When to Persist and When to Let Go: A Guide to Finishing Boring Manga

Reading manga can be an incredibly rewarding experience, offering a variety of genres and stories to immerse yourself in. However, there are times when you might find yourself in a situation where you're bored and questioning whether to continue with a manga series you've already started. Should you finish it, or is it okay to drop it? In this article, we'll explore this dilemma, offering advice based on my personal experiences and what I've learned from others.

Is It Worth Finishing Despite Boredom?

Often, I find myself reading manga titles with varying levels of enjoyment. For instance, I am currently reading Oyasumi Punpun, and despite it being highly rated, it has seemed uninteresting to me. This situation raises the question: should I continue to read it to the end, or is it okay to drop it?

The Decision to Drop It

While it's completely fine to drop a manga series, the decision comes down to whether the benefits of finishing outweigh your desire to move on. If the series is highly rated but doesn't grab your interest, it's often better to put it on hold and revisit it later when you might be more engaged. Alternatively, if the series is only moderately rated and you're not enjoying it, it’s probably best to drop it and explore other options.

Personal Experiences with 'On-Hold' Manga

I have run into this situation numerous times with popular manga series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Steins;Gate, Code Geass, Attack on Titan, Mob Psycho 100, Tokyo Revengers, and Durarara!. Initially, I found these titles to be equally dull, but years later, I revisited them and unexpectedly fell in love with them. The older I got, the better I seemed to appreciate these series, which highlights the importance of patience and the potential for reevaluation.

Exceptions and Personal Preferences

On the other hand, some series, despite being poorly received, do not offer the same potential for reevaluation. For example, series such as Accel World, SAO, Bleach, Danganronpa, Fire Force, Hoozuki no Reitetsu, Kakegurui, Natsuyuki Rendezvous, No Game No Life, Shaman King, World Trigger, Youjo Senki, and Bakemonogatari (which, while highly rated, might not align with your tastes) have not piqued my interest again, even after multiple attempts.

Conclusion: Make Informed Decisions

Ultimately, the decision to finish or drop a manga should be guided by personal enjoyment and time management. While it's tempting to push through boredom in the hopes of a payoff, it may be more productive to prioritize your reading experience. Don't let a potentially enjoyable series waste your time if reading it is causing you frustration.

Based on my experiences and those of others, it's advisable to set clear parameters for what constitutes a worthwhile read. If a manga isn't engaging and doesn't improve, it might be better to move on and explore other titles, ensuring that your reading time remains enjoyable and fulfilling.