8 slice of life graphic novels about everyday moments
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Before this year, I’d only read a few graphic novels, including Alison Bechdel’s classic Fun Home as part of a university module. But recently, that’s very much changed. Starting with IN. by Will McPhail, I’ve discovered a genre I especially love: slice of life graphic novels about everyday life, quiet routines, and enjoying the little things.
There’s an overlap here with “iyashikei”: a sub-genre of slice of life in Japanese works (especially manga) portraying characters living out peaceful lives in calming environments that’s intended to have a healing effect on the audience. Iyashikei or 癒し系 is literally the Japanese word for healing. How great is that?
As these books show, the world of graphic novels and manga is huge. There’s sometimes a misconception that manga is all about big eyes, over the top emotions, and fantasy, but reading the authors on this list (especially Jiro Taniguchi) is proof that’s not the case.
If you also love reading about people enjoying mindful walks around their neighbourhood, sipping coffee with friends, watching the stars, or gardening, I hope you enjoy these slice of life graphic novels as much as I have.
For more like this, you might also like this collection of the best books to read if you loved Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days movie (which you should absolutely watch too).
But for now, read on for some of the best slice-of-life stories to add to your reading list…
Slice of life graphic novels, full of small moments and routines
The Walking Man by Jiro Taniguchi
2024 is my year of becoming completely obsessed with Jiro Taniguchi. You can compare his style to that of an Ozu film, subtly capturing the beauty in the ordinary. After Taniguchi’s death in 2017, filmmaker Guillermo del Toro praised his work by saying: “Taniguchi was a manga poet, the Kieslowski of the page and a serene, profound observer of the world”.
Where to start with Taniguchi? The Walking Man is my favourite so far, sharing one man’s daily walks around his neighbourhood and the small moments he experiences, from walking the dog to resting among the cherry blossom petals, climbing trees, and visiting the local sento baths on a rainy day.
It’s a portrait of the everyday moments that make up a life, with no big emotions, drama, or even long discussions. It’s stunning.
IN. by Will McPhail
As I shared on Substack, I think this graphic novel should be required reading for lonely millennials. IN. is Will McPhail’s story of Nick, a young illustrator who can’t figure out how to truly connect with people.
As Nick navigates interactions with his family, listens to Joni Mitchell alone in his apartment, and figures out if (and how) to open up conversations with his neighbours – we’re also encouraged to ponder what makes life worth living. This graphic novel has bigger themes and more poignant moments (including illness and grief) than the other books in this list, but I still think it’s got plenty of slice-of-life moments to escape into, especially when it comes to visiting pretentious coffee shops.
Hirayasumi, Vol. 1 by Keigo Shinzo
Hirayasumi is a breath of fresh air. Keigo Shinzo’s manga is the story of Hiroto Ikuta, a twenty-nine-year-old who doesn’t have a girlfriend, a full-time job, or big plans for the future. But Hiroto has a big heart, and after he develops an unlikely friendship with a grouchy old woman in his neighborhood, he unexpectedly inherits her house – shortly before he also becomes a guardian for his 18-year-old cousin, Natsumi, a struggling art student.
In a world that often expects a lot from you, Hirayasumi shows Hiroto and Natsumi just doing their best to figure out this thing called life, whether that means encouraging each other to put themselves out there, working on their art, or just enjoying the little things: sitting on the veranda, noticing white hydrangeas in the garden, or enjoying home-cooked meals instead of cup ramen. I’m so looking forward to reading more of this series.
Victory Point by Owen D. Pomery
Victory Point is one of the most beautifully illustrated graphic novels I’ve read – simple and architecturally inspired, the artwork is stunning. Owen D. Pomery’s book offers a gentle but wise story about moving away from home, short visits back to see ageing parents, and trying to build your own life as a young adult. The graphic novel is slim but full of lovely small moments, from swimming in the sea to drinking coffee and catching up with loved ones.
Tokyo These Days by Taiyo Matsumoto
Tokyo These Days is all about the creative life. In this quiet story, character Kazuo Shiozawa quits his job as a manga editor, struggles with the void it leaves, and decides to create his own manga based on everything he’s learned in his long career.
Alongside everyday routines and rhythms – meeting for coffee, talking to his pet bird – there are lovely collaborative notes as Kazuo reaches out to old contacts about commissioning work for his project (a plot that’s continued in book two of the series).
Furari by Jiro Taniguchi
ふらり furari (adverb): aimlessly, going with the flow
Furari was the first Jiro Taniguchi book I read, and it made me fall in love with his art and stories. Inspired by the cartographer Inō Tadataka‘s project to create the first modern map of Edo-period Japan – as a retirement hobby, no less – Furari is gentle, contemplative, and such a delight to read. You’ll feel like you’re there with Inō enjoying a tipsy picnic under the sakura blossom, looking up at the night sky with a haiku poet, or wandering the city while people watching.
Uncomfortably Happily by Yeon-sik Hong
If you ever dream of leaving the city to live by the mountains, Uncomfortably Happily is for you. In this autobiographical story, Korean manga artist Yeon-sik Hong shares how he and his wife decided to leave the noise and high living costs of Seoul behind to rent a small house in the mountains. With their newfound peace, sound of birdsong, and isolation, the couple discover new anxieties that come with the simple life – but as we watch them figure these out, they gradually find a place to call home.
Daytripper by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá
Daytripper is a graphic novel classic. Like IN. by Will McPhail mentioned earlier in this post, it’s not exactly healing or drama-free, but it still has some wonderfully immersive slice of life moments. I love how Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá infuse everyday experiences – like sipping espresso, watching the stars, or being with a loved one – with so much meaning and beauty, even if I didn’t think it was as profound as some other reviewers. (As I shared on Goodreads, I also wasn’t sure about how Daytripper treated gender and race.)
For more slice of life books, you might also like…
