part.
Boy’s Abyss follows Reiji Kurose, a young man trapped in a gloomy countryside town. Reiji, who is burdened by family responsibilities, mostly finds solace in watching an idol group, Acrylic.
However, an unexpected encounter with Nagi Aoe, an idol from his favorite group, sets off a chain of scandalous events- multiple double suicide attempt, multiple affairs including one with his teacher (somebody call 911), and others, all of which turns his world upside down.
This leads to Reiji getting caught in a web of lies, obsession, and betrayal. The manga takes a dark turn as Reiji navigates the abyss of sin he has been pulled into.
The story will grip you tight from the very first page, with no escape just like the how the town has its hold on the main characters.
Despite having different storylines and settings, both Boy’s Abyss and Aku no Hana have an eerily similar vibe.
5. Nozoki Ana
Author: Honna Wakou
Status: Completed
Nozoki Ana revolves around the lives of Tatsuhiko Kido and Emiru Ikuno. Tatsuhiko, after moving into an apartment, discovers a peephole that allows him to observe Emiru’s room.
Curiosity leads to interaction, and a complex relationship develops between them. As they navigate their connection, they encounter a range of challenges, including jealousy, trust issues, and their own personal demons.
Nozoki Ana explores themes of voyeurism, sexual exploration, guilt, and unconventional love.
The similarities between Nozoki Ana and Aku no Hana are hard to miss. Their names rhyme? Both manga explore the darker sides of human nature and dive deep into taboo themes and complex relationships.
These manga invite us to question societal norms and delve into the complexities of human relationships in a way that leaves a lasting impact on our minds.
6. Welcome Back, Alice
Author: Shuzo Oshimi
Status: Completed
Welcome Back, Alice (Okaeri, Alice) is yet another manga by Shuzo Oshimi which makes it to this list of ones similar to Aku no Hana/Flowers of Evil.
It revolves around three childhood friends Yohei, Kei, and Yui. Yohei is a shy boy who got a huge crush on Yui. His best friend Kei pushes him to embrace his sexual feelings and teaches him about masturbation.
However, one day he witnesses Yui kissing Kei, but Kei soon moves to Hokkaido. Youhei, Kei, and Yui reunite in high school, leading to a seemingly typical love triangle. However, the dynamics shift when Kei appears dressed and presenting as a girl.
Once again, when comes to Welcome Back, Alice and Aku No Hana, both manga feature a perverted female character who has some kind of control over the protagonist, impacting the lives of the main characters in intriguing ways.
If you are interested in more Shuzo Oshimi works, then you can check out Inside Mari, which is a gender bender manga.
7. Scum’s Wish
Author: Mengo Yokoyari
Status: Completed
Scum’s Wish is a manga written and illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari. It’s one of the more popular series in this list thanks to its anime adaptation.
The story follows Hanabi Yasuraoka and Mugi Awaya, two high school students who enter into a complex and mutually manipulative relationship. Despite harboring unrequited love for other people, Hanabi and Mugi use each other as substitutes to fill the emotional void.
This manga too, like the others mentioned in the list, delves into some raw emotions – unrequited love, loneliness, and the tangled web of human desires – leaving readers feeling all uncomfortable at some points.
It exposes the vulnerable hearts of its characters as they seek solace in unconventional relationships, exploring forbidden love and the destructive nature of manipulation.
Scum’s Wish is psychological, like Aku no Hana, and the plot naturally takes dark and twisted turns.
Both manga portray characters who navigate complex relationships and engage in manipulative behavior. They delve into themes of loneliness, longing, and the destructive consequences of unrequited love.
I am sure those who loved Aku no Hana will find themselves drawn to Scum’s Wish for the complex relationships it portrays.
8. Girl on the Shore
Author: Inio Asano
Status: Completed
Girl on the Shore, a manga by Inio Asano, is a story that breaks all the romance, shoujo tropes that portrays love through a magical lens. Let’s get real, these tropes gave us all unrealistic expectations.
However, the beauty of Girl on the Shore lies in its portrayal that not all attractions have innocent intentions. It could be purely sexual, and this could stem from a variety of reasons, including betrayal by a partner, or a desperate need to feel wanted, among others.
Girl on the Shore revolves around the complicated relationship between two high school students, Koume Sato and Keisuke Isobe. As they navigate the complexities of adolescence and their burgeoning sexual desires, they engage in a secretive and tumultuous physical relationship.
The story explores themes of love, loneliness, and the search for connection amidst the confusion of youth.
Inio Asano’s distinctive art style and introspective storytelling dive deep into the emotional landscapes of the characters, offering a raw and thought-provoking examination of teenage sexuality, societal pressures, and the consequences of their actions.
The similarity between A Girl on the Shore and Aku no Hana must be evident by now, with the whole ‘teenagers who don’t fit in seeking solace within each other’ trope. Let’s not forget the themes of manipulation and toxicity that stay constant in both.
9. Life
Author: Keiko Suenobu
Status: Completed
Life by Keiko Suenobu is an exploration of the darker side of adolescence. It strips away the gloss of high school life to reveal the raw, unfiltered realities that many face.
Unlike the sugar-coated narratives often found in typical shoujo manga, Life delves into harsh realities of bullying, self-harm, and the desperate search for identity and acceptance.
The plot follows Ayumu Shiiba, a high school girl who, after struggling with academic pressures, finds herself drawn into a world of relentless bullying and emotional torment.
When things go wrong with a friend of hers she tried to help, life suddenly turns upside down for Ayumu.
Her journey is one of survival, as she grapples with overwhelming despair, the cruelty of her peers, and the isolation that comes with it.
Life parallels Aku no Hana in its portrayal of uncomfortable truths of adolescence—the feelings of alienation, the desire for control, and the impact of a toxic environment.
On top of it, Keiko Suenobu’s artstyle definitely needs a special mention!
Final Thoughts:
Aku No Hana is a manga which defines a very peculiar genre in itself. Manipulative characters, often a female, who impose themselves on the other, often a male.
It defies logic at points, but the story does delve deep into the darker recesses of the human mind and comes with compelling narratives. I read and listed out the 9 manga like Aku No Hana (Flowers of Evil) that I felt were the closest to it.
However, I am open to hearing your suggestions about the ones that you think could make this list.