Manga Review: King of Eden, Volume 1, by Takashi Nagasaki and Ignito

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: September 2020

Volumes: 6.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 2.

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

Entire villages are going up in flames across the globe, with the same man left standing at the scene every time. Meanwhile, rumors abound of a highly contagious virus where those infected fly into a blind rage, killing anything and everything that crosses their path. As the death toll rises, agencies from nations around the world get together, looking for answers-How are these incidents connected? Who is that man? And most importantly...can the massacres be stopped before humanity is doomed? 

 

Review:

 

A mysterious man keeps showing up right before these small towns come down with this terrible killing virus and then burn to the ground. The government and scientists aren't sure who's behind it all, or what this virus really is, but they're pulling in some scientists and archaeologists to go after the answers.

There are a lot of different people moving around in this series, what with the different government officials and the different black market sellers of the virus, plus the different villages being experimented on and then set on fire. But we do get two main characters, Rua and Teze, who coincidentally were classmates a long time ago. Rua is a very smart historian and archaeologist, and she's pulled in because she's familiar with the history of where this virus potentially originated. Then there's Teze, who appears to know a lot more about this virus than anyone else, from personal experience.

The virus is definitely a horrifying thing, with how quickly it transforms people and what wolf-like monsters they become, plus the potential of it being a weapon. But it also has a really deep history that I'm intrigued by. There's a lot of real history being woven into it, some theories that are thrown out there and some that are clearly going to turn out to be true. It's a historical sci-fi that I'm more intrigued by than I expected, since I don't usually get into the deeper historical ideals.

The artwork was really good in this, and that along with the writing set up a really good thrilling and ominous feel to the story. There are a lot of characters already, but we are getting to know the main ones slowly, but enough to help the story along.

While this might not usually be my type of story, I could get into it. It was really well written and kept me interested, and reminded me of some similar thriller/horror movies.

 

A review copy was provided by the publisher, Yen Press, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Juni Taisen: Zodiac War, Volume 4, by Akira Akatsuki, Nisiosin and Hikaru Nakamura

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2019

Volumes: 4.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Twelve fighters enter, one fighter leaves—who will win the 12th Zodiac War?

Every 12 years, 12 fighters take the form of the Chinese zodiac and engage in a battle royale. With their strength and mysterious powers, they fight to the death and the sole survivor is granted the ultimate prize—any wish.

With most of Rabbit’s zombie army out of the way, only one thing stands between Ox and Tiger and taking down Rabbit for good—Monkey. Her sheer strength and power, once disciplined in life, are completely unhinged in death, making her far and away the strongest fighter! With only four fighters and one zombie remaining, who will come out victorious? Don’t miss the thrilling, unexpected conclusion to the twelfth Zodiac War!

Review:

We reach the end of the zodiac war, and finally find out who is left at the end of this massacre. It is, of course, not quite what you would expect from the beginning of the series. Once you find out who it is and what their true power is, though, it makes sense, and it makes sense why it was kept secret this whole time.

There were a couple of interesting characters along the way of this series. The relationship between the Tiger and the Ox ended up being particularly odd in its sweetness, honestly. But there were a couple of others, too, that I almost wished hadn't died, like the twins.

After all of that build-up, though, I'm a bit disappointed that we don't find out what the winner wants his wish for. It seems like there was a lot of build up for that, especially the further the series went, and then we're left with an “I'll think about it”, basically. I guess there's a whole sequel novel about his decision, though? So I suppose, in that ideal, that it makes sense the fighting would take up the first story line.

This was an interesting story. Not something I would normally read, especially with so much gore, but I'm glad I stuck around. I wanted to know who won this crazy battle royale, and it was an interesting conclusion.

Manga Review: Happy Sugar Life, Volume 5, by Tomiyaki Kagisora

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: May 2020

Volumes: 10.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volumes: 1. 4. 6.

Goodreads Synopsis:

If you love someone...
...you want to eat sweets with them.
You want to bathe with them.
You want to hold them. To kiss them.
You want to be with them tomorrow and the next day.
Isn't that how everybody feels?

Does it exist...
...in this world?
Love...
...that's not...
...arrogant?

Review:

I knew this was going to have a creepy vibe when going into it. I didn't quite know how much, clearly.

