Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit
Viz · 2009–2014 · 10 issues
About the series
In Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit, a chilling premise unfolds in a dystopian Japan where the government administers a mandatory vaccine that causes sudden death for a random selection of young citizens. Each recipient receives an "ikigami," a notification of their final 24 hours, forcing them to confront the meaning of their existence. Published by Viz from 2009 to 2014 across ten issues, this series is most associated with creator Motoro Mase, whose stark, thought-provoking narrative explores life's value under an oppressive, life-ending decree. Its unflinching examination of mortality and societal control makes it a standout work in dystopian manga.