I finally finished reading and honestly, I don’t even know where to start. This series took me on a rollercoaster of emotions that I wasn’t entirely prepared for. From the beginning, I thought I was diving into a quirky coming-of-age story, but what I got was something much darker, deeper, and disturbingly relatable.

The way Asano portrays the internal struggles of Punpun and the other characters is just... raw. There were so many moments where I had to stop and just sit with what I’d read because it hit way too close to home. The depiction of depression, existential dread, and the search for meaning (or lack thereof) really resonated with me, sometimes more than I would have liked.

Punpun’s journey from innocence to the mess of adulthood felt painfully real. The way he transforms (both literally and figuratively) throughout the series is haunting, and it’s something I’m going to be thinking about for a long time.

The art is also something that stands out—especially how Asano contrasts the simple, almost childlike design of Punpun with the hyper-detailed world around him. It made everything feel so surreal yet so grounded in reality at the same time. I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like it.

But man, this story is heavy. It’s not just about Punpun; it’s about everyone around him, their flaws, their pain, and the sometimes cruel randomness of life. I can’t say I “enjoyed” the series in the traditional sense, but I’m glad I read it. It’s one of those stories that burrows into your mind and stays there, making you reflect on your own life, decisions, and the people around you.

I’m curious to hear how other people felt after their first read-through. Did it affect you as deeply as it did me? And how do you even process everything that happened?