Without any prior knowledge of this series, I'm introduced to Mitsuboshi, who's appearing to have a life crisis, because he wants to change himself and stop these weird thoughts, but also apparently he's obsessed with Shio and needs her praise and to know she's okay. Matsuzaka shows up, similarly slightly crazy, and seems to know how to talk Mitsuboshi down enough to get what she wants, which also involves having Shio all to herself.

For a while I didn't know what Shio's part in all of this is, and I'm still a bit concerned. She doesn't seem to realize that what Matsuzaka is doing to her is crazy and wrong, and that other people are worried about her. And Matsuzaka is clearly in love with her, so that's a surprising LGBT element I didn't expect.

This whole volume felt very demented and unsafe, and that ending only cements those feelings to be correct. There were also some really interesting story-telling uses, like a chapter that features a narrator we're not even shown, up to a surprise ending. Helped with the ominous creep factor, as well.

This was a twisted roller coaster of psychological issues, some of which I didn't realize I was walking into. I don't think it's something I would normally pick up, but it is something I could see myself bingeing and getting caught up in just to see how it all ends, because it's crazy af and sometimes those stories are interesting in how twisted they can be. Kind of like School Days, honestly.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, Yen Press, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Tokyo Ghoul: re, Volume 1, by Sui Ishida

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: 2017

Volumes: 16.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Tokyo Ghoul 14. Tokyo Ghoul: re 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the world of Tokyo Ghoul, sometimes the only way to fight monsters is to become one…

The Commission of Counter Ghoul is the only organization fighting the Ghoul menace, and they will use every tool at their disposal to protect humanity from its ultimate predator. Their newest weapon in this hidden war is an experimental procedure that implants human investigators with a Ghoul’s Kagune, giving them Ghoul powers and abilities. But both the procedure and the newly formed Qs Squad are untested. Will they become heroes…or monsters?!

Haise Sasaki has been tasked with teaching Qs Squad how to be outstanding Investigators, but his assignment is complicated by the troublesome personalities of his subordinates and his own uncertain grasp of his Ghoul powers. Can he pull this ragtag group together as a team, or will Qs Squad’s first assignment be their last?

Review:

I took a break after the previous series ended, and I really wasn't sure if I wanted to read more. I was conflicted after the ending.

I've finally decided to continue this series, and after this volume... Well, I'm glad I continued, but now I'm a little confused.

As the volume started, I was very confused by when it was taking place, what all had passed, and who a lot of these people were. It wasn't until the last quarter of the volume, that some things started to make sense. But really, that only connected a couple dots, gave me more questions, but made me a lot more interested to keep reading. So, it did the job, quite well.

The world of the ghouls and the kagune and all that is a little confusing to me. There's a lot to understand, and a lot has seemed to change. Then there's this new squad, with Mutsuki and Haise and Urie and Shirazu. I'm intrigued by each of these characters, but I'm not sure what to think of them yet, or where they're going.

I'm very intrigued by Haise, but I want to know what happened that led him here, how things have changed so much. I will admit that some of this makes sense, because it always seemed like we needed to be inside the CCG, with them to see what they're doing.

I'm confused and intrigued. I'm also impressed with a lot of this. Even just the writing—it leaves you interested, and some of the character and technical choices were really thoughtful and done well, particularly with how Urie speaks and thinks.

I'm intrigued, and look forward to catching up.

Manga Review: Gangsta.: Cursed. Ep_Marco Adriano, Volume 4, by Kohske and Syuhei Kamo

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: May 2018

Volumes: 5.

Spoilers?: Light.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 2. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A spin-off series from the hit manga Gangsta that tells the backstory of Marco Adriano.

The man named Marco Adriano is a loyal and beloved member of the Cristiano Family, helping them protect the persecuted Twilight population in the city of Ergastulum. But he was once a boy code-named “Spas,” raised as a Hunter and assigned to the Destroyers Second Group for a single purpose: to track down and kill Twilights.

No longer able to ignore what his conscience is telling him, Spas finally tracks down Maverick and confronts her. With time running out and deaths piling up, can he convince her to turn away from her twisted ideology of salvation?

Review:

There's just utter chaos in this volume. They're killing twilights and everyone involved with them, and it's bloody and brutal. But then, as Spas realizes what they're doing is wrong and tries to stop it, they end up fighting each other, as well.

Everyone is fighting everyone, and there's blood everywhere, and arguing, and attempts at saving people, and it's hard to tell who's winning, if anyone is.

