Goodnight Punpun follows your average run-of-the-mill kid Punpun. From childhood to adulthood as his naivety and innocence slowly drift away. He realizes through pain just how utterly awful, cruel the real world and living, in general, can possibly be if you're not prepared to suffer the consequences of careless decisions. It's not all rainbow and sunshine, everyone has to suffer in some way to get their happy ending. But this concept for Punpun is like it doesn't exist. Since he was little and got older, he taught life more or less only revolved around him—no one else. It's the cause of both his mom's and dad's lousy, careless parenting and behavior rubbing off him the wrong way. Notably, his mother always berated him for the most stupid and insignificant thing and never listened to Punpun's side or paid him any attention. His mother did want some warmth and love from his only son tho, but she didn't realize how she was going about it was awfully wrong. She was so damn lazy, never did house chores, a total loud-mouth with a filthy mouth. Only talked shit and in a narcissistic tone and was just wasting away her life drinking herself silly.

When she got divorced, she didn't try to change and was out all-night getting intimate with guys who had a family of their own. It's notably her fault that Punpun was thrown into a turmoil of self-doubt, nihilistic, cynical thinking, even lost his confidence, and taught of himself as worthless. It seemed like Pun Pun didn't have a fixed identity and had yet to discover himself. So at this time, he was just drifting away. Every single thing he heard from his friends or classmates, both the negative and positive, he taught those things applied to all humans and just went along with that. All the kids other than Punpun already seemed to understand that the real world is harsh and unforgiving. Still, Punpun appeared like he didn't know that simple fact. Like he has been locked in a cage all of this year without learning the bitterness, sweetness, and the pain of living. Nothing will go your way unless you make an effort. Everyone starts from the bottom, and through struggle, grit, patient, they will succeed. Punpun fell at love at first sight with Aiko.

Aiko accepted him very easily, and everything was going well. But his negative thinking got in the way and got him and her in all kinds of problems. Aiko was suffering abuse from her psychotic cultist, fat pig of a mother. She only wanted to live and do the most ordinary things everyone does every single day. That's why when Punpun confessed his love, those words had such an impact on her. Aiko realized she was not alone and had someone she could lean on and experience happiness for the first time. Punpun was just a naive kid. He didn't know what was happening behind the scene and how difficult and devasting Aiko's situation truly is. We've all been there, unknowingly hurt someone without meaning since we couldn't comprehend the scope of the situation we are tackling. But Punpun didn't have very curious parents who asked him about school and things like that. He kept it all to himself, and eventually, all those thoughts started to change him in harmful ways. It began when Sachi was fiddling with Punpun's past when we learned he was initially a happy and sociable kid. Once Punpun got lost in a town over, his best friend got hurt by a car.

That's when the negativity started coming out, he became reserved and didn't rely on others for help. I think there was not a single time Punpun asked for someone to genuinely help (apart from THAT time with Yuichi) him with something and kept all his pent-up destructive feelings to himself. There was not a moment he asked his friends or parents about his school-life or any such issues. That past traumatic experience really left a scar on his heart, and no one bothered to ask and soothe it for him in the slightest. His dad also just remembered it out of nowhere. It goes to show that memory was just forgotten and not crucial before then. His dad always seemed kind and gentle, but some things are out of place and feel uncanny. When he got divorced, he didn't bother to actually write a single letter to him, but his mom did. What was the reason for that? Did his mom actually care about Punpun in her own twisted and unique way? But she might've just not known how to express her own feelings. One day, his dad also comes like he never left and asks Punpun to move to Fukushima with him. Still, his lack of concern and attention made Punpun push him away and go on living alone.

There is a clear contrast between Yuichi and Punpun's experience and many similarities between their situations as well. Yuichi was obsessed with his past and was very suicidal and hated himself a lot. We learned in the past he almost cheated when he had a girlfriend for someone much younger. Not to mention, he might've mentally hurt her, which could've been why she took drastic measures and had her abusive mother killed. Because she simply couldn't give any shit anymore. He also cheated often with Midori, but all was forgiven since she understood him through listening to his past scars. Yuichi redeemed himself and went on living and eventually got his happy ending with a good wife and a loving kid. All it took was something Punpun has been neglected throughout the entire story to make Yuichi walk on a road that was genuine and happy again. If Punpun took the initiative and spilled out his worries to someone who cared, he might've not ended up causing all that mayhem, destruction even ruining Aiko's life further. Think about it for a moment. Punpun's issues stem from his past traumatic past, and his mom and dad not being model parents. His dad is a bit complicated, but I do feel he did care for Punpun.

