Japanese works on bullying and suicide in the style of 13 Reasons Why

After Netflix released the series 13 Reasons Why or Por 13 Razões, the world began to talk about the issues of suicide and bullying. The series really exploded and captured different audiences, but it also generated some criticism regarding the revenge addressed and the way it was approached. For those who don’t know, 13 Reasons Why is based on a book by Jay Asher that deals with the suicide of a 17-year-old girl named Hanna Baker who left a box with 13 recordings on tapes talking about the people who were blamed for her suicide.

The series addresses various themes beyond suicide and bullying, such as sexism, homophobia, sexual abuse, and several other themes involving teenagers in high school. To take advantage of the wave that the series is bringing by addressing this subject, today we have selected some Japanese works such as animes, doramas, and movies that have the same theme involving suicides, bullying, depression, and other social problems that you need to watch.

Life – Dorama about Bullying

The work Life (ライフ）is available in manga and television series. Besides bullying, the work also presents themes such as suicide and rape. Life tells the story of a girl named Ayumi who strives to get into a school along with a friend; unfortunately, this friend fails to pass and blames Ayumi, ending their friendship. To make matters worse, this friend attempts suicide, and at the new school, Ayumi ends up getting caught up in false rumors that make her become a hated girl and turn her life into a hell.

“A human being who is cornered has no choice but to be strong. I will not be defeated.” – Ayumu Shiiba

Kara no Kyoukai

Kara no Kyoukai is based on a Light Novel and has several animated films. The story involves a series of suicides without reason and a protagonist with supernatural powers responsible for solving these problems. Although it may seem somewhat fantastical, the work dives deeply into depression, suicide, loneliness, and the stages of denial.

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Although the anime/manga focuses on the life of a hikikomori. The work addresses many themes involving suicide, bullying, and social pressure. The story shows a boy who lives isolated in his room, possibly because he felt excluded from society due to bullying and social problems in the past. Things change a bit when he receives help from a girl and some friends from school. This work is fantastic and mature, being considered an indispensable seinen.

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This work based on the manga by Ichigo Takano received an anime adaptation and a movie. It tells the story of a girl who receives letters from the future helping to prevent a tragedy with a friend. This work is great and addresses themes of overcoming the suicide of a loved one, resisting the urge to commit suicide, and also problems related to friendships and school.

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Based on a famous comedy manga, this work received an anime and 2 doramas that handle the subject well. GTO tells the story of a delinquent named Onizuka who ends up becoming a teacher in a class full of problematic students. Without a doubt, one of the best works I have ever seen that addresses various themes such as bullying, suicide, rape, family, and various issues involving life and school.

Other Japanese Works

There are several movies, doramas, and animes that also address themes such as suicide and bullying, but do not have them as the main focus. We will leave a small list below as a recommendation for you to watch:

• Koe no Katachi – Work involving bullying with a deaf girl;
• Accel World – Action anime that addresses bullying a bit;
• Gakkou no Kaidan – Dorama shows how to overcome bullying;
• Hana yori Dango – Very famous, addresses bullying at the beginning;
• Aku no Hana – More problems at school;
• Nagi no Asakura – Bullying and Racism;
• Slam Dunk;

There are many other interesting works that address similar themes. If you know any that were not mentioned, leave it in the comments.