Marie and Spas have it out in this volume, and it's not good. With the cliffhanger, it looks like more bad things are in store for Spas, as he stands up for what he believes in.

This series is a bit hard to take. I definitely wouldn't follow it, or have picked it up, on my own, but it does intrigue me. I kind of want to know who comes out of this massacre alive.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Fire Punch, Volume 4, by Tatsuki Fujimoto

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 2018

Volume: 8.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 2. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a frozen dystopia where inhabitants eat flesh to survive, can the destructive powers of fire bring salvation?

In the not-too-distant past, the Ice Witch blankets the world in snow, starvation, and madness, leading the inhabitants to seek their salvation in fire. With that, an unusual destiny unfolds for two young orphans, Agni and Luna, blessed with the ability to regenerate. But will this ability prove to be more of a curse than a blessing?

Boss, the leader of the Behemdorg escapees, finds he’s at a disadvantage when fighting the soldiers who continue pursuing them. But all that changes with the sudden appearance of a mysterious spear-wielding girl and a masked man who are willing to lend their aid. Meanwhile, will Agni have to perform that certain act once again for those who revere him?!

Review:

Agni is struggling with what to do with himself. He wants to help people, but he also doesn't think he has the right to help people. Now that people are treating him like a God, worshiping and believing he can save them, he wants to do what he can for them. Even if that means a little cannibalism.

The characters in this series are so demented, and disturbing. We meet a new character in this volume, who wants to remake the world, with destruction and rebirth. To remake it, you have to destroy it.

All of this is very disturbing to me. This whole series, really.

While I wouldn't read this on my own, I will admit that I'm a little fascinated and intrigued by it. It's a very odd concept and how it's all playing out. It's awful, but a little fascinating.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Juni Taisen: Zodiac War, Volume 1, by Akira Akatsuki and Nisiosin, and Hikaru Nakamura

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 2018

Volumes: 4.

Spoilers?: Light.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Twelve fighters enter, one fighter leaves—who will win the 12th Zodiac War?

Every 12 years, 12 fighters take the form of the Chinese zodiac and engage in a battle royale. With their strength and mysterious powers, they fight to the death and the sole survivor is granted the ultimate prize—any wish.

Eleven of the twelve fighters have gathered, and everyone awaits the final contender—Boar. She is strong, confident and a favorite to win the twelfth Zodiac War. However, this time, the rules have changed! The battle is limited to an abandoned city and all of the contestants are forced to ingest a deadly poison. Monkey tries to call a truce, but before she can the floor explodes, scattering all the fighters. Despite the chaos, one thing’s for sure—only one will remain standing.

Review:

When I went into this volume, I quickly realized that I knew nothing about this series, and that perhaps there was a reason I hadn't watched or read it previously. It's definitely not something I would have had an interest in, had I realized what it was about.

We're immediately set in a Hunger Games (or Battle Royale?)-esque setting, with 12 characters in each zodiac animal theme, in war in which one winner will come out. They have to literally kill each other in order to get the thing they need to win. Each character has a different tactic, and a different perspective on their competitors. They've got different abilities, and some are underestimated more than others.

We get an introduction with a cocky character, who is very quickly eliminated from the competition. It's a bloody, fierce battle we're going into here.

I really had no idea what I was getting into, and honestly, I'm a little wary of reading more. I'm not even sure how I feel about the character development yet. That being said, though, I didn't necessarily mind reading this volume.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Fire Punch, Volume 2, by Tatsuki Fujimoto

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2018

Volumes: 8.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a frozen dystopia where inhabitants eat flesh to survive, can the destructive powers of fire bring salvation?

In the not-too-distant past, the Ice Witch blankets the world in snow, starvation, and madness, leading the inhabitants to seek their salvation in fire. With that, an unusual destiny unfolds for two young orphans, Agni and Luna, blessed with the ability to regenerate. But will this ability prove to be more of a curse than a blessing?

Following the fight with his longtime enemy Doma, Agni is beheaded, and it’s decided that his head is to be taken to the sea. However, during the journey, a mysterious person named Togata appears, and their madness-tainted filming begins!

Review:

I missed the first volume of this, but it looks like the plot moves pretty quickly. From what happened in this volume, and what was mentioned to have already happened, it seems like a lot probably already happened.

