Goodnight Punpun (Vol. 4) - Inio Asano

Growing Up Has Never Felt So Heavy

In Goodnight Punpun Vol. 4, acclaimed mangaka Inio Asano continues his heart-wrenching exploration of adolescence, identity, and emotional isolation. As Punpun transitions from middle school to high school, his world grows darker, lonelier, and more complex.

Relationships shift, dreams fade, and the harshness of life becomes harder to ignore. Asano’s surreal visual metaphors and haunting panel work perfectly capture the raw confusion of youth—creating a reading experience that’s as unsettling as it is profound.

Main Themes of the Volume

• Adolescence & Emotional Turmoil
• Captures the often painful, awkward transition from childhood to adulthood.
• Mental Health & Isolation
• Offers a bold and honest portrayal of depression, anxiety, and disconnection.
• Symbolism & Visual Poetry
• Asano’s iconic bird-faced Punpun and abstract imagery elevate the narrative.
• Realism Meets Surrealism
• Blends mundane daily life with dreamlike and often nightmarish visuals.

Why you should choose this manga

• One of the most critically acclaimed psychological manga of all time
• A deeply emotional story told with elegance, empathy, and raw truth
• Ideal for fans of Solanin, A Girl on the Shore, and Welcome to the NHK
• Mature themes handled with incredible depth and nuance
• A gripping visual novel that lingers long after you close the book

Goodnight Punpun Vol. 4 is a gut-punch of a manga—quiet, beautiful, and devastating. Inio Asano masterfully portrays the fragile journey of growing up with a unique storytelling style that is both poetic and brutally honest. A must-read for mature manga fans seeking something unforgettable.