After a powerful earthquake nearly destroyed all of Tokyo, a prison known as Deadman Wonderland rose from what was left of the city. Privately-run through the guise and functions of a theme park, Deadman Wonderland takes in prisoners from all over Japan, using them as attractions for tourists. Little do the public know about the true purpose of this "theme park" and the horrors that take place within.

Enter Ganta Igarashi, a middle school student who has lived a normal life since the great earthquake occurred. This all changes when a mysterious masked murderer called the Red Man appears and kills his entire class, knocking him unconscious which consequently left him as the sole survivor. When he awakens, he is falsely convicted as the perpetrator behind the massacre, landing him a spot in Deadman Wonderland. What will become of this new inmate whose life depends on the bizarre "games" that this prison holds? And just what does Shiro, Ganta's supposed childhood friend who awaits his arrival, know about the Red Man?

Deadman Wonderland was put on hiatus from March 26, 2012 (2012-05) to January 26, 2013 (2013-03). During this period, mangaka Kataoka Jinsei gave birth to and raised her baby boy.

The series was first published in English by Tokyopop with 5 volumes released from February 2, 2010 to June 22, 2011 before publication was discontinued. VIZ Media republished the series to completion from February 11, 2014 to February 9, 2016. It was also published in Italian by Panini Comics under the Planet Manga imprint from January 24, 2010 to February 15, 2014; in Polish by Waneko from June 2014 to June 2016; and in Indonesian by Level Comics.