From the first half of this volume, I was kind of hating it. There were several moments where I just did not want to read more. There's a rape scene that's kind of stopped, and then we meet an even worse character than the rapists, and then almost everyone we've met is killed.

It was a very graphic first half. And it was extremely disturbing.

Then we move onto the second half, where Togata is determined to help Agni get stronger to get his revenge, but really he's intent on filming all of it. Togata is a disturbing character, and he might even be my main distaste for this series. I've met messed up, realistic characters like this before (Mars, E.S.?, Golden Kamuy), and it just turns my stomach. This might even be the worse I've read to this point.

But then again, the filming parts in the middle are kind of interesting. And I liked Neneto, the camera-girl, and how she follows along with it. There were some sad topics surrounding her, like how she wasn't surprised about what almost happened to her, and how a lot of the men around her before this thought so little of women. There was also a surprising mix of characters surrounding Togata, like a gay couple. These aren't things we see much unless the whole story is about them, so it was odd—and kind of nice?--to have it just be another mention.

Togata gives a not-really-surprising twist at the end of the volume, right after we get to see what is really happening in Behemdorg. It's possibly even more disturbing, what they're doing to Blessed people under the city.

It all turns my stomach.

I kind of hate what I read so far, and yet I have another volume to read waiting. I'm offset and disturbed. This series is graphic and gross and awful. I'm almost glad that I didn't go looking for it when it was first released, as I didn't realize it would be this awful. But there were a few elements of this volume that intrigued me, or that I appreciated.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: The Promised Neverland, Volume 4, by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 2018

Volumes: 9+

Spoilers?: Hints.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The children of the Grace Field House orphanage must escape a macabre fate before it’s too late.

Life at Grace Field House is good for Emma and her fellow orphans. While the daily studying and exams they have to take are tough, their loving caretaker provides them with delicious food and plenty of playtime. But perhaps not everything is as it seems…

With Norman scheduled to be shipped out, the children try their best to save him. Emma and Ray come up with a new plan, but then Norman makes a surprising decision.

Review:

This series is brutal.

After that last cliffhanger, things don't get better. Emma and Ray are determined to do what they can, but... Norman thinks it's all too risky. He wants everyone else to be safe more than himself. It's honestly crushing.

I acknowledge that the last shot we have of Norman could mean something different than what the scenes before and after indicate, particularly seeing Mother walk back to the house with his hat. I admit to a tiny sliver of hope for that. But I have doubts, because I don't want to get my hopes up. Because the reality otherwise is just so awful.

Afterward, we know that Emma and Ray's time is coming to a close very quickly. Their birthdays are approaching, and Ray's is first. The whole thing with Norman puts them in a depression, and Mother takes advantage of that.

I will admit that, with the twist at the end, I didn't see it working out like that. There were quite a few twists thrown in, in a very short time. I'm both excited to see what happens next, and dreading parts of it. This series is honestly awful, it's cruel and disturbing, and I am utterly impressed and entranced with it.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Tokyo Ghoul, Volume 13, by Sui Ishida

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 2017

Volumes: 14 (+ Novels and Spin-Off).

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 12. 14.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way—except their craving for human flesh.

Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers.

Investigators from the 20th Ward launch an initiative to take out the Ghoul known as the One-Eyed Owl, who has possible ties to both Akira and Yoshimura. An all-out assault on the Anteiku café, where the Owl is supposedly hiding, results in full-fledged battle.

Review:

At the beginning of the volume, we get a backstory for Suzuya, then some little interludes for the characters. But all of it is leading up to the big, final fight, and it's happening at Anteiku.

In most of this volume, there's a lot of fighting. It gets messy and bloody, and it also gets complicated. I honestly had a hard time following some of it, as there are a lot of different fights happening, and we only get glimpses, and a lot of it is with new characters. Another part of it might be that I just didn't really care about any of these people. I wanted to know what was happening with Touka and Yoshimura and Kaneki's other friends. We only got to see Kaneki near the end of the volume, and the big fight is being held for the next and last volume. I'm really looking forward to seeing the end and how it wraps up, though there feels like a lot left.

Manga Review: Tokyo Ghoul, Volume 11, by Sui Ishida

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: March 2017

Volumes: 14.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 1. 10. 12.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way—except for their craving for human flesh.

Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers.

