"Gold Pollen and Other Stories" is a collection of short manga narratives by Seiichi Hayashi, originally published in the 1970s. The stories are characterized by their surreal, experimental art style and fragmented storytelling, reflecting the countercultural movements of the time. The titular story, "Gold Pollen," centers on a young woman named Noriko, who becomes entangled in a dreamlike journey through a series of disjointed, symbolic events. Her experiences blur the lines between reality and fantasy, exploring themes of identity, memory, and existential longing. The narrative is nonlinear, with visual metaphors and abstract imagery playing a central role in conveying its emotional and psychological depth.

Other stories in the collection include "Red Dragonfly," which follows a man reminiscing about his childhood and the fleeting nature of innocence, and "Flower," a tale of unrequited love and the passage of time. Each story is self-contained but shares a common thread of introspection and a focus on the inner lives of its characters. The characters are often depicted as isolated or disconnected, grappling with their emotions and the world around them in ways that defy conventional narrative structures.

The artwork in "Gold Pollen and Other Stories" is highly stylized, with bold lines, exaggerated expressions, and a mix of traditional and avant-garde techniques. The visual storytelling complements the fragmented nature of the plots, creating a sense of disorientation that mirrors the characters' psychological states. The collection is notable for its exploration of human emotions and relationships through a lens of surrealism and abstraction, making it a significant work in the history of alternative manga.