I guess the dad just didn't know which buttons not to push to hurt Punpun or something like that. It's hard to express it in words, but it was apparent his dad loved to be surrounded by children who adored him and a peaceful place as he grew older. If Punpun had given him a chance, things might've turned out for the better. Yuichi was a bit better as a parent even if not perfect, he cared about Punpun deeply and worried about him. But at times, the thing he was talking about in front of Punpun was not good for his nephew. When his mom got hurt, and they had to rush to the hospital, everything that came out from Yuichi's mouth. Punpun used it to justify him not keeping his promise to Aiko and dissed her. But when he saw Aiko standing there in the rain crying her eyes out after saying she is a coward and all those unkind words only for it to get slapped right back on his face. It became another event in Punpun's tumultuous life. He will come to regret, and the doubt and his confidence just got much smaller as a result to the point it almost or did get snuffed out of existence. It was one of the reasons why Punpun was unable to accept Aiko even after Yaguchi lost the tennis match. He didn't know what was right or wrong anymore, so he did what he taught was the best. That was to push Aiko in Yaguchi's way.

So about the "God" in Punpun's mind, which was the manifestation of his darker inner thoughts. Whenever there was a situation, someone could get hurt, his darkness would at first just mock him like during the time when he left Aiko in the rain, not fulfilling his promise to go to Nagoshima. Or at least explain himself as to why he couldn't. I am sure if Aiko learned that Punpun's mother collapsed at that time. They could've made up with each other much sooner and perhaps dissipated the venom before it had a chance to further hurt Punpun's psychically and emotionally. Another time was when Punpun gave up on Aiko and didn't pursue her further in middle school. Punpun's inner thoughts came out and mocked him and condescending tone calling him "coward" repeatedly. These inner thoughts actually got more destructive and scary as he got older and didn't try to ask somebody for help. Now his "God" was encouraging him to do harmful acts whenever there came a time. One was his date with Azusa as he tried to get on top of her being all sexually frustrated and aroused. Before during the entire date, Punpun tried to act like the perfect boyfriend by doing all the things by himself, like paying for the food or getting that doll even when Asuza said it was okay and not needed. It shows he is so out of it. He doesn't even realize he was hurting Asuza unintentionally by just not acting like himself. But also pushing her away and not letting her take some responsibility. Punpun was selfish as he only cared about himself and not what Asuza had to say.

When Aiko and Punpun finally reunited. Punpun just up and left the girl he was getting intimate with and might've been his current lover. She didn't get any explanation, nothing. It just ended all there. It really does tells you Punpun only cares about himself. No one else matters to him one bit whatsoever. At one point, when Aiko was beaten and came to Punpun for comfort and a bit of happiness. The jerk was so deluded by the thing in his pants; he could only think with that shit. Aiko had fresh wounds, and he is wondering why Aiko bothered to come. Punpun is a full-on atrocious jerk bag. I feel so sad for poor Aiko. She only wanted regular life, a bit of sweetness, laughter, and everyday tension with his love to share each other worries, pain, sadness, and joy. Punpun didn't bother to offer some warmth and is so mentally deranged he ripped her clothes off to only get intimate with Aiko. That scum even called Aiko a slut and all kinds of things to find out she was a virgin who patiently waited for him alone all this time. Not to mention, he didn't bother to be gentle with her and took her current situation into account before getting all nasty. Aiko was jealous of Punpun, who lived his life on his own terms without caring about his parents, relatives, friends, or anyone. Aiko was mentally broken and needed serious help. But Punpun doesn't care about all that and goes on living with her like it's the normal thing to do.

