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madscanread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A boy’s friend disappears in the mountains and what returns is no longer the same boy, though it uses his body, his voice, and his memories. The creature is just as much obsessed with him just as he is obsessed with holding onto the last remnants of the boy he loved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death
aromarrie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
stories of a loved one disappearing and then coming back wrong is a trope i don’t read enough, and this one nailed it in the first volume alone. i felt pushed to pick it up based on premise alone and it didn’t disappoint at all, thankfully. the art felt like it was being distorted based on the narrative, and it was so well done. already very dark & off-putting, and i’m excited to see the rest of the series 🩵
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, and Grief
connectedwings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, and Grief
rmperezpadilla's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Grief
arwen_at_the_library's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Grief
kaiajimenez's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Homophobia
azaleas_bouquet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I read this because James Somerton made a video about it. I started the video, and then about halfway through I stopped because I knew I wanted to read it for myself first, and I’m glad I did.
The layout of this manga is genuinely so beautiful. Aesthetically, yes, but it also serves its purpose. It adds to much to the story and emotion in a way I can’t see happening in other mediums like anime or novels. (TBH, it kinda of reminds me of Chainsaw Man, except less comedic and more focused on character-centric emotional builds than plot-centric emphatic moments.) Even as someone who knows literally nothing about art, I can say without a doubt that the style of the art and layout is one of the standout qualities of this manga.
That’s not to say the other elements were lacking, however. This volume set such a good foundation, and I’m excited to see how all the loose threads are going to get tied up. I was immediately invested in the characters, especially in Toshiki’s internal conflict and the desperation of the titular Hikaru. The horror elements of this manga are also astounding. They were so perfectly timed, and got some genuine gasps out of me. The body horror with Hikaru is the perfect balance between intriguing and unsettling, and the off-putting formatting of the manga during the sections focused on Toshiki reminded me that horror doesn’t necessarily have to be in an external plot device, but just in the manner in which something is presented. I really feel like these are characters than can carry a series, and all the side characters also have me intrigued.
Overall, I would highly recommend this manga. It’s intriguing, and it incorporates it’s horror elements with it’s teen angst emotional elements seamlessly. I’m excited to read the rest of this series.
The layout of this manga is genuinely so beautiful. Aesthetically, yes, but it also serves its purpose. It adds to much to the story and emotion in a way I can’t see happening in other mediums like anime or novels. (TBH, it kinda of reminds me of Chainsaw Man, except less comedic and more focused on character-centric emotional builds than plot-centric emphatic moments.) Even as someone who knows literally nothing about art, I can say without a doubt that the style of the art and layout is one of the standout qualities of this manga.
That’s not to say the other elements were lacking, however. This volume set such a good foundation, and I’m excited to see how all the loose threads are going to get tied up. I was immediately invested in the characters, especially in Toshiki’s internal conflict and the desperation of the titular Hikaru. The horror elements of this manga are also astounding. They were so perfectly timed, and got some genuine gasps out of me. The body horror with Hikaru is the perfect balance between intriguing and unsettling, and the off-putting formatting of the manga during the sections focused on Toshiki reminded me that horror doesn’t necessarily have to be in an external plot device, but just in the manner in which something is presented. I really feel like these are characters than can carry a series, and all the side characters also have me intrigued.
Overall, I would highly recommend this manga. It’s intriguing, and it incorporates it’s horror elements with it’s teen angst emotional elements seamlessly. I’m excited to read the rest of this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Death
Minor: Homophobia
iane_reads's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Excrement, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
kaitieg97's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was nothing like I expected, I'm wondering where it's gonna go!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Grief
toonyballoony's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Death