KEMONO JIHEN!!!! a shonen story about a young emotionless boy (gets hit in the heart) whos more or less immortal (gets hit in the heart) learning how to make friends (gets hit in the heart) and also theres those two adult side characters that are uh (gets hit in the heart)

CHI NO WADASHI!!!!!! holy FUCK this story is scary. an INCREDIBLY CHILLING story about a young boy and his relationship with his mother. ive never been so scared by a comic before

short comics!! GLEEM BY FREDDY CARRASCO!!!! a book of short stories, the art style is SO CLEAN in only b&w (no greys!!!), and the second story in particular is like. so inspiring and unforgettable to me

LOVE ON THE OTHER SIDE BY NAGABE!!!! short stories all around different pairings- a sick woman and a big sentient bird, a young albino boy and an albino king... every single story is so sweet and tender aaaaah

finally, MALGRE TOUT BY JORDI LAFEBRE!!! a wonderful love story told backwards-- the first chapter is when they're both old and decide to stay together for the rest of their lives, and the final chapter is decades earlier at their 1st meeting. so sweet!!! so wonderfully drawn!!!!