Mr. Shishido was his saving grace and was literally willing to make sure Punpun doesn't waste his life. He offered him a part-time job, even a full job after he got his degree and completed his education. Shishido went as far as to give him an apartment and was willing to help him get a driving license. What kind of angel do you have to be to help someone you barely know to this extent, which resembles the love of a family? Shishido's daughter made Punpun a promise to buy him a brand new PC when Punpun passed his certification exam for the computer. Sure, she was mean at the start, but I guess it made sense when you see just how Punpun is taking everything for granted. It would piss off anyone when a stray is leeching off from others without paying the kindness back in any kind of form. Punpun had Sachi, who pushed him to do better in life and maybe awaken his inner talents for writing stories. However, after failing one, and the hard work amounts to nothing. Punpun simply gives up and abandons Sachi. They did make a promise or implied that when Sachi took abortion, they would meet each other and live together with chance getting from first base to all-the-way to marriage. But the moment Aiko comes back, Punpun abandons everything and runs off to her with his head chopped off like a chicken. He doesn't look back even once when you see Sachi similarily to Aiko standing in the rain crying.

Sadly, even the caring-compassionate Mr. Shishido and his daughter, who was so loving and caring. Punpun just forgets it and goes on with his miserable life. Before Punpun stabbed Aiko's fat pig of a mom. He was just drifting along with tons of uncertainty. This was the first time he took the initiative and actually killed someone like his darker thoughts had been pestering him about over and over. Punpun taught he became liberated now and started acting much crueler, egoistical, self-absorbed. I mean, he got so damn angry about a guy who left his can of soda on the ground, not throwing in the trashcan. When the guy tried to use facts based on his past experience. Punpun didn't like how he was walking all over him and actually wanted to kill him. Or should I take Punpun's word at face value and believe him that other guy was the first to act violently? I hate the fact Aiko deserving of happiness and love, committed suicide. But Punpun didn't seem to face any repercussions apart from the ones he caused himself. Aiko was so sweet and endearing, but her life was messy with a cultist witch breathing down on her neck. Aiko's mom runs her daughter ragged like a doll and manipulating her and threatening through abuse to do her bidding. Even so, all of those years. Aiko was sweet and caring enough to care for her scumbag of a parent by getting a job, doing all she wishes. But when she wants something no matter what the hell is. Aiko's is met with abuse and flat out rejection.

Gosh, it felt satisfying when Punpun killed her. Although, if I was in his shoes. I would push the pig out of the way and run away with Aiko to get medical attention. Then actually think awhile realistically before making any other sudden movements. If Aiko so wishes, we could report her mom together or stay out of her way for good. I am so depressed that Aiko was pushed to the point of killing herself, and it could've been avoided if Punpun actually used his brain for once. I do seriously hate Punpun even if the core cause for him growing this way is his parent's who didn't seem to bother with Punpun much or at all. Regardless, Punpun got many chances to turn over a new leaf. Still, he shoved it aside to pursue something selfish, disgusting, and useless. The amount of help he got is not something everyone experienced in their life, yet it meant nothing to him. In the end, Sachi reached out her hand to Punpun in the same way Midori did to Yuichi when he thought of killing himself. Yuichi is a person who actually reflected on his past and instead of keeping all his feelings bottled up untill it consumed it. He shared it with someone and got happiness out of it. Punpun went through many of the same things as Yuichi, but the results are mostly entirely different. Punpun never bothered to share his pain with others and tried to deal with it by himself. That started affecting him psychologically and made him do some awfully corrupt and disgusting stuff to the people who cared about him.

If Sachi was not such good-natured and loving who went as far as to search for the cause of Punpun's destructive behavior. Punpun's would've ultimately killed himself. I don't feel happy nor sad that he got a happy life. I am just neutral since so many people got crushed and hurt by his childish and selfish actions. I am, therefore, unable to forgive Punpun. The main character experience is definitely relatable and personal to many of us, even if it's not the same down to the last details. We can get a lot of value out Asano's absolute magnum opus Goodnight Punpun. It's a damn groundbreaking story with realistic themes and execution. It really made me cry a lot and reflect on my past regrets and all that. It's a work of art that really resonates with you on a profound level. Goodnight Punpun is an emotional story with the ability to change your viewpoints on life, yourself, and many more things as a whole. This is an extremely terrifying read not recommended to those who are in a state of depression or are too young to comprehend the themes Asano explores, assess, and explains to the readers. This work also not censored violent parts, such as psychical, mental, sexual abuse. We clearly can tell what is happening despite the fact the images are not clear. This is one of the few works where the censoring is very thin. So proceed with caution if that kind of thing bothers or annoys you.

