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businesswife's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I do have a tendency to rate manga 5 stars - not sorry. This one is so fun though. Gabimaru the hollow, known to be one of the most deadly ninjas and killers has been caught and taken in for his execution. Before his execution he is given the option to travel to 'paradise' and find the elixir of life for the Shogun. If he comes back with it alive he can go home to his wife and the charges will be dropped.
World: The world building for this slaps. I also recommend the anime. They have managed to match the art so well so going back and forth so I can read ahead has been a no brainier. Paradise in this series is terrifying, full of giant terrifying beings, poisonous insects, and flowers that grow from the dead who have come before searching for the elixir. And, on top of the island being insane Gabimaru is not the only prisoner sent, so there are a bunch of insane prisoners competing for the chance at their freedom.
Characters: I AM OBSESSED with Gabi and his executioner. They are both amazing and their dynamics is wild from the jump. The other prisoners are all terrifying as well and all have their own vibes. Also Gabi being a wife guy SO GOOD.
All and all I love this series and I'm reading it whenever I have an hour or 2 to spare.
World: The world building for this slaps. I also recommend the anime. They have managed to match the art so well so going back and forth so I can read ahead has been a no brainier. Paradise in this series is terrifying, full of giant terrifying beings, poisonous insects, and flowers that grow from the dead who have come before searching for the elixir. And, on top of the island being insane Gabimaru is not the only prisoner sent, so there are a bunch of insane prisoners competing for the chance at their freedom.
Characters: I AM OBSESSED with Gabi and his executioner. They are both amazing and their dynamics is wild from the jump. The other prisoners are all terrifying as well and all have their own vibes. Also Gabi being a wife guy SO GOOD.
All and all I love this series and I'm reading it whenever I have an hour or 2 to spare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse
wordswritinstarlight's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wound up reading this after my wife and I watched the entire first season of the anime in two days, and I regret nothing. Delightfully fucked up. Highly recommended for fans of Rin Chupeco (and their evil trees), or readers who (like me and my wife) are weak for terrifying murderers who wish they didn't need to do so much terrifying murder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
hsheehan85's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I really enjoyed the story and the characters. However, sometimes is felt a little jumbled like I missed something at certain points because transitions were not always smooth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, and Murder
There is nudity in the mangasellalellen's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny
trintrin's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Super intrigued and I'm in love with Gabimaru already :D
I found the art is kinda hard to follow during heavy action sequences but it looks pretty so I don't really care. We a have a morally grey protagonist who's super whipped for his wife, a strong female character, and a scary but interesting world, what more could I ask for?
I found the art is kinda hard to follow during heavy action sequences but it looks pretty so I don't really care. We a have a morally grey protagonist who's super whipped for his wife, a strong female character, and a scary but interesting world, what more could I ask for?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
darkclouds's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reading the manga now has really made me appreciate the adaptation - it's so well done!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
pheebabeeba_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book sure was gory… I liked the fact that the decapitators were such an important part of the story. I think they were very interesting. I’m not sure how much I liked Gabimaru, but he’s already a pretty well developed character. I also quite liked Sagiri, though I’m a little annoyed by how others treated her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Sexism and Death of parent
alyssa_s10's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Just started this series, and so far it is really good. I love the premise. The island feels lovecraftian, or like something one would see on the SCP wiki.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Cannibalism
rorikae's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
'Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku' by Yuji Kaku is a fast paced, thrilling manga about a criminal set for execution who is given the opportunity to gain a pardon.
Gabimaru is an assassin who has been given a death sentence. But he doesn't wish to die yet and so accepts an offer that could result in a pardon. A number of criminals have been asked to visit a distant island and find the elixir of life. The catch is that none of the adventurers who have made this trek before have ever come back alive and some even return with their bodies growing gruesome plants.
Gruesome but in a fascinating way, Kaku's artwork is both beautiful and disturbing when they draw the violence and body horror that are prevalent throughout this volume. They do an excellent job of making you root for Gabimaru by centering his wish for a pardon on his relationship with his wife. There is a spark of hope within him still and we get to see that flicker and grow with the possibilities of this mission. There is also a strong mystery element as we are not sure quite what the island has in store for the characters. I cannot wait to pick up the next volume.
Gabimaru is an assassin who has been given a death sentence. But he doesn't wish to die yet and so accepts an offer that could result in a pardon. A number of criminals have been asked to visit a distant island and find the elixir of life. The catch is that none of the adventurers who have made this trek before have ever come back alive and some even return with their bodies growing gruesome plants.
Gruesome but in a fascinating way, Kaku's artwork is both beautiful and disturbing when they draw the violence and body horror that are prevalent throughout this volume. They do an excellent job of making you root for Gabimaru by centering his wish for a pardon on his relationship with his wife. There is a spark of hope within him still and we get to see that flicker and grow with the possibilities of this mission. There is also a strong mystery element as we are not sure quite what the island has in store for the characters. I cannot wait to pick up the next volume.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
dreamerfreak's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail