Zashiki Onna Story and art by Minetaro Mochizuki Originally Publisher: Kodansha (1993) Length: 1 Volume (11 chapters) Usually, I try to avoid comparing manga with each other when basing an opinion on them. I don’t like the idea of constructing my thoughts on a standalone piece by differentiating it with similar ones. But in this instance, it was incredibly hard to enjoy Zashiki Onna, as … Continue reading Zashiki Onna Review
The Human Chair (Ningen Isu) Originally story by Edogawa Rampo, Art and adaptation by Junji Itou Publisher: Shogakukan (2007) Length: Oneshot (One Chapter) Despite my bumpy relationship with Junji Itou, works like Human Chair prove to me that the mangaka can create short, frightening stories when he wants to. The bizarre plot of this piece, when explained, may seem like anything but scary. But when coupled … Continue reading Human Chair Review
Pokemon: The Ghost of Maiden’s Peak Analysis The Pokemon franchise is known for many things, but darker storytelling is not one of them. Its child friendly brand is reassuring to parents, but can be frustrating for adult fans. This is what makes the more sombre examples in Pokemon’s history so intriguing. For a franchise so focused on providing kid-friendly experiences, it has created a lot … Continue reading Pokemon | The Ghost of Maiden’s Peak Analysis
Mail Story and art: Housui Yamazaki Originally publisher: Kadokawa Shoten (1999) Length: 3 volumes (18 chapters) Mail is scary. There’s no doubt about it. I experienced genuine fear when I was reading it. If that was the only criteria for a horror manga, Mail would get full marks. But unfortunately, this episodic horror series dipped in quality very early on, seemingly forgetting what made it … Continue reading Mail Review
Yami no Koe (Voices in the Dark) Story and Art by Junji Itou Original Publication: Asahi Sonorama (2002) Length: One Volume (7 Chapters) To leave Junji Ito’s skills unacknowledged is a slap in the face to all fans of horror manga. He is considered the heir of the genre, passed down from the likes of Kazuo Umezu (The Drifting Classroom) and Hideshi Hino (Panorama of … Continue reading Voices in the Dark Review
Portus Story and Art by Jun Abe Originally Published by Shogakukan (2006, 1 volume) Synopsis: Portus follows the 17-year-old high school student Asami Kawakami, who’s friend, Chiharu, has, effectively, disappeared. She no longer answers her phone calls, or even comes to school. She has become obsessed with Portus, an old video game she found under mysterious circumstances. There is an urban legend that a secret … Continue reading Portus Review
