No.6 by Atsuko Asano

Shion lives the life of a privileged elite student in the utopian city No. 6.  Then he meets the fugitive boy Rat and offers his sanctuary and aid for the night.  For that infraction, he is kicked out of his elite school and he has to move to Lost Town with his mother.

Four years later, Shion is working in the Maintenance Department of the Forest when he discovers a man who has aged rapidly and dies.  The next day, Shion's co-worker is struck the same way.  Immediately the authorities show up to arrest Shion for their murders.  It's while on his way to prison that Rat shows up once again -- this time saving Shion.


This manga series follows Shion and Rat as they survive to live in the slums outside the utopian No. 6.  Not only must they survive harsh living conditions with little food, clothes, or other life necessities, but they soon discover that the No.6 isn't quite as wonderful as everyone thinks.  A mysterious illness is spreading through the city.  Citizens are being arrested for voicing dissent.  Now it is up to Shion, Rat, and their friends to help save No.6.