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rorikae's review against another edition
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