Asano's way of telling the story by depicting Punpun as a cute bird is really unique. It makes it, so it's harder for us to interpret Punpun's true facial expressions and more impressively emphasis the effect on Punpun's character and psychological statement. As Punpun loses himself to the clutches of despair, the drawing of a bird changes based on how he sees himself and his overall emotional state. As for the art-style of Goodnight Punpun, it's absolutely stunning and so gorgeously depicted. It's so realistically drawn, with much depth. The way Asano can vividly convey facial expressions through subtlety is mindblowing. It's no question that Asano is one of my favorite artists and story writer in his own class. Reading this gem for a second time was much-needed. I can appreciate Goodnight Punpun like it actually deserves. I can also express my feelings more easily. Writing my feelings already served as a way to make me fall even deeper in love with Goodnight Punpun and the kind of impact it had on me. It's not without its shares of flaws. I didn't agree with the pacing at times. Some conclusions of arcs felt like they could've been more fleshed out and had much more left to give. One of which was the whole Seki and Shimizu arc, which didn't really leave me as satisfied as I first thought it would. Others where some very whacky things that happen, which just made not much sense to me (Sorry I am not Asano).

I am hopeful. I was not the only one with this issue. Pegasus' purpose was kind of lost for me as well. What's the reason for him being there? I guess one way to look at him is he was once homeless. But through actually pursuing his weird-ass goal, he was able to become somewhat famous. So basically, the way you live your life is what you will get. Punpun was timid, shy, didn't have a speck of confidence to do things he wishes, so he fell. Pegasus actually tried to pursue his goals and was able to create cult who gained attention more or less everywhere. As for the blackspot business. I think that might have to do with Punpun's "God" or, more specifically, the darker ideas of a person. That just seems to make the most sense to me. Yes, I did actually love how the author wrote the ending as telling us life just moves on, and the cycle continues. Even so, I would've liked to precisely find out the process of Punpun's redemption. I didn't feel utterly dissatisfied, not getting that part. I had a blast reading Goodnight Punpun. It was an excruciating, meaningful, worthwhile read which left its permanent mark on me. No matter how you slice it. Every person has darkness and light inside of them. One has to have a balance to not get overwhelmed by the other factor. As I can see it Punpun hat first had too much light, then he got too dark. He never felt something that had both of those elements with a fixed balance.

Do I make some damn sense right now? But that begs the question. In the little innocent Soara's eye, why the hell did I see the same "God" acting so smug who was first in Punpun? It might be something so simple like it's their sign of darkness trait that is inherited among their families and relatives. I also wanna throw that the way Soara (come on it's obvious it's him) looked at the new transfer girl. It might be Asano's way to tell us that was just how innocent and naive Punpun looked back when Aiko blessed his world. Honestly, I don't know what I am doing by trying to dig into Asano's obscure and beyond a brilliant mind. I can't begin to list the number of ways there is to describe Goodnight Punpun. It could be a taste of what depression looks like, and the pain of loving, the consequences that follow your choices and how we to let them affect us. It shows that life is no cakewalk littered with rainbow and bursts of sunshine. Everyone went through hell in some form to get where they are now. True happiness is not something you get by being lazy and not putting in any effort. Look at among others - Yuichi, Midori, Sachi, and then at Punpun, who didn't do the right thing to achieve a good life. Additionally, living might be harder than dying in theory, but that's the coward way out. The way you live your life and the people around you, their effects on you, is the essence that forms your identity. There are still so many things to touch upon in Goodnight Punpun and despite how much I have written. It feels like I have barely done justice to the incredible Asano. It's work I must recommend to everyone as it's one of the best manga or story, in general. I had the great pleasure of reading it, and its effect is everlasting and valuable. Goodnight Punpun is an absolute must for everyone.