Does Tanaka-Kun Is Always Listless Have A Manga?

Oh, Tanaka-kun! That series is such a mood—I can totally relate to his eternal desire to just exist without extra effort. Yes, there’s absolutely a manga! It’s written and illustrated by Nozomi Uda, and it ran from 2013 to 2020. The anime adaptation only covered a fraction of the story, so if you loved the sleepy charm of the show, the manga dives way deeper. There are more absurdly chill moments with Tanaka and his long-suffering bestie Ohta, plus new characters like Shiraishi’s chaotic energy balancing Tanaka’s lethargy. The art style is simple but expressive, perfectly matching the series’ laid-back vibe. I binged the entire thing during a lazy weekend, and it felt like wrapping myself in a weighted blanket of humor and warmth. The manga’s pacing is deliberately slow—almost like it’s yawning along with Tanaka—but that’s part of its charm. If you’re craving more of that ‘slice-of-life but make it nap time’ energy, the manga’s a must-read.

Fun side note: The manga also explores side characters more, like Miyano’s obsession with ‘listless beauty’ or Echizen’s deadpan reactions. It’s hilarious how everyone orbits around Tanaka’s black hole of laziness. The anime’s OST is iconic, but the manga lets you linger in those quiet, absurd moments longer. Volume 13 wraps everything up neatly, though I’d kill for an extra chapter of Tanaka napping under a tree. Nozomi Uda’s afterward is oddly poetic too—she calls Tanaka her ‘ultimate comfort character,’ which checks out.

Yep, the manga exists, and it’s glorious! Nozomi Uda’s art has this wobbly, doodle-like quality that fits Tanaka’s half-Asleep worldview. While the anime’s a cozy 12 episodes, the manga stretches to 13 volumes, packed with extra gags—like Tanaka inventing new ways to avoid PE class or Ohta casually carrying him like a backpack. My favorite arc involves Tanaka ‘training’ to become even lazier. The physical comedy shines brighter on paper, and there’s a whole volume of bonus four-panel strips that’re pure serotonin. If you’re into dry humor and anti-energy, this is your bible.