Amid clashes between Ghouls and the Commission of Counter Ghoul investigators at Doctor Kano’s underground facility, Kaneki finds himself locked in battle with Special Class Ghoul investigator Yukinori Shinohara. When the battle subsides, the CCG discovers shocking evidence that leads them closer to discovering the truth behind Kano’s sinister plans.

Review:

We get a little history here between Shiro and Kuro, and their surprising relation to Juzo. They're all rather messed up, though I kind of feel bad for Shiro and Kuro. Most of this was done to them, even if they maybe agreed at the beginning. Now, they only have each other.

We also see what has become of Ken. He seems to have reached a breaking point, and he's even more different now. Apparently his decision to only eat and hunt ghouls has changed him, and he doesn't even know himself anymore.

We also get some glimpses of some other characters, and some plot lines moving in the background. Among that, we see a relationship development between Amon and Mado. She usually stays rather stoic and doesn't give anything away, and doesn't have any outside-work relations, but she reveals some deeper feelings here. They have an odd relationship, to say the least.

Violence galor, Ken seems to have snapped and is trying to come back from it. There's an interesting reprieve where Ken and Hinami meet an author they like, though I'm sure more will come of it.

We're getting ever closer to the end, and I'm intrigued by all of it.

Manga Review: Tokyo Ghoul, Volume 10, by Sui Ishida

Rating (Out of 5): ~4-4.5

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: December 2016

Volumes: 14.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 1. 9. 11.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way—except their craving for human flesh.

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way—except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers.

While Kaneki and his friends tangle with Ghouls from the Aogiri Tree organization, the Commission of Counter Ghoul’s ongoing investigations bring them dangerously close to discovering Kaneki’s secret.

Review:

Violence. This series is so very violent.

Ken is making progress with his search; he's finding out who might have been in charge of what happened to him, and where to find him. But, at the same time as he discovers the doctor's possible location—so do the ghoul hunters.

There's three teams here. Ken's group, who are helping Ken and trying to find out what happened to Rize and why this happened to him. There are the other ghouls, who contain Naki and Shachi, who are pretty much after Ken, it seems. It also seems they're trying to beat Ken to his goal, though I'm unsure whether they're working with the other bad ghouls or not. Then there are the ghoul hunters—Amon and Mado, and the insane Juzo. I actually rather like Amon and Shinohara, and am intrigued by Mado. I think that Ken could work with them, if possible. 

A lot of fighting happens between these three--a lot of brutality and blood and awfulness.

Near the end of the volume, we finally get to see the fourth group, who are possibly part of Aogiri's team. It's hard to tell who's part of what at this point—because so many different people only know pieces. Ken even gets an interesting clue here, and I'm very intrigued. Then there was that surprising cliffhanger.

This is such an interesting series. I will be reading the next one very soon.

Manga Review: Real Account, Volume 1, by Okushou and Shizumu Watanabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: March 2016

Volumes: 13+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

UNFOLLOW OR DIE

Like many of his peers, Ataru Kashiwagi has found himself addicted to the newest social networking service, Real Account. But one day, Ataru and almost 10,000 other people, get sucked into the Real Account Zone, where they have become players in a series of deadly games. The basic rules of these games are simple—if you lose all your followers, you die in real life, and if you die, all of your followers die with you. As these depraved games decimate the players around him, Ataru must use quick thinking and his knowledge of Real Account to win each round and return to the real world. But when true friendship determines whether he lives or dies, can Ataru really survive when the only people he can count on are his Internet friends?

Review:

I’ve heard surprisingly good things about this series, but it still didn’t really stand out to me. But a friend told me to read, so I’m giving it a try.

Ataru was living in a perfectly normal world, even though a certain social media website/app was taking over everyone's attention. It wasn’t a big deal, up until him and so many others got pulled in to the virtual world and the leader—a giant-happy-faced fellow—started killing everyone and their followers off. And now he’s in a world where you have to survive and choose the right answers in order not to be killed along with the few followers you still have.

It’s a world where having real people in your lives is important, as well as how smart you are to work around the system. Ataru is doing his best, and he’s doing well so far.

I will admit that the happy-faced person can get quite creepy at times. And the games and deaths are rather horrible. But some of the emotions, or something behind it all, fell a little flat for me. The artwork is just okay.

I’m not hooked yet, but I’m going to give it another try.